🍀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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I was so glad to receive an ARC of this book, having been the youngest child of youngest children, very early on in life I had a few family members who were diagnosed with alzheimer's or dementia. It is a reality I know all too well and this book brought shined some light on that while being equal parts funny, romantic and heartbreaking. Megan Murphy did a great job balancing all of these elements to write a book I can't wait to recommend and also read again myself.

I have had the absolute delight of connecting with Megan and after reading her debut novel, it’s no wonder it was picked up!

Fake It Like You Mean It feels like a warm hug tinged with sadness. Leaving you unsure of whether you should laugh or cry as you journey through this beautiful love story.

Elle and Adam’s chemistry jumps off the page, but more than that, their banter mixed with the vulnerability they share is *chefs kiss*

And I can’t forget my favorite part of this story—Elle’s grandmother, Lovie. You will need boxes of tissue for just her character alone. The amount of love and care Megan put into not only writing her character but exploring this particular topic of grief as you watch someone fade away from Alzheimer’s was beautifully done.

Overall, this was such a wonderful debut and I am so excited for all that’s to come from Megan. Fake It Like You Mean It releases March 18th and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for giving me an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this book did not let me down. It was so well written and took me through a whirlwind of emotions.

It was giving The Notebook vibes. Like Allie, Elle’s grandmother, Lovie, has Alzheimer’s disease and relives her romance with her husband through Elle and Adam. It was such a unique idea and I couldn’t get enough.

Adam is a perfect book boyfriend. He is so patient, kind and caring even when Elle shows the worst sides of herself.

This book made me laugh, cry and swoon and I cannot recommend it enough! If you like an enemies to lovers, fake dating, slow burn, you do not want to miss out on this amazing love story!

Overall, Fake It Like You Mean It was a really cute story. FMC Elle finds herself in quite the predicament when her grandmother, Lovie, Alzheimer’s progresses and she needs full-time care. Cue Adam, the sexy, selfless, all around good guy nurse who takes care of Lovie and Elle cannot stand but also can’t stay away from. Tropes included are fake dating, enemies to lovers, only one bed. The one thing I didn’t enjoy about the book was that when Lovie would get mean with Elle, do to her Alzheimer’s, Elle’s knee jerk reaction at the beginning was to get even, to pull a prank on her. Which seemed a little harsh to me. You wind up finding out the reason why Lovie is so harsh but personally, I don’t think my first reaction to a loved one with Alzheimer’s being mean would be to be mean back..

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read this ARC!

In Fake It Like You Mean It, Elle, a podcaster who lives in Chicago, heads home to help take care of her grandmother, Lovie. Lovie’s Alzheimer’s is progressing, and in her rush to get home, she doesn’t realize that the home health company has placed a full-time nurse at home to care for Lovie. Elle and Adam are forced to figure out how to share the caretaking responsibilities… while Lovie thinks they are her and her husband!

What a deep, heartfelt, and overall wonderful story! Megan Murphy perfectly balances the comedic elements of a classic rom-com with the heartbreaking reality of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. I was laughing and crying along with Adam and Elle!

Elle is such a raw portrayal of the difficulties of dealing with losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease. You can see her pain with Lovie not recognizing her and how it affects her life. And Adam! What a thoughtful and loving man, but in his career as a nurse and in his personal life.

Again, what a wonderful story!

I wasn't too impressed. This was a flimsy enemies to lovers (though to be fair most romances these days are), and coupled with the general sadness the premise relies on, this was just okay for me. I didn't fully buy the buildup of emotional closeness between the two MCs, and felt whiplashed by the pacing of the physical tension. Overall kind of uninspiring, which is a bummer because I appreciate the Alzheimer's rep in any book, but especially a romance one. The author just got my attention at the very beginning and then didn't do anything with it.

This was such a fun time, had so many laugh out loud moments! Was such a blast to read and I loved that it didn’t have the normal meet-cute moment but kept it interesting and kept the story flowing the whole time! The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the running when things got hard, I understand commitment issues but I’ve never enjoyed a MC who decides running away is how to handle the situation, just takes me out of enjoying the couple.
Other then that it was such a fun time!

If you've read books like Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake or The Girl Series by Lindsey Kelk, you're already familiar with stories that are categorized as contemporary romances but lean more toward themes of self-discovery and coming of age, with romance playing more of a supporting role than taking center stage. Fake It Like You Mean It follows that same trend. While there is a sweet love story with a little steam, it doesn't take long to realize that Alzheimer's is the main character. This book delves deep into how Alzheimer’s transforms the lives of everyone involved - from family, friends, and caregivers (not always one and the same) to those battling a disease that robs individuals of what they hold dear: their memories, their connections, and, in many ways, their sense of self.

What do you do when the woman who means the world to you no longer recognizes you? That has quickly become Elle Monroe’s reality as one call confirms the worst: her grandmother, Lovie, is moving into stage two of Alzheimer’s, requiring around-the-clock care. Stubborn as her grandmother made her, Elle is determined to be there for the woman who raised her. One way or another, she will give Lovie the care she needs. But first, she has to deal with one minor inconvenience. Unknown to her, AngelCare brought in a 24/7 nurse by the name of Adam Wheeler.

She doesn’t want or need his help and is determined to send him packing - until Lovie mistakes Elle and Adam for a younger version of herself and her late husband. To protect her mind, Elle and Adam agree to play along, hoping she’ll forget the next day. The problem? She doesn’t forget. In fact, the stubborn streak Elle inherited is alive and well, pushing Elle and Adam into more and more awkward situations filled with admiration and affection.

Elle has no problem playing pretend for the sake of her grandmother, but when her fantasies start to star a certain home care nurse, Elle may just discover her grandmother isn’t quite done handing down life lessons.

While I enjoyed the story, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Elle. From the first encounter, she came off as pushy and abrasive.

That said, I did appreciate the moments where Elle dropped the tough-girl act and became more relatable. Seeing how distraught she was over what was happening with her grandmother was heartbreaking. But then she’d do something petty and you’d be quickly reminded of your disdain for the character. Despite this, the fact that I adored her by the end shows just how intentional Megan was with her writing.

The pacing of the book could be described as somewhat slow. While it’s not presented in real time, its day-to-day structure creates a steady, deliberate rhythm that mirrors the nature of caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s. This slower pace serves a purpose. It allows readers to fully grasp the reality that no two days are the same. Skipping ahead or glossing over weeks wouldn’t have been as effective when portraying life with someone who believed every day was "Monday in May." From the need for routine and the chaos caused by interruptions, to coping with unexpected changes, to the shifts in personality depending on interactions, and those fleeting lucid moments - each aspect is captured in detail to give readers a 360-degree perspective of how much Alzheimer’s takes, not just in general but moment by moment.

I’ll admit, I had a very basic understanding of Alzheimer’s before reading this book, but it did an incredible job of educating, highlighting, and simplifying without diminishing the weight of the disease. It even prompted me to ask more questions, such as, “What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?” (Spoiler: Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia.)

As I said before, I wouldn’t consider this a traditional contemporary romance. Instead, I would categorize it as women’s fiction because the focus is on Elle’s evolution and growth. It’s a gentle read that doesn’t overwhelm with any one emotion - it’s not too sad, too funny, or too steamy. Instead, it’s a smooth and thoughtful story that takes you on the scenic route to its final destination, making every step of the journey feel intentional and worthwhile. It will make you think and reflect, and the wisdom it imparts - whether through Lovie’s hard truths, Adam’s perspective, or Elle’s realizations - leaves a lasting impact in ways you wouldn't imagine.

This book was EVERYTHING. A fake-dating romance that blends heartfelt moments with so much humor and tension, it had me hooked from start to finish. The setup two people pretending to be a couple to keep a loved one happy is emotional gold, and Megan Murphy nailed it.
Elle and Adam? Their chemistry was 🔥🔥. From their sharp banter to their slowly growing connection, I couldn’t get enough of them. And the tropes? Forced proximity, one bed, AND slow burn? It was perfection. Murphy wrote their relationship so authentically it wasn’t just tropey fluff (though I love that too); it felt real, raw, and layered with so much emotion.

What really stood out, though, was Lovie. Her Alzheimer’s storyline brought such a bittersweet depth to the book. Her lucid and not-so-lucid moments were heartbreaking and beautifully written, and her bond with Elle was just as moving as the romance.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut because the writing was incredible. This book was fun, emotional, and SO worth the read. Highly recommend to anyone who loves fake dating, slow-burn romances, and stories that remind you why you love love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I knew this book was going to be difficult for me to read because of it dealing with the topic of Alzheimer’s when I just lost my mother to Alzheimer’s 11 months ago. That being said this book is so beautifully written.

This book is a slow burn fake dating romance that covers the topic of what it’s like to watch a family member struggle with Alzheimer’s. A beautiful balance between comedy and heartbreak which Megan captured beautifully.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry, a lot, I recommend this book to anyone that has the chance to read this beautifully written book I promise you won’t regret it if you’re a fan of slow burn fake romance enemies to lovers books.

Thank you Netgalley and alcove press for the arc

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book to read. This is 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 for me. I love that a good portion of the book is dedicated to Elle’s grandmother and her Alzheimer’s - there is no “happy” ending and no magic cure to make her grandmother happy which I appreciate. I love happy endings but with topics such as Alzheimer’s, it’s so important to keep it honest and I appreciated that. The story between Elle and Adam is a great love story and is a happy ending.

I did feel like the book was a bit all over the place in the middle - like it was just different stories here and there but in a way it was nice to see the different days and what they consisted of. I wish more time was spent talking about both of the main characters childhoods as well.

I would recommend this book and it was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. Very well written!

A touching and multi-layered story. It tells the tale of Elle, a young podcaster who has to return to her grandmother’s home, the woman who raised her, as she begins to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Elle takes care of her grandmother, and through her experiences, we get a glimpse of how challenging the life of a caregiver can be, watching loved ones deteriorate. Thankfully, she can rely on Adam, the nurse who lives with them and helps care for her grandmother.

As time passes, a romance blossoms between Elle and Adam, with elements of forced proximity like fake dating and the one bed trope.

I particularly enjoyed the setting and the well-told story. The banter between the two protagonists is sharp and engaging, and the characters, especially Adam, are endearing. He is remarkably attentive, devoted, and patient. In short, it’s a beautiful and moving story overall!

Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Megan Murphy for a chance to read this book for free. I’m leaving this review of my own accord.

3.5 ⭐️

"Fake it like you mean it" est une romance contemporaine aux tropes accrocheurs : forced proximity & fake dating, mais qui s'inscrit dans un contexte émouvant voire difficile, puisque Elle, l'héroïne, retourne vivre chez sa grand-mère (Lovie) qui s'enfonce dans les limbes de la maladie d'Alzheimer.
Lovie est désormais dépendante et a besoin de soins 24h/24 tant la maladie a progressé. En attendant d'avoir une place dans un centre spécialisé (mais aussi que Lovie puisse être bénéficiaire de l'assurance santé de Elle), un infirmier est présent tous les jours au domicile, et vit même avec Lovie.

Adam et Elle vont donc être obligés de se côtoyer au quotidien dans l'intérêt de Lovie, et histoire de corser les choses, en plus de devoir partager la seule chambre disponible, faire semblant d'être en couple puisque Lovie les prend pour son défunt mari et elle-même du temps de leur jeunesse.

En toute honnêteté, j'ai mis plusieurs semaines à terminer ce livre, parce que le sujet traité est assez sensible pour moi, et Megan Murphy n'édulcore en rien les ravages de la maladie d'Alzheimer, l'ingratitude (parfois) et la difficulté du rôle d'aidant, la douleur de voir quelqu'un de proche perdre ainsi toute notion d'un passé et de liens communs. Elle souffre beaucoup de cette situation, et ça m'a fendu le cœur de la voir face à cette grand-mère qui ne la reconnaît plus et la traite comme une intruse.

Concernant la romance, je suis assez mitigée, car le trope "enemies-to-lovers" est déclenché de manière vraiment artificielle, je n'y ai pas cru du tout, et je n'ai pas du tout compris l'attitude des personnages à ce moment-là du récit. Ensuite, le développement est classique, avec un peu de slow burn.

Elle & Adam ne m'ont pas procuré beaucoup d'émotions, pour moi le sujet central est vraiment la maladie d'Alzheimer et l'impact qu'elle peut avoir sur les proches du malade. Une lecture assez rude au niveau émotionnel donc.

This book was a delightful read—cute, fun, and packed with 10/10 humor. The plot was refreshingly original, steering away from the usual meet-cute scenarios and repetitive dialogues. I particularly enjoyed the witty banter between the characters, which kept me hooked. However, the climax felt underwhelming compared to the rest of the story; it was going strong and then suddenly fizzled out. Also, on a personal note, I’m not a fan of characters with commitment issues or those who run away from situations rather than facing them. I’d still definitely recommend it to others!

when this book was compared to the roomate experiment i was all in.
and sadly this was a slight bit of its downfall for me. because actually for me nothing can yet compare to my love of that book.
buuuut back to this one. its was great and for a new author to this it was brilliant.
the touch on deeper topics was handled with such care. and it didnt make you dip when such topics were talked about. its sensitive and mamaged to inform at the same time. and you are suddenly questioning the story for its lack of tact!
our two characters had me laughing and swooning for them. and i was grinning very widely and lots of parts throughout.
you know one of those stroylines that you think could never happen to you. or men arent that lovely. but you love it all the more for allowing you to enter that dreamland for at least a while.
sometimes its nice to have a romance that you cynical mind thinks is too good to be true.
and we have a dementia sufferer that is just lovely in herself in this book who i think was written so well and its never one(like in other books) felt like she was a gimic for the story or made fun of. its such a horrific desease and im so glad we saw even in a romcom she was faced with such love from the people around her.

I didn’t like the Ted Bundy comment even if it was a joke…
Also! He lets her sleep on the couch??
Not sure if it’s my cup of tea, but hey- we listen and we don’t judge.
All in all, the fake dating part was kind of fun and enjoyable!

FAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT is a wonderful romance debut by Megan Murphy and perfect for fans of fake dating, enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advanced copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC!

Adam Wheeler, the man you are! I lost count of how many times I found myself grinning like an absolute fool during his and Elle’s moments together. Their romantic encounters were adorable, the banter was spot on, and the chemistry? Off the charts. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers, this book delivers it all and then some.

Fake It Like You Mean It is such a standout romance. It’s not just a rom-com, it’s the kind of story that sticks with you because it brings so much heart along with the humor. Sure, it had me laughing and swooning, but it also surprised me by tugging at my emotions in unexpected ways. There’s a depth to this story that makes it feel truly special. It even brought me to tears by the end (and I’m not usually a crier!). The only thing I wish was a bit different is the pacing, it felt uneven at times—but honestly, the payoff was worth every moment.

Elle, the main character, is an absolute star. She’s confident, resilient, and so easy to root for. Watching her overcome her struggles and stand tall was inspiring, and she’s the kind of character you want to be best friends with. As for Adam, oh boy. At first, I wasn’t so sure about him. He’s distant and a bit grumpy, but once his softer side starts to show, he’s impossible not to love. Their relationship felt so real, and seeing their walls come down to let each other in was just beautiful.

What really sets this book apart, though, is the way it handles deeper topics, particularly Alzheimer’s awareness. I didn’t expect it, but the story wove this in so naturally and sensitively. It gave me a new perspective and taught me a lot about the disease and its impact—not just on those living with it but also on the people who love and care for them. That layer of depth added so much emotional weight to the story, and it’s something I truly appreciated.

And let’s not forget the found family element. The friendships and family moments were so heartwarming, and the characters felt like people I’d want to know in real life. Every interaction was filled with love and care, and it gave the story this cozy, comforting feel that I absolutely adored.

Overall, Fake It Like You Mean It is everything I could want in a romance. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and full of depth, with characters who feel real and relatable. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon all at once, I can’t recommend this one enough.

Elle is a podcaster in Chicago that has to move home to care for her aging grandmother whose Alzheimer's is progressing. Once she gets there, she realizes there is also a live-in home healthcare nurse, Adam, to aide in Lovie's care. However, there's a fake dating trope due to Lovie believing they are the younger version of her and her late husband Bobby.
This book was truly so bizarre. I have no problem suspending reality for a good romcom but first of all this was not a romcom?? This could have been a lovely chicklit book about the struggles of caring for an aging loved one (the only reason this review got two stars was for that part of the story), but instead this was a bizarre chemistry-less romance between two unlikeable characters. In no universe would a single moment of this book actually happen. I'm honestly at a bit of a loss for words because of how much I disliked this book. I kept thinking of DN-ing but hoping there would be some huge character growth- there was not. All in all the ethics and lack of believability of this made it nearly unreadable for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.