I have mixed feelings on this book. Eva was a strong woman who was able to be vulnerable when she needed to be, letting people know that while she was tough, she shouldn’t have to always be tough. And Rylie gave golden retriever vibes for most of the story, which was a nice juxtaposition to Eva’s usual snarky personality. I don’t know that they would make it in the real world, though.

However, the premise is that Eva is mad about a drunken hookup with a frat boy she met in college who then ghosted her for 6 years. She’s mad enough that she goes online and posts about it, stitching his very popular content. It kinda feels like one of those let it go situations. When Eva does remember their times together, Rylie doesn’t seem like a real winner. He later explains his trauma about losing his sister, and how he was struggling during that time with his bisexuality. I didn’t love that Rylie tried to hide his sexuality by being homophobic either. (It is later discussed and he expresses remorse, but still…)

I think what bothered me the most was that during the entire story, we are seeing that it’s okay to be a strong woman and go for what you want. But then Landry, who owns Soundbites, turns out to be exactly what every man thinks about women in charge. I think if Landry had stood up to her son, especially after the elevator tape leaked, it would have really driven the point home.

P.S. The whole eating hot dogs thing seemed really gross to me. Couldn’t pay me enough…

The writing wasn’t bad and overall I did enjoy the story, it was a little different than most of the other romcoms I’ve read recently.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings

Eva is trying everything she can to get her dream of being a serious journalist off the ground, including interviewing d-list celebs while eating hotdogs. A girls gotta pay her bills somehow.
When she drunkly stumbles on her ex-situationship’s Instagram video giving advice, she can’t help but comment on his poor treatment of her in college and the internet, (and her bosses) go berserk and they are forced together to repair their collective image.

Read if you love:
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy/sunshine
He falls first
Mutually assured destruction
Banter

Pub date: 8/5/25

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the chance to read this cutie early!

I absolutely adored this! It's my first book by Mazey Eddings and I'll definitely be recommending it to friends when it's released. Eva was absolutely hilarious, Riley was adorable and also (!) hilarious, and I was definitely in my feels for a chunk of this book. I was constantly dreading that third-act break-up (I had no idea when it was coming), but I gotta stop bringing this up in reviews because it's a romance book and it's bound to happen

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Mazey Eddings’ Well, Actually had me laughing so hard I cried. This second-chance romance is packed with chaotic energy, witty banter, and a premise that feels like Chicken Shop Date meets viral internet drama, served up with a hot dog pun or ten. It’s funny, it’s messy, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously… which is both a strength and a weakness.

Eva and Rylie are classic black cat vs. golden retriever energy, and their “redemption date” arrangement has so much potential. Their banter is sharp and often hilarious, and I genuinely enjoyed watching Rylie get lovingly roasted by Eva at every turn. The scenes with her awkward interview show (seriously, Chicken Shop vibes!) were some of the best parts—equal parts cringe and comedy gold.

But as much as I laughed, I didn’t fully feel the romance. Eva’s grudge (totally valid, but dragged out) dominated so much of the book that the emotional connection took a backseat. When the deeper feelings finally kicked in, it felt a little rushed, like we skipped a few steps on the path from enemies back to lovers.

Still, this book has heart, humor, and a unique premise that stands out in the rom-com crowd. If you’re in the mood for something quirky, chaotic, and occasionally unhinged, Well, Actually might be your thing. Just don’t go in expecting a smooth love story—it’s more of a hot mess with heart.

4.75/5

Thank you so much to Net Galley, Mazey Eddings, and St. Martain Press for allowing me to get the e-arc of this book 💕

This book had an amazing combination of angst, tension, love, and support. Even though I am still in my reading slump, this may have pulled me out; I could not get enough of this book. Riley Cooper and Eva Kitt dated back in college; six years have passed, but have they put the past behind them? Eva posted a video on the internet hating on Riley about their past relationship. They start to talk again because of Eva's company, Soundbites; both do not know where this will lead them.

💕 Enemies to lovers
💕 Second chance romance
💕 Black cat x golden retriever

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. I decided to DNF at 35%, picked it back up to power through, and then ultimately put it down at 40%. The characters were totally unlikable to me -- the FMC seemed immature, bratty, and mean and the MMC also seemed immature without any magnetic qualities I would hope for (and expect) in an MC with a second chance enemies to lovers story arc. The progressive lifestyle seemed uncomfortably forced in the name of representation and quick labels. The banter didn't feel fun and smart; it felt whiney and trite. Again, I may just not have been the target audience for this novel.

This was provided as an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for feedback.

This book started off strong for me but unfortunately missed the mark. I find the grumpy/sunshine trope to be a tricky one for authors to manage without the grumpy being just overall too mean or nasty. I found myself not liking the MFC because I thought she was just too grumpy/ such a brat at times that I got bored and disconnected from the story.

I really struggled with this one. It ended up being a DNF for me. I think it had a lot to do with the misconception trope and how her ex is "perfect". Angry girls just aren't for me.

I really enjoyed this one! I've never read anything from this author before, but I will definitely be picking up other works. The banter and the dynamic between our characters was SO fun. I also loved the chicken shop date kind of vibe and it just made me laugh and giggle the whole time. What a fun and sweet romance!!! I know that so many others will enjoy this one as well.

This is my third Mazey Eddings Book and they just keep getting better! The whitty banter and sarcasm thrown between Eva Kitt and Rylie Cooper is perfection. The black cat, golden retriever energy in this swoony queer representing rom com will make you hungry for more. You can't help but fall for lovable goof Rylie, while also wanting Eva to get all that a bad a$$ women like her deserves. So pass the ketchup and hand me a hotdog while I scarf down this perfect summer read. #thankyounetgalley #wellactually #romcom #netgalley

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eva Kitt has never gotten over her breakup from Rylie, which she finds out when she gets drunk and records an embarrassing video about their relationship. He was her first everything, not that he knew it at the time and then he ghosted her without explanation. When her video goes viral, they have to work together creating content for her job. Their chemistry is off the charts, I was howling with laughter, and I cannot recommend this one enough for fans of open door steamy reads!

This banter was top notch. I laughed so much! The FMC was so witty and Riley Cooper? My new book boyfriend!
He was so sweet and patient! Showing up for her even when she was mean to him! When she admitted she loved him, but was scared.?! Chef's kiss..it was so swoony! Definitely recommend! Enemies to lovers..yes please!

🔥 **An ex seeking redemption live? Fake dates that start to feel real? I needed this book the moment I read the blurb!** 🔥

Mazey Eddings delivers a delightful *second-chance romance* full of humor, tension, and that *black cat x golden retriever* chemistry I love. Eva and Rylie have a fun dynamic—she's sharp and determined to expose his flaws; he's an ex who now teaches healthy masculinity online and wants to prove he's changed. The forced-dates setup only makes everything more chaotic and unpredictable.

The writing is fluid, engaging, and impossible to put down. But I have to admit that, despite loving the journey, the couple didn’t convince me as much as I’d hoped. Maybe I expected more sparks or a more intense reconciliation. Still, the book completely won me over with its lighthearted pace and sharp dialogue. If you love *rom-coms* with second chances and sizzling chemistry, this story is a must-read!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for making this a read now so I could finally get my hands on it!

I loved the premise of this book, and though I considered it a crux at first, the little bits of pop culture references fit what the book was so well that I started to enjoy them. This book was marketed as a black cat fmc x golden retriever mmc, and let me tell you, that’s what you’re getting! Eva is so prickly towards the beginning of the book that I almost didn’t like her. But slowly—and smoothly—her layers get peeled back and you start to understand her as a character. And Rylie is just…reliably Rylie.

The last 30% of this book makes the hair pulling of the first 70% worth it. I will say the latter half of the book is so heavy in spice that it starts to get a little repetitive, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. The banter and humor holds up throughout the entire book, especially towards the end (in my opinion). I WILL say that the scenes where Rylie and Eva have actual conversations seem sort of...dramatized? Just in the reactions, and it took me out of the story a little bit. Overall, a fun read!

Loved the direction the author took with the third act drama! That’s all I will say without spoilers.

I'll be posting my review this week on Instagram @readbylydiaa, and on Tiktok @readbylydiaa in my monthly wrap-up!

This love story feels real—full of tension, longing, and moments that make your heart ache in the best way. The chemistry is undeniable, the emotions hit deep, and by the end, you won’t just believe in their love—you’ll feel it.

thank you to st martins press and netgalley for this gem.

mazey eddings lives in my brain (i had to say it) her books always make me so emotional. like a warm hug that’s also too tight and makes me feel more than i want to. so obviously yes i did cry at this one.

we have a second chance romance for the ages okay. like i don’t like second chance romances but i liked this. and i don’t want to spoil anything but like Rylie earns Eva’s forgiveness.

i’ve not read many bi4bi’s. but i’m sort of obsessed with the ones i have? truly madly deeply by alexandria bellefluer is a must read if you haven’t. 🙌🏻

this book is for the chaos demons who don’t want to be as stand offish as they seem and i need everyone to read it immediately thanks

check this out in august when it hits shelves!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book so much. I found the FMC frustrating, but relatable, and I think that’s why I liked her. And the MMC was so kind and caring and supportive. He made a few mistakes along the way, but you could see how much he cared. Seeing them grow as a couple was wonderful. I also loved the conflict towards the end of the book and how it was resolved. Super enjoyable read!

I did not like the first half of this book. So much so I almost DNFd it. But I kept going and about 50% it took a turn for the better. I enjoyed the 2nd half although - i did skip the smutty scenes.

The things I did not like:
The amount of times Eva self loathes.... ok, enough, I get it. You're a meanie.
The color of Rylies eyes? Yes, I get it. They are grey.
Flip flop between Rylie and Cooper as a nickname? I did not understand that. I thought they were different people the first couple of times.

This was the funniest, wittiest, most sparkling book I’ve ever read. Pure delight. Eddings keeps getting better and better!

Mazey Eddings has written a beautiful book with a grumpy, sarcastic FMC and a kind, sunshiny MMC. Eva and Riley meet in college and have a rather underwhelming series of dates. Years later, they are suddenly reconnected and must deal with their feelings from the past.
I adored that Eva was snarky and, well, bitchy. I think so few female characters are given that space in Romance. And I loved Riley's long-suffering commitment and work to undo past harm.
I was on the edge of my seat through most of this story, a slow-burn that kept me wondering "will they?"
I think there were a few parts that could have been tightened and the ending series felt a little rushed, but overall this was a tense, fun, and sparkling romance that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to netgalley and SMP for the e-arc.