This was another different book for me. I like a good fake dating trope and I found this one to have left me with rather mixed feelings. It may be that I am in a place in my life where loss is all too much a part of my world and looking back at the good times is bittersweet, but I found this book a difficult read. There was some cute parts that left me with a chuckle and a smile but I found myself liking the secondary characters more than the primary ones. I found myself finding this novel more, in a way realistic, because the fake dating trope was needed to really move the plot along and the romance, because of that, grew in a different way than I thought it would. I will return to this book again because I think this review reflects more of me and where I am than it does the author's skill and storytelling.

Post Review Thought: As I reflect on this review I am wondering if my part of my reaction to this book was the illustrated cartoon art style of the cover. I wonder if this didn't have what I call the Classic Rom Commy - Screwball Comedy Cover Style would I have entered this in more a Nicholas Sparks place? Would this have framed the book more firmly with the more dramatic and emotional read I found? I think my expectations were based on the cover art more than they should have been and that led me down a path I took in terms of rating this book

🌟🌟🌟💫 Rounded up to 4

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the copy that I read.

This tried to do too much and too many triopes in my opinion with a little homage to while you were sleeping

Ellie runs her family's deli in her small town after an unsuccessful foray as a designer in New York City in Love You Mean It by Jilly Gagnon. It's a fine life, nothing too exciting, and she gets to see her loving family often. Unfortunately, the deli may be closed due to rich developers in her town who wish to close the deli and other local businesses to leave room for a multi-floor luxury gourmet market.

To thwart these plans, she hopes to convince Theo Taylor, the son of wealthy and powerful Ted Taylor, to keep her family deli out of these plans. While she attempts to talk to Theo at the building that's under construction, he hits his head and gets knocked out cold. With no one to vouch for him and get him medical attention, Ellie claims that she's his fiancée. Once Theo comes to and regains his memory, they formulate a plan that could stop the market from ending the long run Ellie's deli had.

This cute romantic comedy may remind people of the Sandra Bullock flick from the 90s called While You Were Sleeping. I forgot about that movie even though I saw it in the movie theater with my mom when it came out. It's similar but not exactly a carbon copy, and I immediately was charmed by the story. I was surprised because I generally do not read romantic comedies too much because they always seem too vapid or rife with sex. Neither is the case. This is smartly written with a wry character in Ellie who feels nuanced while her romantic counterpart Theo is totally her opposite. As Ellie soon comes to find out, they live their lives and have experienced it in a very similar vein despite their differences. And the sex scenes are not too erotic but erotic enough to catch your interest.

I love the concept of a couple who pretends to be engaged and then slowly falls in love, especially if they seem ill-suited for one another or argue all the time. There's plenty of hoping they can see it through to developing a real relationship and getting frustrated when they both mind the roadblocks instead of pushing them aside. Some of the roadblocks seem insurmountable until they don't.

I will say I really hate the title because it seems too flip and not indicative of what the book really is. Plus, I don't like the cover--it's too cartoonish. I'm assuming it has to fit into the genre with bright colors and saucy-looking characters. I just thought it downplayed the smartly written prose and cute story that sometimes featured surprises. I also really loved the descriptions of food and places, which added to the book.

While this is not heavy literature, it's a fun book that will keep you entertained. I generally do not read these types of books even though the covers always intrigue me, but this one was a winner in my book. Maybe you'll feel that way, too.

Oh yes, a delightful enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement trope with the aim of saving Ellie's family deli she inherited following her fathers passing. This story is filled with humor, chemistry, and engaging narrative; as well as heart, grief, and emotional healing. I really enjoyed the witty banter and the cast of characters made for an exciting plot.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Jilly Gagnon and it was a little lackluster for me. I was bored for the first 20 pages and it didn't get much better from there. This actually surprised me because the synopsis sounded right up my alley! It might have just been the case of "right book, wrong time," and maybe I'll have to go back and re-read when I'm in a different headspace!

This was a cute little rom-com written with several popular tropes. I enjoyed the story of Ellie and Theo's relationship as it grew throughout the book. There was plenty of lively dialogue between the two. Ellie and Theo are both trying to chase their dreams as the story evolves into a pleasing happily ever after.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ellie Greco (28) has returned home to run her family's deli after her father's passing. She enjoys running the family business, and has made a comfortable life for herself over the past 5 years, giving up her dream of designing costumes. That is until her childhood classmate Theo Taylor and his family proposes to put in a food market chain and put her out of business.

Tropes
Fake dating
Memory loss (luckily it does not last long)
Enemies to lovers

Negatives:
The storyline of Sam, Theo's ex girlfriend was really annoying. Overall the book was just okay.

This romantic comedy was enjoyable, but nothing about it stood out enough for me to highly recommend it. The characters were charming, and the banter was good, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters. The story relied heavily on familiar tropes like memory loss and childhood friends, with new ones added throughout, which felt a bit repetitive. It was a decent read, but not a standout or a personal favorite.

In Love You, Mean It, Jilly Gagnon delivers a sharp, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud exploration of modern relationships and messy friendships. Equal parts rom-com and emotional drama, this book will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to balance love, ambition, and self-worth. Here's why you should add it to your TBR!

Top 5 Reasons to Read Love You, Mean It:

1. A Hilariously Flawed Protagonist: The main character, Ellie, is a beautifully messy human being—ambitious, insecure, and painfully relatable. Her hilarious and brutally honest inner monologue makes her journey a joy to follow. You'll find yourself nodding with her thoughts and feeling deeply connected to her story.

2. A Fresh Take on Love and Friendship: This story isn't just about romance and how friendships evolve as we grow. Ellie's complicated relationships with her best friends add depth and realism to the narrative. The dynamics between the characters are well-crafted, showing the complexities and nuances of maintaining friendships while navigating personal growth.

3. Perfect Blend of Humor and Heart: Gagnon's writing is razor-sharp, filled with moments that make you laugh and scenes that tug at your heartstrings. The balance between humor and emotional weight is not just spot on; it's engaging. You'll find yourself fully immersed in Ellie's world, laughing and feeling with her every step of the way. The witty banter and heartfelt moments create a perfect harmony that keeps the reader hooked.

4. Realistic Depiction of Modern Dating: The book captures the chaos and awkwardness of dating in the digital age, complete with text missteps, social media mishaps, and moments of vulnerability. It's painfully accurate—and wildly entertaining. Gagnon portrays the highs and lows of modern dating with a keen eye, making it easy for readers to relate to Ellie's experiences.

5. Unpredictable Plot Twists: While the setup feels familiar, Gagnon surprises readers with twists that keep the story fresh and unpredictable. It's not your average rom-com, and that's a good thing. These unexpected turns will keep you on your seat, eager to see what happens next. The plot twists add an element of surprise that elevates the reading experience.

Why Not 5 Stars?
While Love You, Mean It is a fantastic read, a few elements kept it from earning a perfect score. The first few chapters feel overly drawn out, focusing too much on setup and backstory, which might test some readers' patience as it takes a while to get to the central conflict. Additionally, while much of the book is grounded and realistic, the resolution feels too neat and rushed, making the ending seem over-the-top. A more nuanced conclusion would have better matched the tone of the rest of the story. Lastly, though the humor is one of the book's strengths, there are moments where it feels forced or distracts from the emotional beats. Dialing it back slightly in certain scenes would have made the impact stronger.

Final Thoughts:
Love You, Mean It is a whip-smart and emotionally resonant exploration of love, ambition, and friendship in the modern world. Jilly Gagnon's writing sparkles with wit and honesty, making this a standout contemporary romance. While not without flaws, it's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think about your relationships.
I recommend it to Sophie Kinsella and Beth O'Leary fans and anyone who enjoys heartfelt rom-coms with a touch of realism.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

What a little cutie! 3.5 stars
I had so much fun reading this and I loved the twist on the amnesia trope + fake dating. Overall a fun reading experience. Ellie tries to save her family business while Theo's family is trying to bring in a big chain business that would destroy Ellie's family's business. Their fake dating scenario started pretty quickly in the first part of the book which was what easily hooked me. I thought it was fun!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This book had a lot going on including an amnesia plot that lasted like two whole pages and was quickly forgotten (get it), a fairly realistic developer real estate plot, a lot of family and friends meddling about, but the girl is a dingdong but in a way i can appreciate because it's mostly her being in denial the guy is for real into her. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot.

Love You, Mean It is a sweet rom-com that was a fulfilling light read. The main characters were easy to like and the story flowed well. I find rom-coms hit and miss but this one checked the hit box for me. This book is a great choice if you want a story with good banter between the characters and an overall feel good feeling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine/Dell for the digital ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Fake dating and fake engagement always work soooo well on me. I really liked this book! The vibes sort of reminded me of Kinky Boots, but I'm not sure why! :-)

Well this book is like a poor man’s attempt at “While You Were Sleeping,” but unfortunately there will be no Jack Callaghan at the end. “Love You, Mean It” is the story of family deli owner Ellie and property owner Theo, whose proposal to make way for a big box store puts her family deli at risk. Their first encounter with each other turns disastrous when the ceiling collapses on him (of all things!), resulting in a flurry of confusion at the hospital. À la Lucy Eleanor Moderatz, she tells the hospital workers that she is Theo’s fiancée. Conviently, Theo’s short term amnesia lends to this story, and he follows along with this ruse until his true memories start to return.

Just as Theo and Ellie attempt to work out a mutually beneficial deal, enter Theo’s ex girlfriend, Sam. Why did I find Sam more likable and relatable than Ellie? Maybe it’s because Ellie tends to be her own worst enemy. I just did not find Ellie her very relatable.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars. It felt slow and bogged down at times, plus it’s hard to enjoy a book when you don’t like one of the main characters! I do love a good fake dating trope, but this one is not it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine/Dell for the digital ARC in exchange of my honest review.

In Love You, Mean It, Jilly Gagnon delivers a fun romantic comedy that’s packed with humor and heart. The main character, Ellie, is refreshingly sassy and sarcastic, bringing a realness to the story that keeps it from feeling too sweet.

The plot kicks off with Ellie and Theo, who start as enemies. Their banter is sharp and entertaining, setting the stage for the story. When an accident leaves Theo with amnesia, Ellie pretends to be his fiancée to help him out. This twist leads to a series of awkward and hilarious moments as their relationship starts to change.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for the opportunity to read Love You, Mean It.

Love You, Mean It is an entertaining read of enemies to lovers with some fake dating and amnesia thrown in. I enjoyed this story of Ellie and Theo, who start off as enemies due to the fact that Theo is a property developer whose company wants to bring in a new deli grocery, which is the exact small business Ellie runs. While the characters are hard to root for at times, I did like reading the story to see how it turned out for both Ellie and Theo, as well as their families and other characters.
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine/Dell and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a cute romance that had me swooning, and craving the delicious food mentioned afterwards.

I paired the book and audiobook, and the narration was great! Performed by Amanda Ronconi, who really brought the character of Ellie to life.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-enemies to lovers
-fake dating
-foodie fiction
-fake dating

*many thanks to Dell Romance, prh audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I freaking loved this book. I love a good slow burn and Ellie and Theo were so perfect for me, so glad this book ended the way it did. I love Mom and Pop shops and everyone really needs to utilize them so much more. I would love a story with Sam and Elliott too. I'm excited to read this author again.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I normally love this trope, but this one just fell flat for me. I didn’t really care for the heavy real world topics at the start, and I struggled to finish it. Books are an escape to me, and it felt like these heavy real world topics were being forced.