Thank you NetGalley for providing me this book to read but Why am i so unlucky with books lately..

The male character is an ass. He’s pathetic tbh. And this whole story is strange and goofy but I just don’t like it😭😭😭 Jesus maybe it’s me but if the first few sentences don’t captivate me, I’m moving on.. my TBR is wayyyy to long to waste.

A romantic book with Chicken Shop Date vibes - a delightful read. Entertaining characters with lots of the rom com tropes that we love!

Well, Actually stunned me with its sharp humor, unique and likable characters, and addictive plot.

I’m an extremely picky reader who rarely bestows 5 stars, but it’s easy to give them to this book. The writing is hilarious (and I usually don’t find books funny).

Eva is a relatable heroine and a refreshing one; she’s complex and not all sunshine and fluffiness. Rylie is a perfect counterpart, also an unusual leading man who is in touch with his emotions and is not afraid to be vulnerable. They’re very Gen Z. This book is also very current and pro-LGBTQ, pro-journalism, and anti-toxic workplaces.

The second chance romance was full of on-trend references and clever banter, and I think a lot of people may be able to connect with the variety of diverse characters. Mazey Eddings is undoubtedly a skilled writer – I love books that don’t recycle the same terms throughout, and this was one of them! As with other readers, I drew a connection between Eva, the FMC, and Amelia Dimoldenberg from Chicken Shop Date, and often it was easy for me to picture Eva’s deadpan, sarcastic delivery because as I read, I imagined I was watching Amelia! Admittedly, sometimes Eva’s humor crossed the line into cruel territory for me, which unfortunately made me struggle to find her likeable at times.

The toxic work environment was abhorrent – I am not excusing the depicted behavior of her supervisors – but I was a bit frustrated that the main character’s own dishonesty at work was seemingly portrayed in a way that was excusable. It came across as unprofessional and immature to me.

Spicier than the other books I’ve read by this author – although I admittedly didn’t read “Late Bloomer,” so it could be on par with that book in terms of spice level!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Well done modern take on second chances. Podcasters have a viral beef and agree to go on dates so he can right some wrongs from the past and she gets a career opportunity to be a real journalist. The best part of the book is the emotional aspect. While they were in a long or really big relationship, they both left with scars and varying ways of dealing. The story cuts to the heart of why each character is the way they are and how they can grow individually and together. Eddings mixes in a good amount of humor and spicy scenes to round out this great story. Hard to not picture Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, which isn’t a bad thing. Check this one out.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Full disclosure: I am a Mazey Eddings stan. She is always a delight to read, and her books are always so fresh and fun.

I didn't think any book could top Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake for me as my favorite Mazey book, until Well, Actually. Well, Actually was such a fun read, I laughed out loud, I cried, and just was in awe on the genius that is Mazey and her writing. I also loved that we got such fun cameos in the book.

I love a black cat/golden retriever book where he falls first. Also a messy heroine that is layered and real, but oh so loving and funny. It's hard to write a character that is a black cat and so lovable while she treats everyone else not so great until she realizes she's allowed to be happy. Eva and Rylie were perfection. Eva from her drunken tiktok maligning Rylie to Rylie taking ownership so quickly and just wanting to make it right. The journey these characters went on was beautiful and Mazey always does a phenomenal job of taking big, heavy topics and somehow making them fun.

And honestly, the jomforter sent me. I was cracking up.

** spoiler alert ** Thank you to Netgalley for the EARC of this book for an honest review!

This was a really cute book! Everyone's predictions about it being a Chicken Shop Date bit is right on the money in my opinion. It was really cute and surprisingly pretty spicy for a book like this. I was expecting like one major spicy scene but no we get a couple!

I am not rating this higher because I just wasn't a super big fan of the FMC but she wasn't terrible. Her fighting her feelings for the MMC was right at the line of being annoying and thank god she didn't fight it any longer because I was almost rolling my eyes at how much she fought her feelings for him.

I liked the deep dive on their interactions in college, and I felt like the author did a good job of hashing out those feelings in a realistic way. I was shocked at how much I liked the couples therapy idea they did and how well it worked out for them. It felt like a realistic take on how real people would act in a situation like this.

I would absolutely recommend this to people and I will read other stuff from the author. It was a fun quick read that is worth putting on your TBR!

I have been increasingly uncomfortable with romance novels that are clearly clones of real life people and situations, and this Chicken Shop-adjacent romance is no exception to my discomfiness. However! I really enjoyed Mazey Eddings' latest romance. Such fun, such great writing, and what a cover! Would that all cartoon covers had this much care put into them.

Oh my goodness! This is now my favorite Mazey book and my favorite read of 2025 so far!
I loved these characters, Eva and Rylie, and the storyline so dang much! Their connection and banter…OMG!!! I couldn’t stop giggling throughout the whole book!!!
Eva is a journalist who interviews B-list celebrities over eating hot dogs but longs to cover hard-hitting stories. Feeling like she is stuck in her career one drunken night, she posts online a fiery rant about her college ex, Rylie, a well-know podcaster/influencer. Her rant ends up going viral, and Eva is fully in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Rylie uses his podcast to teach men how to be better partners. He goes on Eva’s show to prove he’s a changed man and ends up proposing that he and Eva go on a series of dates to prove himself! The more time they spend together, Eva must decide if Rylie is truly sincere and might actually understand her.
Their banter is so delicious! And the chemistry is just through the roof! I don’t think I have loved a couple this much!
This read is so so so fun! You will not be disappointed!!! A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

the book had a fun premise and lot of potential.
The banter was sharp, the dynamic between the main characters was interesting at first. But as the story went on, the female lead's attitude became somewhat frustrating . The romance had its moments, but it felt dragged down by too much unresolved tension.Overall, it was a good read.

The banter! The tenderness! Be still my heart!

Eva, my girl. I see you. I feel you. I was a version of you in my twenties. Yours is the story so many of us have lived both personally and professionally. Even though you molded yourself this way for a reason, I wish I were half as badass as you, especially as you evolved into a version both softer and stronger.

Rylie, you put in the work. The therapy. The pain. And good on you for calling Eva on her bullshit, yet loving her for it too. For pushing her and supporting her.

Mazey, you’ve done it again. Better than just again. More and bigger and brighter and deeper.

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

The concept of the "chicken shop" dates is something I have craved in a book format for way too long. Mazey Eddings has taken this trope and made it her own. She doesn't shy away from good representation in her books. Golden retriever x black cat is the characterisation which fits like a glove to Eva and Riley. Sometimes, she could be a little too mean and that's why there is one star less. All in all, good romance book for a long train ride!

The vibes are giving "Amelia's chicken shop date with Andrew Garfield" in the absolute best way.
We have a black FMC and a reformed himbo who wants to make up for the ways he hurt her in the past by taking her on dates. It is very funny and quirky. Our FMC has a lot of hurt that she has held on to for 6 years and gets to let go of it through therapy. The MMC is so besotted with her it almost borders on top sweet at times but is absolutely adorable And the vibes are worth the read.
I do wish it wasn't it wasn't hot dogs though...

This started off with a bang and a whole lot of Chicken Shop Date vibes. I was cackling right from the jump. The FMC is witty and strong while the MMC is soft and swoony. The plot was really well thought out and realistic which made it easy to invest in. The character development was definitely there but I do wish the FMC had been less of a bully. It went from badass girl boss to downright hateful. Her inner monologue NEVER matched her outward actions, and it became very frustrating to witness. She held onto that grudge far longer than most, even AFTER he explained what happened/where he was in life at the time. It felt a little like the amount of time invested in getting her to the point of deciding not to be an asshole overrode the employment plot line. Due to this, we don't get resolution until the epilogue. It worked though, and we were able to wrap everything up with a 4-star rating and a lot of love for this title/author.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this ARC!

This book was an absolute delight and such an enjoyable read. From the very first chapter, it hooked me with its unique premise and charming storytelling. The chemistry between the two main characters, Eva and Rylie, is magnetic and keeps you flipping pages eagerly.

Eva is a headstrong, determined protagonist with a vulnerable side that makes her incredibly relatable especially for those who crave love but are afraid of what it might bring. On the other hand, Rylie is such a lovable character: funny, sweet, and surprisingly complex as his journey unfolds.

What does it say when I am 60% into the book and main characters about to kiss and I all I keep saying it: “Please don’t”

I don’t even know how to describe this but to saying both Eva and Rylie should have stayed far far away from each other. Their relationship was so not health, you have to be blind not to see that.
Too much baggage? Too much drama?
We spent 60% trying to figure out what went wrong. If it would be up to me, I would make them walk away from each other and the end.
But no, we needed multiple sex scenes that just proved why they shouldn’t be together.
Don’t even get me started on Eva’s work place. Just yucks.

Mazey Eddings crafts a story that explores the possible consequences of sharing your life on social media and the toxic corporate work environment where bottom lines are the biggest concern. The mental health representation in this book depicts how our own insecurities can get in the way of our potential for success and the relationships that surround us. An overall moving romance that gives readers a glimpse into navigating issues that impact us all.

Well, Actually is a witty second chance romance by Mazey Eddings. This was my first read by this author and I did enjoy it.

The banter between main characters, Eva and Rylie, was very witty and entertaining. I found myself actually laughing out loud at certain scenes, especially in the first half of the book. I also enjoyed some of the smaller details like all of Rylie’s embroidered crew necks and some of Eva’s interviews with the random C list celebrities.

Eddings did a great job of using the black cat/golden retriever trope although I do think Eva was maybe a bit too harsh at times. It was definitely a coping mechanism but she took it a little too far sometimes and it felt a tad unrealistic that Rylie would put up with all of it.

The spicy scenes were great but I felt like we almost lost the plot a little bit in the second half of the book. While I’m not opposed to multiple bedroom scenes the fact that they were all in a row I think took away from the story line. It might have been better to have been broken up with some of the gala/workplace storylines interspersed to move the story along.

I did really appreciate that there was no third act breakup and that there was some sweet revenge at the end. I would’ve liked a little more to the epilogue but I was happy with the ending we got. Overall, I would give this book a 3.5⭐️ and I will be looking out for more books by this author in the future!

Definitely read this book if you like:
🖤 Black cat/golden retriever
🖤 Second chance romance
🖤 Witty banter
🖤 Queer representation
🖤 He falls first
🖤 Exes to lovers
🖤 Pro therapy

Thank you so much NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy!

This was my first read by this author, but I definitely need to read some of her other works.

I loved the banter between Riley and Eva. I was literally laughing out loud at a few of the scenes.

Be on the look out PUB Date 08/05/25

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the e arc.

I wanted to like this book so much. I couldn’t finish it.
The female main character was over the top snarky and down right rude. It was irritating to continuously read the same bad attitude on her part. And it was a poor way to “hide” her feelings.
I have enjoyed other books by Eddings and she even mentioned some of her other characters so that was fun.
This book in particular contained a little chemistry, but was hard to get through overall.


Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.