Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

This was a fun time! Mazzy Eddings’ writing is addictive - it was hard to put down because I enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters. I loved the bitchy banter and Rylie’s redemption arc / groveling tour.

Thank you SMP for the gifted copy

Mazey Eddings killed it with this novel. The banter was 10/10 and you could feel the raw emotions embedded within the characters. Rylie and Eva’s relationship tugged at my heart. Black cat and golden retriever trope was A+. I will be purchasing the physical copy once it comes out!


#smpinfluencer

This man…This mother frickin man had me giggling and kicking my feet like a child 🤭 Ugh. Rylie was such an absolute delight and swept me right off my feet. Eva was such a fun FMC and her quick comebacks and insults had me cackling. Genuinely writing those down to use for a later time. The way this book explores emotions, grief and growth was so beautiful to read. Also…the glasses had me melting. I’m so weak for a man in glasses 🤣

4.5 stars

This took me so long to get through. It was such a snoozefest for me personally, but maybe that's just me, the next person might love it!

I hated it. Then, liked it, but I really just wanted more.

"Well, Actually" is a funny romance with spice, black cat/golden retriever energy, and tons of banter.
The book opens with Eva Kitt, an aspiring journalist stuck in what seems to be a dead-end job interviewing low grade celebrities over cold hotdogs. Sounds gross, right?
In a drunken haze, Eva posts a video of a tea-filled, exposing rant about an ex from college and it goes viral. This gives an opportunity for the stuck-up and stone-cold executives of the media company she works for to profit off her embarrassment by having Eva interview her ex.
Enter Rylie Cooper, who seems to be called a mix of both Rylie and Cooper, Babygirl, and a wide range of derogatory explicatives which makes it hard to keep up with what his name is in the beginning. Since his college days with Eva, Rylie has made a name for himself online by talking about toxic masculinity and all the "icks" men can give off, which seems to be the opposite of how he was in college.
During the interview, Eva is bantering nonstop and projects just how much she seems to hate Rylie, but he is being a gentleman, nonetheless. They reach an agreement for the pair to have several dates with one another so Rylie can reframe Eva's image of him, and so they can both get content for their brands.

While the plot of this book is interesting and provides lots of exciting events throughout the story, it also seems like nothing really happens. The only character I felt semi connected to was Rylie, who was just a stereotypical guy redeeming his toxic ways. At first, I really hated Eva as a character and a person. Her entire personality is that she hates her job and the acts rude to everyone for the facade of the media show, but it carries into her everyday life. The more I read, I could understand that Eddings probably wanted readers to hate her. It really played into the character arc she was supposed to have, even if that fell flat as well. Do not get me wrong, I love a good, bitchy character and a woman who knows what she wants in life. However, it is the lack of real personality that bothers me. Sure, she had a rough past in college and has reasons for her to be so rude, but the entire book she uses it as an excuse and to be a facade- making her a bad friend and overall annoying person to be around.

The side characters could have been really loveable, but I felt as if they, and most of the story, was forgotten in the middle and toward the end of the book. I felt as if Eddings added LGBT+ characters just to say they were there, but I would not consider this a "LGBT" or "Queer Lit" book, as it is tagged on Goodreads, Amazon, and several other places.

Not to spoil anything, but toward the middle an end of the book, as mentioned before, the story seemed to solely focus on one thing, leaving the rest of the plot behind until it suddenly comes back into focus so rapidly that it was only several chapters until the end of the book. Everything felt rushed to be tied up at the end because Eddings forgot to mention them from the 8th chapter until the 20th.

To end on a good note, I did like the banter Eva gave to everyone. As mentioned before, I love a character who can seem a bit rough around the edges, as long as they have a personality behind it or a character arc. I liked how there was a redemption story for the couple in the book, and the overall plot. I just wish it would have really been filled out instead of randomly focusing on a few different character traits and hurriedly tying up at the end. I can understand why this book can become popular later on once it is published. This was the first book I have read by Eddings, and I am not totally inclined to read more, but I think I can give her another chance to redeem herself.

I absolutely loved this whole book and devoured it in one day! The banter between Eva and Riley was perfection and I loved the characters and their growth. This is the first book I have read by Mazey and will be reading her other works because of have fantastic this one was! This book made me laugh out loud, kick my feet, and giggle so many times! There is no third act break up (thank goodness, I don’t think my heart could have handled that for Eva) and I LOVE Riley and his communication and not letting Eva go. He is simply perfection. Absolute must read of a book and I can’t wait for it to come out to get a copy!

✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
(Thank you for this opportunity)


(Small spoilers)
.
.
.
.
.

I LOVE Eva and Rylie together.  His softness completely balances her hardness in the best ways. Also really enjoyed the LQBTQIA+ support throughout the story. Definitely a must read.

I said, God Damn! GOD DAMN! [whispers] …God damn… [passes out]

I was more addicted to this book than Mia was to coke in Pulp Fiction.

This book had everything. A spicy, back-talking, opinionated sex kitten and a sexy golden retriever who moonlights as a dominant top in the bedroom? Perfection. LGBT representation? Loved it. Banter? Top tier. Comedy? Had me cackling. The spice? Had me contemplating writing thank you notes to the author.

.....additional (& less inappropriate) thanks goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced readers copy so that i can give my honest feedback and review. This has been posted on Goodreads

Honestly, the baby girl thing was the first red flag for me. I’m a huge fan of this author’s work, but didn’t love how this one played out. The characters weren’t likable and the storyline was rushed. Overall, not a big fan of this one.

Eddings’ books are always equal parts romance, humour, inclusivity, and pure enjoyment. I love her ability to let the reader connect to the FMC by making her realistic and down to earth. The MMC being a golden retriever from the start was so enjoyable. I love the second chance romance and enemies to lovers tropes and she does them so well. I also loved the little cameo of Lizzie for those who have been fans of Eddings’ other books. A fun, enjoyable read.

A solid three stars. Well, Actually had a pretty cute premise. Eva is the host of an internet interview show called Sausage Talk, where she interviews B-List celebs overeating hot dogs. Maybe this is Chicken Shop Date fanfic? Anyways, on one drunken night she posts a video slamming Rylie, the host of a podcast about deconstructing toxic masculinity. She went on five dates with him back in college and in champagne fueled rant she exposes that he was the epitome of toxic masculinity. It's a viral hit. She hates her job but wants to keep it so she agrees to Rylie's idea to give her five dates to show her he has changed his ways, and then they will debrief on their podcast.

What works: Eva and Rylie's banter. It's banterific. I really liked Eva and her prickly personality and snappy one liners.

What I wanted more of: I feel like their two careers were a fun idea, but were not fully developed. The mustache twirling toxic boss element fell a bit flat.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of my honest review.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title.
This book is one of the funniest and most charming RomCom's I've read. I knew from the first page, that it was going to be a delight.
Rylie and Eva were friends turned terrible one night stand turned enemies. Eva hurls insults like it is her damn job. The insults become like a kink between her and Rylie, and the banter in this book is top notch.
Throw in some conversations over hot dogs, couples therapy, and you have a fun, heartfelt story on your hands.
The author delivers a delicate touch on mental health issues, redemption, and vulnerability, all while providing laugh out loud moments. It is a feat in which she excelled. This is a must read.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is a charming and witty romance that blends humor with heartfelt moments, though it’s not without its pacing issues. Eva Kitt, the protagonist, finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight as the host of a low-key interview show, "Sausage Talk." Her life takes a sharp turn when a viral public call-out of her college ex, Rylie Cooper, a well-known social media personality, puts her at the center of controversy. The tension between them builds when Rylie offers Eva a deal: go on a series of dates with him to help him redeem his reputation, and she might get something she’s always dreamed of—career advancement.

Eddings creates fun, engaging characters in Eva and Rylie, both of whom are flawed but likable. Their back-and-forth chemistry is full of sparks, and their banter provides much of the book's charm. The premise - an ex-couple working together for career gains while reexamining their past - has great potential for emotional depth, but the narrative sometimes moves slower than expected, preventing the story from reaching its full potential.

Despite a few slower moments, the book remains enjoyable due to its engaging writing and dynamic characters. Eva’s growth, both personally and professionally, feels genuine, and Rylie’s transformation from a toxic ex to a more self-aware man is believable, albeit predictable. There’s just something about the pacing that makes the book feel like it’s missing that final “spark” that would elevate it from good to great.

Overall, Well, Actually is a sweet, fun, and lighthearted romance that will appeal to fans of character-driven stories. While it may not be a standout in the genre, it’s still a worthwhile read for those who enjoy a mix of humor, romance, and self-discovery.

Wow! I adored this book!

This book is a rom-com, friends (sort of) that become enemies-to-lovers. The fierce FMC is bad ass but a little bit broken too. The dialogue between Eva and Rylie is witty, funny (I laughed out loud serval times while reading it) and so sweet. It’s a fast-paced fake dating story with twists and turns and truly worth the read.

This was my first Mazey Eddings but not my last!

I DEVOURED this book! Chapter 4 had me kicking my feet and biting my lip. The tension was top tier! One thing I have always loved about Mazey’s writing is how much it makes me feel. It’s so easy to become enmeshed in the story and feel like it’s happening to you. Did I think Eva was a tad unlikable at times? Yes, but did Mazey make me empathize with her too? Yes! Riley and Eva were so beautifully messy together, and it was impossible not to root for them. Their chemistry and character development was impeccable. It was simply impossible to put the book down and I definitely will be listening to it too when it comes out in August! Beautiful cover art, sizzling chemistry, and hot damn Riley… 😅

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Mazey Eddings has done a great job once again fusing humor, romance, female empowerment and spice in this story of Eva and Riley, who have history and are now enemies in Well, Actually. Eva dreams of being a journalist, and has a path she wants to take, but ends up making a video that gets more attention on social media than she planned, which leads to her second chance meeting with Riley. These 2 have history from college, which was devastating for Eva and has impacted a lot of her relationships. This story is fun with a lot of quick wit and deeply emotional feelings for both Riley and Eva. I enjoyed this story and getting to know both main characters more, as well as a little glimpse into one of Mazey’s previous characters in a snippet of the story. I recommend Well, Actually to people who enjoy romance, enemies to lovers, laughter, second chance romance, and spicy stories.

“I mean this with all the love, light, and peace in my heart: What the hell is wrong with you?”

I honestly wanted to give this book five stars. But there were just a few things about it that prevented me from taking the leap.
That being said, I’ll still round this one up mentally to a 4.5.

“I always expected my career would revolve less around wieners than it does”

Eva Kitt has big dreams, but for now she’s stuck working her way up the ladder, while hosting a self-deprecating mini segment that she’s WAY too good for and getting paid peanuts to live in NYC. She has the self confidence to take it all in stride, eating an ungodly amount of hotdogs while having to deal with the lesser knowns of fame.

One drunken night she stitches a video with her ex-fling completely dragging him for their college hookup. When she wakes up, she’s viral! Her bosses pressure her into interviewing the ex on her segment, and it takes off from there. Rylie Cooper seems genuine and asks her to go on a series of dates with him to make up for old times. The publicity and a pending promotion seemingly hang in the balance, so against all better judgement, Eva agrees.

First of all, Rylie Cooper is a BOYFRIEND. He is sweet, he is genuine, he is kind, he is loving, he is SPICY. Everything. 10/10 for Rylie. He was being so great that I found myself constantly thinking “wow, Eva is being a brat to this angel of a man.” BUT Eva did redeem herself throughout the book, great development here.

Honestly, the entire plot played out in my head like my new favorite movie. I could picture it all as it unfolded. I loved the banter between Eva and Rylie, but also the playfulness between the entire friend group. I laughed and found myself smiling in so many different places. This book made me feel warm and fuzzy which is exactly what you need with something like this.

I really enjoyed this book. There are so many positive themes here. Representation for women, LGBTQ+ and advocation for queer youth, self-confidence, friendship, love. I would absolutely recommend this one and I’m thankful to NetGalley, Mazey Eddings, and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this one.

2.5⭐️ i was so excited for this book that when i saw mazie post that the arc was free for everyone on netgalley, i ran. well… it took me 3 weeks to finish which says a lot as is. Late Bloomer was one of my favorite reads from last year but this one really disappointed me. maybe because i’m not an avid watcher of chicken shop but i could not get over how mean Eva was being for the first like 60% of the book — and even after this. big misses for me: the whole premise is that eva posts a tik tok “”exposing”” riley (someone she had a fling with for a few months, years ago in college) and it goes viral. i don’t know why she is so hung up on this. riley was going through the death of his sister, which made him flakey during this time (understandable), but they way that serious conversations in this book come around is like whiplash. one second they’re goofing off and the next they’re trauma dumping. minor things i also had trouble with: call riley one name please. is he riley, coop, or cooper?; i hate the nickname kitten. he also started using demon spawn as a term of endearment which i can kinda get behind because eva was annoying but what.

anyway, there were more misses for me but i cant talk about this any longer. maybe this is more like a 2⭐️ but i feel bad.

This book surprised me in the best way!

Initially, I wasn’t feeling this story, primarily because of our headstrong leading lady, Eva. She is contrarian, sharp, and downright not likable at times. Then, we meet Rylie Cooper, and the pieces start coming together, because while I would have a very hard time dating someone like Eva Kitt, there are men like Rylie Cooper out there who would move mountains to be with this fireball of a woman.

This romance tackled deeper themes than hot dogs and bad one-night stands. It addressed bigger questions about relationships and growth, like: are people truly capable of change? Why do humans ask for love in very unloving ways? Where do you draw the line when it comes to your dream career? And how can someone who dislikes themselves allow others to love them?

The growing tension and pacing of the relationship are superb. I give Eddings major props for her sex scenes because they are beautifully written: sexy without being graphic, and very sweet without being cringy.

For fans of Ali Hazelwood or Abby Jimenez, you must add this book to your TBR!

I picked up this book because the blurb really caught my attention, but unfortunately, that was where my excitement stopped. There were parts that were entertaining, but overall, it just wasn’t for me.

Eva, the main character, was tough to connect with. I get that she was supposed to be this guarded, sarcastic person, but sometimes her jokes went way too far and felt kind of mean. I totally understand that’s just her personality, but it started to wear on me. On the other hand, I really liked Rylie. He was honest and straightforward from the start, and I was definitely more invested in his side of the story than Eva’s.

Another thing that bugged me was how long some of the chapters were. Like, some of them felt like they went on forever—30 minutes per chapter at times! I honestly think a lot of that could have been cut down or condensed to make the pacing better.

In the end, while this book wasn't for me, I did feel compelled to finish it out of respect for the author's work. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. I always appreciate the opportunity to try new books, even if they don't always hit the mark for me.