This was good solid fun!!! With all the energy of a deranged, camp, indie rom com, this story will have fans of that hooting & hollering. I’m all for a story about a wallflower girlie, our Miss Eva, turned baddie who will claw thy eyes out. & A SWEET, PERFECT, FUNNY SWEATER WEARING BOY??? WITH GLASSES?? Sign me the eff up. I thought that there was a lot here that was super successful, witty, & thoughtful. By the end the story felt like it slowed down a bit, & Eva herself was truly dragging my boy Cooper in a way that had me shocked he was coming back for more??? BUT HEY—that’s life. Got so many good laughs from this bad boy, excited to read more from this author!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & to Macmillan Audio for this ALC!!

▪️a sexy second-chance romance between a black cat and golden retriever▪️

Eva dreams of a journalism career, but instead she's currently stuck interviewing B-list celebs over hotdogs as the host of Sausage Talk. Rylie has made a name for himself as a beloved social media personality by dismantling toxic masculinity. The problem? Eva knows Rylie. In fact, they dated in college, and he certainly did not practice what he preaches back then. So one drunken night, Eva puts their past on full blast - and it goes viral.

Forced to confront him on air, Rylie comes up with an interesting proposition for Eva: go on a series of dates so that he can make up for his past behavior. The problem? Past feelings are catching up, and these fake dates are feeling like the real deal.

▪️🌭▪️

This was my first book by Mazey. I loved how Eva's hotdog show reminded me of Chicken Shop Date. I also felt some vibes reminiscent of First Time Caller, but I gotta say, this one did it better for me. I had so much fun with Eva & Rylie; the witty banter/ volleying insults is my top love language. I thoroughly adored Rylie. The couples therapy date was my favorite, and seeing mental health/ communication handled well multiple times made my heart sing. It did include my distaste - the "good girl"/ praise kink BUT that's a me issue and doesn't affect my rating. Overall verdict: highly enjoyable!

🎙️ Ariela Crow is the sole narrator here. I believe this was also my first for her, and my ears would happily return for another. Usually in audio for this genre, I gravitate towards dual narrations, but even if this book had dual POV's that warranted such, I'd've gladly kept it solely Ariela -- THAT'S how fantastic she was. Her inflections as she maneuvered between the characters were effortless and infused with emotion.

✨ Thank you Net Galley & MacMillan Audio for this ALC!
Pub date: 8•5•2025

1.5 ⭐️ this was uhm? The beginning was fun, it’s very chicken shop date & I can get behind that. Everyone was a red flag somehow? I’m usually all here for black cat energy FMCs but this one was honestly just mean. I’m not positive she grew up in the last 6 years. She needs a therapist & maybe a punching bag, and no not Coopers therapist. The first date was laughably bad, honestly that part did make me cackle. Cooper & his slutty little glasses seems like he tried to grow up and change at the very least so there’s that. If you wanna read & listen to a laughably bad romcom this might be the one for you. The narrator was good! She had the bitchy disinterested voice down perfectly. (Honestly though maybe I want some of those cringy little sweaters cooper has)

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an eARC & ALC!! Review & opinions are honest and my own!

I enjoyed the first half of the book. Second half something was just off for me. Maybe I got a little bored with it? Not sure exactly.

I love Mazey and will continue to read her books for me but this one isn't a favorite.

Thanks Netgalley for an ALC.

"Well, Actually" showcases everything I love about Mazey Eddings' writing: the longing, the angst, the wit, and the lovable characters.

I gobbled this novel up in just a few days -- I didn't want to put it down! I loved the way the story unfolded and the pop culture and tech references sprinkled throughout. Eva and Riley's second chance at love had me cheering and rooting for them from the beginning. It's difficult to do second-chance romance well, but Mazey knocked it out of the park.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading romance books with quirky characters.

Eva is forced to confront her "one that got away" from college, Rylie now that they are both adults.

This was such a good romcom! Here's what I liked:

The positive headspace: This one deals with some heavy issues like mental wellness and sexual identity. I loved how it was all dealt with! Seeking help and finding out who you are is shown in such a positive light. There is even an inside look at Riley's therapy. I really loved this.

Eva and Riley: They are a super couple. Both are strong willed but find that they really do click together in all the right ways. Their humor together is also amazing. Both had me laughing at times and both had me almost crying at times. Their relationship is so genuine.

The narration: Ariela Crow does a really great job with this. I loved her different voices. I could always tell who was talking. In particular, the tone she had for Eva was dead on.

All in all, this was a great romance!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
📆 Pub Date Aug 05 2025
♥️Banter is their flirting
♥️Golden retriever/black cat
♥️She gives him a second chance
This book had me cackling!! I truly loved this book, which, in my opinion, was loosely based on the famous interview between Amelia Dimoldenberg, host of
'Chicken Shop Date, and actor Andrew Garfield. Mazey Eddings basically took that perfect, swoon-worthy interview and turned it into a heartwarming, hilarious, banter-filled romance. Frankly, I want to be more like Eva Kitt! No notes; this was perfection for me and would read over and over again!! I also had the pleasure of listening the the audiobook and felt as though Ariela Crow was PERFECT for the role of Eva kitt! Crows voice skillfully delivered all of Eva's witty jokes with confidence and flawlessly captured both Riley's and Eva's characters.

I really enjoyed this book. It had me laughing out loud so many times. My coworkers were looking at me like I was crazy because I kept laughing while listening. I loved the narration on this one! Ariela Crow did an amazing job. She brought so much depth and emotion to the characters. I even enjoyed her male narration voice. The whole performance was just spot on!

This is such a good second chance romance. Eva is a black cat fmc. She’s stuck hosting Sausage Talk instead of pursuing her actual journalism dreams. Eva and Riley hooked up back in college, but he ghosted her right after. Now several years later, Riley has a huge social media presence and focuses on descontructing toxic masculinity. Eva gets drunk one night and calls him out. She wakes up the next morning discovering it has gone wildly viral. Her bosses make her bring him on for an episode of Sausage Talk for a confrontation. Riley asks Eva to go on 10 dates with him, so he can redeem his toxic behavior of the past.

This book was such a fun time. I highly recommend the audio! I couldn’t stop listening to it. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advance copies.

ahhhhh, hats off to the narrators, this was such a fun listen.

people hate a mean girl but me personally? I love em!! Eva was a treat, and she made me laugh at every turn. Riley was her perfect opposite because he dished it all right back to her in thoughtful, present ways. the romance burns a little slower but it builds well between the tension and banter pouring out of these two idiots. I found myself laughing and swooning at every turn. the workplace of it all was also extremely relatable as a woman who spent some time climbing ladders.

it was nice to see Eva stand up for herself at the end of it all and see her worth.

that's honestly all I feel like I can summarize and say without giving too much away?? this was sooooo freaking fun. I really needed a book that kept me wanting more and this delivered just that.

this book snuck up one me and destroyed me. I adored these characters so much and could find myself relating to Eva greatly.

I’m well and truly obsessed with Mazey Eddings writing style and her story <3

the narrator also did such a fantastic job of narrating for both Eva and Rylie!!! the personality changes, the voices, the everything = immaculate!!

Premise was a great idea but ultimately this wasn’t for me. The FMC felt like she was trying really hard to be rude over something that happened years ago. At some point you gotta move on.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early read. This book was a lot of fun. While the ending was predictable, the storyline was a lot of fun along the way. Eva and Rylie both had some trauma from their childhood and families, and them figuring out who they wanted to be in relation to that was a big part of the story. For a fairly quick, fun read, I recommend "Well, Actually."

Something that did stand out to me is that there was quite a bit of the storyline where the characters wanted to be sure not to judge anyone based off gender or their body type or genital size, etc., which I agree with. However, there were several jokes at the expense of those with food allergies and sensitivities. That seemed very odd and off putting. Paraphrasing here, but Eva repeatedly mocked Rylie saying he seemed like someone with food allergies or someone give off the vibe of being lactose intolerant. What? I don't have food allergies, but being a teacher, I have seen how hard it is for kids to fit in when they do. (Social events, even sitting with friends at lunch.) That wasn't a huge part of the story, but it is something worth contemplating in future books.

The very graphic details/spice level was a bit more than I am really into, but I know I am likely in the minority for that. Overall, a fun, quick read. I really do like Rylie, and Eva started to grow on me. I'm not a huge fan of the negging, even after she stopped hating him, but I guess that was their vibe.

Thank you so much for the early listen!! I loved this book! The tension, the longing, the second chance! Rylie Cooper!! The banter was so good. I laughed out loud in multiple parts. The spice was spicing for sure. I didn’t want to put it down. Another amazing book from the lovely Mazey Eddings!!

Also, Loved the audiobook narrator, Ariela Crow. She can do male voices so well! 🔥

Well, Actually had an interesting premise (think Chicken Shop Date) but overall, it didn’t fully land for me.

The pacing dragged in several places, and some of the emotional beats were a bit forced. The romance, while sweet in moments, lacked the chemistry I hoped for, and the dialogue occasionally veered into quirky-for-the-sake-of-it territory. The pop culture references and internet-style humor didn’t always hit the mark, making the tone feel inconsistent.

I’m more Call Her Daddy than Chicken Shop Date. It’s not a bad book by any means, and I think readers who connect personally with the mental health aspects or enjoy quirky, introspective protagonists might get more out of it. For me, though, it was a well-meaning read that didn’t quite deliver on its full potential.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

ARC and ALC review
Publication date 5 August 2025.

'Well, Actually" by Mazey Eddings is a contemporary second chance romance.

I received an e-ARC from St. Martin's Press and an ALC from Macmillan Audio (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The cover describes perfectly the book.
Eva is the host of an online celebrity interview show that goes viral after posting a video about her podcaster ex, Rylie.
She has black cat energy and he is a sweet golden retriever obsessed with her. They have such witty banter and I love them both.
The first half of the book is very funny and I had a smile on my face all the time.
But there are also some emotional parts that can be a bit overwhelming. Please check the content warnings if you have triggers.

The romance is a slow burn, as Rylie needs to show Eva that he deserves a second chance, after ghosting her 6 years ago. They go on dates, initially fake ones, for the podcast, and discuss a lot about their feelings and insecurities. Both characters are well written and complex. I would also say they complete each other.

I reread the book in audio and it was great experience.
The audiobook is narrated by Ariela Crow and she is the perfect Eva.
Also, she has a good male voice and it did not bother at all that this is a solo narration.

I don't know what can I say more without spoiling the story.
Just that I laughed and cried and I definitely recommend it.

You should take notes from this book on communication, self-love, and a perfect second-chance romance. This book killed it! Not only was this a delightful story, but the plot was complex, steamy, and built with tension. The characters are in a second-chance romance,e and they meet again when forced to work together, bringing up negative feelings about one another from their past college experience. This book was all about growth in yourself, learning to accept/love yourself for who you are, and acknowledging when mistakes were made and you hurt someone. Overall, a perfect recipe for a second-chance romance.

Tropes: Second chance, exes, enemies to lovers, kitten, winning her back, slutty little glasses, self love, great communication!

My fav Quotes:
“I would never willingly listen to a man speak in my free time. But that’s just me.” -Eva
“The most spicy thing is you kitten.” -Cooper
“Stop being so charming or I’ll fall in love with you.” -Cooper

“Don’t miss me too much.” -Eva
“Too late miss you already.” -Cooper

“I couldn’t hate myself into someone I like.” -Cooper

“I want you, contrarian and difficult and keeping me in my toes. I want your sour moods as much as your shiny ones. As long as I can call you mine.” -Cooper

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC.

3.5/5.

I had a nice time with this book. I thought the set up was cute and I appreciated that this book tackled some very heavy topics. I also loved the LGBTQ+ representation and discussions. The ending lost it a little bit for me but still was a good time!

🌭 “Welcome to Sausage talk, where fun in the bun is guaranteed” 🌭

Holy cow holy cow holy cow!!!!

I’m going to apologize in advance as I am slightly fan-girling over the fact that this was one of my first ARCs I was ever approved for and it was an absolute dream. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity. 💕

To summarize, Eva Kitt is our FMC and she is your stereotypical hot girl bad bitch. She works as a “journalist” hosting b and c list celebrities over lukewarm hotdogs (gag), in hopes to move up in her career to actually write meaningful stories. After a night of drunkenly scrolling, she calls out her “ex”— whose entire online personality is deconstructing toxic masculinity— for being as toxic masculinity as they come. Well the internet did its internet thing and she went viral, causing her work to stir up the plan to get her to interview her ex. That is when the one and only Rylie Cooper shows up and invites her on a series of dates to try and prove he’s changed his ways, all while Eva’s work monetizes on their relationship.

Honestly, I cannot recommend this book enough to our contemporary romance lovers. I knew I’d enjoy it from the parallels to Chicken Shop Date, but I never expected to have such a range of emotions over it. I laughed, I cried, I felt sick to my stomach, and giggled like a lovesick teenager. Also, Rylie Cooper is the *perfect* book boyfriend and I do not say that lightly. But then again there’s something about a man in slutty little glasses that’ll get me every single time.

I will say, the majority of the book felt like one big miscommunication trope, that had they actually communicated well in the beginning, we never would’ve had this book to begin with. Eva has her moments where she’ll piss you off, but more often than not I just wanted to hug her and remind her that she is enough.

That being said, I can’t decide what I want to do more, binge all of Chicken Shop Date, or pick up that copy of Late Bloomer that’s been sitting on my bookshelf unread for what I now deem is FAR too long. At this point it feels like a crime to have not read Mazey’s other work and to love this book as much as I do. Sorry I slept on you for so long, Mazey Eddings. This was easily my favorite contemporary romance release of the year. 5/5 stars.

Tropes Include:
- Black cat/golden retriever
- Second chances
- Praiseeeeeeee
- Forced proximity/“fake” dating?
- Slutty little glasses (which I think I’m going to dedicate an entire shelf to on goodreads)

Spice is definitely open door. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Just like Rylie Cooper’s feet, this book was PRECIOUS.

This book was shockingly good, I honestly didn’t expect it! I went in completely blind without even reading the synopsis, and I’m so glad I did. It took me on an emotional roller coaster, I laughed out loud, I cried, and I felt everything in between.

The FMC did get on my nerves at times, but I totally understood where she was coming from. If I were in her shoes, I probably would’ve acted the same way. And Riley? He completely stole my heart with how honest and persistent he was throughout the book.

Also, I have to give a huge shoutout to the audiobook. The narrator was phenomenal! She nailed both the female and male voices especially that husky male voice… OMG, I was on my knees. I 100% recommend listening to the audiobook; it’s an amazing experience!

This was, generally speaking, a great romcom!

There are some books that, even though the circumstances are wildly different, pull strong and familiar emotions from me. This is one of those books. I had genuine tears in my eyes in some parts. It was very well written in that sense.

The banter was top tier! I had so much fun watching these characters fall in love and yell at each other the whole time.

I think the author did a great job pointing out some of the toxic aspects of the particular business she is in. However, I do take exception to “Real Journalism” as a trope in romance novels. It seems wrong to look down on popular culture/human interest in favor of something “more substantive.”

The narrator for the audiobook was a bit too chipper for my taste. I think she delivered the dead pan lines well, but her inner monologue did not match my idea of the character. She did have a great male voice (which is important for romance novels).

Overall, well written and I would definitely recommend it.