I am not a big fan of romantic novels and rarely go for them. But I made an exception with Mazey Eddings’ debut – A Brush With Love (Yes, another debut of 2022!). Thanks to it’s extremely intriguing premise, I was quick to pick on this book.
An aspiring dental surgeon, slipping over the stairs, bumping into a handsome young man and falling in love. Perfect ingredients for a swashbuckling romcom! A Brush With Love is your raunchy little entertainer that showcases those vulnerable times of life. The sweet pain of infatuations when the heart battles with the brain, leaving you in shambles.
Harper Horowitz, our bright aspirant is committed towards securing a residency. With a history of chronic anxiety, she is carving her path – determined yet vulnerable. But with Dan around, her whole life seems to be derailed.
A Brush With Love takes you through the conflicting desires, the mind versus heart, the pains and frustrations of this unguarded part of a youthful heart. Harper attempts to flush Dan out of her system, valiantly trying to regain her focus. But, it all ends up with living in constant denial and following it up with instances of wild intimacy.
Life couldn’t get tougher for the already anxious Harper as she suffers a major meltdown, causing a fallout between the two. As a result, each of them set out achieving their individual goals. And in the end, a heartwarming patch up awaits the reader.
Down Memory Lane
Who hasn’t some sweet-sour memories from those golden years of school or college? That dislodging feel of an infatuation that makes you find ways to impress that special one. And, that one single one wiping the mind off anything else. The fights and reconciliations. And coupled with pressures of studying! A Brush With Love is sure to rekindle some long lost memories in your heart.
Friendship
And, one can hardly forget Alex, that affable roommate of Dan, always irritating him with his gross ways.
Light Hearted, Funny Read
A Brush With Love is a light hearted read. Thu, Lizzie and Indira keep the humor quotient up throughout the book. Thu’s silly escapades or Lizzie’s antics bring bursts of laughter in the midst of all happenings. Their conversations and teasing lights up the environment.
Some Brilliant Sequences
Two instances deserve special mention. First, the impeccable manner in which Harper handles the cranky patient Mr. Owen. It probably is the best part of the book for me.
And then, immediately following it, Dr. Ren slays Mr. Owen with her crisp and concise chastizing!
I only wish there were some more such sequences that Mazey Eddings could have added than just two madly in love people.
Anxiety and Mental Illness
Mazey Eddings keeps reminding us every little while of the anxiety issues that Harper faces. The message is clear, anxiety or mental illness is not something to be ashamed of. You don’t need to live in denial. Stand up and face it, get help. And bother the least about what people think. For, you are loved, you are cared for!
The Downside
There was a point in the book when I had actually got frustrated. The constant “stay away from me” and immediately after, making love – unable to abstain! And this repeats over and over. First, it looked extremely unfair on Dan to be treated in this manner.
Second, Mazey Eddings reduced Harper to a horny, idiotic wimp. Which she absolutely was not!
Also, there also was a flurry of explicitly descriptive, intimate encounters which seemed one too many. In fact, they were not required at all. Some things are best left to imagination. You don’t need to bare it all!
What’s more, the liberal use of slang and expletives, the unabashed mention of male & female genitals – it made it more of an erotica than a romcom!
To be honest, it was hovering over the line of being cheap and dirty.
The Redemption
Towards the end, we have a series of redemptions. Dan’s mom’s emotional meltdown. That followed by Harper’s succeeding in acquiring the residency. Dan follows his heart and returns to his job. And above all, the inseparable friends whose heroics reunite Harper with Dan – in the most filmy manner! The flow of emotions in the last few chapters salvages the book from the hole it was hell bent on digging for itself.
Conclusion
Well, its a thumbs up! A Brush With Love began on a high, and it ended on a (higher) high! It took a dip somewhere in the middle making it too cheesy for my liking. But the last few chapters successfully erase that from the memory. And what you remember is a sweet, funny and feel-good love story! You can get it here. If you are a fan of romantic comedies, I would highly recommend Portia MacIntosh. Stuck On You is a top notch romcom that will have you in splits!
Check out other books in romance: The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams | Book Review, The Island Of Missing Trees (Elif Shafak) | Book Review
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