This book is such a heartfelt and fun mix of tropes that really work well together. The fake dating setup feels fresh thanks to the emotional stakes, and the forced proximity adds just the right amount of tension. Elle and Adam have great chemistry from the start, and their banter is both funny and emotional. Lovie is such a standout character, bringing warmth, heartbreak, and charm all at once. The Alzheimer’s storyline adds a real emotional weight that balances out the humor beautifully. The the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, but overall the story delivers a satisfying blend of romance, comedy, and tenderness. If you enjoy a romantic comedy that knows how to hit you in the heart, this one is definitely worth the read.

so the title is deceptive, this is not about a fake relationship at all but about losing an elder to memory loss and dealing with all that entials and a romance happens. I think maybe I would have liked it more had it not been marketed as a fake relatopnship. the narrators were good.

Cute forced proximity romance that really highlights the ups and downs of being a care giver for a loved one and Alzheimer's. I appreciated hearing Elle’s story and the awareness this book gives about Alzheimer's. It does not shy away from the hurts the disease brings to not only the families, but the individual.

This romance felt real and like it could easily be a true story. If you’re looking for something light to escape into this is not it. This book will give you all the emotions, but leave you with hope and peace.

Thank you Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media- Audiobooks for this advanced audiobook in exchange for a review.

I experienced life with my father as he went through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This book was spot on with how they incorporated it. I love the romance between Elle and Adam. This was overall a very sweet read and great audiobook.

Wow. This book was all the small things I love put together. It was sweet. It was raw. It was genuine. It was funny. I felt like a fly on the wall in the lives of Elle, Adam, and Lovie. I felt the sadness of the Alzheimer’s and the butterflies of the flirting. I felt the gut wrenching break up and the joy filled friendships. Megan Murphy did a fantastic job in producing a novel that was just enough without lacking or being too much. I recommend listening on audio if you can!

I loved this book! It's a really unique take on the faking dating trope that didn't disappoint! Murphy's prose is really great, and I loved the progress each character made throughout the story!

I had a lot of fun with this one! there was some tough subjects handled here but written out beautifully. I enjoyed the love story, comparable to that of Emily Henry/abby Jimenez where you get a great story but also get your heartstrings pulled. the narrators really brought the story to life!!

This debut by Megan Murphy hits every rom-com note, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and forced proximity, but then blends it with the tender ache of watching someone you love disappear into Alzheimer’s. And somehow, it’s still hilarious?

When Elle ditches her big-city life in Chicago to return home and care for her fiercely beloved grandmother, Lovie, she’s ready to be a hero. What she’s not ready for is Adam Wheeler, the grumpy, snark-loaded live-in nurse who’s already moved in, made himself comfy, and is currently lying in her bed.

And Lovie? Oh, Lovie thinks Elle and Adam are dating. Not just dating. Head over heels. In love. Planning weddings. Probably feeding each other grapes behind closed doors.

Elle, desperate not to upset her grandmother, agrees to pretend. Adam, allegedly too tired to argue (but we know he’s intrigued), goes along with it. One fake relationship, coming right up.

🫶 What Works Like a Charm :
* Elle is the kind of heroine who’s feisty, funny, and only partially holding it together—so basically, extremely relatable.
* Adam is peak grump-with-a-heart-of-gold. A dry wit wrapped in scrubs and emotional walls. Yes, please.
* Lovie steals every scene. She’s the glue, the chaos, and the soul of this story. You will want to simultaneously protect her and have cocktails with her.
* The chemistry? Fake only in name. These two give off the kind of sizzle that makes you want to scream “JUST KISS ALREADY” while stuck in traffic.
* The narration by Alex Picard? A+! She captures Elle’s dry sarcasm, Adam’s deadpan moments, and Lovie’s vibrant charm with such ease, you’ll forget this isn’t a full-cast drama.

Sure, you came here for the enemies-to-lovers snark, but you’ll stay for the gut-punch vulnerability. The book doesn't shy away from the complexity of loving someone with Alzheimer’s, the heartbreak, the frustration, the bittersweet joy of lucid moments.
There’s this one scene (you’ll know it when it happens) that hits so softly yet so hard, you’ll just sit there, blinking into your audiobook like, Wow. Did I just get tackled by my own feelings?

Tropes :
* ✨ Fake dating that's accidentally real
* 🛏️ One bed, obviously
* 🧁 Baked goods as love language
* 💊 Caregiver dynamics done respectfully and actually romantic
* 💬 Banter that slaps harder than a forehead slap in a telenovela


If Fifty First Dates and The Proposal had a heartfelt book baby with a spoonful of Still Alice on the side, you’d get Fake It Like You Mean It. It’s a romance that remembers to make you laugh even as it quietly breaks your heart and then stitches it back together with sugar cookies and unexpected love.

This book had a lot of potential and definitely delivered on some emotional fronts—especially when it came to Elle’s relationship with her grandmother, Lovie, who’s battling Alzheimer’s. That storyline was tender, raw, and really the emotional core of the book. Elle’s struggle to care for Lovie while also processing her own grief and guilt was where the story shined brightest. And I loved how Adam stepped up in those moments—compassionate, calm, and kind of the ideal book boyfriend in those scenes.

Now… the romance. Oh boy. This is where things got messy for me.

So Elle comes home and finds a hot nurse (Adam) living in her old bedroom—cue the classic forced proximity setup, complete with a one-bed trope and some podcast banter that honestly had more spark than the main couple. That opening podcast scene? Adorable. It had all the charm I wish carried through the rest of the romance.

But instead, we got a weirdly hostile start from Elle toward Adam that never really made sense. The enemies-to-lovers setup felt completely unnecessary—like, we could’ve just had a slow-burn friendship-to-love story and it would’ve worked so much better. Elle’s behavior toward Adam was often confusing (and not in a cute, flirty way), and the cringe comedy—complete with dropped vibrators and secondhand embarrassment—just didn’t land. I found myself wincing more than swooning.

Chemistry-wise, they had their moments, but it all felt a bit forced and underdeveloped. I never really connected with Elle as a character either—she came off more quirky-for-the-sake-of-it than genuinely endearing.

That said, the writing itself was engaging and easy to follow, and the emotional themes were handled with care. It’s a solid debut with heart, even if the romance didn’t fully work for me. I’d definitely be curious to see what the author does next—especially if she leans more into those meaningful, emotional moments she clearly does well.

The premise for this novel is two people, pretending to be in a relationship. Fake dating. Enemies to lovers.

It's all a bit predictable, isn't it?

I feel like I've read so many books with the basic elements of this plot.

Maybe this author's next book will be more unique.

Thank you for the ARC.

Elle's grandmother requires more care and Elle leaves home to make sure that Lovie gets the attention she needs at home while they wait for a better situation. Adam is Lovie's live-in nurse with a chip on his shoulder and not a lot of time on his hands. Lovie's Alzheimer’s means she doesn't recognize either of them but she's convinced they're romantically involved. Hoping Lovie forgets, Adam and Elle agree to pretend to be in love so that Lovie won't have a meltdown, sure that she'll forget the next day.
Sometimes I think the reason why a couple in a romance fake dates doesn't really make all that much sense and is just an author's way of using the trope because it's popular. But I LOVE when an author provides a reason that I could absolutely see play out in real time. That's what Megan did here. It's so well done and believable, exploring the emotions and hardships of an ill family member alongside a fun romance with banter and angst.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook! Alex Picard isn't a favorite narrator, but the story was strong and I devoured it. Elle and Adam are lovable characters, both in their moments of bad humor and in the good.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the alc. All thoughts are my own.

This is a heartfelt and charming story that will pull at your heartstrings while effortlessly blending laugh-out-loud moments, slow-burn romance, and deeply emotional themes. With a setup full of classic rom-com tropes—fake dating, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity—it feels familiar in the best way, but still manages to carve out something unique and tender.
The story follows Elle, who returns to her childhood home to care for her beloved grandmother, Lovie, whose Alzheimer’s is worsening. She’s shocked to find Adam, a gruff live-in nurse, already living there—and even more shocked when Lovie mistakes them for a couple. What starts as a reluctant partnership evolves into a fake relationship for Lovie’s sake, but the lines between what's fake and what's real blur quickly.
The dynamic between Elle and Adam is electric—full of witty banter, tension, and slow-building trust. The emotional stakes are high, and the portrayal of Alzheimer’s is both respectful and heart-wrenching. Lovie’s presence is the soul of the story, and her moments of clarity will tug at your heartstrings.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the single narrator does a solid job bringing the characters to life. The emotional beats land well, and the humor carries through with good timing and nuance.
This is more than just a romantic comedy—it’s a story about memory, caregiving, and finding love when you least expect it.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and am voluntarily leaving my review.

A+ book from a Kentucky girl! I had the chance to meet Megan while she was on her tour for this one and was able to tell her how much I enjoyed this book. It delved into serious topics without being too heavy for a romance book. I now own it in every format!

It was overall cute and very sweet, also emotional due to Lovie’s condition. Elle kinda frustrated me a bit and I wasn’t very connected to the characters or the plot. It was overall enjoyable but didn’t feel “exciting”

A sizzling slow-burn with fake dating, sharp banter, and chemistry that absolutely does not fake it. Murphy serves up enemies-to-lovers realness with a witty heroine, a brooding dreamboat, and enough romantic tension to fog up your Kindle screen.

It’s flirty, funny, and delightfully chaotic—in the best way. Think: one bed, one fake relationship, and a hundred reasons to fall hard. Fans of The Hating Game and Set It Up will devour this in one sitting.

Fake It Like You Mean It by Megan Murphy is an engaging, heartwarming rom-com that strikes a perfect balance between humor, romance, and emotional depth. The story follows Elle, who returns to her childhood home to care for her grandmother Lovie, whose Alzheimer’s is rapidly progressing. Much to Elle’s surprise, she finds Adam, the live-in nurse, already in her bed. From the very beginning, the chemistry between Elle and Adam is palpable, but their forced proximity to each other brings both tension and undeniable attraction.

What starts as a fake dating scenario—where Elle and Adam play along with Lovie’s delusion that they’re madly in love—becomes more complicated as their feelings for each other begin to blur the lines between fiction and reality. The dynamic between the two is both amusing and filled with underlying emotional tension, making for a captivating journey as they navigate their complicated relationship.

Murphy cleverly blends elements of enemies to lovers and fake dating tropes, with a unique twist that makes it stand out from the typical romance genre. The heart of the story lies not only in the romance but also in the poignant portrayal of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. As Elle and Adam’s fake relationship becomes increasingly real, the story also explores the deeper themes of memory, love, and vulnerability.

Fake It Like You Mean It is a perfect choice for fans of heartwarming romances with a good dose of humor. Megan Murphy has created a delightful debut novel that is as touching as it is funny, with lovable characters and a storyline that will leave readers both laughing and tearing up. Whether you're a fan of fake dating, enemies to lovers, or emotional storytelling, this audiobook is sure to satisfy.

Megan Murphy… the emotional rollercoaster you sent me on… 😮‍💨 solid 3.75 ⭐️ rounded to 4. Such a good debut novel!
Elle and Adam… I had so much fun reading these two lol. I’m a big fan of banter and man did they deliver.

This book is slow burn and fake dating gold. I also really appreciated the authors representation of Alzheimer’s/dementia and how truly heartbreaking the lucid and the non lucid days are. Lovie’s character made me see so much of my own family members that it actually made it a bit hard to read at times. She truly stole the show! 😂

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title. I actually finished this book a few weeks ago but apparently was so focused on recovering mentally from certain parts of this book I never posted my drafted review. My apologies!

This book is a standout romance that brings together Elle and Adam in an unexpectedly deep and emotional journey. Their story starts with a fake dating scheme meant only to comfort Elle's grandmother Lovie, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, but quickly evolves into something much more real and heartfelt. What I truly loved about this book is how Elle and Adam, despite their initial friction and personal baggage, grow and transform through their shared commitment to caring for Lovie. Their chemistry is palpable, driven by a unique blend of tension and tender moments that make their eventual connection all the more satisfying. This book isn't just a romance; it's a journey of healing, rediscovery, and learning to love deeply. Perfect for anyone who loves a romance that's both entertaining and emotionally rich.

3.75 stars

I love the Alzheimer’s rep in the book. It felt very genuine from my experiences, and I really appreciated how it highlighted those changes in their personality and behaviors and how those changes impact their caregivers and family members.

I liked our two main characters, but I felt like a lot of that romance just came from the fact that they happen to be together at the house. I feel like the book was more forced proximity than fake dating since the fake dating part was so minimal. If it wasn’t in the name, I don’t even think I would’ve thought about this being a fake dating book. I wanted them to be together, but I was not dying for them to be together. I think if that part of the book was stronger, I would’ve given this at least four stars.

Do you ever think that you understand something, but then you get smacked in the face with how much you don’t actually know? That’s what this book did for me. I understood the theoretics of someone you love having Alzheimer’s, but Elle’s experiences with Lovie just about broke me in half with all of the emotions it caused. I can’t imagine having to handle something like that on your own which made Elle’s interactions with Adam even more precious. This story was perfectly told with the balance of Elle’s relationships with both Lovie and Adam!