Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. While I can see how others might enjoy Eva’s bold personality and sharp wit, I personally found it hard to connect with her as a character. The tone felt more combative than clever at times, which made it tough for me to stay engaged. I also couldn’t help but feel that the concept bore a strong resemblance to Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date, which pulled me out of the story a bit. That said, the cover is absolutely stunning and initially drew me in. I’m grateful for the chance to read an early copy and wish the author all the best!

While I enjoyed the overall story, I found the FMC hard to like. I’m all for a strong personality, but she was rude a lot of the time, while the MMC did his best to try to communicate with her and get to know her again.

Well, Actually was such a fun and heartfelt read. The characters are definitely the highlight -charming and full of personality. The fact that Eva and her interviews were written similarly as the ones from Amelia Dimoldenberg, made me love her even more. It’s really easy to connect with her and Rylie and feel for what they’re going through. The story is also super digestible, and written in a way that flows effortlessly. Mazey has a really engaging style that makes you want to find out more.

I really enjoyed it overall, though I do wish we had gotten to see more of Eva and Rylie’s remaining dates since they were really fun (you will see). Also, the side characters were so charismatic and I would’ve loved to learn more about them too.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy!

Eva Kitt has always dreamed of being a serious journalist. She considers her hosting gig on the interview show “Sausage Talk” to be a stepping stone to the real deal. One night she drunkenly posts a response video to podcaster Rylie Cooper, who happens to be her college ex. Rylie’s show is all about dismantling toxic masculinity, but that’s not the Rylie she remembers. The video goes viral and Rylie challenges Eva to give him another chance by letting him take her on a series of dates. All to be discussed and promoted by both of their media companies, of course. Has Rylie really changed in the six years since Eva last saw him? Will this be the jolt her career needs?

Well, Actually is such a fun book! I loved the premise and the banter was perfection. The first half of the book sizzled. I did find the second half to be a little frustrating at times, and I was initially very confused by the conflict Eva ends up in (although more information comes to light that clears things up). I loved Eva and Rylie’s connection and their character growth from the past to the present was amazing to read.

-Lovers to enemies to lovers
-Golden retriever MMC
-LGBTQ rep

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book! This was already on my list so to receive it is an honor. I really enjoyed it, it’s a perfect light and easy summer romcom. Fans of the Chicken Shop Date will enjoy!

I absolutely ADORED this book. Rylie and Eva are such a perfect match I was enthralled by them from the moment I started reading. Their chemistry, their cheekiness, and their banter was executed to perfection. I audibly laughed through the whole book. It’s a special thing when an author can make you literally cackle and then tear up two chapters later. I see so much of myself in Eva, and I was so so happy to see her get the supportive relationship she deserves. We love a black cat, sharp tongued FMC SO MUCH. And Rylie Baby Girl Cooper???? Even though for the first few chapters I was admittedly confused and thought Rylie and Cooper were two different people, I love him. And I think Rylie Cooper is one of my favorite MMC’s I have ever read. He’s unwavering in his admiration and support of Eva, while still being as witty and sharp as she is. Their communication was top tier and I will be thinking of their banter for weeks. Also, the SPICE? Mazey Eddings deserves an award. This is a new favorite read and an easy immediate 5 star. That’s all I have to say.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

4.5⭐️

Wow friends, wow! This is probably one of my favorite second chances romances I’ve ever read! Everyone please do me a favor and add to your tbr/be on the lookout for this to release when it does in August. Both Eva and Rylie were SO WELL fleshed out and this story was so deep rooted in overcoming trauma. You have two completely imperfect characters who are still lovable and you just want nothing more than to root for them. We love a black cat/golden retriever combo🥰 I audibly laughed and giggled in so many parts, I’m truly obsessed. I honestly would beg for more and additional spin offs or interconnected standalones here.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is a sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt second-chance romance with a modern twist. Eva is a refreshingly snarky and driven protagonist, and her chemistry with Rylie crackles with both tension and charm. The concept—revenge dates turned maybe-something-more—is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying, especially as both characters are forced to confront their past mistakes and real growth. While the setup leans into rom-com chaos, Eddings balances humor with real emotional stakes. A fun, feminist love story that doesn’t shy away from messy feelings or hot dog interviews.

This book is my everything. Eva Kitt deserves to be protected. Rylie Cooper can have some rights. I'm obsessed with all their friends. This was so SATISFYING, so fucking funny, so beautiful!!!

3.5/5
When Eva makes a drunken video slandering her ex- a popular podcast host that tackles toxic masculinity- she figured no one would watch it. Hungover the next morning, she’s shocked to find that her video went viral. And her boss at her media job is demanding she and her ex do an interview to feed the masses (and the madness).

As an aspiring journalist and feminist, Eva agrees. She figures there’s a story there, and the ability to actively take her ex Rylie down a few pegs is too good to pass up.

Except Rylie is nothing like how she remembers him. And he’s determined to prove that he’s changed. He proposes a series of dates, with Eva tasked with picking him apart on his podcast after. Seems straightforward enough. Until Eva can’t help but start to feel things for Rylie. Things better left in the past.

What to expect in this story:
-Second chance romance
-Single POV
-Open door: mild to mod detail
-Social media as a job
-He falls first

Ok. I have lots of thoughts on this one. It was well written and I enjoyed the premise of the story. Rylie was an absolute stand out for me. His glasses and goofy crewnecks stole my heart.

Now. My thoughts on Eva are a bit more complicated. I liked her as a character. A stabby female is always a fun read. But I felt like all the potential for her to grow was stunted. I guess I just expected her to have a light bulb moment and either start to work on herself or decide to do something, anything, of that nature. I don’t love a martyr. Also, her complete blindness to her workplace really irked me. Maybe as an outsider it’s easier to see it and want to scream. But I found everything about her employment and how she thought of it really distasteful. It really took me out of the story.

I also felt like the final third really dragged. I feel like the coming together of our MCs came too early? It made the rest of the story a little too low stakes for me. It was kind of like a, ok…? What’s the rest of the book gonna be about? Idk. Wasn’t my fav.

Overall, a decent book. I’d definitely be willing to read what else this author has written.

Big thanks to Netgalley and publishers for my ARC of this book. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

After Eva’s drunken bashful Tiktok stitch towards ex crush Rylie Cooper goes south, she has no other option than to agree to do a couple of her talk shoes with him.

Yo me this screamed second chance with a hint of enemies to lovers and comedy.
I enjoyed Eva’s dry humor and how very forward she was with pretty much everything! Such a smart mouth this one has. It’s giving black cat vibes yes sirrr

And Rylie is such a sweet golden retriever omgggg we love him okay? We must defend him at all cost!

Aside from a great story both characters touch basis on trauma, losing a family member, issues with self esteem, feelings of not accomplishing goals/success parent separation among others.

Definitely give it a try! Especially now for summer, I feel like it would be perfect

Baby girl is my favorite nickname now.

I struggle to appreciate books that are founded on something going viral on social media, but I found myself really enjoying this! I had a goofy grin on my face for easily the first 20%, smiling like a fool having such a good time. I found Eva’s prickly, frosty exterior to be very relatable, with a good amount of time given to the background for why. I love that she struggles to be vulnerable, and that is her primary arc in the story.

I felt the conflict and resolution was rushed, and I did question the blatant unprofessionalism, coercion and abuse of power from management (although I realize this has to be played up a bit in a short book). I love, love, love though that the conflict was external to their relationship.

I loved this book! I actually finished it in one sitting. I was actually giggling out loud at so many points my husband looked at me like he had no idea what was going on. Riley and Eva dated 6 years ago and then Riley ghosted Eva. Eva is not one to let things go easily and being forced to collaborate with him. Riley Cooper just wants to prove he's not so bad a guy. I love a character with a dry sense of humor and this book delivered. Definite black cat and golden retriever energy with these two!

I’ve enjoyed Mazey Eddings’s books before, so I was excited to read Well, Actually. The story finds two people going viral online when they take swipes at each other about their past dating history, and since both of them have some level of influencer status, they work together to maximize their celebrity. Old feelings rekindle, etc. It’s a cute premise with plenty of steamy scenes, but something about the book left me a bit underwhelmed. I think some of the work drama wasn’t appealing to me. I’ll still look forward to reading more from Eddings in the future, though.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 /5

This book was such a great rom com to read! It took me a bit longer to finish it than I’d like because I don’t think the plot entirely grabbed the reader and pushed them to finish it. Overall, I think my main issue with this book was with the main character, Eva. I absolutely love female main characters that are independent and get it done on there own without a man. However, I do not like the characters that are rude to everyone and everything because they’re not happy with their life. I honestly found Eva to be very annoying. I understand she had a lot of trauma and history with Rylie but the same we acted sometimes wasn’t warranted in my opinion. Absolutely loved Rylie though, he was my favorite character throughout this book. Some of the side characters were also phenomenal, which bought more attractiveness to the male main character

There were so many funny scenes/people throughout that made this book so enjoyable. I loved her talk show name. The author was creative with that and the hot dog water.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC! It was a very funny rom com and I was happy to share this book with friends to purchase when it is released.

4.5 stars
WOWWOW
I didn’t realize how much I needed a black cat FMC and a golden retriever MMC until now. This book was hilarious, heartfelt, and lowkey (highkey) a second chance romance that I actually enjoyed???? I will be honest though the first page was for some reason rough for me to get through. I just did not enjoy the visual in my head of her job revolving around hotdogs (and I disliked all susbsequent mentions of it) but I probably just really hate hotdogs being mentioned in books. On the other hand, I actually really enjoyed the TikTok aspect of this book, I know some people hate any mention of social media, real life, ect. in books but hello we need art to reflect reality!!! And Mazey did this really well imo. This was a cute, CUTE, CUTE read with a MMC who will make ur heart melt and a FMC who is snarky and slighlty bitchy but you love her in the end. Can’t share any quotes since this was an ARC but just know that I have 21! highlighted phrases. Like this book is just that girl in terms of laugh-out-loud one liners.

Arc review! Thank you.

This book I had such high expectations for. I really loved late Bloomer, but this book I could not get into in the same way. The female main character is insufferable. She can’t communicate her feelings and acts like a toddler. I really liked the male main character, but I feel like he was constantly getting put down by the female main character and it was disheartening. I may give this book a second chance once it’s done being edited and published but for now it sits at three stars.

I absolutely love Eva and Rylie. From the very beginning you’re hooked by Eva’s dry wit that can borderline on being rude. Which is honestly part of her charm. Then comes in Rylie, her first crush that did her wrong, who has a podcast on how to be a better man and overall, treat women better. Eva decides to call him out, because clearly that wasn’t the case for her, and of course it goes viral.
Now Eva is forced into an impossible situation when her boss requests her to interview Rylie, and hints that if she does this, she’ll have an opportunity tomorrow be promoted.
Navigating her company problems (and there are quite a few) and the budding relationship with Rylie keeps you on the end of your seat. It’s such a realistic issues, and you’re rooting for her every step of the way. Rylie is the sweetest and his dynamic with Eva is amazing. He doesn’t try to change her and accepts her as she is. They both had me laughing and kicking my feet. There IS spice, and oh it was spicy. Never will I look at the monster mash song the same again. No context quote from Rylie pretty much sums it up “You headstrong fruit loop”
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings follows Eva Kitt, an aspiring journalist stuck interviewing mid-tier celebrities over hot dogs, and Rylie Cooper, a podcaster who deconstructs toxic masculinity, as he tries to make things right with her after ghosting her in college. Their second chance, grumpy/sunshine romance develops as they each learn to be vulnerable with each other, confront their past relationship (both what ended it and how it impacted their relationships since), and spend a fair amount of time making fun of each other. The banter between Eva and Rylie was at times a little too much for me - even though I understood that Eva's tendency to use humor and bite was a protective instinct, sometimes it made me uncomfortable. I did appreciate how their communication improved as their relationship developed, and that they didn't expect the other person (or their relationship) to "fix" them, Rylie and Eva both needed to do their own self work, with the other's support, to get to a healthier place.

You should read this book if you like sharp banter, he falls first, black cat/golden retriever energy, spice, and characters just trying to do right by themselves and each other.

4.5 ⭐️
Eva and Cooper 😍😍😍
I want a man who blushes at me the way Cooper blushes for Eva ❤️ if there’s one thing I love, it’s a man who is an absolute simp for his woman! The black cat and golden retriever vibes were so strong in this book and I ATE IT UP.
If I could pull a man out of a book to keep for myself in real life, it would be Cooper 😮‍💨❤️
The smut in this book was divine, the banter was fantastic and the love was heart melting! Cannot recommend enough!

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.