tips_and_tropes 's review for:

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings

5.0

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Well, Actually is my first exposure to Mazey Eddings's writing, and I'm an instant fan. The sass, the spite, the snark, the spice...it's everything I love. I snickered, laughed out loud, and got choked up within the same page at times. Mazey has a special talent that cuts right to the heart, and stole my breath with just how seen I felt in Eva's characterization. It can be a little jarring to read thoughts you've had in your own head about yourself coming from a character in a book, but it's also reassuring to know you're not the only one who has struggled, doubted, wondered all the things. It felt healing to see Rylie fight for their connection despite how Eva had behaved in the name of self protection. 

I fell in love with Eva and Rylie equally through this story. She's so protective of her peace that she's walled herself off behind her acerbic wit and intelligence, and he's swung so far from the damaged frat bro he was in college to the podcast host attempting to help men leave toxic masculinity behind.Their journey back together is quite the ride!

There's some really great positive mental health representation in this book. Rylie has been putting in work in therapy and trying to come to terms with his own traumas, and the way he opens that door for Eva to walk through with him... talk about swoony! Rylie Cooper is a communication king, and it's super hot. 

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, & Mazey Eddings for the ARC review opportunity.