Fake It Like You Mean It

This ebook caught my eye as I was scrolling on one of my public library's sites. I got a lot more out of this book than I had expected from - what I thought - was a light romcom.

The Gist: Elle has a successful podcast but moves home to care for her grandmother Lovie who has Alzheimer's. On her first night, she 'meets' Lovie's live-in nurse, Adam and the two don't hit it off - to say the least. But Elle and Adam decide to pretend to be together when Lovie seems comforted seeing them as a couple.

Fake dating, forced proximity (and an 'Insta-Enemies to Lovers), are the tropes in this book, but it was how the author sensitively relayed the personal impact of dementia on loved ones acting as caregivers that added an emotional and heartwarming feel. Murphy provides good banter to balance out the heavy emotions and potential tear-worthy moments for some readers.

As someone who lost both grandmothers to Alzheimer's, I appreciate the compassionate care the author took with this sensitive and emotional subject. Murphy shows how Alzheimer's affects the person with the disease as well as their family as they witness their loved one slip further away. It's also a powerful reminder for caregivers to be kind to themselves.

This was an impressive debut that balances poignancy, humour and romance. I eagerly look forward to reading more from Megan Murphy.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Megan Murphy

Genre: Romance

Type and Source: ebook from public library

Publisher: Alcove Press

First Published: March 18, 2025

Read: July 4-8, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Fake dating, enemies to lovers, and a wonderfully unique forced proximity debut romance, perfect for fans of Elena Armas’s The American Roommate Experiment and Drew Barrymore’s classic rom-com Fifty First Dates.

Elle’s grandmother Lovie has always taken care of her for as long as she can remember. But remembering is just the problem. With Lovie’s Alzheimer’s progressing fast, it’s Elle’s turn to step up.

Leaving Chicago behind, the last thing she expects when she walks through the door of her childhood home is Adam Wheeler—in her bed. Live-in nurse and pain in the ass, Adam is here to do his job. Eat, sleep, nurse, repeat.

Thrown together to care for Lovie, tensions rise and lines are drawn, but there’s a bigger in her Alzheimer’s riddled mind, Lovie’s convinced that Elle and Adam are madly in love.

Certain she’ll forget by morning, Elle and Adam play along. The only snag? She doesn’t forget.

Lovie is the only person who thinks this fake dating scheme is real…so why is Elle fantasizing about Adam when he’s not around? And why is it getting harder to pretend?

Fake It Like You Mean It is the perfect blend of romance, laugh out loud comedy, and heartbreaking beautiful moments.