Absolutely perfect. Will be rereading at some point. You will feel seen reading this book whether from the pov of Indira and/or Jude. Just perfect

Summary
Indira's catches her boyfriend cheating her on her, moves out of their apartment and into her brother and his fiancé's house and finds her brother's lifelong best friend, and her sworn enemy, is in town and staying there too. Jude is different now, after working as a doctor a few years in Third World and war-torn countries. But add in some fake dating, forced proximity and a comfort level and trust make these childhood adversaries wonder if there isn't a little something more real underneath the acting.

Review
Mazey Eddings is the queen of incorporating mental health into her contemporary romances and I am here for it. Each book's tone perfectly fit the main characters, while also addressing mental health stories in a respectful and authentic way. Combining Indira's psychiatry background, her self-awareness of her issues and Jude's PTSD were so well done. Indira was able to be used to give explanations to the readers to help them better understand Jude and even her own issues. While this one had a much more serious tone, it was appropriate for the topic of PTSD. Every one of Mazey's books have made me run the gamet of emotions because she does such a beautiful job of getting the reader to feel empathy and connection to them. Each book is better than the last. While I'm sad to see this series end, I can't wait to read what she writes next!

Eddings’ is an absolute master at accurate mental health representation and each of her books beautifully captures different battles. A Brush of Love was my favorite by far but there definitely was something to appreciate in each book. In terms of romance, however, this one was a let down for me. Brother’s best friend, childhood enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and fake dating are all top tier tropes for me so I know I went in with perhaps too high of an expectation. The cover had me most eager for a fun wedding scene but the actual wedding was only a few pages. The side characters annoyed me (I’m looking at you, Collin).. And I just couldn’t bring myself to really care about Indira and Jude, both as individuals and as a couple. I normally enjoy dual POV but I think this would’ve been more of a hit for me if it was just in Indira’s POV to add a hint of mystery from Jude’s perspective and to make the book lean more towards woman’s fiction, a genre where I can usually overlook any failings with the romance. I do think the book wrapped up sweetly and allowed a glance at the other couples in the series. The book also really did portray relationships in a very healthy way. Plus there was no annoying third act miscommunication break-up, always a win in my book. Overall, I think this is still worth checking out if you enjoyed Eddings’ other books.

Dating your brother's best friend has never been a very appealing book trope for me because usually the brother sucks and with that logic why would his best friend be any better??

Except Mazey Eddings said "only fathers are garbage" and "brothers and their best friends are actually the most wonderful, kindest people. court adjourned."

Shout-out to Jude's dad - you are exempt from this decree.

I am an absolute glutton for broken people falling in love and realizing thev're just a little less broken and a lot more hopeful. In this economy we get therapized with the characters in the book.

Indira is a psychiatrist and her older brother's best friend Jude is a trauma doctor treating emergencies and humanitarian crises across the world. I loved Indira and Jude so much.

The childhood-to-adulthood dislike-to-love pipeline was so believable because there was build-up, and tension. (in other words it was absolute perfection!)

They're forced to stay together during Indy's brother's wedding planning and let me tell you the amount of chemistry these two have is off the charts. No need for clinical resuscitation - Jude and Indy got your back (or your heart whatever - I lost the metaphor).

AND the banter? pure artistry. I'm doing a thousand chef's kiss motions as I write. They have so much physical and verbal chemistry that I would like to send a request for Mazey Eddings to lead a banter and dialogue-writing retreat for romcom authors.

There's a scene where indy straight up says "that was so ass" and I felt so seen. (I am who I am, OK?)

Also no book beloved to me comes without trauma and don't vou forget it. Jude is suffering from complex ptsd due to his time in such intense crisis situations and Indira hasn't healed from all the trauma in her life.

They don't initially want to be around each other and yet somehow they both needed each other the most out of everyone else.

This is a story about how they both learn to trust each other, find comfort in each other and realize that love doesn't solve everything BUT it does make our tiny world a better place for us.

The way Indy always had a sense for when Jude wasn't okay and knowing how to support him quietly. The way Jude sees Indy's fears and leads her away from the darkness and hopelessness in her mind.

Say it with me folks - THAT'S LOVE RIGHT THERE.

Mazey Eddings said falling in love doesn't mean their problems are magically solved. They still have to communicate and learn from one another.

AND THAT ladies and sesame street characters is what elevated the incredible, steamy (and I mean it when I say steamy - I was NOT expecting that woo) chemistry between the two characters.

This is an incredible third installment to the already hilariously-fun 'A Brush With Love series.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this the opportunity to read this arc and review it.

I only discovered Mazey Eddings from getting the ARC for "Lizzie Blake's Best Mistakes" and I absolutely loved her writing. When I saw this next installment of hers I was super excited to get back into it and let me tell you this book was SPICY. While the book deals with some pretty heavy stuff, Mazey approaches them in a very well thought out and respectful manner. PTSD is a very dark topic, but the way that Indrina and Jude go about the healing process was incredible.

I also really appreciated that the "fake relationship to a wedding" thing was not the whole book, but merely the foundation for their relationship. The fact that they became boyfriend/girlfriend but at least halfway was so nice. I didn't have to read the whole thing just WAITING for it to happen at the last chapter like most other books.

A really sweet and spicy book, looking forward to the next one!!

Thank you ever so much for this ARC!

Book 3 of the series has brought us into bolder and sexier territory. Mazey has become more comfortable with her storytelling and craft over the course of this series. In this instalment she tackles trauma and PTSD realistically and with poise.
If you liked Indira in the other two books, you will love her even more. She is smart and sexy, but is insecure with respect to her self-worth. Indira notices Jude struggling to adjust to normal every day life as he returns from service abroad. These childhood nemeses begin to form a friendship over their ability to confort one another as they learn to navigate their individual trauma. Despite the heavy themes, then story has several light hearted moments where the genuine connection between the characters has a chance to shine. The evolution of the story flows very naturally with the experiences of both characters given through their own points of view.
The neurodiverse representation in Mazey’s novels is very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-arc of this novel. The opinions expressed are given voluntarily and are my own honest opinions.

Indira a psychiatrist decides to go home early and surprise her boyfriend with dinner. But when she opens the door to the apartment. She finds her boyfriend making out with someone else. She is super upset and packs all er belongings she can fit in her arms including her cat Grammy. She decides to crash at the brother's place when her nemesis opens the door, Jude.

Jude has been working with a doctor's organization that helps in war torn countries. He's back for seven weeks for Collins wedding and staying at his house. He's struggling with loud noises and lots of people. Indira can see he is struggling. Jude can see Indira is struggling with seeing her cheating ex at the wedding parties. So they decide to help each other out by fake dating. What can go wrong?

This book is SO good. I couldn't put it down, I read it during the super bowl it pulled me in. I loved the communication between Indira and Jude. I laughed out loud numerous times and cried so many tears. This is a must read.

I loved this book! Mazey Eddings is now an auto-buy author for me. She is so great at writing books that make you feel. Such great mental health representation that spurs so many meaningful conversations. There's such a good balance of substance with light heartedness. I also loved that there wasn't really a third act breakup here. Some great tropes - older brother's best friend, one tent, enemies to lovers, great banter, fake dating, etc. I'm going to miss this friend group so much and hate that this series is over! Can't wait to see what Eddings does next!

This book was not something I was expected from the description to the cover. It was surprisingly.

Themes: LBGTQ rep, PTSD and Mental health awareness, cheating, abandonment issues, and potential war(talk of war) triggers.

Tropes: found family, brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn, fake dating and childhood enemies.

Description: Indira has had a rough childhood with her dad leaving her when she was young, leaving her with feelings of abandonment. When her boyfriend cheats on her, it leaves a hole she cannot fill. She runs out of that train wreck to stay at her brother’s place to live there with them. Only to find her childhood enemy Jude, who happens to be the best man at the wedding. Cursed to be stuck there the two must play nice until the wedding. Little does everyone know Jude has his own battles after being overseas and is suffering with adapting back to his old life.
With both of them being a mess, they come together for the wedding and plan to make Indira’s ex jealous.


There is a lot to unpack, and firstly the PTSD caught me off guard with how hard both the main characters were struggling with their mental health. This was something that made this book different and I appreciated how well it was captured with the talks of anxiety being described and the talks surrounding trauma.
Glad to see the encouragement of therapy as a way to cope, and talked about so positively in a book with Indira being a psychologist herself.
Indira shows the person where on the outside they are all put together and perfect. Meanwhile, at therapy she lets go and let’s everything out that’s bothering her and expressing what is wrong. This shows that everyone struggles.

I rated this book a strong 4/5.
I enjoyed the writing, story, and the smut was good. One thing that concerned me was how much there was to unpack and conquer in less than 400 pages. The ending felt a bit rushed and a bit unrealistic.

This is a book I do recommend, it was a quick read and was enjoyable with the jokes and quirkiness, and does make up for the ending with all the loveable characters.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Plus One
By Mazey Eddings
Release Date: April 4th, 2023
Pages: 320
3rd in the series

I found Masey in September when I preordered her Book “Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake.” When I preordered it I didn’t know it was the second book so I ordered the first book in the series “A Brush of Love.” I loved both books so I was over the moon when I got the third one as an ARC.

I really like this book. I think it is a great way to end the series and I think it is well done. This has a lot of the tropes I like so of course this was a good one. And as a psychology major, I love it when mental health is properly represented in books!

Tropes:
Wedding
Childhood enemies
Fake Dating
Brothers Best Friend
One bed
Mental Health
Rom Com
Fast-paced
Spicy!

Thank you @netgalley and @mazeyeddings for giving me this ARC of this amazing book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“Therapy is scary because it requires you to be brave. It’s one of the most radical forms of self-love.”

Wow was this one different than the other two in this series! The last two were fun and light-hearted. This one was fun, at times, but definitely not light-hearted and fluffy, but I liked it. It gave more depth to the story and the characters.

Indira and Jude have known each other for years, growing up together and hating one another for some reason they are never able to identify. They decided to be each other’s fake dates to Indira’s brother, who is also Jude’s best friend Collin’s wedding. The more time they spend together the more they realize that maybe the other one isn’t as bad as they thought.

Jude essentially works for what I would consider the Peace Corps as a surgeon, and he is struggling. It is very clear from the start that he suffers from PTSD and the descriptions of his episodes and thoughts are so detailed and raw, and quite accurate. It really makes you feel for him and also worry about him. Indira is a psychiatrist and tries her best to help Jude navigate his PTSD while also dealing with her own trust issues. At points it felt like she was talking to me directly! It’s a dynamite mix. They truly play well off one another and it’s clear from the start that they have a chemistry like no other.

The mental health rep in this was absolutely fantastic! Not only was it accurate, but it was also relatable, and that makes such a difference in a story like this.

Though this book is heavier, it’s still really good and definitely worth the read. I did struggle at the beginning, but I think that’s because I wasn’t in the right mood for this book, but I’m glad I pushed myself and finished it because I grew to like it by the end!

“What we have is the here and now. We have our feelings and emotions and the best thing we can do is honor those pieces of ourselves. We can’t change our participation in the past, but we can pave the way for a healthier, mindful future.”

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings is a delightful, contemporary romance that keeps you laughing. The perfect read for those who adore tropes like enemies-to-lovers, the grumpy-sunshine gig, childhood friends, fake dating, and brother’s best friend. This book has it all. It is a poem to mental health, and I’m here for it. I highly recommend this if you're searching for an inspirational read with heart and healing.

A boy and a girl meet in childhood and become enemies. These enemies are forced to grow up alongside each other, as the boy is best friends with the girl’s brother. Meet Jude. He is a surgeon and his childhood best friend, Collin, is getting married. Cue Jude living at his best friend's house leading up to the big day. Meet Indira. She’s a therapist and her brother, Collin, is getting married. Did I mention she’s also staying at his house leading up to the big day? Will Jude and Indira overcome their differences, learn to trust, and be there for each other? Or will the journey of healing and self-discovery prove to be too complex to overcome?

Readers are immediately drawn in and become invested in the lives and happiness of the characters. The book contains heavier themes yet Eddings tackles them with nuance, respect, and compassion. I appreciate this in an author. She illustrates carrying pain and fears from your past, and how to shape your future. Again, this book does deal with more sensitive topics such as PTSD from losing patients as a medical provider in emergencies, the emotional repercussions of growing up with divorced parents, and moving on after a past partner cheats. Take care of yourself as you read, and if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book made me laugh, make me nearly cry, but left me wanting to read it all over again once I finished. Mazey Eddings has such a way with writing that really makes you feel. I love the childhood enemies to lovers trope and this one is just so magical. I love that it takes work for these couples to work and Indira and Jude really have excellent communication! Sometimes it is just needing time to form thoughts or letting the other person know you love them no matter what. Jude's journey is especially heartbreaking and then heart-rebuilding (if thats even a thing!?). While this book touches on some really deep and meaningful subject, it also has very light-hearted moments. I loved seeing glimpses of previous characters and their funny moments and times together. The group chats were great and I found myself smiling so much throughout this book. Also, the Philly and Manayunk locations?! I called Manayunk home for several years and Mazey nailed the descriptions (those horridly steep hills!). And then the spice! This book certainly brings the heat and is so well done! It doesn't feel unrealistic and adds such depth to the book. Lastly, the several conclusions looking forward in the life of these friends. I loved knowing how they all ended up and their endings could not have been anymore perfect for this series. I look forward to where Mazy Eddings takes us next! 5 stars, 3.5 spice

Not my favorite romance read! But kuddos to Eddings for the mental health representation. That was the strongest part to her novel. She crafts characters with strong convictions and emotions so I appreciate the heart poured into the story!

I always love a forbidden romance, but I am extremely happy that Mazey wrote this one with very little back and forth about how they can't because of her brother/his best friend. THANK YOU for just cutting right to the chase and beginning their love story!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for giving me an Electronic ARC of this novel.

While this novel uses the well worn tropes of enemies to lovers and the brother's best friend, The Plus One by Mazey Eddings has some substance beyond this. It deals with childhood trauma and dealing with PTSD. Jude and Indira grew up together, reluctantly thrown together because Jude's best friend Colin is Indira's brother. Forced to spend time together due to Colin's upcoming nuptials, they learn that both of them aren't doing all right.

I enjoyed this for the most part, parts were cliche, but I didn't mind that. It was well written, and I enjoyed reading it. It sounds like this is part of a series with this group of people, and I will probably seek out the rest.

3.5 stars
I was super excited for the third and final book in The Brush With Love series. Harper and Lizzie’s books were some of my favorites and I adore Mazey Eddings. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I just wanted more from this story. First let me say that the writing is just as good as in the other two books and there are some really beautiful bits of prose. The true heart of this story is about both Indira and Jude’s ability to work through trauma and there is a substantial amount of plot that involves Jude’s PTSD. In the Author’s Note, Mazey explains how personal a story this was to her and I’d like to think that perhaps The Plus One was written more for her as a catharsis, than as a romance for the larger population.
Typically this is what is done so well in the first Brush with Love books; Harper’s anxiety and Lizzie’s ADHD are central to the story without overwhelming the narrative. But I think in this case, although extremely well written, Jude’s PTSD did not help to move the romance storyline forward to a place that I felt the characters had a true conflict in their relationship that together they could not overcome. There is a lot of therapy in this book. Indira is a mental health care provider and also partakes in therapy; she is the perfect example of how I think we all wish we reacted and thought about mental health. Love is Indira’s reason for her actions towards Jude, however Jude’s whole personality is that he has suffered trauma and needs therapy. I wanted to like Jude so much as a hero, (and there are VERY heroic reasons for a man choosing to prioritize his mental health) but I couldn’t connect to Jude in any ways other than that.
The spice in this book is top notch as it is with any of Mazey Eddings books. I believed that these two really did have chemistry, but I just wasn’t convinced that they ever really hated each other from childhood which made the lead up less convincing. The fake dating trope helped Indira feel like she was getting back at an ex that had cheated on her, but to be honest, I didn’t think the ex was worth that amount of planning and forethought to engage in a fake relationship. There are some truly laugh out loud moments—peanut butter anyone? and as mentioned before, the writing and therapeutic work is extremely well done. Even though this was not my favorite of the three Brush with Love books, it was still a nice bookend to Harper, Lizzie, Indira, and Thu’s friendship. The epilogue does a nice job of tying up loose ends and bringing the three stories back together. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

CW: parental abandonment, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, cheating

I really, really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I was hoping for something light and breezy, and this was much heavier than I expected. To be clear, I appreciate the author tackling some serious material — and she does so very thoughtfully and with great care — but it wasn't a match for me.

2.5 stars. I will start this off by saying this really is my fault. I know that I don't enjoy brother's best friend trope and yet I keep going back thinking well this book will be the one to change my mind! It didn't.

This is supposed to be like childhood enemies to lovers but it really isn't that, like sure they exchanged some snarky comments toward each other but it would be a stretch to say that these characters really didn't like each other. They might say that repeatedly in the first couple chapters, but it really doesn't hit the mark. Indira moves in with her soon-to-be-getting-married older brother when she catches her boyfriend cheating, and it turns out her brother's best friend, Jude, is also staying there while on a temporary extended break from his overseas assignment as an emergency doctor. Indira is struggling with feelings of inadequacy because of her abandonment issues from her shitty dad and Jude is suffering from PTSD from the violence and suffering he witnessed while overseas. Because Indira's ex is also in the wedding party, Jude offers to pretend to be Indira's fake boyfriend so she isn't alone.

This started off on a really strong note. It is very emotional reading about the mental illness and trauma these characters struggle with. There were also very cute moments between Jude and Indira even before they decide to fake couple it up. But the fake thing doesn't last long, these two hook up pretty quickly, and there is a lot of open door sex scenes in this. I'm totally fine with open door, in fact I prefer it, but when sex scenes don't move the characters forward in their relationship and just become gratuitous, it takes away from the overall story. So it didn't feel like much payoff in terms of the emotional struggle. On the other hand, I really appreciated that there wasn't a third-act breakup (don't get me wrong, there's some dark drama especially when Jude comes to terms with his PTSD, but not an outright breakup).

There's just too many side characters. I can't remember all these names and also try to care about the development of the two main characters. Every moment we get dealing with other characters means less dedication on page to the romantic development. And yeah, having an older brother, I have to just face facts that my inability to picture a reality where a woman would hook up with her brother's best friend might mean that I shouldn't pick up any books like this in the future. It's SO WEIRD!!! To me personally.

I loved this.
The main characters are flawed and human. They are/have been going thru some crap but they don’t give up.
There is a lot of emphasis on taking care of our mental health, which is not always an easy subject to approach. It was well done, well written.
Indira’s feelings about Chris and her dad were so relatable.
Jude’s PTSD was so well described that you could imagine it, you were stuck with him in his different difficult moments.
I highly enjoyed this world and characters. Now must go and find book 1 and 2 to read about Harper and Lizzie.