I wasn't quite sure how it would play out - due to some previous reviews - but I really ended up loving this book! Small town (think: Stars Hollow) meets big business drama, lots of classic tropes (BFF's ex, enemies to lovers, fake dating, friends with ex) ... there was A LOT happening but it was easy to follow and fall into. You have to try to empathize with the MCs and where they have been, their pasts and subsequent mental health/habits, to really appreciate where they end up. Enjoy!

no because why am i giggling and kicking my feet?! i did not expect to love this book the way i did. however let me insert that i also lowkey had extreme anxiety due to the love triangle (if we should even call it that). i think i covered my eyes and threw the book down like 10 times. perhaps that just means im an ellietheo super fan and i can handle that. this book is so so so cute. enemies to lovers done perfectly. also… theo is secretly a little mush and idk how ellie didn’t realize how down bad he was for her, anyway shoutout jilly gagnon for writing a wonderful book, love you mean it for real!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I really wanted to like this book, but I was ham me to get past chapter 3. I couldn't get into the characters and the plot was too slow for my liking.

In the captivating novel, "Love You, Mean It" by Jilly Gagnon, readers are introduced to Ellie Greco, a young woman longing to break free from the confines of her small hometown, Milborough. Despite having pursued her dream career of designing theatrical costumes, Ellie's father's untimely demise compelled her to return home and manage the family's deli, a responsibility she never anticipated. However, when news surfaces that Mangia, a glamorous gourmet food department store, intends to rent a nearby location, Greco's Deli faces the threat of closure. Desperate to save her family's business, Ellie attempts to reason with Theo Taylor, the heir to the property management firm responsible for her impending misfortune. Unfortunately, their encounter quickly spirals from unpleasant to disastrous when an unexpected mishap leaves Theo unconscious. In a panic, Ellie blurts out that she is his fiancée, only to be astounded when Theo awakens with amnesia and starts to believe her deception. As they navigate this peculiar charade, Theo proposes that they maintain the façade, hoping it will dissuade the Mangia deal. Reluctantly, Ellie agrees, despite her reservations about Theo's true intentions. Surprisingly, their fake engagement gains momentum, winning over even the discerning Ted, Theo's austere father. However, just as their plan appears foolproof, Sam, Theo's ex-fiancée, resurfaces, jeopardizing their intricate web of lies. Not only does Sam see through their charade, but she proposes an alternative arrangement that forces Ellie to make a challenging decision between newfound friendship, family legacy, and an unexpected romance that was never on her agenda. Jilly Gagnon skillfully weaves a tale of self-discovery, unexpected alliances, and the complexities of love in "Love You, Mean It." Through Ellie's eyes, readers experience her inner conflict as she navigates a world filled with deceit, ambition, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Gagnon's meticulous character development brings the story to life, allowing readers to forge emotional connections and empathize with Ellie's dilemmas. The author's vivid descriptions transport readers to the idyllic yet suffocating Milborough, where the clash between tradition and progress becomes the backdrop for Ellie's journey. Gagnon's prose is both engaging and witty, infusing the narrative with humor and moments of deep introspection. As the captivating plot unfolds, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat, eagerly turning pages to discover the outcome of Ellie's predicament. "Love You, Mean It" is a delightful exploration of personal growth, unexpected romance, and the complexities of family and friendship. Jilly Gagnon's masterful storytelling and well-crafted characters make this novel an absolute page-turner. Prepare to be immersed in the world of Ellie Greco as she grapples with life-altering decisions, all while trying to keep her family's deli afloat.

What a wonderful story! First time reading anything from this author and I adored their writing! Can’t wait to read more in the future!

I would give this. a solid 4 stars. I actually really enjoyed it. I love the growth Ellie had throughout the book. She made some big mistakes and almost lost her new friendship with Sam and her potential relationship with Theo.

This book kept me interested from the very beginning. From enemies that fake date that become lovers. Seriously all my favourites in one! .

Love You, Mean It
By: Jilly Gagnon
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints

-I love what Ellie and Theo were trying to accomplish.

-No spoilers: but I loved the juxtaposition of their families.

-Ellie and Theo’s chemistry is off the charts.

-This book was a little slow for me to get into, but once I did, I was hooked.

——

Love You, Mean It was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Random House Publishing, Ballantine. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 4/30/24

Love You, Mean it was such a fun read. We meet Ellie, a girl determined to keep her family deli open in their town. She has to join forces with Theo and pretend to be engaged in order to stop a mega store from opening.

They start out as enemies, of course, but end up having real feelings for each other. We learn about each character and the hardships they went through, and that not everything is surface level.

This book was a little bit slow to start, but once I got in, I had to know what happened. I was HOOKED, and I am so glad I read this book. It has enemies to lovers, which is one of my favorite tropes, wrapped in a really thoughtful story.

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For a romance, I was expecting to be more attached to this characters but it wasn't the case. I had a major issue with the main character, Ellie, who would constantly complain about every single thing and her negativity made me want to stopped reading at times. The writing was pretty good but the story and the plot weren't enough to make love this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

I enjoyed some bits of the book—fun tropes and entertaining moments—but the pacing felt a bit wonky and all over the place. It tries to cram in too many ideas, making it tough for the good parts of the story to shine.

On the upside, the whole animosity turning into semi-enemies to lovers thing worked like a charm. The amnesia/fiancé mix-up was a solid starting point, and I appreciated that it didn't drag on forever. The fake dating twist smoothly led to these two teaming up, dealing with business and small-town problems while also falling for each other.

Now, onto the not-so-great stuff. The ex-girlfriend angle felt like one thing too many, especially since she's so nice. I couldn't quite figure out what it added to the plot. Instead, it seemed to take away from Ellie's likability and the time that could've been spent building a romantic connection and throwing in some much-needed humor. The transition from falling into lovers seemed a bit rushed and lacked believability. The third-act breakup and reconciliation felt like a messy rollercoaster.

It's not all terrible; it just didn't quite hit the sweet spot for my reading tastes.

The beginning almost lost me--I didn't like the main character/narrator's voice or attitude, there were a lot of details that didn't really make sense to me, and it felt incredibly expository. But when my issue with the opening is stuff like that, I try to get through the first act, and I'm glad I did--once the main plot got going, things turned around.
The family deli Ellie runs is at risk of going out of business, thanks to the local property management family bringing in a huge chain. Ellie goes to plead her case to Theo (one of the many boys her cousin dated in high school), but while she's at the site talking to him, a piece of equipment falls on his head and knocks him out. Only family is allowed to go to the hospital with him, and Ellie doesn't want him to be alone, so she says she's his fiancee... and when he wakes up missing the past six years of his memory, he believes the story. And when his memory comes back, it turns out their fake engagement might just be the solution to both of their problems.
There's just one problem: Theo's ex, Sam, still has feelings for him. And, since she knows the engagement is fake, she enlists Ellie's help to get Sam and Theo back together. Which Ellie is happy to do, even as her own feelings for Theo begin to deepen.

While I didn't love this book I did enjoy it once I got to the second act. There were definitely some inconsistencies throughout, but I think Jilly Gagnon did a good job of portraying what it's like to be stuck in life with no clear idea of how to do the things you actually want--and the ways you have to lie to yourself to get through.

I love that I could see into her mindset and read exactly what she was feeling when she thought out situations. Her thoughts flowed well and moved the book along very quickly. Cassandra's narrative voice is wonderful. She is serious at times, but also very witty, which makes for an engaging read.

I really enjoyed Love You, Mean It! I liked the banter between Ellie and Theo and loved that there was adult communication; the miscommunication trope is one of my least favorites and I was so happy that it didn’t really come into play in this story. Jilly Gagnon’s writing was just delicious and I can’t wait to read her next book!

I was surprised that this was a first romance book for this author, because she hit it out of the park! I was completely invested in the characters and I feel like there may be some "spin-offs" in the near future. I am totally down for that! I will read every romance she writes from now on 😊

I really enjoyed this book. This romcom was about a girl who returned home to run her family business after her dad passed away. She hears that another store is planning to move into town that would run her family deli out of business.

The story was well paced, the characters were well written and relatable, and I just couldn’t wait to get to the end!

Thank you to the publisher, anithor, and NetGalley for giving me the ARC of this book for my honest review.

Nice heartfelt rom com, enjoyed immensely . This was fresh and enjoyable, keep me hooked thru the whole book . Definitely i want more from this author

Failed costume designer and current operator of her family’s deli, Ellie Grecco is trying to make peace with her life. She loves the deli, but can’t help but miss the idea of her fizzled costuming career. So much so that her personal life has stalled out. She dates hot losers and lives in a neglected apartment she refuses to decorate. When her family’s deli is threatened by the possibility of a deli superstore taking over a local building, Ellie is galvanized into action. She immediately sets up a meeting with Theo Taylor, former schoolmate, businessman, and the son of the wealthiest man in town. The man who also happens to own the building in question. When the meeting goes awry and Theo is rushed to the Emergency Room, Ellie tells everyone she is his fiancée in order to go with him. Ellie is shocked when Theo wakes up with amnesia and believes she really is his fiancée. The amnesia is only temporary, but Theo proposes an idea that will benefit them both. For reasons of his own, Theo doesn’t want the building to be turned into a deli superstore. He suggests the two pretend to be engaged in order to derail his family’s business deal. Ellie will save her family’s business and Theo will get the building for his own endeavors. With such a fool proof plan, what could go wrong?

Jilly Gagnon has given us a delightful romantic comedy in Love You, Mean It. A series of hilarious hijinks, family shenanigans, and explosive chemistry between the main characters equals perfection. Ellie is feisty, hot tempered and a bit adrift. Theo is solid and focused. They are total opposites, but balance each other in the best ways. Both characters are firmly grounded in reality with strong backstories and motives for their actions. The side characters are well written and add so much to the story. Sam, Theo’s ex and Ellie’s friend crush, was especially great. Love You, Mean It was enjoyable, heartwarming, and fun to read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the ARC of this book for my honest review.

I loved this book. The characters had me hooked from the very beginning. This fun romcom was about a girl who returned home to run her family business after her dad passed away. She hears that another store is planning to move into town that would run her family deli out of business. The book had While You Were Sleeping vibes in the very beginning. I loved everything about this book and can't wait to read more by this author.

Love You, Mean It gives "While You Were Sleeping" vibes and I'm loving it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

A delightful romance! I always love a fake-dating scenario, and this does not disappoint. I read it in a day!

Love this story and the little battles back and forth. Just as you'd imagine, the story follows a path you know well, and love! The characters are so easy to relate to and you cheer them on from the start. Loved the journey and HEA!