I was lucky enough to listen to the audio of this book, which was narrated fantastically, while I read along with my ebook. Elle returns back to her hometown when her grandmother's Alzheimers progresses. When she mistakes Elle and her live-in nurse, Adam, as being in love, the two decide to fake it to keep the peace. We all know what happens with fake dating right? I loved the relationship between these two! And the Alzhemiers story added an extra emotional element to the story considering how deeply both characters cared for the patient. This was a sweet book and it's a debut! I can't wait to see what the author pens next.

I really liked this book. The characters were so fun, although I wouldn't necessarily consider this to be an enemies to lovers story.

4.5 stars rounded up. What a fantastic debut. This one definitely packed an emotional punch alongside a tender romance.

I did a tandem ALC/eARC read of this one and sat with tears in my eyes more than once during moments with Elle and her grandmother, Lovie. The loss of my grandma three years ago was life-altering event, but I can’t imagine what it would have been like to lose her knowing me before she was gone. I don’t have any firsthand experience with a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s, however, this read felt very authentic in its portrayal of the challenges and heartache. My heart broke for Elle in the moments she had to face Lovie’s harsh words while knowing Lovie was trapped by her own mind working against her.

Having Adam alongside her was a buoy for Elle, even if it seemed like it would be the exact opposite from the beginning. Adam was the epitome of decency and care. Being a nurse, that would seem obvious, but he showed it in so many ways outside his hired duties as Lovie’s caretaker. The banter between Adam and Elle was entertaining and sparky, and the way they came to lean on each other through the ups and downs was lovely. They faced their own struggles, especially combatting Elle’s fears of allowing anyone else to become too close, but they came out stronger for it in the end.

The audiobook was incredibly well done. I thought Alex Picard’s narration was fantastic. She had great tone and pitch for the various characters to differentiate between them. She also invoked an entire spectrum of emotions into her performance that added to the authenticity of the story for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The first thing that attracted me to this book was its cover page, which I saw on literary agent @rebeka.finch ’s account. A beautiful colour combination—fresh and vibrant—and so was the overall premise of the novel.

An elderly Alzheimer’s patient (Lovie) mistakes her caretaker (Adam) and her granddaughter (Elle) for the younger versions of herself and her late husband. Adam and Elle (who initially cannot see eye to eye with each other) forcefully play along “for a day,” thinking that Lovie is soon going to “forget”—the twist is, she doesn’t.

Fake It Like You Mean It, a debut novel by @megmurphywrites , is a good attempt at a sweet romance filled with some intense moments.

Writing-wise, the author has a unique style. It is slow-paced and keenly descriptive. It’s written in first person, from the girl’s (Elle) perspective, and intentional or not, this set-up makes the guy’s (Adam) character seem to be more appealing than her own. The hero is well-written—a young Josh Duhamel.

The author also likes to convey body language in detail in each scene—perhaps to show vs. tell. And, though, in some sequences it’s interesting, it feels a little unnecessary in some others.

I didn’t quite fall in love with the lead characters as a couple or with the build-up of their love story. However, I liked how the author created them as two individuals (backstories/hopes/dreams/fears) who somehow do come together in the end—because it’s a romance novel—for me, they could’ve just been friends too.

The best thing about the book was Lovie’s character—her hard-love rules, her everyday life, her mental state, her introspections and retrospections —were all well written. Her storyline was the most well-defined.

Overall, it’s a cute novel with a quirky premise—a little dragged writing-wise—but if you enjoy lighthearted books with a hint of drama, you can give this one a try.

Book teaser by @theheartreader

Elle is back home with her grandmother, who is declining with Alzheimer's. Some days she doesn't remember who she is and it is hard on everyone. Until a bed opens up at a facility, they have a live in nurse helping out. Adam and Elle have to share the house and they don't have the best meet cute. Adam is a stand up guy, he helps out everyone, including his own family, to the detriment of himself. Elle's grandmother thinks that Adam is her husband and that Elle is herself at a younger age. The two of them try and keep the peace with her by acting like a couple, and soon they aren't acting. They fall into a groove with being around one another, but when Elle's grandmother goes into a facility and Adam and Elle go back to real life, will they be able to make it together?
This book was a hard read at times because it was so heart breaking and real with what she goes through with her grandmother. I felt for Elle and I was so saddened by what was happening. I felt like the enemies to lovers wasn't a great description of what this romance was. I didn't feel any hate, just minor discomfort that evaporated pretty quickly and he was just a cinnamon roll hero who was adorable. Elle's job was fun and really interesting too. I liked the incorporation of her grandmother into her podcast.
Thanks to Alcove, Netgalley and Megan Murphy for an early copy.

Elle is a podcaster and temporarily moving to her childhood home in order to help her grandmother with Alzheimer’s in the time between her rapid decline and getting her into a care facility. She unexpectedly stumbles upon Adam when arriving home; he is staying at the house as Lovie’s nurse. Lovie doesn’t recognize Elle and Adam encourages her to meet Lovie where she is at mentally. It is this situation in which the two spend lots of time together and the relationship starts from there.

What I liked:
I know everyone’s situation is different, but this provided a good look at one experience of living with someone with Alzheimer’s.
The banter and comedic happenstances were a balance to the heavy diagnosis.
The podcast and associated social media commentary were well done and helped move the story along.

What didn’t work for me:
Elle came off really strong at the beginning and I am not sure if it was the stress of coming home in that situation, but it seemed overblown of a reaction and drawn out/a bit forced.

Thank you Alcove Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

**Thank you to @netgalley, Megan Murphy, and @AlcovePress for a free ebook ARC copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Elle is a successful pocaster living in a Chicago, when she gets a call from Angie from her grandmother's in home care service. Her grandmother (as well as the woman who raised her), Lovie, has Alzheimer’s, she's getting worse. Elle arrives at Lovie's late at night and goes to her old room to sleep. When she goes to crawl into bed there is already someone there. A man. Adam Wheeler. Her grandmother's nurse. Elle finds out that he's there aroynd the clock as part of the new care plan put in place since Lovie has been getting worse. Lovie is not the same woman she was when she raised Elle...she also thinks Elle and Adam are her and her late husband Bobby 😬

We find ourselves in the usual trope of forced proximity and I'm so here for it.

This read is definitely heavy on the heart and I cried several times while reading it. I think the author did an amazing job at giving an inside look on Alzheimer’s and the toll it takes on family. This was not like anything I've read before, I found myself guessing what would happen in the end. Happy ending? Sad ending? Everyone at peace?

This was a pretty sweet story. Elle and Adam are both good, but flawed characters. Woven throughout their story is Elle’s acceptance and grief of her grandmother’s dementia diagnosis. Adam is a great resource for Elle as she navigates their changing roles. Elle challenges Adam’s rescuing tendencies which is good for him as well.
I felt that the forced proximity and circumstances fused the two mains, but there was something about their chemistry that I didn’t quite buy for their long term. The book was really more about caring for Elle’s grandmother and her podcast than their relationship development. I’d give this one a 3.5 stars, rounded up, but more for the lessons this dear old grandma can teach all of us.

I really quite enjoyed this book! I loved Elle and Adam! They had great chemistry from the start and I think their banter was great!🔥 Elle Is struggling because her grandmother Is struggling with Alzhemier's and doesn't remember her. I really liked the fact that even though It was hard for Elle she never never gave up on her grandmother! Adam was just the sweetest guy who cares so deeply for people🫶🏻 I also really liked how the Author wrote about alzheimer's and how it affects everyone! She really done a great job while also adding humour at times wich was nice🩷 This book has all the best tropes too so that was a win!🥰 I definitely think you should take a chance on this book when It hits shelves next month!! Thank you to netgalley and Meg for this ARC 😊

I love the cover! The story was amazing. I knew I was going to love it. The story was kind of heavy and times but also humorous. I’d definitely consider buy the book with it hits the shelves. Thanks so much!

enemies to lovers?? where?? when it was purely one-sided and it was just the fmc being annoyed by the mmc for..... no reason??

the podcast element was cute, though. all the power to our girl.

what i didn't like: the body shaming. especially coming from elle. my girl. you've been on the receiving end of it. don't be on the giving end of it, too. even if you're annoyed at a supermarket karen.

Fake it like you mean it!
This book is an emotional roller coaster compleate with one of my favourite tropes. “Fake dating”
I recommend this book for anyone who has a book hangover or just wants to have a good time reading.
4/5

Megan has a beautiful way with words. I love the banter and the emotion in this book! Also really loved Elle as a character and her confidence.

I’m always a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers story, so this one had me hooked from the start. The chemistry between Elle and Adam was strong right away—their banter was fun, and I really felt for Elle as she struggled with her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s. The book did a great job balancing the emotional weight of that with a slow-burning romance, and a fake relationship that had plenty of tension.

The build-up to the steam was solid, but when things finally happened, it felt a little underwhelming. It also followed a pretty typical contemporary romance formula, which wasn’t necessarily bad, just predictable. I still enjoyed the story, though, especially the family dynamics and the overall connection between Elle and Adam.

My biggest gripe? I really wish this had been dual POV. Since we only get Elle’s perspective, you have to trust that Adam is all in without really getting into his head. Some readers might like that mystery, but I personally would’ve loved to see his side of things too.

I think this is a solid pick for romance readers who enjoy a slow burn with some good steam, mild spice and emotional depth. If you love fake relationships, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers with a dash of the one-bed trope—and don’t mind a single POV—you’ll probably have a great time with this one!

RATING: 3.5/5⭐️

Tropes <33
- Fake Dating
- Forced Proximity
- One bed

Elle’s grandmother Lovie has fast progressing Alzheimers and Elle has decided to leave Chicago and come to her childhood home to look after her, but when she walks through the door there is a hot live-in nurse in her bed.

Not going to lie the cover really drew me in and when I read the blurb I had really high hopes but it fell a little flat for me.
I struggled to feel chemistry between the characters and at some points it felt forced, which honestly through me off for the rest of the book.
I did like the representation of Alzheimers which had me really emotional as it hits pretty close to home for me and I really loved Lovie which I think saved the book a little.

I fear I cannot fake loving this like I mean it... 🥁

This book sounded up my alley--I tend to prefer romance novels that have emotional subplots to get attached to. In this story, we get to see our FMC Elle supporting her grandmother in her fight with Alzheimer's, and I will say that that part of the story warmed my heart. I also (like everyone else) love a forced proximity and/or one bed trope and this had both, so that was fun.

I also thought that the podcast element was entertaining, and the opening podcast scene was so adorable (why was the mini-romance we get in the opening scene cuter to me than the romance taking place through the entire book?) I'd be interested in seeing what is done with this audiobook, because I feel like due to the podcast bits, this could've been a really fun listen.

Unfortunately however, there were many things that didn't work in this for me.
-Add this to the list of hate-to-love stories that didn't need to have that trope. I couldn't tell you why Elle hates our MMC Adam so bad. She is so hostile, and for what?
-This book really hinges on comedy, but the comedy just didn't work for me and gave me the ick. There were so many points in this that I was cringing away from my Kindle in second-hand embarrassment.
-I never did really feel like I understood our main characters the way I would like to. I especially struggled with Elle. She felt quirky for the sake of being quirky, and I feel like the goal was to make her relatable and funny but it kind of just felt annoying and off a lot of the time.
-I didn't feel any chemistry between our two main characters. Perhaps that's because I just wasn't vibing with the individual characters enough to vibe with them together, but it felt very forced to me.

All of that said, the writing was fun and easy to follow while not feeling too simple, unnatural, or clunky, so I would definitely give this author another try at some point if any books pique my interest. Sadly for this one: 2.75 stars rounded up

Thanks so much to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to Alcove Press for the ARC of this book! I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this one based on the premise but it was incredibly well done. Elle is a podcaster living in Chicago. Her grandma who raiser her, Lovie, has been suffering with Alzheimer's and lately is in need of more care due to her deteriorating condition. This prompts Elle to temporarily move back home to care for Lovie. This thrusts Elle into a life where she is constantly around Adam, her grandma's nurse. Their close proximity helps to forge a really strong connection. I felt like the topic of Alzheimer's was handled very delicately and well. The topic was obviously a really devastating one, but even amidst that I felt like the author did a great job weaving a very sweet and real romance into it. This one was five stars for me and I will be looking for more books by Megan Murphy in the future!

Very very cute, loved the main character and her backstory, the male protagonist is the cutest!!!!!
I want to read more about these two!!
And the grandma was hilarious!!!

So sad I couldn’t give feedback before it was published! I've been following Megan on social media as she teased this book and it didn't disappoint! It was emotional, romantic, swoonworthy. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another one of her books when I see it.

This debut was so touching and well thought out. I loved the themes of loss, family, and life lessons woven into the story. Adam and Elle were perfect for each other and I loved the growth we saw on Elle’s behalf. I really appreciated the Alzheimer’s rep and how it focused on how difficult it is for care givers. All the little details Murphy puts into her writing really make the story shine. Overall, this book was heartfelt, hot, and well worth the read. I’ll be looking at my dryer differently from now on 🫢