I liked the concept of this book & was extremely intrigued in the beginning!! But around 30% this book lost its luster. The FMC is truly so unbearable? The only reason I made it as far as I did was the banter, it was truly immaculate. I wanted to keep reading for that alone but could not bring myself to do so.. it’s just not worth the torture of reading from Eva’s pov for one more second.

This was a cute romance and super sweet! Both main characters are super like-able and the story was very sweet throughout! The story was written to allow the reader to connect emotionally and I throughly enjoyed that. I read this during a semi-reading slump so I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as I could have - not to say someone else won’t ADORE this! I plan to re-read and re-rate after I read it again and get to truly enjoy it.

This rom com was extremely unique and honestly unlike anything I've read before. If you love chicken shop date and those vibes, I think you will really enjoy this one. There were some parts I struggled with a bit.. the character arc and dialogue for Eva at times, but Rylie was quite simply the biggest green flag and softest boi. I really appreciated the facetious and dry humor and I thought their relationship progression flowed really naturally!

3.5 ⭐ rounded to 4

Thank you to SMP for the ARC!!

Mazey Eddings's romances do a brilliant job of serving up hilarious situations and poignant relatable emotion. The main character, Eva, is a social media interviewer longing to transition to serious journalism and feels left behind and lonely. The way her loneliness, desire for a loving relationship, and her sarcastic avoidant tendencies appear on the page is so true to life I was shocked at how accurate it was. Plus the hero, the boy who ghosted Eva after they had sex, Rylie is a sunshiny golden retriever who delights in Eva's constant roasting. He's exactly who she needs and I loved every minute of their banter. Well, Actually speaks to the ache and the struggle of cracking yourself open to love while delivering on sitcom level comedic beats.

DNF'd it at 24%. I tried to keep going because the banter between Eva (is that her name? Gosh, I don't even remember) and Rylie (is that how it's spelled?) was humorous and so was the circumstances as to how they were thrust into each other's lives again, but it wasn't enough. The s*xual jokes and desires by a rude and insensitive woman were too much for me, and Riley wasn't even cute or attractive at all. It also felt like the author was trying to check off all the boxes to make this book...modern or progressive? Like making your character bi (it's not even mentioned in the blurb and it's only alluded to in the beginning) is going to make me like her more? If she was a cool person, then yeah, most definitely. But, unfortunately, she wasn't.

I didn't care about the characters, the plot, or have any interest in where this was going. In fact, I bet I know where it was leading to. She hates him. He charms her. She falls for him again and thinks it could go somewhere. Something happens that ticks her off. She vows to never get hurt again and ghosts him and the world. Reconciliation happens with him being charmingly yet sincerely apologetic while she tries to remain steadfastly pissed but fails, maybe learning a lesson or two about being human and making one of her dreams into a reality. They get back together again. The end. I'm probably wrong in some instances, but tell me, am I completely wrong?

If you loved this book, please know that I'm not trying to hate on it or mock it. I'm glad you loved it because I sure didn't. 😅😂 I had hope in contemporary romances, but now that hope has slightly dwindled. If you have good contemporary romance recommendations, I'm all ears!

I received a free digital arc from the publishers via NetGalley. All opinions and statements are my own.

I loved the cover of this book and needed to read it. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. I really enjoyed this book and the storyline. The characters were all very likable as well.

3.5 ⭐️
I liked the Chicken Shop Date inspiration behind this book and especially liked that some of the typical exes-to-lovers tropes didn't rear their heads. I was expecting to dislike Eva (I can't stand a "I'm being difficult just for the sake of being difficult" FMC), but I thought she was well-developed and I felt like a lot of her reservations were actually valid (which apparently puts me in the minority of the reviewers here). However, I did not think that Rylie was well-rounded- it kind of seemed like his character was about 20 different ones. The first date to the second date to the third date all seemed like completely different people, and he went from golden retriever to assertive white man and back again too often for it to seem cohesive. I also could not stop picturing him as Stephen Nedoroscik, which didn't really help either. Overall, I liked the premise and thought the story itself moved well, but I just didn't love Rylie's character development (sorry!!).

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🌭

4.5★

Oh my goodness, I absolutely ate this UPPP!! 🤩

As a major self-proclaimed black cat x golden retriever enthusiast, this book hit all the right notes for me. Eva & Rylie are my babies, and it was impossible not to fall in love with them and their story 🥹

The banter in this book was simply TOP TIER! Eva & Rylie both gave each other as good as they got, and I could not get over their quick wit and palpable chemistry that bled off the page. This book also had an unexpectedly emotional punch to it that had me in tears just as much as it had me laughing out loud. Not only did I relate a little too much to Eva, but I loved how these two had open and honest conversations with each other about the past and put in the painstaking effort to work through their issues. And Rylie being so patient and never giving up his pursuit of Eva even when she put up her walls and wanted to run away from him was just everything to me. I just want to be loved the way Rylie loves Eva! 😭

Overall, I'm so glad to have read this absolute gem of a book! While there may have been a couple things I wish had been done differently (including a more fleshed-out ending), I can't deny I had the best time reading this and never once wanted to put it down. I can tell I will be thinking about Rylie & Eva for a long time. This was my first Mazey Eddings book, but it certainly won't be my last! I cannot wait to read more from her in the future 💗

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Griffin & NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

3.5⭐️


I really liked this!! The romance in it was super sweet and I loved both of the main characters. The story was super fun while also bringing emotional aspects to make the reader further connect to the story and characters.

The reason this is not a 4⭐️ from me - 3.5 is still a good rating !! - is because there were somethings said by the two main characters that pushed me out of the story - like pop culture references - but I still adored both of the main characters!!

This is definitely a play on Chicken Shop Date but with hot dogs. Eva, hoping to one day transition to more serious journalism, interviews pseudo-celebrities while eating hot dogs. She is the epitome of the black cat stereotype. After seeing her college situationship becoming more successful than she is and being painted as a "nice guy," she drunkenly calls him out. The viral video leads to them rehashing their time together and agreeing to go on dates for some hopefully good podcast content.

Eva and Riley are forced to confront their past and try to understand their short but disastrous time together six years ago, all while it plays out in real time for the viewers at home. This is where it began to fall flat for me. We learned a lot about Riley’s background and the demons he was wrestling with at the time of their relationship, and how they affected him then and continue to affect him. I felt like Eva’s feelings were very cut and dry. We learned them, but didn’t get the nuances, and I felt like I wanted those.

4 stars, upgraded from 3.5. The black cat/golden retriever banter was top-notch. The cover is very cute.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC

I read this in barely two days and I ate it UP! I love a good story with a grumpy girl and a sunshine boy instead of the usual vice versa. Their banter was so good and I loved being able to read about Eva’s battle trying to keep her bitchy persona even while Riley’s full breaking down her walls, against her will (or at least that’s what she wants us to believe.) I loved the diversity with the characters sexually and discussing the rough topic of internalized bi phobia. Even from the beginning of the story there was a clear flow of being able to see why Eva puts on this face and has trouble letting her guard down with Riley. Refusing to believe that someone see’s her for her behind her attempts to keep him at arms length.
I loved Riley’s character, his growth from how Eva remembered him is beautiful. This was such a good story!

As soon as I heard this had Chicken Shop Date vibes, I was in—and it did not disappoint! The witty banter was top-tier, and Eva quickly became my favorite. I loved seeing her character evolve and slowly let her guard down.

No third-act breakup was a huge plus, and the black cat x golden retriever dynamic was done perfectly. I didn’t want to put it down!

Well, Actually (arc review) ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to @netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-copy.

I had- THE. MOST. FUN. reading this book. I literally laughed out loud, repeatedly reading this. I'm a super picky contemporary romance reader, and I adored this. I feel like it's been years since I enjoyed a romcom this much. Eva and Rylie are the epitome of a black cat/golden retriever relationship.

The good stuff:
- Second chance romance
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Witty Banter
-Hilarious dialogue

Triggers:
-Internalized biphobia
-Workplace abuse
-Misogyny/sexism
-Grief after loss of a loved one

Blurb:
Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.

Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a deal: allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it.

I absolutely adored Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings—I tore through it in one sitting! This book had everything I love in a rom-com: sparkling banter, swoon-worthy tension, and just the right amount of emotional depth. Eva and Rylie’s second-chance romance was perfection. Their black cat/golden retriever dynamic had me grinning the entire time, and I loved how their history added so much tension and chemistry to every scene.

Eva was such a relatable, sharp, and fiercely independent heroine. Her frustration over her stalled career, mixed with her lingering resentment toward Rylie, felt so real. And Rylie? Ugh, the man was impossible not to love. He’s charming, self-aware, and trying so hard to prove he’s grown from the guy who broke Eva’s heart. Their forced proximity through the ridiculous dating scheme led to so many hilarious, heartfelt, and hot moments—I was completely invested.

Beyond the romance, I loved how the story tackled themes of ambition, forgiveness, and learning to let people surprise you. Eddings’ signature wit and warmth made every page sparkle, and the way she writes neurodivergent characters with such care and authenticity added another layer of depth to Eva’s journey.

This book was fun, fresh, and completely addictive. If you love a second-chance romance packed with humor, heart, and undeniable chemistry, Well, Actually is a must-read

I absolutely loved this book! This was my first time reading anything from Mazey Eddings and I will definitely be picking up more from her! I think that the concept of the book was so entertaining and her execution of it was so well done. Also, thank you so much to NetGalley for the eARC of this books!

The story follows Eva Kitt, the host of an online show called Sausage Talk where she interviews lesser known celebrities over hot dogs. When she drunkenly posts a TikTok drunkenly calling out her ex-situationship Rylie Cooper (who just happens to host one of the most popular podcasts for helping men break the cycle of toxic masculinity) for his sub-par emotional and relationship skills, and the fact that he ghosted her, she is forced to confront him in a live filming of Sausage Talk. Things really pick up when Rylie dares Eva that he can change her mind about him over the course of six dates, and she agrees with every intention of proving him wrong. But things don't always work out as we intend them to...

This was such a fun read! I loved Eva as a character and really related to a lot of the things that she has been through emotionally. I also loved how we got to see the growth that she goes through while she's learning more about Rylie. Speaking of Mr. Rylie Cooper... WE LOVE AN EMOTIONALLY MATURE MAN. I was literally giggling and kicking my feet any time this man opened his mouth. There were so many points throughout this book where I was so surprised by Rylie's maturity and his openness. I thought that the story itself flowed really well and I really enjoyed all of the different parts of it. I felt so many emotions while reading it that I wasn't really expecting to but was totally here for. Overall, I had a really great time with this story and can't wait to read more from Mazey Eddings!

I almost stopped reading this book very early on because I found Eva so unbelievably and unnecessarily prickly BUT I trust Mazey to choose her plot points intentionally and I'm glad I stuck with the story. I thought it was a different spin on a second chance romance and one I was completely invested in. So not only is it second chance but it's fakeish dating and the book takes on toxic masculinity, mental health and so much more. I loved the cameos from some of Mazey's other characters, especially our favorite pornographic baker. And I think both Eva and Rylie grew up over the course of the story and learned a lot about each other and the power of forgiveness and friendship.

Not to mention, the book is just really funny at times and I think the way Mazey can balance humor with vulnerability is top notch. If you have enjoyed her other books, maybe just go click the pre-order button on your favorite bookseller site and get yourself a late summer treat.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the early copy!

I liked reading about the ways that journalism has fallen prey to the gig economy and clickbait, but the stakes never felt fully realized to me. A bit predictable but I enjoyed being along for the ride.

3.5 stars

I am struggling with how to review this book because I really did enjoy the characters, their arcs, and the overall plot, but I struggled with the overt crassness of this novel.

I wouldn’t consider myself a prude, I don’t think it was all bad, I like to joke around like this too sometimes, but it was just so constant that it was a touch tiring. Not everything needs to be an innuendo.

But other than that, I really related to Eva and her desire to be known and loved because isn’t that what we all want? For someone to truly know us and love us through all our quirks and bad decisions.

I thought the final act conflict was very well-down as well. Eddings went a different route and it was so much better than a third act breakup (which I hate)

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love everything Eddings has published and this one was a great addition to her works. I loved every minute of reading this gem.

✨📚Well, Actually📚✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book! Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings was such a fun read. I received this book as an arc from Mazey and St. Martin’s Press and I definitely recommend it!

This book follows a journalist, Eva, as she gives a very public second chance to the guy who ghosted her in college. It has very strong how to lose a guy in ten days vibes and is so so funny! The first date had me cackling!

It has a lot of the tropes that we know and love like second chance romance and enemies to lovers, but it kind of remixes some of them. For instance, there is fake dating, but everyone knows that it’s fake (or is it? 👀)

The characters work through a lot of trauma, both together and individually, but the serious stuff is well interspersed with comedy and 🌶️spice🌶️.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It is such a good read! It comes out on August 5th, so mark your calendars!