Oh my gosh where do I even begin?? It’s so rare for me to read a book when I’m alone and to laugh out loud. Like I may chuckle here and there, but I usually don’t (idk why maybe it’s because I’m reading alone?) BUT THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE???? Had me absolutely dying! I did not expect it to be so funny and perfect. I WISH I could read this again for the first time. The FMC? Perfect. No qualms about her. She is written great in my opinion and for me there wasn’t a time when she annoyed me. Like FR her dialogue was like as if I was talking to one of my friends and her humor is HILARIOUS. The MMC?? Perfection. He never felt like he was written just to be a trope that’s loved. Like he felt like a genuine man (i know this sounds crazy) who was trying/doing better. Some books will have the MMC be written ‘perfect’ just to appease the masses and it doesn’t feel right to me.. but with him it always felt like it could be real. Like as if the author based that character on someone she saw/knows (she didn’t but you get the idea). And them together?? PURE MAGIC. I loved the banter, the healing, the TRYING and UGH don’t even get me started on the TRAUMA! I wanted to hug FMC so badly. And usually I HATE second chance romances, but this one was written so well I didn’t even mind. Overall I would say FMC needs better friends (iykyk) but other than that this is a top 5 read for me this year. This is my first Mazey Eddings book but now I have to go google and read everything she’s ever written. Truly an auto buy author for me now THATS how much I loved the book!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins press for this advanced ebook copy! My first book by this author although I’ve seen her work around. It starts out with Eva and Riley, both rival podcast hosts who have a brief past with each other. Eva holds a GRUDGE towards Riley cooper for things that happened in the their brief relationship many, many years ago. For this, I was not into the beginning of the book at all. She seemed angry and immature for no reason at all and the premise of them reconnecting seemed stupid. However, when things come to light towards the middle of the book from both Eva and Riley’s sides things made soooo much more sense and it made their enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance so intense and enjoyable! This really read like a gen z nora ephron rom com!

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings is a super fun, funny, charming second chance romance. Eva is perfectly witty and contrary, Rylie is a delicious golden retriever and together they are magnificent! And the setup was sooo entertaining! The whole book was a delight!
I do wish we got more of Eva dealing with her relationship with family growing up - it felt like it really affected her and her relationships, but there was no payoff there. I was also super mad that Eva and Aida were so submissive at work. I get not wanting to lose your job but it felt false that these two badass ladies would put up with William’s nonsense.
Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this book. I laughed out loud several times and loved the enemies to lovers vibe.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the eARC!!

2.5/5
Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings started out really strong. The book is a modern romcom filled with amusing dialog, and problems that regularly plague people in their twenties. The main character, Eva Kitt, is the host of an online show where she interviews guests over hot dogs topped with heaps of dry humor and light teasing. Basically, a cross between Chicken Shop Date and Hot Ones. After seeing a particularly triggering video of her former college fling, Rylie Cooper, and one too many drinks, Eva posted a scathing response online that blew up overnight. This sudden success prompted her bosses to set up collaborative projects between the two, which not only forced them to work together, but gave the internet a front row seat to their relationship- past and present.

Eva is a defensive, headstrong character, who vehemently rejects Rylie for a majority of the book. Her defensive quips were understandable and enjoyable at the start, but quickly wore out. As the plot progressed and Eva and Rylie got to know each other, her critiques went from defensive to aggressive and exhausting to read. I understand the character was insecure and Eddings wanted to show significant growth, but I felt myself dragging my feet every time I tried to read. Her immature backlashes were never ending and gave me secondhand embarrassment. By the time I was 50% into the book I wanted to forget about the romance plot and lock Eva in a room with a therapist for a year.

Overall, Well, Actually had a unique plot that and a ton of lighthearted humor, but the main character’s issues quickly became exhausting and dragged on and on.

This is my first Mazey Eddings' book and I had such a fun time reading this one! I mostly giggled my way through this book because of their banter! I know everyone is saying that it reminds them of the chicken shop dates, and it really does give that vibe!

Let's get into the characters:

Eva. She's the definition of a boss woman—truly. She’s incredibly aware, and I absolutely adore a woman who understands what’s happening around her. Despite her strength, there’s a lingering sense of loneliness that clings to her—shaped by both her past and present. She struggles deeply with trust, and it shows in the way she constantly feels the need to prove herself. I get her so much for being the way she is because our past really shapes us. Her people-pleasing tendencies are on another level—she often stretches herself too thin just to make others feel comfortable, even when it costs her peace.

Riley. OMG, I was absolutely swooning. He’s the kind of character that makes your heart ache in the best way. What I admired most about him was his patience—especially with Eva. He’s completely gone for her, and he never makes that a secret. What made me appreciate him even more was how he didn’t shy away from owning up to the kind of person he was in the past. He knew he messed up. But instead of running from it, he chose to grow—to be better, not just for Eva, but for himself too. It was such a move and I didn't even sense any sort of hypocrisy from him.

Their dynamic is something that I don't always get to read and I absolutely had the time of my life! Who doesn't love a black cat x golden retriever, right?! Again, their banter was really fun because of how no one backs down. Even them as couples, they complement each other because they know what each other needs.

As for the story itself, Eva was one of the most relatable characters I’ve come across. Her fear of abandonment was written in such a raw and realistic way—it genuinely felt like reading my own thoughts at times. That constant pressure to stay tough, simply because you think you have to be, is exhausting. Everyone needs softness. Vulnerability. A safe space where they can breathe and let their guard down—and this book captured that perfectly.

One thing I also appreciated was how Riley’s college struggles were brought up—they were acknowledged, but never used as an excuse for his past mistakes. He owned them and held himself accountable. And finally, one of my favorite takeaways: the book emphasized not settling in your career. It reminded me that the world really is your oyster. Opportunities are everywhere—you just have to be willing to look for them.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

This book was an absolute joy. Eva’s bite had me laughing almost constantly and Rylie’s ability to take it and dish right back made it so much better! Their first date? “Oh buddy! Big feelings!” Had me cackling.

I loved Rylie’s ability to wrap Eva up both physically and mentally to smooth out her edges; not because it was necessary to dim her light, but because Eva needed to sometimes turn it off (all of it!) for her own well-being.

There was so much representation within the story, but it didn’t feel disingenuous. Things were mentioned naturally and incorporated well. If anything, how the characters were written just makes me want to know more about them (hello, can someone say series?!).

I’d recommend this book to anyone who is interested in some pop culture references, sassy leads, a rich cast of supporting characters and 10/10 banter.

After having very little luck with this authors last book, I was surprised by how much I liked this! The FMC is spunky and funny and the MMC showed so much growth. It would have been better with dual pov to really appreciate the pining, but this was a perfect airplane read.

This was such an entertaining read. I love reading through polar opposite characters interact with each other, and this book definitely had that. Both main characters were so different. I found myself laughing often at their banter. I love characters with layers and who talk about struggles and this definitely delivered in that area. Second chance is one of my favorite tropes when it’s done right and I think Mazey did a good job with it. My only critique would be that I didn’t love all of the modern lingo which definitely dates books for me but this wouldn’t sway me to say I didn’t enjoy it. I would for sure recommend it if you’re looking for a second chance with some emotional depth, banter, and complex characters. Thank you for this arc!

I was THRILLED when I saw I was given the opportunity to read this book. Mazey Eddings was a recommended author through a TikTok video and I proceeded to love the two books I’ve read from her. And it was so fun when my QUEEN Lizzie shows up for quick cameo.

That being said, while I was so excited to read this I was also very nervous. Eddings is a fantastic writer, but I’m not a huge fan of the second chance romance trope.

Luckily for me, Eddings has proven she can get me to like anything. The banter between Eva and Riley had tears in my eyes as I giggled at them arguing. Eva is hilarious but also has her vulnerable side that I greatly appreciated being able to see since I think I saw a lot of myself in her so being able to see her navigate her feelings was great.

Besides her writing I love the inclusivity she adds to her books from being neurodivergent to being apart of the LGBTQ community. Because of this, she can make her characters relatable in so many ways. Their problems aren’t super obscure and we can see ourselves in them. This also helps you root for the characters to get their happy endings.

Out of all (now three) Mazey Eddings books I have read, this one is my favorite.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the eARC.

This is a delightful read! Seriously...I found myself grinning and kicking my feet throughout! Rylie gave a lackluster performance when they briefly dated in college, and Eva calls him out in a video that goes viral. In order to redeem himself, Rylie pleads with Eva to go on a few dates with him which Rylie reluctantly agrees to do to advance her career.

WOW do these characters have incredible chemistry, and such great banter! Mazey Eddings does tropes so well here; black cat/ golden retriever, second chance, slow burn. The pacing was great throughout; I was hooked from the first chapter.

This is going to be a popular book for sure!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was the first book I have read from this author. I did love the banter between the two main characters initially, but it ended there. They were both really hard to relate to or even like towards the end. I also felt like the side characters we were introduced to brought very little to the story and were surface level. I think in the end I am not the target market for this book.

Oh, how I spent this book absolutely swooning. Rylie, the man you are. Eva, my chaotic queen. The banter throughout this novel had me grinning so much my cheeks hurt. At the same time, there are heavier elements handled with real grace and honesty. I truly loved everything about this novel and will happily revisit it in the future. GO BUY THIS BOOK!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Well, Actually brings romcoms into the Gen Z future. With a lot of current event jokes and banter, it was fun to catch all the laughs with things that are so applicable in today’s world.
The story of Rylie and Eva was a cute, enemies to lovers, second chance romance brought to us in NYC. The story brings out a lot of emotions around finding your place in the world and how to navigate your 20s with inequitable jobs and ghosting romances.
I really enjoyed the way the story was brought to us through a podcast experiment, but sometimes it felt “too” current?
Otherwise, if you like a black cat/golden retriever romance with a lot of banter, this book is for you.

This was such a fun read! Eva and Riley's banter had me hooked from the start. There's few things I love more than Andrew Garfield's Chicken Shop Date episode, so I knew I would have a fun time with this one. I really loved the communication between Eva and Riley. I think it's sometimes difficult to have a second chance romance trope without playing into miscommunication, but their relationship was so healthy and I really appreciated that. I also LOVED the representation in this book! Overall, this book was a high 4.75 stars for me, I think the only thing keeping me from a 5 was that at times Eva felt a little too mean and it took me out of the story a bit.

I'm going to go ahead and say that Cooper should have dodged a bullet and let this one go for good. Man, Eva is so annoying. I liked the banter and back and forth between these two at first and I thought it was flirty and fun but at a certain point I was like ok, enough already. Somewhere around the 60% mark, I couldn't wait for this book to be over and I don't think that's a good thing. I'm giving this one 3 stars because if you don't mind the FMC this could be a good book, and there were definitely parts of this book that I enjoyed. Cooper is a saint and I hope they have their HEA but I'm guessing divorce is in their future lmao.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you so much for allowing me to read this before the release date.

This book was everything I anticipated to be. The trope of this book was second chance and grumpyxsunshine. I immediately fell in love with Eva, because let's be honest here who doesn't want to blast their ex on social media? The way Mazey accurately describe the growth, struggles, and the depth of the love that these two have for each other was INCREDIBLE. I felt like I was Eva's friend the whole time reading this book. I love how gentle and reassuring the author does when it comes to addressing really heavy topics such as grief, death of a loved ones, abandonment issues, and many more. This was my first read of Mazey and I cannot wait to dive into her other books. I love this book so so much, it's one of the top read for me this year!

I went into this book blind, having requested the ARC on NetGalley simply because every [author:Mazey Eddings|21253331] book I've ever read (her entire backlist, nbd) has had me cackling and feeling like a million bucks afterwards. When I read the title I sent an immediate text to my ESBB (Emotional Support Book Buddy) that I was hoping, PRAYING, for a mansplaining fuckboy MMC and a firecracker FMC to put him in his place and boy did I get it! Rylie Cooper, former fuckboy, current podcast host sporting a pair of slutty glasses and an ironic crew neck sweatshirt is simultaneously everything and nothing like the mansplainer I had dreamed of. His past behavior towards Eva definitely slots him into the fuckboy asshole category and Eva is just the sharp-clawed black cat to put him in his place. I loved their banter, that Eva takes absolutely no shit but gives approximately 100% shit to Rylie, I love her steel backbone and commitment to herself first. I also love her slow evolution into Eva In Love - still mean and bickering constantly with Rylie but in a much sweeter, foreplay-esque manner. This book was a single POV which is usually not my jam but for Ms. Mazey I will always make an exception. I so enjoyed this trip into Eva's head and found myself rooting for her and shockingly enough even for Rylie eventually. 5/5 for me!

Well, Actually

What a cute enemies to lovers story between black cat Eva and golden retriever Rylie.

Love that Eva is an angry crier (aren’t we all).

A book has never made me yell “you need to get coffee with him” before, so this was a first 😝.

Also laughed way too hard at the line “i give off lactose intolerant energy?”. As a family of lactose intolerant individuals this is hilarious.

Very cute, very bingeable!

I received an ARC of Well, Actually on NetGalley and really enjoyed it! Mazey Eddings writes such relatable, smart characters, and I loved the neurodivergent rep—it felt authentic and refreshing. The romance had great banter and chemistry, and the emotional moments hit in a real way. A few pacing issues kept it from being a full 5 stars for me, but overall, this was a heartfelt, witty read I’m glad I picked up.

ARC Review // Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
Thank you @stmartinspress for the advance copy!

This book is straight out of a 2000s rom-com fever dream—in the best way possible. Think: the banter of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the chaotic charm of The Ugly Truth, and the chemistry you wished Rachel and Joey had gotten to explore more (yes, I said what I said).

Mazey Eddings nailed the humor, the awkward moments, the swoony slow burn, and the kind of will-they-won’t-they tension that had me smiling like a dork at my Kindle. It’s witty, heartwarming, a little messy in that real-life way, and full of big “he fell first” energy.

Spice level: 2/5 🌶️ — just enough to make your cheeks warm and your heart race.

If you're looking for something fun, nostalgic, and delightfully romantic, this is your next favorite read.

Rating: 5/5