This was really cute! I was nervous at first because the plotline seemed based on a dumb, very explainable lie. But the main characters work their way through it much faster than I anticipated. I don’t want to give away too much, but the chemistry was believable, and the dialogue was witty and natural. The best friend character was a dud — very much written in to be the narrator’s conscience rather than a real friend you want to see more of. She was so boring that even the main character actively looks for new friends the whole book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine.

Ellie has taken over the family deli shop back in her hometown, and she gets the worst news possible: an Italian deli chain warehouse may be coming to town which would certainly drive her out of business. Ellie interacts with Theo, whose father owns the building that this competitor might move into. Tropes abound as she tries to convince him not to go through the deal.

Ellie and Theo have some good banter and chemistry in the book. The only criticism is I feel like the book jumps from trope to trope a little fast.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Elle and Theo are your classic opposites attract. Theo, on one hand has been born into a posh lifestyle that’s drastically different from Elle’s day to day of running a deli. I really enjoyed the plot of this story. The obstacles, each turn of the relationship, it all was so interesting to read and kept me guessing as to how everything would play out. Love You Mean It is ultimate fake relationship that gets real, real fast.

This is a romance of the opposites attract variety. Ellie runs a family delicatessen while Theo is a rich kid heir. There is a head injury storyline that was problematic for me…I’m a brain injury RN specialist. Fortunately the amnesia aspect is resolved quickly and then the plot to thwart the Mean Rich Father dovetails with the love story. By the end I was engaged with both main characters. The writer does a nice job painting middle class life and struggles. I enjoyed the book quite a bit more than I anticipated.

I really enjoyed this story about Ellen Greco , who was running the family deli and Theo is a from a local family that is bringing a large store that specializes in things items that could evening close down the family business.. Ellen calls Theo and arranges a meeting to talk at the new property. During that time as construction workers are there something falls from the ceiling and Theo is knocked out. Ellen saves him when EMS responds she wants to with him and says she is his fiancee'. Nobody thinks differently so she stays with him.. He wakes up with amnesia back to 6 years ago. This the fake engagement starts because it benefits both of them . He does not want the store either as he has other plans for the story. Follow their journey. A VERY GOOD READ.

While You Were Sleeping meets You've Got Mail

How fun a concept, right?! Small-town Ellie has a small, family-owned deli, and rich guy Theo is in talks to bring a big chain food store into the neighborhood. As Ellie tries to talk him out of destroying her business with his, a big hunk of plot convenience falls from the ceiling and knocks him out. She claims to be his fiancée so that she can ride to the hospital with him, and when he comes to, he doesn't remember the last six years of his life, so he goes with it. BUT, shortly after, his memory returns BUTTT as it turns out, he's against this deal too so he agrees to keep up the engaged ruse so that he can kill the big chain store deal to save "his fiancée's" store. There's an ex-girlfriend, a shitty dad (Theo's), a super quirky family (Ellie's), some underdeveloped musings on what the MCs really want to do with their lives, and a love story in there somewhere.

I always rate middle of the road books at 3 stars. They might have some snippets that are absolute out-of-this-world winners for me but if, at the end of the day, I'm left just kind of 'meh' overall, I cannot justify giving more stars. I've been very fortunate with Netgalley reads; either I've picked them and loved them before I even read them or the ones that I've been invited to review have been great. IN FACT! The last book I was invited to review (geez, I'm making myself sound like some big shot; let me be clear that I'm sure A BUNCH of people were invited to review it!) was ALSO a classic rom-com retelling. So while I had HIGH HOPES, because I was like 'this is a fun thing we're doing,' I was also cautious in a 'careful, this could get really murky' kind of way... It ended up murky, I'm sorry to say.

I just feel a little like this story suffered from the FMC's half-baked thoughts. Near the end, they started evolving and actually taking shape, but the only REAL, and I mean REALLY REAL thought Ellie had throughout most of the book was that rich people were stuck up and snooty. I think a lot of people, rich or poor, are going to be turned off by her attitude of reading every book by its cover.

And really, why not tack that on, he'd already won the white-male-with-money lottery.

Now, what I identified with was her propensity to trust her instincts when it came to meeting someone and going "that one!" because I have met many people in my life that I just knew were going to be important, and I have few *very close* friends for this reason but those close friends are my ride-or-die homies. I rely very heavily on that "they're the one!" sentiment...

I'd perfected my pointless small talk over years of working at the deli, but I was fundamentally too introverted to crave interaction with anyone who didn't lock into place with me almost immediately.

THAT SAID! Her first instance of this (Sam) was not a bad person but NOT a good friend (seriously, who uses their new friend to try to get back with their ex?!), and she never did have this feeling with Theo (an ACTUAL good person worth being besties with), her supposed HEA! And Jenna, who was mentioned all of twice, you barely saw! Don't get me started on how Bella, her probably amazing cousin, was only there to propel the romance, not on her own accord. Why make this a huge part of her personality and then make it so messy??

On Theo's side, he was (not surprisingly) a decent human being, and the story from his side was organic and sweet and yet, the entire book was from Ellie's perspective. We really deserved more of Theo. Ellie, for her part, was indecisive, put herself down constantly, and she was really shady! First, the whole lying about being the fiancée thing, yeah, central to the plot, but no less shady. Second, CONSTANTLY believing that these rich people were only one-dimensional and soulless. Third, lying to Theo about his ex-girlfriend Sam (she did NOT think this through AT ALL!). Fourth, being really really unsure of who she even was... Sorry, that last one wasn't shady, it was just really really annoying.

Let me elaborate! She had tried her hand at costume design in New York but then her father died and she "had" to come home and run the deli. She kept telling herself she had an obligation but it wasn't what she really wanted to do with her life. She was also too jaded by rejection from her costume design days to keep trying at it, so she settled into this "oh woe is me, I guess I'm stuck here" narrative while also secretly being relieved that she didn't have to keep trying at the costume design thing. Now, what I described might actually be good character development, if it came to her by her own reckoning. I'm not convinced she had any of these thoughts ON HER OWN! Furthermore, we have to infer all this; the story starts when she's well and fully entrenched back home at the deli seemingly doing just fine. She keeps alluding to her past costume design days and you're like "what am I missing??" until you, the reader, finally put all the pieces together (to be fair, she does have one paragraph saying basically all this at about the halfway point, and I appreciate that, but before that I was confused, and overall, one paragraph is really not enough for allllllll that). Through interactions with Theo and Sam, her insta-bestie (not her very supportive family, btdubs, who she's around constantly), she realized costume design and clothing design in general, are still a huge part of her but she's stuck in place. Only through manufactured conflict and really nasty confrontations does she finally figure out who she is. And possibly the worst part is the story ends without any resolution on who Ellie is as a person. It ends on the HEA and I'm IMMEDIATELY like "mmmm, I bet you those two don't make it" and moreover "I bet you Ellie still stays stuck in place."

At the end of the day, I think this book tried too hard to be like While You Were Sleeping and You've Got Mail and not enough like its own thing. Tack on really one-dimensional characters, a not great FMC and a great MMC that we didn't get to know enough, and I just wanted so much more from this. The parts I liked were sweet and cute and funny - it was NOT horrible! - but it felt like an outline of a story that still has a lot of gaps to fill.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ARC to read in exchange for an honest review!!

Love You, Mean It was a delightful rom-com. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the amnesia trope, but it didn’t play nearly as much of a role as I thought. I really liked Ellie as a main character; she seemed to be fully fleshed out and self-aware. Theo was a great love interest, and the side characters (Bella, Sam, Everett etc) really helped make the story.

This was just OK for me. I didn't really feel the comedy aspect of it, but it had parts that were mildly amusing and playful. My biggest issue was with Ellie - I felt she was extremely unlikable, so I couldn't root for her. She was so obnoxious and condescending about her future love interest that nothing else made any sense.

That being said, I did enjoy the book. I'd read others from the author.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely.

Absolutely delightful! 'Love You, Mean It' is a 5-star rom-com that's a perfect blend of humor, romance, and heart. Ellie's journey from reluctant deli owner to fake fiancée is a rollercoaster of emotions. The witty banter, unexpected twists, and charming characters make this a page-turner. You'll root for Ellie and Theo, but also fall for the other characters. This is my first Jilly Gagon book, but not my last! A must-read!

4.5 stars - As I was reading “Love You, Mean It” all I could picture was, Hallmark movie! At first I was worried I would not get into it, was a slow start. As I kept going it instantly turned into a book I did not want to put down. I found myself just needed to know what happened next for Ellie and Theo! To be honest, there were a couple moments I was screaming at Ellie, like I was her best friend telling her to stop being so naive and self sabotaging. I could not help it. I was fully invested in her and Theo’s romance. Some of the details through out the book were a little long winded for me. While others were short enough to keep you guessing. If you love a cute, easy read rom-com, this is your next book. Thank you NetGalley for this awesome read!

I started out enjoying this book, I was intrigued initially by what was happening, a local small town trying to save their family deli from a large business. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with the characters and the remainder of the story. I was lost a little bit with Sam (Theos ex) and her role in the novel. Ellie couldn't get out of her own way and seemed a bit discontent.

It was a quick read, just not one that gripped me!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance E-Copy for Love you, Mean it by Jilly Gagnon in exchange of an honest review.

"Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon is a charming and entertaining read that combines several compelling story elements. The concept of fake dating, amnesia, and the grumpy/sunshine trope adds a delightful touch to the romance. The characters are well-developed and endearing, making it easy to root for their connection. While the beginning of the book may feel slow and heavily focused on the business aspect, once you push past the initial chapters, the story gains momentum and becomes more engaging. It's worth noting that there are some plot holes and certain aspects might not be thoroughly explored, but I appreciate that the book doesn't demand too much overthinking. Love You, Mean It provides a light-hearted and enjoyable experience, perfect for those looking for a sweet read with a bit of spice. ,

I was asked to review “Love You Mean it” by Jilly Gagnon, which I went into without any expectations other than knowing I would be reading a romantic comedy. Ellie is struggling to keep the family deli afloat when she discovers a chain gourmet grocer plans to put up shop right across the street. Ellie decides the best way to compete is to convince the property manager (Theo) not to allow the new grocer to set up shop. Yet, in this novel’s version of “meet cute,” an accident leads Theo to develop amnesia and Ellie’s solution is to pretend to be his bride to be. Yet, even when Theo regains his memory, the duo continues their ploy in the hope of getting what they want. Of course, the reader expects that with Theo and Ellie faking being in love, they will ultimately fall in love for real.

While predictable, the novel is still enjoyable. Ellie had her moments, but she also has rooting value. Jilly Gagnon’s writing is filled with witty, light-hearted moments, but there is some depth to the story too. This book was much sexier than your typical Hallmark trope and a quick but laugh-out-loud read.

I really enjoyed this romcom! It had the typical fake romance that so many books have, but I honestly wasn’t sure how this book would end. I also liked how there were extra storylines about going for your dreams, family loyalty, and the ex still hanging on. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this cute book!

Jilly Gagnon has shifted genres and I'm here for it! I've read and enjoyed her mystery book Scenes of the Crime and was excited to see a new rom-com by her. Love You, Mean It had just the right amount of romance, humor, and spice. Our MC Ellie starts out either having a lack of confidence or just plain indecisiveness/over thinking. I think that she was just so afraid of getting hurt that she came off as insecure. That character flaw resonated with me and I felt it to be relatable. At times I was frustrated with her, but that is precisely what draws me more into the story and makes me become more invested. In the end, Ellie grows as a person and realizes her goals and dreams in life and what will make her happy. I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Theo and at times found myself laughing out loud. Gagnon didn't forget to leave out the spice in this rom-com. I really enjoyed and would recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Holy smokes!!! I am feral for this sweet couple and all the crazy they get up to! They grow and challenge each other to be better - and with so many misunderstandings and a fake engagement - I want more! Honestly, I know this is a standalone, but we need an epilogue of them being married or starting a family or her side hustle of making clothing or SOMETHING! I loved this so much. Read now - it is so sweet and funny!

This was a cute read. Ellie, one of the main characters, left her hometown to pursue her dream career. Her father passed away, which caused her to return home and run her family's decades-old deli. She then learns that a local landlord is going to rent to Mangia. Mangia is a gourmet food store that could put her family's deli's future in jeopardy. Ellie's first encounter with Theo, another main character, who works at the property management firm does not go as planned. Theo becomes injured and winds up in the hospital with a head injury/amnesia. Ellie fakes being engaged to him and Theo plays along after he gets out. This was done in hopes to have the Mangia deal canceled. Both Ellie and Theo were enjoying their time together, that was until Sam, his ex-fiance, showed back up. In the end, everything seems to work out in Ellie's family's deli's favor. I would recommend if you like women's fiction and romantic comedies. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC of Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon! Cannot wait to read her next book!

★ ★ ★ ★ //5

Love You, Mean It
by Jilly Gagnon

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh I love Jilly! She could write literally anything and I would devour it right up. This book was fun. This book was just such a fun book to read and enjoy. I eat up romcoms and this was one that I sat down to read and I giggled, I questioned the characters out loud, I spoke out loud…There are twists and turns thrown through this book and I was loving it. I enjoyed traveling through this little fun adventure with Ellie and Theo. They are super cute. This book just had all the ingredients of a fun easy going romcom book and I think will be enjoyed by everyone who picks it up. Jilly never disappoints. This should be on everybody’s TBR.

This was a cute and enjoyable read! The story, the characters, and everything in between were great! I flew through this book so fast!

3.5 Stars

I liked parts of the book, some fun tropes and entertaining moments, but the pacing felt off and scattered. It goes too far, squeezing in too many ideas, and the good parts of the story struggle without enough room to build.

The Good: The animosity and semi-enemies to lovers trope works well. The amnesia/fiancé mix up was a great place to start and love that it’s not overly drawn out. The fake dating is then a nice segue into forcing these two to team up and keep focus on the business and small town problems, while also falling in lust/love.

The Bad: The ex-girlfriend angle is just one thing too far, especially since she’s so nice. I don’t see what it added to the plot. Instead it took away likability from Ellie and time that should have been given towards building romantic connection and much-needed humorous situations. The fall into lovers didn’t have enough layers for me, it was too abrupt and without believability. The third act breakup and reconciliation felt like an unbalanced mess.

It’s not all bad, it just wasn’t quite to my reading tastes.