Realistic characters in a delightful, steamy romance that accurately deals with PTSD
It’s rare that I absolutely fall in love with a romance author within the first few chapters of starting the first book I’ve read from them, but that’s what happened here. Mazey Eddings portrayed PTSD and anxiety with such deft, compassionate realism that I looked up her bio and was thrilled—but not surprised—to see that she specifically writes romance novels about and for neurodiverse people. Her familiarity with neurodiversity was evident in this book, and it led me to look up and read all her other books after I finished it.
Eddings accurately reveals what PTSD looks and feels like without ever letting the reader look down on Jude or feel sorry for him, and she similarly does a great job of showing the frustration and challenge of trying to reach someone going through what he’s going through. Eddings paced the book beautifully, with just the right amount of hints of what was to come without moving too quickly into the romance. Once she got to the physical romance, it was just the right amount without being too much — steamy yet playful, real and fun.
I enjoyed the other characters as well — which I got to know better after I read the other books about their romances — and I especially enjoyed the well drawn characters of Indira’s brother and his fiancé. I highly recommend this book, particularly for those who don’t see enough neurodiveristy or realistic portrayals of anxiety or PTSD in their romance reading.
I listened to the audio version and enjoyed the narrators. This review is based on reading a complimentary advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley.

This story really touched my heart. The characters are well developed and they are likeable and relatable. I’d have to say that the characters in this book are some of the most well written ones I’ve ever had the pleasure to get to know! Mazey Eddings was a new to me author. Can’t wait to read other books by this author.

Okay now I know I gotta read the other 2 books in this series! This was so fun and spicy omg! Mazey Eddings's writing is so fun and romantic. These characters were so easy to love!

This book started as your typical romcom and quickly grabbed my attention, but it didn't hold it throughout the entire book. I really enjoyed Indira and Jude's banter. It was witty and fun! The author did a great job placing emphasis on mental health and the positive outcomes when help is sought out.

I did feel their relationship was rushed and didn't particularly like the spice in this book. It felt awkward, maybe because I was listening to it instead of reading it (to no fault of the narrator) but it seemed forced. I would have preferred to get to know each character individually a bit more.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me but that doesn't mean it isn't for you!

Thank you, NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

As usual if I see a book where there’s a fake wedding date, I know I’m going to love it. And then this is by Mazey, so yep I definitely did like it. This was actually my favorite of the three I think. I rated them all 4 stars, but for real for real, this one was my favorite lol

So first things first, I really liked the way the mental health aspect was done. It was a good depiction of PTSD and anxiety. It wasn’t one of those ones where the main character is suddenly healed. It was more like the main character is healing from this thing and the other main character is helping them. Those are the themes in mental health representation that works best for me. As someone with anxiety, I wasn’t healed when I met my husband, but I did feel highly blessed to have found someone who helps me overcome those anxious times and those panic attacks. This is exactly like what happened in the book. BUT I still think they got together too soon? I really think they should have given more time to healing themselves vs them being together so quickly. Does that make sense?

I also really liked the way Indira handled her situation. She was really a bad ass for not killing him. But then again, I think it would be really weird because of the peanut butter thing. Yeahhhhh It was weird. But I was proud to see Indira taking charge of her mental health by therapy. I did wish Jude had been more receptive. Especially since he had all the proof that it helped. But I did understand him not wanting to talk to her. I just wish he had talked to someone.

The romance between the two of them was really cute tho. Best part hands down was the day after Halloween. In true Mazey Eddings fashion I was laughing loud and long. But even though I liked watching them fall for each other, I liked seeing them together more. They had so much fun together and they were really into each other. It was refreshing to see. The spice was ok. I think I would put it at a 3. It wasn’t a huge part of the story because it started so late in the book, but once it started happening, it was happening frequently lol

Mazey’s writing style was what really sucked me in. Indira’s family and relationship issues and Jude’s past work experiences were tough to read, but I had to stick it out to see what happened to them in the end. Her work will do that to you. It’s emotional and might reduce you to tears, but there’s some comedic relief (i.e. the peanut butter thing lol) and a really super sweet romance to keep you invested. I know it said on Goodreads that there was was no more in this series, but I really have to say I need there to be more. Please be more. I need to know how these people are and how the one we didn’t get books on are doing too. This series was too fun to lose!

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don’t want to say that I’m disappointed with this one. I just kind of felt like it was all over the place and I found it extremely hard for me to stay focused on it. Even though I was listening to this on audio, it took me an obnoxiously long time to get through this book. I had some high expectations because of the first book in the series and it didn’t quite meet them. I also think it didn’t help that I didn’t really connect with the two main characters of this book at all. I tried really really hard to at least like them a little bit, but I just really didn’t fall in love with them.

So this one wasn’t for me, but I definitely can’t wait to read more by this author. I absolutely love her writing style.

I did have the pleasure of reading this book on audio and I mean, Joe Arden is always an absolute Fuck (said in his voice) Yes in my mind. I thought they did a really good job with portraying the characters in this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)

The Ripped Bodice always hosts the best panels at LA Times Festival of Books. Do yourself a favor and attend next year. Here for the laughs. Here for the crying.

I had the pleasure of hearing Mazey speak on Sunday morning at the Love at Any Age: Writing Romance from Middle Grade to Adult panel. Her newest book is young adult, so I searched for something not. I hadn't realized this was sitting on my Kindle.

I was promised a sad boy. I love a sad boy. I need help. I did not get help. What did I get? A sad boy. Plus a sad girl. Sadness all around.

Why the three stars? Three stars aren't inherently bad. I mostly enjoyed this. There are things I didn't enjoy. The mental health rep is a pro. We often sit in on Indira's psychiatrist sessions in the book. As someone that grew up in a marginalized community that did not discuss mental health, this is really important for me to read about as an adult.

So I didn't love the romance. The main trope here is brother's best friend. And there's only one bed? More like one tent? Which I'm generally good with, but I don't feel like there was a ton of chemistry. But maybe that's because they've known each other since they were children. And I get that, friendship to lovers is like that. But since Indira and Jude butted heads so much, it was more like wannabe enemies to lovers, even though they weren't quite enemies.

Another pro was that this was set in Philadelphia. I feel like most books are set in LA or NYC. Or that the cities authors choose to feature aren't ones they've been to. See every book set in Paris.

That was a ramble. I've had two very large cups of black coffee and absolutely nothing else. Send help.

HOOOOOOH MY GOD. I loved this one SO MUCH. It was so incredible. I LOVE that she mixes serious mental health issues (in a non-performative way) with A LOT OF SPICE. It was VERY NICE. 🤌🏻

I NEED MORE. I COUNT DOWN TO THESE BOOKS COMING OUT, SO PLEASE. GIVE ME MORE!

This had so many rom-com tropes that I love. Fake dating, only one tent, frenemies to lovers, with a sprinkle of grumpy/sunshine. But it also had a lot of emotional depth that I was not expecting and dealt with some hard issues. There is a lot of focus on mental health, overcoming trauma, and seeking help when you need it.

Jude has PTSD from his work as a doctor in war-torn/natural disaster areas. He and Indira go through so much healing together and individually. Despite dealing with such heavy topics, there were still a lot of light hearted moments and fun to be had.

This is the third book in the Brush With Love series, but it can be read as a standalone.

The audiobook was really well done. I liked both of the narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Mazey Eddings for the advanced listening copy of The Plus One in exchange for an honest review.

THE PLUS ONE, the newest installment in Mazey Eddings romance series, was unexpected in a great way. In the previous two books I haven't enjoyed Indira as a side character very much so I wasn't sure how I would feel about her own full-fledged novel, but I enjoyed her romantic arc almost as much as the last book. Mazey Eddings does lack some consistency to me as a romance author (first book was 2 star, second book was a 5 star, and here we are landing at 3.5 stars) but I do see so much potential for her. I love how she doesn't shy away from the gritty and the real in the inner lives of her characters.

I started this book not realizing it was the third in a series from this author. I decided to go ahead and dive in, and I feel like this can be a stand alone read.

I was excited about this book because I am a fan of fake dating troupes. It started out strong, but then quickly became a struggle to get though. I ended up calling it quits at the 70% mark.

I just didn’t buy the back story of the two MC love interests. They were suppose to be enemies but when reading diary entries and reliving old stories, I didn’t get enemy vibes. And they went from dating to banging in no time. While the author wove in a story line of of heavier topics I just didn’t feel like this story gelled. I was bored. I was annoyed and I just wanted it to end.

I say all this and realize I am in the minority here. I think of you are a fan of Mazey’s you will enjoy this book. This was my first read of hers and I might try a different book from her some day.

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan publishing for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

this was such an great audiobook. There was so many laughs and i loved the plot of the story. This book left me wanting more.

Indira’s life appears to be perfect - that is, until she wants in on her boyfriend with someone else. To make things worse, Indira and her ex are both in the same wedding party, so she is forced to be near him and his new girlfriend at all the wedding events. She strikes up a deal with Jude, another groomsman who is feeling lost and dealing with PTSD and anxiety from working as a traveling doctor, being deployed to emergencies around the world. Indira and Josh agree to pretend they are dating throughout the wedding festivities. But the more time they spend together, the more the relationship starts to feel real.

I love how beautifully Mazey Eddings incorporates mental health issues into her stories, and especially how her characters show an understanding of needing to work on themselves before being available to commit to a healthy relationship. I particularly loved Indira and Jude, and their relationship. The witty banter and chemistry was off the charts, and their transition from childhood enemies to kind of friends to lovers made sense to me - their shared history allowed for that transition to not feel so abrupt. This history allowed for a deeper level of vulnerability among the two characters. They were so kind and patient with each other, and I just adored their relationship.

Imani Jade Powers and Joe Arden did a phenomenal job bringing Indria and Jude to life in the audiobook. I loved their narration.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies.

The Plus One is the final book in A Brush with Love series about a group of friends set in Philadelphia. I truly enjoy reading Mazey Eddings books as they are compassionate, fun and easy to read. All her characters are quick witted and love with all their hearts; characters I tend to love the most.

Jude and Indira start as childhood enemies who become lovers as they plan to fake date for a Indira's brother's wedding. There are funny laugh out loud scenes and some spicy hot scenes, but all together, I smiled throughout the entire story.

Thank you for the audio version and the ebook version. The narrators were wonderful.

I LOVED this frenemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating rom-com. The characters were so relatable and had real life issues that we all deal with in some way or another. I felt like this was such a heartwarming read.

Although it felt a bit heavier than book one in the series, it had great moments of hilarity, witty banter, real life lessons, steaminess and more.
Tistened to the audiobook and I really liked the dual narration. The narrators did an amazing job of bringing this book to life and getting the feel of the emotions through. I felt like the pacing of this book was exactly right and I wanted to keep listening to it. This was an emotional book. Jude really goes through a hard time and I really just wanted to hold him tight and tell him it would all be okay.

I am reading this series out of qualify as being able to read them as a stand-alone. I will definitely be going back and reading the second book now. I did enjoy and feel like this one was better than the first one. But I still loved the first (A Brush with Love) and it will forever have one of my favorite book moments ever!

Indira's paper-perfect life is coming to a halt. Indira's brother is getting married. Indira and her boyfriend are part of the wedding activities that will be taking place the WHOLE MONTH of the wedding. But what happens when she returns home one day to find him cheating on her! She stays with her brother and his fiance, who just happens to already have another house guest staying as well... Her brothers friend Jude, who feels like he has nothing in his life together. Jude and Indira have had a mutual dislike for each other since they were kids. But they strike a deal to be each others plus-ones to all the wedding activities that have been planned. Meanwhile, they are both left realizing that maybe their hatred for each other wasn't what they thought!

The Plus One, by Mazey Eddings, is the story of psychiatrist Indira Papadakis and the time surrounding her brother Collin’s wedding. A few weeks before the wedding, Indira walks in on her boyfriend, Chris, to find him in quite a compromising position with Lauren. Indira packs and, having nowhere else to go, heads for the home Collin shares with his fiancé Jeremy, both of whom are anesthesiologists. While they do have a guest room for Indira, their other guest room is occupied by Collin’s best friend and Indira’s worst nightmare, Dr. Jude Bailey.

Jude joined an international medical team to serve those in need worldwide, but mostly to forgive the loans necessary to achieve his goal of physician. Emergency surgery is Jude’s forte, but it has sent him to the most awful assignments and this has taken a toll.

Since Chris is also a part of the wedding party, Indira is not happy in her role but Jude proposes they act as though they are together for the events leading to the wedding. As Indira has already picked up on the PTSD issues Jude is dealing with, she agrees. But what unravels from this agreement makes the story.

This story is written to showcase PTSD, an issue that is becoming more prevalent in life today. However, there is so much more to this book! I very much appreciated what I learned from this story and absolutely do recommend this book!

This book wasn't easy for me to get thru. As a person with anxiety and PTSD its was both a little to real and a little to not real. I loved it so much.

I was talking to a girl friend while i was listening to this book about how good and how bad it was. like it was 'to real' I'm not using bad as a derogatory term. like a 'to real' term. It was so good. I've already gone and reserved @mazeyeddings other books that were available on Libby. I'm obsessed!

Also @imanijadepowers, my dear! you completely crushed this book! thank you so much for encompassing the idea of being a boss woman but also having so much anxiety that you're trying to control at the same time.

Thank you to @therealjoearden for putting a voice to PTSD and what it feels like in my head. I know it wasn't your words. but it was your voice.

Thank you @netgalley & @macmillan.audio for the ARC

For whatever reason I just could not get into this book. It might be because I was consuming as an audiobook vs print. I really enjoyed the representation of PTSD through the parts of the book that I did read/listen to. I didn’t love the enemies/fake dating trope in this and didn’t really buy into the hatred between main characters. Maybe this would have been flushed out further into reading but it just seemed a bit odd.

This was a good romcom. I liked the main characters and the banter that was an essential spark to their relationship. It is was pushed the main characters from enemies to lovers. Also, brother’s best friend 🔥🔥🔥 there were some more serious issues addressed in this, focusing in on mental health. There was no real “third act break up or huge relationship hurdle” so it had my attention wandering just a bit. Spicy scenes were great. It is the third in a series, but can be read as a standalone. Overall a good book.

Indies needs out of her apartment. Now. So when she shows up to her big brothers house, she figured she could crash there for a bit, and help out with all the wedding emergencies that will inevitably pop up. But when the door opens, it’s not her loving, consoling face of her brother. It’s his best friend, Jude. The guy who tortured her all throughout school, who is always trading barbs, and he is staying there as well. On the same floor as her. The forced proximity will cause some explosions, but what kind?

Indira and Jude's story had a lot going for it: fake dating, enemies to lovers, childhood frienemy to lovers, all tied up in the context of Indira's brother's big wedding extravaganza. As an extra bonus we get to check back in with the couples from the first two books in the series and get to enjoy them as secondary characters. I enjoyed the balance of sweet and funny and serious, just like the characters did with their banter. Eddings always does a thoughtful job of writing neurodivergent characters or characters with mental health issues and this book is no exception, with Indira's anxiety and Jude's PTSD. I appreciate what the author is doing with Jude's work overseas with a Doctors Without Borders type organization, but I do think there were some problems with how it was presented. I understand the choice to not name specific areas, but it was both distracting and left me feeling uncomfortable.
That being said, the narrators did a great job with this one, particularly with brining both characters to life in the dual perspectives format.
I will definitely recommend this book to romance readers!