Why am I passionate about this?

I was first diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at the age of twelve. Since then, I’ve also received diagnoses of ADHD and Autism, both of which are central facets to who I am and how my brain processes the world around me. I’ve always been vocal about my struggles and successes with my mental health, and seeing that representation in novels is crucial. The characters in the romance novels I’ve written have a neurodiversity or experience some sort of mental health challenge, reflecting what so many of us experience in our lives. The books listed here have brought me so much comfort, and I hope they do the same for you!


I wrote

A Brush with Love

By Mazey Eddings,

Book cover of A Brush with Love

What is my book about?

Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into Dan. Harper would…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Heart Principle

Mazey Eddings Why did I love this book?

I think all of Hoang’s books are masterpieces, but this one in particular hit me right in the feels. The heroine, Anna, is faced with many life changes all at once. A new autism diagnosis, a family tragedy, a break-up, and a caregiver role all culminate in extreme autistic burnout. As an autistic woman, I felt incredibly seen in this beautiful book. The story really captures how devastating burnout can be, while also showing the hero, Quan, give Anna the love and care she needs during a hard time. Their story doesn’t fall into the trap of saying love fixes everything but instead shows how it allows one to experience painful emotions in the safety of being supported. 

By Helen Hoang,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Heart Principle as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this new New York Times bestselling romance by Helen Hoang.

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She's going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more…


Book cover of Ever After Always

Mazey Eddings Why did I love this book?

Liese is a game-changing voice in neurodivergent romance, and her portrayal of generalized anxiety disorders in Ever After Always is spot on. The hero, Aiden, has to navigate the overwhelming feelings of having anxiety, battling his demons, and his fears of being vulnerable with his wife. This is also probably the best marriage in trouble romance I’ve read, really showing the work of two people finding each other again after they build up walls. It shows the power of vulnerability, the reality of mental illness, all perfectly mixed with hilarious banter and glorious sibling hijinks. 

By Chloe Liese,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ever After Always as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Aiden
I've spent twelve years loving Freya Bergman and twelve lifetimes won't be enough to give her everything she deserves. She's my wife, my best friend, and all I want is to make her happy. But the one thing that will make her happiest is the one thing I'm not sure I can give her...

Freya
I love my husband Aiden, but recently he has been quiet and withdrawn. With a growing distance between us, the last thing we need is to be thrown together for an island getaway to celebrate my parents' many years of perfect marriage while ours…


Book cover of Float Plan

Mazey Eddings Why did I love this book?

Float Plan offers one of the most nuanced looks at grief and healing that I’ve read in a book. Anna, the heroine, is mourning the loss of her boyfriend, Ben, after he takes his life. This gorgeous novel follows Anna while she sails through the Caribbean, fulfilling a plan she and Ben had before he died. Along the way, she meets Keane, a heart on his sleeve, patient, and gentle man that reminds Anna that pain and mourning aren’t mutually exclusive with healing and love. Their love story is tender and wonderfully written, and is a raw and honest depiction of healing after a loss. 

By Trish Doller,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Float Plan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Since the loss of her fiance, Anna has been shipwrecked by grief - until a reminder goes off about a trip they were supposed to take together. Impulsively, Anna goes to sea in their sailboat, intending to complete the voyage alone.

But after a treacherous night's sail, she realises she can't do it by herself and hires Keane, a professional sailor, to help. Much like Anna, Keane is struggling with a very different future than the one he had planned. As romance rises with the tide, they discover that it's never too late to chart a new course.

Trish Doller's…


Book cover of Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Mazey Eddings Why did I love this book?

This very well may be one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Hibbert delivers a gloriously alpha heroine with Dani and the softest hero in the world with Zaf. The pair accidentally land in a fake dating situation, and, despite their attempts to avoid them, the feels hit them hard. I loved this book because of the ADHD rep for Dani. It was incredibly well done and I felt so seen in the depiction of it. Zaf deals with anxiety, and his story and experiences really resonated with me. Overall, one of my favorite rom-coms of all time. 

By Talia Hibbert,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Take a Hint, Dani Brown as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Talia Hibbert is a rockstar! Her writing is smart, funny, and sexy' Meg Cabot

'The author's charm and wit sings off the page in this delightful fake-romance fare' Bolu Babalola, bestselling author of Love in Colour

USA Today bestselling author Talia Hibbert returns with another charming romantic comedy about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him 'rescuing' her from their office building goes viral - perfect for fans of Sally Thorne, Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang!

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown and an occasional roll in the…


Book cover of The Charm Offensive

Mazey Eddings Why did I love this book?

This is a warm, comforting hug in book form. Our heroes, Charlie and Dev are awkward, delightful, loving people that stole my heart and never let go. Charlie is staring on a bachelor-esque reality dating show, and Dev is his handler. We see the sometimes challenging reality of anxiety and panic disorders through Charlie’s journey, and the tenderness and care of his mental health, both in the narrative and through Dev, made for a gorgeous novel. To top it off, this book is clever, hilarious, and delightfully unique. A must-read! 

By Alison Cochrun,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Charm Offensive as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A MOST ANTICIPATED ROM-COM SELECTED BY * BUZZFEED * LGBTQ READS * BUSTLE * THE NERD DAILY * ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT * FROLIC MEDIA * AND MORE!

A BEST BOOK PICK BY * HARPER' S BAZAAR * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"The Charm Offensive will sweep you off your feet." -PopSugar

In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy-reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch-an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it's no wonder then that he's spent his career crafting…


Explore my book 😀

A Brush with Love

By Mazey Eddings,

Book cover of A Brush with Love

What is my book about?

Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into Dan. Harper would rather endure a Novocaine-free root canal than face any distractions, even one this adorable. A first-year dental student with a family legacy to contend with, Dan doesn’t have the same passion for pulling teeth that Harper does. Though he finds himself falling for her, he is willing to play by Harper’s rules. So with the greatest of intentions and the poorest of follow-throughs, the two set out to be “just friends.”

But as they get to know each other better, Harper fears that trading fillings for feelings may make her lose control and can't risk her carefully ordered life coming undone, no matter how drool-worthy Dan is.

Book cover of The Heart Principle
Book cover of Ever After Always
Book cover of Float Plan

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My Year of Casual Acquaintances

By Ruth F. Stevens,

Book cover of My Year of Casual Acquaintances

Ruth F. Stevens Author Of My Year of Casual Acquaintances

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

From the time I was a girl, I’ve loved stories that put a lump in my throat even as I’m laughing. As a fiction writer, that funny-sad tone is the one I go for in my own work. I gravitate toward female protagonists of all ages who break the mold—women who are intelligent and strong but who also have unconventional, quirky personalities. Women who can be hilarious, infuriating, and heartbreaking—sometimes all at once. Because they are complex and unique, these women tend to struggle with life’s challenges more than their contemporaries. That’s what makes their stories so interesting, and why I have chosen the books on this list. 

Ruth's book list on smart, quirky women facing personal struggles

What is my book about?

When Mar’s husband divorces her, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy starting over, she’s ready for new adventures—as long as she can keep things casual. Each month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant. . . and a handsome novelist who wants more than she can give. Mar learns from each encounter. But can she open herself up to true connection?

Surrounded by quirky, endearing characters, Mar navigates her…

My Year of Casual Acquaintances

By Ruth F. Stevens,

What is this book about?

"A fun, entertaining novel! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book as much as I did." -Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author

When Mar Meyer's husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures-as long as she can keep things casual.

With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical…


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