I give this audiobook a glorious 5 Stars! The story was incredible, but only made better by the narrations by Imani Jade Powers and Joe Arden. Sooooo good!

This is an enemies to lovers and the enemy part goes way back to the childhood of Indira and Jude. There may also be some hidden feelings buried deep within them for each other. Jude is just back from a stint of something similar to Doctor's Without Borders and Indira has her own issues to deal with. The two just might be able to help each other if they can get over the animosity.

This book had so much going for it. Enemies to lovers (yeah!), older brother's best friend, wedding planning, a "damaged" hero that the heroine is key to helping with his PTSD, fall on the floor funny moments (OMG, the bed scene!) and break your heart tender moments. These two characters really were made for each other and their love is really stinking cute!

Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley Audio for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this story! I love all the characters, I love the playfulness, I love the mental health rep. There's a lot of heart packed into this laugh out loud funny book. Be prepared to laugh and to cry and to never look at peanut butter the same again!

If you fall for your big brother’s best friend, things are bound to be interesting….

When Indira walks in on her partner tangled up with someone that CLEARLY he shouldn’t be, her life changes. I, personally, will never look at peanut butter the same way again 😂

I laughed out loud more than once when listening to Indira and Jude interact - their relationship and listening to evolve was so much fun. Such a good listen! It would be perfect for a vacation read :)

I have loved reading every single book in this series so far. It always deals with that raw emotion that gets me in the feels every time.

I received an advanced listening copy of The Plus One by Mazey Eddings through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and here it is.
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☆☆☆☆ ½ - round down to 4
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The Plus One is a funny, sweet, endearing story about childhood enemies, Indira and Jude. They fake date during Indira's brother's (who is also Jude's best friend) wedding festivities, it turns into a true romance, and things get really real as they're both navigating their own traumas.
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I love that this story is cute, spicy, and humorous and that it addresses heavier topics like abandonment, PTSD, insecurities, and mental health. I also love that this story depicts effective communication and portrays therapy in a positive way.
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I didn't realize that this was a part of a series, but I'm absolutely going to go read the others! I can not wait to read more of Mazey's books!
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Thanks to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and author Mazey Eddings for this ALC to honestly review. The Plus One is out TOMORROW on April 4th! Go get it!!!

This was a cute rom-com. My favorite part was the exploration of therapy. I loved that it was central to the story.

This 3rd book of Mazey Eddings’ series actually took me by surprise. I went in the book with no expectations and came out with a W at the end. This one is by far my favorite of the series. It was a sweet and touching story about childhood frenemies who needed each other in more ways than they could imagine. It wasn’t just a cute There were raw moments that tugged at your heartstrings when Jude deals with PTSD from losing patients as a medical provider in emergency situations. Eddings did an amazing job coveting heavier topics with care and respect.

What I loved so much about The Plus One is the complexity of its characters and their relationships. Even when the book took a surprisingly emotional turn, the characters remained utterly true to themselves and the story, and I became even more invested. Eddings really crafted characters who will forever take up residency in my mind. The book had so much heart, humor and romance and written incredibly well. Bravo!

I'm not going to lie, this book really took me by surprise, but in the best ways!

Just based on the cover (and admittedly not having really read the blurb, much less any reviews), I was expecting a light hearted rom-com, and this isn't that. Jude and Indira's journey is undeniably messy. They've disliked each other since childhood, Indira comes home to find her boyfriend cheating on her, Jude struggles with his mental health after several years as an emergency surgeon in war-torn and disaster areas, Indira has her own struggles with feelings of inadequacy and abandonment, and they're stuck living under the same roof and working together to prepare for Indira's brother (who is Jude's BFF)'s wedding. Like I said, messy.

While there is definitely a lot of heavy stuff here with the mental health struggles and other aspects of the story, the author does do a great job of injecting humor and levity into the story. Jude and Indira are relatable, likeable characters, and their story/struggles felt genuine and real.

I was caught off guard by how much I genuinely enjoyed this book. I have a bad habit of requesting books on NetGalley on a whim, then wondering what I was thinking when I receive the approval. This was honestly one of those situations, if for no other reason than it's the 3rd book in a series I haven't read. I'm so glad I gave this a chance though, and I'm putting the first two books on my TBR!

I am convinced Mazey Eddings can do no wrong - I adored the first 2 stories in this character series and The Plus One is no exception. I was lucky enough to not only read the ARC, but listen to the audio in advance too - and both experiences are absolutely endearing. The Plus One has brother's best friend, enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity tropes, as well as new lovable characters, and old beloved ones. This can be read as a standalone, but if I hadn't made it clear.. Mazey Eddings is wonderful and YOU SHOULD READ THEM ALL! The mental health themes and experiences in all the stories are so well represented and relatable. Mazey Eddings is an immediate add to cart for me!

The narration was fantastic.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC!

Wow just wow. Indira and Jude were so busy living their lives they never noticed their explosive chemistry until a series 9f events ours then together. Maze Weddings reminds us life is messy, love isn't linear, nor is life. Jude and Indira's story is not too be missed.

I have now officially read this entire series by Mazey Eddings. I do think that Lizzie Blake was my favorite, but this one just sneaks closely behind in second place. I'm really glad I gave the series another shot after Brush With Love because I just didn't connect to that book for some reason. I loved Indira and Jude so much. They are sweet and wonderful and their banter was so fun.

I listened to the audiobook of this and I loved both narrators. I will absolutely be searching out Imani Jade Powers moving forward. Her voice was so expressive and soothing.

Things that I loved: the in-depth topic of dealing and surviving with mental health. Mental health is not something that is discussed enough in books, and I loved that the author really dove into that. That helps a reader that deals with the same types of struggles.

Things I didn't love: I wasn't a fan of the 3rd person narration. There were times that it felt confusing. It felt a bit rushed at times and was a bit all over the place. Another thing I didn't like was that I couldn't get a full feel of what the characters looked like, what the weather was like or what surroundings looked like. For me that is a very important aspect.

For me personally, Indira felt desperate and rushed while Jude felt like he wanted to be angsty, but it fell flat.

Also, won't be eating peanut butter for a while lol.

Again, this is my opinion and if the title/cover or description sticks out to you, you should give it a try.

If you love a good brothers best friend + enemies to lovers, you'll enjoy The Plus One! I loved each character and the easy flow of the story. I also greatly appreciated the kind but serious attention and handling of the PTSD topic. I will certainly be reading more by this author in the future!

Indira and Jude have been enemies since childhood. They can barely stand to be in the same room but they soon find themselves living in the same house when they both end up moving in with Indira’s brother. To make things even more stressful, Indira’s recent ex is heavily involved with her brother’s wedding. Although Jude, her brother’s best friend, is also struggling with his personal life, he offers Indira a truce and suggests they fake a relationship to get through the arduous family event.

The Plus One is the third book in the A Brush With Love Series. It can be read as a stand-alone but the MCs from the other books in the series do appear in this book. This open-door romance has just the right amount of sweet and spicy scenes. The MCs are just as much fun as they are feisty with each other. Although there is hesitation due to their past, the tension between the MCs is palpable. The bickering and banter almost seems like a game to them.

The author continues to show that she can write about mental health issues in a realistic and thoughtful way. The characters are so well developed that watching them struggle is heartbreaking. Even with their triumphs some tears were shed, especially listening to the audio.

I read the book first then went months later to listen to the audiobook. The book was already a five star but the audio and the excellent choice in narrators really pushes it over the edge. Imani Jade Powers and Joe Arden did a fantastic job with this book. I highly recommend the audio if you are a lover of audiobooks.

Mazey Eddings continues to impress me with each book she writes. While this series has come to an end, I look forward to her YA book that also comes out this year and anything else she may write in the future.

I voluntarily read, listened to and reviewed advanced copies of this book and audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press (St. Martin’s Griffin), and Macmillan Audio!

Why you should pick up The Plus One ASAP:
🧍🏻‍♀️Indiraaaaa—I love her so much and you will too. She is strong but in the way that it’s clear she needs to learn that she doesn’t have to be all the time. Dira’s flaws get in her way time and again, but like any amazing protagonist she learns how to love herself and how to work through them.
🧍🏻Judeeeeeeee—what’s not to love about this man. He’s got some pretty persistent ghosts in his past. I loved seeing him open up and become more of himself around friends and Dira of course.
💚The romance is as sweet as it is spicy (which is A LOT). At its heart, this book has Mazey’s signature humor, wit, and care with both characters and their love story.
🤕 Mental health rep is one of Mazey’s strong suits as a writer imo. She does all of it with such care and gives all her characters grace in what they are struggling with. Indira and Jude are no different, so I was really warmed to see it once more.
👯‍♀️ Friends old and new are in this book so read it if only to see what Harper, Dan, Lizzie, Rake, Thu, and Alex are up to 👀👀👀

Wow this book was good! It was funny and sweet while also dealing with some serious mental health topics and trauma. I enjoyed the childhood frenemies to lovers and the growth that both the characters have. It was also very steamy! I really enjoyed their communication and commitment to each other. They have very witty banter and good chemistry together!
Tropes included are fake dating, childhood frenemies to lovers, forced proximity, one tent trope ⛺️, and good girl!
I didn't realize this was a part of a interconnected series until I was almost done with it and I do want to go back and read the rest in the series!

First things first...If peanut butter is his foreplay then Indira was not missing much when catching her ex in that sticky situation. Though felt bad for her all the same.

I usually don't like men's POVs in audiobooks but I was surprised to actually be enjoying this one. I think the narrator for Jude really did him justice. And I loved Indira's narrator, I would definitely listen to more audiobooks read by her.

For the book overall, I loved it. I think Eddings done a really good job with dealing with PTSD and the little moments that may be overlooked by those who don't struggle. Especially when dealing with the panic attacks. The banter was funny. There was moments that more romcoms overlook in attempts to be more cutesy (Ex: Indira letting one rip during foreplay). There wasn't a huge miscommunication third act breakup scene too, so that was refreshing and very nice.

I give this 4.5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed it; I laughed, I felt, I connected. But I do wish there was more of a build up between Jude and Indira. I know there was a little but it was so overshadowed by everything else and then boom, they were in love. And I do wish we could have seen more of Indira's trauma and coping, too, instead of the just her helping Jude.

Loved the main characters and the way they quip with each other!
Also loved the side story of obsurd wedding planning activities!
It's a fun little journey with this book!

Book Review 🌷

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Brothers Best Friend
PTSD/Anxiety
Cheating

I listened to this on audio. The narration was a little lackluster at times. I didn't feel into the story until 65% and on. Even then it was missing something. I think the idea of the story and topics were great. I just felt like it all didn't mesh together like I'd have liked.

Jude is dealing with PTSD from his profession. Indira went through a lot of trials herself. This is where I was conflicted. Indira was there to help Jude process and cope with his feelings over and over. But when Indira's issues were mentioned it was brief and Jude didn't reciprocate the same help. The dynamic between the two were just off for me.

I did love the laughs I got from it. I will never look at peanut butter the same. I also love these hard topics being addressed and know others will connect with this story in ways I wasn't able too.

Thank you to @netgalley
@macmillan.audio
@stmartinspress for giving me the opportunity to listen to and give my honest opinion.

The Plus One (A brush with Love #3)
Mazey Eddings
Indira comes home from work to find her boyfriend in the arms of another woman. Furious, she packs her bag and moves to her brother’s home. She knew he and his soon to be husband would take her in. What she wasn’t expecting was to see Jude staying there also. Jude was a close friend of her brother’s but never her friend.
Jude was a surgeon; he signed up for a program that helped pay for his college in return he would spend four years going where he was told and doing humanitarian work. It sounded good when he signed up but he had another year to complete his contract and he is having a breakdown. He is back home long enough to see his best friend marry and then off again. But he isn’t sure he will survive if he has to face another emergency, another catastrophe, another war and another death.
Indira and Jude form a truce for the sake of living in the same household temporarily and for the sake of her brother. They would pretend to be a couple but soon find they have more in common than they realized. Their fake relationship turns into real love.
My heart went out to Jude. I couldn’t help but wonder how many young people have faced the same situation. I would hope the sponsoring organization would show more empathy than was shown to Jude. Indira was so patient, kind and caring while dealing with Jude. By helping Jude, she was also helping herself. Indira’s father had deserted her years ago and she had never forgiven him.
Watching the long and drawn-out wedding was fun. I would never have thought of some of the activities but I will be surprised if a few brides do not take some hints from the festivities. This is a nice modern romance with some heart filled messages hidden within.