A touching and multi-layered story. It tells the tale of Elle, a young podcaster who has to return to her grandmother’s home, the woman who raised her, as she begins to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Elle takes care of her grandmother, and through her experiences, we get a glimpse of how challenging the life of a caregiver can be, watching loved ones deteriorate. Thankfully, she can rely on Adam, the nurse who lives with them and helps care for her grandmother.

As time passes, a romance blossoms between Elle and Adam, with elements of forced proximity like fake dating and the one bed trope.

I particularly enjoyed the setting and the well-told story. The banter between the two protagonists is sharp and engaging, and the characters, especially Adam, are endearing. He is remarkably attentive, devoted, and patient. In short, it’s a beautiful and moving story overall!

Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Megan Murphy for a chance to read this book for free. I’m leaving this review of my own accord.

3.5 ⭐️

"Fake it like you mean it" est une romance contemporaine aux tropes accrocheurs : forced proximity & fake dating, mais qui s'inscrit dans un contexte émouvant voire difficile, puisque Elle, l'héroïne, retourne vivre chez sa grand-mère (Lovie) qui s'enfonce dans les limbes de la maladie d'Alzheimer.
Lovie est désormais dépendante et a besoin de soins 24h/24 tant la maladie a progressé. En attendant d'avoir une place dans un centre spécialisé (mais aussi que Lovie puisse être bénéficiaire de l'assurance santé de Elle), un infirmier est présent tous les jours au domicile, et vit même avec Lovie.

Adam et Elle vont donc être obligés de se côtoyer au quotidien dans l'intérêt de Lovie, et histoire de corser les choses, en plus de devoir partager la seule chambre disponible, faire semblant d'être en couple puisque Lovie les prend pour son défunt mari et elle-même du temps de leur jeunesse.

En toute honnêteté, j'ai mis plusieurs semaines à terminer ce livre, parce que le sujet traité est assez sensible pour moi, et Megan Murphy n'édulcore en rien les ravages de la maladie d'Alzheimer, l'ingratitude (parfois) et la difficulté du rôle d'aidant, la douleur de voir quelqu'un de proche perdre ainsi toute notion d'un passé et de liens communs. Elle souffre beaucoup de cette situation, et ça m'a fendu le cœur de la voir face à cette grand-mère qui ne la reconnaît plus et la traite comme une intruse.

Concernant la romance, je suis assez mitigée, car le trope "enemies-to-lovers" est déclenché de manière vraiment artificielle, je n'y ai pas cru du tout, et je n'ai pas du tout compris l'attitude des personnages à ce moment-là du récit. Ensuite, le développement est classique, avec un peu de slow burn.

Elle & Adam ne m'ont pas procuré beaucoup d'émotions, pour moi le sujet central est vraiment la maladie d'Alzheimer et l'impact qu'elle peut avoir sur les proches du malade. Une lecture assez rude au niveau émotionnel donc.

This book was a delightful read—cute, fun, and packed with 10/10 humor. The plot was refreshingly original, steering away from the usual meet-cute scenarios and repetitive dialogues. I particularly enjoyed the witty banter between the characters, which kept me hooked. However, the climax felt underwhelming compared to the rest of the story; it was going strong and then suddenly fizzled out. Also, on a personal note, I’m not a fan of characters with commitment issues or those who run away from situations rather than facing them. I’d still definitely recommend it to others!

when this book was compared to the roomate experiment i was all in.
and sadly this was a slight bit of its downfall for me. because actually for me nothing can yet compare to my love of that book.
buuuut back to this one. its was great and for a new author to this it was brilliant.
the touch on deeper topics was handled with such care. and it didnt make you dip when such topics were talked about. its sensitive and mamaged to inform at the same time. and you are suddenly questioning the story for its lack of tact!
our two characters had me laughing and swooning for them. and i was grinning very widely and lots of parts throughout.
you know one of those stroylines that you think could never happen to you. or men arent that lovely. but you love it all the more for allowing you to enter that dreamland for at least a while.
sometimes its nice to have a romance that you cynical mind thinks is too good to be true.
and we have a dementia sufferer that is just lovely in herself in this book who i think was written so well and its never one(like in other books) felt like she was a gimic for the story or made fun of. its such a horrific desease and im so glad we saw even in a romcom she was faced with such love from the people around her.

I didn’t like the Ted Bundy comment even if it was a joke…
Also! He lets her sleep on the couch??
Not sure if it’s my cup of tea, but hey- we listen and we don’t judge.
All in all, the fake dating part was kind of fun and enjoyable!

FAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT is a wonderful romance debut by Megan Murphy and perfect for fans of fake dating, enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advanced copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC!

Adam Wheeler, the man you are! I lost count of how many times I found myself grinning like an absolute fool during his and Elle’s moments together. Their romantic encounters were adorable, the banter was spot on, and the chemistry? Off the charts. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers, this book delivers it all and then some.

Fake It Like You Mean It is such a standout romance. It’s not just a rom-com, it’s the kind of story that sticks with you because it brings so much heart along with the humor. Sure, it had me laughing and swooning, but it also surprised me by tugging at my emotions in unexpected ways. There’s a depth to this story that makes it feel truly special. It even brought me to tears by the end (and I’m not usually a crier!). The only thing I wish was a bit different is the pacing, it felt uneven at times—but honestly, the payoff was worth every moment.

Elle, the main character, is an absolute star. She’s confident, resilient, and so easy to root for. Watching her overcome her struggles and stand tall was inspiring, and she’s the kind of character you want to be best friends with. As for Adam, oh boy. At first, I wasn’t so sure about him. He’s distant and a bit grumpy, but once his softer side starts to show, he’s impossible not to love. Their relationship felt so real, and seeing their walls come down to let each other in was just beautiful.

What really sets this book apart, though, is the way it handles deeper topics, particularly Alzheimer’s awareness. I didn’t expect it, but the story wove this in so naturally and sensitively. It gave me a new perspective and taught me a lot about the disease and its impact—not just on those living with it but also on the people who love and care for them. That layer of depth added so much emotional weight to the story, and it’s something I truly appreciated.

And let’s not forget the found family element. The friendships and family moments were so heartwarming, and the characters felt like people I’d want to know in real life. Every interaction was filled with love and care, and it gave the story this cozy, comforting feel that I absolutely adored.

Overall, Fake It Like You Mean It is everything I could want in a romance. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and full of depth, with characters who feel real and relatable. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon all at once, I can’t recommend this one enough.

Elle is a podcaster in Chicago that has to move home to care for her aging grandmother whose Alzheimer's is progressing. Once she gets there, she realizes there is also a live-in home healthcare nurse, Adam, to aide in Lovie's care. However, there's a fake dating trope due to Lovie believing they are the younger version of her and her late husband Bobby.
This book was truly so bizarre. I have no problem suspending reality for a good romcom but first of all this was not a romcom?? This could have been a lovely chicklit book about the struggles of caring for an aging loved one (the only reason this review got two stars was for that part of the story), but instead this was a bizarre chemistry-less romance between two unlikeable characters. In no universe would a single moment of this book actually happen. I'm honestly at a bit of a loss for words because of how much I disliked this book. I kept thinking of DN-ing but hoping there would be some huge character growth- there was not. All in all the ethics and lack of believability of this made it nearly unreadable for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Let me start with what I loved...First, I really liked how the storyline with Lovie and her progressing Alzheimer's was written. It showed the hard parts, the sad parts, and the moments of relief. Adam's character was so good. He was so perceptive and just an all-around good person. His purpose in seeking consent every time he wanted to take a big step forward in the relationship (especially physically)? Perfection. This is small, but I really appreciated the jab at insurance and how much insurance companies suck. Now for what I had a hard time with...Elle. She was selfish so many times, which I realize was a huge area she needed to grow in. But she didn't grow at all until the very end. I wish she'd experienced at least a little growth during her stay with Lovie and Adam. I wanted to throw the book at one point because it was so clear she didn't deserve him and I couldn't figure out why he liked her. Because of this, the relationship wasn't my favorite. I think it's definitely a pretty good debut novel, so I'm looking forward to seeing what Megan Murphy writes in the future. It's worth reading Fake it Like You Mean It for Lovie's storyline and the depiction of caregiving. Oh, and Adam's great character. Of course.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It is one of the best romances I read last year and it surprised me.
The relationship was natural, and I didn't feel forced at all. And the relationships between the three main characters were lively, relatable and fun to read. The characters were very much alive, and I could picture them as everyday people that I could meet - but interesting at the same time.
It was also very relatable; having been through a grandma with Alzheimer's, I can tell this was beautifully written.
I also like that the themes here aren't overly done; the podcast was refreshing.

Megan Murphy’s Fake It Like You Mean It is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy romance. From the very first page, I was drawn into Elle’s world as she juggles the emotional toll of caring for her grandmother, Lovie, and the unexpected tension with Adam, her grandmother’s live-in nurse.

The story’s premise—a fake dating trope born out of Lovie’s mistaken belief that Elle and Adam are a couple—is both hilarious and touching. What sets this book apart is how beautifully it balances lighthearted moments with deeper themes like family, caregiving, and the impact of Alzheimer’s. Lovie’s character stole my heart with her charm and vulnerability, making the stakes in the story feel even more real.

Elle and Adam’s chemistry is undeniable. Their witty banter and growing affection kept me hooked, and I loved how their relationship developed naturally, even amidst the chaos. The forced proximity trope was executed perfectly, with just the right amount of tension and tenderness.

What I appreciated most, though, was the emotional depth. Murphy doesn’t shy away from showing the struggles of being a caregiver or the bittersweet moments of loving someone with a memory disorder. These scenes hit hard but were written with so much care that they never felt overwhelming.

Overall, Fake It Like You Mean It is more than just a rom-com—it’s a story about love in all its forms: romantic, familial, and even self-love.
#FakeItLikeYouMeanIt #MeganMurphy #RomComReads #NetGalley #BookReview #EnemiesToLovers #MustReadRomance

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC! This book was a 10/10 for me. Romantic comedies with spice are my jam right now and this hit all the marks. I love reading a book and it makes me giggle like a little girl and kick my feet in the air while reading. Elle was honestly my spirit animal with how much she crushed on Adam in the beginning. And Adam, sigh Adam. He was such a fluffy puppy with Elle and if you aren’t like that then I don’t want you.

This book also really hit in the feels with the topic of Alzheimer’s and how it fells to have a loved one go through this.

I honestly can’t wait for this book to come out and have more people love it the way I did!

Unfortunately it was hard to understand and there were a few plot holes that make it hard to follow but in all it was heartwarming and sweet story

📚Fake It Like You Mean It by Megan Murphy (Pub Date: Mar 18, 2025)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

💕 I have read nothing so emotionally devastating like Fake It Like You Mean It. Megan wrote about Elly’s journey of caring for her grandmother, Lovie, who has Alzheimer’s, so realistically, I felt what Elly felt. Her frustration. Her fear. Her guilt. This bittersweet rom-com has tenderness, banter, humor, heat, and swoony Adam. Nurse Adam is so charming I wouldn’t mind him giving me a sponge bath. 🧼 🥰 While this is a fake-dating, slow-burn, funny romance, have a tissue box nearby when you read it because you will need it.💕

❤️ I can’t wait to read Megan’s next book.

Thank you, Netgalley and Alcove Press, for this ARC.

Tropes:
💏 Strangers to lovers
🛏️ Forced proximity
💋 Fake-dating
📋 Workplace romance (sort of)
⏳ Slow-burn


⚠️ TW: Alzheimer's disease

This was such a lovely read! I loved the relationship between Elle and Adam and how that progressed. I also loved Lovie, Ruth and the girls!

I can’t speak to the accuracy of the depiction of Alzheimer’s but I felt that the caring of an ailing family member was done quite nicely. It’s heartbreaking and frustrating and I felt that here!

I wish we knew more about the boundaries Adam sets with his sister. Especially since that’s a point of conflict at times but seems to wrap up neatly with no explanation as to how Ruth is supporting herself and the girls. Maybe a second book about her? I’d read it!

Regardless, I enjoyed this!

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

What a wonderful debut!

I really enjoyed the blend between steamy tension between Adam and Elle and a heart wrenching show of family love between Elle and her grandmother, Lovoe. The Alzheimer’s aspect was equal parts sad and hopeful and i really appreciate how it was handled, especially how careful and gracious both MCs were with looking after Lovie. You could really tell how much care the author put into representing what it’s like to care for a relative with Alzheimer’s, how to navigate the grief and loss that comes alongside it, and what that does to the caregiver. I really loved that part of the book!

Adam is a classic gruff, giant man of an MMC and I really enjoyed seeing his personality come out as he grew closer to Elle. Their romance felt very natural and believable and, although I could’ve done without the ‘enemies’ spin on the beginning, overall I really enjoyed their dynamic. This is a truly wonderful debut and I’m excited to read what else the author might write!

My two favorite tropes (enemies to lovers) and (forced proximity) in a single book...sign me up.

I liked this book a lot. The author's writing style felt quite free-flowing for me. Although I didn't like certain parts and the romance felt a little bit flat to me but overall it's a good reading experience. The banter was a chef's kiss.

This is an ARC read which is exchanged with an honest review.

This story was so beautifully written. Elle was an established podcaster living in Chicago. Things were going well for her, until she got the call that her grandmother, Lovie, was declining with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Suddenly, Elle’s life is upended and she’s whisked away to the home she grew up in to help take care of her. She meets Lovie’s nurse, Adam, and things get trickier. Lovie believes Adam and Elle are Lovie and her husband, Bobby. Forced to play the part, the ruse brings them closer together and feelings become strong.

This book for me was a lot more than just romance. Elle’s heartbreaking journey dealing with her grandmothers Alzheimer’s is very touching and relatable for those who have also witnessed loved ones going through this horrible diagnosis. Elle fights with the past and her acceptance of who Lovie is now and it’s heartbreaking and tragic and beautiful, still. This is a story that will stick with you for a long time.

i loved this from start to finish i loved the tropes thats in it i love the complexity of the story with lovies alizermhers diagnosis i think the book handles what that be like for a family member who's loved one has been diagnosied with the diesea elle and adams banter is elite from start to finish it keeps you laughing it tugs at the heart strings and then some could not love this book more

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun debut read and I can't wait to see what the author writes next! A lighthearted read that I didn't want to put down is a good description.