Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. This is my first Mazey Eddings novel and I was extremely delighted throughout. The banter, the wittiness, and the passion was top tier. Eva was a true black cat, and I can see this rubbing some readers the wrong way but I found her growth refreshing. The tension was wonderful, a true hate to love trope :)

MAZEY EDDINGS, the goddess that you are!!! WOW this book was absolutely scrumptious and made me want a hot dog real bad lol. Am I surprised that I loved this book? No. Mazey Eddings could release her grocery list and it would be 5 stars, I love all of their books. I am not exaggerating when I say that this book was phenomenal and I literally read it in one sitting. The banter! The banter alone is reason enough to pick up this book. I laughed. I cried. I plotted revenge. Well, Actually is a masterpiece.

✨This ARC was provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.✨

If you love Amelia from Chicken Shop Date, imagine that same deadpan, sarcastic vibe, but instead add hot dogs and a PR-stunt romance with an ex who’s now a famous podcaster. It was a fun setup!

Eva Kitt is feeling a bit stuck hosting Sausage Talk, where she interviews celebs over hot dogs. But then a drunken, unfiltered video calling out her college ex, Rylie Cooper, goes viral, and to prove he’s a changed man, Rylie suggests they date again. Eva begrudgingly agrees, planning to use it to take him down and boost her own career. But of course, that hatred turns into very real feelings!

The spice was ... woah. A little too heavy in the second half, personally. But I do enjoy Mazey’s writing. It reads so effortlessly and the banter is great. I really struggled with Eva at first, though. I love a grumpy FMC, but she was kind of just mean. Her attitude didn’t always feel justified, and seeing Rylie bend over backwards to prove himself while she talked down to him was frustrating, even if it did make for some great tension.

Overall, not the story for me. But one thing I really appreciated was the direction this romance took. No third-act nonsense just for the sake of drama, you know? It was so refreshing to see a character actually step in when the other is emotionally shutting down. I love to see it.

I always get an absolute kick out of Mazey Eddings’ books. They’re relatable, informative, funny, and deliciously spicy in that real-connection sort of way that just makes them a plain joy to read. While I honestly can’t say which one is my absolute favorite from her collection of published bundles of joy, Well, Actually is definitely making a sneak attack for the top spot. The sarcasm, quick wit, and jumping-off-the-page chemistry between Rylie and Eva keep you flipping pages just to see what zinger Eva is going to toss out next - only to be one-upped by Rylie. As expected with Mazey, the fun and humor are perfectly balanced with the deeper topics - in this case, navigating a toxic workplace, wrestling with the feeling of never being enough, and the mental and psychological anguish that comes with with grief. Truth be told, Well, Actually is a whole lot of fun, but also a gentle reminder of how fragile we really are - and how easily our dreams, wants, and wishes can be manipulated when power and greed come into play. Sometimes, we don’t even realize just how poisonous that dangling carrot can really be.

It was supposed to be a harmless video. No one was ever meant to see it. After yet another disappointing day at a job that couldn’t be farther from her dreams, Eva just wanted to drink some Prosecco and doom-scroll away another lonely night. But what she didn’t expect was to stumble across her worst nightmare: Rylie Cooper - the boy-turned-man who broke her heart in college, and whom she now despises more than eating hot dogs with B- to D-list celebrities. To make matters worse, he’s become a social media sensation, droning on about red flags and how to avoid male toxicity. Fed up, Eva decides to set the record straight by making a stitch and serving up the truth about the internet’s golden boy. What should have been a cathartic moment quickly spirals into chaos when her reply goes viral. Suddenly, Eva’s boss jumps at the chance to capitalize on the exposure, forcing her to share the spotlight - and "sound stage" - with Rylie for the first time in six years. But Rylie has plans of his own: determined to prove he’s not the man Eva remembers, he challenges her to six dates of redemption. Torn between guarding her heart and exposing the fiasco she’s sure these dates will become, Eva agrees. Six dates won’t erase what happened between them, but maybe - just maybe - it’ll be enough to finally wipe the slate clean.

From the very first pages, this book had me in hysterics. On more than one occasion, I actually reread a scene because I was convinced it couldn’t possibly be that funny (spoiler: it was). Eva’s insistence that she felt nothing (read: everything) toward Rylie in the early parts of the book was hilarious. She was so determined to loathe him - and for good reason - that any sign, symbol, or inkling of attraction was explained away as anything but.

It only got better when she went toe-to-toe with Rylie: for every jab, he weaved; for every push, he pulled - he gave as good as he got, sometimes even better. It honestly felt like a tennis match, just waiting to see who would break first in their little tiffs. You couldn’t help but love his character, and you could absolutely understand why Eva was losing the battle for self-preservation. Normally, I don’t care for enemies-to-lovers when there’s constant insult-flinging just to cover the hurt, but Eva makes it genuinely entertaining. She slides those jabs in so casually - especially when she’s trying to stomp down real feelings - that you almost miss them. She truly turns being Riley's antagonist into an art form.

As mentioned before, with Mazey - where there is humor, there’s also heart. Eva’s continuous battle with trust was such a poignant part of the story, and honestly, who could blame her? She felt easily discarded by those who were supposed to love her unconditionally. Add to that the first time she sought validation outside of that circle and, lo and behold, she was burned there as well. How do you convince yourself to trust when wanting to trust has always been the very thing that betrays you? It’s the perfect formula for a never-ending cycle. You convince yourself to trust, and because you trusted, you were burned. So you learn it’s safer not to trust, because then you can’t be disappointed when you are inevitably betrayed.

That struggle with trust bleeds right into the biggest cornerstone of this book: the toxicity of Eva’s workplace. For those she trusted (see - there’s that word again), she played the game, hit her marks, and did what she was supposed to do, all while being led to believe there were real possibilities in her future. She became the puppet of a woman she admired and was blinded by that simple fact. Their games, low blows, deception, and outright toxic behavior were a stark reminder of how easily someone in power can treat others like pawns, threatening their well-being while hiding behind claims of being a “team player” and “dedicated” to the job.

On the brighter side, I absolutely loved the LGBTQ+ representation in the book. It wasn’t the headline of the book, but where needed, it made a very clear stance. The way Mazey presented these characters to the reader felt as natural and effortless as walking, breathing, and simply living. It wasn’t thrown in for shock value or just to get a reaction; it was there as a prelude to something much bigger and more important - growth, trust, love, and understanding of who we are as people, no matter how the outside world may perceive or judge us.

Like most of Mazey’s books, there was some spice that heated up the pages, but there was so much humor woven into those moments that it took the edge off (not in a bad way - just made it feel more like a genuine moment between two people than an explosive connection). What I honestly enjoyed most about those scenes was the shift in power.

Well, Actually has easily been one of my favorite beach reads so far this year. I am always floored by Mazey’s talent and her ability to keep churning out one hit after another. The greatest fear you have with your favorite authors is that they’ll eventually hit the bottom of the creative well, choosing quantity over quality - but Mazey continually proves she’s the exception. She not only delivers one heck of a read, but it’s every bit as good as A Brush With Love and each story that’s followed.

Oh, and before I forget - to Mazey Eddings fans, you are in for a treat. I won’t give away the surprise, but if you’ve read Mazey’s earlier work, let’s just say you won’t be disappointed by what she has in store.

Spoilers have been removed.

OK!!! Let's start with the dedication, and if you're not sold by that, then keep reading for my review.

"Hot Girl/hAHt gurl/ n. 1. a state of being irrelevant of appearance, gender identity, or age 2. a mindset found at the intersection of empowerment, enthusiasm, anger, freedom, excitement, defiance, and happiness (from the personal dictionary of Mazey Eddings)
To all the Hot Girls, especially those that rise to the occasion when men need to be taken down a notch."

What an incredible dedication and it is SO fitting for the book, holy moly. Well, Actually is giving early 2000s rom-com vibes and y'all know I love those kind of vibes. It reminded me of First Time Caller and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. So I mean, what are you waiting for?!

Well, Actually feels like such a current book - between the social media aspects (like stitching videos), journalism and influencers. It all felt relatable and familiar, especially the bits on videos going viral 👀.

EVA. This girl is so funny, I was constantly laughing at the things she said. Her whole persona is "mean girl", especially for her segment for Sausage Talk. It was refreshing seeing her let down her guards a bit and allow herself to be more emotional, more sensitive.

RYLIE. Good god. His crew neck sweater collection is probably my favorite thing about him. I want every single one 😂. I didn't know how to feel about him at first, but he really grew on me!! He was such a sweetie and I loved his banter with Eva. The two of them really balanced eachother out but also bounced off eachother if that makes any sense.

Special note for the nicknames in this book: Kitten & Baby Girl. Can you guess which is for Eva and which is for Rylie? 😂

Such a cute rom com! I loved the main Female character, thought she was relatable and also hot. The banter was great, and the spicy scenes were very good!

I really wanted to connect with this story, but unfortunately it wasn’t the right fit for me. I struggled to engage with the characters, and the tone of the ebook ARC felt quite different from the Macmillan audiobook version. While I understand some changes are expected between formats, the discrepancies made it harder for me to stay invested.

Oh. MY GOSH. THIS BOOK. THE SNARK. THE FLIRTING. THE COMMUNICATION. I almost didn’t even read this book but after Sherry said she was loving it, I grabbed it and could NOT put it down. This is going to be in my favorites for the whole year and I will be yelling at everyone to read it so, if you haven’t yet, strap in kids, I’m coming for you (in a nice and friendly way).

Eva’s snark and bite could probably turn some people off but man, was I here for it. She was hilarious and used her humor as a shield, and while this normally keeps people at arm’s length, where she feels they are safest, Rylie doesn’t fall her for tricks and keeps himself as close as he wants- and closer, and closer, until she has no choice but to start letting him in.

These two are sooooo sarcastic and snarky but it doesn’t stop them from (re)forming a genuine connection and the communication. THE COMMUNICATION is so incredible in this book. Miscommunication trope haters, you better get on this one immediately; it’s the one you’ve been wanting all this time. It is so SO good. I finished this 3 days ago and already want a rearead.

I love them.

I love this book.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Well this was an absolute delight!

I love, love, LOVED Riley! He was just the perfect man for Eva. And Eva, our black cat leading lady, she was such a hoot.

The relationship between these two was filled with tension and banter and chemistry and I just loved watching their relationship bloom.

Eva & Riley
Black cat x golden retriever
Hate to love
Workplace
Second chance
Bi x pan rep

4.5/5

Sweet, funny, and spicy - Well, Actually was a super enjoyable read diving into the second chance trope, tackling character growth, self-worth, and healing past hurts.

I loved the how the book took this humorous publicity stunt and slowly transitioned to something real. I loved the LGBTQ+ inclusiveness and acceptance between the characters. I loveeeeeed that there was no third act breakup.

The plot really captured my attention and I really liked Riley and Eva together. All in all, definitely recommend.

In the beginning, Well, Actually definitely had me thinking about the Chicken Shop Date except she eats hot dogs. I liked how modern this book felt with social media fame and the highs and lows that come with that. It showed how invasive and problematic it can be. I really enjoyed that aspect!

Eva, the FMC, will not be for everyone. Her snarky comments are her way of protecting herself. She is guarded and I don’t blame her for it. I think some readers will relate to her in a big way and some won’t like her at all. I personally liked that she wasn’t super likable because it made her feel more real and relatable. Rylie, the MMC, understands her and that’s why he’s amazing. I loved their back and forth banter so much! I loved how supportive he was. He knew when Eva needed a push to get out of her head.
I still don’t love the nickname kitten though. 😝

This was a fun read. If you like a black cat FMC and a golden retriever MMC then I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley the opportunity to read Well, Actually. It took me a long time to finish this book. The language is this book was a turn off and felt forced. This book felt immature. I love Mazey Eddings work and I'm excited to read any future book she writes.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Well Actually.
I could not get into the vibes of this one. The language in this really turned me away. It left a permanent foul taste in my mouth that I couldn’t wash away. The F-bomb dropped 29 times in a chapter was overuse. It good old and became annoying fast.
The main character wasn’t my style either. She was super sassy, but in the most mean and cunning way. I didn’t find it to be humorous.
I thought the premise was good, but the execution didn’t live up to the hype.
Unfortunately, for me, it was all around a no-go for me.

Step aside Tilly, Well, Actually just became my new favourite Mazey Eddings book.

This book was raw. emotional. hilarious. emotional. HOT. emotional.

I don't always connect super well with a grumpy FMC, but my god this was perfect.
The banter was top tier. I will always be down bad for insults as foreplay.

I loved that even though this was single POV, it was still so obvious that this man was obsessed with her and she was living in a deep well of denial.

Their character growth and development was perfection, and believable.

The switch up from their first date to the other date (sorry trying to avoid spoilers) was utterly unhinged in the best possible way.

My thoughts are kind of scattered all over the place, but I absolutely loved this book and it will probably be on my top reads of the year list.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Second chance romance between two college exes who agree to go on a set of dates to get another chance at love with one of them essentially being the girl from Chicken Shop Date and the other being a podcaster on how men can stop toxic masculinity. Eva Kit is the host of Sausage Talk, where she interviews B-List celebrities over hot dogs... but yearns to escape her toxic work place and actually get a career in journalism. Rylie Cooper is a beloved social media personality who spends his time deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners....Eva and Rylie used to date in college until he broke her heart and ghosted her. She is still angry with him and doesn't believe he's changed at all and proceeds to make a video calling him out... and it goes viral. Next thing she knows her company is making her interview him and also forcing her to agree to go on a bunch of dates with him as he proposes it would be a good second chance for them. Eva doesn't want any part of it but her company isn't giving her any chance... and yet Rylie is determined to prove her wrong and do everything he can to win her over. Eva can't get over her anger or pain but she can't resist him either... can Rylie truly prove to her that he's changed and that he really means everything he's saying or is the past hurt too big to ever overcome. I'm gonna be real honest here, I just didn't vibe with either Eva or Rylie, I get where both of them are coming from but I just wanted them both to move on and be with other people. I didn't really care for their "second chance" and it just didn't mesh with me. It truly takes a certain kind of second chance romance to work for me and unfortunately this one was not it. I do think other second chance romance readers will have fun with this because Rylie truly does grovel and go out of his way to make up for everything he did.

Release Date: August 5, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

ARC Review!!!

Eva is waiting for her breakthrough in journalism and she's currently interviewing B-list celebrities, feeling like she's stuck. She needs more. After one of her previous, hook-ups (who was her first everything), is trending, Eva a little drunk stitches the video airing how horrible he is in bed and she wakes up having blown up. Eva is horrified how this will look with her employer, Soundbites, but little does she know they use this to their advantage and have Eva and her previous hook-up, Rylie Cooper, go on dates and discuss them after.
After sometime spent together, Eva comes to figure out she's falling for Rylie and is scared to repeat their previous pattern of him ghosting her. Feeling develop and Eva is stuck in what to do.
Overall this was kind of hard to get into and get through. Overall, it was a cute story. I like how Eva and Rylie were able to reconnect.
3 stars.

DNF at 34%. Main character Eva is exhausting and crass. The backstory of the second chance romance felt flimsy. The chemistry wasn't there for me either.

I'm sorry! But thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Griffin and Macmillan audio for my advanced copies.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Mazey Eddings, but Well, Actually is a new favorite!

I absolutely adored (and binged) Eva and Rylie’s story. They had a brief fling in college and Rylie ghosted Eva. He’s now a semi-famous podcaster. Eva shares a brief video of their previous relationship on her social media and suddenly they’re filming her show together and agreeing to a few dates.

The banger and chemistry between Rylie and Eva was off the charts! She loved o tease him and he was so down bad for her! I always appreciate the mental health representation in Eddings’ books and how Rylie shares his journey since college. This also deals with the challenges women face in the workplace.

There was a little bit of slow burn in their relationship build up and I loved it! I alternated between the audiobook and ebook because I didn’t want to stop reading. This will one hundred percent be a top favorite book of 2025!

Gosh! I actually giggled my way through this. I was desperately in the mood for a lowstakes rom com, and this delivered exactly that. I thought Mazey did a great job of giving us a realistic black cat/golden retriever dynamic without either feeling suffocating, forced or desperate.

If you're on a romance binge like I currently am, it's hard for them to not all start to feel like you're reading the same text in different fonts, but I can honestly say, I've never read one like this! I loved how witty the writing was and you can tell that Mazey truly had a ball developing the characters and all sides of them. There's great character development and all the side characters carry the story forward the same way the FMC and MMC do.

Can't wait to buy the physical copy and have this become one of my comfort reads!

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is the third book I’ve read by her, and I can clearly see the growth she’s made as a writer. I appreciated the difficult topics she tackled in this novel—misogyny, workplace sexism, bullying, internalized trauma, and diverse queer representation.

Eva is one of the most unlikable female characters I’ve encountered, and I say that as a compliment—I genuinely love a heroine who appears unlikable on the surface but has hidden deeper motivations. Eddings wrote Eva in an unapologetically honest way, giving her space to be blunt and even unflinchingly mean at times. Yet she also ensured that the very traits that made Eva feel self-conscious or less palatable to others were the same ones Rylie found attractive. He consistently praised her, lifted her up, and never let those qualities come between them. I loved his earnestness so much as he worked to mend their history and as he shared/faced his own personal trauma.

I didn’t connect with the social media plotline, but on a character level—and as a romance—I really enjoyed the second-chance love story between Eva and Rylie. I was especially happy with the growth each character showed as they confronted past mistakes and did the work to move forward in the present toward a positive future.