I enjoyed Jilly Gagnon’s book – All Dressed Up – and thoroughly enjoyed the book, the writing style and the characters. When I was asked to read this rom-com, I have to admit I wasn’t overly thrilled. Rom-coms are generally not a favorite genre, but I was optimized since Jilly Gagnon wrote it. I’m so glad I did. Not only did I enjoy this read, I would recommend it. Fun story, the characters had great chemistry with each other, a wee bit of drama, some oo-la-la romps, but not overly graphic, just a good read.

Ellie Greco manages her family’s deli, since her father died. The deli represents family, tradition and especially her father. So when rumors that a modern hip, uber upscale deli franchise, Mangia is coming to a location close by, Ellie is determined to put a stop to Mangia. When she learns, an old classmate, Theo (Trick) Taylor is the developer working on the project, she seeks him out to have a discussion. At the meeting, Theo is accidentally hit in the head by a falling piece of ceiling and has a head injury. Ellie accompanies Theo to the hospital and here is where the fun begins. Mix in some amnesia, a fake engagement, some real feelings, an ex-girlfriend, and a good look at oneself and you get a fun, engaging read. Pick a sunny spot and enjoy.

I’m sitting here in a cruise, and this was a cute book to read while relaxing. It was a quick read and enjoyable but there wasn’t a wow factor for me. The author took the rom com checklist picked her fake dating trope and went with it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you for the chance to read this early. Ellie has returned to her hometown to run the family deli. Things get tense when she learns a local man is planning to rent to Mangia-her competition. She goes to the property manager, Theo, to talk him out of it. But a freak accident causes a case of amnesia and in order to know his condition, Ellie says she’s his fiancé. One the “amnesia” is cured, they decide to stay “engaged” to help both of them end the potential Mangia deal. What I liked: dialogue between Ellie and Theo, Ellie’s relationship with family (particularly her grandmother). What I didn’t like: Theo’s ex, Sam. I just couldn’t buy her attempts at friendship with Ellie.

“Love You, Mean It” is a fun romcom that is reminiscent of its predecessors in the genre: the enemies to lovers trope, someone developing amnesia, and an ex who is still in love with the male love interest. It’s a pretty easy and low-stakes read!

Truthfully, I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you are committed to the genre in its highs and its lows. While I am a big supporter of women’s wrongs, the main character (Ellie) is a hard one to root for. The book would probably have been about 1/3 shorter if she wasn’t so committed to hurting the relationships she makes (both romantic and platonic). I found myself supporting the aforementioned ex for the majority of the plot; this would have been a cute way to subvert the typical happy ending, but sadly that was not the outcome.

“Love You, Mean It” will be out next year on April 30th—and thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC to review!

3.5 stars!

Recap:
Ellie had dreams of being a costume designer. She moves back to her home town of Milborough after her father passed to run the family deli. In comes Theo Taylor, who threatens to bring the upscale market Mangia to town, which would put Ellie's deli out of business. She decides to ask him to stop, but a freak workplace accident causes him to have temporary amnesia. Ellie pretends to be his fiancé in an attempt to go with him to the hospital but the lie gets out of hand. Once his memory returns, they agree to stay fake engaged so they both get what they want out of this deal - Ellie keeps her deli and Theo gets to do what he wants with the building.

Review:
Ellie and Theo are portrayed as rivals or opposites, when in fact you can tell they are attracted to each other. Ellie thinks of him as a stuck up, country club, rich boy and she sees herself as a failure, stuck in a job she does not want, living a life that was not for her. Throughout the story, Ellie gets to discover who she is and what her purpose is, but not without a struggle. Side characters like Sam and Bella added charm to the story. Ellie had a really low sense of self, which was sad to watch. She did not care about her home or had friends, mostly because it looked like she did not think she deserved them. It made it hard for her to accept Theo's love.

Spoilers:
While I agree with their third act breakup, I do feel like Ellie did all the groveling. I feel like even though Sam was direct to her about her feelings for Theo, and gave her an out more than once, I do feel like Ellie saw her in a position of power and did not feel confident with expressing her own emotions. I don't think it was fair for Sam to go and ask what she did of Ellie, and she should have apologized for it. Ellie owned up to her side of the problem, but I don't think Sam did. Also, Theo said some shitty things to Ellie towards the end when they broke up, and he apologized in the car but never said anything more about it, while both Sam and Theo made Ellie grovel.

Read if you like
opposites attract
fake dating
enemies to lovers
small town romance

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

"Love You, Mean It" is a captivating and thoroughly entertaining romantic comedy that serves up a delightful blend of humor, heart, and an enticing touch of amnesia-induced confusion. With a charming premise involving dueling delis, fake relationships, and a lively cast of characters, this novel offers a fresh and engaging take on the genre.

The protagonist, Ellie Greco, is a relatable and endearing character whose struggles with her family's deli and her longing for a more exciting life make her instantly relatable. Her journey from a reluctant deli owner to a participant in an unexpected fake engagement is filled with humor and heartwarming moments. Ellie's witty banter with Theo Taylor, the dashing yet enigmatic love interest, adds a layer of sizzling chemistry and playful tension to the story. The amnesia plot device is used skillfully to create humorous and endearing situations that keep the reader eagerly turning the pages.

The novel excels in portraying the dynamics of family and friendship, making the reader feel deeply connected to the characters. Ellie's dedication to her family's legacy and the choices she must make between her heart's desires and her responsibilities tug at the heartstrings. However, some readers may find certain plot developments, especially those involving the shocking ex-fiancée Sam, to be slightly predictable, which is a minor critique in an otherwise engaging and enjoyable narrative.

In conclusion, "Love You, Mean It" is a delightful romantic comedy that delivers on its promise of laughter, romance, and heart. It's a feel-good read that reminds us of the importance of taking chances, embracing change, and the surprises that love can bring. Fans of the genre will find this book to be a delightful and satisfying escape into a world where love and laughter reign supreme.

This book seemed like a Romeo and Juliet style romance but in a more modern setting which I loved. Also second chance ex is a troupe I love as well as enemy’s to lovers. This was a very cute novel nothing too earth shattering but just a fun popcorn rom com

When Ellie’s family deli is threatened by a big bad mega food company, she’s desperate enough to pair up with Theo Taylor, son of the real estate tycoon whose company will decide if the sale goes through.

At first glance the premise gives off major Hallmark vibes, BUT Gagnon’s latest definitely has a couple of spicy scenes, and the tension between Elli and Theo is pure escapist fun,

If you like fake relationship tropes with a splash of spice, this book is your jam! It’s such a nod to everything I loved about 90s rom coms.

The story was cute, and the idea was nice. The MCs were nicely written. I felt I lacked any sort of attachment to them. It felt like the same thing repeatedly.

But I really did not like Sam; I thought she was pointless to the sorry. I understand they needed someone to create a “wedge” but still not a fan. Also, all those internal monologues had me skimming the text.

I adored the cover and title of Love You Mean It!

This was a fascinating book, a story based on family business and the risk a potentially new threat could have on the existing family business and community. Ellie runs her family meat store business and is threatened when a former schoolmate's father decides to open his family meat store… Tripp, also known as Theo, is not a fan of his father's new business venture. Surprisingly, these two former schoolmates engage in a scheme to ensure Tripp’s Father's business is unsuccessful.

You will love the chemistry between Tripp and Ellie. This was a slow read but eventually romantic in so many other ways. What happens next? Grab the book and find out.

Thank you Kathleen for this arc book.

I’m literally obsessed with Theo and Ellie. I loved the way he was the one that really fell for her first. I mean, Ellie is trying to set him back up with Sam, but all Theo does is become super protective of Ellie. I really loved the whole tennis scene. I thought it really funny how Theo tried to play Ellie with the whole amnesia thing to see if she caught on to the fact that he did remember her. I really enjoyed how Ellie stood up to Theo’s “dad.” We love a confident woman. It really hurt there towards the end and honestly they are both to blame for the way my heart hurt. I was really happy to see the way Theo fought to not let Ted get away with the whole project. I’m glad that Sam really helped Theo help Ellie with in a way. I’m glad that they stayed friends after they realized that Theo was son in love and better off with Ellie. I really enjoyed all of Ellie’s family and how they were all in on the whole fake fiancé situation.

A cute and charming rom com with cute banter, cute boys and fake dating.
Ellie Greco fee up in Milborough. A small town that she fled as quickly as she could. She always felt she was destined for more. Ellie was able to escape her hometown for a few years for her dream career, designing costumes for a theater production. Sadly Ellie is called back home when her father passes away suddenly and she needs to help run her family’s deli. She loves her deli, but she dreams of something more.
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When Greco’s deli is threatened by a new business Ellie suddenly feels the tug to stay in her hometown and keep the deli going.
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I thought this was a charming and sweet story. Cute for all rom com lovers and one I will recommend to others.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie runs her family deli and a new business possibly coming to town could jeopardize it. Ellie meets up with Theo to try and sway him to not open up Mangia. Things take a turn and we get the fake engagement but not in the normal way.
Good easy read but a little off for me.

When I read the synopsis for Jilly Gagnon new book I almost had a heart attack. This is like While You Were Sleeping candy for those who are fans of the movie. Ellie and Theo really romcom'd it up and couldn't have been happier.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.

Love You, Mean It is a fun romantic comedy. I was skeptical of the fake engagement story line in the beginning, but, my doubts quickly faded. Jilly Gagnon provides well developed characters, great dialogue, and an all around great story. Plenty of steam as well! Thank you to NetGalley, Jilly Gagnon, and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoy booked based on restaurants or with food as a main character. Love You, Mean It hits those plot point. I also really enjoy the fake romance trope and this book nails it on the head. When Ellie must head back to her hometown to run the family deli she does what she can to improve things. But when she finds out about plans to bring Mangia, a mega gourmet food shop to her little town she does what she can to put a stop to it. She ends up in a fake relationship with Theo, the son of the owner of the property management firm looking to bring in Mangia in order to put a stop to the mega shop and save her deli.

Overall I thought this was a cute story with all the makings of a happily ever after. I liked all the characters (especially Sam!) and felt like the character development was there. Of course there are many twists throughout and by the end of the story, you can breathe a sigh of relief. This was a very cute quick read.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the arc. The comments and review are my opinion.
Ellie has returned home from NY to work in her family’s deli after the death of her father and after failing in her dream of becoming a costume designer.

I am not much of a reader of romcom’s, but since I have read other books by this author, I looked forward to this change of pace. Although it was okay, I have liked other books by the author more.

To me Ellie was portrayed as being rather pathetic. A “Woe is Me” type of person. No boyfriend, no girlfriends nearby and no social life because all she does is work in the deli, keeping her father’s dream alive while her dream failed.
What finally wakes her up is news that quite possibly the building where the deli is located is going to be demolished with a super store being built in its place. What follows is a fake dating and fake engagement to a principal partner of the developer to try and stop the new store from coming to town.
The book does have a sweet ending, so if you are into cozy romcoms, you very well may enjoy this book.

This was such a cute read! I fell in love with Ellie and Theo and especially the fake dating troupe. I really enjoyed this book because I releated to Ellie in which her father died and she had to take over his deli while essentially putting her dreams on hold. My father has passed and although my father didn't have a business I put my life on hold. This book helped me realize that I'm not the only and that I can he more than a griever. Back to the story it was such a quick read for me. I really enjoyed that the author didn't bombard us with too many characters to make the plot. I loved the handful of characters and how each were important to the story. I really reccomend if you love a meet cute, fake dating troupe.

Ellie the main character is very hard to like. The self deprivation and negative attitude just puts me off. I can’t root for her let alone even like her.

Although I love a good fake dating trope this one didn't check many boxes for me. I liked ellie and I liked Theo but. Meh. One of the biggest things that bugged me is I literally still have no idea where the title comes from. As a reader I very much enjoy being able to say. Aha! That's where that is from.

That being said this was a quick read for me. Just not a favorite

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.