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A review by chelsss_ann
Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Thank you Mazey Eddings and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
TLDR: One of my top reads of the year - banter, Chicken Shop Date vibes, a man who has fallen HARD. Definitely recommend.
What to Expect:
-Bi + Pan MC's
-The Meanest FMC
-Black Cat x Golden Retriever
-Second Chance
-Social Media Call Out Goes Viral
-She Hates Him, He's Obsessed With Her
-Lots of Praise
Content Warnings:
-Anxiety Attacks
-Death of a Loved One
-Homophobic Behaviors x Rhetoric
-Grief
-Loneliness x Abandonment Issues
-Workplace Abuse x Bullying x Harassment
Ok, I don't know how I'm not seeing this book all over bookstagram. This book is everything. We get banter (SO. MUCH. BANTER), a man who has fallen hard, Chicken Shop Date vibes, LGBTQ+ rep that is just a natural part of the book, and so much more. I have so many highlights. Some that were just hot and some that really hit home with me.
"Stop acting like all your dreams need to be manifested before you've even had a chance to strive for them."
"What is this, a f*cking swoon? Good god, I need to get a grip."
"Happiness might not be the outcome but it's worth a chance."
"Don't you dare stop yourself, Eva. F*cking use me."
While this book had a lot of funny moments and a lot of tension, it also touches on mental health. How the family environment you had shapes you, intense grief, feeling unworthy, and continuously learning to better yourself. We even get a therapy session in detail in the book, and I really enjoyed it.
One of my favorite things about this book is hard Rylie tries. He's always trying to be a better person, he sticks up for Eva, he doesn't try to change her (in fact, he loves her sass), and he just really is an all around good guy. He didn't even shy away from how he treated Eva in their past, instead saying he just wants to make up for it and showing how he's changed.
There were only two things about this book that I didn't love, which is why I dropped the rating from a 5.
1) The text messages aren't separated from the rest of the book - no bubbles or italics. It would have made it easier to stay in the story if they were separated in some way. However, I did read an ARC, so this might be different in the final version.
2) I felt like Aida was not a very good friend to Eva. I understand their dynamic is complex since they also work together (and Eva didn't handle things 100% perfectly), but I felt like Aida really invalidated Eva's feelings, especially during the hate comment segment. And this was really just glossed over. I wish there would have been some more understanding from Aida's end and some communication between the friends around the arguments and actions in their relationship too.
Overall, definitely a book I'd recommend. Had me hooked, even in a major reading slump.
TLDR: One of my top reads of the year - banter, Chicken Shop Date vibes, a man who has fallen HARD. Definitely recommend.
What to Expect:
-Bi + Pan MC's
-The Meanest FMC
-Black Cat x Golden Retriever
-Second Chance
-Social Media Call Out Goes Viral
-She Hates Him, He's Obsessed With Her
-Lots of Praise
Content Warnings:
-Anxiety Attacks
-Death of a Loved One
-Homophobic Behaviors x Rhetoric
-Grief
-Loneliness x Abandonment Issues
-Workplace Abuse x Bullying x Harassment
Ok, I don't know how I'm not seeing this book all over bookstagram. This book is everything. We get banter (SO. MUCH. BANTER), a man who has fallen hard, Chicken Shop Date vibes, LGBTQ+ rep that is just a natural part of the book, and so much more. I have so many highlights. Some that were just hot and some that really hit home with me.
"Stop acting like all your dreams need to be manifested before you've even had a chance to strive for them."
"What is this, a f*cking swoon? Good god, I need to get a grip."
"Happiness might not be the outcome but it's worth a chance."
"Don't you dare stop yourself, Eva. F*cking use me."
While this book had a lot of funny moments and a lot of tension, it also touches on mental health. How the family environment you had shapes you, intense grief, feeling unworthy, and continuously learning to better yourself. We even get a therapy session in detail in the book, and I really enjoyed it.
One of my favorite things about this book is hard Rylie tries. He's always trying to be a better person, he sticks up for Eva, he doesn't try to change her (in fact, he loves her sass), and he just really is an all around good guy. He didn't even shy away from how he treated Eva in their past, instead saying he just wants to make up for it and showing how he's changed.
There were only two things about this book that I didn't love, which is why I dropped the rating from a 5.
1) The text messages aren't separated from the rest of the book - no bubbles or italics. It would have made it easier to stay in the story if they were separated in some way. However, I did read an ARC, so this might be different in the final version.
2) I felt like Aida was not a very good friend to Eva. I understand their dynamic is complex since they also work together (and Eva didn't handle things 100% perfectly), but I felt like Aida really invalidated Eva's feelings, especially during the hate comment segment. And this was really just glossed over. I wish there would have been some more understanding from Aida's end and some communication between the friends around the arguments and actions in their relationship too.
Overall, definitely a book I'd recommend. Had me hooked, even in a major reading slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Grief