Peasreads: Love You, Mean It

 Love You, Mean It is a contemporary romance with While You Were Sleeping vibes. Underneath the playful romantic vibes, author Jilly Gagnon introduces a community with a history that both main characters have a deep connection to. 

Ellie and Theo are the main characters, they both grew up in the same town but under very different circumstances. Ellie grew up surrounded by a loving family that is close. Theo seems to be the typical rich guy whose family is dysfunctional. Ellie is running her family's small deli which has been theirs for four generations. Theo's family owns much of the town as they are in real estate. 

Ellie is running the deli though she feels it is an obligation to her family. She's a little resentful of that. However, when Theo and his family look into bringing a mega grocer into the area, Ellie realizes that the deli isn't just an obligation. It's also a place she's come to love. Eillie isn't my favorite female character in the book. She is a bit self-sabotaging. She is no-nonsense and strong in other areas which is nice to read.

Theo. Sometimes dive into these stories just assuming you're going to hate the billionaire off the bat. I didn't. He, like Ellie, is no-nonsense. He's running his family's business and has no support from his father (who is the classic jerk in these billionaire tropes, only he doesn't get better). 

Overall I would recommend this book for a light read. It isn't a romantic comedy to me. More contemporary romance, romance. I also would read more from this author.

Description

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 want: 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.

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I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are on my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”