The Plus One A Novel

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I don’t want to say that I’m disappointed with this one. I just kind of felt like it was all over the place and I found it extremely hard for me to stay focused on it. Even though I was listening to this on audio, it took me an obnoxiously long time to get through this book. I had some high expectations because of the first book in the series and it didn’t quite meet them. I also think it didn’t help that I didn’t really connect with the two main characters of this book at all. I tried really really hard to at least like them a little bit, but I just really didn’t fall in love with them. So this one wasn’t for me, but I definitely can’t wait to read more by this author. I absolutely love her writing style. I did have the pleasure of reading this book on audio and I mean, Joe Arden is always an absolute Fuck (said in his voice) Yes in my mind. I thought they did a really good job with portraying the characters in this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)

Mazey Eddings created a sweet story of two people coming together. Mostly a quick read, I enjoyed all of the characters. This is the third in a series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. A solid 3.5 star read. <3 -Brother's Bestfriend -Enemies to Lovers -Fake Dating -Mental Health Rep I just reviewed The Plus One by Mazey Eddings. #NetGalley

Enemies to lovers is always amazing!!! Mazey Eddings does it again

This is really not fake dating. I think the fake part lasted a few hours. Anyway, read this book if you want to be depressed. It was really not the same tone as the blurb, tagline, and cover art implies. I almost felt like the author was trying too hard. She even including multiple men crying. It just seemed to come off as boxes being checked. I don't know. I just don't think it resonated in the way that the author intended. It's not that I don't care about the subject matter, it's just a big downer. And the ending did not make me happy either. It was all just too much. Too many preachy speeches. There isn't any romance or wooing, but they do become a couple pretty quickly.It's weird that they jumped into becoming a couple so quickly when there was literally nothing to hint at it during their brief introduction. Also, I get that the peanut butter was supposed to be funny, but it didn't even make sense. Nothing called back to it when the ex and the other woman were on the page. Was she on leave from work?

they already liked each other on page 50

After Indira walks in on her boyfriend having sex with someone on their couch, she immediately packs up her things and goes to stay with her brother, Collin. When she arrives, she discovers that Collin's best friend and her childhood nemesis, Jude is staying with him also. With Collin's wedding to his boyfriend, approaching, Indira doesn't want to do anything to spoil the celebration, but she is edgy, and Jude's presence doesn't help. However, as a practicing psychiatrist, Indira starts to notice differences in behavior from the Jude she has always known. As they decide to be each other's "plus one" for the wedding, Indira navigates their growing attraction to one another while trying to figure out what could be wrong with Jude.

The Plus One is less romance and more a tale of characters dealing with mental health concerns. While Indira and Jude do get romantically involved with each other, a bigger part of the story involves issues with abandonment and PTSD. Both are handled with grace, and the PTSD, especially, is presented differently than I've seen in other books. The author's own experience with PTSD shines through, adding realism to the narrative. While the romance is satisfying, it seems to be used more as a plot device to introduce these more serious topics. Overall, The Plus One is a good romance anchored by significant themes.

BOOK REVIEW

The Plus One / Mazey Eddings

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌸 fake dating

🌸 enemies to lovers

🌸 forced proximity

🌸 one tent 👀

where do I even start with this one?! I knew immediately it was going to be a 5 star read, that I actually went back through the first 30 pages to tab and annotate this one as I just had a feeling it would be incredible and I was right 🫶🏼

Jude is imperfect, he’s struggling with ptsd and anxiety and is holding in so much pain and sadness. I have never wanted to hold a character in my arms more than Jude 🩵 his struggles and the little moments of pulling back in social situations were written so realistically. I know ptsd is different for everyone but the way Jude was represents in this book felt extremely accurate for me.

Indira has her own struggles but she also sees Jude is not the same person since he left for work. she looks out for him and supports him in social situations when it all gets a bit too much. the way Jude was so sensitive and vulnerable and leant on Indira for comfort and help literally broke my heart.

once again, mazey has aced the mental health rep and also included PTSD rep that I personally feel has impacted me in the best way possible!!

I cannot recommend this one enough, it’s defs a top read for 2023 👏🏼 beyond grateful to have received a #gifted copy from Hachette Australia 🫶🏼

4.5 stars!

This is a brothers best friend/enemies to friends to fake dating to lovers. I would describe it as very light on the enemies as they do quickly express so much care and consideration for each other even when their actual dialogue might not express it. This would be great for readers looking for more mature (but still fun!) adult characters who act realistically and with no third act breakup.

I did feel that the will they/won't they got a little bit tired and I do consider this a slow burn. I felt like some of Jude's issues were very much repeated thoughts and conversations and I was hoping for some action or even just conflict. I picked up and put this one down a bit in the beginning.

With that said, the writing in this is wonderful. I feel like when I read something described as "rom com" I worry it's a bit contrived, but this isn't like that at all. This is real rom com. Genuine humor is naturally expressed in the overall tone and doesn't take away from the couple.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. I'm looking forward to reading Mazey Eddings's backlog and future releases!

“whatever this is between us is real and it hurts and it’s beautiful and it matters."    •    where do I even begin?!? this is quite possibly my favorite of all time. it made me feel so   d  e  e  p  l  y  Mazey really knows how to write a banger. speaking of writing…I’m writing this review immediately after finishing the book, so there’s a strong chance that it will be all over the place and potentially incoherent. but I am so excited and so in love with this book that I don’t want to take the time to ponder and reflect and string together better sentences. my glee for The Plus One needs to be put in the world N O W, and everyone needs to add it to their tbr immediately!    I’ve never read about two people that are more lovable than Indira and Jude. they are two precious, hilarious, sarcastic, incredible humans that deserve all the goodness and love.     this story is so raw. it will put you through everything: you’ll laugh, cry, blush, cheer, sweat, and feel alllllll the thiiiiings. the pages are filled with a beautiful and realistic insight to mental health and the importance of caring for your mind and seeking help when you need it. they challenge you to sit with your feelings even (and especially) when it makes you uncomfortable.     I am constantly in awe of Mazey’s ability to take such sensitive subject matter and create magic with her beautiful words, characters, and ideas. she’s continued her brilliance here.     while this novel is filled with Jude and Indira’s personal journeys (solo and together), you’ll be hard-pressed not to turn an introspective lens on yourself and check on you own self-love and mental care. but underneath it all, this is a pure story about a boy and a girl that build on a lifetime of familiarity (and sarcasm, and bickering, and consistency) to find home in one another.     and oh my god, I forgot to mention how sexy this book is. I mean sexxxxxxxy! 🥵 Indira and Jude’s chemistry is palpable, and we get lots of on-the-page spice. I’m not going to mention the peanut butter. 😂    it’s been an honor (truly!) to go on the adventure that is this series. it holds such a special place in my heart. I honestly thought I couldn’t love a book more than A Brush with Love, but I was wrong! The Plus One is the one for me. don’t mistake me though, ABWL is still top-notch! read them all! then prepare your heart for the final book. it’s magic on a page.     read with an open mind. read with an open heart. and read with caution…as I said earlier, Mazey writes about sensitive subject matter, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the content warnings.     •    read if you like:  ♡ frienemies to lovers  ♡ dual pov (both of which are incredibly strong)  ♡ brother’s best friend / best friend’s little sister  ♡ fake dating   ♡ general roasting of loved ones  ♡ hilarious campsite sports commentary   ♡ one tent   ♡ slow burn  ♡ bandaging their wounds   ♡ on page spice  ♡ tight knit friend/family groups   ♡ mountain weddings   ♡ the cheesecake factory  ♡ unconditional love  ♡ bumble bee costumes   ♡ unabashed declarations of care and love   ♡ horrendous pet names  ♡ sexually charged scooby doo marathons   ♡ dancing in the moonlight  ♡ mental health / healthcare   ♡ h e a l i n g     trigger warnings:  ☞ cheating partner   ☞ parental divorce  ☞ abandonment / fear of abandonment   ☞ severe PTSD from serving in the medical field (specifically in war-torn and humanitarian crises environments)    The Plus One publishes in April 2023! thank you to St. Martin’s Press and SMP Romance for sending me an early copy!

what an incredible novel. the mental health representation was amazing and well-written, all of the characters were incredible, the conflict between the main characters didn’t feel forced or placed there just to have it. i cried and laughed so much as i read. the spice was on page and not gratuitous at all. i also appreciated the content warnings in the beginning of the book letting us know what was to come without any spoilers. it really helped me to prepare to feel what jude and indira were going through. seriously wish i could explain how wonderful of a read this was.

thank you netgalley, St Martin, and Mazey Eddings for the ARC!

Apparently this is the third couple in this friend series so now I must read the other two. I honestly cried quite a few times (both happy and sad tears and very likely due to my period) but I just feel so bad when characters talk about feeling lonely. There were also some heavy parts in there but balanced out with a lot of warm fuzzies. I didn’t know it was brothers best friend but I love that trope (so secret and scandalous). I recommend.

Thank you to Netgally for this ARC. This book is such a strong representation of the importance of mental health and the reality of trying to navigate life while going through a battle with your brain. Our main characters are experiencing a classic love story while also presenting very real and deep emotions and struggles. We see representation of self doubt, PTSD, therapy and counseling; as well as a cast of characters that support our main couple rather than create trials and conflicts  for the sake of the plot. In most enemies to lovers/brothers best friend stories the conflicts of the book are usually overcoming opposition from close family members that often lead to a third act falling out. This books went beyond that and instead of focusing on external obstacles they instead have to overcome their own individual issues and doubts. I highly recommend this novel for anyone looking to find a story that they might relate too if going through mental health hardships and/or success of improving one’s own health. The love story is strong, the plot is realistic and I couldn’t put it down. You will root for Indira and Jude. 

Wow, I honestly loved this book so much. This has such an amazing portrayal of mental health.   It was beautifully written and I cannot wait for readers to also get to experience this book. These are characters you can feel a profound connection with and feel every emotion on the page.

This was truly a story of two broken souls finding (or well being forced into proximity with) each other when they needed each other most. Their love story is beautiful and heartbreaking and healing.

This has been one of my absolute favorite enemies to lovers stories. I absolutely loved Jude’s character and how raw and real he was written, I just wanted to jump through the pages and hug him. I also love Indira and how fiery she is, while also battling with her own inner demons. I adore how they heal each other and support one another.

This is for sure one of the best books I’ve read and definitely a favorite. I cannot wait to buy a copy when it’s released.

Many many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for sharing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.