When a romance novel manages to make you laugh out loud one moment and reach for tissues the next, you know you’ve found something special. Megan Murphy’s debut novel, “Fake It Like You Mean It,” strikes this delicate balance with remarkable skill, delivering a story that’s equal parts heartwarming romance and poignant exploration of family obligations, memory, and the sacrifices we make for love.
Set between the cozy confines of a pink-bathroomed house in Elkhart, Indiana, and the bustling streets of Chicago, Murphy crafts a world that feels lived-in and authentic. Her characters aren’t just moving through romance novel tropes—though she handles those expertly—they’re navigating the messy complications of real life with all its bittersweet moments.
Plot: More Than Just Fake Dating
Elle Monroe, a successful podcast host in Chicago, returns to her childhood home to care for her grandmother Lovie, whose Alzheimer’s has progressed to a point where she needs constant supervision. When Elle arrives late at night, she’s shocked to find Adam Wheeler—a live-in nurse hired through AngelCare—sleeping in her bed. Their antagonistic first meeting sets the stage for what should be a straightforward roommate situation, but there’s a complication: Lovie mistakes them for herself and her late husband Bobby.
Rather than upset Lovie with the truth, Elle and Adam decide to play along, pretending to be a couple whenever she’s around. What begins as an act of compassion soon becomes complicated as their pretend relationship develops real heat. Between walks through falling snow, shared Jeopardy! sessions on the couch, and the intimacy of caring for Lovie together, their fake romance gradually becomes the realest thing in their lives.
Murphy elevates this familiar fake-dating premise by grounding it in the realities of caregiving. The romance doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s continuously shaped by Lovie’s condition, Elle’s podcast career, and Adam’s responsibilities to his sister and nieces. This context gives the love story a richness and complexity that feels refreshingly mature.
Characters: Fully Realized and Flawed
What truly distinguishes “Fake It Like You Mean It” is the depth of its characterization. Elle isn’t just sassy and independent—she’s struggling with abandonment issues after losing her parents young, has developed a tendency to run from emotional challenges, and wrestles with guilt over not visiting Lovie enough before her condition worsened.
Adam, meanwhile, is more than the typical swoon-worthy romantic lead. His selflessness is both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness, as he’s built his entire life around supporting his sister Ruth and her three daughters, often at the expense of his own happiness.
Even secondary characters receive the gift of Murphy’s thoughtful development:
- Lovie: Far from being just a plot device, Lovie emerges as a complex woman whose lucid moments reveal a lifetime of wisdom
- Ruth and the nieces: Adam’s family feels like real people with their own dynamics and challenges
- Liss and Dakota: Elle’s best friends add humor and perspective without falling into the “sassy best friend” stereotype
Writing Style: Humor With Heart
Murphy’s prose shines brightest in moments of dialogue and internal monologue. Elle’s first-person narration carries the perfect blend of wit and vulnerability:
“I only cry when I’m mad and when I absolutely cannot help it—and when I’m head over heels in love with the man I leave behind.”
The banter between Elle and Adam crackles with tension and humor, evolving naturally as their relationship changes. Murphy has a knack for comedic timing, especially in awkward situations:
“I may have sat on Adam’s face in the laundry room last night.”
The end of my sentence is drowned out by the kitchen doors swinging open, Adam emerging.
Equally impressive is Murphy’s ability to pivot to moments of profound emotion without giving readers whiplash. Lovie’s Hard Love Rules, sprinkled throughout the narrative, serve as touchstones of wisdom that elevate the story beyond romance into a meditation on what it means to love and be loved.
Strengths: What Makes This Debut Shine
- Authentic portrayal of Alzheimer’s care: Murphy doesn’t romanticize or simplify the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Elle’s frustration, guilt, and moments of connection with Lovie feel raw and honest.
- Chemistry that builds: The romance develops at a believable pace, with tension that builds gradually through small moments rather than manufactured drama.
- Emotional intelligence: The novel tackles complex emotions with nuance, particularly how our past shapes our approach to love and vulnerability.
- Well-integrated subplot: Elle’s podcast “Forget Me Not” provides a meaningful way for her to process her experience with Lovie, adding depth to the narrative.
- Balanced humor: The funny moments never come at the expense of the characters’ dignity or undermine the serious themes.
Room for Improvement: Where the Story Stumbles
Despite its many strengths, “Fake It Like You Mean It” isn’t without flaws:
- Pacing issues: The middle section occasionally drags, with some repetitive interactions between Elle and Adam that could have been tightened.
- Resolution rush: The final reconciliation, while emotionally satisfying, feels somewhat rushed compared to the careful development of the conflict.
- Missed opportunities: The intriguing parallel between Elle/Adam and Lovie/Bobby could have been explored even more deeply.
- Some convenience factors: The timing of certain plot developments, particularly around the insurance approval, sometimes feels too neatly arranged.
Who This Book Is For
“Fake It Like You Mean It” will appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Romance with substantial emotional depth
- Stories that handle difficult topics with sensitivity and humor
- Fake dating and forced proximity tropes with a fresh twist
- Characters with genuine obstacles to overcome
- Heartwarming family dynamics alongside the central romance
Fans of Emily Henry’s emotional depth, Christina Lauren’s humor, and Helen Hoang’s authentic character development will find much to love in Murphy’s debut.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Debut
For a debut novel, “Fake It Like You Mean It” displays remarkable assurance. Murphy demonstrates a gift for creating characters that stay with you long after the final page, and her navigation of complex emotional territory suggests she has much more to offer readers in future works.
The novel’s standout quality is its authenticity—in its portrayal of caregiving, family obligations, and the messy process of falling in love when it’s inconvenient. At its heart, this is a story about learning to stop running from things that scare you, whether that’s commitment, change, or saying goodbye to someone you love.
Murphy leaves us with one of Lovie’s most profound Hard Love Rules: “Love is part of being human, Elle. The best part. It’s ingrained in our skin and bones… etched onto our souls. We don’t forget that easily, no matter how hard we try.”
Like the forget-me-nots that inexplicably bloom in Lovie’s garden against all odds, Murphy has created a debut novel that plants itself firmly in readers’ hearts and refuses to be forgotten.
Perfect for fans of Elena Armas’s “The American Roommate Experiment,” Emily Henry’s “Beach Read,” and Christina Lauren’s “The Unhoneymooners.” A standout debut that marks Megan Murphy as an author to watch in contemporary romance.