This was such a fun time, had so many laugh out loud moments! Was such a blast to read and I loved that it didn’t have the normal meet-cute moment but kept it interesting and kept the story flowing the whole time! The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the running when things got hard, I understand commitment issues but I’ve never enjoyed a MC who decides running away is how to handle the situation, just takes me out of enjoying the couple.
Other then that it was such a fun time!

If you've read books like Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake or The Girl Series by Lindsey Kelk, you're already familiar with stories that are categorized as contemporary romances but lean more toward themes of self-discovery and coming of age, with romance playing more of a supporting role than taking center stage. Fake It Like You Mean It follows that same trend. While there is a sweet love story with a little steam, it doesn't take long to realize that Alzheimer's is the main character. This book delves deep into how Alzheimer’s transforms the lives of everyone involved - from family, friends, and caregivers (not always one and the same) to those battling a disease that robs individuals of what they hold dear: their memories, their connections, and, in many ways, their sense of self.

What do you do when the woman who means the world to you no longer recognizes you? That has quickly become Elle Monroe’s reality as one call confirms the worst: her grandmother, Lovie, is moving into stage two of Alzheimer’s, requiring around-the-clock care. Stubborn as her grandmother made her, Elle is determined to be there for the woman who raised her. One way or another, she will give Lovie the care she needs. But first, she has to deal with one minor inconvenience. Unknown to her, AngelCare brought in a 24/7 nurse by the name of Adam Wheeler.

She doesn’t want or need his help and is determined to send him packing - until Lovie mistakes Elle and Adam for a younger version of herself and her late husband. To protect her mind, Elle and Adam agree to play along, hoping she’ll forget the next day. The problem? She doesn’t forget. In fact, the stubborn streak Elle inherited is alive and well, pushing Elle and Adam into more and more awkward situations filled with admiration and affection.

Elle has no problem playing pretend for the sake of her grandmother, but when her fantasies start to star a certain home care nurse, Elle may just discover her grandmother isn’t quite done handing down life lessons.

While I enjoyed the story, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Elle. From the first encounter, she came off as pushy and abrasive.

That said, I did appreciate the moments where Elle dropped the tough-girl act and became more relatable. Seeing how distraught she was over what was happening with her grandmother was heartbreaking. But then she’d do something petty and you’d be quickly reminded of your disdain for the character. Despite this, the fact that I adored her by the end shows just how intentional Megan was with her writing.

The pacing of the book could be described as somewhat slow. While it’s not presented in real time, its day-to-day structure creates a steady, deliberate rhythm that mirrors the nature of caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s. This slower pace serves a purpose. It allows readers to fully grasp the reality that no two days are the same. Skipping ahead or glossing over weeks wouldn’t have been as effective when portraying life with someone who believed every day was "Monday in May." From the need for routine and the chaos caused by interruptions, to coping with unexpected changes, to the shifts in personality depending on interactions, and those fleeting lucid moments - each aspect is captured in detail to give readers a 360-degree perspective of how much Alzheimer’s takes, not just in general but moment by moment.

I’ll admit, I had a very basic understanding of Alzheimer’s before reading this book, but it did an incredible job of educating, highlighting, and simplifying without diminishing the weight of the disease. It even prompted me to ask more questions, such as, “What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?” (Spoiler: Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia.)

As I said before, I wouldn’t consider this a traditional contemporary romance. Instead, I would categorize it as women’s fiction because the focus is on Elle’s evolution and growth. It’s a gentle read that doesn’t overwhelm with any one emotion - it’s not too sad, too funny, or too steamy. Instead, it’s a smooth and thoughtful story that takes you on the scenic route to its final destination, making every step of the journey feel intentional and worthwhile. It will make you think and reflect, and the wisdom it imparts - whether through Lovie’s hard truths, Adam’s perspective, or Elle’s realizations - leaves a lasting impact in ways you wouldn't imagine.

This book was EVERYTHING. A fake-dating romance that blends heartfelt moments with so much humor and tension, it had me hooked from start to finish. The setup two people pretending to be a couple to keep a loved one happy is emotional gold, and Megan Murphy nailed it.
Elle and Adam? Their chemistry was 🔥🔥. From their sharp banter to their slowly growing connection, I couldn’t get enough of them. And the tropes? Forced proximity, one bed, AND slow burn? It was perfection. Murphy wrote their relationship so authentically it wasn’t just tropey fluff (though I love that too); it felt real, raw, and layered with so much emotion.

What really stood out, though, was Lovie. Her Alzheimer’s storyline brought such a bittersweet depth to the book. Her lucid and not-so-lucid moments were heartbreaking and beautifully written, and her bond with Elle was just as moving as the romance.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut because the writing was incredible. This book was fun, emotional, and SO worth the read. Highly recommend to anyone who loves fake dating, slow-burn romances, and stories that remind you why you love love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I knew this book was going to be difficult for me to read because of it dealing with the topic of Alzheimer’s when I just lost my mother to Alzheimer’s 11 months ago. That being said this book is so beautifully written.

This book is a slow burn fake dating romance that covers the topic of what it’s like to watch a family member struggle with Alzheimer’s. A beautiful balance between comedy and heartbreak which Megan captured beautifully.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry, a lot, I recommend this book to anyone that has the chance to read this beautifully written book I promise you won’t regret it if you’re a fan of slow burn fake romance enemies to lovers books.

Thank you Netgalley and alcove press for the arc

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book to read. This is 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 for me. I love that a good portion of the book is dedicated to Elle’s grandmother and her Alzheimer’s - there is no “happy” ending and no magic cure to make her grandmother happy which I appreciate. I love happy endings but with topics such as Alzheimer’s, it’s so important to keep it honest and I appreciated that. The story between Elle and Adam is a great love story and is a happy ending.

I did feel like the book was a bit all over the place in the middle - like it was just different stories here and there but in a way it was nice to see the different days and what they consisted of. I wish more time was spent talking about both of the main characters childhoods as well.

I would recommend this book and it was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. Very well written!

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!