2 ⭐️ I had really high hopes for this book and was excited to start it after seeing so many positive reviews. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. Overall, I think this played too hard into the "black cat girl" and "golden retriever boy" tropes and made the characters feel like caricatures instead of having any sense of realism. The FMC is insufferable and mean for no reason, while the MMC is very two-dimensional for the majority of the story. Their conversations are comprised almost entirely of cringey quips and references that are sure to be outdated quickly.

I was super interested in the "Sausage Talk" aspect, but it played such a small role overall. I think that this book would have been much more enjoyable if it dove deeper into exploring Eva as an internet personality. Many chapters, characters, and plot points felt like filler, and I also think it would have made more sense as a novella that could fully focus on the two main characters without superfluous conflict.

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

This was fun. Sometimes the plot felt a little forced, but the characters were the best part. Both protagonists feel real and their chemistry was decent; they're messy even though they're overall pretty good communicators (in the later timeline). Yes they get in fights with each other or their friends, yes she's a bit avoidant and kind of overreacts to certain situations, yes work sucks and there isn't much she can do about it, and everything takes real work to straighten out. Eva is a bit of a pill, but in the best way? The hot-girl-as-offense-being-best-defense was superbly portrayed. William was a bit over-the-top in terms of antagonists, gotta say, but I get it.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC eBook.

This wasn’t my favorite by Mazey, but it is hard to beat her other trilogy. This was a cute contemporary romance with a black cat x golden retriever trope. Even though that’s not my favorite, it was still enjoyable. I thought that Eva’s personality and character development was lacking, but Rylie’s made up for it. He was a more flushed out character and I feel like he saved the story. I did laugh out loud in public at the champagne incident on date one. Overall I’d say 3.5 stars!

I truly didnt know how i was going to feel about this book , I started it and walked away from it a couple times. There were just things about it I didnt like

thank you so much mazey eddings, st. martin’s press & netgalley for this arc

oh this was *so* fun! the banter was really entertaining and topical, including a line about a “ludicrously capacious bag”. as frustrating as eva could be, she also felt very real and relatable. rylie felt less real, but in the way that i’ve simply never met a man so endearing, witty and emotionally intelligent. truthfully, i loved all the characters mazey introduced us to (except the two that i loved to hate).

some of my favorite quotes:
✧ “i will not be undone by an ironic sweatshirt and an endearing smile”
✧ “being an angry crier is the world’s greatest curse”
✧ “i am tough. and i’m really fucking sick of having to be.”
✧ “every part of me is yours if you want it.”

thank you so much mazey eddings, st. martin’s press & netgalley for this arc 🖤

Well, Actually is one of the first books I have read in less then a day in a long time. The book revolves around Eva And Rylie. Eva is the host of a podcast called sausage talk where she eats hot dogs (for men) and talks to b-d list celebrities about almost everything, but one day she scrolls upon her ex Rylie Cooper, a social media star who teaches men who to be better to woman and be the best boyfriend you can be, but Eva finds that ironic because when she dated perfect boy Rylie there relationship was way less then perfect.She stitches his video calling him a 2 pump chump and just goes on about how horrible of a boyfriend. The clip goes viral and now the two exs have to go on dates. While Rylie is doing everything in his power to make her fall in love with him, Eva is hating this so much.

I honestly had a hard time liking the FMC because she seems rude and says whatever comes to her mind but after a while I think I disliked Eva so much because she pushed on all my personal insecurities about being an outspoken woman. She is bullied by her boss and people on the internet and I believe that hurt me because I felt the things the harassment was saying. But however Rylie loves her even though she is the way she is and that makes my heart whole and wish that I could have my own Rylie Cooper in my life.

This book is so good and I think everyone who is insecure about how she sounds you need to read the way Rylie loves Eva.


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martian Press for the eARC for my honest opinion on this book.

I started Out not sure how I felt About Eva and then by the end of the book I was Fucking obsessed with her. She’s real and raw and honestly so relatable. She doesn’t have it all figured out, she’s rough around the edges and uses cutting remarks/sarcasm as her greatest defense mechanism, which same girl. She NEVER claims to be a kind person but she is so soft on the inside and just has had a shit hand dealt to her so she’s grown some thorns to protect herself. I loved the concept of this book and throughly enjoyed the relationship dynamic between Eva and Rylie. They never let the other get away with things and volleyed back and forth perfectly. They had me laughing out loud so many times. I also Really loved the way they slowly became more vulnerable with each other and how beautiful their growth in page was. Rylie showing up and being what Eva needed was *chefs kiss*. This book was heavy on the relationship and their dynamic being the main plot and the stuff with her job/career being a secondary plot and I loved The way both were done!

I was so excited to see that Mazey Eddings has a new book coming out, and even more excited to receive an ARC of her book, "Well, Actually." This book is centered around podcaster Eva Kitt, who seems to be based after popular Chicken Shop Date's Amelia Dimoldenberg. Eva's podcast is called Sausage Talk, and her guests eat hot dogs during the interview. While it's not Eva's dream job by any means, it's a way to get her foot in the door, One night, after getting drunk and going on TikTok, she publicly calls out her college boyfriend/one-night-stand, who has now become a massively popular pop culture personality. Rylie, her ex, and his team have an idea: he'll come on her show to address this public call-out. During this interview, Rylie dares her to go on a series of dates with him in order to prove that he's changed and is not the same jerk he was during his college years.

While Rylie and Eva go on these dates (and the first one is a disaster!), she begins to discover what was really going on with him when she knew him previously and how he's trying to change. Sparks fly and the two have a good rapport with a lot of banter. It took me a while to warm up to Eva because I couldn't understand why she was determined to hold on to her grudge. However, as she opened up and softened to Rylie, I really began to root for the two of them. This was a sweet, easy read and I enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Oh Eva, my god, how I love you.
Rylie, how many of your quotes did I highlight, I’ll never tell. (it was so many)
THE SPICE?? someone douse me, my WORD.

this was the first book I’ve read from Mazey, and I couldn’t get enough. I’m literally fighting for my life against influenza B right now and this was the only thing that kept me alive, i swear. the amount of times i genuinely cackled from Rylie and Eva’s banter is at least 25 times, because their quotes were downright hysterical (the jomforter? are you kidding me?)

i love love LOVED this book, from the LGBT representation, the gentle way trauma was explored, and the way feminism and pure badassery of women was explored. Mazey, you’ve gained a new fan. bravo 👏🏽👏🏽✨

Well, Actually is a second-chance romance told by Eva, a fiercely intelligent but emotionally guarded hot girl trying to thrive in the world of journalism while still healing from a past that left her believing love wasn’t meant for her. Reenter Rylie— the kind of man who makes you believe in love again (but he wasn’t always that way!) When life (and social media) throws them back together, old wounds resurface, but so does the electrical connection they once had. As they navigate workplace dynamics, personal growth, and the messy realities of love, Eva has to decide if she’s willing to give her heart to Rylie again.

This was my first Mazey Eddings read, and I devoured it. She had me actually laughing out loud with some of the most unhinged, outrageous moments and then crying over something that hit a little too close to home. She even managed to make me fall in love and see reflections of myself in all her characters.

Eva is that girl. She’s unfiltered, witty, and sometimes relentless, but underneath all of that is so much vulnerability. Watching her navigate her childhood trauma, emotions, self-worth, career woes, and relationships was both hilarious and gut-wrenching in the most relatable way. And then there’s Rylie—my new dream MMC. The way he truly sees and supports Eva while still having his own lore and charm makes their romance feel all the more real and meaningful.

This book had everything I love in a romance: humor, depth, a good amount of spice, and a story that felt so real. If you love grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, second chance stories with a hint of workplace romance, this is so worth the read!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well, Actually is Mazey on the top of her game!
As someone that has read a Mazey Eddings book before, I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this one since her books in the past seemed to be more cute rom com, focusing on tropes and just generally a fun time. This book however really surprised me.
Eva's quick retorts and smart mouth was what really had me invested initially. Throw some childhood trauma and an ex situationship that is forced back into her life for the sake of the career she refuses to let slip out of her grasp and I am fully locked in.

Riley and Eva had a little bit of a rocky relationship in college, Eva, clinging to Riley as the only person to show her even a modicum of attention in years, and Riley just floating through life after the death of his sister, unknowingly breaks Eva's heart and now, years later are thrown together to conduct a series of interviews for her company's channel.

The banter was absolutely top notch. I absolutely loved Riley being a little quirky and different with his denim bedsheets. Respected the hell out of this man for forcing Eva to talk to him because lord knows this woman would have just walked if he hadn't away and been sad and lonely for the rest of her life.

Took away a star at the end because it felt like it dragged a little with the lack of conflict and them just being generally happy for the last 25%. I personally prefer a little bit more of a slow burn when they start hooking up at around 50% and make their relationship official at about 80%.

I really enjoyed this! I did feel like Eva was a bit much in the first few chapters complaining a little but too much. But overall it did have me giggling and I loved Rylie.

Mazey Eddings delivers a charming romance with Well, Actually, a story that follows Riley and Eva as they navigate love and the messy realities of modern relationships especially in the days of social media. Their banter is quick-witted, playful, and absolutely adorable, making their dynamic one of the novel’s biggest strengths. Whether they’re exchanging snarky remarks or sharing vulnerable moments, their connection feels authentic and deeply engaging.

However, as much as I enjoyed the characters and their interactions, there was something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. The book had all the right ingredients—compelling protagonists, emotional depth, and a solid romance—but it didn’t fully satisfy in the way I expected. Maybe it was pacing, maybe it was a missing emotional beat, but something kept it from being truly unforgettable.

Additionally, the ending felt a bit abrupt. A more fleshed-out conclusion would have given their journey the payoff it truly deserved.

That being said, Well, Actually is still an enjoyable read, especially for fans of banter-filled romances with lovable leads. While it may not have been perfect, Riley and Eva’s story had plenty of charm and heart, making it worth picking up.

2.5


Ya sabía que este libro lo amaría o lo odiaría. Esperé varias semanas para leerlo en el mejor ánimo posible y, bueno al final, no me gustó.

Eva tiene un programa en el que entrevista a personas medianamente famosas. Un día, se emborracha porque odia su trabajo; nunca imaginó terminar donde está. Al encontrarse con las redes sociales de Riley Cooper, su ex y ahora una figura muy popular dando consejos a los hombres sobre cómo tratar a las mujeres, explota y sube un video contando lo terrible que fue él como novio y cómo todo lo que predica no lo aplica en su vida. Su video genera un revuelo en redes, y Riley la contacta para demostrarle que ha cambiado. Para ello, le propone salir a seis citas, tras las cuales ambos grabarán un podcast compartiendo sus pensamientos.

~

La idea era buena, pero mi problema es que él la trató horrible en la universidad, y lo mínimo que esperaba era que Eva estuviera enojada, no que se excitara al minuto de volver a verlo ni que se volviera vulnerable cuando él aún no se había ganado nada. Quería que se resistiera, que lo hiciera trabajar por su perdón, que él realmente demostrara su arrepentimiento y su cambio. Pero no. Por momentos ella intentaba resistirse, pero no le duraba nada.

Entiendo las razones de su comportamiento, pero eso no excusa lo que le hizo. Por eso, me enojó aún más que, después de escuchar toda la historia, Eva terminara disculpándose… ¿por qué exactamente? Que él estuviera pasando por un mal momento en su vida no le daba derecho a tratarla como basura.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is a delightful romance that had me grinning (and blushing) from beginning to end. The concept alone—Eva interviewing B-list celebrities while serving them hot dogs (think Chicken Shop Date)—had me intrigued from the start, and the execution was even better than expected. It’s such a fun, fresh idea that stands out in the romance genre, and the dynamic between Eva and Rylie was *chef's kiss.*

Eva, the lead, is tough on the outside (black cat energy). She's sarcastic, guarded, and quick with the comeback, which might rub some readers the wrong way, but I found her to be incredibly brave. She’s had her heart broken and built up walls to protect herself. I could totally understand her skepticism when Rylie, her ex, comes back into her life seemingly perfect. Her emotional journey is so satisfying to watch unfold, especially when you see her slowly opening up to someone who genuinely cares about her.

Now, Rylie... oh my goodness, SWOON, Rylie is sweet, patient, and honestly the kind of guy who makes you believe in romance. His unrelenting kindness, despite Eva's sometimes harsh behavior, makes him the perfect book boyfriend. The banter between him and Eva was off the charts hilarious, and their chemistry palpable. I couldn't help but giggle, kick my feet, and root for them every step of the way.

In short, this book is a balance of funny, heartwarming, and steamy, with characters who are impossible not to love. Mazey Eddings has truly raised the bar and I highly recommend Well, Actually.

I don't say this lightly, but I think this may be my favourite Mazey Eddings book yet. The banter, the humour, the emotional depth...chef's kiss!

Following this second-chance romance for Eva and Rylie was pure joy. Kicking feet and giggling along the way. I love how Mazey tackles mental health and life issues with so much sensitivity and in a relatable way.

I can't wait to listen to the audio of this. I'd also love to see it as a movie. Definitely a book I'll be recommending to my friends ever chance I get.

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for the advance copy.

Save your money, you don't need therapy you just need to read this book.


Thank you netgally for the ARC

This book was made for angry girls everywhere. I do not think I have highlighted so many passages in a romance book before. Our FMC is written flawlessly, and I know she will have haters, but I don't care; I love her. Our MMC, on the other hand, I know will be a fan favorite; He's wonderfully quirky, totally unique, and incredibly 3-dimensional.

I feel healed and warm inside. We angry girls deserve not to have to be tough all the time or strong enough. We deserve to cry and feel dramatic or silly. Our emotions matter. Thank you, Mazey, for reminding us.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I wasn't paid for this review, and I've already pre-ordered my own copy because I need this book on my shelf. Mazey Eddings, you clearly poured your heart into this, and it shows. This is a book that will resonate with so many people.

Well, Actually is a flirty and fun rom-com novel. It’s filled with hilarious banter and emotional connection. It’s charming and humorous, which kept me interested! It did, however, feel at times to kinda drag on. I feel it could easily be a couple chapters shorter (not that it’s a super long book, some stuff was just a little repetitive). But over all, I really enjoyed this book. It’s my first novel by Mazey Eddings, and I really enjoyed her writing! I rounded up to 4 starts for Goodreads!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the e-ARC of Well, Actually in exchange for my own honest thoughts!

If Amelia's Chicken Shop Dates and "How to End a Love Story" by Yulin Kuang had a baby (with some interference by "You, Again" by Kate Goldbeck) then you would get this little gem of a book!

The government cameras hidden in my apartment can attest that I was giggling my way through this book - kicking my feet every time Rylie spoke, and then humming and nodding my head with approval with my wine glass tipped in the air every time Eva started barking at him.

I can already tell Eva won't be everyone's cup of tea but she is MY tea EVA GET BEHIND ME! She is snarky, and kinda bitchy, but so freaking real. And Rylie got a love boner every time she bullied him so really everyone was having fun.

I want a physical copy of this book so bad, so hi publisher if you're seeing this hit a girl up i beg <3