This was such a great read. I love how they worked through their past issues together, all while having fun banter in between those conversations. The side characters were also a riot. The workplace drama was a welcomed plot point, as well. It was such a sweet, yet heartbreaking story, that gripped me from the beginning. But don't worry, it ends with a great HEA. Mazey has not missed yet. Her storytelling is lovely and she really knows how to write a great romance.

Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced copy!

3.75 stars

So I really liked it for like the first 50%.
Eva and Rylie were so entertaining and cute. The banter was great, the chemistry was there, and the pacing was flawless. It was just so fun to read. But then the story kind of started to drag; all of a sudden, the pacing was off. It felt like nothing was happening anymore, everything was a bit drawn-out and repetitive. Overall though, I do think it was a great read.

I really liked this concept of two people who knew each other in college where they hooked up, and it ended badly, only for them to meet again years later and discover that people can change. That aspect was so fun and well-written. Because a lot of the time in second chance romances, the reason for what happened in the past is either stupid and nonsensical or simply unforgivable. But here, the author really managed to make me understand why things happened the way they did and why the characters acted the way they did. The communication between Eva and Rylie was amazing, there is no miscommunication in here because these two actually talked about their feelings, insecurities and doubts, which I loved.

Talking about the characters, I read some reviews that said they didn’t like Eva because she was mean and rude. And sure, she was a bit of a mess. She was kind of mean sometimes. But just because she didn’t take shit from anyone doesn’t make her unlikeable imo, the opposite, actually. She stood up for herself, because no one else ever has. And sometimes she went too far. But her behaving like this was a defence mechanism to not let people get too close because she never had anyone that really cared about her. Like she was afraid of getting hurt again, and idk that really resonated with me. I think she was a well-written and complex character that I really understood. Also she was refreshingly self-aware, she recognised when she was wrong or when she overreacted and owned up to it? Adult behaviour in a romance? Shocking.
I will admit that in the second half of the book, she did become a bit unbearable, but I still kind of loved her.
I liked Rylie enough to enjoy them together, he definitely had his moments, but overall I felt a bit meh about him.

Now the romance? Amazing slow burn. I know it won’t be for everyone because it takes time for Eva to trust Rylie and so it also takes a while for him to win her over. She genuinely doesn’t like him at first and only slowly starts to trust and open up to him. But I loved that, I want to see the romance develop, I want to see how she learns to trust him and then slowly falls in love with him. And I got that here.

The one thing I really didn’t like was the whole social media stuff. And I knew that it’d be part of the story going in, so that’s obviously on me and not criticism, just an explanation for why I didn’t enjoy it as much. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a big part of the story. And it wasn’t but still enough that it annoyed me.

Also, Eva’s work situation was terrible, yes. But I get why she stayed there, why she suffered through the bullshit. Because she wasn’t in a position to just quit, she talked about her money struggles in the beginning. Like rent doesn’t pay itself. And she also stayed for so long because it’s as close to her dream job as she has managed to get at this point. To me, it made sense why she didn’t want to give that up and kind of accepted the way she was treated. Even though she should’ve obviously left that job way sooner. But to find a new job and one she likes on top of that is difficult. So while it was frustrating to read it also just made sense sadly.

I really enjoyed this story, even though the second half was a bit underwhelming for me.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @20%

This is a no from me. This FMC was so mean and rude. I can handle unlikeable women, I promise, but I couldn't handle her or the ridiculous chicken shop date copycat shenanigans. The author had a chance to make this funny and cute and she was off by a mile at least.

Chicken shop dates meets pre buy-back smosh?? Yes please! My favorite genre is a hardened black cat girl with a gooey heart and her golden retriever man who would do anything for her and well, actually delivers. In a world of fast moving social media and going viral for drunken rants on your favorite platform, Eddings delivers an excellent look at being a woman in New York in her 20s trying her best.

Eva and Rylie are definitely one of my new favorite couples of 2025. She may have fallen first all those years ago, but he’s definitely fallen harder. Seeing a FMC who isn’t afraid to be a smart mouth to men is truly iconic (especially when it’s your chosen type of flirting) and seeing Rylie give it right back with all of Eva’s nicknames is hilarious. It’s also great to see a MMC activity working on himself and recognizing his faults!

Jobs, love, friends are incredibly difficult to juggle and you can feel like you’re struggling to keep up with your friend’s successes as you get older. Social media really shows a highlight reel and you never know what someone (even your fav influencers or social media stars) is dealing with! This books proves that struggles with anti feminist workplaces and coming out as queer are unfortunately universal. Being bi, gay, or queer is something to celebrated and Rylie’s struggles to come out as a bi man was so heartbreaking to read. This book does deal with heavy topics beyond this such as tragic death and mourning as well and is handled very well.

This book was given to me as an ARC and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it’s available later this year

Second chance romcom with some found family thrown in as well. I always love a black cat/golden retriever romance. Humorous, but also emotional at times.

Please note the trigger warning for workplace abuse.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Well, Actually to come out August 5, 2025.

4.5 stars.
This is for the girlies who get told they are mean, have a bad attitude, and need to chill out. The fmc is mean as hell, and I love her so much.

Eva had been burned in the past by the mmc Rylie, and has never forgotten it. Rylie is such a golden retriever type who wants to take her on a series of dates to win her over. He’s turned on by her meanness, and doesn’t back down when she tries to push him away.

Eva is so witty, the banter between the two is hilarious. I loved how Rylie was able to talk her through things to get her to slowly open up. He’s emotionally available, and has so many green flags. We love a man who can soften the mean girl.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Rylie Cooper is the baby girl MMC I needed in my life.
Eva Kitt is sarcastic, dry, but not as strong as she puts off.
Together, they explore their past and present in such a sweet second chance romance.

I wanted Eva to open up even more. I thought it would be interesting for them to discuss her family dynamic and her sexuality together. Still loved it.

4.75! the .25 was taken off because I hate the pet name kitten.

Other than that, this was the perfect romance! Y'all know I love a bitchy fmc, and Eva was perfect. She was "bitchy" but also emotionally vulnerable. I saw myself so much in her. The banter she and the mmc has was laugh-out-loud hilarious. I also loved all the cameos of the authors' other characters! I have only read one other book of hers but I was familiar enough with her works to recognize the characters when they showed up. They were all very unique and funny and motivated me to want to read the other books! The romance was real, sensitive, soft, and had communication. Despite her insistence on pushing him away, he didn't give up on her. He kept showing up, even as she threw all her flaws at him as proof she was "unloveable."
Arguably my favorite thing, though, is that even after they got together they kept their rude banter. She didn't change her personality or sense of humor. He said her fire was his favorite thing about her and he would never want her to change it. THAT is the kind of love I want.

My only "criticism" is that I would have absolutely loved this to be a dual POV. This could be biased because I prefer dual POV romances, but I really would have loved to read his perspective.
And the kitten thing. I hate the pet name kitten. They did however win me back a little bit because she kept calling him babygirl or princess. Hilarious.

This book was an absolute delight—truly a gem! It gave me serious Book Lovers by Emily Henry vibes, which is high praise in my world. I adore a love story featuring an icy, snarky female main character, especially when she’s unapologetically herself and not expected to soften or change. Eva is the perfect example: smart, hard-working, driven, and carrying just enough of a chip on her shoulder to make things interesting.

And then there’s Rylie. Oh, sweet, sweet Rylie—what a dreamboat! I’m a sucker for a soft boy, and he’s the epitome of one. He’s kind, patient, and the perfect counterbalance to Eva’s sharp edges. Honestly, every scene with him just made my heart melt.

There were definitely moments when I wanted to reach into the pages and shake Eva, but that’s part of what made the story so enjoyable. She’s complex, flawed, and stubborn—just as she should be. The chemistry between Eva and Rylie was sizzling, the humor had me grinning ear to ear, and the second-hand embarrassment? Totally worth it for the payoff.

This book was the perfect blend of sharp wit, heartfelt romance, and laugh-out-loud moments. I can’t recommend it enough! If you love a story with a fiery FMC and a lovable soft boy, this one’s a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, Mazey Eddings knocks it out of the park with Well, Actually. I made sure to take my time with this book because like all of Mazey's other books, I finish too fast and then wish I could read it again for the first time.

I don't know how Mazey writes such raw and vulnerable characters that also have so much wit and humor to them but whatever her formula is, she should NOT change it. Eva and Riley had such amazing banter that I kept cackling out loud but there were also definitely tender scenes that hit me in the gut. If you googled "Golden Retriever boyfriend", I'm pretty sure you'd see an image of Rylie Cooper. He has that vibe and the way Eva roasts him is hilarious (i.e. the milk at the diner). Additionally, I loved the little easter eggs she dropped in this book such as characters from her previous books (iykyk).

Read if you like
- Second chance romance
- Single POV
- Black Cat FMC/ Golden Retriever MMC
- LGBTQ+ rep
- Banter
- Juvets (iykyk)

I truly enjoyed this novel; the characters were well-developed, and the engaging plot made it a great read.

I read another book by this author but wasn’t all that big a fan. Still, I figured I would try again and I’m so glad I did. I didn’t want to put this one down. Both characters were easy to relate to and the banter was so cute and funny I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book. I’m usually not into second chance romances but this one was done so well I couldn’t help but love it. I will most definitely be picking this up when it releases and suggest everyone else get it too.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

I absolutely adored this book!
Eddings delivered her trademark brand of relatable humor, mentally complex characters, and steamy intimate scenes.
The heroine’s snarkiness and the hero’s earnestness perfectly complemented each other and I read the story without even stopping for a breath.
Full review to come on Bookbub, Goodreads, Storygraph, and Amazon.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Mazey Eddings book and I am happy to say it will not be my last.

I am usually not a fan of second chance romances but the redemption arc of this one was so thoughtful and sweet. In my eyes Rylie really did earn her trust back and as someone who struggles with trusting - I appreciated it!!

The mental health rep and overall diversity of this book was well done. I felt like every peripheral character was well thought out despite the focus being the two main characters.

& The lack of a third act break up?? Phenomenal.

I really enjoyed this romance novel! I love Mazey Eddings' other romances, so I expected to like this one as well, and I'm happy that I did! I thought the premise was really interesting, and I thought that it was executed pretty well. I liked that we got Eva and Rylie's backstory pretty early on (for the most part), so it wasn't a mystery what was going on between them. I also loved Eva and Rylie as the main characters; I thought they were both very well-written and complex characters, and I really enjoyed watching them grow together. The romance was really well done as well, and I overall had a great time reading this book! Eva did annoy me at times, but overall, I found her to be a relatable and interesting main character. I would definitely recommend this book :)

This book was absolutely incredible. I laughed out loud several times while reading. The chemistry and banter between Eva and Riley, even when Eva is trying to suppress it, is undeniable and addictive. I read this in two days. I couldn’t stop.

This book was a journey! Our heroine, Eva, begins as an intense, disenchanted mess trying to scrape up the journalism ladder. During a drunken scroll through social media, she finds a video created by none other than her ex-college hookup Rylie giving, of all things, relationship advice. Since her experience with him was the antithesis of the advice he gives his (very large group of) followers, she films a response - and wakes up to a very different situation. Her ever-opportunistic employer, a social media company giving pseudo-Buzzfeed vibes, tries to cash in by attempting to put them together on dates and posting the development. Along the way, though, Eva and Rylie get to know each other again, this time as adults, with a lot more life experience and perspective. While Rylie has done a lot of emotional work, Eva is working from behind defensive walls built and reinforced over and over throughout the years. What will become of their relationship? And will Eva ever get to a point where she can find fulfillment and fully enjoy her life?

At first I thought Eva's character was too intense, and I say that as a proud, also intense woman. I also worried that Rylie would be exceptionally smug. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed Eva's character development, and really enjoyed Rylie and what his character brought to the story. The cast of supporting characters was diverse, and I found myself rooting for Eva, and even though I've finished the book, I still am. I can see Eva in myself and in so many other women I know - intense women finding balance and softness while not losing ourselves in the process. We got this.

WELL, ACTUALLY is a sweet and fun second chance romance that makes for a great light read. Due to a video going viral, Eva and Rylie unexpectedly find themselves in each other's lives again after Rylie had ended their two month relationship poorly. Convinced he can prove to Eva how much he's changed and grown, Rylie asks Eva to give him ten dates which Eva agrees but plans to not make it very easy at all for him and has plans of her own. What will it take for Rylie to show he has changed and will Eva open herself up to acknowledge it? And acknowledge that underneath it all there's still love between them? I really enjoyed the "bickering" and bantering between Eva and Rylie and watching their relationship rekindle and unfold.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

My rating: 4.75⭐

100% recommend it if you like:
- black cat fmc X golden retriever mmc
- forced proximity
- fake dating
- second chance romance
- unbelievable banter
- off the charts chemistry
- Chicken-shop dates vibes
- the man loves to eat
- big city
- open doors spice

My thoughts:
Okay, hold on. Where have I been all this time? What rock was I living under?
This was my first Mazey book and oh dear lord why hadn't I heard of her before?!?!

My expectations were high because I'd seen some friends loving it already and I trust their opinions, but this?!?! This was phenomenal, friends. Chef's kiss.

Can't count how many times I laughed out loud with their insane banter. Seriously. I'm talking about true cackles and screams. These characters are quick as a whip, and their dialogues only got better while also touching heavy and deeper themes that almost had me bawling (rude tbh).

And while there were things I didn't quite understand—such as the figure of the boss who, in spite of being a female journalist who I'm sure has faced her fair share of misogyny to reach the top is apparently a-okay with how her son is talking to and treating a female employee???
I get that it's all about money but that detail felt odd and within an archetype so stiff and predictable, I was actually annoyed—I still think what Mazey did here is truly spectacular.

Love seeing those complex fmc's pop up and the unyielding supportive hero to defend her rights and, above all, her wrongs.

(Actual: 3.75⭐, rounded up) Love Mazey Eddings and quite a bit of time has passed since I read one of her books....... but she's still got IT! ✨ While not perfect, WELL, ACTUALLY is still very fun and rather refreshing for this genre. Prior to reading, I heard/read in passing that this book gives off "Chicken Shop Date" vibes and, don't get me wrong, I can totally see it (from the cover to the synopsis, to how Eva is portrayed as a FMC, etc) but - while I admit Amelia/CSD isn't really my thing and I've only watched a handful of clips here & there - I'll primarily credit the reason for me enjoying this novel as much as I did to Eddings's writing and signature flair/style. How Eva subverts so many of the expectations we project onto romcom FMCs, however consciously we do it or not, was great to see because it's ultimately realistic! Women aren't always bubbly or ~quirky~ or overly kind - we can also be guarded and angry and simply just MULTI-DIMENSIONAL because, at the end of the day, we're just humans too. And so, while yes, Eva did get on my last nerve at times when it came to some of her actions & her attitude, I can also still acknowledge and appreciate what Eddings was trying to do here with her, because she really does do a solid job of fleshing Eva out as a character so we, as readers, can understand where she's coming from (even if we may not agree with it). The one thing I didn't like so much about this book (and what led me to decide to lower my rating just a tad) was: First— SO MANY POP CULTURE REFERENCES. Like just.... so much. Way too many. I hate discovering this in any book I read and it saddens me, honestly, because it immediately makes the entire thing feel extremely dated. There's a way to reference memes, viral moments, et cetera in a work of fiction without being too OTT or heavy-handed about it but, unfortunately, this is where I think Eddings fell short. And second— the supporting cast. The SC was severely lacking for me because they were all either very flat/boring or just straight up terrible in terms of personality, yet.... there was diversity among them? I guess? But that almost just makes it worse imo, because then it just felt like being inclusive as a means to check off a box, which I hope isn't the case. Overall, I'll echo how I started this review in saying Mazey Eddings definitely still has that ✨WOW✨ factor to her and in her works, so I'm hoping the parts I disliked about this book are just a one-time thing she can grow from/out of. Definitely still recommend this one though, so for sure check it out come pub day!!