Jilly Gagnon – Blue Reader Gal Corner

I received an e-Arc from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review!

Author: Jilly Gagnon
Publisher: Dell
Date: April 24, 2024
Pages: 304

Summary:
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.

Review:
This book was awesome! At first I thought it was gong to be little like a rom com movie I had in mind but boy I was so wrong! This book made me laugh at the thoughts of Ellie and what she would do to save her family’s deli store! It was so fun to read!

This book was fast pace and held my interest in the story. I had to know what was going to happen next between Ellie and Theo. The web that Ellie was in, would it get untangled?? What would Ellie do next? What was her mind thinking?

I thought the interaction between Ellie and Theo was fun and interesting. There were some spicy bits which fit right in with the storyline! The banter between Ellie and Theo was very nice. Other than rom com, banter, flirting, and saving the building, both characters are real and they also discover things about themselves!

Ellie’s family is awesome! I loved the vibe off of everyone.

Theo’s family is a bit out of this world. I didn’t like his dad at all. How rude he was was not a good trait.

I could not put this book down. I enjoyed it a great deal! The book comes out next year! It’s a must read for those who love rom com, banter and more. I’m so glad I got to read it. I’m looking for more from this author!