This was a cute fake dating romance. It was somewhat predictable though but by the last couple chapters I couldn't put it down. The characters were ok, I was not really attached to any of them for most of the book. Ellie just seemed to be judgmental of everyone she meets and was very negative about how her life has turned out. There was a lot of snarky humor which I enjoyed. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This novel is an enemies to lover, fake dating trope that just worked for me. Theo Taylor is the classic rich boy that everyone thinks has it made. Ellie Greco gave up her career to run the family deli after her dad's passing. The two meet up after the city council states that the Taylor family is selling their property to a big box store that will eventually take all of Ellie's business. The two come up with a plan that might work for both of them and allow them to get what each of them want in the end. Neither of them thought it might show them not what they want, but what they need (which is each other). This novel isn't groundbreaking, but it is a very cute, easy read when you don't want to think too hard. If you love romance and/or the tropes mentioned above this would be a great book to pick up.

I found this book unputdownable. The banter was delicious, the flirting was scrumptious and the spice was peppered in nicely. While I enjoy a happy witty back and forth in a book, it also hits really hard when the words that come out are hurtful. Jilly Gagnon did that in this book at the perfect time, in the perfect moment. Aaaand that’s also when one of the main characters becomes shut down and unapproachable.

Sam is my favorite character in this book. She is chaos and calm rolled into one. I found myself wanting Ellie’s (the FMC) friendship with her to work out more than her romantic relationship with Theo (the MMC).

I could not get into this book as I felt no pull towards the main characters. This made it difficult to get through.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group Ballantine, Dell, & Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I cringed when I read that Theo would be losing his memory but was pleasantly surprised by the way that resolved. This was an okay read, but the characterization is weak; ultimately I found myself rooting more for ex Sam than for Ellie…

I enjoyed this book. Ellie was a lovable protagonist and easy to root for. I wanted to like Theo, but he wasn't as well developed as he could have been.

This leads to my complaint about this book. About 2/3 of the way through, the focus becomes Ellie and Sam's (Theo's ex) relationship, which was a strange choice for a romance novel. At one point I thought, the author should just have Sam and Ellie fall in love and ditch Theo.

Overall, I thought this book was entertaining and I would check out another book by this author. I just wish the focus had been more on the love story.

Thank you to Ballentine and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This was a cute romance about two people who enter an engagement of convenience, only to fall for each other (naturally). I liked Ellie and Theo together, though at times I got really lost in what was supposed to be happening to get them to their goals, especially when Theo's ex gets in on the game. Ellie trying to play double agent with the ex and Theo was honestly strange and unbelievable at points. No one can be that delusional about their feelings or the situation. I wish we got Theo's point of view in all of this honestly, he comes off as well meaning but I wish he had more depth as a character.

Ellie has taken over the family deli shop back in her hometown, and she gets the worst news possible: an Italian deli chain warehouse may be coming to town which would certainly drive her out of business. Ellie interacts with Theo, whose father owns the building that this competitor might move into. Tropes abound as she tries to convince him not to go through the deal.

Ellie and Theo have some good banter and chemistry in the book. The only criticism is I feel like the book jumps from trope to trope a little fast.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon is a romcom that follows Ellie, a deli owner who is on the verge of losing her job when the threat of a bigger market comes to town. She decides to try and sway, Theo, the building owner, to not move the new store in and hijinks ensue.

This book was mostly a fun time. There was a bit of amnesia and some fake dating. This entire book is from Ellie’s POV and she is pretty oblivious to things and she can be a little whiny but it didn’t bother me too much. I really didn’t like the direction this went in the third act. Things were wrapped up too quickly and the drama was kind of silly.

I think this was a cute was overall and perfect for a quick read. It just had a few problems but I think most people will have a good time reading it.

Huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release all thoughts and opinions are my own.