This was my first Mazey Eddings book and I can tell you, it won’t be my last. This had me CACKLING on public transit like a crazy person. The Black Cat x Golden Retriever dynamic was absolutely perfect. Eva’s sarcastic wit goes toe to toe with Rylie’s affectionate eager to please personality. This is one of my favourite tropes and it has the funniest banter. I couldn’t stop laughing at Rylie just losing his mind with Eva’s antics and straight up calling her a demon.

Eva’s character is one of the most relatable FMCs I’ve read. Her story felt like reading about my own previous relationships. When she asks herself ‘Why was I so easy to leave? What is it about me that’s so simple to forget?’ I had never felt so seen in a story before and I’m positive many others will resonant with this as well. In today’s age of dating where no one is held accountable and ghosting is a common thing, you’re left without any closure. Why did this happen? What went wrong? Was it me? All those worries and questions fester and we carry it on in our life and in our next relationships if those issues are not properly addressed.

Rylie was such an interesting character. We see his past ‘frat fuckboy persona’ being played against his current emotionally intelligent and patient self. It was refreshing to read about a male character that screwed up, who straight up apologized for his behaviour and took ownership. He was a dickhead and yes there was a reason, but he isn’t excusing his behaviour. He took accountability, realized he was in a harmful pattern and went to therapy. He’s taken steps to better himself and also wants to help others in similar situations.

Aside from the romantic portion, the story also focuses on being lost in your 20s. That feeling of loneliness, that you’re behind everyone else and you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s the most relatable and scary moment in our lives. We’ve all felt moments of inadequacy, especially in our 20s where everyone is trying to just figure it out. There is a great emphasis in the story to not settle in your life, whether that be in relationships or in your career. The opportunities in life really are endless and it’s never too late.

One thing I really appreciated was the magnificent job Eddings did at illustrating how the things that happen in our past, the emotions and meaning that we attach to those moments are vital parts of living. They make up our stories and we are able to revisit those moments and with new perspectives we can rewrite or revise those moments. There is no shame in seeking out someone to talk to and working through the craziness of life.

Overall I would highly recommend Well, Actually. My only point would be that I wish it was longer and we see Eva deal with the issues she has with her family. I think knowing the dynamic she was raised in was important information to understand her character but by the end of the book we see her grow so much that I would have been curious to see her address their behaviour towards her. Otherwise an outstanding read!

Tropes
Romantic Comedy
Second Chance Romance
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
LGBT rep

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for this ARC.

Amazing book from start to finish.
I lovedd the queer rep and I fell hard for this couple!

A must readd for romance lovers!

This was very fun. Top notch banter. I was laughing out loud at some points. My love for Eva is a little complicated but my love for Rylie is not. He is perfect. Even when Eva is a little mean to him, he’s still there being supportive and trying so hard to be better. There’s something special about how Eva is really only comfortable showing her vulnerability with Rylie. There was a good amount of spice and I was here for it. I also loved the cameos from Mazey’s other books!

This book was a good story overall, and I loved the conversations around identity and sexuality that this book touched on. However, it was so heavy with pop culture and tik-tok references, it took me out of the story. I went into it blind so I didn't know that it was based off the chicken shop YouTube show. and I love that show, but I don't have a desire to read about that show.
I loved when we got more in depth with these characters, and I was so happy to see them finally get their happily ever after against all odds.
I enjoyed the audiobook as well; the narrator did a great job of capturing the FMC's voice so well.
This is a second chance romance where the kids finally got it right the second time around.

3.5 stars!

This made me laugh out loud, it was witty and super cute, Eva and Cooper have good chemistry and the ‘meet-cute’’ For them to reconnect after so many years is unique. Overall a very quick and fun read.

Oh... baby girl. I think you're gonna love this one.

You know how they say don't drink and drive? Well, Eva Kitt finds out the hard way that you should also not drink and scroll your ex's social media. After one too many glasses of wine, Eva calls Riley Cooper out on his deconstructing toxic masculinity bullshit and lets him know how she feels about him ghosting her six years ago. It felt good, cathartic even, to film that reel. She thought that would be the end of that. But that's never the end when the internet is involved. Next thing Eva knows, she's gone viral and she's being asked by her bosses to use her new found internet infamy to generate content and views. The worst part? They're asking her, well TELLING her, to do it WITH Riley. Can she stand his insufferable presence long enough to save face and her career? Or should she just start looking for a new job now?

Well, Actually was my first Mazey Eddings book and what a way to start! I'm giving this one 4.5 stars for sure! It was ALMOST a five star for me but man, the way home girl would NOT stand up for herself at the end. I had to knock it. But wow, minus that, I adored this book. Eva is fun, sarcastic, witty as hell and I love how she's not afraid to tell it like it is. (Well, in every aspect but her job apparently.) And Riley is a baby angel sent from heaven above to show us how our book boyfriends should truly be.

Their chemistry? Undeniable. (Though they both tried very hard to deny it.) The banter? Unmatched. I could have heard Eva call Riley baby girl a thousand times and it still wouldn't get old. And the way he called her Kitten? PRICELESS. This was second chance romance at its finest for sure.

I'd love to see more from Mazey featuring the other characters from this book like Ada and Ray. And also I really want to taste Ray's food because the way she described his gala dishes had me drooling.

Well done Mazey! Eva and Riley forever. <3

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy. (PS. I also bought the audiobook and paperback. ;))

Eva and Rylie reconnect after a viral social media post and are forced to confront their past and work together. Eva’s wariness with Riley isn't just because of their shared history, but also due to her personal issues, which adds to her character. Rylie, the male lead, is easy to root for. He's patient and understanding, giving Eva the space she needs while still showing his feelings. Their banter is fantastic—witty, genuine, and a clear sign of their undeniable chemistry. 3 🌟

Thank you NetGally for the ARC of Well, Actually
by Mazey Eddings

Second Chance
Enemies to Lovers
Black cat + Golden retriever
Eva and Rylie are exe, that are reacquainted when Eva's online rant on an online dating show "Sausage Talk" , Rylie after he offers her a make up date as part of a new segment. great witty banter between Eve & Rylie

This book did not disappoint! The connections and banter were perfection. The mental health representation was done spectacularly. I love the way Kylie eventually breaks through all of Eva'‹ barriers and never gave up. He was able to fully own up to his mistakes and worked so hard to become a better person. I love Eva's growth and how slowly the walls come down and she finds exactly what she deserves. This book really opens to so many the hiltant smos, ente here as went. It is written fantastic, and the story was so fun.

I swear Mazey Eddings' books get better and better with each one I am given the priveledge of reading.

And the one who *ruined it all* being the one who just might ~be the key to love~ is just such a good trope. Very fun. Would recommend.

Unfortunately, I think I've figured out that this is another author that isn't for me. I love a FMC who isn't perfect, someone who cna be snark & mean at times, but there needs to be depth & other facets to her personality for me to jive with it, and this wasn't it.

Mazey Eddings tows the line between rom-com and emotional moments so well in this super-satisfying romance.

4.25⭐️

I loved this book. A second chance romance with a black cat girly and a golden retriever MMC? Sign me the f up! It only lost stars for me toward the end for a bit when Eva didn’t stand up for herself to the big wigs trying to make her feel little. Everything else? Loved it. The chemistry, the past that they shared, the deep emotional reasons why, GOING TO THERAPY. Yes, yes, yes, AND YES! I really enjoyed seeing the why for what happened with Eva and Cooper. I loved seeing how that experience shaped them into the people that they are as adults. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick paced, spicy, second chance romance with a healthy dash of sarcasm and emotion.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

DAMNIT MAZEY THIS WAS SO GOOD!

Mazey Eddings' books have the perfect combo of bonkers and heartfelt. I did not expect to cry reading a book with a HOTDOG ON THE COVER and yet, here we are!

"Well, Actually" MAY have topped "The Plus One" as my favourite book my this author, which is absolutely crazy. This is a MUST. READ. Especially if you like somewhat prickly heroines, bonkers workplaces, intense emotions and heartfelt connection.

Move over The Plus One…Well, Actually is now my favorite Mazey Eddings book. 😲

Swipe to see me and the bestie @mazeyeddings !

Quick Take…A sexy second-chance romance between a black cat and golden retriever with a podcast twist!

Well, Actually is the epitome of RomCom. I laughed out loud to all of the snarky banter and absolutely melted at how Riley cared for Eva. And leave it to Mazey to having me crying on one page and sobbing at the next. Her writing packs such an emotional punch that I was left in a puddle on the floor. Did I mention the steam?!?! 🥵🔥 This book gets all the stars 👩🏽‍🍳💋

Overall this book is phenomenal so can you please read it so we can chat! 😆

Eva and Riley are the grumpy/sunshine pair of my dreams. Their banter had me absolutely cackling, and their vulnerable moments had me tearing up. I loved seeing the character growth both characters went through, and how they learned to trust each other again. Riley is an absolute golden retriever of a man and he must be protected at all costs.

This book was a delight. The number of times that I caught myself laughing out loud while listening was way more than I was expecting going in. I found this one to be a rom com that really leans into the comedy. Especially in the first half of the book - I found myself cackling out loud multiple times. Loved the banter. Loved the hot dog show - LOL. The office politics got a bit tedious - but overall really enjoyable. I definitely recommend this one as a fun and enjoyable read! Thanks Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the eARC!

3.5 stars

Thank you St.Martins Griffin, Mazey Eddings, and Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copy! 🫶

Let me start off by saying that the audiobook was done so well! It was funny, emotional, entertaining, and the narrator did a great job differencing between each character. Highly recommend!

Read if you like:
- Romance books with heavier topics
- LOL moments
- Black Cat x Golden Retriever
- Second Chance Romance

"Stop being mean to me or I will fall in love with you." 😋

This was so much more than I expected! It started off with so much humor, quirkiness, and hostility (yes, you read that right) but it worked out well. The banter between Eva and Cooper was top tier! It had me laughing. Eva was so sassy and a bit refreshing as an FCM. I liked that she was tough, hard, and not soft and cute. This also explored heavy topics (grief, abandonment), which I prefer in a contemporary romance. It allows us to connect with the characters that much more. It is deepening and heart tugging. Both MC had so much going on. Even though Eva was an ice queen, the reality is that we have/will all be there at some point. It was honest and real (maybe a tad too much lol) And Cooper was such a cutie ugh it was refreshing.

I think what annoyed me was.... the whole 2 month fling thing? I just had a hard time caring why it mattered so much in the end to Eva. Like let it go. It just felt so suppressed and held onto that I found myself annoyed with Eva because... LET IT GO. It was like the only thing she had on Cooper and I was over it. Constantly bringing it up.

Overall, I liked it but did not love it! I do recommened!

Well, Actually is the sixth novel by Mazey Eddings. This tale is about a strange alliance between podcast personalities Eva Kitt of Sausage Talk, a show where disgraced athletes bare their souls to get back on track while eating hot dogs, and Rylie Cooper, who has made his online presence known by discussing toxic masculinity.

Late on a lonesome evening with perhaps a bit too much wine involved, Eva comes across Rylie’s podcast. Having dated Rylie in college and having witnessed the behaviors he is now expounding against coming from him she is livid. So in a midnight rage, Eva publicly lets him have it, calling him out as a fraud. As such, the two media companies, in a quest for likes and shares, have come up with a plan that includes half a dozen dates and the feedback thereafter.

Like all ill conceived plans, the unintended consequences are many. Told with humor and heart, this is a fun story with interesting characters but it also makes some very important points about society today. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!

Eva Kitt hosts a Chicken-Shop-Date-like show that involves her eating lukewarm hot dogs with a typically B- or C-list celebrity. It’s not the journalism career that she wanted but it pays the bills and lets her do some meaningful writing on the side. However, her career and life go viral after she makes a drunken video about the seemingly perfect Rylie Cooper, whom she dated briefly in college and had a colossally horrible sexual encounter with, all of which she details, again, in her drunken video. While it would seem likely her termination would follow, it does not. Instead, Rylie shows up on her show and asks her to go on six dates with him to make up for the college debacle. She doesn’t want to but her job is giving her no choice in Mazey Eddings, Well, Actually.

For the first quarter, I was really enjoying Well, Actually. It made me laugh, introduced me to Rylie Cooper, a sweetheart of a guy who deserves better and had me wondering where everything was going to go.

But. But! For some reason, Eva Kitt’s personality seemed to go from funny/snarky/quirky to mean/naive-stupid and with that evolution, lost me. I’ve read plenty of novels with strong, snarky sometimes unlikable women but those women were multi-faceted, which is where Eva, well, actually, lost me. Mean for mean’s sake does not a layered character make and it certainly doesn’t make a character strong or admirable.

I could go on . . . and probably on . . . but let me just say that the combination of central casting villains–Eva’s employers–and her naive reaction to them had me banging my head on the table. At a certain point, I think the story achieved a fantastical level: downtrodden woman, who has frequently masqueraded as the Evil Princess (or is?), defeats the ugly empire and lives happily ever after with Prince Charming. Style over substance.

Not my favorite Mazey Eddings offering but I haven’t given up on her.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.