Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Summary: What starts out as a fake wedding date turns into something these childhood enemies never expected in The Plus One, a sparkling romantic comedy by Mazey Eddings.

She’s not looking to fix him. She’s looking to love him, if he’ll let her in.

5/5 stars
One of the best romcoms I've ever read! I really appreciate how Mazey Eddings integrated the previous characters, and the attention to detail when it comes to emotions, therapy, and PTSD. It's like the most realistic one I have ever read. The pacing was on point. I could tell it was well thought out and her author's note put a cherry on top:
"Without hurt, joy and laughter and love wouldn’t be so poignantly wonderful." Beautiful story!

I LOVED Indira and Jude. Their chemistry and understanding of each other's needs was so amazing! What starts out as a fake wedding date turns into something real, raw, and sometimes emotional. I really enjoyed the use of therapy to problem solve throughout their story and fully supporting each other when they needed it. There were also some excellent spice scenes sprinkled throughout (the Halloween night.... WHEW!)

This book covers three of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, and fake dating. Mazey Eddings is a must buy author for me!

Thank you to Mazey Eddings, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the copy in exchange of my honest review.

A fake dating, frenemies-to-lovers romance with a good mix of humor and somberness.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘺 𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 is the third book from the Brush of Love series but can be read as a standalone. It features 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗮 and 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗲, both doctors of different fields, who have known each other since childhood. Jude is back in town for Indira’s brother and his partner’s wedding and temporarily living with them. And so is Indira, after breaking up with her ex. As the wedding date nears, both Indira and Jude decide to fake date each other for personal reasons… until it doesn’t feel fake anymore.

I really adore both main characters in this book. I find their banter top-notch and amusing, and their animosity with each other doesn’t feel aggressive. And while it has the cliche but wonderful trope as a plot, it also delves into more serious topics like parental neglect, PTSD, student debt, and war. I find that the delivery of its severity is done with consideration, which I genuinely appreciate. The intensity and description of Jude’s feelings and their effect were also written nicely. The same goes for Indira’s troubles. You can’t help but root for both Jude and Indira for what they’re going through. I also appreciate the moments of therapy sessions in this book; some of the scenes made me teary-eyed because I could relate. I also find the advice of the characters in this book to one another insightful.

This was another winner from Mazey Eddings! Her books are so much fun and I always find myself laughing out loud and flying through the pages. I loved hearing more about Indira, loved the childhood friends to lovers trope and as always, her mental health representation is FANTASTIC!

4.25 stars Don't be fooled by the cute cover and promises of enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, forced proximity and fake dating tropes - The Plus One is NOT a light and fluffy rom-com. It was a much heavier read than I was expecting, focusing heavily on mental health issues and going through therapy, particularly anxiety and PTSD, so make sure you are aware of these triggers before diving in.

Indira is a child psychiatrist with severe abandonment issues of her own, stemming from her father leaving during childhood, and she walks in on her live-in boyfriend cheating on her. Angry but not entirely distraught, she gathers up her things and shows up on her brother's doorstep to stay until she can properly move out and find a new place. Unbeknownst to her, his childhood best friend, Jude, is also staying with him and his fiancé in the weeks leading up to their wedding, at home on leave from an organization that sends doctors to war-torn countries and disaster areas. They pick up where they left off, bickering like cats and dogs, but Indira soon notices the change in Jude, who has suffered greatly from the things he's seen. The first half of the book was at times difficult to get through with the descriptions of Jude's panic attacks and PTSD flashbacks. I was concerned that Indira was going to go the "I can fix him" route, which 🚩🚩🚩, but she struck a delicate balance of loving the person through their pain, not trying to take it away, which is an important lesson for us all.

This one wasn’t for me. I like when characters have layers to them and struggles but there was a heavy focus on the mental health in this one that it took away from the romance buildup.

Excuse me while I am a puddle of feels and emotions. Did this book put Mazey Eddings on my list of auto buy authors? Absolutely. This was so freaking good. I found myself squealing into my kindle multiple times.

mazey eddings i will ALWAYS love you i owe you my LIFE
She’s not looking to fix him. She’s looking to love him, if he’ll let her in.

Some facts are indisputable. The sun rises in the east, sets in the west. Gravity exists. Indira doesn’t like Jude. Jude doesn’t like Indira. But what happens when these childhood enemies find the only thing they can rely on is each other?

On paper, Indira has everything together. An amazing job, a boyfriend, and a car. What more could a late twenty-something ask for? But when she walks in on her boyfriend in an amorous embrace with a stranger, that perfect on paper image goes up in flames.

Jude has nothing together. A doctor that’s spent the last three years traveling the world to treat emergencies and humanitarian crises, a quick trip home for his best friend’s wedding has him struggling to readjust.

Thrust into an elaborate (and ridiculously drawn out) wedding event that’s stressing Jude beyond belief and has Indira seeing her ex and his new girlfriend far more frequently than any human should endure, the duo strike a bargain to be each other’s fake dates to this wedding from hell. The only problem is, their forced proximity and fake displays of affection are starting to feel a bit…real, and both are left grappling with the idea that a situation that couldn’t be worse, is made a little better with the other around.

I think it's safe to say that when you start adding author's "Untitled" books to your TBR that you're a fan. A Brush with Love entire series stole my heart and I am here for anything else Mazey Eddings writes. Though each book can be read independently, I highly recommend reading all 3 (and in order). I think it's the only way to appreciate the scope of friendship that's at the heart of all of these stories.

After Indira walks in on her boyfriend in flagrante delicto with another woman, she decides to stay with her brother and his fiance. The last person she expects to encounter there is a her brother's super annoying best friend Jude. Jude's been abroad working as a doctor in areas of conflict and is having a hard time coming to terms with everything he experienced there. Circumstances have Indira and Jude decide to be each other's fake wedding dates but forced proximity, unexpected moments of affection and shared childhood history might lead them down the path neither one of them expected.

I think a huge part of the reason I enjoyed this series is because Mazey Eddings doesn't shy away from tackling things such as anxiety, ADHD, PTDS even in the context of rom-coms. It was easy to root for the main characters in all 3 stories but I think I got especially invested in Jude's story because I spent years of my career working with individuals living with PTSD. Yes this story has some heavy moments but also plenty of light hearted, sweet and even spicy ones. I'm sure fans of romance will enjoy this one but I also think this series will find fans among wider reading audience.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am nearly positive that Mazey Eddings could do no wrong. This is the third book i've read by Mazey and you sure as heck know im lining up for the next. Tilly is sitting in my ntg queue righg now.

I absolutely LOVED Indira and Jude they were simply chef's kiss

I really think that Mazey Eddings writes banter better than anyone in the business right now.

Her voice is definitely one that represents this generation of readers, and gosh do I appreciate it.

Indira and Jude's story was so beautifully woven, but I haven't had enough time to digest it all yet.

I will say, if you have (or love someone with PTSD) this could be a hard read. Also, as someone with deeply buried Daddy Issues, the strained relationship with a father in this book was both triggering and cathartic to read.

LRTC!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Mazey Eddings for providing me with an eARC of this book. This is my honest review.
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Ready to have your heart nurtured and stomped on simultaneously? 😂 I’ve been wanting to read a Mazey Eddings book for the longest time, so I decided to take the plunge! And I’m eternally grateful I did. The Plus One swept me off my feet completely. It made me laugh and cry and swoon and everything in between.
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We’ll start light! I really enjoyed the brother’s best friend trope 😩 Indira and Jude are like little sour patch kids. They bicker and roast each other endlessly, but they also have the sweetest memories and know each other so well. The dynamics were 🔥 Will this book break the spice scale? No, but what we did get was 🤌🏽 I’m still thinking about Indira kissing Jude’s back. The image is seared into my eyelids.
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But this book was more than just a rom com. It was a story about learning how to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally even when, and especially when, you might not feel worthy of it. Seeing Jude and Indira take steps to heal on their own, without becoming emotional crutches for each other, made my heart swell with love and pride. They’re real to me and I want what’s best for them, okay?! 😭 I’m also so appreciative that Mazey said screw the third act breakup, love is holding someone’s hand even when they feel they don’t deserve your embrace.
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Overall, I really enjoyed The Plus One. It was a beautiful mix of humor, romance, and tenderness. I need to read the other books in this series ASAP. If you like a romance that’ll kick you in the shins and then kiss you on the forehead, this one’s for you 💗
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The Plus One is the third book in the A Brush with Love series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is available for purchase in ebook, paperback, and audiobook format.

This. was. everything!!! So so beautifully written and emotional. Mental health is a theme explored in all of Mazey Edding's books, but it was a massive part of Jude and Indira's story. Jude suffers from PTSD from humanitarian work and Indira is in the middle of her healing process from past childhood issues. These are extremely difficult topics, but they are dealt with immense care. While this book has very serious tones, there are still such incredibly silly and fun moments sprinkled throughout that just made for a really well-rounded story. By far my favorite Mazey Eddings book to date!

I didn't really enjoy reading this one, which is disappointing because the other Mazey Eddings books were so cute. It could be a case of my mindset and time/place of reading but I just couldn't get into it. The characters should have had depth, but I couldn't connect with them at all. I loved the IDEA of someone seeking mental health support but again I was bored by the entire thing.

I think this is my favorite of the series, even though seeing my ADHD symptoms on the page with Lizzie was a seismic moment for me, a character with MY flaws, being loved as whole and not despite them. It’s a common theme in this book series — unconditional acceptance — Indira and Jude also deserve this lesson.

In one of the best oh shit openers, child psychiatrist Indira finds herself single right before her brother Collin’s wedding. She impulsively decides to stay with Collin (an ER doc? Surgeon?) and his soon to be husband Jeremy, only to find out that one of their guest bedrooms is already taken by Collin’s childhood best friend Jude. Jude and Collin spent most of their childhood trying to dodge Indira, the annoying tagalong, so Indira has a healthy distaste for Jude.

Jude is a make believe Doctors Without Borders program surgeon with a crushing load of PTSD, guilt, and loss stemming from the things he’s seen and the lives he’s been unable to save. He’s a livewire, burning inside, and desperate to hide it from the wedding party.

When Indira’s ex is also in the wedding party, Indira and Jude hatch a fake dating plan to help her deal with her ex, and Jude will have an excuse to leave the noise and the crowd.

Spoiler: they fall in love. Or perhaps they’ve always been in love somehow, orbiting around each other, Jude being there through Indira’s crushing disappointment after her father left to start a new family, providing a sense of normalcy through griping and teasing. Maybe it’s never been hate at all.

This book is soft and careful, not allowing the reader to only see Jude as his PTSD, but to experience his brokenness, and also careful not to make Indira HIS therapist though she is A therapist. This book is also a more mature look at the original friend group, as they’re growing up, there for each other through all of their upheavals.

I think that books like this serve to remind readers that we’re all worthy of love, even at our lowest, hardest times, and that it doesn’t need to be a hard fight to have that love, even when our own brains tell us otherwise.

Indira and Jude grew up together - Indira playing the annoying kid sister to her brother Collin and his best friend, Jude. Indira and Jude were oil and water and spent the majority of their time teasing and tormenting one another. They are both dealing with upheavals in their lives when forced back together for Collin’s wedding. Spending consistent time together for the first time in their adult lives, sparks fly, and they might need to take a second look at all that “animosity” they exhibited over their childhood…

This book is advertised as a romcom, and I disagree with that characterization. I expected a brother’s best friend, frenemies to lovers, forced proximity tale, and instead got a character-driven story about two people struggling with their mental health and how they supported each other through it. I liked it a lot, thought it was very well done, and enjoyed myself through it - but a romcom it was not.

Jude is in the throes of PTSD from his years of working as a doctor in conflict zones, and Idira is struggling with abandonment issues from family trauma. I supremely valued the portrayal of therapy in this book. It was the portrayal of therapy our world needs as we continue to de-stigmatize mental health treatment. Eddings discussed the role of therapy, and sections of therapy sessions, in a helpful and realistic way. I also super appreciated the role of love in healing was portrayed. In an author’s note, Eddings disclosed that she has dealt with PTSD and been in treatment for it, and I think that had a lot to do with Eddings's lovely portrayal of healing and treatment. I really can’t say enough about the compassion, accuracy, and true embodiment of healthy, helpful, and successful mental health treatment and healing depicted in this story.

The other main praise I have for this book is its balance. I choose not to read emotionally heavy books, and within 30 pages was skeptical of this one, however, the serious topics were balanced well with the MC’s banter, goofiness, some steam, and a quieter conflict arc. I didn’t feel dragged down by the subject matter and read it easily and quickly. Eddings really delivered a masterfully composed story that somehow still felt light despite its heaviness.

I highly recommend it! Read it and let me know what you think!

Thanks to Berkley for our free copy!

I fell hard for this book, I would definitely be a plus one for either of the main characters. This story had a lot of tropes that I personally enjoy reading, and they were done really well. Overall this has been my favorite book in the series.

Indira and Jude are the ultimate enemies to lovers, starting as far back as their childhood. When a few unforeseen circumstances happen, Indira and Jude are forced to spend time together as they prepare for her brother’s wedding. They strike up a fake dating arrangement that somehow leads to true feelings.

I liked that this book talked about mental health and therapy in a positive way. The characters were honest with each other while encouraging and discussing situations in a trusted way.

"The Plus One" by Mazey Eddings is a sparkling romantic comedy that will leave readers rooting for Indira and Jude. The story follows two childhood enemies who are forced to rely on each other when they become fake dates to a wedding from hell. As they navigate the elaborate wedding events and deal with personal struggles, their fake displays of affection start to feel real.

Eddings' writing style is light-hearted and witty, with relatable characters and believable situations. The mental health aspect of the story is also well-done, as Indira and Jude both deal with their own issues and find support in each other. The chemistry between the two characters is electric, and readers will find themselves swept up in their story.

Overall, "The Plus One" is a fun and enjoyable read that combines romance, humor, and relatable struggles. It's a perfect choice for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies, and will leave readers with a smile on their face.

This is my absolute favourite Mazey Eddings book! I loved Jude and Indira and how they grudgingly realized that they were good for each other in multiple different ways, and the way their struggles were portrayed was handled with such care. It had hilarious moments and heartbreaking moments, but there was no third act break-up which was wonderful because I probably would've thrown something if there had been. These two characters had so much depth and deserve so much love, and the cast of familiar characters that they interacted with also added to the enjoyment of this book. I think having the last chapter and the epilogue was a bit too much fan-service fluff, but other than that I devoured this book and loved every minute of it.

Hmmm... so I did really like the mental health aspect of this, but ultimately, the rest of the story wasn't really for me. I couldn't really get into the writing, and a lot fell flat.

So, I liked the concept of this a lot, but it didn't quite work for me. I think a lot of others will really enjoy this though.

2.5