When Indira Papadakis walks in on a peanut butter fiasco, her distant boyfriend front and center of a sticky and disturbing moment of infidelity, she is forced to uproot her life and move in with her older brother, Collin. Considering the fact that Collin is one of her best friends and closest confidants, the problem isn’t hitting rock bottom, questioning the use of peanut butter, or having her tires slashed at the worst time, but rather, that she walks straight into his best friend, Jude Bailey, when she lets herself into his home late at night.

Sassy, blunt, and quick to partake in a bit of bold, unabashed banter, Indira trades witty jabs with Jude – and it’s beautiful. Eddings truly is a master of quirky one-liners and banter, and it shows in these childhood enemies, both a little bit broken and lonely but neither willing to admit it. They immediately butt heads once they encounter each other after years apart to pursue medical school, followed by the beginning of their professional careers – Indira as a childhood psychologist, Jude as a traveling surgeon for the GHCO (not so much a dream, but a temporary means to an end when it comes to debt).

And boy, does Eddings deliver, alternating between two very different, yet equally broken POVs in Jude and Indira as they navigate living together under Collin’s roof. Jude’s back in the States for Collin’s upcoming wedding to his long-time fiancé Jeremy. He wouldn’t miss the wedding for the world, even if his PTSD often leaves him disassociating from reality and has him going through the motions of life, avoiding conversations and friendships and emotions in a last-ditch attempt to keep himself sane and whole. Life is all about appearances, and Jude’s doing everything he can to appear put together, normal, in control as he battles with waking nightmares and paralysis that leave him wondering who and where he is. Sound is too much. Thoughts are too much. Feelings are too much. Even the most innocuous things set him off – Lizzie and Rake’s daughter yelling and banging things; the feedback of a microphone; the ringing of a doorbell – and Indira is the only one to notice, or, at the very least, the only one bold enough to pry.

Bold, brash, sassy banter turns into small moments of unexpected hurt and comfort, Jude dropping the aloof, tough guy act when Indira presses him, gently. She doesn’t pry, not per se, but she does offer gentle tenderness and an open mind. She’s willing to listen, or, at the very least, be a supportive presence in Jude’s life. She has an idea of what he is going through, recognizing the turmoil of his inner thoughts even if he won’t speak them aloud. Her understanding and gentle compassion push their relationship into reluctant friendship, wherein the duo use a fake dating ruse to guise moments of vulnerability. For Jude, it means getting the chance to step away from Collin and Jeremy's boisterous pre-wedding activities – bar nights, couple’s trivia, wedding favor parties, not to mention numerous rehearsal dinners, just because – and for Indira, it means moving on, or at least, getting back at, her clueless, cheating ex, who just so happens to be in the wedding party alongside them.

Heated tension and animosity fall away easily in the wake of Jude’s trauma. He’s lonely and hurting and desperate to feel something - anything - other than numbness, even if he doesn’t realize it, Indira an unexpected balm to his weary soul, even if she does annoy him – just a bit. She always has to have the final say. Always has a biting, sassy quip or teasing comment. Always has to get the last word in. But she’s there. She’s familiar. And Jude needs the distraction. The more they talk, the easier things become. Jude may not be willing – or able – to talk about his work or his mental state, but Indira is the perfect distraction, their past a shared and constant comfort. It doesn’t help that they’ve both grown up – or that Jude accidentally walked in on Indira as she was getting out of the shower. Doesn’t help that she’s adorable and dorky and dresses up as a bee for Halloween, either.

Indira may annoy Jude, but she has always been a constant in his life. As his best friend’s younger sister, Indira was there for all of the sleepovers and family meals. She was there through high school, and college, and internships. And Jude remembers. He remembers her favorite foods, including her cheesesteak order. He remembers her journal entries – about him. He even took a piece of one, a memento of Indira, and kept it in his pocket while he traveled. He remembers everything about her. Indira is the one thing he hasn’t been able to forget, and through her, he is able to feel again. It’s as beautiful as it is harmful, as it forces him to recognize just how broken he is.

Eddings writes characters that are well-realized and hurting – and they jump off the page. They are real, raw, and emotional, but they experience so much growth. Her books are cathartic, well-written and character driven, with relationship dynamics that promote communication and trust. There is a strong sense of belonging, identity and hope that weaves the loose series together, and in that regard, they are a huge success. As far as the plot goes, The Plus One leaves just a bit to be desired, though.

For a novel that is centered around a wedding, there was great build-up, but perhaps not enough payoff. We watch as Jude and Indira skirt responsibilities leading up to the wedding day – for good reason! – but the wedding itself fades to black and is contained in a single chapter. Given the fact that even the cover – the primary source of the book’s marketing! – includes a scene that looks like it is straight out of a wedding reception – I was a little disappointed. Things feel a little rushed from then on out as a frazzled Jude considers his options with the GHCO. I did, however, appreciate that Eddings does not include a third act breakup, instead focusing on the importance of advocating for your own mental health, however messy things may become.

'The Plus One' by Mazey Eddings is a sweet romance. It does touch on mental health and handles it well. Overall very heartwarming and enjoyable.

This book was an enjoyable and well-written read that held my attention from start to finish. The author’s writing style is engaging, making it easy to connect with the story. The pacing felt just right, and the attention to detail added richness to the overall experience. I appreciated how seamlessly everything came together, showcasing the author’s skill and creativity.

The themes and tone of the book were handled with care, creating a memorable reading experience. It’s clear a lot of thought went into crafting this work, and it shows in the quality of the writing. Overall, this is a book I would recommend to readers looking for something thoughtful and well-executed. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this title—I’m looking forward to seeing more from this talented author in the future!

Childhood enemies Indira and Jude agree to be each other’s fake wedding dates to survive a week of awkward encounters and family drama. But as their forced proximity turns fake affection into something real, both must confront their pasts—and their feelings—for a chance at love. A witty and heartfelt romantic comedy.

This was so cute! Felts like an early 2000s rom commy book - I also got Taylor Swift vibes from this book? Like Folklore would be the perfect soundtrack to listen too if this was ever made into a movie. Definitely recommend if you need an easy palate cleanser book.

A fun and enjoyable romantic comedy with great writing, endearing characters and a satisfying plot! I really enjoy books that can provide heartfelt emotion while also providing an engaging romantic comedy and this book did both. I would definitely recommend to others!

DNFed - I chose to DNF this book in the past. I am typing as a review so it doesn't harm my %. I haven't chose to pick the title back up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Mostly, I enjoyed how the characters experiences challenged my own views and perspectives. I was able to reflect on my current assumptions of how different things work. Particularly, I liked how the two characters came together and respected each other and were supportive of their goals. It was a really nice read and thank you for the opportunity to review this early!

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings was an okay read for me. But I did not like the main characters as much as I wanted to, which kept me from enjoying it.

The Plus One was an enjoyable fake dating romance that is a third in a series. You don't need to have read the other two in order to enjoy this one, but it's nice to get updates on the couples from the prior books. There are some heavier mental health conditions experienced by our MCs, but I thought it was handled really well and appreciated the representation.

I think fake dating just isn’t my favorite. I felt like I cringe way too much to enjoy that trope. I listened to the audiobook version as well and liked the audiobook better.

Sadly I'm going to DNF this one out of the series. I loved the first two books so much and have loved other books from this author. I just can't get myself past 90 pages with how heavy the MMC's struggle with PTSD and anxiety. It's a bit triggering to me and I just can't continue for my own mental health. I may come back to it in a few years but we will see.

I don’t know why I waited this long to read this book because I very much enjoyed this book.

It was cute and funny and emotional.

I do recommend.

I wasnt a fan, the execution may fall short for what I felt I was promised going in. While the story tries to mix romance and humor, it occasionally feels predictable and over the top. The character development lacks depth.

Mazey Eddings has done it again with The Plus One, crafting a contemporary romance that is both heartwarming and deeply emotional. This book is nothing short of special—imagine if the essence of Taylor Swift’s FOLKLORE were transformed into a novel. It’s a smart, romantic whirlwind that blends humor, drama, and heartfelt emotion in the best way possible.

The story follows Dr. Indira Papadakis and Dr. Jude Bailey, two characters who start off as childhood nemeses but agree to fake date for Indira’s brother’s wedding. Indira, a psychiatrist, sees the toll that years of working as an emergency surgeon in humanitarian crises have taken on Jude, who struggles with untreated PTSD. As they navigate their pretend relationship, they both embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.

What makes this book truly stand out is its profound message: that we’re allowed to be broken, and we’re allowed to be repaired. Love doesn’t magically fix everything, but it gives us the courage to heal. Watching Indira and Jude learn to love and be loved in the way they deserve was a beautiful experience, one that had me tearing up more than once.

The Plus One is more than just a rom-com with a cute cover—it packs an emotional punch that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I’m both amazed by the beauty of this story and in denial that the series has come to an end. This book will forever be one of my favorites, and I’m grateful that Mazey Eddings has shared these wonderful stories about perfectly imperfect people. Five stars, without a doubt.

Thank you for the ARC! I absolutely love all the tropes that are presented throughout the book. I'm glad this book was able to be read as a standalone although it is part of a series. I cannot wait to dive into the other books in this series. I also loved how they touched on different mental health matters. Very well done, great length too!

I read this as a standalone book. I did not know this was a part of a series.

It was a sweet read and an enjoyable rom com. It was endearing and allowed for both characters to develop along the way. I appreciated the frenemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes and the addition of anxiety/mental health representation.

I liked the chapter titles layout and thought it was unique. I have never read a book that as a countdown.

I recommend reading this book and I will be looking to read the others in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for the honest review.

Mazey Eddings' The Plus One offers an engaging and thoughtful exploration of personal growth and romantic development. The story centers on Indira Papadakis, a psychiatrist, who retreats to her brother's home in Philadelphia after discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity. Expecting just a temporary refuge, Indira is instead met with Jude, her brother’s best friend and her long-time rival. Jude, a doctor recently returned from high-stress humanitarian missions, is grappling with his own unresolved trauma.

As Indira and Jude navigate the pre-wedding chaos, they decide to pretend to be a couple to ease the pressures of the upcoming festivities. This arrangement unexpectedly ignites a genuine connection as they confront their emotional barriers and begin to heal. Eddings deftly balances romance and realism, crafting a story where the characters’ emotional and psychological journeys are as compelling as their burgeoning relationship.

The novel shines in its authentic portrayal of mental health challenges and the transformative power of supportive relationships. Eddings' detailed and empathetic depiction of Indira and Jude’s struggles adds depth to their characters, making their eventual bond feel both earned and heartfelt. While the focus on mental wellness can sometimes veer into a therapeutic tone, it ultimately enriches the narrative, providing a nuanced look at healing and connection.

The Plus One is a warm and insightful read, highlighting the potential for love and growth through genuine companionship.

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings is a delightful read for fans of lighthearted, emotional, and romantic stories, particularly those who enjoy fake dating tropes, enemies-to-lovers relationships, and explorations of PTSD, making it a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming and uplifting romance.

I’m glad I was told before going into this one that it wasn’t light and fluffy. I honestly felt like these topics were handled with care.

With that being said, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one then. But what I can say is I laughed, and I felt a lot for these characters. I loved the therapy aspects and making therapy more normal.

I think this was such a great end to the series and I’m glad I read them in order. Definitely read the trigger warnings for all of the books before starting.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.