Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I loved this book and it pulled on my heart strings. There is mild spice but it is more sweet compared to other reads.

Definitely for those who are in for a slow burn!

The title was very promising, so I was hopeful as I started reading Fake It Like You Mean It.
The main characters, both female and male, were just barely likeable. It seemed like the settings they were involved in were a little too far fetched for my tastes. I wanted the banter between them to be easy and more. Some of the incidents just didn't mesh well with the overall storyline, which made the novel feel flat and not dynamic. I was left feeling meh.

Thank you NetGalley, Alcove Press and Megan Murphy for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Elle, a podcaster who lives in Chicago, returns to her hometown because the grandmother who raised her needs round the clock care for her progressing Alzeheimer's. When she arrives home in the middle of the night, she has a not-so-meet-cute with her grandma's nurse, Adam, who happens to be sleeping in her bed.

Elle's grandma, Lovie, thinks Elle and Adam are a couple, so they decide to act like a couple when she's around, so as not to upset and disorient her. Eventually, they find themselves acting like a couple, even when Lovie isn't around, and they have to decide what that means for them, especially since this nursing arrangement isn't meant to be long term.

There were some heartbreaking moments as Elle tried to navigate the complex emotions associated with interacting with a loved one who doesn't remember you. There were days when she hated who her grandma was now, while still loving her for who she used to be. I thought the author did in incredible job showing the day to day challenges of Lovie, Elle and Adam as they handled Lovie's advancing Alzheimers and dementia.

The romance part of this novel was sweet in some parts, but off-putting in others. Adam is such a caring, giving guy, and Elle just keeps pushing him away and not seeing what's right in front of her. Once she finally sees it, the miscommunication trope takes over (which is my least favorite), but the resolution is sweet.

The premise and the core topic of this is what caught my eye. This talks about the trouble of having to care for a person who is not the same human as you know and this does it beautifully. The romance however is something I didn't feel, atleast the way it started felt forced. I couldn't really get into the two of them fully. Also it seems very unlikely that someone who got a devastating news of the only close family's deteriorating health would pack her vibrator in her duffle bag.

While I somewhat enjoyed this book as some points. It was hard to get past how ethically wrong these relationship was. I think if the was a slightly different setting I would enjoyed it a little more.

3 stars

I came for the grandma hijinks, and left sobbing. This is such a heart-wrenching book in the best way. I love Adam and Elle's story, especially the commentary on grief and finding your own identity. The romance is swoonworthy and Adam is the example men should be held to. Five stars.

Elle is a successful podcaster with a series called Elle on the L in which she interviews people on the Chicago commuter train. This book has one of the cutest and sweetest openings from the first chapter! The first thing we read tells us more about the tone of the book than it does about Elle herself, but that comes later. Elle was raised by her grandparents, and her widowed grandmother Lovie lives in her Indiana hometown. Elle goes home to visit and take care of Lovie only to find a home health nurse named Adam Wheeler. Adam is a good guy, your typical hero that the Hallmark holiday movie heroine falls for when she is back in her hometown. He is completely non-problematic and funny.

Lovie mistakes them for herself and her late husband, how sweet is that? The majority of the book is them falling for each other and dealing with Lovie's dementia and advancing Alzheimer's disease. Lovie is such a firecracker, even in her advanced state of memory loss, with such zingers as "calories only count if you count them." Adam helps Elle see her limitations in being a caregiver, together they learn that "you don't have to have lost your memories to not want to keep coming back to what brings you comfort."

Alzheimer's is a main character in this debut novel, and it is so well done that I am sure the novelist is writing from experience. While the romance has some good banter and chemistry, the relationship between Lovie and Elle really takes center stage. The major theme is "Love is supposed to make you more yourself, not less" and Adam and Elle are able to love each other in a way they haven't before.

Biggest criticism is my second lease favorite trope- the miscommunication/third act breakup. I would make a 3rd act breakup illegal if I could. I feel like it's unnecessary easy pacing element that this book could have done without.

Overall, I loved it. A must read for any contemporary romance readers that have been through the life altering experience of loving someone with Alzheimer's.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be released March 18, 2025.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

Fake It Like You Mean It is like comfort food for your bookshelf: sweet, heartfelt, and with just the right pinch of sass to keep things interesting. Megan Murphy delivers a warm and bittersweet rom-com that blends fake dating antics with a deeply emotional exploration of family and loss. It’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of book that leaves a lingering smile (and maybe a few sniffles) when you turn the last page.

The setup is classic rom-com gold: Elle comes home to care for her grandmother Lovie and discovers Adam, a no-nonsense live-in nurse, has already taken up residence—and her bed! Sparks fly, tempers flare, and soon they’re reluctantly playing along with Lovie’s belief that they’re madly in love. And while fake dating tropes are always fun, what makes this book stand out is the emotional weight underpinning the humor. Lovie’s battle with Alzheimer’s is handled with tenderness, adding layers of poignancy to an otherwise lighthearted story.

The chemistry between Elle and Adam is slow-burn and deliciously antagonistic at first. Elle’s prickly, fiercely independent nature clashes with Adam’s calm, steady demeanor in ways that feel organic. Their banter is sharp and witty, but it’s those quieter moments—like Adam patiently navigating Lovie’s bad days or Elle seeing Adam’s vulnerability peeking through—that really sell their connection. By the time the fake dating starts to feel a little too real, you’re all in.

Favorite moments? Lovie steals every scene she’s in. Whether she’s mischievously matchmaking or delivering heart-wrenching wisdom in her lucid moments, she’s the heart of this story. The scene where Elle and Adam dance in the kitchen to calm a restless Lovie? Pure gold. It’s tender, funny, and brimming with that “we’re falling for each other but won’t admit it” energy.

That said, the book isn’t without its hiccups. The pacing in the middle sags a bit as Elle and Adam dance around their feelings, and some of the conflict feels contrived just to keep them apart a little longer. Also, while the romance is satisfying, I wish we got more exploration of Elle’s personal growth outside of her relationship with Adam—she has so much going on with her career, her grief, and her identity.

The themes of memory and love—both romantic and familial—are beautifully woven throughout. Lovie’s Alzheimer’s serves as a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of time, and her belief in Elle and Adam’s “love story” becomes a way for the characters (and readers) to reflect on what really matters in life.

Final verdict? Fake It Like You Mean It is a charming, emotional read that balances rom-com tropes with heartfelt moments. It’s not without flaws, but if you’re in the mood for something that makes you laugh, swoon, and maybe tear up a little, this one’s worth a try. Just don’t forget to hug your loved ones afterward.

I love this trope and was excited for this novel, but struggled to get into the plot line. Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

So good I loved the dynamic between these two.. I also loved their not so cute meet cute. It was perfect for these two. I have preordered the book and can’t wait to read again

dnf @53%

I'm sorry, I tried, I really did, but I cannot feel anything reading this book. I don't really care about Adam and Elle.
It's possible that it's not the right time for me to read this book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC early! This was a quick and easy read. There were times where the chemistry between the main characters felt a little forced, but also times where it worked. Overall, this book ended up being pretty cute, and I think a lot of people will enjoy it.

I enjoyed this book, but found that the enermies-to-lovers trope could have been explored a little more and differently. I was getting angry sometimes at Elle for how she was behaving towards Adam and Lovie......how she was acting and reacting was a bit off-putting. I get the story that was being told, but I wish it had flowed a bit better.

(I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley, Alcove Press and Megan Murphy)

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214988485-fake-it-like-you-mean-it" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Fake It Like You Mean It" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compr
Thanks net galley for providing an ARC
This was a sweet story and i enjoyed reading about Adam and Elle as a couple
Elle returns to her hometown to look after her grandmother who has Alzheimer's but finds out there's a nurse looking after her who also lived in her bedroom (and is rather HOT)
They soon end up in a fake dating arrangement because Elle 's grandmother believes they are her and her husband 60 years ago and they don't want to risk making her condition worse
I liked Lovie's character whenever it was shown or talked about in the background and her and elle's relationship was so sweet and emotional
Adam's character was really good he was a supportive of elle and they got along together really well
And the way adam made a whole account to troll the troll guy?SWOON
I also loved the way the side characters were shown elle and her relationship with her friends was really good
This is a beautifully written book full of emotions its funny and wholesome
Overall you should totally go for this book if you like the fake dating trope , forced proximity and slightly grumpy hero who's actually really sweet and caring

dnf @ 23%

This book was doing a little too much for me honestly; I don't understand why the FL hated the ML so much at first sight. I also don't think there was any tension, just forced hatred and "banter". Not a book for me, it might work for you, etc.

3.5 I actually read the physical arc
I was initially hesitant to read 'Fake It Like You Mean It' due to the fake-dating and slow-burn romance tropes, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and emotion of the story. The author's writing style is engaging and relatable, making it easy to become invested in the characters' journeys. The romance is sweet and tender, and the themes of grief, memory, and family responsibilities add a layer of complexity to the narrative. I appreciated the author's thoughtful exploration of these topics and the way they wove them throughout the story. Overall, I highly recommend 'Fake It Like You Mean It' to anyone looking for a heartwarming and emotional read.

If you're a fan of fake-dating romances with the perfect mix of tension, heat, and heart, *Fake It Like You Mean It* by Megan Murphy is a must-read! Elle and Adam’s undeniable chemistry pulls you in as their staged relationship begins to blur the lines between pretense and reality. The gradual shift from pretending to truly caring for each other is both tender and electrifying, with plenty of spice to keep you hooked.

Initially, Elle was a bit difficult to connect with—her responses to Lovie’s illness sometimes came across as self-centered. However, her journey of self-awareness and growth adds depth to her character, making her eventual transformation satisfying. Meanwhile, Adam shines throughout—steady, thoughtful, and effortlessly endearing.

This book strikes an excellent balance between witty banter, heartfelt vulnerability, and swoon-worthy romance. If fake dating and emotional growth are your go-to tropes, this engaging and touching story is well worth your time!

A beautiful, fun, spicy, and emotionally devastating romance! Elle and Adam are immediately lovable protagonists who are easy to root for. It's easy to tell that the author wrote this book from her heart. I once worked at a memory care facility with Alzheimer's patients, and Megan Murphy has captured the experience with so much empathy and rawness that I teared up many, many times while reading. :')

Enemies to lovers, fake dating & forced proximity are some of my favorite tropes. This had me believing that I would love this book, unfortunately it fell a little flat. I enjoyed it but I didn’t fall in love with it.

For me it was lacking some character development and I just didn’t really connect with the FMC. I actually think she was kind of childish and that threw me off.
Other than that I just don’t feel like I got to know the MMC at all and I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them.

I loved the Alzheimer aspect of the book and I could tell that the author had done a lot of research.

While I didn’t love this book I still enjoyed it and I’m so happy I got the opportunity to arc read this.

It’s a really well written book, very sweet and touching, however there were some aspects regarding the Alzheimer’s that seemed a little far fetched and convenient for plot purposes that constantly dragged me out of the story.