Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy, I’m absolutely telling everyone to read this. I loved this one, 4.75 for me! It would be a 5 but the pacing got a little off about 2/3 into it but still great. I was laughing the entire time. This felt different than the romances I’ve been reading and just a unique slow burn while working through some serious relationship trauma. Gotta love a head strong funny FMC and the fact the author was able to encompass so many different topics felt much more than your basic romance.

Absolutely loved this one!! So cute! I thought the characters were well written, I loved the plot and romance in the book. This was my first Mazey Eddings book and I devoured it

Chicken Shop Date anyone?

Eva Kitt hosts a show that interviews celebs that is very much Chicken Shop date but with hot dogs. She makes a viral video bashing an ex who happens to be a social media sweetheart and now she has to work with him. Rylie is determined to make up for his past toxic behavior but Eva isn’t one to just give in.

This book had a fun plot and I really loved the back and forth between the characters. I will say that for me, it was hard to read at times. Eva came off as mean and hateful at times and perhaps that’s because Rylie was just as sweet as can be. From wanting to communicate and be vulnerable to really trying to grow and improve, Rylie was a joy to read. Eva on the other hand was very abrasive and that made it hard for me to connect with her. She was constantly throwing insults and jabs at Rylie and I feel lacked self awareness. One of the best scenes in the book was a moment with therapy where we do see Eva start to take a closer look at herself and be vulnerable.

This books also explores a toxic work environment. There is no job worth being treated poorly. Period.

Overall I liked this book but didn’t love it.

Thank you so much to Mazey Eddings, NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This feels so much like RPF of Andrew Garfield on that chicken shop date that I did google when that chicken shop date was to see if the time lines could match (conclusion? They don’t not match). I *really* wanted to like it! I’ve recommended “Late Bloomer” far and wide! I didn’t like this book.

I think it’s primarily Eva. She’s not nice! It was so hard for me to see what Rylie was into with her that I genuinely just gave up and accepted that, for some reason, aggressive emotional whiplash is just doing it for him.

I can see where parts of it are funny! I get what other people might like about it, but ultimately I disliked this so much I’m not sure my attachment to “Late Bloomer” will convince me to give MaEy Eddings another try.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 out of 5

An Absolutely Delightful Surprise! 

From the opening line:....
"I always expected my career would revolve less around wieners than it does." 
... to the second line of the about the author: "She can most often be found reading romance novels under her weighted blanket and asking her husband to bring her snacks." 

How can you NOT want to immediately read this book and f to so much based on the 2nd sentence.

Within in pages I was 100% hooked. Even the book dedications is outfitted with a vocabulary  entry from the author's personal dictionary:

"Hot Girl /hAHt gurl/ n. 1. a state of being irrelevant of appearance, gender identity, or age 2. a mindset found at the intersection of empowerment, enthusiasm, anger, freedom, excitement, defiance, and happiness (from the personal dictionary of Mazey Eddings) To all the Hot Girls, especially those that rise to the occasion when men need to be taken down a notch. " That last bit makes me feel seen on so many levels. 

When reading I don't typically annotate especially as I primarily use my Kindle. For this ARC I have a total of 20 entries, some of which are multiple paragraphs so I'll do my best to sum up:

From the opening Eddings sense of humor but also deep understanding of the lingering effects of trauma on mental health is as relatable as it is revealing. The story wears the clothes of a lovely rom-com; a reimagined version of the 2003 film, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days only in Eddings version both members of the couple are completely on the up and up and their dynamic is not based on lies or winning bets/accounts; it's about giving second chances and recognizing your own value and worthiness. 


Eva has a past full of doubt, insecurities, self-deprication, loneliness, masking and trying to be exactly what everyone wants... Can anyone say perfectionism and people pleaser? She experiences a painful breakup in which she has allowed herself to be vulnerable only to be ghosted. Naturally these injuries cut deep and along with the trauma inflicted by her careless family, the ripples negatively impact all of her relationships moving forward. Eva is biting, witty and downright hilarious but harbors a deep resentment toward herself which was very relatable as humor and sarcasm are great deflectors. 

Rylie is the perfect sunshine cinnamon roll MC but knows how to pull out the growl and power when needed...which is sheer perfection. His own story is caked in trauma but unlike Eva, Rylie in his quest to get into Eva's good graces, takes us all on a journey through his past and shows that he continues to move forward with healing. That willingness to share vulnerable information is major and in doing so can help encourage others to do so as well.

l
The 🌶️ + 🧲 tension + 🗣️witty banter + he falls first is the most epic combination in a book. The scenes are not only hot but also respectful, sensual, intimate rather than aggressive and greedy. Oh and did I mention I came across what I think is one of sexiest sentences I've read in a long time especially when understanding all the faucets to the banter leading up to the quote.

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"So use me, Eva. Make an example of me. Help me show people what it’s like to work for it.” 🥵

I only have two cons about this book and the reason it's get the rating it does. 

1) Early on Eva speaks a bit about her family, lack of identity or value or presence in her own home and how it has made her feel drawn to the "don't take up space" mentality. It's what makes the ending of her initial relationship with Rylie so painful and how that pain feasts on her anxieties and self doubt like a cancer. I mean for goodness sake, she never even considered what SHE herself liked in the bedroom and just did whatever she could to keep her partner happy!!! Babe! No Babe! No! But then as the focus  of the novel shifts to the rebirth of her relationship with Rylie, the damage done by her parents is never ever addressed again or exposed. She never openly heals those wounds; wounds that involve a grown ass man belittling a child who was hazed/bullied, put in a dangerous situation by siblings and who experienced real phobia level fear. It's no wonder Eva would struggle with vulnerability AND be suspetible to workplace bullying/harassment; she's been taught that she isn't good enough as herself and her only value is what she can be/do for others. I would have loved to see Eva find herself on the path to healing in regards to those wounds. 

2) Eva is described to have been an outcast in her own family; the biological child of a parent from a precious marriage who is then ignored in favor of the biological and other step-siblings. Before I get I to the crooks of my con, what happened to Eva's mother? Why do we not have a bookend to why Eva was subjective to spending years watching her father build an entire new family with her on the sidelines but not invited on to the field? But I digress; the con has more to do with her friends. Given all I've stated above, you would think that the found family trope would strike quick and hard... But instead the side characters of Aida and Ray fall a bit flat especially in regards to the conflict between Aida and Eva that spans for a good 30% of the book (occuring before the major "climax" - hehehe - of the book) in which Aida's reasoning for her negative feelings is so unfair to Eva, that Eva ends up being the one to beg for and fall on her sword in the name of forgiveness. I also think that given that small u current of the novel relates to the LGBTQIA+ community,  I'm bummed about the under utilization of Ray and Lilith as side characters. 


Beyond that I lover the book and can't wait to own it in hard copy too... 


Bravo job @mazeyEddings!!!👏😍

Mazey Eddings books are always a treat, but this was a showstopper. The depth of character development and the tension between Rylie and Eva was palpable. The story was full of tense moments, but were handled with so much heart. I think it's necessary for women in early career to see on page displays of what workplace harrasment looks like, and this genuinely painted a vivid picture of a harrowing topic.

I enjoyed this a lot, and look forward to future reads by Eddings.

Well, Actually begins with Eva Kitt, who is the hostess of a low level celebrity interview show that involves eating sausage. One drunken evening, she uploads a video talking bad about and ex who has his own podcast and the two end up paired up for some dates to show he has improved as a person. I feel like this would have been a decent lovers to enemies to lovers rom com but it tried to do a little too much. 3 ⭐️ thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured this book. Mazey is the queen of banter, I audibly laughed out loud so many times in this book. I loved how much of a golden retriever Rylie was and how much of a black cat Eva is. It added so much humor in the book. Eva is a firecracker and Rylie was such a sweetheart. And the spicy scenes were chefs kiss. Another amazing book by Mazey!!

While I enjoyed the concept of Well, Actually, and the storyline itself had good potential, I just feel like we fell short somewhere.

I'm not sure what it is, but some of the characters & their flow felt inconsistent. It also felt like I was reading a book written to describe what living through watching Buzzfeed! circa 2015-2017 felt like. Which is fine if that is what you want, but I would prefer to go back and just rewatch the old Buzzfeed! videos if that's the case.

That truly I believe comes down to personal preference, and I know so many people who would likely loveeeee that type of vibe. The other thing is.. "kitten"? I don't love that pet name at all. icky.

Again, a lot of this does come down to personal preference, and the book itself was good. I just feel like it could have been so much better. and had so much more potential.

I’ve read quite a few mazey eddings books and she writes very seamlessly and smooth, they’re just pretty easy to read books. Which is always nice

Really loved the concept of Well, Actually, but surprisingly this just wasn't for me. So bummed that I didn't enjoy this more because I typically love Mazey's books.

God damn, the man Rylie is. I see so much of myself in Eva, and now I have the blueprint of exaclty the man I need. Quirky, condescending, and snarky Eva. A second chance romance done so well. I really enjoyed how this all played out, and excited to see more by this author!

Tilly in Technicolor was my first novel by Eddings, and I was excited to read her next novel. In Well, Actually, she proves, regardless of audience, she knows how to convey authentic relationships: those we have with ourselves, our friends, and our romantic partners.

I think what I loved the most was just how real Eva is at all times. She doesn’t have some fake persona, and she’s resigned herself to being alone, the unchosen, over trying to become someone she’s not. It makes her exceedingly relatable to those of us who are the grumpy in the grumpy x sunshine dynamic.

I loved Eva’s entire dynamic with Rylie, (can we say top notch banter?) and how much he wanted to prove himself to her. I appreciated the conversations around Eva’s goals, and how despite Eddings writing her with a harsh exterior, how she struggled to advocate for herself in the workplace.

Overall, a cute second chance romance that dives into larger issues of toxic masculinity, misogyny, and workplace harassment. I loved the focus and attention this story brought to those topics, as well as mental health. You can, quite simply, never go wrong picking up a Mazey Eddings novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Review

The cover was cute. That's an interesting first line for sure, definitely got me interested! I reread the summary after reading that and it made me laugh! This show reminds me of that chicken shop show with Amelia but with hot dogs and lower rated celebs. The column actually sounds pretty interesting, I wonder if that app exists irl. She's bi and open to a lot. Her ex? Two months? That video sounds interesting but maybe a drunk mistake? The aftermath of her posting that video and the whole professional outcome of it all. The last him seems interesting but I wonder what changed in him. The meeting and wow they are captializing on it? Of course they are and she's agreeing to the interview. The interview time and this sounds like a funny video. A do-over? That date idea sounds like good content tbh! He's clearly going through something but I wonder what. Her accidentally sending him a text is funny to me. Not her getting off to him but hating him so much. Wow the domino effect of what happened on the date with the cork and the flowers and the wreck. A private tour at the met? A second thing? Damn being afraid of heights too, wow he couldn't have planned a worse date if he tried. Horrible brothers and a dad with that attitude? No wonder she has bad trauma. Meeting new and old people as well as the lea Michelle quote (It made me giggle). The podcast was so cute, he knew so much about her! The show after the podcast! Brunch and the way that this author explains feelings and love is everything to me. I need to read more of her books. Wow he's down bad, I wish we could get his pov! A real date? He's bi? He took her for coffee and explained what happened. His sister died?!? The filming of this video and William is DISGUSTING! Couples therapy?!? Woah that was heavy. She kisses him and obviously more. Wow rylie! A mistake? Woah she just left him and did a walk of shame after he went to the bathroom, so fucked up but it is a fucked up situation as a whole. It being posted on social media and him quick to come over with food and tell her that he likes her. The Mac and cheese. They kissed again. They are everything, I love them together! That message from her boss, yuck. Feet lmao what? They give me vibes like me and my husband do, playing with each other and joking but always having fun and loving each other. They are bf and gf finally!! Her ray and aida talking and her bosses coming in to confront her when rylie is right behind them and then him coming up and basically being sidelined for Eva standing up for herself, wow! The event and the food! An auction? Not the monster mash line actually working lmao. Wtf is this meeting even. Fired?!?! Woah wtf people are so insane for posting that. Her literally trying to break up because of this crazy mess and him just being like no. Aida is there and someone at sound bites leaked it? I vote for one of the bosses to have done it! William did it? Aida is quitting as well, wow! The article wow I'm glad she got the media she deserved and I hope it works out for her. I'm so happy they got together, I love it. Such a great book!

Quotes: "I always expected my career would revolve less around weiners than it does."

"Stop being so charming or I might fall in love with you"

I rated it out five of five stars!

I was kindly provided with the arc of this book by NetGalley and the editors in exchange of an honest review, thank you ✨

4⭐️

This book was so cute, and I really enjoyed all the plot points being how women has to deal with misogyny and sexism in work environments, and also we have to deal with people criticizing all the choices we make not only at work but also in private lives, it was very well written and I really liked how Eva took control of the situation she was dealing with, she’s a boss ✨🛐 and of course I loved Rylie, he was so damn cute and supportive with Eva and also he was determinate to win her over again and make things right with her ✨

Eva is working as a podcaster doing demoralizing work eating hotdogs (yes, weird) while interviewing. A guy she hooked up with in college, Rylie, has a more successful podcast. His is based on being this great guy and knowing what women want to need. Eva cause bullshit and one drunken night makes a video exposing all he did to her in this turns into a where her employer wants to leverage the buzz with him and they agreed to go out on dates to see if he can fix what he broke years ago.

This was an OK book, it does highlight the terrible nature of some employers. I also think she was pretty quick to forgive him, even though he was wallowing in grief. It just seemed to not even be a slow burn as much as 0 to 60.

If you're like me, you want to read this book because of its similarities to Chicken Shop Date. Sausage Talk, hosted by Eva Kitt, is like this world's CSD where Eva interviews c and occasionally b list celebrities in a sarcastic but endearing way. One drunken night, Eva makes a video about her terrible college experience with popular podcast host, Rylie Cooper, where he deconstructs toxic masculinity. Eva wakes up to find the video has absolutely blown up and to her dismay, Rylie has liked the video and followed her! Thus, our story is set.

I adored the banter in this book. It was so amazing seeing Eva just absolutely going into Rylie and Rylie giving it right back and wanting all sides of her! There were a lot of pop culture references in this book, so be mindful if you are really against that. I thought it was done well but sometimes boarded on a little too much. This book was so funny and touching and far deeper than I was expecting (not in a bad way). There was so much drama related to Eva’s work and I felt like screaming at so many different points when she has to actually do her job. Hopefully not a spoiler, but Eva’s bestie is also her producer which causes a lot of drama and strife in her personal life. Spoiler bit: Aida really pissed me off and so did Ray bc I reaaalllyyyy felt like Aida was a shitty friend and did NOT acknowledge that as much as she should have. Like yeah should Eva have been a better friend? Yes, no doubt. But Aida was way worse, but maybe I’m the problem.

Perfect for you if you forced proximity (ish), second chance romance done right, strong fiery women, sweet head over heels men obsessed with their partner and you flirt by being mean!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin and the author for an ARC for my honest review :) This book is expected to be released on August 5, 2025

This is def one of my top 10 reads of this year! I absolutely fell in love with the cover and had to pick this book up. The concept was super interesting and I absolutely loved the relationship between the mc’s.

I already know the FMC is going to be so hated on cause this world continues to hate on grumpy women who take a little bit of time to trust others 😑but i absolutely loved my girl

The MMC was so attentive and patient with her and i loved their dynamics together. Truly the perfect rep of black cat girlfriend x golden retriever boyfriend 🤭

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's for this ARC!

Unfortunately, I was not able to really enjoy this book as much as I wanted to.

I found Eva to be annoying and Riley to be boring. Riley's first and last name being used interchangeably threw me off a bit because I did not understand what name he preferred to use.

The pop culture references were too much for me. If someone did not spend a lot of time online, they would get confused on some of the references.

↬"I'm so deep in this I would crawl through hell on my hands and knees over a bed of broken glass before I let you go again."

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book!

OMGGGGG!! I could not put this book down! I am completely in love with this book and these characters. This was such an amazing and powerful book. I love how many deep and important topics the author was able to include in this book and highlight each one's importance. I also like how she was able to include so much vulnerability from both characters while still making the story fun and witty.

I am completely mesmerized by their relationship. While trying to get through their issues they were able to find each other and it was so beautiful. I also loved how the author showed that these characters both had a lot of history not only with each other but also history of their own which made them feel very real and relatable.

I love both of the characters. I love how Riley was so kind and was always able to pull Eva out of her bubble by simply making himself present and showing her that he was there to stay. I loved how Eva was so strong but also vulnerable at the same time. She was very tough to the world but let herself be vulnerable and open with Riley. I also loved how much they complemented each other and helped each other.

Another thing that I really appreciated was their banter. Their banter was simply EXCEPTIONAL! It made me laugh many times throughout the book. This made the book feel lighthearted in some parts (since it deals with many delicate and important topics) and really fun!

Overall, this book was incredible and I loved everything about it! I am extremely excited to read more of this author's books!!