In the landscape of contemporary romance novels, it’s rare to find a debut that tackles heavy themes with such a deft balance of humor and heart. Megan Murphy’s Fake It Like You Mean It manages this delicate tightrope walk with surprising grace, delivering a story that’s equal parts romantic comedy and emotional journey.
When Elle Monroe returns to her childhood home in Elkhart, Indiana to care for her grandmother Lovie, who’s battling Alzheimer’s, she doesn’t expect to find grumpy nurse Adam Wheeler sleeping in her bed. What begins as a classic enemies-to-lovers setup evolves into something more complex when Lovie, in her confused state, mistakes them for herself and her late husband Bobby. Rather than upset her, they play along—creating a fake relationship that feels increasingly real with each passing day.
Character Dynamics: Real People in Unreal Circumstances
Murphy excels at crafting authentic characters whose rough edges and vulnerabilities make them deeply relatable. Elle is a successful podcaster with a fear of driving stemming from childhood trauma, and a tendency to run when relationships get complicated. Adam is the definition of dependable—a nurse who works two jobs to support his sister Ruth and her three nieces, often at the expense of his own needs and desires.
What makes their developing relationship compelling is how they challenge each other. Adam calls Elle out on her tendency to flee difficult situations, while Elle pushes Adam to consider his own happiness alongside his family obligations. Their banter crackles with sexual tension, but it’s the quieter moments—Adam making Elle green smoothies in the morning, Elle introducing him to her podcast world—that truly showcase their connection.
The supporting characters shine just as brightly:
- Lovie – Far from being merely a plot device, Lovie is a fully realized character whose lucid moments provide some of the novel’s most poignant scenes
- Liss and Dakota – Elle’s best friends offer comic relief and emotional support while feeling like real people with their own lives
- Ruth and her daughters – Adam’s sister and nieces humanize him and illustrate his capacity for care beyond his professional obligations
Tackling Alzheimer’s with Authenticity and Respect
What sets this romance apart is its unflinching look at the realities of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Murphy doesn’t shy away from the difficult aspects:
- Lovie’s unpredictable mood swings and occasional cruelty toward Elle
- The bureaucratic nightmare of navigating insurance and healthcare systems
- The physical and emotional toll on caregivers
- The grief of watching someone you love slowly disappear
Yet the novel never feels exploitative or melodramatic. Instead, Murphy showcases the unexpected moments of connection that can happen even as memory fades. The scene where Lovie becomes lucid and recognizes Elle for the first time in months is genuinely moving without becoming saccharine.
Strengths: Where the Novel Truly Shines
- The unique premise differentiates this book from countless other contemporary romances. The fake dating trope takes on new dimensions when the person they’re fooling isn’t a nosy colleague or judgmental family member, but someone whose reality is already fragmented.
- Setting and sense of place are vividly realized. From Elle’s Chicago apartment to Lovie’s pink-tiled bathroom and the Dairy Queen that Elle declares “the best Dairy Queen in the world,” the locations feel lived-in and specific.
- Dialogue that sparkles keeps the pages turning. Elle and Adam’s verbal sparring evolves naturally as their relationship deepens, and every character has a distinct voice—from precocious nine-year-old twins to sassy best friends.
- Emotional intelligence permeates the story. Murphy understands that love isn’t just about attraction; it’s about seeing someone clearly and choosing them anyway. Adam and Elle’s journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about finding each other.
Where the Story Stumbles: Room for Growth
Despite its many strengths, Fake It Like You Mean It isn’t without flaws:
- Pacing issues occasionally arise, particularly in the middle section where the timeline becomes somewhat repetitive with the day-to-day routine of caring for Lovie
- The central conflict between Elle and Adam’s geographic preferences feels slightly manufactured at times, especially given modern remote work possibilities
- Secondary storylines like Elle’s podcast success sometimes feel underdeveloped compared to the central romance
- Some metaphors are hammered a bit too explicitly, such as Elle repeatedly referencing “missing stairs” as she falls in love
Heat Level: Sensuality with Substance
The physical relationship between Elle and Adam develops organically from tension-filled glances to steamy encounters in unexpected places (the laundry room scene is particularly memorable). Murphy writes these scenes with a refreshing focus on consent and communication, and they advance character development rather than serving merely as titillation.
What’s particularly effective is how the physical intimacy parallels their emotional journey—from hesitant touches during forced proximity to the comfortable intimacy of lovers who’ve learned each other’s bodies.
A Promise Fulfilled
For a debut novel, Fake It Like You Mean It displays remarkable assurance. Murphy has crafted a story that will appeal to romance readers seeking emotional depth alongside their happily-ever-afters. The novel joins the ranks of contemporary romances that aren’t afraid to tackle serious issues while maintaining the warmth and optimism that define the genre.
What Sets It Apart:
- Alzheimer’s representation that feels authentic and respectful
- Caregiving narrative rarely explored in romance novels
- Intergenerational relationships portrayed with nuance
- Dual-location romance that thoughtfully examines the compromises required in relationships
Who Should Read This Book:
- Fans of Emily Henry’s emotional depth and banter
- Readers who enjoyed Christina Lauren’s “Love and Other Words”
- Anyone who appreciates romance with genuine obstacles beyond miscommunication
- Those looking for realistic portrayals of caregiving within romance narratives
Comparable Titles and Context
While this is Murphy’s debut novel, it shares DNA with several contemporary romance standouts. The emotional heft and small-town setting evoke memories of Lia Louis’s “Dear Emmie Blue,” while the forced proximity and grudging attraction call to mind Emily Henry’s “Beach Read.” The inclusion of a protagonist with a creative career (podcasting) follows in the tradition of Sally Thorne’s “The Hating Game” and its publicist heroine.
The novel also brings to mind Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook” in its portrayal of love persisting through memory loss, though Murphy’s take is decidedly less melodramatic and more grounded in the practical realities of caregiving.
The Verdict
Fake It Like You Mean It delivers on its promise of being “the perfect blend of romance, laugh out loud comedy, and heartbreakingly beautiful moments.” Its few shortcomings are easily forgiven in light of its emotionally resonant core and genuinely satisfying conclusion.
Murphy is a talent to watch in the romance genre. Her ability to balance humor with heartache, steamy scenes with soul-searching conversations, and classic tropes with fresh scenarios suggests a bright future. If this debut is any indication, readers can look forward to more stories that entertain while simultaneously exploring the complexities of modern relationships.
This novel reminds us that sometimes the most enduring love stories aren’t just about finding someone to share your life with—they’re about finding someone who helps you become the person you were meant to be, even when that means learning to compromise on the journey.
For readers seeking a romance that will make them laugh, cry, and reflect on the nature of memory and love, Fake It Like You Mean It is a compelling choice that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
Key Takeaways
- Standout debut that skillfully navigates serious themes without losing romantic warmth
- Authentic portrayal of Alzheimer’s caregiving within a romance framework
- Compelling character development for both leads and supporting cast
- Excellent balance of humor, heart, and heat
- Some pacing issues but a satisfying emotional journey overall
- Perfect for readers who enjoy romances with substance beyond the central relationship
At its core, Murphy’s novel reminds us that sometimes we need to “fake it” until we’re brave enough to acknowledge the real feelings underneath—and that love, in all its messy glory, is always worth the risk.