Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
To start, I have to admit this is the first Mazey Eddings book I have ever read. If her other books are anything like this one, well let’s just say I’ll be adding yet another new author to my favourites list!
Mazey has a way of drawing you into the book, making you feel like you are a part of the story. I felt that I connected with the characters so easily and quickly. Just like when building a friendship, you learn little by little who the person is – it was the same with our main characters in this book for me. The author’s writing is also very real. I like that the swearing doesn’t feel out of place or forced or just thrown in – it’s put in places exactly where you would expect a person to swear. I find that any time a book completely omits swearing, it just feels fake to me. We all swear. It’s a natural part of our language. Let’s accept it as a norm and move on.
Our main characters have VERY rich backgrounds. Indira’s issues stem all the way back to her childhood, while Jude’s are more recent. But these issues are a part of them and make them (in my opinion) lovable in their own ways. I appreciated that even though Indira is a psychiatrist herself, she still goes to see her own psychiatrist. She doesn’t pretend to be put together or have it all figured out. She knows she needs help, and she seeks it out. Smart girl. Jude on the other hand… Well, he’s got a huge problem and he doesn’t see it as a problem that can be fixed. More as something he did to himself and now, he has to live with it forever. Basically, the two polar opposites of mental health. So, what happens when you bring those two together and smash them against each other in the middle? Well… A LOT of witty banter, A LOT of hate and animosity and whole lot of figuring out… Oh shit, I don’t actually hate this person… I am so deeply and truly in love with them that my whole world actually centers on them.
Indira and Jude are each others anchors. They are each others’ cores. This is why I absolutely loved this story. While each other got along just fine without the other… Life makes more sense when the other person is there. I was worried that with all the trauma and PTSD there might be too much, or it might feel too forced, but never once did that feeling come. Everything was woven into the story with detail and care. Every interaction had a reason.
I did feel that there was too much “I love you” towards the end. I don’t think I know a single couple who actually says that so often, so it just felt a little forced by the end. But that was just one small detail in an otherwise awesome book.
This book was real, it was raw, it cut me open and made me cry. But it had a lot of bright moments too. I laughed out loud a few times, and my heart did that wild “swoop-swoop-swoop” a few times!

thank you to Netgalley and SMP for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow. Where to even begin? Reading the last book in this series is such a bittersweet feeling. I’ve become so attached to this gang of nerds, but I have to say that Jude’s story truly has my heart. This man has gone through so much, and seeing his healing journey felt like a privilege. I loved the integration of medicine and psychiatry in this book, and I also loved how this book showed real defense mechanisms but also taught true great healing processes and methods. Indira was the perfect support for him and I appreciated seeing those therapeutic exchanges. Finally, the spice was AMAZING! I’m convinced Mazey Eddings can do no wrong!!

I couldn't love Mazey Eddings more. Each time I read one of her books, I am more and more invested in her characters. I love Indira, and how open she is with her insecurities. She's got a psychiatric background, and she is still constantly working on herself. I love the way Eddings writes neuro-divergent characters. They face real issues, and are also lovely and loving. Jude is a surgeon who has been to some high stress areas, and is dealing with major PTSD. The way that Indira and Jude are there for each other through their emotional struggles is beautiful.

Although she grew up thinking she hated her brother's best friend Jude, Indira comes to realize that she cares deeply about him. I wish I could properly convey just how much I love this book and these characters. I also love their best friends. One of the surprising highlights of this book is seeing Jude and Collin's loving best friendship--males aren't often portrayed as being this effusive with how much they mean to each other,

This book has so much heart. Yes, it's a sexy romance, but it's so much more. Savor it. I'm always so eager for a new Eddings book, and this one doesn't disappoint for one second.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

My first instinct is to say that this is, first and foremost, an ADORABLE read, but I feel like that does injustice to the fact that it deals with some heavy topics with a lot of grace. Indira and Jude are both incredibly likeable characters, and I thought it was an absolute joy to read their story. Childhood frenemies, Jude and Indira are both facing difficulties with a loved one's wedding on the horizon. I almost feel like the advertised description of the book doesn't quite do justice to this story: there IS a wedding, and there IS a bargain struck, but what made this story resonate with me are the internal development Jude and Indira both face, rather than fake-dating shenanigans.
That being said, this is a very character driven book. If you're hoping to read something plot heavy, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to you. But Jude and Indira are both complex, appealing characters, and reading their journey, respective and combined, was an absolute delight.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the privilege to read this book.

This was a well-written sweet read but didn’t give me the feels I expect in my romance novels.
I liked Indira and Jude, there’s a bickering childhood enemies dynamic with forced proximity what I liked especially. I felt the story dragged just a bit in the middle and could have been shortened a little. In spite of that, I enjoyed The Plus One and I recommend it to fans of romance and if you love steamy book.

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings was phenomenal. I can’t think of a better book to follow Lizzie Blakes Best Mistake. If you’ve ready my reviews before, you know that I am a huge FAN of that book. I thought it was an accurate example of someone with ADHD and that’s what I love about Mazey’s books. I still need to read the first one. I know. I am slacking slightly but, it’s on my list. But, this last one deals with depression, PTSD, mental health, and just overall taking care of your brain before you get pushed over the edge.

This is one of the best Brothers Best Friend romance books I’ve read yet. I will continue to recommend this book and Mazey for her fantastic writing abilities when it comes to mental health.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. Would I buy this? Already preordered. Fantastic job, Mazey. I can’t wait until you release another book.

This is my first book by Mazey Eddings. Her novels are stand-alones, so by coming into the series on the third book- I feel like I haven’t missed anything. (Though I will go back through and read the others- so I am up to speed).

I loved the The Plus One. I really enjoy books that go deeper and are more true to real life romances. I loved the aspect of therapy throughout the book. Both Indira and Jude working on themselves and their relationship.

Jude was so brave being about to stand up and listen to his needs. Not always an easy task but when you have support around you, it makes you want to be a better version of yourself. I’m glad that Indira could be that for Jude.

Indira has to move in with her brother after breaking up with her boyfriend. Little does she know that her childhood nemesis (and her brothers best friend) is staying there for the weeks leading up to her brothers big wedding. She unexpectedly finds something comforting in tormenting him, but maybe he’s not quite the same?

Jude is struggling after some traumatic work assignments as an emergency doctor. The last thing he needs is to spend time with the one person who has always irritated him, Indira. But somehow she feels like the home he hasn’t had in a while.

This story was very cute. Both Indira and Jude are struggling to find stability in their life and somehow find it in each other. It was a nice addition to this group of friends, but I did find some of the return character situations a little forced.

Overall, I liked the story and their connection. Would definitely recommend this author.

The Plus One was the first book I've read by this author and it was really sweet. Overall, I really loved the protagonist, Indira. I think she was smart and witty and really interesting. I believe that both Indira and Jude paired nicely together, I am always a sucker for childhood friends/enemies to lovers and this book was a good example of that. However, it's a much heavier read than I expected it to be. It wasn't exactly what I was in the mood for when I picked it up but nevertheless I still enjoyed it. The characters were lovely and I think it was a humorous lovely read. Excited to see what else this author has written.

Absolutely fabulous book.
Characters are richly drawn and believable.
The author’s treatment of how to cope with PTSD is incredibly useful.
Brava, Ms Eddings!

Seriously good! This book was a fantastic romantic comedy. The characters were lovable, and I was so sad when it ended. I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Never before have I become so protective of two characters after reading one chapter. Mazey Eddings has given us two of the most soft, lovable characters in Indira and Jude. My heart just hurt for them and I was so invested in them getting their HEA.

Indira and Jude are childhood enemies forced to spend time together during the wedding celebration for Indira’s brother (and Jude’s best friend). Indira is trying to work through a difficult breakup and Jude is struggling with PTSD after working as a doctor traveling the world to treat humanitarian crises. The two find that, in adulthood, they have much more in common and decide to help each other out by being each other’s fake date to all of the wedding activities. THEN SPARKS FLY.

I read this while listening to Taylor Swift’s Midnights and this book is basically the lyric "To you I can admit that I'm just too soft for all of it” in book form. I just wanted to hug every person in this book. All of the issues the characters have are handled with care and I couldn’t have loved it more. So sweet. So steamy. So hilarious. So emotional. All the stars.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in a series but can be read as a stand alone novel (I know this because I read this first in spite of having the first two in my TBR pile). It is told in third person, alternating between the main characters – Indira and Jude. The story hits three major tropes – fake dating, enemies to lovers, grumpy + sunshine – without being over the top, because there is some serious depth to it. Without giving anything away that isn’t covered early in the book, it addresses PTSD, infidelity, and abandonment in a way that was far more substantial than is usual in a contemporary romance.

I loved the way they circled each other, discovered each other, and then supported each other. They accepted each other as they were and helped each other approach their emotional/mental health challenges. I also really appreciated that there was a very difficult choice made at the end of the book that had long-term consequences – no quick fix to wrap things up neatly! I can’t wait to read the first two in the series!

I received an ARC from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

There is a lot to unpack with this book, and its happy go lucky cover does not express that. Thankfully the ARC gave trigger warnings (hopefully the release will too). I liked it a lot but also I felt like sometimes there were too many issues tackled? I did feel like some of the meat could have been better fleshed out of so many issues weren't tracked. But it was sweet and good.

This book was so much more than I thought it would be! The title and synopsis had me feeling like I was going into your average every day zany wedding oriented romcom but this one had so much more heart and depth than that. I really appreciated Mazey Eddings’ depiction of mental health struggles and what it means to create a healthy foundation in a relationship without sacrificing all of the sweet swoonworthy romantic moments that we all love to see in a romcom. Indira was a loveable protagonist and it wasn’t hard to root for her and her chemistry with Jude was full of banter and history and I loved seeing them reconnect and build a new relationship as adults. The story itself was fun- the wedding provided a great frame to keep the momentum and I loved where it all wrapped up and landed!

what a sweet book! a solid 4!

it was heavier in topic compared to the 2 in the series but filled with the same humor, kindness and spice as the other two. mazey eddings is consistent in writing these characters in this little universe.

although it is a romance novel, it balances equally between romance and flaws/issues to face and i found it heavy but with a happy ending that was realistic and inspiring. it wasn’t too “love solves everything” because as much i love love, everyone needs therapy. because of the heavier/more detailed discussion around the topics of ptsd and anxiety, it took me a little longer to read (i also had a busy month 😭). but regardless, it was so much fun.

indira and jude’s quick banter and newfound calm with each other was so sweet to read. i found indira so kind and i was so happy to get to know her character more from the two precious books. i was also so happy to be introduced to jude who was so scared but thoughtful and willing especially when it came to indira. it warmed my heart!

i’m so sad to close this chapter of the brush with love universe but i am already so incredibly excited to see what else mazey eddings writes. she’s truly becoming one of my fave authors!

thank you as always to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!

The Plus One has some of the most heart of any of Mazey Eddings books so far. It takes a lot for a book to make me cry and this one had me getting tearful on more than one occasion.

The chemistry between the characters was perfect, and you rooted for both of them throughout the story, even when faced with their flaws which I feel is unique to romance books because a lot of the time you get really frustrated with one side of the couple due to the conflicts presented in the story. But Mazey Eddings is very talented in making her characters and their flaws be relatable and genuine.

Another big plus for me with this story was the focus on the MMC struggling with PTSD and anxiety. I feel like this is often watered down or stigmatized in stories, especially with male, or more masculine characters so I really appreciated that element of the story and found that the author handled it very well.

I can't wait to read more from this author! :)

Another exceptionally moving and engrossing book by Mazey Eddings.

The Plus One tells the story of Indira, who we know from the first two books in this series, and Jude, her brothers best friend forever.

Jude is trying to manage his mental health while working for a humanitarian doctor's group in war torn parts of the world. Indira is still working through her feelings of not being worthy that stem from her father leaving their family at a young age.

These two have never gotten along, have been enemies since childhood. Or have they???

Definitely a must read, you will not regret it. I do regret reading it while hungry, I miss Philadelphia foods and this author weaves them in just perfectly.

I really tried to like this book but I just couldn’t get into it. The two main characters Indria and Jude were characters I wanted to like but they were just too immature. I had a hard time believing they were actually working professionals and it annoyed me through the book.

Where to start? I absolutely loved this book. I loved getting a better picture of who Indira is. I was laughing out loud multiple times because of her quick wit and one liners. I also loved how Mazey Eddings was able to portray serious topics and give readers some insight or understanding into PTSD and feelings of abandonment. I would definitely recommend this book.