🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC of Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings! Last year, I read Late Bloomer and absolutely devoured it, so I was super excited to get my hands on this one.

Although this isn’t an f/f romance, fear not, Mazey gave us a bi MMC and a pan FMC 🤌🏽

Our FMC, Eva, is a talk show host for B/C-list celebs, reminiscent of Amelia from Chicken Shop Date but instead of chicken tenders , she’s eating hot dogs 😂 She’s a true black cat, struggling to navigate a career she thought would be “real” journalism. One night, she drunkenly rants about an ex-hookup (haven’t we all been there?!?), and that’s how we meet our soft and down bad MMC.

Rylie Cooper is the epitome of the golden retriever boyfriend, and I loved every single part of him. As a general rule, I’m not a fan of male podcasters, BUT his premise, breaking down the patriarchy and encouraging men to get in touch with their emotions? That’s what the world actually needs. He’s a grounding force for Eva as she navigates sudden fame and a toxic work environment.

Overall, I really enjoyed Well, Actually and recommend it to anyone looking for a book with sharp banter, queer rep, and deeply relatable character arcs.

Read if you love:

Queer rep
Banging banter
Black cat x golden retriever
Grief rep
Second chance romance

Well, Actually releases on August 5th. Thank you again for the early copy!

**Blog post is sheduled to be published on July 24th**

Today's review is about Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings, a new rom-com that I initially saw described as Chicken Shop Date,but with hot dogs. Now, I don't watch Chicken Shop Date, but I think most of us saw the viral clips of the host, Amelia, having undeniable chemistry with Andrew Garfield (which, to be fair, he could have chemistry with anyone). 

While I am not an avid watcher of the show that this book may or may not be based on, I was intrigued enough by the premise to request this one on NetGalley, and man, I am really glad I did. 

The Characters
The book follows Eva, the host of an online show where she eats hot dogs with her guests. Eva could be characterized as "rude and mean." But what I appreciated most was how Mazey Eddings took the time to unravel why Eva is the way she is. A lot of her feelings were incredibly valid, and I saw myself in her more than once. 

That said, there were a few moments (especially in the latter half of the book) where her abrasiveness felt a little overdone. Some of her dialogue started to feel less like natural snark and more like trying too hard to be edgy. I think part of this is due to the obvious Amelia Dimoldenberg connection being made, and it took me out of the story a couple of times. 

Now let’s talk about Rylie Cooper. Rylie Cooper was definitely my favorite character. He was charming and kind, but also emotionally mature and willing to take responsibility for his past mistakes. It was refreshing to see a second-chance romance where the love interest actually made an effort to improve.  And a man who goes to therapy?? Automatically moves up the ranking for me. 

As for the side characters, they were a bit underwhelming. I believe I read somewhere that Rylie's best friend Lizzie was the main character of a previous book? However, I also wanted more of her in this book. I love a found family or strong friendship dynamic in my books, but I didn't feel that any of the side characters were standouts. I especially disliked Eva's "best friend." I never quite grasped the connection between the two, and since their friendship played a significant role in the final plot, I never really cared if they were friends by the end. 

The Writing and Plot
This was my first book by Mazey Eddings, and I was pleasantly surprised by her writing. I highlighted SO MANY quotes during my read-through, and I was even laughing out loud at some of the lines. I think the biggest strength was the obvious connection between the two main characters. 

While it reads like a fun rom-com on the surface (with a lot of hilarious banter), the story tackles a number of serious topics. Both Eva and Rylie are going through a lot in their personal lives, and Rylie, in particular, has an unfortunate backstory involving loss. Not only that, but the book also tackles ideas of toxic masculinity, internet culture (and the idea that women should be more "likable" online), and inappropriate workplace dynamics. 

I loved that we got to see Eva's actual life goals throughout the story. It was clear that she was using the show in hopes of securing a more serious journalism job, but at the same time, she was also a victim of a corporation that prioritized engagement and views. 

My only major issue was the lack of balance in terms of tone throughout the book. There were times where it felt like the story was feeling very heavy, but it was quickly undercut by a sarcastic comment. There were a couple of instances where it worked--when one of the characters was actively trying to lighten the mood--but there were too many times where the change in tones was too abrupt. 

And, of course, I have to comment on the spicy scenes. I thought they were extremely well done and didn't come across as cringy to me at all. The emotional connection between Rylie and Eva helped with this a lot. Also...can we get more contemporary romance with the praise kink? Asking for a friend.

Overall Thoughts
Well, Actually was a fun, quick romance, but it didn’t shy away from exploring real emotional depth. Eva may come across as unlikable to some, but if you enjoy a snarky, layered main character (and a love interest who values communication), this book is for you. I had a lot of fun reading this one, and I will definitely be watching out for more Mazey Eddings in the future.

We're thrown into the story following an aspiring journalist who is stuck at a less than stellar job. One night she comes across a video from an ex who has made a name for himself and posts a response video about how horrible he was in bed when they dated and how he's the very definition of the men he's critiquing in his videos. I will say that this book starts off on a high note. I really enjoyed the first third of the book and flew through it. Unfortunately, not all books are for everyone and I found it quite tedious by the end. While I do think it is well written and I will absolutely read more books by the author, I just could not get invested in any of the characters. I felt like they were trying too hard to be too "good." They all seem to be the ideal modern people. It felt like the author was trying to touch all the colors of the rainbow, but it didn't feel authentic. Rylie felt very one dimensional and cliche. It seemed his entire presence was just to apologize for men everywhere and make the FMC feel better. But in spite of that essentially uses a tragic back story to "apologize" for how he behaved. Then he changes because he sees how his and his dad's behavior are impacting his mother and sister. But honestly, I am tired of the idea that we tell men they need to do better with other women because of seeing how it impacts women they care about. It would be nice if they cared due to how it impacts other women. Also, her calling him "baby girl" was just very cringe. I have never liked it when referring to women and labelling a bisexual male that was just very uncomfortable. Finally, I feel the ending was very rushed. The back story was actually the most interesting thing about the book so to take down William in just a few chapters was a bit of a let down. Especially since it is very obvious he was the one who posted the video. However, I LOVE that instead of a third act breakup Rylie refuses to allow there to be any misunderstanding and refuses to leave.

4.25⭐️

Well, Actually is a witty, emotionally layered, and utterly charming second-chance romance with a unique twist. Think viral podcast drama, simmering unresolved feelings, and the kind of banter that makes you smile and feel deeply seen.

Eva is a podcast host with major Amelia Dimoldenberg Chicken Shop Date vibes. She’s dry, witty, and armed with killer deadpan charm. Rylie is the host of a podcast aimed at helping men unlearn toxic masculinity and become better partners.

They sort of dated six years ago, but things didn’t end well… and Eva definitely hasn’t forgotten. When she impulsively stitches one of his videos, the post goes viral, and both their producers see an opportunity. To capitalize on the buzz, Eva and Rylie are roped into going on dates and debriefing them on his podcast afterward. What follows is top-tier banter, chaotic chemistry, and a slow unraveling of past feelings.

Eva is your classic black cat FMC; she’s sarcastic, emotionally guarded, brilliantly witty, and quietly vulnerable beneath her sharp edges. She brings major angry girl energy, and I loved every second of watching her navigate these new feelings and coming into her own. Rylie, on the other hand, is pure golden retriever. He’s thoughtful, patient, emotionally intelligent, supportive and deeply devoted in a way that makes you long for a Rylie of your own. He’s the definition of “if he wanted to, he would”; he listens, learns, and truly shows up. The emotional growth, particularly in how Rylie creates a space where Eva feels safe being her vulnerable self, is one of the book’s standout strengths.

Their history adds depth to every interaction, and the forced proximity of podcasting after their dates creates a sizzling dynamic filled with tension, humor, and so much heart. From hilarious podcast moments to emotional honesty, this book blends laugh-out-loud charm with real vulnerability.

If you love second chances, and a “you’re so mean, I’m going to fall in love with you” energy, then this book is for you!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

When he calls her witch and demon (affectionate) >>>>>>>

Eeee this is for all the “unlikable” girls who just want a man to see them, appreciate and cherish their hard edges, and bring out their soft sides.

I got this ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. It was a cute second change romance but it didn’t knock me off my feet. It’s possible I just don’t personally like the plot line much of content creation as a career and that soured me on it a little, but I still enjoyed it and finished it in less than two days!

Mild spoilers ahead:

I didn’t really find Eva likable. I got more used to her personality by the middle of the book, but for so much of it, she was just SO aggressive. I did like their chemistry by about 65% though and felt like they made a decent pair.

I did like the character development, especially for Riley from college to adulthood. I think a lot of books with second change romance glaze over the fact that there is a huge life change between college and becoming a functioning adult and even a total jerk in college might have turned things around a lot just a few years post-grad.

I didn’t totally get that Soundbites didn’t want the two to be together and was really thrown off by Landry’s email insinuating that they couldn’t be together or her career would fail. The whole online content component just wasn’t compelling to me because it seemed totally fine that they could date and still make good content. Granted, if she’s just dodging work and hooking up while on the clock, she probably should be fired, but there seemed like obvious, simple solutions to doing her job and dating him happily. I don’t know why she had to make it so complicated all the time. This was kind of explained at like 95% of the book, but overall, I just didn’t feel like it was a strong enough plot line.

I'm a big fan of Mazey Edding's writing and her latest Well, Actually continues to fuel that love.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Slow burn
- Chaotic energy
- Black Cat female lead with prickly, razor sharp claws.
- Golden Retriever male lead
- Tension for days
- Banter as foreplay
- Funny and full of sharp dialogue.
- Second chance, hate-to-love
- Characters that were layered and authentic.
- Tender, honest and vulnerable conversations.
- Steam level 4 🍆 Burned the door down.

“Just because you can take it doesn’t mean you should have to. You shouldn’t always have to be bouncing back.”

Mazey Eddings is an auto-read author for me. I love her humor and how her characters are so relatable. While this may not be my favorite of hers, I still enjoyed it so much.

The premise of this is really fun, and I love the second-chance, enemies-to-lovers feel. Eva never thought ditching a video dragging her college ex would make such an impact, let alone bring him back into her life. Rylie is trying to prove to her that he’s changed, but the hurt has never gone away for Eva. There’s a lot that caused this for Eva, and I will say I do wish we got a little bit more of that since we don’t meet her family. It feels like there’s still some things she needs to work through, whereas we get a lot of how Rylie used therapy to work through his own trauma.

Eva and Rylie’s banter is excellent. She’s tough and witty, while he smiles and takes it all in stride. He is so earnest and genuine in his effort to get Eva to open up to him. There were a few moments where Eva was so frustrating in her avoidance of him. She can come off as a bit cruel in moments where he hasn’t really done anything to earn it. And while he did hurt her in college, he is doing his best to apologize and make up for it.

The ending is satisfying in that there isn’t a third act break-up, and honestly I think I would have been really annoyed if there was. Instead we get to see that Eva trusts Rylie and tells him everything. It’s also satisfying in how Eva stands up for herself and the treatment she received from her job. I appreciated her growth, though I do wish we got to see her confront more of her issues with her family. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this one.

Thanks NetGally for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💝✨

An enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance that had me CACKLING!

Eva was the queen of wit and biting humor, her gooey cinnamon roll center protected by her sassy demeanor. A self-sabotaging main character normally grinds my gears, but Eva’s character development was so thoughtful and made sense of her actions. She was the perfect example of a girl made insecure by rejection and neglect, hiding her heart behind sarcasm and isolation. 🥺💔

But not even arctic conditions could stand a chance from melting in Riley’s glow. 🌞🥰 The silly, self-assured, emotionally intelligent man of my dreams! The back story and growth arch from when Eva first met him to today made his character so dimensional. I swooned over how he loved Eva, thorns and all, and brought out her best. The couples therapy session was a choice, but I thought it added some much-needed depth to their relationship development. Also, thank goodness for no third-act break-up!

Overall, I couldn’t get enough of this book. The humor was delicious, from the banter to the awkward scenarios. The romance was immaculate. And I really related to the themes of self discovery in love and career and fighting the instinct to wall off your heart. I’m craving an epilogue already!

—

“Now doesn’t seem like the best time to point out that teams are actually the ones made up of team players, and families, in the nuclear sense, are made up of genetically connected, emotionally scarred people doing their best not to strangle each other at any given time.”

“Hot Girl isn’t a look or a style, it’s a commitment to doing whatever makes you feel unstoppable in the face of life’s fakery.”

“You can call me any name you want, as long as I can call you mine.”

My first Mazey Eddings read and this book had me from the moment a stray champagne cork hit our FMC directly in the throat. I laughed out loud. This read is charming, funny, biting, vulnerable and emotional. I went through the full spectrum of emotions with this one!

The host of a Chicken Shop Date-esque program, Sausage Talk, acerbic Eva Kitt is single, stagnant in her career and a bit of a shark with a lot of bite. After seeing a video of Rylie Cooper, a successful podcast host/also her college ex, she posts a tipsy call out that paints him in a less than flattering light. Cue viral clip. Trying to capitalize on the social media frenzy, Eva's boss invites Rylie to Sausage Talk, forcing them into each other's orbit.

Rylie shows up with a proposition - six dates with Eva to prove that he's no longer the toxic frat bro from her past. She knows it's all an act, but in the name of career progression and, maybe some revenge, she's game. She can handle anything, but when emotions surface and the publicity stunt starts to feel a little too real, Eva has to consider the fact that maybe her guard has been up for too long.

The banter in this one was TOP TIER. Eva is merciless and Rylie took it in stride. Their verbal volleys were so entertaining to read. Truly my kind of humour. She tells him to F himself and he tells her to stop being so charming or he might fall in love with her? Obsessed.

As an FMC, Eva can be harsh, prickly, unreasonable, but Rylie sees all this and wants her anyway which is why this duo worked so well. Eddings did a good job of fleshing out Eva's character so I could understand why all of her vulnerability was buried under a cutting remark. Rylie was a high point for me. One of the most enjoyable, self-aware MMCs I've come across in a long time. It's easy to fall into corny territory when writing a yearning, obsessed with you type male lead, but not here. He was adorable.

The workplace toxicity is also a major focal point in this one and I loathed Eva's boss. All in all, a great book that I would recommend to anyone looking for a contemporary romance with banter, emotional growth, humour and spice. A solid 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Marin's Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

- Black cat/golden retriever
- Second-chance romance
- Fake dating
- LGBTQ+ representation

I was intrigued by the premise of this book especially as someone who is self-proclaimed to be chronically online. I like the show that this is based on but was hesitant to see how that translated into a romance novel. This book took me so long to get into. At first I did not like either of the characters. I felt like Eva was self-centered and bratty and that Rylie was on a redemption tour to prove that he was "one of the good ones" that he did not deserve. But as the story progressed and as the author delved deeper into the characters I really came to enjoy how complex both of them were. Are the characters perfect, no - but that is what makes the story and how they both grow great!

Can I just start with - let’s take a moment for that beautiful cover!

This story was a unique take on a lot of popular tropes - second chance, work place, black cat/golden retriever - but each was different in ways that I’ve never read before.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the whole of the book. I liked a lot of the side characters and the unique way that social media and the current state of it were intertwined into the story. The only place I truly struggled was with some of the quips from Eva. I understand that’s how the character is supposed to be and why she uses the things she says as a shield, but some of the things she said were brash and I felt myself rise to the defense. I certainly enjoyed her moments of softness and vulnerability and was glad that we could see both sides of the coin.

This story made me laugh out loud multiple times, and I fully appreciated the lapdog responses from Rylie. I only wish we could’ve read some chapters from his perspective!

Eva and Rylie had a moment in college.
Eva is pure chaos, has a very sharp tongue and is likely in need of therapy.
Rylie went through a lot in college, has since had a lot of therapy and very much loves Eva sharp tongue.

I urge you to give this book a chance. Eva is admittedly unhinged and a little prickly but she will win you over. This book had me laughing and highlighting like a mad woman, I love their back and forth so much.

“I don’t bring much to the table besides a bad attitude and incredible style.” “Don’t sell yourself short,” he says, his smile growing wider. “Your tits are easily in my top five favorite things.”

But it’s also more than that, its tender and immensely hot. I honestly can’t believe this is only my second book by this author I need to go run through the back list right now.

“Kitten, I’d rather spend every day getting in a pointless argument with you for sport than be bored and complacent with anyone else.”

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author Mazey Eddings for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

I’m a Mazey Eddings girlie, no question. My obsession began with Lizzie Blake and it’s been a love affair ever since—no regrets 😂. So when I got an ARC of Well, Actually through NetGalley, I basically squealed.

The story follows Eva Kitt, a late-20s journalist trying to do serious work through her own platform… while also hosting a show called Sausage Talk (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—B-lister celebs + hot dogs—and yes, I giggled every time it was mentioned 🌭). Also, I talk about hot dogs way more than a normal person should, so I felt weirdly seen.

Anyway, after a video rant about her college ex, Rylie Cooper—who’s now a semi-famous podcaster—goes viral, Eva ends up being forced to interview him. What could possibly go wrong, right? They strike a deal: six dates, on the record, to prove he’s not a toxic jerk anymore, and they both get content out of it for their jobs. Chaos (and chemistry) ensues. I was cackling during their first date. Like, full-on secondhand embarrassment. Total mess. Loved it.

But while the setup screams fun romcom, there’s a deeper emotional thread here—sexuality, grief, vulnerability—it’s all layered in, and honestly, this felt like Mazey’s heaviest book so far. The emotional beats hit, but I did feel like the overall story fell a little flat in places. That said, I loved the premise, the banter, and the adorable side characters.

Tropes we get: enemies-to-lovers, ex-college romance, black cat/golden retriever energy, and fake dating. Basically, all tropes I gladly gobble up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher.
4 stars!

This was such a fun read! I was in a reading slump for the longest time, and this just got that spark going again. Eva and Rylie are chef's kiss. These two characters are so relatable and loveable. The dynamic between the two had me kicking my feet and giggling! They have so much banter and it felt so real to read about their past and how it brought them to the moment they sit in front of a camera to eat hot dogs. (If you know, you know)

I enjoyed reading this so much. The black cat FMC and the golden retriever MMC is a trope I will never pass on and this is just that. Mazey does an incredible job at creating this very relatable story and making it magical, funny, loving, and more!

Honestly this book didn’t meet my expectations. At first I liked Eva and her spitfire personality but towards the end I found her downright annoying. Rylie was also a touch too golden retriever for my liking and he was begging for Eva a little too hard. I mean if he liked her so much why didn’t her reach out to her before the whole social media event? And honestly, I’m all for girl power and what now, what Eva was a little too b*tchy. That said, I did enjoy the banter between Eva and Rylie, I just didn’t understand the chemistry. The dislike of the characters is probably just a *me* problem, so I hope others enjoy them!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/🌶️🌶️.5

I absolutely adored this book. The wit and humor rivals my Queen Ali while also delving into some heavy topics. Rylie is the most endearing MMC and I wish I had the capacity for zingers like Eva. I love that Rylie is so open and vulnerable with her. He’s willing to fight with her AND fight for her. Eva’s insecurities are so relatable and she fights them with biting words and I 10/10 do NOT know what that’s like (jkjkjk it’s me). Really really enjoyed this one! Absolutely recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for the chance to read prior to release on 8/5!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a free eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I will preface this review by saying that I'm a big fan of the second-chance romance trope. - couple that with an (one-sided) enemies-to-lovers trope, you would think I'd hit the jackpot. Unfortunately, this novel left me disappointed. It felt all over the place with no specific direction or considered resolution. Is it a workplace novel? Not really. Is it second-chance? Sounded to me like the characters barely knew each other to be as invested as they claimed to be. It's not really enemies-to-lovers since the MMC doesn't actually hate the FMC at all. Yes, the novel shouldn't have to slot itself into a particular trope but it also needs to know what it hopes to accomplish. We, the readers, see some "set up" dates for the purpose of the social media show and podcast, but that falls by the wayside when the novel explores the psychological motivations of the main characters (which I enjoyed, by the way) but then swiftly becomes a workplace drama?

The novel would have worked if I related or got the characters - but unfortunately, apart from the heart-to-heart they have during a therapy session, we learn nothing of substance about each of them. The last issue I had was that Eva hated Rylie because he ghosted her in college. She harboured so much resentment 6 years later after one night together - it seemed immature and unrealistic.

I tried to like this book, but I just could not make myself laugh even a little bit. For me, the main character is too rude and crude. In this age of social media, there is a lot I probably do not understand but as story that outlines the need to live and die by social media is just not an enjoyable read for me. The language is atrocious as well as the innuendos. I don't mind the occasional swear word but when it's prevalent, that makes it hard to slog through.

I'll give this three stars to round up from 2.5.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thoroughly enjoyed this banter-filled read. I loved the unexpected FMC black cat energy. Eva was sharp and mean and quick, but when you learned all the reasons behind her sky-high walls, you couldn't help but relate.

Rylie was the ultimate golden retriever, and I loved how he worked tirelessly to win her over and loved her exactly how she is, not in spite of it, but loved her in all her spiky glory.

After all the work getting these two together, I was THRILLED there was no third act break-up - Thank you, Mazey. I wasn't sure my heart could take it.

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