I thought the audiobook was expertly narrated by Ariela Crow. I found the beginning of the book hilarious, but it fell off quickly after that. I had the hardest time getting back into the book and finally decided to DNF at 30%.

I know so many people who loved this book, so it feels like a not for me situation than anything else.

Well, this was a whole lot of fun!

I'm always down for a black cat girl and a second-chance romance, and this one did a fantastic job of serving both up, but with a fresh perspective and vibe.

I loved that Eva was very much a take-no-shit, hold-his-feet-over-the-fire kind of girl in her personal life, but found navigating her career difficult and confusing (extremely relatable, tbh). And I was obsessed with how much Rylie was 1) healthily terrified of Eva, and 2) open to hearing her out and actively looking to change. Though there were times I thought Eva was a bit too willing to bend and wanted her to be more resistant to Rylie's efforts, I still really enjoyed this and thought it was a fantastic time.

never arguing with a tall nerdy guy with big blue eyes, whatever you say handsome!!!!

rylie and eva are genuinely one of my favorite duos i have read this year. eva is a certified ME character and i have never related so hard to her bitchy facade and need to run from the slightest bit of romantic feelings from another person.

and when you look up 'down bad' in the dictionary? rylie cooper's face will show up underneath the definition of the phrase. this man was truly evas perfect match and kept her on her toes from start to finish. their chemistry had me squirming where i stood while i was listening to the audio.

and while i'm talking about the audio, rylie cooper's dirty talk had me ready to bark if he ever dared asking. that is all. 10/10 i am obsessed.

It’s official: I am a forever fan of @mazeyeddings and completely head over heels for Rylie and Eva. Thank you @youhadmeathea for this early review copy. This was funny (so funny) and sweet (so sweet) and hot (so so hot). Mazey’s writing is fun and effervescent, and completely intoxicating.

I love a second chance romance where she makes him work for it. And while this book started off pretty cute and sweet and banter-y, it took me by surprise (in the best way) at how it was also able to tackle heavier topics. Eva has deep rooted abandonment issues made worse by her first relationship with Rylie. And Rylie (sweet Rylie) has dealt with his own internalized biphobia as well as patently death that led to him being the worst version of himself.

What struck me about this book was just how central to the plot feelings and therapy are. There are so many open and honest discussions about pain and hurt and it made for a relationship that felt hard-earned. These two may feel insta-lusty but they develop such a beautiful deep relationship so quickly.

I loved that both were in more modern careers (Chicken Shop Date inspo, ftw), and they both shone a light on the issues with their respective roles. Eva, being a woman on camera and opening herself up for being treated as less than. And Rylie being an antidote to the toxic male podcast hosts we all know and loathe.

Mazey has written one of the most well rounded character studies this year with absolutely beautiful dialogue, side characters, and arcs. These two are perfect for each other in their imperfections and end up in such a healthy place that it almost makes me sick (respectfully).

Rylie really is SUCH a good boy.

I had a hard time getting this book at first. It definitely became more interesting as time went on. The story is a reverse Grumpy x Sunshine. Eve is super snarky and sarcastic while Riley is sweet and friendly. Other tropes include second chance romance and forced proximity. The ending felt a little rushed to me and ot almost felt like they were trying to leave things open enough to do a sequel.

Great banter, and I love a second chance romance. This book does feel very "right now" with several references and the chicken shop date of it all, but I still think it will appeal to less chronically online folks as well.

MAZEY EDDINGS BEST WORK 👏🏼

it’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of @mazeyeddings 🤭 I’ve been following along on her author journey since A Brush With Love and have been OBSESSED with every book she has published since 🤩

I had the BEST time reading Well, Actually back in May! 👏🏼 our FMC, Amelia was snarky and full of so much attitude - which could be a deciding factor for some readers on whether they’ll enjoy this book - but it was a huge HIT for me. It’s actually a huge turn on for the MMC Rylie 🥵 the dynamics between these two main characters were fun and sexy! Also the banter is some of the best I’ve ever read 😮‍💨

If you loved the @chickenshopdate episode with Andrew Garfield… yeah then you’ll absolutely eat this book up!! 🤩

This might’ve just taken the cake as my favorite Mazey book ☺️😌🙂‍↕️ brb now I’m going to go sulk until I get a new Mazey book next year 🥲

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ duh

The banter in this book was absolutely fantastic! I loved how strong and confident the FMC was, and how determined the MMC was to prove he’d truly changed. This story kept me hooked from start to finish, and I really appreciated the fresh, unique take on a second-chance romance that I haven’t seen done quite like this before.

The only thing missing for me is that I wanted Eva to open a little bit more on how her relationship with her family affected her. We got a lot of how Rylie’s family affected him, but not the same level from Eva.

Otherwise, I loved this couple

This book is cementing second chance romance as my new favorite trope. I absolutely adored Well, Actually!

From the jump, FMC Eva and MMC Rylie’s chemistry is undeniable, and the banter between them was witty, sharp, lol funny and it gave me total Chicken Shop Date vibes (the Andrew Garfield interview!). Their back-and-forth really emphasized how much unfinished business and lingering feelings was still between them after all these years.

Rylie Cooper hits so many ultimate book boyfriend boxes. He’s charming, lovable, emotionally mature, endlessly patient and a pleaser in the bedroom. 🫠 No matter how mean Eva was to him (and she REALLY put him through it), Rylie persisted. He knew she was hurting, and instead of walking away, he kept showing up. Loyal, steady, and ALWAYS smiling.

I honestly felt bad for Rylie sometimes because Eva’s stubbornness dragged on a little too long for me.

But, when Eva finally opened herself up, my heart melted. Watching her drop her walls and seeing them both so enamored with each other after years of history and yearning was the cutest. Their spicy scenes delivered 🔥, but it was the way Rylie continued to support her through her ups and downs that sealed it for me. He made her feel seen, and he never stopped showing her that she mattered.

Mazey Eddings’ writing style is bright and animated. The descriptive scenes were so vivid, and her ability to balance humor, tension and emotional baggage made me not want to put the book down. Plus, I couldn’t write this review without mentioning the cover. It is suuuuuupeer adorable and fully represented the vibes and relationship in the story. It’s perfect.

Overall, this was such a fun, heartfelt and steamy ride. I finished the book feeling satisfied and happy with the ending.

I really wanted to like this, but I think I just don’t resonate with this author’s style. I felt the main character was extremely unrelatable. I loved her sassiness and confidence but I didn’t buy that this guy she went on four dates with would hold that much emotional real estate in her years later. I can see how others would like this, but it was a big miss for me.

Eva is vapid and obnoxious- she’s truly the worst FMC I’ve read. Her man-hating is unnecessary and over the top. Her toxicity isn’t cute- it’s annoying and the true reason for her constant unhappiness. She couldn’t even be grateful for a free brunch. I saw a few reviews that said she was relatable and it made me really sad for those people.

She’s so angry, seemingly just because of her belief that misogyny rules the world, her dreams should’ve come to her easily, and that all men should be hated no matter what. She really just needs to get over herself.

Rylie calls her witty and she tries hard to be, but she’s not. I felt like the author tried too hard to make her this witty badass modern woman. When she just came across as a bitter and entitled hag.

On the flip side, Rylie was a breath of fresh air. He’s sweet, funny, and genuinely likable—one of the better MMCs I’ve seen in contemporary romance. Unfortunately, his charm and warmth were overshadowed by Eva’s negativity. When she says, “I don’t know how I managed to get so lucky,” I found myself agreeing—because I didn’t know either.

azey Eddings' Well, Actually is a fun, quick read with a lot of promise. It takes a clever premise—a viral rant between a talk show host and her reformed ex—and uses it to explore themes of second chances and personal growth. While the book has its heartwarming moments and a witty banter that keeps the pages turning, it doesn’t quite hit the mark for a truly memorable romance, leaving me with mixed feelings.

The story centers on Eva, a jaded talk show host, and her college ex, Rylie, a social media personality who now preaches about deconstructing toxic masculinity. When their old conflict goes viral, they decide to salvage their careers by embarking on a series of staged dates for his channel. The early interactions between Eva and Rylie are the highlight of the book. Their snarky exchanges and undeniable chemistry are genuinely engaging, and it’s satisfying to watch them both grapple with their past and present selves. The novel shines when it focuses on the humorous and vulnerable aspects of their manufactured relationship.

However, the execution doesn't fully live up to the initial concept. The pacing feels a bit rushed, especially in the latter half, which makes the emotional development feel less earned. The grand gestures and declarations of love feel a bit too sudden, and I found myself wanting more depth and introspection from the characters. The resolution to their conflict, while sweet, felt a little too neat and lacked the emotional punch I was hoping for. While the book is certainly an enjoyable escape, it ultimately feels more like a light snack than a full, satisfying meal.

In the end, Well, Actually is an entertaining romance with a solid premise and charming characters. It’s a good choice for a rainy afternoon read, but it won't be a book I return to again and again. It provides a sweet and witty journey, but for a story that aims to explore such a complex history between its protagonists, I was hoping for a bit more emotional weight.

Review: Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mazey Eddings delivers a bold, whip-smart romance in Well, Actually, a second-chance love story that’s as emotionally raw as it is laugh-out-loud funny. Eva Kitt is not your typical rom-com heroine—she’s prickly, cynical, and deeply wounded by a toxic workplace and a past relationship that left scars. When her viral TikTok rant about her college ex, Rylie Cooper, catapults her into the spotlight, Eva is forced to confront the man who broke her heart—now a beloved social media figure preaching emotional accountability.

What follows is a brilliant satire of influencer culture, media manipulation, and the commodification of personal pain. The staged “redemption arc” between Eva and Rylie—complete with fake dates and public debriefs—is both hilarious and uncomfortably real. Eddings doesn’t shy away from the messiness of healing, and she gives both characters space to grow without rushing their reconciliation.

Eva’s voice is razor-sharp, and her journey from guarded skeptic to someone willing to risk vulnerability is deeply satisfying. Rylie, meanwhile, is more than a reformed golden retriever—he’s a man learning how to own his past and earn forgiveness. Their chemistry crackles, and the emotional payoff is worth every awkward date and biting exchange.

Well, Actually is more than a romance—it’s a social commentary wrapped in snark and sincerity. Eddings proves that love stories can be fierce, feminist, and unapologetically real.

3.5 stars
Mazey Eddings’s wit is unmatched, and the wry humor of the narration absolutely carried this book for me. Second chance romance is my favorite romance trope, and Mazey Eddings is an author I typically enjoy, so I had very high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to those expectations.
The biggest pitfall of this book for me was Eva. I wanted so badly to like her, but she was so messy and toxic in a way that, if not completely unjustified, was at least ultimately unchallenged by the narrative. This book, and Eva directly, held Rylie to an unrealistically high standard. The entire premise of the book is about how he has to make up for the way he treated Eva in college. Not once is he given the benefit of the doubt, even once we learn the (very legitimate) reasons as to why he acted the way he did.
This standard felt even more unreasonable when contrasted with Eva’s actions throughout the present timeline. She does almost exactly the same things to Rylie in the present that he did in the past, and while he is villainized in the narrative for those actions, hers are waved away because “she’s acting out of hurt”. There’s no accountability, and very little meaningful growth in Eva’s character, because the book never acknowledges this imbalance between the standards Rylie and Eva are held to.
That said, I did binge this book in one sitting. Eddings’s prose is compulsively readable, and the comedic timing and biting banter had me giggling through multiple scenes. There were even moments, despite my qualms, between Eva and Rylie where I felt their connection and was rooting for them to figure their differences out and find a way to grow together. I think this book will have its fans, but unfortunately I cannot confidently say that I am one of them.

This was an ok romance read, some bits of the pacing towards the end weren’t for me but overall it was entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.

I loved the concept of a fun bitchy female lead with a sarcastic male lead. Eva and Rylie were so fun and such real characters. I loved that online dating show and Amelia and my favorite person ever.

The characters and concept work together very well. I loved it and its a slutty little books.

I really enjoyed this one! I liked the romance and the dynamic the characters had, also the banter was so good! I enjoyed the story itself and found it to be an interesting concept for a romance! Overall this was a fun read that I definitely recommend checking out!

I found the language in this book to be extremely crass even from the first chapter and don’t prefer to read books that are so casual and flippant in their language. I thought the writing was engaging and I’m sure it will appeal to those who are looking for a fun fiction romance.

“𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.”

𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
This was such a cute yet turbulent second-chance romance. From hot dogs to podcasts to the NYC backdrop, there are so many elements that make you fall in love with this book.

What really made this book shine for me was Rylie Cooper. He’s the kind of character you can’t help but fall for. He's honestly the ultimate green flag wrapped in charm, patience, and sincerity. Watching their relationship grow through "dating" podcasts was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, and I loved seeing them stumble through banter and vulnerability on air while quietly falling for each other off-mic.

If you need a second-chance romance where the MMC gives off Clark Kent vibes... definitely pick this one up!

🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂:
🌭 Second-chance romance
🎙️ Forced proximity
🌭 LGBTQ Rep
🎙️ Black cat x golden retriever