Well, Actually

Author: Mazey Eddings Title: Well, Actually Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Date Published: 08/05/2025

Read Dates: 06/30/2025- 07/02/2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 📖 I received a gifted e-book ARC. The following is my honest review✍🏻

Well, Actually is a single POV enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance. Eva is struggling to put her journalism degree to good use, stuck in a job interviewing B-list and C-list celebrities. One night, she posts a drunken rant about a college fling, Rylie, who was a walking red flag when she knew him, but has gone on to make a name for himself deconstructing toxic masculinity. Eva's boss wants to capitalize on the viral moment and arranges for Rylie and Eva to reconnect in a series of dates, podcast interviews, and other publicity stunts. Eva is determined to see this through without softening towards Rylie in order to earn a promotion she desperately wants, but Rylie is equally as determined to show her that he really has changed!

I cannot express how much I loved this book. The banter and teasing between Eva and Rylie was so good. The way it addressed and captured sexism, misogyny, and double standards between how men and women are treated in public spaces (online and in the workforce) was so accurate it made me angry on the characters' behalf. I rarely pre-order books, but I am placing a pre-order for this one because I *know* that I am going to want to read it again!

Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.

Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a deal: allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it.