The story follows Elle, who moves to her grandma's house because her Alzheimer's is progressing and she wants to be there, only to find Adam, her grandma's new live-in nurse already living there. If you like forced proximity and can connect with the emotional experience of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or any other illness, I think you'll enjoy this.

From here on out are my thoughts and they contain some spoilers, so beware:

This sounded really good, but I couldn't get through it because I didn't vibe at all with the execution; got to 35%. I could see the author's hand the entire time and it took me out of the story from the get-go. This is one of the most forced "enemies to lovers" I've encountered, and it didn't have to be that way. There's no reason for Elle to be instantly rude to Adam, but she is, and she also immediately objectifies him upon meeting him. I didn't buy the conflict at all because it had no legs to stand on.

The dynamics were off because this had to be "enemies to lovers" but it just wasn't working. Why would you dislike someone who's there to care for your grandmother? Because you found him sleeping in your bed cause he had no idea you were coming to stay? Because he didn't offer to give up the bed? He's a NURSE. He was half asleep and probably more tired than you, I wouldn't have given up the bed that night either. Neither would you. It can be sorted out the next day, it's really not that big of a deal. Also, her vibrator falling from her bag as she was meeting him for the first time was so cringe. I could tell it was meant to be funny, but it didn't come across that way. Anyway, this could've simply been dislike to like, and the conflict could've been around caring for the grandmother or something, ANYTHING, that's easier to buy into.

The way the fake dating is set up also made my eyes roll. They have to pretend that they're in love because her grandma thinks they're the younger version of her and her husband and, given her Alzheimer's, correcting her would cause more harm than good. Mind you, I buy that correcting her grandma would cause unnecessary stress, but using that to get these two to fake date and continue acting like they have a problem with each other for no reason was grating to me personally.

There was also no reason for them to immediately talk to each other like they knew each other. That also felt forced and just unrealistic. Again, it took me out of the story. The fact that she makes a joke along the lines of "you can stare at my ass all you want, it's a nice one" the morning after they only introduced themselves to each other was so uncomfortable. In my opinion, that's just not how a woman would talk to a man she barely knows and who happens to live under the same roof as her. And I don't think a normal man, one who isn't always thinking about ass and tits, wouldn't be made uncomfortable by that comment from a woman he doesn't know. I just didn't like this romance setup or these characters, I'm sorry.

What I did like about this was the grandmother. Lovie, and I sympathize with that part of the story. It's very difficult to care for a loved one with Alzheimer's and navigate how to talk to them and keep them safe, while also seeing them lose their grip on reality and not recognize you. But it's also beautiful to still make memories with them even if they're one-sided.

I'm giving it 3 stars cause I'm guessing I wouldn't have given it a higher rating had I finished it, but what I read was 2 stars.

Loved this fake dating, forced proximity RomCom! I laughed - cried - had all the feels!

Thank you Alcove Press for granting me an ARC!

Elle comes home to help care for her grandma Lovie, whose Alzheimer’s is getting worse, and begins to fall for the at-home healthcare worker, Adam. I liked how the book explored how difficult it is for caregivers to feel like they’ve lost their loved ones to Alzheimer’s, and how sometimes it’s not just that they’ve lost their memories but that their personality can change as well. Elle has amazing memories of Lovie, but that version of her grandma isn’t there anymore. I do wish we’d gotten to see more of a buildup of Elle and Adam’s relationship. I needed more of the progression from bickering to gone on each other to really feel connected.

I really enjoyed this unique debut from Megan Murphy with all the feels!

𝑭𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑰𝒕 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑰𝒕 hit the ground running with main character Elle playing matchmaker during her podcast on the L train in my own city of Chicago and I was hooked from the start!

Elle grew up in small town Indiana and was raised by her grandmother Lovie. But the tables are now turned as Elle has to return home to take care of her grandmother whose health is declining due to Alzheimer’s disease.

When she arrives back at her childhood home, she is subjected to a hilarious meet-cute with Lovie’s home health nurse in her own bed of all places 😂. And then the chaos ensues but in the best way 🩵.

This is a story unlike any other as it raises Alzheimer’s awareness with the perfect combination of wit, laughter, love and tears 💛.

Be sure to add to your TBR ~ out March 18, 2025!

𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:

🩵 Enemies to lovers
💛 Forced proximity
🩵 Fake dating
💛 Only one bed
🩵 Alzheimer’s disease rep
💛 Podcaster and nurse

Special thanks to @alcovepress for the eARC!

Elle has always been able to count on her grandmother, Lovie, to take care of her. But when Lovie’s Alzheimer’s begins to progress rapidly, Elle makes the easy decision to leave her life in Chicago and return home to look after her until she can figure out medical insurance. What she doesn’t expect is Adam, the live-in nurse already caring for Lovie—or the fact that Lovie is completely convinced that she and Adam are completely in love! To prevent upsetting Lovie, Adam and Elle are left with no choice but to fake it like they mean it.

Oh. My. Goodness. I genuinely loved this. The concept for the story felt fresh and original, and the writing style made the book impossible to put down. I really felt connected to the characters – I rooted for Adam and Elle's relationship, I wished for nothing but the best for Lovie and want to find myself some friends like Elle's!!! This is how romance books are supposed to make you feel! An easy five stars from me.

A forced proximity romance between an overwhelmed podcaster, Elle, and an introverted selfless nurse, Adam, set in a little home two hours out of Chicago. This story started out rough for me as Elle was acting like a brat without much talk on her background. I was on the brink of DNFing because of her attitude. However, Adam kept me in as his character is always patient and kind.

The story becomes more and more captivating after the 30% mark. Elle comes home to be with her grandma who is suffering from Alzheimers and finds Adam, her grandma’s stay-in nurse in the house, in her space. The forced proximity makes the characters intertwine so much it becomes difficult to untangle. This book will make you worry, smile, laugh and absolutely cry.

Elle y Adam comienzan con una relación basada en la antipatía y el sarcasmo, pero a medida que fingen ser pareja para complacer a Lovie, la abuela de Elle, su vínculo se vuelve más profundo y real. La historia de amor entre ellos se desarrolla de manera natural, con momentos de vulnerabilidad, humor y cuidado mutuo.
Más allá del romance, la novela aborda con sensibilidad el Alzheimer, mostrando el impacto emocional en quienes cuidan a un ser querido que poco a poco los olvida. Elle enfrenta la dificultad de ver desaparecer a su abuela mientras también busca su propia identidad en medio del duelo y las responsabilidades familiares.
Aunque el tropo de "enemies to lovers" y la falta de comunicación generan algunas frustraciones en la trama, la profundidad de los personajes y la emotiva narrativa hacen que la historia sea conmovedora y auténtica.

This was the cutest, sweetest read. Being a caregiver is the hardest job I have ever done. This story spoke of Alzheimer's in a true, deep, & meaningful way. This story is sad, sweet, hot, spicy, all the things! Loved it!!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review!

#NetGalley #AlcovePress #MeganMurphy

This is a promising debut romance with grownups Elle and Adam finding each other in the shadow of a more serious issue – living with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also more small-town than billionaire – so refreshing. Our heroine Elle is charming to begin with as a podcast host of 'Elle on the L' in Chicago. In her job Elle is warm and empathetic, but once she’s home with Lovie, her grandmother, it feels like she's had a personality transplant and comes across as self-absorbed, petulant and demanding. I struggled to reconcile the two sides of her.

Adam is a nurse and professional carer and obviously a caregiver in his personality (love a Beta hero!) He agrees to live in to help with Lovie. Unfortunately for him, Elle is clueless and demanding. His personal circumstances are slowly revealed and I felt so much sympathy for him. The connection between Elle and Adam has equal weight to Lovie's decline, and perhaps Elle's growth. There's a touch of spice 🌶 and they get along well 😉

How Lovie's Alzheimer’s disease is worsening is thoughtfully portrayed, even if the realities of in-home care are romanticised and glossed over.

Thank you Megan Murphy, Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

"Fake It Like You Mean It" is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story that perfectly balances humor and emotional depth. From laugh-out-loud moments (thirteen pages in and he saw her vibrator!) to poignant scenes exploring the realities of Alzheimer's, this book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. While the romance is definitely present, it's not overly spicy, allowing the focus to remain on the characters' growth and the complexities of their situation.

The story follows Elle as she returns home to care for her grandmother, Lovie, whose Alzheimer's is progressing rapidly. Her unexpected encounter with Adam, Lovie's live-in nurse, sets the stage for a hilarious fake-dating scenario when Lovie becomes convinced they're in love. What begins as a charade to appease Lovie quickly evolves into something more as Elle and Adam navigate their complicated feelings and the challenges of caring for Lovie. Adam's thoughtful gestures, like leaving green smoothies for Elle and trolling her internet trolls, add a layer of sweetness to their interactions.

While the book took me a little while to get fully invested, once I was in, I couldn't put it down. The character arcs are extremely well-done, with both Elle and Adam undergoing significant personal growth as they confront their pasts and embrace their vulnerabilities. The representation of Alzheimer's is handled with sensitivity and grace, showcasing the heartbreaking realities of the disease while also highlighting the enduring power of love and connection. "Fake It Like You Mean It" is a truly touching and memorable read that will stay with you long after you finish the final page.

Lovie is hands down the only reason why i didn't dnf this book.
the MMC and the MFC i felt like their chemistry was forced and i just didn't like them.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

FAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT by Megan Murphy is a lighthearted and engaging read that explores themes of confidence, self-discovery, and personal growth.

The writing is sharp, and the author’s humor shines through in many parts of the book, making it an easy read. The romance was sweet, though it felt a little predictable at times.

While the overall message about self-acceptance is great, I found some of the character development to be a bit rushed. Certain key moments felt a little forced, and I struggled to connect with the protagonist in some parts of the story. The pacing was also uneven—at times, the plot felt a bit repetitive, and some of the secondary storylines didn’t add as much to the main narrative as I had hoped.

Ultimately, while *Fake It Like You Mean It* has its heart in the right place, it didn’t quite live up to the promise of its premise for me. It’s an enjoyable read for fans of light romance and self-discovery, but it left me wanting a bit more depth and substance.

Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC! Opinions are my own

I am forever interested in romances featuring people in medical professions. I think it stems from both my interest in public health and also the fantasy of the empathetic male healthcare worker. But perhaps I'll unpack that another time.

Anyways.

I think that is what inspired me to pick up "Fake It Like You Mean It". Plus I couldn't resist the premise of two people having to pretend to date for the sake of someone losing their memory. I will say, this book definitely falls on the more emotional side of the cartoon cover romance spectrum. It was pulling at emotional threads I didn't really know I had. One of the major, major themes and central plot premises of this book is the realities of caring for a loved one, and former caretaker, who can no longer take care of themselves and does not remember you. The book does not shy away from the emotional turmoil this causes or the less glamorous physical aspects of this.

I will say, that there were some elements of the caregiving piece that I wished were addressed a little more in depth, or not raised and then ignored for the rest of the story. Sometimes it felt like a can of worms was opened and then kind of pushed to the side.

The romance here was nice, I liked both of the characters. Sometimes it felt like things happened or they said things that weren't super built up to, but I don't think that really detracted from the overall experience of reading the book.

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5
Format: 📱

WOW. Get ready to cry. I would say I'm a moderate crier. I cry at some things. But I BAWLED. Multiple times. This was one of the most relatable, viscerally emotional stories I've read in a long time. Murphy did such an excellent job fleshing out these characters, and they were so real, and I felt everything right along with them. The entire story takes place in this bubble, but it was so well developed I didn't want to leave.

The portrayal of Lovie's Alzheimer's here is gut-wrenching. While there was a tiny bit of suspension of disbelief needed in terms of how the in-home care team operated, it was to the benefit of the plot and the romance. I was able to vividly picture Lovie's situation, the setting, and their interactions, and Elle's inner monologue at those interactions just hit me so hard. While I don't have any relations with Alzheimer's, it was just so beautifully illustrated that I got so into it.

I am shocked that this was a debut novel. It's incredible. I highly recommend anyone check it out!!

I really enjoyed Fake It Like You Mean It. It was a fun and lighthearted romance, but what truly stood out to me was how it touched on some deeper, more sensitive topics, like dementia. I wasn’t expecting the story to explore those emotional moments, but it added so much heart and depth to the characters and their journey.

The chemistry between the leads was fantastic, and their banter felt natural and genuinely funny. I found myself rooting for them from the start. Even though the fake-dating trope is predictable, it’s done so well here that I didn’t mind at all. The mix of romance, humour, and emotional moments struck a great balance.

There are a few slower sections, but the strong writing and heartfelt themes kept me hooked. This book is not just about romance—it’s about family, resilience, and finding love even in the messiness of life.

Lovie's Hard Love Rule Number 50: Buy this book or request it from your local library because you will read it and then fall in love with it.

"Love it part of being human, Elle. The best part. It's ingrained in our skin and bones... etched onto our souls. We don't forget that easily, no matter how hard we try." Megan I loved every minute with Ellie and Adam, the good and the bad. I can't wait for others to discover all of Lovie's Hard Rules, even HHALT. 😉

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC of Fake It Like You Mean It.

*Fake It Like You Mean It* is a great story. Elle and Adam’s begrudging partnership turns into a charming and slow-burning romance, set against the poignant backdrop of Lovie’s Alzheimer’s journey.

This felt like a proper emotional rollercoaster.

The premises of the story was nice and I really liked the characters and how they opened up more as the story went on. The chemistry between the characters was nice, I wouldn't have minded a even more slow burn but regardless I really enjoyed the romance aspects in this story.

Not only is this a cute romance story it also touches a heavy and important topic about Alzheimer and about living and caring of someone who is suffering of alzheimer. How that person becomes someone completely different.

This is absolutely such a wonderful book I would gladly recommend to everyone who likes a nice fake dating slow burn with the side of some heavier topics!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

"𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 '𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬', 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 '𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞'"

En pocas palabras: me ha encantado.

En 𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝘁 nos encontramos con una historia adulta y madura, ambos protagonistas me han gustado mucho y he llegado a conectar bastante con ellos, sobretodo con Elle.

En el tercer capítulo sabía que ya me iba a detrozar por la temática del libro y no me he equivocaba, ha sido todo tan bonito, tan dulce y tan desgarrador que problablemente sea uno de mis libros de romance más top de este año.

Una de las cosas que más he disfrutado ha sido el desarrollo de la trama romántica, la he sentido real, me ha encantado ver como desde el principio son unos desconocidos que no tenían nada de ganas de encontrarse y con el paso del tiempo junto van surgiendo sentimientos y una sensación de camadería de ellos muy bonita.

Adam Wheeler es un amor y un crush bastante real, creo que hablo por todas cuando necesitamos un hombre así en nuestra vida 😛


Thanks NETGALLEY for the ARC.

🍀DEBUT REVIEW🍀

📖Fake It Like You Mean It
✏️By @megmurphywrites
🗓️March 18, 2025

Before picking up Murphy’s debut, I wholeheartedly expected an easy read brimming with laughter—a classic meet-cute fueled by forced proximity, instant attraction, and all the beloved tropes that define my favorite genre. And you know what? This book is all of those things—my favorite cozy moments bundled up like a giant, comforting blanket wrapping me in a warm hug.

But what I didn’t expect were the heartbreakingly accurate depictions of the daily struggles of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. That part hit me hard, making this debut carve out a space in the most tender, emotion-filled corner of my heart.

Murphy’s attention to detail—the smallest, most mundane aspects of life with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s—is extraordinary. These moments resonate deeply with my own experiences, and I often found myself reaching for tissues during scenes that, on the surface, might seem insignificant. But they’re anything but.

It’s difficult to put into words how beautifully this book captures the challenges faced by those whose loved ones are living with Alzheimer’s. Elle and Adam’s emotional journey is raw, heartfelt, and incredibly moving. Watching them lean on one another, finding strength and solace in their growing bond, felt like a balm for the soul. They’re absolutely perfect for each other, and I adored witnessing the progression of their relationship.

This debut surprised me in the best possible way. I want to climb to the top of the Willis Tower and shout for everyone to IMMEDIATELY preorder Murphy’s stunning work, available on March 18 everywhere books are sold 💝

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