Cover Image: A Brush with Love

A Brush with Love

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Oh my TOOTH FAIRY!! This book was so much more than I expected and swept me off my feet. I don't know how Mazey Eddings legit made me fall in love with two dental school students, but she did. In fact Harper and Dan may have become one of my favorite bookish couples.

I don't even know where to start with this book, because I absolutely adored every part. I think what Mazey Eddings managed to do with her debut novel, was explore a bunch of complexities of real world problems while giving the reader a cute and funny romance. She delves into the complexity of living with anxiety, and she showcases all the depths in Harper's character due to this experience. There were many points within this book that I know most people would hate how Harper acted, but to me she showed me pieces of myself even in the bad moments. I never knew I needed this representation until I got this book in my hands. Now I have been motivated to take control of my own mental illness issues, because I saw myself in this character who learns how to take control of her own mental illness and leaving the stigmas behind.

And let's not forget that Eddings also explores the grief process, sexism, academia and classicism, and emotional manipulation of a parent. Among many other serious topics, she does so in a realistic way. I will forever be grateful that she gave us this book that deals with so many heavy topics that we all experience in our everyday life.

I will also say the romance was absolutely beautiful. I loved every moment of Dental Dan and Harper's love story. It was so sweet I think I may have developed cavities. But in all seriousness, their relationship development was beautiful to watch. Dental Dan has raised the bar I have set for my expectations of men...I mean I want someone who thinks my hands are beautiful and is obsessed with every part of me.

Eddings has done an amazing job with this debut, and I can not wait for her next books. Lizzie's story is already a highly anticipated release for me, especially after getting to know her in this book.

Was this review helpful?

I had to DNF this book. Hopefully other readers like Mazey Eddings writing style but I don't think I'll be checking out her other books.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve followed Mazey for a long time so of course I jumped at the chance to listen to her debut novel. I’m not sure if it was a matter of timing as this immediately followed a long awaited sequel from a favorite series of mine or that I just didn’t love the story, but nothing in A Brush With Love really stood out to me to put it above other rom coms.

Narration: The female narrator is new to me an I wouldn’t mind listening again. Vikas Adam is an interesting choice, but enjoyable to listen to.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the chance to review.

Was this review helpful?

I'm not really sure why I thought I would enjoy a book about dentistry... ever. I have a love hate relationship with the necessity of having someone take care of your teeth. I was pleasantly surprised by how willing I was to give this a go, despite my feelings, and absolutely adored the person who read this book. Made it easier to get through that it would have been otherwise.

And maybe the plot wasn't terrible... just not for me.

Was this review helpful?

“Their lips molded together in a conversation that words had failed. In that kiss, their weary souls reached out for tentative touches, soft strokes, offering nothing more than recognition and acceptance.”

This book was everything more!!! This has easily been another favorite romance read of the year for me! I'm excited to read more from Mazey Eddings!!!

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Was this review helpful?

First in a series, brush with love has a dentistry student looking for love. Not too memorable for me, but an enjoyable romantic comedy.

Was this review helpful?

This was one of my first audiobooks I've ever listened to, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it so much.

I absolutely LOVE when s romance can touch on real life subjects such as anxiety, panic attacks and grief. It's still romance but it makes it feel personal almost like your going through it as well.

I really enjoyed that Harper and Dan met in this place and they both had a very different storyline. Harper wanted to be there and Dan was expected to be there. I love me a good slow burn!

The biggest downfall for me was this book being told in 3rd person. But audio made it more bearable!! So I'm thankful that's how I read it!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story! I would definitely recommend this to audio newbies!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this story, but the male narrator took me out of the story. His voice for Dan was fine, but the minute he spoke for Harper, it took me out of the story.

I really enjoyed how inclusive this story was and it ended up being spicier than I thought it was going to be! I can't wait to read book 2, but I'll definitely be READING them and not listening to them on audio. There are some stories where the audio makes me love the book better, but this isn't one of them. 4-star rating for the book, 2.5-star rating for the audiobook.

Thanks for the opportunity to listen to A Brush With Love! These are my honest thoughts.

Was this review helpful?

Dental student Harper is focused on one thing - getting into a top oral surgery residency program. When she literally crashes in first year student Dan, her anxiety will only allow her to be "just friends." However, her heart feels differently...

This was super cute - and I am not a fan of going to the dentist! I loved Harper and Dan's relationship. The audiobook was great! This was a debut, and I can't wait to read more from Mazey Eddings!
#callireads2022

Was this review helpful?

It just wasn't for me. I know that many people like this story, but I couldn't get into it, so I dnfed it.

Was this review helpful?

this was me trying something new. it was very lighthearted and sweet. i know that romance lovers especially ones that like the sticky sweet trope will definitely enjoy this!

Was this review helpful?

Loved this so much! A great neurodivergent rep and a sweet love story to boot! Mazey Eddings writes characters that feel real and relatable and I absolutely have put her on my insta-buy author list!

Was this review helpful?

What a fun book! I thought the audio version of this book was very well done. I really enjoyed the unconventional setting of dental school. I work in the dental field so all of the references were super fun to read. I loved that we got dual POV and I thought the banter was super cute. I am a sucker for found family in books, so I absolutely loved that we got that from Harper's friends. The mental health representation was done really well in my opinion. It felt authentic and personal. It really set this book apart from other romcoms for me. Overall, I am excited to read other books from Eddings!

Was this review helpful?

This was delightful! It was heartfelt and emotional while still being funny. I loved watching Dan and Harper go from insta love to a slow burn which isn’t the usual progression.
I loved that Harper had zero chill for all things dentistry and oral surgery. And lastly, the standout to me was the mental health representation in the book- Harper’s anxiety felt visceral and raw and I wanted to cry for and with her. It was so well done.

Read if you like:
🪥 women in STEM
🪥 fantastic mental health rep
🪥 an amazing friend group
🪥 a big ole cat named Big Booty Judy 😹
🪥 sizzling hot steamy scenes
🪥 cinnamon roll book boyfriend

Overall the audio was great but I wasn’t a fan of the male narrator’s voice for Harper.

Was this review helpful?

My first experience with Mazey Eddings was about the same as my first experience at the dentist. I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out pretty okay!

The romance was central and the dentistry stuff was definitely interesting, but I had a hard time settling into the story. Dan is too sweet for the way he's treated for much of the book. Harper has really bad anxiety and refuses to seek out help. This is probably a case of Too Much Reader Baggage since I also fought against getting help for around fifteen years, but that aspect was hard for me to read. The bleak moment is directly related to Harper's mental health and I had a very mixed reaction to the way it was resolved. It doesn't help that I wasn't prepared for it at all.

There there were lots of individual moments I really liked, including some really funny scenes. I don't read accidental pregnancy plots, so I don't plan to read Eddings' second book, but I'll pick up the third.

Audio Notes: Vikas Adam and Emily Lawrence do a great job on this audiobook. Yes, they added emotional depth and made me laugh, but I was also glad to have them read all the dentistry terms to me so I know how to pronounce them.

Was this review helpful?

I was a bit skeptical about a book with dentistry in it, but, it just goes to show that a love story can be cute even with something people dread involved in it. I personally love the dentist, but if you hate it, this may not be for you. Thanks NEtGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

So full transparency I hate the dentist... so to find two characters that make me not only love their love but also love the dentist... albeit fictional is a big feat. I also appreciated that under the feel good sweet story there were topics of grief and anxiety, because honestly it came at a perfect time for me to appreciate it. Overall I just adored listening to this story and I loved the characters both individually and together.

Was this review helpful?

I hardly absolutely love romance but this is by far my favorite that I have read this year! I adored the relationship between these two characters, I found it funny and relatable and it also dealt with important topics at the same time. I thought the representation on anxiety was a great addition to this book. I will definitely read more from this author and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook for this one.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book even though it had dentists in it! It was a great debut novel and I enjoyed the patience and understanding that the main characters had with each other so they could work through their issues. I love the friend group in this series. Mazey Eddings on my must read list.

Was this review helpful?

I liked both of the voices in this audiobook! It did take me a while to get into the story, but once I did! I really liked it! I did find that I couldn’t connect with the female main character!

Was this review helpful?