3.25 stars

thank you to netgalley and headline for the arc!

honestly, the main takeaway i have from this book is that it could've really used rylie's pov. i feel like, while i enjoyed being in eva's head, i would've liked her a lot more as a heroine if we go to see her through his eyes. it wasn't really clear why rylie liked her so much and had held a flame for her for so long.

that being said, this book is funny and hot and the tension was really good. eva was, despite everything, very relatable and felt real, perhaps a bit too much (her self-pity got to be a bit too much sometimes, but ig that was the point?)

i really wish we got to know more about rylie and their relationship in college, since we only got very few glimpses into it. perhaps some flashback chapters would benefit here.

obviously i still devoured this very quickly, it kept me engaged and hooked, i LOVED the banter between the two main characters and the way rylie was just absolutely down horrendous

This is a beautiful book and a fun read. The characters are fun and relatable. I loved how much it reminded me of the chicken shop show. The FMC was powerful and that was good.

[3.5] i LOVED the fmc, eva, in this!! she was punchy, quick-witted and so confident (at least on the exterior). i wasn’t crazy about the mmc, rylie, at least at first, but i did like watching their banter and quips at each other. one thing i definitely made a mental note of was that we got an onscreen therapy session, that was realistic, raw, and not skimmed over like other books. some times the actual relationship did feel a bit on-again off-again, but overall, pretty refreshing!!

thank you to netgalley and headline for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

This made me laugh! Mazey Eddings handed us laugh out loud moments throughout a crazy rom-com.

You have sass, tension, crazy banter that grabs you from the beginning. The remarks and banter had me dying and Riley....what can I say except swoony. Don't get me wrong, Eva will seem a bit off putting to some, possibly abrasive but it all comes together, she is a bit vulnerable...no? Maybe I am keen to her because of the inner dialogue, who knows...what I do know is this was a fun read and a wonderful palette cleanser in between my high fantasy reads. Give it some try, I bet you'll see a bit of yourself in Eva.

I received this advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

3.75 stars (rounded up to 4)

I've had Mazey Eddings' books on my TBR for a while now, so receiving an arc for Well, Actually was an honour. For the most part, I enjoyed this book. This was funny, emotional and deeply romantic.

It does an incredible job at showing the chemistry between the two main characters. Eva and Rylie have such a funny dynamic, and the connection between them is obvious. I can't lie though, at first, both Evan and Rylie acted a little immature and juvenile when it came to their insults; it was almost like I was reading about teenagers fighting. However, at some stage while I was reading their banter just clicked and I found myself laughing along. As we progress further into the plot, the growing attraction between the two becomes even more prominent, even when Eva is furiously trying to deny it.

However, a part of me thinks, that Eva and Rylie connected a little too quickly. Yes, there was chemistry, but I honestly would have liked for both to have slowly become friends first instead of just giving into their attraction by the third date (feels a little insta-lusty not gonna lie). I also thought the conflict in the end would carry on for longer, but it resolved too quickly for my tastes. I honestly thought it would last longer. I do get what the book is trying to do, and for the most part it succeeds but the pacing of things made it seem very surface level.

Overall though, I enjoyed reading Well, Actually and will definitely be reading more of Mazey Eddings' books!

✨3.5 stars✨

This book is literally based on Chicken Shop Date, but in this book the video series is called Sausage Talk - cue the innuendos from the very first page. Also the fact that our protagonist and host of Sausage Talk Eva Kitt is sarcastic and known for her deadpan delivery is literally Amelia from Chicken Shop Date. The author really thought hard about that premise😂.

This book wasn’t bad, in my opinion. It read quickly and I can see people enjoying this if they are looking for a fast-paced romance over the Summer. Definitely a by-the-pool light-hearted read.

However, there were certain things I didn’t particularly like/felt frustrated by as listed below (🚨POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD🚨):

- The romance felt incredibly rushed and mainly lust rather than a deeper connection. We’re told that the connection is there rather than shown. I have no issue with spice in books but for how short this book felt, it just seemed excessive without any deeper developments. Everything in that department just felt surface level.

- Aida, Eva’s producer and I’m guessing is meant to be her friend but is honestly horrible to Eva for the vast majority of the book, even belittling and questioning how serious Eva is about her job compared to her. All the while knowing how unsatisfied Eva is with the trajectory of her career and feeling stuck.

- Think that’s one of my main issues that nothing about this book was original and a lot of the references (Chicken Shop Date, the video reacting to people’s comments, podcasts for the sake of being podcasts without any rhyme or reason - Rylie for example) that it dated this book.

- Finally the ending was so rushed!! Spoiler: but a video of Rylie and Eva is leaked (by the evil bosses for clicks and views). However, this was introduced with 23 minutes left of the book according to my kindle, but it definitely didn’t feel like it. So it felt like it was introduced just to make the book just a few pages longer and not a natural part of the plot.

Overall, I can definitely see people enjoying this book when it is published, however it just wasn’t a new favourite for me.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Overall, Well, Actually is a fun read. The premise and dialogues are very much in the zeitgeist, which, can be both the saving grace and the weak point for such a solid book. The dialogues and banter were top-notch, and the first half of the book was a joy to read. But there was something left wanting when it came to the characters, who I found hard to root for.

My complete review for the book will be out in a lit magazine on the release date.

Eva's journalism career isn't panning out like she hoped - I mean, does anyone expect to find themselves eating hot dogs and giving out deadpan snark to quasi-celebrities in exchange for clicks? It's especially galling when her college ex is making a name for himself teaching men how not to be the kind of toxic that he encapsulated in his relationship with Eva, something she impulsively and drunkenly calls out online one evening. With potentially career (and life) changing results.
What really made this book for me was the chemistry and connection between tough, witty and secretly sensitive Eva and charming, quirky and clearly obsessed Cooper. The way he responds to and deflects her mean comments makes for highly entertaining dialogue, and they actually communicate, both about their past relationship and the development of their current one. It takes time for Eva to open up and trust him, and that's depicted sensitively and realistically. I wasn't so convinced by the portrayal of her work colleagues - her producer and so-called best friend seems to blow irritatingly hot and cold, and the others feel a little two-dimensional, plus the way Eva reacts to them made me go "huh... really?". (Maybe I'm the wrong demographic to truly get it.) But that's a minor quibble about what is, at its heart, a thoughtful, emotional and witty second-chance romance.

I would re-read this so quickly if I didn’t have over 100 books on my TBR. Honestly, one of the best books written that I’ve read in a long time. I could gush about this one for hours and hours.

Mazy Eddings has been auto-buy author for me since I read her first novel and Well, Actually just reminded me of why she is. First of all, Eva is one of my favourite FMCs of all time. Like ever. She is in the top ten. I loved her snarky little attitude and her humour was spot on. I also adored how relatable her worries and anxieties were throughout.

Now Riley, aka my newest book boyfriend. God what a gem of a man. So loveable, like too loveable. He obviously adores Eva from the beginning for their reunion and it was so clear to see. The yearning this man displayed had me weak in the knees honestly. I want him. Alas he is not real.

It also goes without saying at how great the plot also was and how relevant it felt. Ok so I’m not going to say anything else as I actually want people to read this book. Like 10/10 would recommend. Always.

This book was fine. The concept was interesting and at times entertaining but something fell flat for me and I couldn’t really get into it. For me, the characters weren’t particularly likeable so I found them hard to root for. I did feel for both of them at times but mostly I just didn’t care. Their relationship was okay, it was nice to see it develop from when they were younger but it did feel a bit rushed to me. The side characters are more interesting but rarely featured.

Overall I think this is an okay romance, with diverse characters and a lot of character development, it just wasn’t for me. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book!

This second chance romance interested me from the start, giving chicken shop date vibes with such an amazing female main character :)

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice read with some humorous moments. I appreciated the bi x pan representation, it was very refreshing! I haven’t read anything else from this author but will be sure to check out her other books.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline Eternal for this ARC!

This was such a sweet book which had the vibes of early 2000s romcoms.

The writing was super easy to read, though I wish it were dual POV since I needed more insight into this couple. The black cat x golden retriever energy was strong and they complimented each other well. I loved how there was no third act break up and how they worked through the conflict together.

Appreciated how themes of grief, toxic masculinity and queer challenges were explored in the book - though idk how to feel about the MMC bringing the FMC to see his therapist together. I know this is a fictional book but surely that's not beneficial for anyone. Didn't expect these themes in a romcom but appreciated it nonetheless as it not only enlightened the reader (me) but also added depth to the characters and story.

I did wish more was shown about the FMC's career ambitions and her family life as I felt that would have humanised her more and made her more palatable as a character one would root for. Also wanted a bit more tension and banter prior to them rekindling their feelings and getting together.

Would read again, as well as other Mazey Eddings books.

Overall rating: 4/5

This one is for the eldest daughters who have had to take care of themselves their whole lives and just want someone to take care of them instead! I absolutely adored this one, Cooper is a dreamy book boyfriend!

After hearing this was chicken shop date made rom-com, I was so excited to pick this up and it was SO FUN! As much as I adored the comedy and the ongoing banter between the love interests, there was so much heart with queer representation, discussions on grief, the dismantling of toxic masculinity and so much was laid bare. This was as enjoyable and fun as it was heartfelt and raw, and these are endlessly my favourite kinds of romances!

Also rylie <3 people are going to fall in love with him!!!

I absolutely would've rated this higher would the FMC (female main character) not have been unreasonable in her anger at times. I found her communication to be slightly subpar to Rylie's vulnerability and that often felt hard to read as much as the hesitation made sense. This a romance I would DEFINITELY recommend (especially for summer)

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I LOVED this book! Eva and Rylie are adorable together and their story and conflict are so good! I loved how much our characters seemed to grow throughout the story and their flashbacks. At first, I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to relate to Eva and her story but it was so well done that I empathized with her so much.
I love that Eva’s love language is snark and meanness and Rylie is totally golden retriever energy.

Eva Kitt is the creator of Sausage Talk, Chicken shop Date’s down market less good cousin, where she bitchily interviews minor celebs while eating cheap hot dogs, what happened to her dreams of serious journalism? She’s feeling a bit jaded so when she see her college ex giving out sage advice on how to be a “good man” she calls him out on the internet so viral results. Forced by her boss to do a live interview with him she gets railroaded into agreeing to date Rylie to see where they went wrong in college and Eva starts to catch feelings she shouldn’t. Mazey Eddings is as always solid on the angst feels and always makes me cry at some point. I absolutely related to Eva’s hard shell/marshmallow personality and the reasons for it but I felt the plot was a bit muddled as Eddings tried to do too much, half way through I kind of lost interest which was a shame because the initial premise was entertaining. It started as a book about one thing and became a book about something else so it felt a bit light on two fronts. Not my favourite of this authors but still worth the read.

Let me start by saying this book had me grinning like an idiot the entire time. Well, Actually is the kind of rom-com that feels like a warm hug—if that hug also came with sharp wit, chaotic energy, and a side of emotional baggage. Mazey Eddings delivers a second-chance romance that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, with characters so vivid you’ll wish they were real.

Eva Kitt is a mood. A sarcastic, take-no-prisoners journalist stuck hosting Sausage Talk, a show where she interviews B-list celebs over lukewarm hot dogs. (Honestly, the concept alone sold me.) But when she drunkenly calls out her college ex, Rylie Cooper—now a viral "feminist icon" who deconstructs toxic masculinity—for being a total hypocrite, her rant goes viral. Suddenly, her boss forces her to interview him, and the chaos begins.

Rylie, bless him, is a golden retriever in human form. Sweater collection? Iconic. Emotional intelligence? Surprisingly high. Willingness to grovel for past mistakes? Absolutely. He proposes a wild idea: six dates where Eva gets to publicly judge whether he’s actually changed. What follows is a mix of awkward encounters, fiery banter, and moments so tender I had to put the book down and squeal into a pillow.

The chemistry between Eva and Rylie is electric. She’s all sharp edges and defensive quips; he’s sunshine and earnest apologies. Their dynamic is pure black cat x golden retriever perfection, and the way they challenge each other had me hooked. Eva’s reluctance to let her guard down feels painfully real, especially when you learn about her past, and Rylie’s growth from a clueless college guy to someone genuinely trying to be better is chef’s kiss.

The social media aspect adds a fun, modern twist—imagine Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date but with way more unresolved sexual tension. The podcast segments are hilarious, though I do wish we got more of them! The side characters, especially Eva’s chaotic best friend, add great flavor, even if I occasionally wanted to shake them for being so blunt.

That said, the book isn’t flawless. Some moments felt a little too tropey, and Eva’s emotional walls sometimes made her hard to connect with. (Though, let’s be real, if a man had her attitude, he’d be called "confident," so I’ll let it slide.) And while Rylie is adorable, I wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth to his influencer life beyond just being Eva’s love interest.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t care. This book is fun. It made me laugh, it made me swoon, and it made me want to shove it into the hands of every rom-com lover I know. If you’re into second-chance romances with snarky heroines, soft-but-capable heroes, and a healthy dose of emotional growth, Well, Actually is a must-read.

4/5

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!)

This book made me laugh, cry and feel so much, it’s almost unreal. You know that feeling when you can relate to a heroine so much it feels like the book is about you? That’s how I felt reading this.

It was almost eerie, like the author had crawled into my head and described my emotions and twisted thought processes.

Eva isn’t exactly likable—she struggles with forming connections and opening up. She’s witty and often hilarious, but also sarcastic, snarky, and, at times, just plain mean.

Rylie kinda deserves her constant roasting, and it’s satisfying that he takes it all with a smile. What an adorable cinnamon roll, that man!

Besides, is there anything better than a heroine going for a third-act breakup and the hero just not having it? There isn’t, ladies and gents. This might be my new favorite micro-trope; a hero preventing my most hated thing from happening. You have all my love, Rylie.

I loved this book. It made me cry, but I loved it. I couldn’t binge it—I had to pause and process some of the things it brought up. That’s the beauty of it, though: no fabricated drama, just raw emotion and real healing. That therapy scene—chef’s kiss!

I don’t know if it will hit other readers as hard as it hit me. It feels deeply personal, more so than usual.

But if you’re into reverse grumpy-sunshine, second chances with lots of groveling, and absolutely brilliant banter, go for it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great read, it was super fast-paced, the banter between Eva and Rylie was great. I really loved Eva, she stood up for herself and in the nicest way possible she was that bitch. I liked Rylie, normally I’m wary of a man with a podcast but I did find him to be endearing throughout the book