This has been one of my most anticipated 2025 releases since that cover dropped (hence why it immediately jumped my ARC queue) and it did not disappoint! Well, Actually delivers with a prickly protagonist whose sharp edges only make her vulnerability feel more real; a love interest who's green flags all the way down; and banter that made me snort at my kindle. I also adore that both the main characters are queer!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

3.5/5

This was fun! And super quick, I believe it's a little bit under 300 pages.

When you accidentally shit talk your ex on your podcast so then he wants to have a redo and then you two actually fall in love...the drama! The fun!

Sometimes Eva's (our FMC) characterization was a bit off. She is supposed to be this badass that doesn't take crap from anyone, she's strong and independent. But sometimes, that came across more mean than assertive. I know that is a very fine line, but she toed it quite a bit. So sometimes I was rooting for her and other times I didn't like her. I know this was not intentional, but it just made me think "dang, I do not think I could be friends with this person" sometimes.

Some moments did drag or feel a bit unnecessary, like filler. But overall, I had a fun time reading this and would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

While I’ve seen a lot of hype for this book and immediate five stars, for me there were some pitfalls for me largely related to character choices. I just couldn’t turn my brain off and enjoy the book and stepped away at 50%.

Sometimes while reading I have to face the facts. If a character of colour acted like Eva or Cooper they would absolutely be eviscerated by readers and the book community. I 100% stand behind that statement and it remained at the forefront of my mind while reading. The blind privilege and lack of situational awareness in this book is staggering.

I wanted better for both of these characters. I wish the author embraced the energy in ‘Chicken Shop’ or even ‘Hot Ones’. Those shows shine and connect with so many because when there’s meaningful commentary on culture, the world, it just naturally comes through. There was so much potential but honestly, this was such a big let down.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I absolutely devoured this book, and I’m so glad I received an ARC. Well, Actually is so witty, sarcastic, and fun while also really emotional. I loved the true character growth in both Eva and Rylie. The whole idea of “Sausage Talk,” while gross, also really reminds me of quite a few women in the field who do similar jobs, only to have to deal with the brutality of online hate. I was obsessed with Rylie and Eva and their journey and cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this this hilarious and swoonworthy story.
The book is creative and a great example of mature emotional intelligence and being an amazing partner.
The main character Eva is complex with a wide emotional range. She is entertaining and intimidating. She puts up a witty and tough exterior to hide her vulnerabilities with being too much or not enough.
Riley is charming, comforting, and the perfect example of growth. He makes endless efforts to support and love Eva. He's dreamy with how hard he works to dismantle toxic masculinity and what it means to be someone's friend and partner. He's flawed and has a deep backstory that adds incredible layers to his character.
The book goes into grief, workplace abuse, misogyny, and internalized biphobia. It has lovely characters representing the LGBTQ community and embraces sexuality and identity.
I absolutely adored this book! It was original, extremely funny, and romantic in the most sincere way. I can't recommend it enough.

this was…. so good.

i LOVED eva as a main character! i feel like a lot of people are going to find her abrasive/too harsh but i simply must disagree. i thought the author did an amazing job at characterizing her & seeing things through her perspective.

tbh - eva is me and i am eva & a lot of scenes/inner monologue… kind of hurt but in the best way. i really felt for her and her experiences and absolutely understood why she acted the way she did (probably because i do the same thing).

rylie cooper the man that you are oh my god i love him your honor! seeing him explain himself/his actions and the growth he had - amazing. also the groveling was so well done i know that’s right. he simply adored eva for being who she is and what is love if not that?

this was also hilarious and i was laughing out loud & smiling at my kindle so much. the wit and quickness in the banter between eva and rylie was AMAZING and the tension that built up between them was so. good.

Oh my GOD excuse my language but this book is SO F*CKING CUTE!!! At first i have to admit, Eva’s vibes really put me off-girlfriend is JADED. But her character development was really well done and i genuinely grew to love her. Rylie is such a simp and the therapy scene?! A romance masterpiece!! This is worth all your preorders and then some.

To be honest, I have some mixed feelings about this book comma and I literally just finished it five seconds ago so it seems I’m going to be working out all of my feelings in this review.
The first half of the book I thought little more than the FMC is. B*tch and the MMC is a wimp.
She’s repeatedly mean and harsh to everybody around her, and he just repeatedly placates people, a glutton for punishment, letting her walk all over him while chuckling.
Mixed with thinking over and over again, oh great another woke buzzword.

And honestly part of me does feel like this book was trying so hard to represent LGBQT with every character that it just kind of fell flat because we never really got to know them very in depth, other than the two main characters.

However, I did like the way that the FMC handled her own sexuality. She was very much this is me, this is my past, it is what it is, and her inner monologue was very healthy. She had these relationships, no big deal, that is how it should be in my eyes. It was kind of a breath of fresh air to not have it examined and just “is”, she’s not tortured about it.

I nearly DFN at 90% because certain characters became so cruel and evil that it made me feel sick. Especially because the FMC is painted as so hard-core throughout the entire book and she lets them just crush her.
It’s hard to read somebody who stands up for herself, the entire book only to allow herself to be very brutally and publicly ruined without standing up for herself at all.
I get that it shows that she needed the MMC too feel confident enough to do it. But still that felt disingenuous for who the character was the entire beginning of the book.

When Eva Kitt has a few too many and posts a social media rant about her college ex-boyfriend, things get interesting. The post goes viral and in turn it brings her ex, Rylie Cooper, back into her life for a social media experiment to see if he can make it up to her. This enemies to friends story arc is different than most - the characters are vulnerable and damaged but willing to work on themselves. There are some spicy scenes and funny ones as well. I found myself going back to the book every time I had a minute to read. This would make a fabulous beach read!

Just when you think Mazey has written her best book ever, she somehow writes one even better and I have no idea how she does it. "Well, Actually" is the book that "intimidating" women everywhere need to read as it pulls you in and has you both laughing out loud and tearing up.

I'm not even sure how to express just how much I loved this book. An ode to the so-called mean and intimidating women everywhere who have their walls built up (ahem, me), this book is a sucker punch to the gut that will leave you yearning as hard for your own love story as Rylie has been for Eva for years. I can typically read books with a straight face, but certainly not this one. The banter was top-tier (although maybe I'm biased because Eva and her humor is literally me) and I found myself smiling like a fool and giggling like and idiot throughout most of the book. For all my fellow "Chicken Shop Date" lovers who crave the dynamic that was between Amelia and Andrew Garfield's iconic interview, this book if for you!

To anyone who hates Eva and thinks she's the most unlikable character, add some spice to your life. This was the angry girl rep in a romance that I NEEDED with the tragic backstory and second chance romance of unparalleled proportions. I loved Eva and Rylie was an absolute delight with his pining, chaos, odd sweaters that I too want in my collection, and his humor where he let Eva be while also stopping her when need be. Bi king Rylie can take me back to his place and denim duvet ANY DAY (iykyk) and our pan queen Eva and I would definitely be besties. I cannot even begin to state how many quotes in this book I highlighted because this book truly spoke to my soul and I will not be accepting any criticism on it.

I truly cannot rave about this book enough. Mazey just knows how to write a captivating story with the best characters and humor and I will eat it up every single time.

I’m sad to have to do this but DNF @ 40%

I just could not get myself to even begin to care about these characters. I already don’t like when a book is so centered around social media/influencer culture, Eva bordered on incredibly rude imo, and I felt like so many of the queer characters just were caricatures of every stereotype you see in media and not real people. Also something about Riley trying to win Eva back and show her he’s changed and then have her go on his podcast to tell everyone just felt a bit manipulative. Who knows, maybe these things are cleared up in the last 60% but I guess I’ll never know.

I wish this pulled more from the Chicken Shop Date inspiration of two strangers having undeniably chemistry (I also just want Amelia and Andrew to be together) rather than a second chance romance.

I can tell from the reviews that people really like and enjoyed this and I’m happy for them-but I was not one of those people.

This book is something else! I love the characters development. How the witty banter between the characters brings their relationship to life.
One of my favorite things is how they always have an answer for each other, and it’s doesn’t matter what it’s said they understand each other.

I love their take on grief and how important therapy and support is. How grief can affect your day to day life and how your cope with it.

I loved the queer representation, not just the FMC and MMC being Bi, bur having trans and gay friends and having a focus on how they help their LGBTQ community and making it a relevant part of the plot.

This book brought me to tears, and made me laugh out loud! I can’t wait for everyone to read this book in August!

Thanks to Net galley for the ARC

I loved the concept of the book, but it didn't make me smile as much as I hoped it would. The social media thing just ruins books for me. I think people who grew up in that generation will love it.

Well, Actually was one of those books that was so good because it was funny, sweet, entertaining, and the characters owned their imperfections. They didn't apologize for who they were, only their actions that might have caused hurt.

Eva was super snarky. She could be sarcastic and downright mean at times. It was partly to hide the hurt she holds onto and partly her sense of humor. I wondered if she would continue to be likable with all the meanness and she was because her thoughts and intentions weren't horrible. She had a traumatic past with Rylie and Rylie had a lot to make up for. Rylie redeemed himself in my opinion. I enjoyed getting to know him and his past and current intentions.

Eva and Rylie reuniting was highly entertaining. I enjoyed the drama, the interviews, and the dates. There were so many humorous moments combined with the ones that made me swoon. Well, Actually was so much fun. I didn't want it to end.

If you love watching Amelia on Chicken Shop Date interact with Andrew Garfield, this book is very much for you. Eva is the host of a hot dog themed guest show and Rylie is a podcaster. One drunken video later, and they are stuck together on dates. It was fun to read and I’m so glad Mazey Eddings didn’t soften Eva’s hard edges. Loved it.

This book is the first I’ve read by Mazey Eddings and is 5 stars for me. Love a strong female lead. Loved the dynamic between Eva and Rylie. Oh and I absolutely love a second chance romance. The representation in this book was fantastic and the writing was just, ugh, chef’s kiss. I *actually* laughed out loud. In fact at some points I was fully cackling. I also cried my little eyes out. I think I related a lot with Eva as far as her home life and college relationship with Rylie and this book shattered my heart and put it back together. I connected with this book and look forward to reading more by Mazey!

Well, Actually was great for my spirit after a particularly rough week.

That is because of the novel’s focus on kindness and inclusion - for example, at one point the mmc talks about word choice and harm of others. Amazing in a culture that is increasingly becoming immune to the ha we cause each other.

Eddings excels at character development, and I cared about the characters quickly. This second chance romance was set within the context of the mmc’s self-acceptance of his sexuality and grief journey; and the fmc’s… healing and growth.

My biggest frustration was the fmc’s almost over-the-top bitchiness. We knew she was hurt and struggled with some mental health challenges, but her personality…. She was just obviously deeply injured and unable to step outside herself. It almost distracted from the story. And there were moments when I wondered why the mmc would want to date the fmc.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to others. 3.5 rounded to 4⭐️s!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing this advanced e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

I was excited for a romance that is Chicken Shop Date coded, but I ended up feeling like it didn’t really work. And while I appreciated the nuanced feminism AND that the mmc is a podcast bro who is actually unpacking misogyny and toxic masculinity, I disliked both main characters and I felt overall their relationship lacked chemistry.

So… Eva, the fmc. I appreciate that she's a well-developed character with a distinct personality and voice. I love her sharp wit and how quick she is with her biting comebacks, but her emotional stuntedness holds me back from fully connecting with her. Like, I get that the whole fake date thing might have been really awkward for her, but she agreed to the stunt (as much of an HR violation as it was), and to just run out on multiple dates was so immature. And then her childish avoidance is even called out in their therapy session and she still behaves terribly. And Rylie, the mmc, felt incredibly bland—like plain white toast with no butter or jam. He didn’t feel fully developed, and I never really got a sense of who he was. I didn’t find myself looking forward to any of his scenes, which, admittedly, is a bit of a problem in a romance novel. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I just think a man making a living off of performative allyship is a bit of a walking red flag. I’ve just seen enough examples where it’s all surface level, that I don’t trust it cough Justin Baldoni cough.

But all that aside, there were moments that could have been so great that ended up falling flat. Like, I really think their whole history truly is “he’s just not that into you” when it could’ve been “desperate longing from afar” and that would’ve made it so much more fun to read. I especially disliked that when they were originally dating, we find out he was actually pining after his ex. Like I know that storyline was added in for ✨biphobia trauma✨, but to me, it felt like it cannibalised the main relationship.

Anyways, I definitely didn’t hate it! And there were some moments of pure genius (the shower scene haha) and I liked the ending… but I walk away feeling like these two kids would not make it. Eva, in particular, needs boatloads of therapy and I can’t really see anything other than infatuation fueled by a degradation kink from Riley. It doesn’t feel like happily ever after.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 follows Eva Kitt drunkenly roasting a brief college fling - Rylie Cooper for their disastrous short lived relationship and uploading it online only for it to go viral within hours...oops.

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I despise when books try to so pathetically woke.

Most topics covered in this book are a significant concern of society. Agreed. Yet to make it this into some sort of a gravy of minority/harassment/discrimination/trauma galore was doing a bit too much.

Even still, if you manage to piece together the romance under all that. First off kudos to you.
And secondly, it was a little too sudden for my liking. She goes from hating his guts to jumping his bones in the span of one chapter.

Regardless of all that, my first concern when I read the reviews for this book was, I'm going to hate Eva. Spoiler, I didn't. She stood her ground. She never broke down and always had her back. I respect that. Shame the lack (overdose) of plot ruined it for me.

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3.73 / 5 ★

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I giggled, kicked my feet, and twirled my hair during the entire book! I am obsessed! I want more!

The representation of the LGBTQIA+ community is so beautiful! I also love the representation of mental health and therapy!

I am forever living by the “Hot Girl” mantra! I’m striving to be Eve when i grow up❤️