This was a great debut novel and Mazey Eddings is clearly a gifted writer. I loved the wonderful mental health rep and colorful cast of characters. The dental school setting was very unique and the dental related puns were hilarious. I enjoyed many aspects of the book, but I wasn't a huge fan of the repeated hot and cold behavior from Harper for the majority of the book. I love cinnamon roll heroes, but Dan was so soft, patient, and forgiving that he started to come across as a doormat. I appreciated that they both took time and made personal changes after the final conflict, but I still wanted more groveling from Harper. The epilogue left me with a big smile on my face though and I loved the message of being loved just as you are.

I both listened to and read this one, and I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more had I not listened to a majority of it. Emily Lawrence gave a really wonderful performance, but unfortunately Vikas Adam was a big miss for me. His female voices were unnaturally high pitched and grating. It was especially awkward during the more steamy moments. His narration was so jarring that it took me out of the story almost every time and I found myself wanting to read Dan's POV chapters instead. His performance as Dan was fine, but I would not recommend reading this via audio.

Audiobook Review
Overall 3 stars
Performance 2.5 stars
Story 3.5 stars

CW: anxiety, panic attacks, sexism, grief, death of parent (past)

*I voluntarily listened and read an advance review copy of this book*

When aspiring oral surgeon, Harper, falls down the stairs and accidentally destroys Dan’s project, her life is thrown into the chaos that comes with falling in love.

This has the fun of a RomCom and is still able to dive into serious topics, like anxiety, the loss of a parent and the pressure to follow a path that’s not meant for you. Dan and Harper were both so interesting as characters on their own, dealing with their own inner struggles. Bringing them together brought a lot of chemistry, while also serving as a catalyst for a breakdown.

I thought the portrayal of a panic attack and the unparalleled feeling of that burning anxiety was really well done. No panic attack looks the same, but I saw so much of myself in those moments - the loss of control, the fuzzy thoughts, and the urge to get out because the walls are caving in and you can’t breathe. I really appreciate the notion that “the monster” was taking over, and the separation of self from mental illness.

I also think this does a great job of showing that you can’t help someone who isn’t ready to get help. Romantic relationships do not cure mental illness. But being there for someone and letting them know help is available and effective is also important.

I’m also glad there isn’t much set in dental procedures - I have so much anxiety surrounding the dentist, so finding myself enjoying this book so much was a pleasant surprise! I look forward to seeing what Mazey will come up with for her next book!

I thought the narrators were fantastically suited for the characters, and were read with so much heart and conviction. I’ll definitely be looking for their other work as well!

I received an early copy of this audiobook from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own!

Where do I start with how much I love this book?? How about the anxiety rep, the Jewish rep, the way the MCs were both adorable idiots?? This book was not just a fun, light read, it was something that gave a deeper meaning to life and love through this very cute story.

As someone who has suffered from panic disorder (while trying to get into the medical field as well), I felt so seen by this book. Harper was like a mirror image of me, and I adored every part of her story. The way that she grows and learns about herself and her life was so special to me, and I can't begin to truly put it into words.

The relationship between Harper and Dan was also so refreshing to watch develop. The way that they complemented each other and were genuinely just the best of friends was something that was so enjoyable to see. Despite their "love at first sight" they genuinely got to know each other and fall in friendship while falling in love.

If you enjoy romcoms, definitely check this book out! You will absolutely not want to miss it!

Wow! This was amazing and I loved every minute of it! From Dan and Harper’s meet cute, I was hooked. Their chemistry was undeniable. The narrators were perfect!

I loved all the elements of dentistry/dental school. That’s not something I’ve ever seen before in romance. I appreciates the anxiety rep and really wanted to hug Harper. Dan was swoon worthy. I loved how he supported Harper and tried to be just his friend. I love when an author can have me laughing out loud and then wanting to hug the main character. It was hard to see Harper really struggle with her anxiety. I also really enjoyed how they took space and both worked on themselves. I’m so glad I have this preordered and can’t wait to read all of Mazey Eddings’ upcoming releases!

I will update with the link when I share to my bookstagram account.

I don't usually read romance, but this book looked really sweet (no pun intended) and I wasn't wrong on the first impression it gave me. This is exactly everything I could have wanted picking up a romance book—two great MCs, scenes that make you want to melt into a puddle, memorable side characters, a plot outside of the main romance, etc. Harper and Dan colliding together in the background of the stressful world of dental school and the realistic, empathetic portrayal of Harper's anxiety disorder...it was just more than I could have asked for as someone who struggles with anxiety.
Their relationship starts off fast in an insta-love sort of way, but the author is so ridiculously good at writing how connected Harper and Dan are that the rest of the book is just a really great ride wrestling with their dynamic. I love that both of them had issues and lives outside of their relationship, AND that being with their partner didn't automatically "fix" their problems. I can't convey how lovely it is to read a book that tackles mental illness, healthy relationships, and parental bonds with such nuance. Needless to say this was great! I'm not sure if all romance novels involve this much of a sexual charge to them, and as someone on the ace-spectrum it isn't exactly my cup of tea, but it is handled very well and leads to some really great moments. Would love to read the next book in this series for sure.

A Brush With Love

I think this may be a first that I give this low a star rating.

I listened to the audio of this book on NetGalley. I was excited as I thought I’d seen good reviews on it from friends.

I think the narrators just made my experience of this book worse than had I read it myself but even so. This was an eye rolling experience.

I am not trying to be mean but I truly had a hard time with the over acting from the narrators as well as parts of the story line.

I did not love either of these characters and it was hard at times to continue to want to read.

DNF @ 20%

This was not for me. I found it boring and cheesy. I didn't love the narrators, especially the female voice. I think this book was trying to do a lot and include a lot of "current" ways of being, which is fine, but it came off as unnatural. As someone who has dealt with anxiety, I found this a bit triggering. I just didn't love the main characters, they were so into each other so quickly. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

Harper is a hardworking, somewhat clumsy, dental student at the top of her class. When she accidentally breaks Dan, a first year dental student's mold she offer to help him fix it. Both are insanely attracted to each other, but are hesitant to react. They both cant lose focus in the vigorous dental program, but they also can't deny the chemistry between them. Can they have it all? Or will the pressure on their shoulders crush the relationship before it even beings?

This book was so freaking cute. As a woman with anxiety it was so nice to read a book with a character whose issues and thought processes match mine. I found myself saying am I Harper? I also loved the jewish representation and that it wasn't stereotypical JAPPY woman. This book had so much depth and dimension. Not only was there mental health talk, and religious talk, but there was also a strong undertaking of feminism and the pressure of living your family legacy. At the same time, it didnt feel like they too much. I loved that Dan wasn't this knight in shining armor or this "perfect" protagonist. They both had struggles and the story really explored them nicely.

The only one thing I can say that isn't positive is that, Dan came off as a little desperate at times. I feel like in real life men are not that determined especially when a woman shows she isn't interested (even in this case Harper was interested, just got in the way of herself). But maybe that just says more about the people I keep company with.

When I heard the trigger/content warning at the start I was a little apprehensive about going on with the book. 1. Because I was glad there was the content warning and 2. Because of the topics this book contained and I was worried it could be triggering to me. This book has me laughing out loud so many times. The conversations between Dan and Harper were funny but real at the same time. Harper suffer from anxiety and panic attack which she suffers several times throughout the book. Harper has always hid her anxiety from everyone but Dan has seen her during one of her panic attacks. As Dan and Harper lean more and more on each other, they start falling for each other. The story was super cute and funny!
I listened to the audiobook and the only downside was when the narrator who read for Dan would have to do the voice for Harper or her girl friends and I wasn’t a fan. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

This was an adorable debut. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the banter is great, with both characters' viewpoint. So many things to love about a romance with a woman in STEM.

I read this book last year and LOVED it, so I was happy to review the audiobook version. It was just as I remembered, and I really thought the narrations were great. Harper is a great representation for general anxiety disorder, and Dan was a really wonderful character.

Mazes Ending’s debut novel is a smashing hit! I really enjoyed this romantic comedy that centers around two dental students. Anti-social career driven Harper has a not-so-meet-cute with reluctant first year dental student Dan and sparks a romance for the ages. These two have sizzling chemistry and amazing banter that will have readers binging this book all night long. This book is definitely a romantic comedy- I laughed approximately two minutes into the audiobook (thanks NetGalley for the advanced audiobook) but it does cover some really heavy topics. Trigger warning for off the page death of parents, anxiety, and sexism. While ultimately Harper and Dan have a beautiful romance and relationship, there is a section of the book where Harper is truly struggling and in turn treats Dan very poorly which was very hard for me to read. I do appreciate how mature Dan is and his ability to set healthy boundaries in his relationships. Both Harper and Dan are dealing with a lot of baggage but the way that they work through it in this book is incredibly powerful and makes this book great in my opinion. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing and hilarious side characters! I believe Ending’s next book is about Lizzie, one of the side characters from this book, and I honestly can’t wait to read her story! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Perfect for fans of The Love Hypothesis

Oh Harper! Harper is a little bit of a hot mess. She is a perfectionist, but there are deep rooted reasons as to why she acts the way she does, even if she doesn't share them with everyone. She just has to get through dental school and be the best so that she can pursue her dream career and help others.
Dan is in dental school, but he really doesn't want to be there. He is feeling a deep sense of familial duty that is crushing him. He is supposed to take over his parents legacy, but has no passion and it is leaving him very flustered.
They meet when both are at a place where they can't have distractions, but are instantly attracted to the other. Harper is a lot more hesitant and insists on just being friends and Dan likes her so much he will take whatever she offers just to be with her.
I found myself annoyed with how many times Harper pushed Dan away and how Dan just kept staying through it all. He had so many people taking from him, trying to please everyone, it was a wonder that boy didn't have a full break down. I really enjoyed the conflict of the story and it raised my rating of the book because it felt so authentic and real. People are flawed, people are broken and love doesn't magically fix any of that. We have to work on ourselves to be ready to be with other people in a meaningful way.
Thank you to Macmillian Audio, Netgalley and Mazey Eddings for an early audio copy.

This was the sweetest book, it gave me a toothache. The anxiety representation was incredible, the emotional connection between the two main characters was MINDBLOWING and palpable. I loved the friend group and the support that the main character received throughout the book. I also loved how much Dan supported Harper through her anxiety attacks and episodes even without the whole context. This was such a sweet book and I can't wait for the next in the series!

Harper is in her last year of Callowhill University’s School of Dental Medicine and at the top of her class. She is great with patients and does well in the lab or classroom. She has problems with anxiety and claustrophobia but is keeping it from her three best friends. The day she falls down the steps and into Dan, her ability to stay focused on her studies falters. The attraction between Dan and Harper is endearing. His concern for her to continue her journey even though he wants to spend more time with her shows how much he cares. She fights the attraction, but he is persistent. I thought the descriptions of the painful claustrophobia and anxiety gave the reader insights into those afflictions. Dan’s torment of giving up what he wants to do to please his mother, whom he loves, is something that all can relate. Great story, characters and lessons learned.

SPOILER ALERT!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this audiobook.

The narrator was great and was very engaged in the novel.

This was definitely a fun and engaging rom-com about two dental students who fall in love, fall away from each other and then try to find each other again. This novel did not have too many characters and I really loved following Harper's journey and learning more about her and the relationship she shared with Dan. The complicated lives they had to endure to be together and how they were able to figure it all out in the end.

I wish the novel would've stood out a little more than it did, but it was still a great read.

Did I request this book thinking it was about an artist? Yes. Do I hate teeth more than anything in the world? Also yes. Did I keep reading this book about a woman in dental school because it was too good to put down? The biggest yes!!

Harper and Dan are couple GOALS!!! Books with the male POV add such a intimate second layer for me and this one was no exception. The individual growth that both characters find throughout the book is incredible and individual but also done together in so many ways which makes it even more special. The side characters add in so much fun, love, and support. So well written, fun, and beyond sweet. Even for this tooth fearing individual!

Review will be posted to Instagram @literarylu_ on Feb 24

This is such a cute love story! First of all, I absolutely love student romances and this dentistry school was a fresh kind of student I haven’t read yet.

I swear I would go from laughing at something Dan had said to crying over Harper’s feelings in five seconds flat. The audiobook was the best way to listen to this, I got to experience all the funny dialogue as if I was actually there. There’s one moment where Harper asks Dan if he has a “license to drill” and I swear I told like six people about how perfectly timed it was.

Did I relate to Harper super intensely because I’m also an anxiety ridden ashkenazi girl who’s obsessed with school? Yes. I’m in love with the author for bringing this character to life. Mazey Eddings is my new favorite romance author.

This is one of my favorite romance novels that I’ve read this year.

4.25 stars

This was a cute, funny, and intriguing little story. I loved that the characters were smart and hard-working, and, as difficult as it can be to experience in a book, I loved the depictions of anxiety and panic disorders. Scary, for sure, but also accurate and meaningful inclusion. I also liked that the protagonist was managing her anxiety in a variety of ways by the end of the book but was still herself and wasn’t magically “fixed” or “cured” of her mental illness. This was a sweet romance that caught my attention pretty much from the first lines. I’ll be looking forward to more fun reads from this writer in the future.

I really enjoyed reading about Harper and Dan. This book, with some cute/funny elements, has a lot of seriousness - harsh family situations, anxiety and panic attacks, drive to be successful, and more. The story is fantastic, though, and I recommend it for readers of Rachel Lynn Solomon.