This was my first book by Mazey Eddings, but it will not be my last!
Child Psychiatrist Indira catches her boyfriend cheating on her in their apartment. Jude is a doctor who has traveled the world, practicing medicine in war-torn regions and areas with humanitarian crises. The two hated each other as kids but strike a deal to fake date, as Indira's brother (who happens to be Jude's best friend) has an elaborate wedding coming up. Indira is seeing her ex too much, and the wedding is stressing Jude out
Childhood enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, fake dating, forced proximity, this had several familiar romance tropes, and those were all done well, but what strikes me as most impressive was how well the mental health rep was handled in the book. Jude's PTSD was written with sensitivity and respect, as was the importance of getting help. The characters had such vulnerability and openness and accepted and supported each other so beautifully that it was refreshing. I enjoyed the author's writing style, which drew me in from the start. The banter was witty and a lot of fun. Hopeful with a lot of heart, I recommend this to anyone looking for a spicy romance with insight and depth.
This is book 3 of a loosely connected series, but works fine as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this ARC. I enjoyed it!
My steep was Strawberry Shortcake Cuppa Cake® Tea from The Republic of Tea.
SYNOPSIS:
She's not looking to fix him. She's looking to love him, if he'll let her in.
Some facts are indisputable. The sun rises in the east, sets in the west. Gravity exists. Indira doesn't like Jude. Jude doesn't like Indira. But what happens when these childhood enemies find the only thing they can rely on is each other?
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.
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