I really wanted to love this but there were just a few things that really got to me. Mainly, how the FMC reacted to a few things that seemed out of character and sometimes some of the use of internet culture came of as trying too hard.

4 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

just a forewarning this book is very online lol. this book felt like a chicken shop date fanfic and i honestly wasn’t mad at it.

the banter between our main characters is really cute but ill admit it can be alot sometimes. there were also definitely moments where it felt like the plot was not there and we were just getting the day to day of their lives to fill space.

honestly this book was pretty enjoyable but im also definitely the target audience for this kind of book.

Ariela Crow did a great job narrating this book, i think her style of narrating also helped bring across alot of the characters emotions, tones and personalities which could otherwise be a bit lost in the book.

Oh my god, I loved this one. I have been so-so on several romance books recently (except those I've rated highly), but this one takes the cake for me.

I will say - it's hard to describe this book to others without saying "she hosts an online interview show similar to Chicken Shop Date," and then everyone assumes it's lightly veiled fan fic about Amelia Dimoldenberg & Andrew Garfield. However, it's truly not - although I'm not saying I wouldn't read that. I liked the way the author made the actual characters & plot very different than something that's actually happened IRL.

Here's what I loved: black cat/golden retriever, but within reason. The third act - no spoilers, but was really pleased it didn't fall along standard trope lines. I liked that they actually really liked and respected each other and gave each other advice. Ahh!! Competence p*rn for real. I loved the plot, queer rep, mental health rep and realistic friendships!

Two things I didn't love as much: first, the MMC calls the FMC "kitten" - I've only heard that in the context of sex kitten so it felt like a weird casual nickname from college. The other thing was the times that there was a lot of emotion, the audiobook narrator sounded really upset, near tears. (I'm sure this is a preference for me, but it did take me out a bit).

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Besides what I mentioned, the audiobook was stellar. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The adorable cover is what drew me to this book, and I am so glad it did! I adored this book! When Eva, a journalist with a talk show featuring B-list celebrities eating hotdogs, encounters a college ex’s post about how to be a better man, she decides to expose him. Her post goes viral and her bosses want her to run with it for publicity. Rylie was such a great mmc. He was caring, patient and funny. Eva was frustrating at times, but I could understand why she acted the way she did. I enjoyed the banter and depth in this second-chance romance! Also, the narrator did a fabulous job!

ARC Review: Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
Pub date: August 5th
Narrated by: Ariela Crow

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Y'all just gather 'round and listen up, alright?? This book was everything I wanted and I refuse to hear a bad thing about it (mostly kidding but also kind of not). Mazey has been a must read author for a while now for me and this just proves why!

This book is single POV and follows our FMC Eva - this is one of those rare books where I think it is better BECAUSE it is single POV. It allows us to really get in Eva's head and understand why she acts the way she does. Eva is prickly and meannnn and honestly I loved it! We really see how her past rejections (from her family; from Riley) have affected her and how she pushes people away rather than feel any type of vulnerability.

And damn if Riley doesn't just see right through her exterior. She pushes, he keeps showing up. What starts off as fake doesn't stay so for very long, particularly on his part. He really understands her so well and is just so so earnest. The date where he brings her to couples therapy and they have such a real and honest conversation?? Literally rearranged my brain cells - I thought it was so well done.

The third act conflict did stress me out a bit - I HATE a bad boss. But I was glad to see Eva get her much do revenge and see her move on from that toxic workplace that always strove to make her feel inadequate. I did love that the third act conflict was external and that there wasn't a breakup (despite Eva trying to break up with Riley and him just refusing LOL).

Ya'll I am just obsessed - IDK but this might be my new favorite Mazey book! There is quite a bit of angst so if you go in expecting something like Lizzie Blake (there was a cameo of her though!) I think you might have some issues. The angst in this is most comparable to The Plus One - so go in with that knowledge and I think you will really enjoy (and if you don't, I don't want to hear about it!!)

I don't think I've listen to Ariela Crow before but I really enjoyed her performance here! I thought her narration helped me as a reader really get into Eva's head. I will say her narration choice for Eva's best friend (very strong New York accent) didn't super work for me and did kind of pull me out of the story when she was talking. But other than that choice, I thoroughly enjoyed her narration!

4.5 stars.

I loved "Well, Actually" by Mazey Eddings. This might be one of the funniest books I have read all year. I have a hunch readers will either love or hate this story. For me, it worked from beginning to end. I love Mazey's writing style. I laughed throughout the entire book. Eva and Rylie... their second-chance romance is just so fun and catty and wonderful. I loved the catalyst for them getting back into each other's orbits. I loved the goofy podcast moments (which I am usually against). I loved the pop culture references (again, usually against a lot of these, but Mazey makes them relevant and necessary to the story, not just thrown in for cultural markers). I know that many people will not like Eva as a character, but her demeanor worked for me, particularly because she works on herself and her boundaries and grows by the book's end. I came to understand and empathize with why she is the way she is. Her black cat hardened exterior and demeanor make more sense once readers strip back the layers of how she came to be that way. I saw a lot of myself in that portion of the story. I also loved Rylie. I love how, towards the end of the book, he started giving her sassiness and snark right back to her. I found this to be a breath of fresh air, honestly. Rylie is down bad for Eva, and I loved every freaking second of it. The romance genre NEEDS more of Mazey Eddings. I just love her work so, so much, and it means so much to me! Please check this book out. I guarantee you're going to laugh so, so hard. Check it out on audiobook, too, for some terrific narration provided by Ariela Crow. She brings these characters to life in a sassy, entertaining way.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mazey Eddings, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Thank you Netgalley, Mazey Eddings, and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Audio Copy of "Well, Actually."
Well, Actually: A Second Chance Romance Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions with Mazey Eddings' upcoming novel, Well, Actually, set to be released on August 5, 2025. This book promises a delightful and sexy second-chance romance, filled with Eddings' signature sparkling voice. It's a story about unexpected turns, confronting the past, and the possibility of finding love where you least expect it. The story revolves around Eva Kitt, who finds herself hosting "Sausage Talk," a show where she interviews B-list celebrities over hot dogs. This isn't exactly the journalism career she had envisioned for herself. However, everything changes when she impulsively calls out her college ex, Rylie Cooper, and the video goes viral. Rylie isn't just any ex; he's a social media personality known for "deconstructing toxic masculinity" and teaching men how to be better partners. Talk about awkward! Eva is then forced to face Rylie on a live episode of "Sausage Talk," where he proposes a deal: he'll take her on a series of dates to make up for his past behavior, and they'll document the whole thing on his channel. Eva, determined to boost her own career and maybe, just maybe, continue to ruin Rylie's reputation, agrees to the plan. But as these staged dates start to feel genuine, Eva begins to question whether the guy who once broke her heart could actually be the one to heal it. Well, Actually dives into themes of second chances, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships. It explores the idea that people can change and that forgiveness is possible, even when it seems impossible. The novel also touches on career aspirations, the impact of social media, and the challenges of navigating public perception. The novel has already garnered positive attention, with reviewers praising Eddings' writing style as "authentic, emotional, and intensely romantic!". Others have described the book as "laugh-out-loud funny, filled with joy," and "utterly delightful and sexy". It seems like Well, Actually is poised to be a hit among romance readers. Mazey Eddings herself is a neurodiverse author, dentist, and self-proclaimed "stage mom" to her cats. She's known for her ability to create relatable characters and stories that resonate with readers on an emotional level. If you're a fan of second-chance romances, grumpy/sunshine dynamics (with a twist!), and stories that make you laugh and cry, Well, Actually might just be your next favorite read. Keep an eye out for its release and get ready to be swept away by Eva and Rylie's journey of forgiveness, growth, and maybe, just maybe, true love. Prepare for a story that will make you question everything you thought you knew about love, relationships, and the power of a second chance. With its witty banter, relatable characters, and heartwarming moments, Well, Actually promises to be a book that stays with you long after you turn the final page. #NetGalley #WellActually

Mazey Eddings consistently delivers romance that feels joyful, inclusive, and deeply needed—and this book is no exception. She writes with such care for mental health, identity, and queer experiences, creating characters who feel real, layered, and full of heart. The banter and "being mean as a love language" dynamic had me grinning, while the emotional depth and moments of vulnerability hit just right. The fake dating setup (that maybe wasn’t so fake?) and the unforgettable therapy date were standouts, but it’s the growth and second-chance arc that truly made this story shine. And as always, the audiobook narration brought everything to life—every joke, nickname, and tender moment landed perfectly thanks to a performance that matched Eddings’s voice to a T.

thank you MacMillan audio and SMP books for review copies!

“Well, Actually” by @mazeyeddings was hands down the BEST audio I’ve ever received from @netgalley @macmillan.audio - I loved it so so much!

Besides the narrating, the story in general, omg. Seriously so fun and heartwarming. The characters had me swooning, they were so relatable and just, ughhhh, so perfect! Riley is so romantically himself and Eva is total black cat vibes. Their love story is messy, raw, vulnerable, and full of spice and banter - so perfect for enemies to lovers.

Mazey did such an amazing job bringing the characters and their story to life with so much humor and emotional depth. The conflict/resolution of the story was paced nicely and I loved the HEA at the end for Eva with both her and Riley and her and her job.

I have preordered my copy and am so excited to read it again!

Love this book. It’s deeply queer even if the characters are in a “straight” passing relationship and it’s really funny and joyful. The characters are clearly based on Amelia and Andrew, but I love that.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio & Mazey Eddings for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mazey, Mazey, Mazey. She just knocks it out of the park for me all the time, and this book is no exception.The banter, the wit, the mental health, the representation of multiple communities. This novel checked so many boxes for me.

It has such a fun plot and format. The fake dating is delicious- but actually... is it REALLY fake dating if it was never fake for one of the participants? The therapy date was GROUNDBREAKING. Seriously.

The chemistry between these MCs was palpable. It's a second chance romance- BUT the best kind (for me)- they were YOUNG the first go round-they needed time, life, and growth to come back together!

Narration was PERFECT! The narrator captured Mazey's prose perfectly! All the wit, banter and attitude went right into my ear holes and my brain.

i absolutely ADORED this book. it was everything i could have wanted and more from a second chance romance. this was my first book by Mazey Eddings but it will not be my last!

what to expect:
- second chance romance
- black cat fmc
- golden retriever mmc
- excellent mental health rep
- banter!!!
- he falls first and HARD
- evisceration as a love language

Eva and Riley have a past - they dated in college and things ended badly when Riley ghosts Eva after they sleep together. 6 years later, Eva drunkenly responds to a video they Riley has posted online about men and their bad behavior and assumes that no one will see it. naturally, it goes viral overnight.

Riley proposes that they go on 6 dates so he can make it up to her and prove that he’s changed but Eva is NOT convinced. this woman can eviscerate anyone with her words - but especially Riley. she does not hold back with her cutting and scathing remarks when it comes to him. fortunately for the reader, this only intrigues Riley and keeps him coming back for more.

i won’t lie - at first, i was like wow, she is being SO harsh for a situation that doesn’t really seem like it warrants this level of animosity years later. but as the story goes on, i quickly grew to understand her character and why she acts the way that she does. one of the dates is couples counseling and i absolutely adored this scene. it was so real and raw and i felt for both Eva and Riley so hard through this chapter. it made me love them both so much. this scene changed my entire opinion of eva and im embarrassed to say that i didn’t love her initially.

Riley was down BAD for Eva and i absolutely ate it up. he would literally kiss the ground she walked on if she asked him to. the fact that he loved her with all of her sharp edges and despite the fact that she tried so hard to push him away was everything to me. he also loves acts of service, if you know what i mean 😌

the struggles that Eva had with her job were so relatable - the double standards for men and women on social media are so real and this book highlighted that in such a good way.


Audio specific review:
i am so, so thankful that i was gifted an ALC of this book. i think i loved this book even more than i would have if i would have just read it on my kindle. the narrator was absolutely phenomenal and she voiced so many different characters in such a believable way. i often forgot that it was a woman voicing a man during the spicy scenes, which is a truly impressive feat. the narrator added so much to this story and i genuinely cannot recommend this audiobook enough!!


Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the advanced listening copy of this book!

Such a fun read! The banter between these two is hot! Mazey Endings did such a great job covering the real issues that couples/humans experience- grief, jobs, sexuality, parents, therapy, and more. Loved that this was not just a second chance romance but a redemption story. It really showed how people can grow and change. Did I mention, it's very hot!

The narrator, Ariela Crow, does the absolute best job! The pacing and emotions were perfect! Also, the Rylie voice was so smooth.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Griffin's Press, and NetGalley for this eARC. Opinions are my own.

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!

First we have Eva - a top tier FMC! She is the host of Sausage Talk, where she interviews celebrities with a dry humor and wit that is not appreciated, but still has dreams of becoming a journalist. She is the perfect black cat FMC (my fave) and gives us some pan rep! One night, Eva drunkenly stitches a video from her ex, Rylie Cooper, who is now a famous internet podcaster whose platform focuses on deconstructing toxic masculinity. She calls him out about how he treated her in college and how he isn’t the golden boy he leads everyone to believe. The video goes viral and an agreement is made between her company and Rylie to do a live interview for her show, where he makes a deal with her. He wants to take her on dates to make up for his past, while debriefing afterwards on his channel to show how he’s changed.

Rylie is a man DOWN BAD and I love him so much. He truly has put in the work to become a better human and I love a second chance romance with reformed characters. Throughout their dates, you can see how badly he wants to make it up to her, even when half of their plans go awry. The way some of them went SO BADLY had me dying of laughter. Their chemistry was top notch as well! I love a book when the banter is hitting, especially when it borders on her being so mean to him, and this one was perfect! I literally was eating every crumb the put down.

I loved how their relationship developed throughout the book. Eva is so desperate to be soft with someone but has had to have her guard up and be strong for so long. Her character was so relatable with her struggle through this and the scene with them doing couples therapy had me tearing up with how she opened up! I also loved how we got to see the changes Rylie has made from the frat boy to where he is now. His opening up to her about what he was going through at that time and how much he has changed had my heart hurting.

This book truly gave me all the feels! It was heartwarming, it was spicy, it was so freaking funny, and filled with so much character growth. I absolutely loved everything about it! Not to mention there are amazing side characters who really hold their own! This is definitely a new favorite of mine!

🎧: The audio is a must listen! Ariela Crew had me so sucked into these characters and really added to what made this book so special! She delivers Eva’s dry humor perfectly and really digs into the vulnerability as well. She makes Rylie even hotter than he already was, which I didn’t think was possible. I highly highly recommend the audio!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the early copies!

What a fantastic audiobook!!! The narrator did an amazing job portraying all the characters in the book, really selling all her voices. This book was HOT!! It had me blushing as I listened in public on headphones. I loved following Eva in her struggles to be taken seriously in her career, her growth throughout the book, and finally standing up for herself and what she wants. Fantastic character development and my favorite book of Mazey’s so far!

I was really looking forward to this book as I’ve rated all of Eddings' previous books 4 & 5 stars. I also thought the cover was very cute. Eva Kitt wants to be the journalist she studied to be. But her work is being the host of Sausage Talk, which has her interviewing B-list celebrities while eating hot dogs. Evidently this is a play on a currently popular Chicken Shop Date show. (I had to ask my daughter about that as I had no clue.) Rylie Cooper has a popular podcast with over a million subscribers. He has a good guy persona and his show is about men being better partners. Well, Eva hooked up with him in college and then he ghosted her so she publicly calls him out. In return he shows up on her show asking her for some dates to prove he has changed. They can talk about it on both their shows and increase each other's ratings.

The set up is decent but Eva is in constant put down mode. She calls him baby girl, which I loathe when men use that as a pet name for women. I thought it was equally obnoxious for her to use it on him because it was being used as a derogatory word. My daughter DNF’d the book at the 24 percent point and I understood her feelings. I pushed forward and the story redeems itself and gets better. He has a reasonable explanation for his college self’s actions and she has reasons why it caused her trauma. But his first date goes horribly and one of the dates he takes her to couples counseling. I honestly wasn’t sure if the second one was for laughs or not.

Edding’s has touched feelings with past characters who have struggled with ADHD and anxiety. I was surprised when I finished this book that I didn't care if the pair got together or not. It does end in an okay place but I wanted something more concrete. (3.5 Stars)

This was good - it was compared to Chicken Shop Date in a lot of the promo and I definitely think that tracks. It was a really unique premise but also really interesting to actually read. I did like the second chance of it all, and, in my opinion, I think Riley and Eva worked really well together.

I do kinda think it fell into the "we discovered sex and now that's all we do and let me tell you all about it" hole that I kinda hate, but it all tied back together so I'll give it a little forgiveness for that. I also do kinda think a lot of the non-romance plot lines went unresolved, especially the ones regarding her friends. They kinda discuss it, but I definitely feel like the discussion they had about everything would not have made them go back to being good so quickly.

I did really enjoy the narrator for this - Ariela Crow's voice really fit Eva perfectly for this. I think that her narration really added another layer to this that I had a good time with.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Eva Kitt is called into the spotlight after a social media video calling out her ex and social media star, Rylie Cooper, goes viral. Her boss then persuades her to meet with him on her show, where they make a deal to go on a few dates to make up for his past behavior. This was a quick read with fun enemies to lovers banter and a lot of steam. Ariela Crow did a great job narrating this story from Eva’s point of view, making me empathize with her, and I loved how she voiced the dialogue with the supporting characters. There were times when I felt the characters’ immaturity pulled me away from the story, and I wasn’t as invested in them as a couple. Still, a quick and fun read!

Read if you like:
-Black cat/ golden retriever combo
-Second chance
-Workplace
-Mental health/ Bi + Pan rep

2.5 stars
I really liked the set up of the book— the hot dog equivalent of Chicken Shop Date! The enemies to lovers genre isn’t my fav but I do like a second chance romance. Unfortunately, I felt like this book tried to do too much and take on too many traumas and toxic behaviors. It got bogged down with it all and I struggled to root for Eva and Rylie.

I loved the characters in this, but honestly I’m not sure if it was the narrator, or the dialogue in general, but it was just too much description in weird areas. It’s like the characters were trying too hard to be romance-esque, and this left a cringe on my face through many of the talks they had back and forth. The title, description, and cover are cute, but it’s all a little too cliche sadly.