A great book in the enemies-to-lovers style. The female main character unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend from college—the one who left her with nothing but terrible memories. But he does everything he can to convince her that the awful guy he used to be is long gone.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. There’s plenty of witty banter and sarcastic comebacks, which made it fun to watch the main characters’ relationship evolve. At the same time, the story also touches on serious topics like bullying and psychological trauma.

This felt like two great books combined into one. The first half of the book is a laugh-out-loud story about two people reconnecting and dating in a very public way. This book has fake dating in a fun new way because everyone knows it is fake, and it is being very publically shared. So, this part of the book was a five-star for me! The problem for me comes in when the romance becomes real. I had a hard time really routing for the characters and did not feel attached to their relationship. In addition, the author shifts this book into a message about privacy and what is entertaining. While this message is needed, the fact the whole plot started because the email posts a vent online while drinking might really make it hard to get behind that theme.

I liked this. The social media aspect was not my taste but I did think the premise was unique. Although I’m finding out it was based on chicken shop date?? But either way Eva, the FMC, set up interesting chain of events after drunk posting a video about her college ex, Rylie. Eva is mean, especially to Rylie, and I’m not mad at her for that but it’s so disappointing that when she needs her tough exterior or a backbone with her employers, it’s no where to be found.

From a plot stand point her job situation did not make sense. The story is that she can’t quit and has to do this date thing cause she needs the money (which is most people’s story, very relatable) but also decides after 3 of the 6 dates she agreed to, to just abandon her responsibilities. She was a hot mess and I understand that was purposeful but instead of making her relatable, it made her annoying.

Rylie was perfect in a way that made it very obvious he was written by a woman. My biggest gripe with him was the spelling of his name. All that to say I did enjoy their story especially the therapy scene, always nice to see healthy communication. Even better is that they keep on that trend and avoid a third act break up, Eve is literally trying to misunderstand Rylie but he, being the perfect man that he is, corrects her. BAM, miscommunication avoided and I appreciated it.

Thanks to NetGalley and st.martin’s press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you like the chicken shop date girl and want her to actually find love, this is for you. Sweet fluffy rom com. Quick read.

Giving this three stars only because I’ve loved Mazey’s three adult novels, but this one missed the tenderness of the others by a LONG SHOT. The character development suffered by making this one so much about the spice, which made me cringe so bad my teeth hurt. Eva calling Rylie “baby girl” isn’t as cute and quirky as she wants it to be. Also, why did the third act conflict happen literally at 93%???? This is obviously supposed to be Chicken Shop Date: Book Edition, but the whole point of Chicken Shop Date is that Amelia is blunt because she's awkward, not because she's antagonistic. Eva wasn't someone I wanted to root for, and the tiktokification of Riley (he has a jean comforter??? what???) just made me roll my eyes. I DNF-ed this initially and reluctantly went back to finish it. The couples therapy session was great, and it really showed me the Mazey Eddings I've come to love. I'll still read her next one, but I was very unimpressed with this one.

3.5/5

me and eva have the same inner monologue and i don't appreciate it...

any time an author releases a book with a main female character that is bitchy, tough around the edges, and just wants soft love, i have to pick it up. its out of my control and i blame winter from reckless. i was very excited to start this because the premise seemed super fun and i loveeeee a second chance romance. sadly many parts of the story just did not connect for me, i still think its a good read but i wasn't as obsessed as i thought i would be...

my issues with the story don't lie in the characters. eva is my baby, being in her head at times made me sob because i just get what she's thinking. i honestly wish we got more of her family issues because the dynamics were so interesting to me. rylie was okay too, i definitely didn't love him as much but hearing his story about grief and healing was beautiful. i also wish we saw more of that. the romance was very blah and i think thats where the disconnect was. maybe it was the grating nicknames that pulled me away from these two but whatever it was kinda ruined the relationship for me. i feel like there should have been more tension or more rediscovering going on. they haven't spoken in six years but the act like this happened a month ago.

the ending being about eva's job was done well i just couldn't find it in me to care. had this solely been a story about eva taking down the bitchass company i would have cheered. the romance bits just threw me a bit. the representation in this story is done very well and i really appreciate how this story isn't exactly like all the other romances out right now. the dialogue was strange at times but mazey eddings writes some spectacular inner thoughts!!

*thank you netgalley + st. martins for the arc*

So thankful for this ARC.

I have never laughed so hard as I have reading this book. The immature humor and banter balanced out with very open communication and big heart felt feelings was amazingly done.

This story follows Eva Kit, media journalist whose talk show interviews people while eating hot dogs. One drunken night she shits on an ex, Rylie Cooper, who runs a very popular podcast on TikTok and it goes viral. They reconnect and go on dates in both the public and private eye.

I love how these dates went, their friends, and the banter every step of the way. The spice was very fun too. The open queerness was done well.

My biggest complaint was how the work situation was handled. Eva is at an extremely toxic job and forced to do things she doesn’t like. While by the end this is all resolved, I do feel like it was weird no one pointed out how bad things were earlier on in the book and talked through with her how they were taking advantage of her for views and money while treating her horribly. It was a bit frustrating because it felt a bit danced around until the end.

Loved it so much!!!!

By far my new favorite and will be the perfect summer read! A second chance romance where the quick witty banter is complete perfection. Fell in love with both Eva & Rylie, both had me cackling.

Releases: August 5th!! I’m definitely buying it! 💕

—

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙘.

ARC review
Publication date 5 August 2025.

'Well, Actually" by Mazey Eddings is a contemporary second chance romance.

I received an e-ARC from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The cover describes perfectly the book.
Eva is the host of an online celebrity interview show that goes viral after posting a video about her podcaster ex, Riley.
She has black cat energy and he is a sweet golden retriever obsessed with her. They have such witty banter and I love them both.
The first half of the book is very funny and I had a smile on my face all the time.
But there are also some emotional parts that can be a bit overwhelming. Please check the content warnings if you have triggers.

The romance is a slow burn, as Rylie needs to show Eva that he deserves a second chance, after ghosting her 6 years ago. They go on dates, initially fake ones, for the podcast, and discuss a lot about their feelings and insecurities. Both characters are well written and complex. I would also say they complete each other.

I don't know what can I say more without spoiling the story.
Just that I laughed and cried and will definitely reread it.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings follows Eva Kitt, a journalist that wants to write about things that matter, but has been relegated to interviewing B-list celebrities over hot dogs. Her blog of creative essays and think pieces isn’t getting much traction, either. However, her old crush, Rylie Cooper, has a booming podcast and online presence calling out toxic masculinity. Yet, when Eva knew him, he was the epitome of a fratboy dudebro, one that broke her heart.

Eva responds to Rylie’s latest video with one of her own, calling him out. The last thing she expected was to go viral. And now, Rylie wants to make a deal with her: let him take her out on a series of date to prove he’s changed. With her job on the line, she’s compelled to accept the challenge. But what happens when the feelings between them are rekindled?

I went in to this expecting to hate Rylie or at least barely tolerate him. Eddings, through Eva, does a great job of making you feel viscerally about people, places, even bubbles in champagne. Thankfully, much like Eva, I fell in love with Rylie’s golden retriever goofiness and sweet nature. We love a man who’s bettering himself and knows how to treat a woman. And, he’s vulnerable with her. I wish Eva was real so we could go to art museums together. She’s so sarcastic and cool, I wish we could be friends. And I love her style.

I love a book that makes me cackle out loud while reading it. It was pure joy to watch them fall in love with each other again. Some of the signs are subtle, like how Eva calls Rylie by his first name instead of his last name more.

Not only was the book about the romance growing between Eva and Rylie, but it was also about navigating a toxic workplace, being true to yourself, and healing past trauma. It let very topical and I felt seen. It was refreshing for both characters to have had trauma in their past, so that they could be there for each other when past hurts surfaced.

I loved this! It made me feel all the feelings. I think I’m a second chance romance lover now, because this was done so well. I’m already a big fan of grumpy/sunshine, but can now say I’m a big fan of golden retriever/black cat, too. If you like these tropes, you’ll love this, too.

Thank you to SMP and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Mazey Eddings solidified her status as an auto buy author for me with Well, Actually. I always love a black cat/golden retriever pairing, and Eddings executed this so well.

The character development was beautiful, not just for the FMC on page, but learning about the MMC’s path and growth off-page. As a self-professed black cat myself, it was so special to watch Eva learn that she is worthy of love, and to watch Rylie patiently walk beside her on her journey to accept his love.

I liked that there was no third act breakup, especially considering Eva’s abandonment issues. It was beautiful to see her have someone show up for her for the first time.

The first half of the book was a bit slow for me, but right around the 50% mark, you start to see layers peeled away. The back half of the book flies by (in a good way!). I loved the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for a copy of this eARC. Mazey has written a fantastically angsty story of second-chance love that comes with a healthy dose of snark.

Eva’s black cat energy is unapologetically refreshing. She has come by much of her toughness naturally, and it resonates when she continues to have to defend herself as a woman in the workplace. It was hard watching her do the same thing with a friendship - I wanted her to have one safe place to land that wasn’t only Riley.

The banter between her and Riley was top-notch, and the exploration of the emotions between them during a therapy session and a car ride were exceptionally well-done. It took them a long time to get there but it was worth it.

I adore Eva's wit and sarcasm and how truly unfiltered she is with her thoughts! It's very refreshing to see such a strong-willed FMC. At some points, it did feel a little excessive how blunt she was, especially when it came to Rylie, but Eva is just a certified hater and I kind of love it. This book was hilarious and heartfelt and I loved every second watching Eva and Rylie reconnect, grow, and fall for each other.

I’m a sucker for anything Mazey writes, and of course she didn’t disappoint.

I didn’t think I really understood the characters until the therapy scene which was so brilliant. I loved the exploring of each of their insecurities and trauma’s and how they really informed their reactions to each other. It was really beautiful,

And obviously the spice was brilliant and the banter was next level.

This book was EVERYTHING. It gave Amelia’s Chicken Shop vibes in the best way, and the banter? The angst? The second-chance romance? PERFECTION. Rylie and Eva’s dynamic had me absolutely hooked, and the way the story tackled toxic masculinity while still being fun and addictive?? Obsessed.

And let’s talk about the smut—CHEF’S KISS. Compliments to the kitchen because they COOKED, and I ATEEE. Every scene was top-tier, the chemistry was off the charts, and I could not get enough. Mazey Eddings truly did that, and I will be seated for whatever she writes next.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read. The plot was solid and the main characters were super interesting to me in the beginning, especially their dynamic. However, I felt the pacing was off at times and found many of the character choices to be an odd and the supporting characters were not my favorite at times either. Definitely worth the read for some fun banter and cute moments. Plus no third act breakup which is always a win in my book!

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is a fun, witty romantic comedy that plays on the typical "nerdy romance" trope, but with some clever twists. The slow-burn romance is well-executed. The tension builds up in a way that feels natural, and the relationship develops through shared experiences and emotional growth. If you’re a fan of lighthearted, intellectual romantic comedies with a focus on quirky, lovable characters, Well, Actually will probably be right up your alley. It’s sweet, smart, and funny, with just enough emotional weight to make the romance feel grounded and real.

This rom com follows Eva Kitt, in all her black cat energy, as her life takes an unexpected turn when her video calling out her college ex goes absolutely viral on social media.

Having to now confront the repercussions of this, Eva must face her ex, Rylie Cooper (in his pure golden retriever energy) who makes her a deal: allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for the past.

What follows is a delightful adventure, full of witty banter and potential second chances? This book had me twirling my hair and kicking my feet! I also appreciated Mazey Eddings careful handling of mental health, and bountiful queer representation.

Highly recommend picking up a copy when it releases, as this story was just such a joy to get lost into!

There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed!
This was a fun second chance romance! Loved the LGBTQ+ representation in the story as well. However, there were just so many lines that took me completely out of the story.

thank you to st martins & NetGalley for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

DNF @ 66%

I think Mazey Eddings is a great romance writer, and I'm not entirely sure why, but her romances don't fully work for me. I loved that Eva was a badass softie, and I loved how moony Rylie was over her. I thought the side characters were just OK- Eva's relationship with Ada was weird, and I don't always love when the diverse characters are relegated to the sidelines. I liked Eva and Rylie's banter, but it couldn't keep me interested enough to finish sadly.