literally love anything mazey eddings writes and well, actually was everything you could want in a rom com, second chance romance.

this is like the ugly truth meets how to lose a guy in 10 days. mediocre blogging work meets dating advice. the best of both worlds

meeting in college, Eva Kitt and Riley Cooper had a bumpy start- him constantly badgering her in class trying to get her to date him until one day she said yes- his red flags and all- and then it ended. she was heartbroken and it traumatized her for any other relationship over the next 6 years.

He’s a million follower influencer, she’s a hot dog eating website host, and when she comes across one of his podcast snip it’s on tiktok one drunken night, her impulsiveness takes over and her video going against everything he’s saying goes viral and they’re shoved in close quarters again.

She’s the grumpy to his sunshine, golden retriever personality. will he be able to break her down into the girl he met in college or will she ruin him?

spice 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

this was basically chicken shop date where they eat disgusting hot dogs instead of chicken. the guests also can’t compare to who amelia pulled so far💅🏻 nonetheless the concept was fun.

it starts with our <i>lovely</i> fmc Eva -the host of hot dogs program- who is also not lovely at all but more like an ice queen, seeing her college boyfriend/one night stand/hook up on internet talking about how men can beat toxic masculinity. which rightfully angers Eva because Rylie was the embodiment of toxic masculinity when they were dating. long story short she stitches his video(drunkenly) and talks about how bad he was back then, gets millions of views and her producers wants to milk the attention so her ex boyfriend comes as a guest to her show👀

now, i know Eva isn’t for everyone. she had some unreasonable moments and she was mostly rude and mean. but for me she was so real. i unfortunately saw myself in her like a mirror and it was both sad(because no one loves me like rylie loves her) and relieving (because someone loved her so dear).

but god how i adored Eva!!🥹 the sweet girl inside of her tough exterior, she walls she build around herself after everyone let her down💔 MY GIRLLLLLL deserved to be loved and Rylie loved her so much it seemed like loving Eva was easier than breathing for Rylie🩷

and Rylie my love🩷 i love a down bad man, i believe this is universally acknowledged at this point🤭 but i also love a patient man, a man who doesn’t have a fragile ego, a man who can take a joke from a woman, a man who acknowledges his past mistakes and redeems them🙂‍↕️ he was all of them🥹 MY DREAMMMMMM seriously when.is.it.my.turn?!

honestly i wasn’t expecting to get emotional over this book let alone shedding actual tears🤚🏻 but there was a scene where they read hate comments about them on internet and all the comments for him was like “can i call him daddy, can he spank me” etc which i know there were probably bad comments about him and that was evil planning bla bla but what hurts me was the comments she had to read. the way people criticized her, called her mean names and the way they were all so real. like there are so many women on the internet getting hate comments for something so trivial something we all do and something no one bats an eye when a man does. so yeah the reality of it made me cry because my heart broke for her💔

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Review has spoilers!

Overall, this was a pretty good book. I enjoyed the snarky humor of Eva and the back and forth between Rylie. I am a bit unsatisfied with the ending though. Eva gets fired from her job and then the next chapter (or the next) everything is wrapped neatly and everything is okay again. I would have liked to have seen some of the struggle after losing her job to the point of calling out the former company and bosses.

I also was disappointed that they never really have Eva deal with her obvious abandonment issues and family issues. It's mentioned several times how her family basically ignored her to do what her step- and half-siblings needed/wanted all the time. It obviously affected her so much. But we don't get to see her really deal with those issues. She doesn't ever mention it to Rylie which I think it odd. Just a comment about "hey I struggle with feeling loved and appreciated because of my family" would have made me happy.

But like I said, overall a decent read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is such a funny, moving, delightful novel. Eva and Rylie are such great characters, and their personalities flew off the page. Every character, really, was written very well. I liked how the readers were able to see Eva and Rylie work through their feelings (develop them, in Eva's case, and put them on full display, in Rylie's case) in a way that did not feel rushed or forced. The banter was witty, the conversations about grief and mental health were executed perfectly, and the villains really had me mad every time they appeared on page. I cannot wait for the rest of the world to read about Eva and Rylie, because I loved them.

This book had solid writing, great pacing, and a smooth flow—but I don’t think I was the target audience. I love second-chance romance, banter, and reverse grumpy-sunshine, so this should have been perfect for me. That said, the heavy focus on internet culture (think Chicken Shop Date vibes) didn’t quite land. The humor wasn’t my style, so I struggled to stay immersed. But if you love contemporary references and social media-driven storytelling, this one might be right up your alley!

Where do I even begin? This book was absolutely amazing! It was everything I needed right now, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this arc. Mazey Eddings did an amazing job at giving you a book that had you giggling and kicking your feet, laughing at the characters, and providing so much depth and meaning to their lives and stories.

This was easiest 5 stars I could've given a book. I went into this thinking it would be a fluffy cute romance, but it was that and so much more. These characters had raw emotions and problems going on within themselves and their relationships with others. Well, Actually surprised me in the best way possible. I sat and read this book in literally 2 sittings.

This story follows our FMC, Eva, who is a newbie journalist at a company. She hosts a podcast where B-D list celebrities come onto the show and eat hot dogs with her. One day she comes across her ex from college on social media, our MMC Rylie, and completely dogs him on the internet. This video blows up and she finds herself having to collaborate with him on episodes and go on dates with him.

You get fake dating, forced proximity, second chance romance, slow burn, yearning/longing, and so many others in this novel. Again this does cover some heavier topics, so just know that going in. I would recommend this book to any and everyone. I also read this after reading First Time Caller by B.K. Borison, so if you enjoyed that book I would highly recommend you read this one. It has similar aspects when it comes to the podcast and social media aspects.

This book will take you on a journey of self love, finding love in places you least expect it, discovering your worth, and just allowing yourself to have people there to support you and lean on in times of need. This book isn't set to be released until August, but please please go get it once it is released. You won't regret it!

My first ever ARC! Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If there is one things I love in a romance book it is a black cat girl and her golden retriever boyfriend. This book starts off with a silly rom-com premise, but somehow also handles serious situations gracefully. I loved these characters and their growth throughout the book so much that I was fully crying during the couples therapy scene. I highly recommend this to all my romance loving girlies. I will definitely be checking out Mazey Eddings' other books!

Unfortunately, had to DNF this one at 50%— simply not for me! The premise had SUCH potential (love a reverse grumpy/sunshine setup), but the execution fell flat. The FMC wasn’t giving “black cat energy,” she was just… mean :’) like so so so mean :’) I’m all for a little sass, but Eva felt more like a bully tbh, making it hard to root for the romance or even care.

The social media references and humor had their moments (definitely gave chicken shop date vibes), but the constant negativity and shallow character development dragged it down soooo bad. I really tried to hang on, but by halfway through it felt like scrolling endlessly through TikTok—some mildly entertaining moments, but nothing substantial to hold onto.

A fun, laugh out loud rom com that I always am in the mood for. One of my favorite interview styles is the Chicken Shop Date with Amelia which this is absolutely reminiscent of and based off of. It made it so fun to read and one of the reasons why I grabbed for it! I found myself smiling at my kindle throughout the entire thing. Eva is definitely the opposite of a fmc I usually read which made it a little “skimmy” for me but the banter made up for it and gave a balance. It was a slow burn, second chance, banter-full laugh out loud romcom. Super cute for what it was and a decently good story.

This was simply just not for me. The references were just off the mark. The main character was very unlikeable. After reading some other reviews about representation I will unfortunately be discontinuing reading

Mazey Eddings, known for her popular romance novels like "Late Bloomer" and "A Brush with Love," is set to release her latest work, "Well, Actually," in 2025. This highly anticipated novel promises to be a delightful and sexy second-chance romance, featuring a "black cat and golden retriever" dynamic. The story centers around Eva Kitt, a struggling journalist who finds herself hosting a low-budget celebrity interview show called "Sausage Talk." Eva's career takes an unexpected turn when she publicly calls out her college ex, Rylie Cooper, a popular social media influencer known for his work on deconstructing toxic masculinity.

Eva's impulsive act goes viral, forcing her to confront Rylie on a live episode of "Sausage Talk." Rylie, determined to make amends for his past behavior, proposes a series of dates with Eva, which he plans to document on his channel to demonstrate his transformation. Eva, initially reluctant, agrees to the scheme, seeing it as an opportunity to advance her career and continue to expose Rylie's flaws. As their manufactured dates progress, Eva begins to question whether Rylie has truly changed and if he might be the one to heal her broken heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mazey Eddings, and St. Martin's Griffin. "Well, Actually" is described as a love letter to women who have felt marginalized and unloved. The novel explores themes of misogyny, mental health, and the importance of supportive relationships. Eva, the protagonist, is portrayed as a complex and relatable character who struggles with the societal expectations placed upon women. She is sarcastic, witty, and even mean at times, but her vulnerability and desire for genuine connection make her a compelling figure. The novel also highlights the importance of therapy and self-care, emphasizing the need to address past traumas and work towards personal growth.

Readers have praised "Well, Actually" for its witty banter, engaging characters, and realistic portrayal of relationships. The novel is described as a "hate to love" story that avoids the typical tropes of the genre, offering a fresh and relatable perspective on romance. The pacing is praised for being perfect, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. The book also tackles serious issues like misogyny and power dynamics, showcasing how those in positions of power can abuse their authority.

"Well, Actually" is a highly anticipated release that promises to be a captivating and thought-provoking read. With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and exploration of complex themes, the novel is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a touch of depth.
#NetGalley #WellActually

From the start, this book reminded me of the scene in how to lose a guy in 10 days where they’re singing “you’re so vain” and I love it so much. I loved this book, the characters, and the hate to love that happened. bonus was this book didn’t stress me out like some enemies to lovers stories do (but yet I’ll always read them). 10/10!

I don’t even know what to say!!! I’m still processing… This was my most anticipated read ever since it got recommended to me by the Instagram algorithm. Everything from the synopsis told me this was going to be my favorite read of the year, and while I can’t say with certainty yet as it’s only January, this certainly has been my favorite read of both this and last year so far. I’m in awe, I fell out of contemporary a while ago, but this was like a breath of fresh air. Now I’m not saying I’m the number 1 contemporary fan, but this was just everything to me. I read it all in one go, I was engaged from start to finish and my heart was pounding the whole time.

The pacing was perfect, the banter had me giggling and blushing and kicking my feet, it touched on serious topics and advocated for getting therapy!! We love that in this house. Eva was such an impactful pov character, and I really resonated with her. While I have obviously never experienced misogyny, my heart hurt reading all of the things she had to go through. The villains were sickening in a way that wasn’t cartoonish, as it’s a very realistic portrayal of how people who are in positions of power can very easily abuse it and it can sometimes feel like you’ll never be able to get out from under them. The only real complaint I have is that I wish her family issues also had a resolution or it was touched on more so she could have some sort of closure for it. It was gut wrenching and I wish she was able to get some familial love or even open up about it with Rylie. I kept waiting for it to happen but it just never did. Other than that, this was a perfect read for me.

Overall, this was everything and more to me. I can’t say enough how much I recommend this to anyone who’ll listen. This got me out of a bad reading contemporary romance reading slump, and I will be reading all of the rest of Mazey’s books whenever I find the time. Thank you so much to Mazey and St. Martin’s press for this e-arc.

Mazey Eddings is one of my most favorite authors and I squealed with joy when I was invited to read this book. The banter, the sass, the grumpy-sunshiney-ness of it all. It was delicious. It was such a unique premise that hit all of my buttons and I love, love, love how inclusive Mazey is in her stories when it comes to gender, sexuality and mental health. It's so genuine, but it's there and shows you that it exists in the world in all kinds of stories, even HEAs that aren't wrapped up with a perfect bow. I will be recommending this book and shouting about it to the world, which I tend to do with all of Mazey's books. Thank for the chance to read this ARC.

This is a witty second-chance romance. Eva is a journalist who is frustrated by her current career (the equivalent of Buzzfeed) and drunkenly decides to respond to her es-boyfriend online video about how to be a supportive partners. This leads to a viral moment and the opportunity for the couple to reconnect as fully formed adults.
here are the parts I loved about this book - Eva is absolutely feral and mean and unapologetic. Cooper actually has some character growth and maturity
Here is what I disliked - the side characters were one note, Eva has an incredibly traumatic family story that is never addressed and I just did not believe the motivation behind anything that happened.

Thank you netGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own

Unfortunately had to DNF this book. The characters fell flat for me and it was difficult to connect with them. I also just personally felt like there was no real connection between our couple.

The FMC was just blatantly rude at some points to the MMC for no reason. When reading a romance I want there to be a strong connection from the start, and I get that not all romances will start with the couple being sweet and smitten. But it felt like there was no real reason for Eva to be so rude (I mean y’all dated years ago and you’re still holding a grudge??) and therefore the chemistry was just not there for me. I do like the fact that we had multiple flashbacks and we got to see a bit of their relationship before the current timeline.

One aspect I do really like about the book is the up to date references. It definitely reminded me of the chicken shop date and a lot of the humor in the book made me laugh out loud. It’s very modern and there are multiple references to social media etc. The book just dragged on a bit too much for me which led me to having to put the book down early.

This was such a cute, quick romance read that constantly had me giggling and kicking my feet! Mazey Eddings can write characters with chemistry and it was SO refreshing!! I just know this is going to be so popular when it comes out.

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings.

This book was FUN! thank you to net galley and the publisher for this ARC.
I think this book is what the movie UGLY TRUTH with Katherine Heigl,should have been! Like true enemies to lovers, haters because of feelings, challenging each other, and top tier banter.
I was laughing out loud in the first few chapters.
I really enjoyed this read, I felt like the characters were real people with genuine experiences. If you like rom coms, this is for you!

When I first came across this book, I was honestly kind of off-put by it. Like, what do you mean she’s the host of a show called Sausage Talk where they eat hotdogs and talk? No thanks.

But then I couldn’t stop thinking about this book and now, here we are.

To be completely fair, at first, I absolutely hated Eva. But the more I’ve thought about this book and everything that happens, I think she’s going to be everyone’s favorite.

I didn’t care for how Eva referred to Rylie as his last name for most of the book, but seeing that switch to “Rylie” from “Cooper” as their relationship grew really paid off.

Rylie Cooper has stolen my heart. He has the greenest of green flags and is a walking dream (to me at least). I need a Rylie Cooper in my life.