This was one of the cutest stories I read over Valentine's Day weekend. Eva and Rylie are one of my new fav second-chance romance couples. It's a fun, flirty just all around great banter , good time read. Loved it.

This was my first Mazey Eddings book and I was obsessed! Black cat woman? Golden retriever guy? Sign me up! Looking forward to seeing some of her other material as well. A definite read for me!

I really wanted to love this because I love Maizey Eddings! But this one just didn't click for me. It was still a great book and well-written, but for some reason, it didn't pack the same emotional punch for me. I'll still recommend it to those who love her books, but I just can't say that *I* loved it as much as the others.

in true mazey eddings fashion she devoured this. i am so in love with eva and rylie. this was not only fun but also deeply emotional and layered. I love how complex both of their histories and traumas were. overall I had a great time. I was laughing one minute and my chest hurt the next. the only thing I disliked was his nickname for her but overall I gotta give her her 10s. thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC!

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
Out 8/5/25

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶/5 (The spice is there. The praise is there. The story is more prominent. It is not smut, but spicy).

"Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.

Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a deal: allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it."

I loved this book so much. I took a break from the Cosmere to binge read this and am in love. The wittiness between Riley and Eva made me laugh. The praise is *on point*. The indignation felt regarding some certain wrongdoings was strong. You would think it was done to me personally. I used to be Eva. I used to be a people pleaser, and I so desperately wanted to protect her and fight for her while reading this.

This book was spunky and bantery and fun! Eva was kind of mean but I kind of loved that about her. Seeing her and Rylie reconnect and get to know each other as they are now was really fun.

I was so excited to get this one!

A witty rom-com about Eva Kitt, a talk show host who goes viral after calling out her ex, Rylie Cooper, a social media star known for discussing toxic masculinity. To repair their reputations, they agree to public dates, only to realize their feelings might not be entirely in the past. With humor, sharp banter, and themes of personal growth, this novel offers a fresh take on second-chance romance.

This book had me hooked from the start. Eva and Rylie’s banter and chemistry was great, and the pacing kept me flying through the first half. Once they got together, the plot lost me a little, but that happens to me a lot with romance books. That said, I really appreciated that there wasn’t a dramatic third-act breakup. Overall, a fun, witty read that I enjoyed.

This is at minimum a 4 star book, probably 4.5-5, but I had two major qualms that are having me second-guess my rating. Hilarious. (Too) Relevant.

Update two weeks later, 4.5 stars and rounding to 5.

Ok, I adored this book. It was sweet, the characters were adorable, the enemies-to-lovers was done PERFECTLY in my opinion, and I will give my sour moods to Rylie Cooper in an instant if he wants me to.

My main qualm with the book was that there are SO MANY REFERENCES. Pop culture references GALORE. I had to look up at least 40% of them, and it forced me both out of the story emotionally (to lol at the reference) but then forced me too much into the specific period of time. I understand that this is definitely a peek into the window of time that is 2024-5, but because the internet moves so fast, ludicrously capacious is already 72 references ago.

Yes, this is clearly inspired by Chicken Shop Date. I don't think it's specifically the Andrew Garfield interview, unless Mazey Eddings wrote this ridiculously fast which, if she did, good for her. But please stop knocking a book that is inspired by real-life things for not being an exact match. Of course the characters are different. That's why "inspired by" and "based on" are two different things.

Beyond being a romance between Eva and Rylie, it's also a story that so many milennials resonate with - the drive we grew up with to "stick out" a toxic career or situation, and to work hard, and the costs that we're all seeing now add up. Thoroughly enjoyed.

I too, am a woman in STEM only in the sexy, tenacious, emotionally malicious sense.

Cute second chance rom com. However, I might have aged out of appreciating the humor and social media issues. The male main characters are made is likeable and the resolution is satisfying.

This book was well written and flowed quite well. I can see where inspiration from the scenario came from, and enjoyed it. It is nice to see characters of varying ethnicities and orientations being treated as "characters" and not novelties. Would recommend to others that have open minds, and would definitely personally read more from Mazey Eddings. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this and give my unbiased opinion.

This second messy second chance romance starts when Eva drunkenly calls out her ex on social media and the video goes viral. As a talk show host, her producers take advantage of the situation and reunites the two. What starts at fake dates where Rylie (her ex) wants to make up for what he did in the past evolves into something unexpected. This book covers inspirational and moving topics from second chances to standing up for yourself in a toxic workplace and pursing your true dreams.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC and allowing me to read this book early!

I REALLY wanted to love this one. The cover - stunning. The banter in the first 10% - outstanding. I giggled out loud numerous times.

Unfortunately, it kind of stopped there for me. I really hate giving negative reviews on books because I know how hard authors work, so I just want to preface this by saying that just because it wasn't for ME, doesn't mean it won't be for YOU.

Personally, I found the FMC absolutely unbearable. In the beginning, her bitchiness was funny. But then it just turned borderline, or possibly just full on, emotionally abusive. She's rude, she's mean, and she doesn't apologize for it. Once she finally hits her 'breakthrough', it came so out of the blue and was such a transformation in personality that it wasn't believable to me. This went beyond a woman who just takes no shit.

The MMC put up with so much verbal abuse from the FMC that I was left feeling sorry for him, and that is not how I want to feel in any type of romance book.

I'm all for an enemies-to-lovers trope, but this just went too far in my opinion. I really liked the concept of this book as well - two people who hooked up in college, ending terribly, and reuniting years later to hash out the past. And though it was a slow burn, the spice was definitely spicin' once it hit!

Overall - I don't regret reading it, I just can't say it would be top of mind for recommendations.

does mazey eddings ever miss? i cant think of a time where i wasnt kicking my feet and giggling while reading her books. this one was right up my alley and i literally could not get enough. mazey fan for life!!!

Mazey Eddings’ Well, Actually is a refreshing rom-com that perfectly blends humor, heart, and some serious personal growth. Eva Kitt is a bit of a mess—she's stuck hosting a ridiculous show called Sausage Talk, and her career is nowhere near where she thought it would be. But when a viral moment puts her in contact with her college ex, Rylie Cooper, it sets off a hilarious (and at times, pretty tense) series of events. Rylie, now a social media darling and self-proclaimed expert in dismantling toxic masculinity, makes Eva an offer she can’t refuse: go on a series of dates with him so he can prove he’s changed. What starts as petty revenge quickly turns into a journey filled with unexpected emotional depth, sizzling chemistry, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you rooting for these two all the way.

What really shines in this book are the characters—especially Eva, who is more than just the “feisty” archetype. She’s witty, relatable, and her personal growth is handled so well. Rylie, on the other hand, is the perfect mix of charming, vulnerable, and yes, a little bit swoon-worthy. The banter between them is sharp and full of tension, making their emotional journey all the more rewarding. Eddings also tackles important themes like personal growth, accountability, and forgiveness with humor and heart. If you're into second-chance romances with a lot of sharp, self-aware humor and just the right amount of drama, Well, Actually is definitely worth picking up.

I loved Rylie and many many of their scenes. Supee fun! But I struggled with other parts of this book like the opening where it just felt chaotic for chaotic sake, or other parts where it was going too quirky or sarcastic to feel organic. I definitely think lots of readers will love the romantic story!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free eARC.

Eva Kitt is he host of the internet interview show Sausage Talk. She may come off as a little mean, but deep down it's a carefully crafted facade to guard herself from failure and heartbreak.

Riley is a podcast host who is trying to help the masses untangle toxic masculinity, but Eve knows better, because six years ago, he was everything he pretends not to be now.

After a few too many drinks, Eve puts Riley on blast and suddenly she finds herself being forced by her employers to host Riley on Sausage Talk.

Can Riley show Eva he's changed? Can Eva let her guard down?.

I really enjoyed this book and had a great time reading it. I think the characters were enjoyable, their dynamic was fun to read. Aside from the romance there is a workplace harassment subplot that I think could be a little better fleshed out or paced. 4/5 stars

WHAT A BOOK! I had the highest expectations and still this book surpassed them all by far.

A second chance of sorts, black cat x golden retriever kinda dynamic where a wittier, meanier version of Amelia Dimoldenberg has to face her ex first love now turned guru of non toxic masculinity and successful podcast host, what could go wrong really?
Eva was guarded and unapologetically ruthless and Riley was down so bad for her it made every interaction extremely amusing to read, their dialogue was fun and unpredictable and never boring, what a treat!

A fast-paced story that never felt rushed, a well rounded romance you wont be able to put down. I loved every single second of it, the banter, the fleshed out characters, the delicious chemistry. I was hooked from the very first page, enthralled by Mazey's way with words. A Rom-com to enter the romance genre hall of fame and hands down one of the best ive personally ever read.

My first Mazey Eddings book and it will not be my last, consider me a new fan.

A thousand thank yous to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

It kills me to rate this so low but I promised an honest review and an honest review is what I plan to give.

I was so excited to jump into this book. I had seen the raving reviews about its humor and a good rom-com is always the fastest way to this book lovers heart. Unfortunately, I didn’t find much funny about this book at all. Eva was so incredibly mean to Rylie and honestly I spent the majority of the book just kind of feeling uncomfortable. Also I didn’t feel much chemistry between the two of them.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and St. Martins Press for a complementary ARC of Well, Actually in exchange for my honest review. You always send me the best ARCs so I am sad that this might be my first ARC from you that didn’t receive a 4 or 5⭐️ review.

wow. WOW.

First and foremost, I would like to say that Rylie Cooper, I am very fond of you and you have become the top of my book boyfriend list!

This book had me laughing, swooning, giggling, and tearing up the entire way through. I loved the dynamic and banter between Rylie and Eva so much, it made their relationship seem so raw and authentic.

There were so many important topics that were discussed in this story that I feel like added so much more to this story than just two people falling in love. The queer community representation in this book felt so natural, sometimes it can feel forced when people include queer reps in their stories when the relationship isn’t necessarily queer but this felt the furthest from forced.

Thank you NetGalley, Mazey Eddings, and St. Martin’s Press for giving me an advance copy of this book! I will cherish it and hold it close to my heart for years to come!

Well, Actually is a hilarious second chance romance which follows Eva and Rylie. Eva and Rylies romance goes back to college and was a passionate but short relationship which ended up in a ghosting.

This book has 'black cat/golden retriever' energy and does it well. Eva is our resident black cat with a sarcastic comment for everyone. Rylie is our golden retriever who is tall, handsome, and a nerd.. as excepted. I found their chemistry both believable and palpable. I loved their energy together, snarky commentary, and authenticity to their experience and how it helped shaped their lives as they ventured into adulthood.

Honestly, my biggest gripe with this book was the spicy scenes. I felt like it was the perfect amount sprinkled throughout, however, they felt very formulaic. There was nothing I haven't read here.. down to exact phrasing. While I love a trope.. I do not enjoy reading the same description of a spicy scene in every romance book. It felt like 'insert slightly dominant sex her' was entered when writing this,

Regardless, I really enjoyed this story and would recommend to other spicy romance readers.