Thank you alcove press for this ARC of Fake It Like You Mean It by Megan Murphy!

This is a truly beautiful debut that I’m going to have to demand (we are beyond insisting, tbh) you all add to your TBR immediately.

(US Pub date: March 18th ‘25)

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The blurb warned me - really, I had every reason to know this one would be gut wrenching - but the full weight of it still hit me like a train that I would gladly get in the path of again. You’ve got a few of your tried-and-true romance tropes (forced proximity, fake relationship, only one [bed/room/house/universe?], etc) and let me tell you, Adam Wheeler is a MMC for the ages. But you also have a deeply tender and raw portrayal of the many forms grief finds us in - some of which are uglier and sharper than others.

Elle’s relationship with Lovie is a parallel of her relationship with herself. Lovie has been an unconditional, unrestrained, and unfiltered supporter of her for her entire life; and that has helped Elle become the confident, warm, and delightfully chaotic person she is. But as Lovie declines, and the way she views Elle changes, so does the way Elle views herself. Her despair over losing her favorite person in painful slow-motion is interwoven with self-doubt, anger, and a vulnerability she doesn’t know what to do with.

Adam is so tender with her, and nonjudgmental about all of the ways she processes - even when it hurts him, too. His open and honest care for Lovie and the way he can match (or counterbalance) Elle’s energy in a heartbeat brings both joy and security to the home they all share, and Elle’s independence and determination is the perfect balm for him.

TLDR: go preorder, babes. Also add some tissues to the cart.

Fake It Like You Mean It is an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in a heartwarming, fake-dating romance that strikes the perfect balance between laughter, tension, and tear-jerking moments. Megan Murphy crafts a deeply moving story centered on Elle, a woman who returns to her childhood home to care for her grandmother, Lovie, whose battle with Alzheimer’s is rapidly worsening. But Elle's world is further shaken when she finds Adam Wheeler, Lovie’s live-in nurse, occupying her old bedroom.

Elle and Adam's dynamic is delightfully entertaining, starting with their sharp-tongued banter and instant dislike, all the way to the slow, burning realization that there might be more between them than just playing pretend. When Lovie becomes convinced that they’re a couple, the two decide to humor her, playing along in what becomes an unexpectedly intimate and tension-filled fake relationship. As they care for Lovie together, their lives intertwine in a way that feels inevitable and real.

The romance between Elle and Adam feels authentic—it's not just a case of enemies becoming lovers for the sake of the trope. Instead, their relationship evolves naturally through shared moments of vulnerability, humor, and care. Murphy’s portrayal of Alzheimer’s is both compassionate and heartbreaking, making Lovie’s character a true anchor for the story. Her lucid moments and confusion are depicted with a tenderness that will resonate with anyone who has witnessed a loved one slip away to dementia.

Beyond the romance, the book explores the pain of watching someone you love fade away and the sense of loss that comes with it. Elle’s journey is not only about love but also about finding her own identity as she navigates grief, memory, and the weight of family responsibilities.

For fans of fake-dating and slow-burn romances, this book is an absolute gem. It offers all the light-hearted moments you'd expect from a rom-com, but it also provides so much more with its emotional depth and relatable characters. Fake It Like You Mean It is a heartfelt story about love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and self-love—making it a must-read for anyone looking for a story that will make them laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sharing this entertaining romance' s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts I highly appreciate.

3.75 stars. A short and sweet read!
Elle had to move back home because her grandmother Lovie’s Alzheimer’s progressing fast and she wanted to take care of Lovie before it’s too late. Arriving late at night and being so tired, Elle discovered a guy, Adam Wheeler, was sleeping in her childhood bed! As a live-in nurse, Adam is quick-tongued and complete opposite of Elle. They immediately started disliking each other. What’s worse, Lovie thought they were madly in love. They decided to pretend as lovers in front of Lovie and the romance begins…
I found this book very easy to read. It’s such a lovey-dovey romcom that it can also be a little boring because all the topes and plots are so familiar. The premise was interesting; however, the romance between the MCs are not convincing to me. I still do not understand how they became enemies in the first place. I would recommend it if you are looking for a no-brained quick read romance.

Fake It Like You Mean It is the perfect balance of laugh-out-loud comedy, slow-burn romance, and raw emotional moments. It takes on the classic fake dating trope but with a refreshing twist that’s grounded in the deeply moving context of Alzheimer's and it’s done with care and compassion.

The story of Elle and Adam, two unlikely companions thrown together to care for Elle's grandmother Lovie, is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. Lovie’s Alzheimer’s progression is portrayed with a sensitivity that truly resonated with me, as someone who has lost a loved one to dementia. Megan's depiction of Lovie's moments of clarity and confusion felt incredibly real and brought me to tears on more than one occasion and transported me back to my own experiences.

Elle and Adam’s relationship is everything I love about a good enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow build to romance is so sweet and butterfly inducing that I found myself rooting for them the entire time. The fake dating scenario, brought on by Lovie's belief that they’re already in love, adds just the right amount of tension and humour.

Some of the quotes from the book will stick with me long after finishing - the line, “I don’t know who I am if Lovie doesn’t,” is a gut punch, expressing the raw vulnerability of loving someone who’s slipping away and having to face a world where they no longer recognise you.

Megan has an incredible skill for crafting likable, engaging characters that feel real and relatable. Her ability to handle difficult topics with such sensitivity and compassion is truly remarkable. The depth of emotion she brings to the story, while balancing it with humour and romance, speaks to her excellent writing skills.

Fake It Like You Mean It is much more than a romance - it is a beautifully written debut that tackles hard-hitting issues without losing the lightness and joy that make it such a delightful read. It’s a story about family, memory, and the complicated ways love shows up in our lives.

Thank you, Megan Murphy and NetGalley, for allowing me to experience this beautiful debut. This review is dedicated to my grandad and all those who have had to watch their loved ones disappear 💙

Tengo sentimientos encontrados con este libro. Por un lado me gustó la temática, la forma en como se dio la relación amorosa e incluso las partes de Lovie (aunque fueran dolorosas). Por el otro lado me fue difícil simpatizar con Elle ya que se me hizo egocéntrica y como todo es desde su punto de vista, hubo partes que me costaron mucho.


Ojalá Adam tuviera povs, me gustaría leer que siente al cuidar a sus pacientes, como fue que se enamoró de Elle y su lucha por lo que quiere y su deber con su hermana.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was so damn precious.
I cried so much during this but it was truly a cathartic experience. Lovie reminded me so much of my grandfather and his experience with Alzheimer’s- it hurt but healed, if that makes sense.

If I could rate this higher than 5 stars, I absolutely would.

Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley!

I wrote this book (wild), so I am incredibly biased, but this such a sweet book. It tackles heavy topics with lightness, humor, and love. It's spicy and sweet, balances body positivty and serious illnesses with obligation and love. Adam, Elle, and Lovie will have a place in my heart forever, and I can't wait for them to find their way to readers!