Well, Actually is the first book I have read by Mazey Eddings, but it won’t be the last! This was a witty contemporary romance with so many great tropes; from second chance to black cat/golden retriever to workplace/social media, it had a little bit of everything! To top it all off, the banter was bantering. Eva was an FMC that we don’t usually get in romcoms. She’s sarcastic, cynical, and demanding; doing everything she can to hide the fact that she does indeed have a vulnerable side. She is the perfect opposite to Rylie’s people-pleasing (read: Eva-pleasing) personality. He’s truly a walking green flag.

This book had great representation and was truly a delight to read! The expected publication date for Well, Actually is August 5, 2025. Do yourself a favor and give it a try! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This will probably be one of my top reads of the whole year. The banter alone is worth reading every word of this book! And the characters were phenomenally fleshed out. Such a brilliant read

A second-chance romance featuring the bitter host of a clickbait web show and the Woke Bro who dumped her in college, Well, Actually features a feisty heroine with BDE and a goofy romantic lead with softboi vibes. While not part of a series, it peripherally features characters from Mazey Eddings's other books and is perfect for fans who want a little bite from their fmc and are looking for characters to actually grow before getting back together.

Although the ending felt a bit rushed, I otherwise enjoyed Eva and Rylie's relationship, the pacing of their romance, and the black cat/golden retriever vibes. Mazey Eddings's books are hit-or-miss for me, but seem to end up as reliable three-star reads, and she remains an author I always want to give another chance. 3.5/5

This reminds me of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, sort of.

Eva Kitt is stuck interviewing B list or lower celebrities on a low budget talk show, which is far from the dream she had. When her one time crush pops up on her For You Page as an influencer dismantling toxic masculinity. Only issue? In Eva's mind, Rylie is toxic masculinity personified. When she calls him out in a video of her own, their bosses basically join forces so Riley can prove Eva wrong.

From what I remember, all of the aforementioned happens in about the first quarter to third of the book. While I liked it, it also wasn't super memorable for me, Rylie is referred to by his last name so much, I legit forgot his name wasn't actually Cooper.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Rylie and Eva were a great couple! They were such different people, but they worked so well as a couple. I loved how Rylie was so into Eva and put in the effort to win her over.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy!

I ate this book up WOW it was phenomenal. I was enamored and absolutely hooked on every word. The premise was fascinating, it was well executed, and I loved the progression throughout the story. I read this entire book in one sitting on the airplane. It made me feel so many emotions and utilized therapy in a way that I really enjoyed as someone who hates the mention of characters going to therapy and suddenly everything is magically fixed. I think this may be the second Mazey Eddings book that I read, and it will NOT be the last. This was serious, funny, and entertaining wrapped in one little romantic roll. Amazing read. The only thing that made me slightly uncomfortable was the use of the nickname "Kitten", but it had good reason, so I could mostly excuse it.

Mazey Eddings has such a distinct voice (ludicrously capacious bag, anyone?) This story is no different. I become a fan with Lizzie Blake and so much of that same charm is still woven through the pages, without sparing the depth we've come to expect from her.

Eva is black-catting and she finds her perfect foil in Rylie. I love to see a woman like Eva get her hard won HEA. Bisexuality rep is so important and Eddings does not shy away, giving Eva all the complexity she deserves. I was so fascinated by the way Eva's childhood and Rylie's [redacted past] played. a part in their initial story, and love the way it spun into the ending.

Mazey Eddings easily brings banter and laughs to the forefront in this romcom. A fast-paced and easy read, Eddings deals with some sensitive topics in a respectful way as always.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the ARC. This book has recently been published.

Absolutely great banter and undeniably steamy. Rylie was fantastic—effortlessly charming and layered. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Eva, but I still found myself rooting for her. Their back-and-forth jabs were genuinely hilarious and easily the standout feature of the book.

This second-chance romance will likely appeal to many fans of the genre. I'd personally rate it closer to 3.5 stars. I really appreciated how the characters felt flawed and human, rather than idealized, which added depth to the story. I liked the book, just not quite as much as I expected to.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC read. This was such a fun read. Great banter, golden retriever MMC and all the laughs that make a perfect ROMcom

I absolutely loved this book! Eva and Riley’s tension and banter made their love story one I wanted to read. It gave off The Hating Game energy in the best way possible. The entire approach to the story development was well done and felt fresh.

I didn't overly love this, but I also didn't hate this.

Both MC's are podcast personalities, Rylie (MMC) being more successful in his than Eva (FMC) in her demeaning podcast show. When Eva's drunken social media post towards Rylie ignites some traction, Eva's podcast company owners want to capitalize on the attention Rylie and Eva are receiving. Having to work together to create a bickering podcast together, both MC's discuss their dating past with one another, Rylie having ghosted her after a few dates.

I wish the story had a little more character depth, it felt little surface level just revolving around their work.

In this bitingly hilarious romantic comedy, Eva is paying her dues in journalism working as a host for “Sausage Talk,” where she provides sarcastic commentary over hot dogs and celebrity interviews. Eva posts on social media about her semi-famous ex, Rylie, criticizing their time together. After it goes viral, she is pressured by both Rylie and her work to give him a chance to make it up to her. He suggests that they go on six dates and then recap the dates for her show and for his social media, and he can demonstrate his personal growth to her and possibly have another shot with her. Eva is sure it’s all a ploy for clout, but it’s possible there’s more to the story.

This was such a funny book with a unique concept and excellent representation, which I always love to see! I read this during Pride month, not realizing it was a bi and pansexual rep romance, but that made it even better! I loved this aspect of the storyline and the honest discussion that the characters had regarding coming out. The “Sausage Talk” part reminded me a bit of the Hot Wings show, but turning it on its side and putting a spin on it- what if the host was a woman and what if there are sexual undertones?

Admittedly, Eva’s character won’t be for everyone. She’s what we call a black cat- but I loved that about her and so did Rylie. He loved how she was unapologetically herself and snarky, feisty, and guarded. He knew when to call Eva out and when to take her jabs. I laughed so many times reading this because it is that funny! If you don’t enjoy sarcasm and biting (pun intended) humor, this may not be your book. However, if you do- you’ll love this and get such a laugh out of these characters and their quirkiness.

If you enjoy innuendo, bi/pan rep, calling out misogynist workplaces, hot dogs, denim, and witty banter with sarcasm, you should definitely read this book! Thank you to Mazey Eddings and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

Mazey Eddings always has the most fun, witty banter in her books. Her female characters are always BURSTING with personality, and shine on the page. Eva is head strong, sarcastic, and sassy. She's not for everyone, she starts off scorned and shes sharp around the edges. But i liked her character, and she had a lot of growth. And somehow Mazey mad me fall in love with sweet Rylie in his non-ironic embroidered crewneck sweatshirts and slutty little glasses, the total perfect match to head-strong Eva. This book really put enemies in the "enemies to lovers" trope - Eva REALLY held a grudge and she was not afriad to tell her grievances straight to Rylie's face. There were just SO many funny one-liners in this book, I loved it! This one comes out in August, check it out if you want to laugh!

I really wanted to love Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings, but unfortunately, it just didn’t click with me. While I can see how others might enjoy the humor and voice, I personally had a hard time connecting with the characters and pacing. That said, Eddings clearly has a unique style, and I’m sure this will be a hit with the right audience, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Mazey Eddings has done it once again! I was a fan of her book Late Bloomer last year and to see another book coming to shelves had me jumping at it.

We start with our FMC Eva who hosts a hot dog program , which is more like Chicken Shop Date than you'd think. Eva is a FMC you love to hate. The epitome of an ice queen who can't let a grudge go and obviously doesn't believe people can change, at least at first.
Eva sees her college crush/one night stand on the internet talking about how men can defeat toxic masculinity which rightfully angers her because Cooper was the walking personification of toxic masculinity in college. One drunken stich and the next thing our leading man and lady know they're being forced into a series of dates for their respective internet shows/podcasts.

Cooper is everything you want in a healed MMC. He's vulnerable, in touch with his emotions, aware of how he screwed up in the past and wants to communicate thoroughly. Not to mention his Slutty glasses that clearly do it for Eva, and every other woman watching his show. Honestly, every straight woman deserves a Cooper at least once in their lives.

Now Eva won't be for everyone. I found myself hating her at certain points. She'd lash out and let her grudge holding self win when Cooper was clearly just trying to mend the wrongs he had caused. That's what makes her read so real though! How many times have we as people let our emotions, specifically anger, win? In books that may make her a dislikable character but if she were here in real life it would be easy to forgive her and allow her to redeem herself.

Well, Actually is a wonderful story of growth, forgiveness and finding love in accepting people for who they truly are. Plus if you like tropes, you're going to love this.

"It's such a luxury to love him like this, slow and unhurried, like we have nothing but time."

Okay so I went into this one with zero expectations and I have to say I actually really enjoyed this book. The way it was written, I felt like I was watching a movie!

The characters are such a true black cat x golden retriever pair which how can you not just love that?!

Eva is unapologetically her bad bitch self and Rylie Cooper is the definition of book boyfriend material. The way she hates (but secretly still holds a torch for) him while he is straight swooning and obsessed with her the entire time was it for me. Not to mention the teasing and chemistry these two had... chef's kiss.

Eva had me l o ling hardddd. The way this girl kept him on his toes with her quick witted comebacks had me on the floor. I ate it up it was so good.

This book is filled with banter, humour, charm + is just the perfect fun and flirty rom-com read!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc!

• Hate to Love
• Second Chance
• Black Cat x Golden Retriever
• Fake(ish) Dating
• Workplace Romance

Spice level: ♥ ♥ ♥ ½

This was definitely my favorite Mazey book to date! Eva and Rylie? Perfection!! This book was so poignant and checked all my boxes!

Mazey can do banter like nobody’s business and a bitchy FMC with a head over heels MMC just did something for me! Eva and Rylie’s back and forth had me laughing so hard!

I was rooting so hard for Eva to just get out of her own way and be happy with the person Rylie was able to grow into.

The main characters, the side characters, the plot, the romance, the smut, no notes, none whatsoever. This may be my favorite book of the year!

She did it again! I love when i hype up a book in my head and it’s better than i could’ve imagined. that’s what Mazey does with every single book she publishes!
the romance is too tier and the spicy scenes HIT THE SPOT 😉
I love a good redemption and that moment when a headstrong character finally realizes they actually might be in love with someone they didn’t want to be AHHH

The premise of the book reminded me of Amelia from Chicken Shop Date, which worked at some points but also hindered some of the "relatability" and believability of the book. The book was a cute read but Eva's hate for Rylie made it hard to digest and read at times. Enemies to Lovers/Second Chance romance tropes are not always my favorite but I usually come around because of the character development, but Eva's character never really made that evolution and hindered my enjoyment of the book. I would have also loved to get insight into Rylie's character development that happened pre-book to make him the likable character that he was. It will be interesting to see how the general public perceives this book. I think my age plays a part in not fully enjoying it but I can see Gen Z eating this book up.