DNFing at 38%

While I was not enjoying this, I was persevering. Until I got to a giant gaping plot hole. So I quit.

Basically, Elle is very rude and her hostility towards Adam makes no sense. He is not quite as terrible.
Also, I get that those with Alzheimer's can be combative/aggressive at times, but the body shaming came out of nowhere and doesn't really make sense.
The final straw? When Elle freaks out about driving. Um, like a few chapters back she took Lovie out and had a flat tire, which sparked yet another fight with Adam. Are we supposed to forget that she already went out driving all day without freaking out?

So between Elle being insufferable and for no reason, and now the plot hole, I quit.

Fake It Like You Mean It by Megan Murphy is a romance that straddles the line between heartwarming and bittersweet, but ultimately left me feeling a little conflicted. The story follows Elle, who returns home to care for her grandmother who has Alzheimers that has progressed significantly. She runs into her grandmother’s live-in-nurse in a very strange way and the tension between them is palpable. What starts as sharp banter quickly morphs into something more complicated when they’re forced to pretend to be a couple for her grandmother’s sake.

The romance between Elle and Adam is entertaining but feels somewhat predictable. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is fun at first, but the development of their relationship seems a bit too reliant on the fake-dating trope. While there are moments of real vulnerability and tenderness, the pacing of their emotional journey felt a bit forced. The slow burn is enjoyable, but it lacks the deeper emotional complexity I was hoping for.

Where the book truly shines, however, is in its portrayal of Alzheimer's. Murphy captures the heartbreaking reality of watching a loved one lose themselves with sensitivity and grace. Lovie’s character, in particular, stands out as a touching anchor to the story, offering a deeper layer to the narrative than just the romance. Elle’s struggle with balancing family responsibility and her own grief is genuinely moving, and it adds an emotional depth to the book that I wasn’t expecting.

That said, while Fake It Like You Mean It offers some emotional moments, the focus on the romantic plot sometimes overshadows the more complex themes of family, loss, and personal growth. For those who enjoy a light-hearted fake-dating romance with some emotional undercurrents, this book will likely hit the mark. However, if you’re looking for a story that dives deeper into grief and healing, the emotional payoff may not be as strong as anticipated.

In the end, Fake It Like You Mean It is a solid read, but it’s one that doesn’t quite balance its romantic and emotional elements as well as it could have. It’s enjoyable, but it could have been more.

"Fake it Like You Mean It" by Megan Murphy is a heartwarming and humorous romance that follows Elle, a podcaster who finds herself in a fake relationship with Adam. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly evolves into something much deeper, as they navigate personal challenges, family dynamics, and the complexities of vulnerability and love.

"Fake it Like You Mean It" was a delightful blend of sweet, funny, emotional, heartbreaking, and swoon-worthy romance, with a dash of spice to keep things interesting.

Megan Murphy did a fantastic job of portraying Elle's emotional journey as she grapples with her grandmother's Alzheimer's. The author masterfully depicts Elle as a fully realized character, showcasing her desire to live her own life while also dealing with the realities of her grandmother's condition. It was particularly moving to see Elle come to terms with the fact that she might not be able to be her grandmother's sole caregiver. I loved how she used her podcast to raise awareness and support research and families facing similar challenges.

The development of Elle and Adam's relationship was beautifully done. Adam's ability to see and understand Elle, to help her embrace her emotions without judgment, was truly touching.

The close proximity, one bed, and enemies-to-lovers tropes were executed perfectly, adding to the tension and chemistry.

I received this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I can confidently say it was a thoroughly enjoyable and deeply affecting read.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook.

What a great book! I just really enjoyed every moment of this.

Elle is very close with her grandma (aka her Lovey) and now her Lovey has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When the Alzheimer’s begins to worsen, Elle moves back home with her grandma and meets Nurse Adam, her grandma’s caretaker .

Ohhhhh Nurse Adam 🔥 I really enjoyed the banter and the slow burn between Elle and Adam. I thought the Alzheimer’s plot was really interesting and will feel relatable to so many readers. I enjoyed the fresh twist this book brings to some common romance tropes.

- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity

Thank you Megan Murphy and NetGalley for this audiobook arc.

Podcaster Elle moves back home when her grandmother Lovie's dementia progresses to the point where she needs continuous care. When she comes home, she doesn't expect to fall into bed (literally) with her grandmother's home health nurse, Adam.

Caregiver fatigue is real. This book made me feel that deep in my bones. The relationship between Elle and Lovie felt so real and made the book for me. I did not connect to the relationship between Adam and Elle.

3/5 Stars

I loved this book! It was so sweet and touching, and I was hooked from the start! I can’t wait to read more by Megan!

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ALC.
.
The story was about Elle, who was taken care by her grandmother Lovie who now has Alzheimer's, and Adam, who home nurses Lovie.
How Elle and Adam bounds over their pasts and insecurities was so emotional. The communication between them was honestly so pure, even though the thoughts Elle had about Adam were not. She was attracted to him from the first time she saw him and again i would ask for 2nd pov because that's a biggest thing for me a book can lack. It really destroy my attachment with other character. Adam was unbelievably supportive for what? All he gets to hear and handle clumsy Elle and he falls for her? To be honest, in the last 10 chapters i kept zoning out because all of their conversation seems so unnecessary and fillers.
It was a good read for readers who love to read
-Enemies to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-One Bed
-Wholesome Interactions
-Heartwrecking Moments

4.5 stars
Thank you, Netgalley, for an ALC of Fake It Like You Mean It in exchange for my honest review.

This novel tells the story of a podcaster, Elle, that was raised by her grandparents after the tragic death at young age of her mother. Now that her last relative, her grandmother got older and have somewhat advance stages of Alzheimer, she decides to leave Chicago and go back to her hometown to help taking care of her alongside a nurse that her grandmother hired before her diagnose.

I really loved the layers of conflict we have in this novel. Starting with her troubled relationship with death and losing people that are close to her, her relationship with her grandmother now has another shape due to the disease condition and the fact that she had to abandon her career for a moment to be a caregiver. Aside from that, we also have romance with the nurse that starts on the wrong foot (and although some can find her annoying for being stubborn and rude to him regarding the care of her grandmother- which is basically one of the denial phases of grief- I totally get what she is going through).
On his side, we also see a lot of guilt and conflict with his family, which reflects on his relationship with Elle.

Overall, this is an amazing book about grieving people who are still alive while cherishing their last moments with us. The narration was so good that I really had tears in my eyes during the most dramatic dialogues.
I just gave it 0.5 star less because I found the beginning of the book quite slow and I saw myself putting it aside. However, by the 20% of it things started to pick up in my opinion and I really got invested in the story.

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the audio ARC!

4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

First of all I enjoyed this audio alot! The narrator did a great job embodying each character in the book! I’m usually not a fan of single narrators but this one was great.

Enemies to lovers is one of my fav tropes so this had me hooked from the beginning. Elle’s grandmother Lovie’s Alzheimer’s is progressing and it’s now Elle’s turn to take care of her. Along the way she meets Adam Lovie’s live in nurse. He’s a pain in her ass but eventually they fall. It’s a beautiful story of caring for a loved with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a mean nasty disease that takes away our love ones before they even leave this earth. I personally have dealt with this with my Nana it’s very hard. But the author did a great job at telling a story that involves the disease. Highly recommend.

This is an emotional and heartbreaking story of falling in love while caretaking for a family member with Alzheimer's.
"Life isn't meant to be easy and no one makes it out alive" is the quote that broke me. This book makes me feel fragile. As someone whose grandfather had Alzheimer's I held this book closer to my heart. There is so much love in this story. The details and information are informative and accurate. This book is an easy quick read that hits the spot. I need a hug!

Fake It Like You Mean It is a heartwarming and engaging story that blends fake dating, personal growth, and the challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. The book explores how past experiences shape us, highlighting the importance of healing and opening up to love.

This was a quick, enjoyable read that balanced emotional depth with lighthearted moments. The characters were well-developed, and their journey felt both heartfelt and authentic. I also really enjoyed the narration, which brought the story to life in a compelling way.

If you enjoy fake-dating romances with emotional depth and strong character development, this is definitely worth picking up

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this free advance readers copy.

This books is amazing, it touches on Alzheimers and dementia in a way that even when you haven’t had any experience with it you understand what the characters are going through.
I love how her grandmother played match maker without even knowing it. Somewhat expected her to say I was faking it the whole time. But the struggles of loosing a person, or being stuck on living on repeat the same day, because is the day that makes her feel safe are incredibly well written. How the struggles of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is taxing, physically qnd emotionally.

The love store is slow, it’s the little things, the smoothies after a morning run. He is kind and caring , she is wild and free spirited. They had great banter and amazing chemistry.

I listened to the audiobook, it was great to feel like I was there. The small quips and comments under her breath were on point. Great narration.


Thank you NetGalley for the Audiobook ARC

I love how the author portrayed a I loved one loosing themselves to the Alzheimer’s disease. I didn’t feel any connection between the fmc and Mmc.

The Fmc was rude to the Mmc Adam for no reason. For Lovie being her only living relative it didnt seem like she ever kept tabs on her. I mean if she did she would realize her grandmother with Alzheimer’s would have a live in nurse!!!


I liked the banter between Adam and Elle and them fake dating to appease to Lovie. I just thought their relationship was unprofessional!!


Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you for an advance copy of the audiobook. I really enjoyed this fake dating story. It was cute and light hearted. The Alzheimer's aspect was very emotional, but did it added to the story instead of taking away from the story.

As someone who lost a grandparent to Alzheimer’s this is a great representation of the disease and how it can affect the caregivers and family. It was hard to listen to at times because of how it captured the disease but I loved the story. Alex Picard was the perfect narrator

I loved this! The caregiver representation in this book feels so spot on! These two together are so sweet. The enemies to lovers in this feels so right!

Fake It Like You Mean It was such a sweet listen. The narrator, Alex Picard, does an excellent job and kept me engaged.

When Ellie goes home to care for her grandmother, Lovey, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, she is surprised when she meets Lovey's caregiver, Adam Wheeler. Not only is he invading her space and pissing her off, but also, he is HOT.

I really enjoyed this sweet story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

I wanted to like this book more than I did and there were definitely things that did work for me. However, the “enemies” part of the enemies to lovers trope did not make sense to me and then the spice content (both on page scenes but also just a general overall tone/innuendo) were too much for me. I did not buy the hate between Elle and Adam from the beginning - maybe a bit on her side but at the same time, she hired the help so why would she have such animosity with the nurse. While the plot holds up without the spice, I wouldn’t necessarily call this smut, it was so unnecessary at times and just affected my enjoyment of this story. Most of it was cringy and uncomfortable.

I also thought it ironic that after a lot of page time is spent with Elle bemoaning the harsh comments Lovie makes about her body shape and size, she then makes a comment about the size of a woman’s legs at the grocery store and how she obviously didn’t need all the bread she was buying.

I loved the emotional journey of Elle as she grapples with Lovie’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. I felt her pain at losing the last person of her family but also still having her physically there. This was a great picture of those struggles especially when your family member doesn’t act like themselves and does things they would have never done before - like be mean and critical of you. I also like Adam’s growth as he learns to find balance with his family.

Alex Picard is becoming a favorite narrator of mine and I enjoyed her work on this book. Her acting may actually have made me stick it out when I was becoming frustrated with the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Multiple open door scenes; innuendo and strong language

Thank you to NetGalley, DreamScape Media and Megan Murphy for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I cannot believe this is a debut- if you love the way Abby Jimenez sinks you into real emotion- you'll love Megan Murphy!

This is a WHOLE new spin on fake dating. It's fake dating as it is the solution to keep our FMC's beloved grandma on even terrain while her Alzheimer's has skewed her reality. This story has so much emotional depth and legitimacy of the circumstance. If you've never been exposed to loving someone that has any form of dementia- this story will thrust you right into that experience. I've experienced it with two loved ones and I found the story to be painfully accurate.

The romance was everything I needed it to be. Megan Murphy masterfully showed us Elle, falling in love and grieving her grandmother at the same time. She separated it so well that this wasn't a coping mechanism (throwing herself into love to distract from grief) and also wasn't a trauma bond. She paced their relationship perfectly.

I really enjoyed the narration. She REALLY captured the whispering scenes in a way I've never experienced before!

This is a cozy, tender, honest depiction of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s while falling hard and fast. This book carefully proves that love can grow and show up amidst the heartache of life when you least expect it. Tasked with the responsibility of ensuring her grandmother Lovie has home health care, Elle returns to her childhood home when Lovie needs additional assistance. Not thinking a hot, gruff, male nurse would be sleeping in her childhood bed upon arrival, Elle and Adam stubbornly butt heads as they navigate co-caring for Lovie. So when Lovie mistakenly identifies Elle and Adam as her and her husband, Elle and Adam keep up the newlywed charade to keep Lovie from slipping further into her disease.

This is actually one of the most plausible fake-dating plots I’ve read in awhile. As someone whose Grandmother had dementia, I have witnessed how accurate Lovie’s mood changes and reactions are in reality. This is forced proximity and there’s-only-one-bed at its best; how do you deal with sharing a bed and a small space with someone you barely know and may not even like, even if you are attracted to them? Even as grown adults, you’re bound to get on each other’s nerves, and yet the kindness Adam shows towards Elle begins to creep into her heart as true feelings replace acting. Adam is a pretty perfect guy—even in his frustration with Elle he still stays level-headed, his love language is clearly acts of service and not only does he care for Lovie but for Elle’s needs as well. I loved the tight spaces scenes in the laundry room, bedroom, and of course the snowed in apartment, and the metaphorical missing a step on a staircase feeling as you realize you’re falling for someone.

This book was the perfect blend of bantering rivalry within an insular world, combined with the cozy feeling of caring for someone, even if it breaks your heart a little. It’s spicy and heated but never at the detriment of Lovie’s care. I’m really excited to see what Megan Murphy will give us next. Alex Picard narrates the entire audiobook and does an excellent job of distinguishing between Lovie, Elle, and Adam. She has the kind of voice I could listen to all day. I received an early copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

CW: caring for a grandparent with Alzheimer’s

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭.5