I have to admit I struggled with this one. I considering DNFing for the first like 50% but I’ve really liked Mazey’s books in the past so I was holding onto hope. I liked the second half of the book much more, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. The FMC couldn’t get out of her own dang way and then I don’t know that I feel fully satisfied by her arc. And Rylie was swoony but maybe too perfect? So it didn’t feel terribly realistic. And the writing was generally good except for when bombastic was used in a sentence. Not even dialogue. But the therapy scene was gold!

This book was absolutely wonderful! If I had no other responsibilities in life I would’ve never put it down and finished it in one sitting. The characters are so easy to fall in love with and their witty banter is perfect. The author covers difficult topics with grace and every moment was amazing. So so good and a must read!

Eva Kitt dreams of being a hard-hitting journalist, but for now she spends her days hosting a show where she interviews B-list celebrities over hot dogs (think chicken shop date / hot ones). Her ex-boyfriend from college, Riley, has become a well-known podcaster who teaches men how to be good partners. After she calls him out online, she is forced to interview him on her show and agrees to go on six dates with him so he can prove to her that he has changed in the 6 years since they dated.

I enjoyed this one more than I expected to! The premise was fun and felt different than other romances I've read. It also delved into some deeper topics and I felt like the characters actually communicated their feelings to one another, which was refreshing. Despite the main characters being a man and woman, there was some great LGBTQ representation with them being bi and pan (as well as a side character who was trans).

Eva is a "black cat" type of character and at times I found her to be a little unnecessarily combative toward Riley, who was a very lovable MMC. They also strayed from the fake dating for their show after only a few dates, and I wish they would've seen that through. Overall I would definitely read more from this author in the future!

*ARC provided by NetGalley

I really liked this one! The banter between Eva and Rylie is hilarious, and the heat between them was intoxicating. I loved the therapy rep and deeper conversations about toxic masculinity, depression, and grief.

Read if you enjoy:
🎙️ second chance romance
♥️ black cat x golden retriever
🌭 banter and quirky flirting
💄 emotional payoff
👓 a man in glasses
🥵 open door spice

And now for a completely out of context quote that made me chortle:

“I wanted an obvious signal to visitors that I’m a freak in the jeets.”

the conflict in the third act felt so disappointing. of all the curveballs to throw at a plot, I really didn't love the choice made here. lots of elements of the plot were ultimately given little to no resolution. however, I did appreciate the commitment to a prickly character, since that is always a gamble with audiences. eva was crude and intense and raw and her guys loved every bit of it. it was sweet to see her be adored rather than shamed for who she is. by design, second chance romances offer so much potential and well, actually was fairly successful in delivering what a reader fond of that trope would desire.

This book immediately reminded me of the Chicken Shop Date series and I knew just from that alone I was going to enjoy this book.

Eva interviews celebrities while eating hot dogs. But she wants to write about topics that actually mean something to her. Her life blows up when she makes a video bashing her ex (a famous influencer) and posts on a social media not thinking anyone would watch it. But it goes viral 😂 and her boss wants her to interview her ex on the next show! He blindsides Eva by suggesting they go on a few dates and then they can go back on her show and she can blast him for what he does wrong.

I loved every single thing about this book. It was such a palate cleanser. I was laughing out loud throughout the whole thing. The FMC has become one of my favorites in contemporary romance! The banter was so so good!!!! I loved the LGBTQ+ rep!! I highly recommend this book to everyone. It’s one of my new favorites and Mazey is now an auto buy author for me!

Eva is a woman who has her friends and her job. When while drunk one night she goes online and blasts the one man who broke her heart 6 years ago. Riley Cooper just wants to make things right with Eva. So he decides to try to win her over by taking her on 6 dates that she can dissect on her show. But when Riley shows Eva has changed he is can he convince her to open her heart?

This book had a super strong female character and did a good job of tackling issues like workplace violence. The book was very enjoyable to read with great wit and just the right amount of spice.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is a mix of sharp wit, emotional depth, and relatable characters made it such a standout read. I appreciated how it tackled real issues while still keeping things warm and funny. It felt honest, messy, and full of heart in the best way.

Such an insightful and therapeutic read. I really liked the banter and the teasing back and forth between Rylie and Eva. Love the progress of their relationship and the journey they took us on to get there. I adored the premise of the podcast and Eva's show - it's unique and all the elements of those settings really worked for the story.

Loved the black cat/golden retriever theme but at times, I felt Eva was a bit too much. I found it hard to like her at first but then after the therapy session scene, I really found myself endearing to her more and understanding why she is the way she is and why she treats Riley the way he does. The spice was good and appropriate.

I loved the karmic ending with William and his mom. I've never hated characters so much as him.

Overall, this is a good read, an unexpected second chance romance book that I think many will love.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my thoughts.

When I started this book, I really didn’t know if the tone of voice and humor were for me… there were a lot of wiener jokes 🌭 And I get it, she works for a show where she interviews C-list celebrities while they eat hot dogs… it’s a schtick. But it was a lot in the first few chapters of the book.

Not to mention, Eva is crass, blunt, sarcastic and quick to show her teeth with a biting remark. The true definition of a black cat FMC 🐈‍⬛ But as the story unfolded and I gave it a chance, my heart warmed to her as her icy exterior thawed toward Rylie and we got to see her softer side.

She has a quick-witted humor that made for fantastic chemistry and banter with Rylie. It was like watching them volley back and forth just waiting to see who would take the point, and it reminded me a lot of my relationship with my husband 😂 I definitely have some black cat energy, and related a lot to Eva. Especially when it comes to feeling like she was hard to love — prickly parts of her personality included.

The communication and emotional maturity that Rylie (and his therapist!) helped build with Eva was fantastic. You could see her learn to trust, let down her guard and take off the mask and tough exterior with each chapter. That growth was fantastic to see over the course of the book!

This was such a pleasant surprise, and I’d definitely encourage you to at least make it to 25-35% before making up your mind on this one. I’m so glad I stuck it out to see their second chance unfold!

4.25 stars - Spending her days interviewing low level celebrities for Sausage Talk is not what Eva Kitt envisioned for her life, in fact, one could say her journalistic dreams have hit a bit of a wall. So when a late night, drunken video aimed at her college ex and his wildly popular podcast thrusts her into the levels of virality her boss had only ever dreamed of, Eva finds herself sitting across the interview table from the very man who broke her heart all those years ago.

Having never seen the show that I'm assuming inspired this novel - only the memes - I was honestly not sure what to expect, but the wonderfully snarky banter got me hooked from page 1. Eva is such a wonderfully messy yet confident character who desperately wants someone she doesn't need to be strong around. Cue Rylie, the reformed frat bro who has almost saintly levels of patience and actually understands how communication works. These two were perfect for each other, and we all know it, but watching them blunder and crash their way to that finish line was nothing short of delightful.

This is my first of Mazey Edding's books, but I know it won't be my last! Everything from the perfect pacing to the charming writing to the chaotic characters was exactly what I needed.

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

WELL, ACTUALLY -- Mazey Eddings
St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250333315
August 5, 2025
Romantic Comedy

New York City – Present Day

Eva Kitt thought she would have a journalism career by now, not hosting a podcast with B-list celebrities while they feast on lukewarm hot dogs. The show isn’t exactly the hottest thing in town, especially when it competes with Rylie Cooper, who happens to be her ex from college. One night, she posts a drunken rant about Rylie, insinuating that sex with him was the worst she’s ever experienced. The next morning, she wakes up to discover that her post has gone viral, with even Rylie being tagged. Her bosses at work see it as a perfect opportunity to exploit her fifteen seconds of fame by having Eva meet face to face with Rylie and having them agree to go on a few dates to see if things have changed between them. She doesn’t want to do it but has no choice if she wants to keep her job.

Eva regrets posting what she did about Rylie in WELL, ACTUALLY, because it puts her back in his sphere. They only dated briefly, but he wasn’t the most considerate guy she’s ever known. She decides ahead of time that she will be rude and obnoxious during her dates with Rylie. But it turns out, he is charming and…surprise...nice to her! In this tale, they do a lot of bantering back and forth. Eva is quick-witted and says what’s on her mind. Rylie is ready to answer back. He takes her on some surprising dates, which she actually ends up enjoying. Did she make a mistake labeling him a bad lover? Will they end up in bed to try it one more time?

WELL, ACTUALLY is a cutesy tale that has Eva spending a lot of time apologizing for her ranting post, even as she tries to avoid Rylie. However, he’s persistent, and they do end up enjoying being around each other. The people around them keep pushing for something to happen, especially a fight. While Eva tries to push Rylie’s buttons, he’s too smooth to give in to her taunts. But the more they are around each other, the more attracted they become to each other. Will love find a way to mend what happened all those years ago during college? Rylie does explain what was going on in his life at that time. Will it change Eva’s view of him? We will have to see if that happens.

An intriguing tale with a bit of a twist at the end, don’t miss WELL, ACTUALLY.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

This is an entertaining, emotional at times read. Riley and Eva are wounded characters whose stories are compelling and well written. This story is powerful in its impact and message. I found Riley easy to understand and connect with as his story unfolded – which is to the author’s skills. Eva on the other hand, I didn’t always connect with or like. She had me though once she started to let Riley in and the romance really began. The story has a lot going on and I wish the work sub-plot had a different ending – as I was left unsatisfied and unfulfilled by it. Overall, I enjoyed the story the more I got into it and these characters. The story is easy to read.

As the author states at the beginning of the book – this story deals with loss and grief – while it’s well done, for anyone for whom this is difficult to read in a story, please save this book for another time when you can consume its content.

There are different types of bullying either depicted or mentioned on page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

very much a black cat/golden retriever storyline, but I did think she was a little too intensely argumentative and negative, especially for a guy who send to be genuinely trying.

“I always expected my career would revolve less around wieners than it does.”

We start off with one hell of an introduction sentence. Well, Actually hooked me from the very first line, and quickly sucked me in. The other has an amazing writing style, and made it easy to fall in love with her characters.

I love black cat x golden retriever vibes and that is exactly what this book gave off. Eva is perfectly mean and bitchy for what I believe are valid reasons. Cooper is trying to be better than his past and in my opinion, succeeding.

This was my first book by the author but I’d easily dive into her other works after reading this one.

Well, Actually is a fun and delightful second chance romance about Eva and Rylie, who originally met in college and who are now thrown together to do fake dates after Eva’s post about him goes viral overnight.

The chemistry was there from the beginning, no matter how many times Eva kept Rylie at arm’s length. I appreciate that these characters actually talked to each other and worked through their issues instead of beating around the bush.

I’ve seen a lot of reviewers say they don’t like Eva, but I would disagree. With all of the trauma that happened to her in her childhood, Eva had the most character development in the story. From being hurt, not wanting to fall in love, to falling in love with Rylie was so special to watch. Yes, she still tried to push him away, but Rylie was so patient and caring.

I loved this! I laughed a lot, it was emotional. The perfect romcom! I listened on audio- narrator was good and I know I’d want to reread this again.

~ He goes to therapy and takes her on a “date” to talk about their past and heal from it.

✨ Black cat x golden retriever
✨ Second chance
✨ Queer rep
✨ Workplace romance
✨ kind of fake dating

“I’ll be brave enough for the both of us” 🫠

I also listened as an alc and I liked the narrator
Thank you St Martins Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review

This romcom reminded me of the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 days. Eva is a journalist who makes a drunken post one night on social media. This gives her boss the idea to set up a segment on her show with her college ex, Riley, to get more interest and further both of their careers. The banter was great, super witty and funny. I found myself smiling throughout the book with the quips and comebacks. I also appreciated that there was no third act break-up. I read this book in two days and would definitely recommend for anybody who likes a witty romcom with second chance romance and enemies to lovers tropes.

This lovely book comes out on my birthday, and its the perfect gift (thanks, Mazey - you shouldn't have)! Mazey Eddings is my favorite romance author so my expectations were ofcourse high for this one, and she didn't let me down. This book is freaking sexy and funny and weird and I adored it. Hot girls, hot guys, and hot dogs (the food, not the canines lol). Plus the queer representation in this made me feel very seen and I absolutely adore Riley for it. Like, if you love Jude from "the Plus One" (my favorite), you have to meet Riley. He even has slutty little glasses! And Eva is a hot, hilarious bitch (in the best way) and the chemistry and banter is absolutely everything. You will laugh, you will swoon, you will feel all hot and bothered, and you will cry. It is perfection. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this for my birthday, and you should too!

[ARC REVIEW]
WELL, ACTUALLY by Mazey Eddings is like Chicken Shop Date takes on sensitive social media advice guy (I will graciously refrain from providing examples, but you know who I mean).

Eva longs to be a real journalist, but instead she works for a Buzzfeed-esque media company, eating hot dogs wbile interviewing d-list celebrities. One night she gets a lil tipsy and posts an Instagram response to a video by Rylie, the college ex who broke her heart, explaining that he didn't take his own advice. He goes on her show, and now she's got to go on dates with him so he can prove that he's changed.

Leaving aside that I think Rylie is a girl's name (especially spelled like that!!) and was therefore briefly confused, it is a very funny premise. She is like, sarcastic and mean, so obviously I can self-insert very easily here, lol. She also could use some therapy to deal with not only Rylie's behavior in college, but alas. Fortunately, Rylie loves the roasting, and he puts in the effort to win her over again.

I definitely found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop in their relationship, rather like Eva does. Sometimes in a second chance romance there's still a third act breakup (which are FINE) but this character is not a person who could do a third chance, you know? So the conflict is outside of their relationship, which makes more sense for this particular story.

Overall I thought it was very cute and fun!