Early Book Review: The Plus One (A Brush With Love) by Mazey Eddings

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings is the third book in the Brush With Love series and is currently schedule for release on April 4 2023. I have nor read the previous books, and while those that have will have a head start on knowing the characters, I think newcomers can easily enjoy this book as a stand alone if they wish. 

On paper, Indira has everything together. An amazing job, a boyfriend, and a car. What more could a late twenty-something ask for? But when she walks in on her boyfriend in an amorous embrace with a stranger, that perfect on paper image goes up in flames. Jude has nothing together. A doctor that’s spent the last three years traveling the world to treat emergencies and humanitarian crises, a quick trip home for his best friend’s wedding has him struggling to readjust. Thrust into an elaborate (and ridiculously drawn out) wedding event that’s stressing Jude beyond belief and has Indira seeing her ex and his new girlfriend far more frequently than any human should endure, the duo strike a bargain to be each other’s fake dates to this wedding from hell. The only problem is, their forced proximity and fake displays of affection are starting to feel a bit real, and both are left grappling with the idea that a situation that couldn’t be worse, is made a little better with the other around.

The Plus One is a fun and engaging read that talks about mental health with respect and realism. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing them get to know each other again. This book combined some of my favorite tropes; forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and brother's best friend, and did it well. I enjoyed their interactions and the bickering was very entertaining. I did not read the previous books, and did not even know it was a part of a series until I was already reading and realized it must be part of a larger series. However, it did not effect the love story between Indira and Jude, only the larger family and friend group. I thought the portrayal of both Indira and Jude's mental health was handled with a great deal of honesty and respect. I really liked that the reality of how different things effect us all differently and that being aware of the issues at hand does not automatically remove their impact on our emotions and lives are important things for us all to remember. 

The Plus One is a well written and engaging romance.