After walking in on her boyfriend in the act with someone else, Indira leans on her brother (Collin) for housing leading up to his wedding. Jude has just come back from working as a travel physician, he is staying with his best friend (Collin) before he is shipped out again. Indira and Jude have hated each other since childhood, and are now both under the same roof until Collin's wedding. Jude and Indira decide to strike up a fake dating scheme to get revenge on her ex and his new girlfriend.

This book is filled with witty banter, grumpy/sunshine, and hilarious sibling clapbacks. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pre-wedding events. The camping scene was particularly hilarious. Character relationships went beyond Indira and Jude. Their relationships with Collin and Jeremy were also explored and appreciated. Sibling conversations felt true to life.

Mental health representation from the male perspective is something I don't see very often. It's a nice change to see the FMC as the anchor for emotional support, and the MMC as the vulnerable character. Trigger warnings are listed in the audiobook prior to the start of the book.

I'm nor sure how she does it, but Mazey Eddings handles a very difficult topic while maintaining levity through a romantic comedy.

Jude is Indira's brother's best friend, The thing is, they always hated each other, as sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Now that Collin is getting married to Jeremy and are planning on many events leading up to the big day, Indira and Jude, her to get back at her ex, Chris, and him because she has a very calming effect on his anxiety, decide that fake dating would help them both get through tough times during these events.
This is book 3 in the A Brush with Love series, a brother's best friend, enemies to fake dating to lovers romance, and I loved it! I loved the banter, the side characters, the focus on mental health and how grounded the main characters are. I've already read book 1, but I'm definitely going back to read book 2 (I didn't know this was a series!). You can totally read this as a stand alone, but I strongly recommend reading at least book 1, A Brush with Love, not because you need to, but because it is so good!
The narration on the audio book was great.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

💚 What’s it about?
Indira is a psychiatrist with an okay love life. That is until she walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her. She packs up her stuff and moves in with her brother and his fiancé, right before their wedding.

And Jude is also staying with them. Jude is Indira’a brother’s best friend, and her nemesis since childhood.

Jude is also on leave from his work as an emergency physician for a global health organization and experiencing PTSD from the work. Between that and Indira trying to avoid her ex with his new girlfriend, the two form a fake dating alliance.

💚 My thoughts?
😭😍😭😍😭😍

My gosh I love this book. The frank discussion of mental health and how it’s viewed not only by the average person, but by the medical community (at least in this story) is heart breaking.

Indira and Jude as a couple may be my new favorite. Their sweet banter, earnest love, mutual respect for the other had me swooning.

One of my tells for how much I love a romance novel is how much I root for the couple. These two were like megaphone shouting, pom pom shaking cheer level.

I am so impressed by the level of unpacking mental trauma that Eddings did on this book. It won my heart, and it will likely win yours too.

🎧 The audiobook narration is superb. I have a huge voice crush on Joe Arden and have been known to buy audiobooks just because he narrates them. He impresses on this one, just like the others. Narrator Imani Jade Powers does a wonderful job as Indira.

I adore this romance series. This is the third and final (I assume) book in the A Brush with Love series. Each romance has dealt very realistically with some aspect of mental health. The first book had a dental student experiencing high anxiety, the second included an FMC who is very ADHD and facing an unexpected pregnancy. I’ve been looking forward to Indira’s story and am not disappointed.

Indira Papadakis walks in on her boyfriend of two years cheating with another woman. She packs her stuff and moves in with her brother Colin and his fiancé. Much to her surprise Jude Bailey, her brothers best friend, is also staying at the house. Jude was her childhood nemesis as she tried to tag along with he and her brother when they were young. Indira and Jude are fun together as they turn their teasing onto Colin and his groom to be as they prepare for their wedding.

Indira is still dealing with the childhood trauma of a father leaving and starting new families. He was never dependable. That pain is what made her choose to be a psychiatrist and she especially enjoys helping children. Her work is fulfilling. She sees what everyone else in the friendgroup is missing. Jude is suffering PTSD. He is a surgeon and took a scholarship with a fictional doctors without borders type of organization. He has one year left of his five year commitment. But he clearly has symptoms and she can’t see how he can return to war zones. She doesn’t want to be his therapist but talks with him and helps ground him. Years or knowing each other adds to their connection and makes it easy to switch from friends to something more.

I love Indira and Jude together. They are hot and steamy one minutes, sarcastic and laugh out loud funny the next. And both their stories snagged my emotions just like the other books in the series. Jude’s explanation of his thoughts are raw and it is frustrating that his health organization is not more helpful or understanding. Eddings writes in a way that normalizes counseling and therapy. It makes me wish it was easily available to everyone. I love that there isn’t an angst moment between the MCs but it is more trying to figure their path forward.

I highly recommend this book and series. They are not as cutesy as the darling covers suggest. There is real depth, pain and emotion in these stories. Extra kudos for including positive LGBTQ representation with brother Colin. I was given the ARC from St. Martin’s Press and also the audio book from Macmillan Audio and alternated between the two. I especially loved the gravely voice of Imani Jade Powers as Indira. Joe Arden did well as Jude too. I’ve listened to all the audio books in the series and they used different narrators. I’m leaving this review voluntarily. (4.5 Stars)

I loved this book! It does an amazing job covering the difficult subject of trauma. Specifically PTSD. It is taken seriously and handled with care all while telling a great story.

I especially love the dynamic between Jude and Indira. The way she watches over him is one of the sweetest things I have ever read. Swoon!

The only thing that let this book down for me (a little bit) was the ending. Don’t get me wrong, I love the way it ends, just not necessarily how it’s told. Not a dealbreaker, and definitely doesn’t take away from whether or not I would recommend this book.

Cute read!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review or completely my own.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I am a Mazey Eddings fan for life. She wrote Jude’s PTSD so well. Indira was such a good character, I love the growth she went through. 10/10 would recommend. The audiobook is really well done. The narrators were excellent.

4.5★ Summary: When long time frenemies Indira and Jude are thrown together for her brother’s huge wedding celebration, they devise a plan to be each other’s fake dates. Soon, however, things begin to feel a bit too real…

Thoughts: I really enjoy Mazey Eddings story telling and the wonderful, life-like characters she creates. This is the third installment in her Brush With Love series and while Lizzie still holds the number one spot, I loved this one and our MCs Indira and Jude, almost as much.

Right off the bat, The Plus One features a lot of tropes I adore. I’m a big fan of enemies to lovers and brother’s best friend, and have really taken a liking to fake dating. I think each and every one of these tropes was well executed and felt very authentic to the story. Nothing felt forced or out of place.

I always love the representation Eddings includes in her books, and this was no exception. The PTSD and anxiety Jude copes with, along with the therapy Indira undergoes, were all presented in a very realistic and honest way. In fact, the therapy sessions in which Indira opens up about her history with Jude, were some of my favorite scenes hands down.

My only criticism is that there were times were the story seemed to drag just a bit, and therefore might have been just a tad too long. Otherwise, I think this is a really great romcom with a lot of emotional depth and I highly recommend both the book and the series.

Read if you like:
•enemies to lovers
•brothers best friend
•fake dating
•forced proximity
•mental health rep
•open door Romance

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mother forking, Mazey Eddings. Where have you been all my life? Please never stop writing. The only author to ever make me enjoy the dreaded pregnancy trope has done it again. The Plus One, the third and final installment in the Brush with Love series, was perfection. Chef's kiss!

After walking in on her boyfriend and another woman, Indira moves in with her brother, Colin, and his fiancé. Adding insult to injury, her childhood nemesis, Jude, who is also her brother's best friend, is in town for Colin's wedding. Now, both unexpectedly living under the same roof, Indira and Jude discover that perhaps they are more than just each other's past. Maybe they are each other's future.

This book is funny and sexy, with a genuine representation of LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse characters. However, don't let this pretty cartoon cover fool you. This is more than just another romantic comedy. Both main characters struggle with trauma, and Eddings explores mental health in a deep and thoughtful way. Eddings' normalization of professional therapy and meaningful communication between partners is something I hope to see more of in the romance genre.

I felt so seen reading Indira and Jude's stories, and I don't know if I've ever connected to a character more than the way I did with Indira. Her relationship with her father mimics mine in a disturbingly similar way. Indira's scenes dealing with her feelings of parental abandonment and self-worth had me sobbing and yet praising her for her choices.

Jude's struggle with PTSD was so raw. This is the second book I've read recently, where the MMC deals with depression and anxiety. Focusing on the male character is so refreshing. Something else I loved was Colin and Jude's friendship. They talked about serious issues, their fears, and their hopes. They say I love you. What happened to male friendships in books? Please, please give us more of this.

The romance itself was made for me. It was impossible not to root for Indira and Jude. They are a new all-time favorite couple. Their chemistry is spot on, and damn Eddings writes a steamy scene the way I like them.

If I have any critiques, I would say it is a tad too long. Also, I think the fake dating subplot could have been done differently or left out completely, as most of the side characters know of the ruse.

Also, I will never look at peanut butter the same way again. If you know, you know.

I listened to the audio, and I enjoyed the narrators, especially the male POV. He felt everything he was reading, and I felt so present in those scenes.

Read this if you love emotional romances with meaningful conversations and witty banter. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, frenemies to lovers, fake dating, and older brother's best friend.

One other thing: while this is technically a standalone, I do recommend reading the series in order because this book wraps up all the storylines, and it is nice to see what happens to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It isn't every day that I rave as much about a book told in third person as I will about The Plus One, but when I tell you that this book was literal perfection, I truly mean it.

I was first introduced to Mazey Eddings in Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake and quickly made my way back to read the beginning of the Brush with Love Series and while I adored both of those titles, The Plus One is entirely on a whole new level.

Between Mazey's superb writing, the top tier connection between the two main characters, and the absolute heartbreaking journey they are each on, I found myself tearing up several times while quickly turning around to laugh out loud. The spice is glorious, the vulnerability of the characters mimics real life in some of the truest ways, and the connection they build to become each other's person is one of the purest connections I've ever had the pleasure to read.

Perhaps the only thing better than the story is the brilliant performances by Imani Jade Powers and Joe Arden that are both filled with so much raw emotion that you can actually feel what their characters are experiencing. While Imani is a new-to-me narrator, I will fully stand behind the fact that this is Joe Arden's absolute best performance to date.

This book is one of my all time favourite romances. Mazey Eddings writes neurodivergent characters with such love and care that the reading experience feels like a moment of healing. Jude and Dira are exceptional leads and their journey to love is one of pure delight. Both the audiobook narrators hit it out of the park with their stunning and humorous interpretation of Mazey’s words, bringing the delight and joy of the dialogue and tenderness of the story in their narration styles.

I absolutely loved this.

Full disclosure I have not read the previous books in the series yet. But now I know I need to!

This book had the perfect balance of being very funny and also heart wrenching. It’s childhood enemies to fake dating to lovers so the banter is really good. The fmc, Indira, is described as a “little shit” because she loves putting people on blast and being sarcastic/quick witted. I loved her. The mmc, Jude, is dealing with PTSD and the way it is handled was really great while ripping out your heart. Both characters are so tender and dealing with tough stuff and you can’t help but love love love them.

I swooned. I cried. And I laughed out loud.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an Advanced Listening Copy.

PRO THERAPY ROMANCEEEEEE

I really enjoyed this one! Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ALC of this book!

This book is so sweet. Jude was so broken and beautiful. Indira was also very damaged yet wonderful. I loved their growth as people and as a couple.

Another hit from Mazey Eddings! 😍😍

Both narrators Imani Jade Powers; Joe Arden did great with the voices. I love when there are two voices it makes the story more solid and distant. I enjoyed the audiobook experience as much as reading the actual book

Mazey has a way of exploring people who are struggling with mental health, Indira is the three friends of the group of ladies we've seen in previous books. We've seen Indira before and she starts a relationship with Chris. She discovers early that he is cheating on her
she ends up at her brother's home where her brother's best friend is staying leading up to the wedding. however, Jude is different - not acting like the usual guy she doesn't like.

Jude is suffering from pretty bad PTSD from working with doctors in difficult locations such as wars and starvation

Indira is trying to make the best of this new situation however she finds the need to help Jude and Judes seems to need her as well to make it through all the events '

they decide to fake a date so she won't look bad at this event with her ex and his new girlfriend and Jude needs Indira to distract him so he can function throughout this process

This story y touches on some deep subjects. I appreciate the research this must have taken with the realness of Jude's situation.

I enjoyed this book

Mazey Eddings has done it again!! I loved A Brush With Love, and I didn’t think she could top it. Then Lizzie Blake completely stole my heart, and I thought—this is it. She’s written the perfect book. And then she has the audacity to write The Plus One, and now I can’t believe I have yet ANOTHER favorite Mazey romance. Each book just gets better and better.

AND SHE GOT Imani Jade Powers AND Joe Arden as narrators for the audiobook!! They were INCREDIBLE!

Indira and Jude are childhood enemies who enter into a fake wedding date kind of arrangement—Indira to save face in front of her ex and his new girlfriend, Jude to have an excuse to duck away from the chaos when things get overwhelming.

Mazey’s romances are laugh out loud hilarious, but they’re also achingly tender and emotional. Jude’s post-traumatic stress is written about so compassionately, and Indira’s support is perfect. She doesn’t want to put him back together. She just wants to love him while he works to save himself.

I can’t wait for my preorder to arrive so Jude and Indira’s book can sit on my shelf next to its siblings, but I’m so grateful to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for my advance review copy.

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings is more of a mental health novel with romantic elements rather than a romance novel. There's a great deal of respect and gentle handling when it comes to the mental health issues (primarily PTSD, but there's a lot of therapy and therapy talk throughout), but if you're going in looking for a lighthearted romance, this is not that.

I liked Indira and Jude as characters - they both seemed mature and grown up, which is a big green flag for me in novels like this! I wouldn't characterize this as an enemies-to-lovers (as it's blurbed) but rather more of a friends to lovers or somewhat second chance romance? They're a little sarcastic towards each other, but briefly and they give into their mutual attraction fairly early on. It's also definitely NOT fake dating. They barely go on one fake date and significantly more people know it's fake than think it's real.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a heavier read in the romance genre. The title and cover are a bit misleading, but if you're willing to go along a slightly more serious journey, it's well-written and enjoyable. I listened to the audiobook and Imani Jade Powers and Joe Arden were both great narrators.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

Book 3 of the A Brush with Love series, works as a stand alone. (I read and didn't care much for book 1, did not read book 2 because of that, and didn't realize this was part of a series when I accepted an advance audio copy. I actually didn't even realize it until I came here to Goodreads to add my review, lol)

Indira's life changes instantly when she gets home to find her boyfriend in bed with someone else. She packs up her stuff and goes to stay with her brother, Collin. When she arrives, she finds her Collin's best friend, and her life-long nemesis, Jude, is also staying with Collin while he is in town for Collin's upcoming wedding.
Jude is a surgeon who has been working to treat people in third world country's for the last few years. And he is not okay. He is struggling with the things he's seen, and it has been hard to adjust to normal life.
Indira and Jude make a pack- they will fake date for the wedding and associated festivities. Jude needs a buffer from the real world, and Indira needs a distraction from her ex (who is also part of the wedding party). As they spend time together, they realize maybe they aren't actually enemies.

This was a romance with substance. It tackled a lot of heavy issues, but in a good way. It wasn't depressing. You could easily root for Jude. I would have been on the fence between 4 and 5 stars if not for the ending. It flash forwarded several times. The moments were brief and disjointed.

I listened to the audiobook. Joe Arden narrates for Jude and he can always be counted on. Imani Jade Powers narrates for Indira and does a great job.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am in love with Mazey Eddings and her characters. This was incredible. We've got brothers best friend, childhood frienemies, one bed while camping, a halloween fiasco, an over the top wedding, family drama, forced proximity, fake dating, incredible back stories. I doesn't get any better. I thought the mental health rep in her was great and how it was handled was great. I couldn't put this down because I needed the two characters to just shut up and kiss eachother already. Their support of one another was perfection.

Jude and Indira have always been at each others throats over everything. They picked on each other their whole childhood but those things are changing. Indira seems to have the perfect life...that is until she walks in on her boyfriend and some other girl and a jar of peanut butter...She is destroyed. Jude on the other hand is a wreck. He is currently a doctor who has to travel to low-income, war zone areas in order to pay off his student loans. Jude is also best friends with Indira's older brother so he comes back to town for his wedding he reconnects with Indira. When Jude learns of Indira's recent mishap with her boyfriend, they decide to "fake date" to make him jealous. It works and they are spending a lot more time together than they expected and they realized it isn't all bad.

I absolutely loved this book. There were so many topics that were addressed that I flagged to go back to such as supporting someone you care about even through their trauma and not being there to fix it, but to work through it together. The topic of mental health was very prevalent in the book, but I liked how it was something that was discussed when the characters were comfortable and how Indira gave him time to open up on his own. Just so many things about this book made me smile and I really enjoyed it. It had a little bit of spice, but not too much.

Oh my heart! I have adored all of Mazey Eddings’ books! The narrators were perfect and two of my favorites! I would give it more than 5 stars if I could!

The Plus One definitely dealt with heavier issues, but there was so much heart. I loved how Indira and Jude went from enemies to lovers. I especially loved how Indira refused to give up on Jude. They had such a special connection. I love how he challenged his organization to protect his mental health. I was really disappointed that they didn’t recognize the importance of his mental health and still made him pay back his loan.

I also loved how they followed their dreams to start their own clinic. What a perfect ending to this group of friends!

Such a good book. I enjoyed the other two in this series, so I knew this one would would he awesome as well. Great narration! Shout out to publishing and netgalley for the listen and review!

4 stars!