Mazey Eddings delivers her most audacious and thought-provoking romance yet in “Well, Actually,” a contemporary love story that masterfully weaves together workplace abuse, social media culture, and the messy reality of second chances. This isn’t your typical enemies-to-lovers romance—it’s a scathing commentary on toxic masculinity, media manipulation, and the courage it takes to demand better for yourself.
The Plot: When Past Meets Present in the Worst Possible Way
Eva Kitt hosts “Sausage Talk,” interviewing B-list celebrities over hot dogs—a far cry from her journalism dreams. When her drunken TikTok rant about college ex Rylie Cooper goes viral, Eva finds herself thrust into an unwanted spotlight. The twist? Rylie is now a beloved social media personality who built his platform on teaching men to be better partners. Their forced reunion on live television becomes a viral sensation, leading to a publicity scheme involving staged dates that gradually become something real.
The premise brilliantly captures our social media-obsessed culture where private pain becomes public entertainment. Eddings doesn’t shy away from exploring how the internet can both destroy and elevate, often simultaneously. The staged nature of Eva and Rylie’s “redemption arc” feels uncomfortably authentic to how modern relationships are commodified for content.
Character Analysis: Flawed Heroes Worth Rooting For
Eva Kitt: The Anti-Heroine We Needed
Eva stands as one of the most refreshingly authentic protagonists in contemporary romance. She’s prickly, sarcastic, and genuinely difficult to like at first—and that’s precisely her strength. Eddings crafts a character who uses cynicism as armor against a world that has repeatedly disappointed her. Eva’s sharp tongue and defensive mechanisms feel earned rather than quirky, stemming from legitimate workplace trauma and internalized misogyny.
Her character development is subtle but profound. Rather than completely softening Eva’s edges, Eddings allows her to maintain her bite while learning to trust and be vulnerable. The way Eva channels her anger into investigative journalism feels like a natural evolution of her character, not a complete personality overhaul.
Rylie Cooper: Deconstructing the “Good Guy”
Rylie could have easily fallen into the reformed bad boy trope, but Eddings gives him depth and genuine accountability. His growth from closeted, homophobic college student to social media advocate for healthy masculinity feels authentic because the author shows his work. Rylie doesn’t just claim to have changed—he demonstrates it through his actions, his platform, and most importantly, his unwavering support of Eva when she needs it most.
The reveal of his bisexuality adds layers to his character without feeling tokenistic. His struggles with internalized biphobia and the pressure to perform heteronormativity resonate with real experiences in the LGBTQ+ community.
The Romance: Second Chances Done Right
The romantic development between Eva and Rylie crackles with genuine tension and believable chemistry. Their banter feels lived-in and natural, avoiding the overly polished dialogue that plagues many contemporary romances. Eddings excels at showing how past hurt can inform present interactions without completely defining them.
The staged dates provide structure while allowing for organic relationship development. Each encounter peels back layers of their shared history and individual growth, building toward a romance that feels both inevitable and earned. The physical chemistry simmers beneath their verbal sparring, creating sexual tension that doesn’t rely on miscommunication or artificial obstacles.
Social Commentary: More Than Just a Love Story
Where “Well, Actually” by Mazey Eddings truly shines is in its unflinching examination of workplace harassment and media manipulation. The toxic environment at Soundbites Media feels painfully realistic, with Landry and William Doughright representing the insidious nature of workplace abuse that hides behind professionalism and ambition.
Eddings doesn’t treat workplace harassment as merely a plot device—she explores its psychological impact on Eva and other employees with nuance and respect. The group chat where coworkers share screenshots of abusive emails, turning trauma into a drinking game, perfectly captures how people cope with systematic mistreatment.
The book’s handling of social media culture is equally sharp. The way private moments become public spectacle, how online personas can both mask and reveal truth, and the commodification of relationships for content all feel ripped from current headlines.
Writing Style: Sharp Wit Meets Emotional Depth
Eddings has found her authorial voice in spades with this novel. Her prose crackles with wit while maintaining emotional authenticity. Eva’s first-person narration perfectly captures her defensive cynicism while allowing glimpses of vulnerability to shine through. The author’s background in mental health advocacy shows in her nuanced handling of trauma responses and healing processes.
The dialogue sparkles with realistic banter that avoids trying too hard to be clever. Each character has a distinct voice, and the chemistry between Eva and Rylie leaps off the page through their verbal exchanges. Eddings also demonstrates skill in balancing humor with serious themes without undermining either.
Strengths: What Works Brilliantly
- Authentic Character Development: Both protagonists grow in realistic ways that honor their past while embracing change
- Social Media Commentary: Sharp, relevant observations about online culture and digital relationships
- Workplace Abuse Portrayal: Unflinching but respectful examination of professional harassment
- LGBTQ+ Representation: Rylie’s bisexuality is integrated naturally without feeling performative
- Supporting Cast: Aida, in particular, shines as a loyal friend who calls out Eva’s bullshit while supporting her growth
Areas for Improvement: Minor Stumbles
While “Well, Actually” by Mazey Eddings largely succeeds, a few elements could have been stronger. The resolution of the Soundbites investigation feels slightly rushed after the detailed buildup of workplace toxicity. Some readers might find Eva’s initial abrasiveness off-putting, though this reviewer argues that’s precisely the point—she’s supposed to be difficult.
The book occasionally veers toward preachiness in its social commentary, though Eddings usually pulls back before becoming heavy-handed. The ending, while satisfying, ties up a few too many loose ends too neatly for complete believability.
Comparison to Eddings’ Previous Work
“Well, Actually” represents significant growth from Mazey Eddings’ earlier novels like “A Brush with Love” and “Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake.” While those books showed promise, this latest effort demonstrates mastery of voice and theme. The social commentary feels more integrated into the romance rather than adjacent to it, and the character work is her most sophisticated yet.
Fans of Eddings’ previous work will recognize her commitment to mental health representation and diverse characters, but will find a sharper, more confident authorial voice in this latest offering.
Perfect for Readers Who Enjoyed
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry: For sharp wit and enemies-to-lovers dynamics
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid: For social media manipulation and public persona themes
- “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston: For bisexual representation and social media romance
- “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas: For academic enemies-to-lovers with real stakes
Final Verdict: A Romance That Respects Its Readers
“Well, Actually” by Mazey Eddings succeeds because it trusts its readers to handle complex themes alongside romantic escapism. Eva and Rylie’s love story unfolds against a backdrop of real-world issues without sacrificing the emotional satisfaction romance readers crave. Eddings has crafted a novel that works on multiple levels—as a sharp social commentary, a workplace drama, and ultimately, a deeply satisfying love story.
The book’s greatest achievement lies in its refusal to soften Eva’s edges completely or absolve Rylie of his past mistakes. Instead, it shows two people doing the hard work of growth and healing, both individually and together. In a genre often criticized for toxic relationship dynamics disguised as romance, “Well, Actually” by Mazey Eddings offers something genuinely healthy and mature.
This is contemporary romance at its most intelligent and emotionally honest. Eddings has delivered a book that will make you laugh, make you think, and most importantly, make you believe in the power of second chances earned through genuine change.
Similar Reads to Add to Your TBR
- “The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory – For diverse contemporary romance with social awareness
- “Get a Life, Chloe Brown” by Talia Hibbert – For neurodivergent representation and character growth
- “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang – For authentic representation and emotional depth
- “The Romantic Agenda” by Claire Kann – For bisexual representation and found family themes
- “You Deserve Each Other” by Sarah Hogle – For second-chance romance with character development
