𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬💭:
I wasn’t able to read the first book off this standalone series, but this one looked super cute. I had the pleasure of reading the e-ARC of it as well as the audio format!

I enjoyed the narration in the audio with dual POVs. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the male narrator because i found it odd that he was changing accents between narrations and Rake’s dialogue. Was it just me?😂

Thank you so much to Netgalley, SMP Romance , St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audiofor my e-ARC and ALC.

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛📝:
Lizzie has ADHD and lives a very chaotic life. One thing that’s never gotten her in a mess is her promise to never be close to anyone, hence, her one night stand rule. Until she meets Rake, a tourist from Australia. She breaks her rule but this gets her the biggest surprise of her life, pregnant.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5. I’m pretty sure it’s a me problem of not loving this one as much because of the accidental pregnancy and instalove trope. I’m not the biggest fan of these, and I may have gotten into this blind and should have read the synopsis better prior to diving in. In any case, i did find myself laughing out loud to both the MC’s quirks. Rake is a cinnamon roll and Lizzie is a hot mess. But I am a firm believer of opposites attract, so together they were perfect. I liked the character development in Lizzie, which made me want to finish this book. Her neurodivergence was a great rep and i liked how this book tackled it. If you don’t mind any of the tropes mentioned, I’d say give this one a go! It’s a cute rom-com you might enjoy.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘰, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘔𝘊𝘴, 𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱

Listened to the audiobook version of this and LOVED it! Absolutely adding this author to my must-buy list!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

this was absolutely adorable and amazing and perfect mazey eddings does not miss

I really liked this one! It was a little more than what I was expecting, but it made me really think about neurodiversity. It took me a bit to warm to Lizzie and her lifestyle, but all the pieces fell into place for me in just a couple chapters.

Lizzie has an amazing spirit! She has a unique mind and she has learned how to accomodate things to suit her needs. Everything is chugging along for her until she meets Rake, a handsome Aussie that she can't stop herself from having fun with. There are more than just a few spicy scenes in this book 🔥

Craziness follows after Lizzie finds out she is pregnant after a few steamy romps with Rake. Rake, who has been damaged by love before, moves from Australia to the US to go all in on platonic coparenting with Lizzie. Hmmm... how will that go?

I loved reading how Lizzie's mind worked! The author was very open with descriptions and feelings and it made me absolutely love Lizzie! I felt a comraderie with her because of her difficult relationship with her parents. By the end- as strange as it may sound- I felt proud of Lizzie! 😊

Ok ok… hear me out… for a book with one of my least favorite tropes, I actually really enjoyed this! Quick hits:

💛 surprise pregnancy
💛 opposites attract
💛 cinnamon roll hero (Rake is everything 💕)
💛 hysterical heroine who loves to bake and has ADHD (large emphasis on this throughout the story, which was great)

When a one night stand turns into a pregnancy, Lizzie and Rake decide to make it work - Rake moves to the states (he’s Australian!) and is determined to co-parent. The rest of the story unfolds whereby Lizzie and Rake slowly fall in love and it’s hard to not adore this fun, silly, heart warming, witting, and smutty story! This story also has great friendships and takes us through Lizzie’s challenging family dynamics (her parents are the WORST and very toxic). Honestly though, by the end of this story, I was literally saying “awwww” out loud and smiling like a loon. Rake is just the best and I would think it difficult to not just love him immediately ❤️

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fun (and steamy!) read! Normally I'm not a fan of the unplanned pregnancy trope, but I think it really worked in this situation. It was a lot of fun to watch these characters come together and try to figure out how to live with each other and communicate as future parents. I finished this one super fast because I couldn't put it down!

Lizzie Blake is a bit of a mess.
Her bedroom is a disaster, she's barely hanging on to her job at a fancy bakery, and she is definitely NOT looking to add a love interest to the mayhem that is her life. Lizzie breaks her cardinal rule of only having one night stands upon meeting Rake, an emotionally unavailable Australian man only in town on business. But when she decides to really tackle her ADHD and force her brain to cooperate, she learns her time with handsome Rake has a lingering effect: she's pregnant.

Mazey Eddings spins a rom-com as full of humor as it is heart, making readers swoon, blush, and laugh out loud all within the same paragraph. (This title does have some spice, so be prepared these aren't fade-to-black love scenes!).
This is such a fun read because of the characters. Lizzie and Rake are lovable, flawed, and utterly relatable. Lizzie, having been told her whole life that her brain is broken and she has to change it to fit the neurotypical demands of the world, begins to learn that is more than her diagnosis. Her vibrant personality is delightful, and everyone but her can see this. As she learns to love herself, that opens her up to loving someone else.
I loved the ADHD representation in this novel, especially how it can present in girls and women. The messaging of allowing your brain to work for you, instead of trying to force it to run a different program, is uplifting and encouraging. Lizzie isn't perfect, but she's also harder on herself than she deserves. When Lizzie makes a mistake, no one feels worse about it than her. I also appreciate how the less-talked about facets of ADHD take shape, including the rejection sensitivity.
The leading man, Rake, is just as well-developed as Lizzie. He's still healing from his own past trauma, unable to recognize how his workaholic tendencies are a coping mechanism. As he and Lizzie navigate life as platonic coparenting roommates, hijinks and hilarity ensue. But the beating heart of the story is about learning to forgive and love oneself before loving another.
This novel is beautifully done, with two leading characters that are intricately developed and make the world they live in feel tangible. Wonderful neurodivergent representation, healthy friend groups, changing sibling dynamics, and addressing toxic family members are all touched upon in this laugh out loud funny novel that will make you chuckle, gasp, and get teary eyed, all on the same page.
Thank you to author Mazey Eddings, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy such that I could share my honest opinions.
Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake will be available September 6, 2022.

Another great book from Mazey Eddings!

Lizzie made her debut in Harper’s story, the first book from Mazey. She deals with ADHD and has issues focusing on a job or maintaining relationships. This book provided great insight into how someone with ADHD ticks and made me understand their situation. I also loved Rake's character and felt he was very swoon-worthy!

Together they tackle an unexpected pregnancy juxtaposed with Lizzie’s ADHD. Rake and Lizzie’s understandable feelings of panic and subsequent actions were also realistic and not over the top. Their relationship showed the desire to be loved and accepted unconditionally for who they are, flaws and all, whatever they may be, which I think is something most of us can relate to. Their relationship portrays this dynamic beautifully.

The book was quick, fun, smutty, humorous, and had great snappy dialogue. Definitely recommend!

Thank you #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A BRUSH WITH LOVE was one of my favorite reads of the year so far, so I was so excited to get Lizzie's story! LIZZIE BLAKE"S BEST MISTAKE is so fun and adorable. I loved Lizzie & Rake's chemistry, there were so many laugh out loud moments, and I really love the ADHD rep. One of my favorite scenes was when Lizzie takes Rake on a tour of Philadelphia. It was so cute and super cinematic! I love that they both stay away from relationships but are able to let each other in. A great read!

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake is out in the world today!!

This book is truly a love letter to people with ADHD. It is the reason why I learned, after almost 30 years of struggles, that I myself had ADHD. And that is one reason why this book will always hold such a special place in my heart. When Lizzie was describing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) to Rake things especially clicked for me.

“It’s like this visceral reaction when I sense rejection or that I’ve disappointed someone or done something wrong. It feels like a punch square in the chest. Or like my stomach dropped out of my body, folded itself inside out, and then wrapped around me and tried to suffocate me. It’s an overwhelming, primitive type of pain.”

I felt so seen in these words. So many experiences, going as far back as first grade, finally making sense. There is such overwhelming relief and joy in finally understanding your brain and how it’s wired. In having the words to articulate your experiences. And there’s something special about a book that gives you that.

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake is also filled with steam, humor, heart, friendship and suggestive baked goods, It’s chock full of rom-com goodness—one-night stand, accidental pregnancy, forced proximity + only one bed, let’s just get it out of our systems.

All the stars for this must read book!

Lizzie is written as the hot mess we all love. You can’t help but adore her quirkiness throughout the book. This book has a surprise baby trope, one I know many don’t enjoy. Maybe I haven’t read enough of that trope because it didn’t deter me in the slightest. Lizzie meets hot hunk Aussie Rake and they spend the weekend he’s working in the States doing… ya know 🔥 after Lizzie finds out she’s pregnant, Rake transfers to the States and they work on their friendship during the impending arrival of the bebè.
Maybe the surprise pregnancy trope didn’t bother me as much because while it was there, this book mostly focused on Rake and Lizzie. On Lizzie realizing she doesn’t need to change who she is to fit into society and to appease her parents, she just needs to find where she’s accepted.
I listened to probably 75% of the audio and then the last 25% I read. Highly recommend the audio to hear Rake’s Aussie accent. Although I have to admit, the narrator only did his accent when Rake was talking, otherwise he spoke in an American accent. I could not get the episode of TrueBlood out of my mind where Sookie discovers who the killer is because she listens to his thoughts and realizes the voice inside his head doesn’t have the same accent he speaks with 😅
Overall, this was my favorite read of August. I loved it. I will read whatever Mazey decides to write. I cannot wait for future books with this friend group, it’s an absolute joy to read.

This is a very enjoyable read if you are looking to escape the drudgery of day to day; a delightful book that will transport the reader.

This is a romance novel that tackles some heavier topics. When we are first introduced to Lizzie, we see a woman who is high-energy, spontaneous and speaks without a filter. She has a habit of being late, likes one-night stands and rarely attaches herself to others. She has a trio of friends who support her but can see that while they have grown up she has not.

We also see a woman who is living with ADHD and doing her best. Lizzie is constantly looking at ways to remind herself to take her medication which will decrease her symptoms. She is estranged from the family that was trying to make her be someone she clearly could not be and one that reinforced her failure.

Rake is an Australian businessman in town for a few days. He is just out of a long-term painful relationship and is focusing on his career. When he meets and then rescues Lizzie from a violent date in a bar, the two decide to hook up. The one-night stand turns into a whole weekend with the mutual understanding it was short-lived because Rake will be returning to Australia at the beginning of the week. What they don’t know is that weekend of passion would result in Lizzie becoming pregnant.

As the title alludes to, this accidental pregnancy creates a whole new turn of events for both Lizzie and Rake. Without giving too much away, each undergoes a significant transition as the pregnancy progresses. There are some very funny moments which brought some levity to the emotional feelings I felt while learning about Lizzie’s childhood.

The fact that the author also lives with ADHD comes across in her detailed development of Lizzie’s character. This in turn provides the reader with an enhanced level of understanding and empathy for those who live with ADHD.

I really enjoyed this book. It is the second book in the author’s A Brush With Love series but can certainly be read as a standalone. I recommend this book to those that appreciate romance novels, or stories of characters that live with life challenges. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

4.5 stars

I received an early copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Lizzie Blake lives in Philadelphia and shares an apartment with her friend, Indira, a psychology resident. Lizzie currently works for a catering business and has just gotten into trouble again with her nutcase of a boss, for messing up an order. Lizzie tends to job hop a lot as she gets into trouble a lot. This is a chronic thing with Lizzie as she has trouble concentrating due to her ADHD for which she takes Adderal.

One evening at a bar, she meets Rake, an Australian in town on business. As a woman who loves sex, she is always ready. They end up at Rake’s hotel room, have hot sex and she goes home. Lizzie prefers one-night-stands and does not want to be with the same guy more than once. Rake, on the other hand, has not had sex in a long time and really want to see Lizzie again before he leaves town. Against her better judgment, she agrees and they also enjoy a day of sightseeing in Philadelphia.

Lizzie and Indira’s friends, Thu, and boyfriend Alex, along with Harper, and boyfriend, Dan are coming to visit with Lizzie and Indira. Thu and Harper are dental residents. When they meet Rake, they are impressed and encourage the couple.

When Lizzie realizes she’s pregnant, Rake moves to Philadelphia and they move in together with promises to co-parent the baby and not have sex. Well, their togetherness only makes them want to break that rule.

Oh my gosh. Here I thought that the author’s first book, “A Brush With Love” was outstanding but this book has surpassed it by far. Yes, there is a lot of explicit scenes in the book that I usually don’t care for in Regency novels, but here they only accentuate the story. (I can’t use the three letter word because it won’t be accepted on some sites where I post my reviews.) The total love, compassion, understanding, and devotion expressed here is beautiful. The author managed to express some of the most loving words and emotions that I have even read in a book. I absolutely adored Rake. What a wonderful man that Lizzie found to love her. He’s perfect in every way. Lizzie herself is a complex, precious woman that I would love to have for a friend. I hope to read all of this author’s upcoming novels because I just know I shall be in for a real treat.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amazing, funny, one night stand turned more, accidental pregnancy romcom. I loved this book. I love an FMC who doesn't feel like the right kind of girl for whatever reason and someone loving her for whatever she doubts herself with. Accidental pregnancy is hit or miss with me but Rake was so supportive and sweet, I loved it.

I’ve quickly become a fan of Mazey’s books (and am so excited to know she has many more coming out in the next few years) - they’re fun, full of vibrant characters, and great romances.

I was initially a little hesitant about the main trope in Lizzie’s book (not usually my favorite) but I fell in love with her and Rake and flew through this one. I can’t wait to hopefully get some more glimpses of their HEA in the next book.

Thanks to the publisher for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Happy pub day to LIZZIE BLAKE’S BEST MISTAKE by @mazeyeddings ! Thank you so much to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my e-arc in exchange for an honest review! This book is out in the world TODAY.

I really enjoyed Mazey’s debut book, A Brush With Love, so I was ecstatic to get to read this one early! It follows a different character in the original friend group from ABWL, with the rest of the friend group still present within this book. The best of both worlds! Note: you can read this one without reading her debut!

There is not a single thing I disliked about this book. Seriously. It was so well done, and tackled a serious topic I have not seen in many books yet, as well as an fairly unpopular trope in romance novels.

This book talks in depth about having ADHD as an adult, most specifically as an adult woman. I haven’t read many books that talk about adult ADHD in as great detail as in LBBM, and I thought she did an amazing job! It was so well done, and I learned so so much about the daily struggles people who have ADHD face. It literally affects everything you do. I really liked the focus on Lizzie’s family, and how they did not understand her at all when she was younger, and how it affects her relationship with them as an adult.

This book also uses a romance trope that alot of people don’t like. I’m not going to mention it, because in all honesty, this trope was also so well done, that I didn’t mind it at all. Clearly proving that if you can write it well, there is something to love about all romance tropes.

Give me more hot male MC’s with an Australian accent please 😍😍 Rake was just the best! He literally upended his whole entire life to be there for Lizzie. At first for no other reason than he wanted to do things right and be there for her. That quickly changes tho as they both can’t stick to their platonic relationship rule 😆

Both Lizzie and Rake are facing their own demons from their past, but they both overcome them in the end, and continue to be there and hell each other in the process.

Highly recommend picking this one up!

I adore Mazey Eddings's writing, and this book was no exception. I felt so invested in Lizzie and was rooting for her from start to end.

Lizzie hears an accent then ogles Rake in “Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake” by Mazey Eddings! Their one night stand turns into a two night stand, then they find themselves in a close proximity situation.

Eddings writes another entertaining book! Lizzie is hilarious and witty in her own beautiful way. The banter and chemistry between Lizzie and Rake keeps you smiling. Then there is Lizzie’s creations for her job that gives great visuals that may make you blush, but they will definitely make you giggle!

I love the message that the right people will love us by accepting our unique self. The right people will fight for us instantly or eventually. Also, we can add or subtract people from our lives even if they are relations.

If you enjoy playful teasing, want an amazing party name tag idea, and love grand gestures, then you will love this book!

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake

Author: Mazey Eddings

Book Series: A Brush With Love Book 2

Rating: 5/5

Spice: 4/5

Diversity: ADHD MC, Sapphic side character

Recommended For...: contemporary, romance, adult, ADHD rep

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Relevance: 18+ (cursing, sexual content, violence, gore, pregnancy, abortion, fatphobia)

Explanation of Above: There is a lot of cursing in this book and a lot of sexual content. There is a pregnancy throughout this book and abortion is mentioned as an option briefly. There is some physical violence with punches. There is some vomit gore shown in the book. There are also some slight fatphobic comments made.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Pages: 336

Synopsis: Lizzie has made endless mistakes. Kitchen fires, pyramid schemes, bangs (of the hair and human variety), you name it, she’s done it… and made a mess of it too. One mistake she’s never made is letting anyone get closer to her than a single hook-up. But after losing yet another bakery job due to her uncontrolled ADHD, she breaks her cardinal rule and has a two-night-stand that changes everything.

Once burned, twice shy, Rake has given up on relationships. And feelings. And any form of intimacy for that matter. Yet something about charming, chaotic Lizzie has him lowering his guard. For two nights, that is. Then it’s back home to Australia and far away from the pesky feelings Lizzie pulls from him. But when Lizzie tells him she’s got an unexpected bun in the oven, he’ll do whatever it takes to be a part of his child’s life… except be emotionally vulnerable, obviously. He’s never going to make that mistake again.

Through a series of mishaps, totally “platonic” single bed sharing, and an underground erotic baking scheme, Lizzie and Rake learn that even the biggest mistakes can have the most beautiful consequences.

Review: I absolutely loved this book so much! The book had me laughing from page one and I loved the use of the multi-POV in this one. I’m not usually one for the unplanned pregnancy trope, but it worked so so well in this book and I was ADDICTED to reading this one after the first chapter. The book also features the one bed trope slightly and is a little grump/sunshine. The book showed a guy who has a great relationship with his parents, which is super refreshing, and I fell in love with Lizzie so much. I loved the ADHD rep and I felt seen as my brain rapidly bounces from topic to topic, I also deal with RSD, and I also spiral so easily. I also felt seen with Lizzie and her mother’s relationship. I don’t have the best one with my mother either and while the circumstances are different, my mother’s rejection of me stings and I felt Lizzie’s pain so acutely. I also struggled with letting people in and letting them come close and I too had to find a community to fit into. I thought that the book was extremely well written, the character development so well done, and the world building immaculate. As an aside, I also love that I share a birthday with Rake. THANK YOU MAZEY EDDINGS!

The only nit-picky thing I could think of that I thought could be better is that there didn’t seem to be a lot of lead up to the next book (The Plus One) like there slightly was in A Brush With Love for Lizzie’s book. I wish I would have seen that a bit more, but other than that I am floored with how amazing this book was.

Verdict: YOU NEED THIS BOOK! Highly recommend!