Mazey Eddings has a knack for witty banter between her characters. Eva Kitt and Riley Cooper had a brief, but according to Eva, meaningful relationship in college until Riley ghosts her. Six years later in a drunken social media post, Eva calls out Riley (who is known somewhat famous). Things escalate like they do - and overall the banter held it together.

⭐️3.8 🌶️2.0

The banter in this book is top tier!! Eva is actually so funny - her sarcasm had me laughing out loud. I’m glad she stayed sarcastic and fierce throughout the entire book. I do wish we saw more characters, like their family members or some more friends. Also - the diversity and representation in this story is SO important. I’m so happy this book had multiple characters belonging in the LGBTQ+ community.

Overall, I really did love this book. I can’t wait for it to be released so everyone can read it! I loved it so much, I had to preorder a physical copy as a trophy lol

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC!

✨️ Second Chance
✨️ Banter
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ No Third Act Breakup
✨️ LGBTQA+ Rep (bisexual and pansexual MCs)
✨️ Golden retriever MMC
✨️ Mental Health/Therapy Rep
✨️ Spice Level: High (multiple detailed scenes)

Eva is an ice queen running on female rage and spite, and Rylie is the golden retriever trying to get back in her good graces. When Eva calls out Rylie on social media for his poor dating performance in college, the two are thrust back together, and Rylie gets 6 make-up dates to prove that here's changed.

The plot does stray away from the initial set up of the 6 make-up dates. It didn't bother me much because I liked that the characters got more vulnerable and real with each other. That being said, I did love the forced proximity and bickering brought on by the dates, so I would have thoroughly enjoyed more of them.

I loved the banter between Eva and Rylie and that there was no third act breakup. I also appreciated the LGBTQA+ and mental health and therapy representation. They were presented as normal things that people experience in their lives while also highlighting ways they can be challenging for the individuals and can affect their relationships.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am interested in reading more from this author. I would recommend it to someone who is looking for a contemporary rom-com that is okay with it straying into more serious territory from time to time. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I didn't have a "wow" moment when I finished or felt like it blew me away.
One last note: I love that the cover gives fan art vibes and is not the typical generic illustration style.

Second chance romance done very well. This was cute, sexy and a swoon worthy read. I cared about the characters and I didn’t find myself eye rolling so all good things. It’s a quick read that I definitely seeing romance fans liking.

My only main critique of this book is how unlikeable I ended up finding Eva and how I wished she got more character development in the end. However, I think it’s too easy to dismiss a strong, sharp-tongued, and tenacious FMC as “rude” so I did appreciate her assertiveness and her commitment to keeping her safe space and her goals wholeheartedly hers! I think that was admirable.

Other than that, I gave this book 4.25 stars! This was probably one of the funniest and wittiest romance novels I have read in AWHILE. When I tell you every single joke landed, IT ALL LANDED. The banter was off the charts and natural, not just between our main characters, but between all of the supporting characters. Mazey Eddings has impeccable comedic timing that had me throwing my head back laughing SEVERAL times throughout!

I LOVED the amount of representation in this book. The fact that LGBTQ2IA individuals were not only front and centre but also spotlighted as being one of the heroes to look up to in the novel (i.e. Lilith) is exceptionally monumental and does wonders. I think it’s too easy to downplay important issues like those prevalent in this community when you stick it in a romcom but this was not the case here. Everything was integrated with respect and sensitivity in a really validating and empowering way.

The chemistry between Rylie and Eva was undeniable! It leapt off the page. I don’t normally go for black cat x golden retriever tropes but this was exceptional.

I truly loved this book, which, in my opinion, was loosely based on the famous interview between Amelia Dimoldenberg, host of "Chicken Shop Date," and actor Andrew Garfield. Mazey Eddings basically took that perfect, swoon-worthy interview and turned it into a heartwarming romance. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood. No notes; this was perfection for me.

I found the characters relatable, Their flaws made sense based on their backgrounds. I like that the MC was emotionally mature and available to the FMC.

I unfortunately, was not able to finish this book. The layout of the text made it too difficult for me to read. I really like the premise and think it's similar to first time caller. It has a lot of potential and hope that lots of readers get to experience it.

GIVE ME MORE! Omg. I loved this book so much. I can't even tell you how many times I cackled out loud while reading. I highlighted so many of her quips and jabs!

I think everyone fell in love with Chicken Shop Date in the last year, so when I realized this had a similar tone, I was so excited to read it. I've read several other books by Mazey Eddings and have loved all of them and this was no exception.

I loved their dynamic together. She was mean and he was smitten - a total golden retriever. Aaaahhhh! It was so cute.

I seriously can't wait to read it again!

Well, Actually was a charming and witty read! The characters were endearing, and the romance had a great balance of humor and heart. The dialogue was sharp, and I found myself really invested in their journey. A fun, lighthearted book that’s perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good read!

I unfortunately dnf’ed this at about 50%. It was just not for me. I am not much for reading books with fampus people and stuff. But i wanted to give it a try… i thought the plot and summary sounded fun. And the fact that he called her kitten just made me scared, i wanted to run and hide. Never again.

As a millennial who grew up on the internet i absolutely loved this book. It’s a slow burn, sassy/sunshine book! A sassy FMC with a sunshine determined MMC. They have history, and the way they end up reconnecting again is hilarious! The banter is great throughout the entire book. I absolutely love sausage talk! Haha.

3.5⭐️

If you're looking for a quick read, with lots of banter and humor, and black cat FMC and golden retriever MMC vibes then you need to give this one a go! After a failed relationship/situationship 6 years ago, Eva and Rylie reconnect through a viral social media post and give themselves another try. Eva agrees to let Rylie take her on 6 dates to see if he's changed as a person since their time together in college.

The dynamic between these two characters was a lot of fun to read. Her dry humor mixed with his witty comebacks made their dialogue hilarious and had me highlighting so many quotes. The character growth for both characters was great! You hear about Rylie's personal growth over the past 6 years, and get to see Eva's growth play out in real time during the book.

Tropes/Themes:
- Romcom
- Second Chance
- Black Cat x Golden Retriever
- Bi & Pan MCs
- Right person/Wrong time

This book asks: what if your ex became a famous relationship influencer… and you accidentally torched him on live TV? That’s where Eva Kitt finds herself—professionally frustrated, publicly humiliated, and suddenly trending for all the wrong reasons. The fallout? Her ex, Rylie Cooper, swoops in with a PR-friendly plan: let’s date again, for the internet.

The setup is absurd in the best rom-com way, and Mazey Eddings runs with it—pairing sharp humor with surprising emotional depth. Eva is all edge and eye-rolls, while Rylie is the kind of golden retriever energy you want to dismiss but can’t help warming up to. Their dynamic is entertaining and layered, fueled by snappy dialogue, tension, and a shared history neither of them has really let go of.

The “exes fake-dating for the algorithm” premise could have easily turned gimmicky, but Eddings gives it heart. There are genuine moments of vulnerability tucked between the banter and chaos, and the story manages to say something real about identity, reinvention, and the pressure of living online.

That said, some parts dragged and the middle lost a bit of momentum. Still, the emotional payoff and the chemistry between Eva and Rylie carried it through. It’s not all laughs and love—there’s messiness, too—but that’s what makes it feel grounded.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for its originality, charm, and just enough bite to balance the sweetness.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review!

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. The overall vibe was completely different from what I expected, and the humor missed the mark. Eva seemed like she was supposed to be sharp and witty, but instead, she came across as overly combative, constantly escalating situations in a way that made reading her perspective exhausting. Cooper didn’t work for me either—he was described as a golden retriever type, but he read more like a typical fuckboy. On top of that, I didn’t feel any chemistry between them, which made it really hard to enjoy the romance.

Had to DNF this one.
While I have enjoyed some of Mazey’s previous works (I have read Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake and A Brush With Love and liked them both), this one was just not for me. The plot sounds so fun and I was super intrigued, especially when I’ve seen it compared To Chicken Shop Date. However there was content in this book that I didn’t want to read. I think fans of Mazey will probably enjoy this one, but it just Wasn’t for me.

I really enjoy reading Mazey Edding’s contemporary romance novels. “Well, Actually” is her newest book, a hilarious second chance enemies to lovers romance. Great banter between the love interests. This book focused on some deeper topics such as mental health representation (anxiety), therapy/counseling, grief of a loved one, and workplace problems. I adored the cameos from Mazey’s other books! Cooper is a refreshing male character who showed extreme character growth and change. Eva is an overly strong female character that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I really related to her struggles. I found the workplace drama aspect of this book to be confusing, and I didn’t particularly enjoy the social media part of the book. Overall, I would give this book 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

How cute!! This felt like such a millennial book - but not necessarily in a bad way? It worked for what it was, with the super cheesy banter and comments.

I really liked the characters, especially our FMC (I wish we got the MMC's POV!!).

Overall, a great cheesy romance.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ - 4.75

“Hot Girl is an armor you put on. Hot Girl isn’t a look or a style, it’s a commitment to doing whatever makes you feel unstoppable in the face of life’s fuckery.”

This book was so much fun and had me giggling and kicking my feet all throughout. Mazey Eddings could teach a MasterClass in writing banter - top freaking notch! And the more serious topics and discussions were beautifully and thoughtfully written.

If you’re a fan of Chicken Shop Date this one’s for you!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.75🌟
This was SOOOO good! I absolutely ate it up and had such a fun time reading this!

Eva was such a fun fmc to read about. I heavilyyy related to her on so many aspects! Feeling like she's too much but never enough at the same time, Eva was heavily guarded and often used humor or snippiness to protect herself from being too vulnerable. Hello? She is literally me. Quite literally, The Bolter coded. She frustrated me at times, especially when it was very evident how Rylie wanted to fix things with her, and she just kept brushing him off or attacking him. However, I get it. She has a deep fear of rejection and could not understand that someone actually saw her and wanted to be with her. Her character development was so good! I loved the way she knew who she was and didn't back down from the challenges that women in male-dominated fields face every day. She was so strong, witty, and loving, and I overall just loved her so much!

Rylie Cooper!! MY BABY GIRL!!!! He is everything to me. I love a man that grovels, and grovels well! Like, this man was so down bad for Eva. He accepted her for who she was, and encouraged her to remain herself at all times. I love when a golden retriever man embraces and worships his black cat woman. I loved getting to know about his back story and why he acted the way he did six years ago. It was evident that he was very secure in himself at this point in his life. He matched Eva perfectly and wow I just loved him so much!

Rylie and Eva were so amazing! This is one of my favorite romances of the year, for sure. I loved how they worked through their past and focused on cultivating a healthy and loving relationship for themselves. They truly were perfect together! I was definitely blushingggg during the smut omg!! Rylie was so HOT!!! Also, I am so happy about the pansexual/bisexual representation in this book, as well as the discussions about internalized biphobia! We don't see this enough in romance books, and this was done and handled so well.

Thank you NetGalley and SMP for the ARC!!