I will say this one kept me on my toes. Both from the story line as well at the open door spice. I love second chance romance and great banter (well done @mazeyeddings ) but add in a slightly jaded, sarcastic, and snarky female protagonist - I’m here for it! Also, this book provides so much love on handling issues around LGBTQIA ❤️

Can we just go ahead and get a sequel for Rays story. Or better yet a love story between Ada and Lilith??

P.s. I may never be able to hear the monster mash without laughing again - IYKYK

Thank you @macmillan.audio audio for the AlC! The narration was chefs kiss. But also I swear I have heard this narrator before but can’t place where! #helpagirlout

This was such a cute story! I absolutely LOVE Rylie’s sarcasm and banter. There were times that Eva’s pettiness frustrated me, but she got there in the end. The story was entertaining and there were multiple parts that had me laughing out loud. I flew through it!

I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed the narration as well.

I want to start this out by saying I typically love a Mazey Eddings book. My all time fave being Lizzie Blake’s Beat Mistake which made my least favorite trope so heartwarming and lovely.

Have you watched or listened to The Chicken Shop?! It’s totally giving that vibe. Podcaster goes viral for saying some pretty terrible stuff about a past partner from her college days. She is then forced to interview said partner and they reconnect and go on some kinda forced dates? It’s giving second chance romance and forced proximity vibes.

Unfortunately this one just didn’t do it for me. I felt like the characters completely lacked chemistry so when there were spicy scenes I just didn’t get it. I found myself speeding through them which is very unlike me. While this one didn’t do it for me - you might love it. I’m feeling it was written more for Gen Z than Millennial me.

This one reminds me of those YouTube videos where they conduct interviews with their exes meets Amelia’s Chicken Shop dates. This second-chance story was very enjoyable and cute. Cinnamon roll MMC meets cynical FMC trope is well done here. A feel-good romcom that will leave you fully satisfied.

I also really enjoyed the narration. It perfectly balanced the sarcasm and liveliness of the characters.

Audiobook Review
Well, Actually by @mazeyeddings

Thank you to @netgalley for the copy of this audiobook.

Solo Narration by: Ariela Crow

I really enjoyed this one - the concept of this book was a lot of fun. We have a boss babe, Eva who interviews B-list celebrities while eating hot dogs, and reformed man Rylie who is a social media personality who teaches men how to be better partners,
They had a bit of a connection in college but based on lack of communication, things did not go well.
After reconnecting, Rylie tries to win himself back into Eva's good graces by taking her on some dates.

These two had clear chemistry and there was so much banter. Beyond the physical connection, they were working through some surprisingly deep issues.

“Stop being so mean to me or l'm gonna fall in love with you"

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
🌭 Enemies to lovers
🌭 Second chance
🌭 Podcaster x social media personality
🌭 Black cat x golden retriever
🌭 Healing from trauma

What a cute one! It definitely takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, but I still loved it. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to scream. The banter was perfect. The chemistry was on fire. The spicy scenes definitely delivered! I thought that the second chance romance was done really well in this book. Both the characters were likeable at times and at other times really annoyed me, but I think that was what kept me so engaged in the story. The had their trauma and issues to work through, a past that was less than perfect, and a "relationship" that was in the public eye. I thought that they worked through their issues and tried to mend their relationship in a healthy, productive way. I enjoyed the supporting characters and the overall vibe of the book. If you are looking for a fun, end of summer, beach or vacation read, I think this is a great one!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

I'm having mixed emotions about this one! On one hand, I enjoyed the second chance aspect, the forced proximity elements, and I really loved our MMC, Riley. I struggled to like our FMC, Eva, and while her past definitely played into aspects of her personality, I felt like we needed more character development for her.

Well, Actually had a fun premise and some solid banter, but it took a while to warm up for me. Eva and Rylie are a classic sunshine/grump pairing (but gender-flipped), and while Rylie is genuinely trying to make amends, Eva spends a good chunk of the book unloading on him—even after he explains himself. It made the first half feel a bit one-sided. That said, there are sweet moments and some growth by the end. If you like second-chance romances with messy characters and viral drama, this might hit the spot. For me, it was a solid 3/5.

I really enjoyed this book! It was very contemporary and giving 'Chicken Shop Date' vibes but where Amelia is more deadpan weird, Eva is supposed to be more badass. Of course she has loads of internal emotions that her viewers aren't privy to but that we as readers do get. And then there's Riley who is just such a wonderful book boyfriend and I'm sure will become a favourite for many, many readers. I really enjoyed the progress of their relationship and all the tropes they covered: exes to lovers, fake dating, social media, black cat/golden retriever, only to name a few. What I really appreciated was that there was no 3rd act breakup, even though it looked like there would be! The author didn't go there and that truly was the best decision in my opinion. Finally, I think the narrator did a great job that added to my enjoyment of the story.

📕This book was a ROLLERCOASTER of emotions for me! I loved our FMC - I was strongly irritated by our FMC - then I wanted to give her a hug!! And our MMC? I may have fallen a bit in love with him.

📘Well, Actually brings us Eva who blasts her ex Riley on Social Media after a few drinks. The post goes viral and since the both have an online/media presence - a deal is made to go on some dates and share a recap on their platforms.

📕With past trauma to walk through, and a lot of hurt on both sides - feelings develop, but without trust - it is MESSY!!

🎙️Our narrator, Ariela Crow delivers with the large range of emotion this book entails. One painful scene is delivered so well, I teared up (and I’m not a crier!!).

💫Overall I loved this read and it was a solid 4/5⭐️ experience for me.

🌷Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and author Mazey Eddings for access to a copy of this Audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book didn't disappoint. It's a witty, funny, second Chance romance with a great narrator. It had both laugh out loud moments as well as touching on tougher subjects. Im not always a fan of second Chance or enemies to lovers but would recommend this on.

I received this audio book from #NetGalley for my honest review.

What a cute fast paced rom com!! I ate this book up from start to finish. Eva was so relatable that it made it hard to not get emotional invested in her character. 3.5 STARS!! Thank you so much to NetGalley for this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a cute up and coming chick flick book. Very modern with podcasts and such and it just made me giggle and lol throughout the book. I was able to listen to this book thanks to NetGalley.

The writing is voicey and fun but got my taste it was a bit over the top in terms of believability—the male lead seemed like more of a concept than a character and said a lot of highly emotionally evolved, therapy speak things versus what a person would actually say or do in the moment.

The narrator was similarly too melodramatic/ over the top for me in her emotional expression but otherwise did a nice job.

😍🔥 MAZEY WHAT IS THIS! Kicking, screaming, giggling my hearts content at this one. Eva was a true and utter delight, her sarcasm and wit and a not quite stand off-ish personality but more so a “I wish you would” confidence. Despite her sharp and rough exterior, we got that inside peak of layers of uncertainty, the hesitancy in trust but such a deep understanding of everything around her. I really *really* love a FMC that is rough around the edges and isn’t a delicate rainbow of personality and I feel that’s so controversial because FMCs with this set are often described as “mean” 🥲

If Riley showed up at my door right now, I’m saying goodbye to my family and I’m leaving. What a swoonworthy and lovable dude. The best is that because I did adore Eva so much so quickly, I was really hesitant on Riley. I really was unsure and yet I felt like one of his super fans almost immediately. Their chemistry and the genuine connections that unfolds between them. His acceptance of past mistakes and not making excuses- yes, amazing, we need *more* of these MMC.

The plot was fun and I laughed so often that it was truly a delight even in the raw and vulnerable moments. The narration was perfection, Ariela Crow just had a way with bringing the characters to life in sharp notes and smooth delivery.

4.5⭐ (rounded up)

I LOVED this. Rylie and Eva were so freaking cute together.

Both characters ended up being so well fleshed out that it was really easy to connect to them. Eva showed a lot of growth through the entire book. Rylie had already done his growing and kept proving to Eva that he wasn't the same as he was in college.

I spent most of my time with this book giggling, especially during their dates and when they were actively flirting. The chemistry was PERFECT.

What I didn't love:
• Her bosses seemed a little too mustache-twirling at times. Especially towards the end, it could have been a lot more subtle.
• Eva was a little TOO stubborn at times, making her harder to relate to.

That aside, the narration was pretty perfect. She put so much sass into her performance.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.

5 ⭐ 3.5 🌶️ 5 🎧

I absolutely loved this book. Rylie and Eva stole my whole heart; these broken souls coming together was absolutely everything. He was so down bad for her it made me giddy as heck and had me smiling ear to ear. There was a moment where I was highlighting basically entire chapters it felt like; Mazey did such an incredible job with these characters and I adored them to pieces.

I really enjoyed all the queer representation in this story too. Not only is Rylie Bi, but Eva is Demi and then they have a Trans friend as well. Rylie does deal with internalized biphobia, but overall it was mostly casual which felt normalizing and wonderful.

I was a touch surprised by the spice. Rylie was hot as Hades in the jeans (just read it then cackle with me), his dirty talk was *chef's kiss* and Eva's little "Good Boy" moments had me on my knees. I seriously just loved these two so much.

The audio was great. Ariel Crow did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life and I really enjoyed this listen. A huge thank you to Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy!

Ariela Crow gives a lively, passionate and emotional performance in this witty and humorous rom com. I thought Ariela was a perfect match for Eva’s character as a strong, opinionated woman burying her hurt. And the chemistry between Eva and Rylie was tangible.
I loved this listen!

First 35-40% was an absolute hoot. Fantastic banter. Great introduction to the main characters. Some very minor embarrassing moments that actually ended up being hilarious - usually have to speed through those.

I binged in a day and the audio was great. I thought the narrator was perfect for this type of book and she did a great job with both voices. Listened around 1.9x for most of it.

Three peppers but takes a minute to get there.

The podcast / viral video story could have very easily been cliche but MM really did a great job making sure it was unique enough that it didn't feel cheesy to me at all.

My only gripe was that this girl really held that grudge for way too long for a 5 date situationship.

4.75 stars rounded up.

This. was. INCREDIBLE. You know when you start a book and immediately know you're going to love it? This book was one of those. I've never read anything by Mazey Eddings but will now be reading her backlist.

Rylie Cooper is officially one of my favourite love interests. Sweet, funny, and head over heels for Eva. What more could you want? <spoiler> "I would crawl through hell on my hands and knees over a bed of broken glass before I let you go again" ... ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS? </spoiler>

I really loved their dynamic. I could see how Eva might not appeal to some people, but I loved her prickly exterior. It was very clear to me that she used her humour and snark as a defence mechanism (honestly so relatable). I went in to this not knowing entirely what to expect and I loved the LGBTQ+ representation. It was woven in to the story in a way that felt incredibly natural .

The Banter? A+++. The Yearning? A++++. And it was so refreshing to read a romance without <spoiler> the typical third act breakup. </spoiler>

If you can listen to the audiobook, I would 100% recommend. The narrator was perfection!

Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.