Mazey Eddings has delivered another stunning book that is equal part hilarity, well-defined characters, so accurate mental health rep, complete adoration (he falls first - in case the cover didn’t give it away), and just-right, so-hot spice.

Eva Kitt is the reluctant host of Sausage Talk, a podcast where she interviews D-list celebrities while eating hot dogs, in the hopes of one day making bigger waves in journalism. Wylie Cooper is her ex from college - who was a total frat boy douche at the time - and now an online personality that preaches against toxic masculinity. After Eva’s brutal (and drunken) stitch takedown of Rylie’s current persona goes viral, they are thrust together in a collab for ratings (and $$$).

These two had the best push-and-pull, banter, and hard (Eva) and soft (Rylie) edges that perfectly complemented the other. I can see how and why they fell for each other, and both of them deserve only the very best things. For long-time readers, there are also perfect cameo moments from past books.

This was one where I switched back and forth between ebook and audio and I loved the narration!
Narrator Ariela Crow was superb at nailing Eva's deadpan humor and the emotional depth that the story needed.

I Received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

I loved the beginning of Well, Actually—the banter between Eva and Rylie was sharp, funny, and totally hooked me. Rylie’s sweetness and patience made him the heart of the story, especially when Eva’s constant sarcasm and mean streak started to wear on me. While I understood her sharp edges came from a place of hurt, I sometimes wished she’d softened sooner. It reminded me a lot of The Passion Project, with a feisty FMC and a kind, grounded MMC balancing each other out. Overall, it’s a witty, heartfelt romance with great chemistry that I still really enjoyed, even if Eva occasionally tested my patience.

Let me be honest here. I felt like I would enjoy this book, but I didn’t know I would end up loving it as much as I did!

Here are the deets:
Eva Kitt is the host of Sausage Talk (think chicken shop date but hotdogs and B and C list celebs) and wants more from her career. And while doom scrolling one night she finds a video of her college ex talking about how to treat a woman right, when he did not do the same to her 6 years ago. Eva drunkenly responds, as one does, to his video with her own and it goes viral. And now to capitalize on it all, and save face, Eva is meeting back up with Rylie on her show where 6 dates are proposed so Rylie can show Eva he isn’t the same guy he used to be. Will Rylie be able to prove he is changed and win Eva over? Or will Eva be able to keep her guard up and not be fooled by Rylie once again?

Thoughts:
I am obsessed with Rylie for starters and I just wanted to hug Eva! There is something about “hard to love” female characters that always makes me love and adore them with my whole being. I was laughing, swooning, wanting to punch a couple people, and feeling all the emotions. This was my first Mazey Eddings book and it will not be my last.

Will this book be for everyone? No, but no book is.
But was it for me? ABSOLUTELY.

Audiobook review:
The audiobook may have been the most perfect narration of an audiobook. I felt like Eva was captured perfectly by Ariela Crow. And her Rylie voice was fantastic as well. Maybe I’m being dramatic but this might be in my top 5 best audios of the year for me.

Other things of note:
- Bi and pansexual rep
- Black cat x golden retriever
- 4-5 open door scenes (can’t remember exactly how many)
- Lots of fun nicknames for both characters
- The man drives Pt cruiser

Thank you to NetGalley, Youhadmeathea, and Macmillan Audio for the eArc and alc of Well, Actually!

An utterly delightful and unexpectedly emotional second-chance romance that pairs golden retriever energy with black cat sarcasm in the best way. Mazey Eddings delivers another sparkling, whip-smart rom-com that is as thoughtful as it is fun.

Eva Kitt never planned to host a chaotic talk show called Sausage Talk, let alone interview B-list celebrities while holding a hot dog. But her offbeat career takes a sharp turn when a clip of her publicly calling out her college ex goes viral. That ex? Rylie Cooper, a swoony, reformed himbo and internet-famous advocate for healthy masculinity. He also happens to be the boy who ghosted her years ago.

When Rylie surprises Eva live on air and offers to make it right with a series of public dates, she agrees, but only to boost her own profile and take him down a peg. What begins as petty revenge quickly unravels into something far more vulnerable and real. Each date peels back layers of their past, revealing grief, growth, and a slow-burning chemistry that neither of them can ignore.

Eva is brilliantly written—neurodivergent, brash, and deeply relatable. Rylie is charming with just enough emotional wreckage to make him irresistible. Their banter is biting and hilarious, but the real magic lies in the quieter moments of understanding and care.

Ariela Crowe’s narration is pitch-perfect. She captures Eva’s sarcasm, insecurity, and fierce intelligence with nuance, and gives Rylie a warmth that makes every scene feel more intimate. Her voice work adds a richness to the story that elevates the emotional impact and makes the characters feel like real people.

Well, Actually is clever, sexy, and full of heart. A must-listen for anyone who loves second chances, enemies-to-lovers tension, or just really great storytelling told through an unforgettable performance. If you want to be crying of laughter and hear all the quips you would never think of with black cat x chaotic goldenretriever energy this book is for you!

Well, actually, this book was a total freaking delight. Told entirely from Eva’s point of view, Well Actually is a sexy, hilarious, banter-filled story with charming main characters with excellent growth arcs. Also second chance!

READ VIA:
Thank you Macmillian Audio for the advanced copy

ABOUT:
Eva unintentionally goes viral when she makes a video about her college ex. Her boss wants to exploit the online frenzy, and Eva panics at the thought of seeing him again. Unfortunately, he’s even better looking and significantly more charming than she remembers. While she fights her growing attraction to her ex, she also must deal with the sense of abandonment and heartache that the break-up left her with.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is my first Mazey Endings book, and it definitely will not be my last. The banter and sniping between these two are hilarious and truly deliver such delicious tension. When the things happen, they are detailed, hot, and definitely worth the wait.

In this book, the central conflict brings them closer together rather than apart, as Riley drives her to be a better communicator and open up her sheltered heart.

There is so much to love here, but I particularly enjoyed the representation of bisexual and trans individuals, the open communication during intimacy, and the normalization of therapy.

Did I mention this book is so freaking hot because it is? This one is not to be missed, especially if you like spicy books with strong communication.

AUDIO:
The audiobook performance by Ariela Crow is outstanding. Not only does she perfectly capture Eva’s snippy remarks and biting temper, but she also brings Riley’s wit to life. I always appreciate when a single narrator easily distinguishes each character, and here Crow particularly shines. At 11.5 hours, the audiobook is easily devoured, and I listened between 1.5 and 1.7 without incidents.

SIMILAR BOOKS:
I think readers who enjoyed First Time Caller and Love and Other Conspiracies will also enjoy this one.

SHOULD YOU READ:
I AM BEGGING YA’LL don’t skip this one

I loved this audio! This was my first book by this author and definitely won’t be my last. I love me a grumpy FMC. I enjoyed their banter and was laughing out loud multiple this. Second chance with a mix of work plus and the enemies to lovers. It truly was absolutely perfect

Its a nice easy read

I’m glad that their healing journey isn’t linear Eva is the epitome of a glass child and that affects her through her work and love life hearing the things that she went through as a child and her early college year, through those flashback immediately made want to fight and hearing that therapy sessions made me so proud of her and I’m happy Rylie took her there to help her understand him a little better and gaining insight on how his past actions affect her today. The way Mazey writes the MMC as a actual normal person that has made mistakes and has the ability to grow as a person was a good thing because he saw a reflection of his grief on through his mom and little sister so I’m glad that he is very well rounded and not one note character

One thing I am curious about was their family reaction how exactly did Katie react to her brother relationship

If you like sound bites just don’t

“Just because you can take it, doesn't mean you have to”. ~Rylie

Mazey can do no wrong with her writing - and Well, Actually is just the latest example of that.

I adored this book - especially due to the audiobook narrator’s performance and due to relating to Eva, especially as the story progressed. I adored how Eva and Riley come together as a couple - and there were so many moments between them that had me kicking and screaming. (And one where I gagged - looking at you, skim milk!)

This book goes beyond your average second chance, enemies to lovers romance, and really explodes what it means to forgive, to learn, and to grow as a person and as a couple. I found it so refreshing to read with characters where they’re in therapy, they’re unpacking their trauma, and they’re trying very hard to correct patterns in their own past. I think this a great novel to have out in the world as an example of what healthy relationships look like - not just as couples, but the relationship with yourself.

Also…her spicy scenes? 10/10

Overall I adored this book, the characters, the plot, and at the end I wanted an immediate sequel or 100 more chapters because I didn’t want to let them go. I can’t wait to get my hands on her next novel - I’m already so eager for it.

This was such a fun book!

I loved Eva and Riley's past connection and how that played a role in their future. I loved their progression, and the banter was SO GOOD.

Eva would call herself bitchy, but I’d call her inspirational: I appreciate how real and raw she was.

I also loved how completely obsessed Riley was, and even though we don’t get his POV, we are never left wondering how he feels.

I loved the creativity of her show, “Sausage Talk,” a perfect mash-up of “Chicken Shop Date” and “Hot Ones.”

This was a great book, and I had a great time.

Also, the narration was very well done and added so much to the experience.

I like to take notes when reading because I have the brain of a goldfish and tend to forget pretty quickly. But for Well, Actually I only wrote one word: HOT. Clearly this is what my mind wanted me to focus on and not anything at all about the content or storyline. So at least you know part of what you’ll get from this!

If you’ve read Mazey Eddings before, she is in prime form with this one. Fans of earlier books will love the little cameos of past characters. The premise is this: Eva is best known for interviewing B-list celebrities while consuming hotdogs for her show Sausage Talk. While doomscrolling, she comments on a video posted by Rylie, an ex from college, roasting him for his treatment of women then vs his perceived role now. When Eva finds herself having to interview Rylie on her show, he suggests he makes it up to her through six dates. Eddings unravels Eva and Rylie one date at a time, from their awkward I’m-going-to-dazzle-you-with-everything first date to a surprisingly tender couples therapy date.

This book is very self-aware of the audience it’s presenting to—social media blows up in more than one way for Rylie and Eva from photos to video to their live tapings. Which might make you as a reader consider your own role in the media consumption wheel. Eva is prickly which can be her biggest asset or worst trait when it comes to how she responds to others and it takes a patient and confident hand in Rylie to peel back her layers. And obviously as I mentioned, the sex is hot. At times it felt like the dialogue was sometimes a little too on the nose with the “good girls”, but ai honestly think these two would climb each other like a tree (and they do). If you enjoy your romance infused with a little frustrated angst and a tad bit of melodrama (Eva’s bosses are a trip) that pays off in the end, this is sure to be a strong choice.

I received an e-ARC and an ALC from St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan audio. I thought Ariela Crow did a great performance and she was a new to me narrator. I would definitely pick up another audiobook narrated by her. She got the vibe of sexy Rylie down pat and gave Eva’s character depth. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5️⃣
Steam: 🪭🪭🪭
Narration: 📣📣📣📣

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martins Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you know anything about me, you that I absolutely adore Mazey. I have been feral for this since it was announced and I can’t get over how glad I am I got an early copy. I was able to listen to the audio and read the ebook at the same time. This was HILARIOUS. Eva does things that, honestly, I’d probably do. I adore her so much. Riley is so sassy and funny, but so sweet and kind. Their dynamic and banter is everything!

I try not to pick favorites, but I think this just might be my favorite Mazey book. I love the Amelia/Andrew & chicken shop date vibes, but the fact that it’s completely its own. Sausage talk is perfection. I loved reading this so much. I don’t want it to end.

The narrator was fantastic. Production was great, although at times it felt like certain parts of the audio repeated. But it didn’t affect my experience at all. The narration kept my attention and felt great.

There is nothing that could pry my love for this book, and Riley and Eva’s relationship, out of my cold dead hands. Get this book. You won’t regret it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the ARC! If you’re just as obsessed with Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date as I am, this is the book for you—especially the episode with Andrew Garfield. I’m fully convinced the author was inspired by them both, and nobody can tell me otherwise. All in all, I was so excited to get my hands on this book, and it did not disappoint. Second-chance romance has slowly become one of my favorite tropes, and this is honestly one of my new favorites!

Eva and Rylie will be living RENT FREE in my head for the foreseeable future.

If you are intrigued by the concept of #sluttlylittleglasses, this is in fact a must read. If you enjoy a food + interview show (such as Hot Ones), this is also a must read for you too. If Buzzfeed was an integral part of your formative years, also a must read for you.

Mazey Eddings does a fantastic job of writing two characters who readers will FEEL DEEPLY for. While reading, you want the best for both of them! Even though it is *technically* an enemies to lovers (only one is on board with enemies) it has all the heart of good friends.

Throughout the book, there is so much vulnerability. Mazey does a fantastic job of discussing mental health, sexuality, and workplace toxicity without it feeling preachy. These are all natural elements of the book and both of these characters are perfectly flawed and human. Eva and Rylie are characters you WANT to read.

The narrator of this audiobook does an excellent job of capturing Eva’s voice. The audiobook flows perfectly and is easy to follow. None of the dialogue feels cringey when read out loud and the emotions are clear behind the narration.

Highly highly recommend this book, especially if you’re a romance lover.

Mazey does it again! This wonderfully funny second chance romance is just what my heart ordered.
The witty banter between the FMC and MMC had me laughing heartily many times throughout. We also got to see softer sides to each as their characters progressed and grew in the story.
And the spice? *fans self* yowza
The narrator did a wonderful job. Her ability to bring Eva AND Riley to life was fantastic.

This book is amazing and I will be rereading it again in the future.

5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️ 1/5😢

This might be some of the best banter I’ve ever read 😅I adored the characters and was presently surprised by the emotional depth for a “romcom”.

tropes & themes:
- black cat🐈‍⬛ x golden retriever🐕
- NYC setting 🏙️
- bi/pan representation 🌈
- mental health rep 📈
- slutty little glasses 🤓
- ELITE banter 🫢
- “freak in the jeets” 👖

I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator for this audiobook, but I’d still highly recommend the book because it was so good. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a good time! It has a feisty black cat FMC & a golden retriever MMC who is down pretty bad for her from the start. The banter! Oh the banter is so good. I listened the the audiobook, & I was cackling constantly. Ariela Crow does a perfect male voice, and she made Rylie’s voice the exact perfect pairing to his slutty little glasses and swoony comments. He calls her Kitten (Eva Kit), and I wanted to hate it so bad but it just sounded so good on audio that I couldn’t. I hope the swoon translates to print also, because you need it in your life. Trust.

I didn’t take many notes when reading, because I was having so much fun, but here are the main things to expect:
•enemies to lovers
•second chance
•black cat x golden retriever
•he falls first
•boy obsessed
•banter

Mazey Eddings delivers a heartfelt, witty, and emotionally resonant romance in Well, Actually. This slow-burn love story follows Eva, a fiercely guarded and sharp-witted protagonist, as she gradually opens up to Rylie, a kind and affirming love interest who meets her resistance with unwavering patience and charm.

The pacing of the romance feels intentional and authentic. Eva’s journey toward trust is not rushed, allowing the emotional stakes to deepen organically. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the contrast between Eva’s guarded nature and Rylie’s open-hearted sincerity creates a dynamic that feels both endearing and refreshing.

The banter is clever, the emotional beats are genuinely moving, and the story balances humor with vulnerability in a way that never feels forced. Eddings handles mental health and emotional baggage with sensitivity, making both characters’ growth arcs feel earned and relatable.

The audiobook, narrated by Ariela Crow, is outstanding. Her performance brings nuance and energy to each character, enhancing the storytelling with warmth and emotional depth. It's an excellent choice for listeners who enjoy character-driven romances with heart.

Well, Actually is a standout rom-com that blends humor, heartache, and healing in all the right ways. I highly recommend it to fans of emotionally layered romances and character-driven storytelling.

I don’t know how I didn’t realize this was a chicken shop date inspired romance (hello, look at that cute cover), so I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading. This started out pretty strong for me, but tbh I think Rylie deserved better! It’s clear that Eva has her own issues that she needs to work through relating to her family, and she takes out a lot of that on him. I was willing to give their romance a chance, but as Eva kept treating him the same way over and over again it made it harder to root for their romance.

I will say I loved the narration for this audiobook and thought she did a great job with all characters! She really captured Rylie and I thought her man voice was pretty hot (I liked the kitten/baby girl nicknames, ok. Don’t look at me 😂). I had an easy time staying in the story and my mind didn’t wander thanks in large part to the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a review copy.

Eva Kitt never expected her journalism degree to end with interviewing B list celebrities over hot dogs, but that is where she is. It’s not until a viral call out of a college boyfriend gone wrong on social media goes viral do things look up. Now she is forced to go on reconnect with him to capitalize on the publicity.

Unpopular Opinion Alert. I don’t think I am the target audience for this spicy romance . I struggled to connect with the main characters and found them mostly unlikeable. I did like the enemies to lovers trope and appreciate the witty banter. The narrator did a great job at narrating both characters. That being said, this book is written well and will definitely find it audience that is probably a decade or so younger than me 😂.

🌭 Well, Actually 🌭

“Something in my chest shifts, his words melting through me. I want to hide from the kindness of it, the tenderness in his eyes, so I kiss him instead,”

Oh my heart and my HEAT, this book! I adore Eva and Rylie 😍 they are EVERYTHINGI expect from a Mazey Eddings novel - impeccable banter, uncontainable chemistry, with some personal growth along the way. Mazey does all of these things well - including an honest representation of therapy and how honest and beneficial it can be!

Eva is known for her unlikeable attitude and being a HOT GIRL (TM) on her show where she interviews c list celebrities while eating hot dogs. On a whim one night, she goes viral ripping her college ex who has a well known platform where he talks about emotionally healthy men. What follows is a series of publicized dates where Rylie works to win her back. It’s spicy, it’s honest, and it’s beautiful the way they love each other as they are.

The audio on this one was so incredible. Rylie’s voice was SO smooth, I melted every time he said sweetheart. I usually prefer to read Mazey’s books, and spicier books, but I could NOT resist this audio. It was magical and truly made the story unputdownable.

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🌭 Second chance enemies to lovers ish
🌭 Fake dating esque
🌭 Viral, social media famous characters
🌭 Hilarious supporting characters
🌭 Bi representation
🌭 incredible banter + chemistry

Thank you to St. Martins Press for this ARC! On shelves August 5th, 2025. My opinions are my own.