I adored this book! Adam & Elle were too cute& it felt like they were a real couple!! I was so excited for each chapter & couldn’t want to see what happened next!

👨‍⚕️Fake it like you mean it by Megan Murphy
4/5 stars ARC review
Publish date: 18th March 2025

This is an emotional rollercoaster wrapped up in a beautiful story with has love, grief, fake dating and family struggles ❤️‍🩹

It’s an easy read as it’s definitely a cutesy romance but it doesn’t get boring as you’ve got the strong plot of Lovie’s Alzheimas and the journey Elle and Adam navigate together handling everyday life. I’d love for someone who works within Alzheimas care to read this and reflect on Adam’s experience 🤗

The chemistry between Elle and Adam was a bit mixed for me, some scenes seemed so strong and realistic, I could imagine them slipping into their fake dating and not knowing where the lines crossed but in other moments I wasn’t so convinced!!🙈

The thing I loved most about this story was Adam, he seemed like the most genuine sweetest guy ever!! Especially when it came to his nieces and sister 🫶🏼

Would really recommend this debut novel (I know debut it’s incredible for a debut!!) but especially if you work with the elderly or going through any dementia/alzheima journey with someone close, hopefully this will make you feel seen ✨💗

I loved this! The emotional growth of the characters was really strong, and I really appreciated the depiction of Alzheimer's. The snippets of podcast interviews we got were a great touch.

This was wonderful! It had it all. Forced proximity. Banter. A likeable fmc and a swoon worthy mmc. It also had way more heart and depth than I was expecting. I have several friends going through similar experiences with parents with dementia and I liked how it depicted the struggles. I’ll be thinking of this one for a long time.

This was a beautiful book. Megan Murphy dealt with the incredibly difficult and painful story of caring for a grandparent with Alzheimers in a way that was both tender and raw. I'm really impressed with how she manged to include this seamlessly into the developing romance between Elle and Adam. She balanced humour and romance with the emotional pain and grief really well, and also somehow managed to include both the characters having quite nuanced emotional growth they also had to work through.

My only real criticism was that the enemies-to-lovers element didn't really work for me, I just didn't find their amnosity that believable and felt it was unnecessary to the story. This just meant it took me a bit longer to get into the story than I might have otherwise, but the writing was good enough I was drawn in anyway. I thought the writing was beautiful and moving and quite often very funny, I loved how well develpoed the characters were and thought the whole thing tied together really well. I would definitely read more books by her.

4.5 stars

Uhmmm that was the sweetest thing ever?! I had randomly applied and got approved for the ARC but had put off reading it for about two weeks (idk why). I finally started a few days ago, and almost immediately fell in love with it!

It was a real, honest, and raw inside look at caring for someone with Alzheimer’s while also being an incredibly sweet romantic love story! I mean, they fake being in love when her grandma thinks they’re her husband and herself from 60 years ago?! And she doesn’t forget so they have to keep the bit going?! Perfection.

The slow burn was burningggggg and the forced proximity/one bed situation was too good🤭

Also the fact that this is Megan Murphy’s debut novel?? I’m an immediate fan and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!! Huge thanks to NetGally for the early digital copy!

Obsessed. Went in to this book not expecting to love it as much as I did. Megan did a beautiful job of intertwining a love story with the realities of grief. I found comfort in how she built the relationship between Adam and Elle through the found family trope. This book made it feel relatable because it was built on how they felt a piece with each other. I will absolutely be putting this book in my comfort read pile to pick up again. Can’t wait to read more from Megan.

This was so cute and fun! It also has quite beautiful depth. A really unique twist on the amnesia trope, but used respectfully/sensitively. I loved the the dynamic between the main characters and was immediately invested into the romance. It feels like very thoughtful representation compared to some other romances I’ve read lately - a true breath of fresh air. I will be looking for Murphy’s books in the future!!

Elle has always relied on her grandmother, Lovie, for support throughout her life. However, as Lovie’s Alzheimer’s progresses rapidly, Elle finds herself returning to her childhood home in Chicago to take care of her. Upon arriving, she is surprised to find Adam Wheeler, the live-in nurse assigned to help with Lovie’s care, already in her bed. Adam is described as a “pain in the ass,” but he is dedicated to his job and committed to providing the best care for Lovie.

The story unfolds with elements of humor and emotional depth as Elle grapples with her responsibilities towards her grandmother while also confronting her growing attraction to Adam. The narrative features various romantic tropes such as enemies-to-lovers dynamics, slow burn romance, fake dating scenarios, and forced proximity situations.

Oh my god, I think this might be my favorite book for October and maybe even my favorite of the year. I laughed, I cried a few times, and I absolutely fell in love with this book.

I devoured this book. I literally did not want to put it down and did everything in my power not to. This was a perfect read for me, between the two lovely characters, the very real story, the emotional rollercoaster, and the sprinkles of spice — UGH! I want to read it all over again and hope I can get my hands on a physical copy.

As someone who only reads eBooks, I literally only buy a physical book if I love it OR if it’s the next book in a series and I know I will love it (like Fourth Wing). So please understand that this is HIGH PRAISE coming from me.

I loved getting to know Elle whenever she would let Adam in to see glimpses of who she was behind the curtain or through stories of her grandmother. And the journey between Adam being a grumpy guy to being a total sweetheart was deliciously slow and unfolded in the background, like a lot more showing then telling. I honestly cannot believe this is Megan’s debut novel and will 100% be picking up whatever she writes next.

While there is definitely spice, the spice isn’t like full-on GRAPHIC like some of these books are. So I think it hits a happy medium that a lot of people will enjoy, even if they skip over anything even remotely smutty.

“I want to know these parts of you, Elle. The messy ones and the crazy ones. I’m not asking for forever. I’m not even asking for next week. All I’m asking for is right now. But if that’s too much, that’s okay too. I only want whatever you’re ready to give, even if it’s nothing at all.”

BE STILL MY HEART. C’mon. Adam is the perfect book boyfriend. He loves and supports his family, he takes care of people like Lovie, which I would not have the emotional stamina to do, and he meets Elle where she’s at. PLUS, he is a very considerate lover, but not in a shy way, if that makes sense.

I almost forgot the podcast, which was such a fun and unique career for the FMC. Opening with her interviewing someone and later finding out some of the reason behind why she interviews on public transit, genius.

Omg, and the way the MMC supports her podcast and responds to trolls. Seriously. I could go on and on! If I could give one recommendation for a book to pick up in 2025, it would be this one. Add it to your TBR and please tell me what you think when it comes out.

OMG, I have to say, I absolutely loved this book! It had me hooked right from the start. Elle's journey with her grandma's Alzheimer's was so moving, and I really felt for her. The romance between Elle and Adam was super authentic too—it wasn’t just the typical enemies-to-lovers thing. Their relationship felt real and developed through these genuine moments of vulnerability, humor, and care. Seriously, I couldn't put it down!

I honestly had no idea what to expect when I first started reading FAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT. I was concerned because even though the copy I read is an ARC, it isn't formatted. Thank goodness I didn't let that stop me. Adam and Elle have a meet-cute that is in my five read meet-cutes. Their need to fake a relationship for Elle's grandmother, Lovie, is sweet. And it makes a real relationship between them that much more adorable and sweet. I am so glad I had an opportunity to read this amazing story.

I received an ARC of this book. I have not been paid for my review.

This was a really cute comforting book. I have grandparents I often take care of so I could releate to these characters. I really like Adam. He was calm collected and nice guy. Elle was nice, too. They were not annoying at all. I really appreciate Alzeimer representation. It added a special touch to the story.
Easy, romantic book with a little bit of spice, but only a sprinkle, that warms your hrart. It was dull at times, but overall I enjoyed it. My rating would be 3,5 stars. Thank you Net Gallery shelf for eARC of this book.

Touching, emotional and filled with deliciously wry humor, FAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT seamlessly blends a gorgeously moving story about family with the most satisfying love story. I went through a roller coaster of emotions reading this - from the heart wrenching scenes with Elle’s grandmother Lovie to the steamy scenes between Elle and Adam that left me sweating. Murphy’s prose is fast-paced and voice-y, making this the perfect cozy read to curl up with for the evening. Fans of Sarah Adams, Amy Lea, and Abby Jimenez won’t be able to get enough!

Thank you to Alcove and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So good, I wish I could re-read it for the first time.

The characters of Lovie, Elle, and Adam were compelling and well-written. The book reminded me of time with my grandparents when I was younger and Adam is the best guy, almost too good to be true, but not. Elle is the granddaughter who steps up to care for her grandmother once she gets sick, and the book is a beautiful portrayal of the relationship.

This book will be living rent-free in my head for a loooong time. I instantly fell head over heels for the characters and became an instant cheerleader for their respective journeys (individually and together...but especially together!).

Elle was such a wonderful protagonist to get to take this journey with, and I felt like she was my newest best friend. Her voice was funny yet earnest, and she approached the world with an honesty and care that added so much to the story itself. And then there was Adam... I loved this man from the first second. He, too, had such a quick wit and sense of kindness that played so well off of Elle. Their banter was top tier, and the slow-burn was *burning!* This was one of my favorite forced proximity stories, and I love that there was so much depth beyond the romance itself. The fake dating was also utilized in such a perfect, non-cliched way.

Beyond the romance, there was such a moving element of this story through Lovie and her journey. It was such a painful topic approached with such grace and love, and it allowed a peek into the difficult reality for so many families. It also added a richness to the piece with the focus on familial dynamics and love. Each and every character was compelling to me, from the friends to the podcast guests to Adam's family, and we as readers got to witness multiple different types of love all written so beautifully.

Overall, this book was so dang heartwarming yet hysterical, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read it. Thank you to NetGalley and Megan Murphy for the chance to fall in love with such a moving and immersive story!

Grab your favourite blanket, because Fake It Like You Mean It by Megan Murphy is the ultimate fake dating, forced proximity romance that will warm your heart, tickle your funny bone, and maybe even have you shedding a tear or two. If you’re a sucker for enemies-to-lovers banter and awkward bed-sharing situations, you’re in for a treat with this debut novel!

Elle thought she had everything under control, until she returned home to care for her beloved grandmother, Lovie, who’s battling Alzheimer’s.
What she didn't expect was to find Adam Wheeler, a maddeningly attractive (and equally infuriating) live in nurse, casually occupying her bed.

Cue the sparks, and not the good kind, at least at first. Adam is all about professionalism, but that doesn’t stop him from getting under Elle’s skin at every opportunity.

But things take a hilariously unexpected turn when Lovie, in the midst of her memory struggles, becomes convinced that Elle and Adam are in a committed, madly in love relationship. Rather than risk upsetting Lovie, they go along with the charade. The only problem? Lovie doesn’t forget and the more they fake it, the more Elle finds herself wanting it to be real.

What makes Fake It Like You Mean It stand out is how Megan Murphy balances humour and heartfelt moments with skillfull ease. The banter between Elle and Adam is top-tier, with just the right amount of sass and tension to keep you flipping pages. And while their fake relationship is meant to keep Lovie happy, it soon becomes clear that Elle’s growing feelings for Adam are anything but pretend. The slow-burn romance is as delicious as it gets, with every sarcastic jab hiding a spark of real attraction.

But this story isn’t just about romance, it’s about family, the challenges of caregiving, and the bittersweet beauty of love in all its forms. Lovie’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis adds depth to the story, making the tender moments between her, Elle, and Adam all the more poignant. Be prepared for some emotional moments that will tug at your heartstrings.

If you love fake dating, enemies-to-lovers antics, and a plot with equal parts humour and heart, Fake It Like You Mean It is a must-read. Megan Murphy’s debut is a delightful rom-com that will have you laughing, swooning, and reaching for tissues all at once.

I really resonated with this story and a grand parent needing additional care. Although my parents are still around I see the damage and changes a disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia can cause to a relationship.
I really felt the pain Elle experienced and I felt like the relationship between Adam and Elle was natural. There are plenty of books out there where forced proximity feels just that. Forced. But the relationship between Elle and Adam really had time to go from enemies to friends to lovers and the 3rd act break up didn’t happen at like the 95% mark. Overall amazing job on the telling of this story.

Oh, this novel wrecked me–it’s so emotionally fraught with the challenges of dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s and the love story grows really organically out of that circumstance. Elle and Adam are thrown together in the care of her ailing grandmother and don’t like each other at first. She resents him for being the home care nurse that seems to know her grandmother Lovie’s needs better than she does.

Soon the commitment to caring for Lovie takes precedence over their irritation with one another. They end up faking a relationship when Lovie believes Elle and Adam to be her younger self with her own husband. This is a gorgeous story of learning to accept the awful effects of Alzheimer’s and how it completely alters relationships. What a beautiful and moving novel. I tore through it in a day.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this novel.

This book was so dang cute!!!! If you’re looking for a cutesy read that WILL make you cry, here it is.

This book follows Elle, a podcaster, whose grandmother Lovie has Alzheimer’s disease. She goes home to care for her grandmother, and immediately butts heads with Adam, Lovie’s live in nurse. Of course, then chaos ensues 🤣

My heart broke all throughout the story, while reading about Elle and Lovie’s relationship, especially all the moments where Elle was grieving her grandmother who couldn’t remember her. I genuinely teared up so many times reading through the story. It was just a beautiful story arc 🥹

Am I a sap? Yes. Is this a beautiful story about familial love? Also yes! It’s out in March 2025, and I think it’s DEFINITELY worth picking up.

Thanks NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for honest review.