Author: Jilly Gagnon
A playful romantic comedy featuring dueling delis, fake dating, a shockingly awesome ex, and just the right amount of amnesia.
Ellie Greco wishes she weren’t stuck in Milborough. For a few brief, shining years, she escaped her hometown to pursue her dream career—designing beautiful, elaborate costumes for theater—until her father’s death five years ago called her home to run the family’s decades-old deli. Yes, she loves the place, but she’d always thought she was meant for more exciting things than stocking the right tinned fish. But when Ellie hears that a local landlord is planning to rent to Mangia, the glitzy gourmet food department store, Greco’s Deli’s very existence is suddenly in jeopardy.
She tries to plead her case to Theo Taylor, scion of the property management firm about to put her out of business, but their meeting goes from bad (it’s not her fault he’s infuriating) to worse (no one expects the ceiling to literally fall in).
With Theo out cold, Ellie panics and claims to be his fiancée… and almost passes out herself when amnesia means Theo seems to actually believe her. Soon, the effects of the head injury wear off, but Theo proposes that their “engagement” stick around. If they manage to convince enough people they might both get what they an end to the Mangia deal. Ellie doesn’t trust him (after all, if Theo Taylor wants it, how can it be good for her?) but seeing no other option, reluctantly agrees.
And miraculously, the fake engagement seems to be working—even Ted, Theo’s shrewd, cold father seems convinced—that is until Sam, Theo’s ex-fiance, reappears on the scene. Not only does she see through their ruse, she proposes an arrangement of her own, forcing Ellie to decide between blossoming friendship, her family legacy, and the burgeoning romance she frankly never asked for.
Love You, Mean It is my first Jilly Gagnon novel. It follows 28-year-old Ellie Greco who is called home to Milborough to run Greco’s Deli. She has been in charge for the past five years since her father’s death. When word reaches Ellie that a local landlord is planning to rent to Mangia, a high-end food department store, Ellie is determined to save her family’s business. She pursues 30-year-old Theo Taylor who works for the property management firm to plead her case against Mangia. When Theo ends up hitting his head, through events Ellie ends up posing as his fiancé to accompany him to the hospital. This leads to a tale of fake dating. When you add in Theo’s ex Sam who wants to win him back, the story is a nice web of journeys.
Ellie was an interesting character and conflicting as I wanted to like her, but I just couldn’t. It seemed in many places that she found enjoyment in making herself a martyr. One example was the change in her life from being an aspiring costume designer to running a deli. She did grow as a character, but it was difficult to care when she wasn’t likeable. This novel was unique because of this as I normally think the main character is the likable one while the other romantic option is not. In this novel, it was the opposite as I found Sam far more likeable than Ellie. Theo and Ellie shared great chemistry, but I think Ellie’s character made it difficult to root for them. The concept of a woman who is trying to save her family’s legacy is a great one that I enjoy reading in many stories. I can see how Ellie’s journey could be endearing to readers, but I just think she didn’t reach her potential. Overall, the writing itself was good and makes me intrigued to read more from the author in the future.
**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Dell, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
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