One of my favorite books of the year! It's sweet, fun, and so heartfelt. I had the best time reading this book, and I didn't want it to ever end. Mazey Eddings' writing is just phenomenal and she made me fell head over heels in love with Lizzie and Rake.

Lizzie Blake is such a cute and quirky character! I absolutely adore her and love the neurodivergent representation in this book. Lizzie has ADHD, and has been called messy her whole life… she is chronically late, extremely forgetful, and has been told she’s “too much,” usually by her own family. It just broke my heart that her family scorned her for these things, instead of embracing her and understanding that she’s a uniquely wonderful person! I love Lizzie’s energy, and just wanted to wrap her in a big hug.

Lizzie doesn’t really know how to be loved because no one in her life has shown her what real unconditional love looks like. After a string of meaningless hookups, she’s surprised to find herself spending a second night with Rake. Just before he heads back to Australia. A couple of weeks later, Lizzie is even more surprised to realize she is pregnant. And shocked again when Rake actually wants to be there for her and their baby! Lizzie and Rake begin to build a life together, intending to keep it platonic, but love has other plans. Lizzie must learn to believe that she is lovable, and Rake is up to the challenge of convincing her. I loved seeing their relationship grow, and watching Lizzie gain confidence in herself!

There were some things I didn’t love about the flow of the dialogue, and the way Lizzie’s relationships with her family and friends were portrayed. I feel like those aspects took away from my overall rating on this one. I gave it 3/5 stars, but think it has high potential for 4 stars!

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings
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This is a second book in a series but can be read as a standalone, as I didn’t read the first one (but now I want to).
Lizzie Blake is fun and vibrant, but she is not interested in a relationship. She breaks her rules though when she has a two-night stand with sexy australian, Rake. And now she has some news for him….
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What I liked:
-I adored both Lizzie and Rake. I loved them as individuals and I loved how they worked on their “platonic” relationship.
-Lizzie was such a fun person and I felt so much for her. She worked so hard to manage her ADHD, and her own way she felt about herself. I just wanted to reach through the book and hug her.
-I wish Rake’s parents were my parents. They sound adorable. His grandparents as well. I want their fictional family to adopt me.
-So many surprising emotions in this book. I cried a LOT in the second half.
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What I didn’t like:
-It’s not that I didn’t like it but the steam in this book was out the roof and in like the first chapter. It just threw me in there and I wasn’t adequately prepared for it. 😅
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ very close to 4.5. And honestly I just finished this 5 minutes ago and after I think about it for 24 hours it will probably be 4.5 stars. Thank you St Martins and Netgalley for this digital copy to read.

This was really cute. The crass humor may not work for all, but I enjoy a heroine like this every now and again. I went into this knowing there was a scene addressing an ex-girlfriend's abortion and I was able to prepare and see it from a few angles. I do with the author would have left out a cheating aspect with this, but I felt like the main character overall expressed his feelings without villainizing the ex-gf. This was a little bit of insta-love followed by a not-so-clean-break. The chemistry was there and overall I just really liked this one!

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Did Not Finish.

The premise sounded cute, but the book itself just wasn't for me. I didn't like Lizzie, at all. I know people with ADHD, and yes, it sucks, but Lizzie uses it as an excuse for EVERYTHING instead of trying to do something, anything about it. Yes, it's exhausting, but you still have to take responsibility for your actions instead of just passing it off as, "Oops, I have ADHD."

And in the wake of the Roe v Wade reversal, Rake's attitude feels icky and the whole, "Lizzie is the good girl who chose to keep her baby vs. the Evil Ex who had an abortion," really didn't sit well. STOP SHAMING WOMEN FOR MAKING THEIR OWN CHOICES!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

Lizzie has a pattern of messing things up because of her ADHD. After a string of mistakes that trails her, Lizzie has built a strong wall around herself never to get close to any man and just have meaningless hookups. After one such encounter with Rake, a dashing Australian who is equally emotionally unavailable, Lizzie finds herself pregnant. Rake may not want to commit but decides that he wants to be supportive and platonically coparent with Lizzie. How Lizzie finds herself and finds each other forms the premise of the story. 

Accidental pregnancy is my least favorite trope and I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I loved Lizzie and Rake's character arc and growth in themself and finding each other. I loved Lizzie's friends who are so supportive and accepting of Lizzie. I loved how the family dynamics was dealt with and real all the characters were. Rake was exceptionally sweet and nice. Great follow up to A Brush with Love. Can't wait to read the story of the other friends!

Thank you @smpromance @stmartinspress @macmillan.audio for the eARC & ALC of Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake.

~Thanks to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake in exchange for an honest review. ~

Right out of the gate, I liked Lizzie, I liked her chaotic, yet almost exhausting energy, and I think Eddings has captured that in her writing perfectly. Lizzie doesn’t like her inability to focus, but she’s yet to find a solution to work for her and it seems like she doesn’t believe in one or doesn’t have the focus to do so. She’s very likable, but also incredibly frustrating for a Type A personality like me. Again, I think Edding’s writing is so perfect to encapsulate the struggles people with ADHD face. I wish we could have seen some of Lizzie learning what works best for her, instead of just being told about it, but we do learn more about her history and struggles with other people handling her ADHD. I loved the brother relationship and wanted more of that too.

Rake is sweet, soft, and quite the antithesis of Lizzie, which I’m all over for opposites attract romance. However, while Lizzie’s ADHD side plot is quite obvious, it took a while for the additional depth around Rake to show itself, and even once it did, I wanted more. We hear about his background from Lizzie’s perspective and I really wish we could have seen it through Rake’s own eyes. It would have made the emotions more powerful and moving. I really wish this had an even 1 to 1 chapter POV change, because it heavily favored Lizzie’s side. Across the board, I wanted more from Rake.

These two have fun banter and are quite cute together, playing off each other’s eccentricities well, but I wish we saw more of them being forced to learn about one another while juggling Lizzie’s surprise pregnancy. I wanted the boring, domestic scenes between them on the page, I wanted to see how they adjusted to living with each other, but this is all given in quick summarizations. The steam is definitely there, four chili peppers worth, but still not enough chemistry development of their relationship by the end.

Short chapters mean this reads pretty fast and the friend group, which won my heart in A Brush with Love, makes cameos as well. I really enjoy seeing the dynamic of them altogether.

Oh my god, though, the third act conflict knocked an entire star off, it was handled so poorly. We’ve got some poor communication because Lizzie won’t listen to Rake, then some seriously unrealistic handling of the conflict, given their situation, which just overall put me in a sour mood. Meaning, I was taken out of the story for the grand gesture moment because I hated how the entire ending was playing out, so I didn’t find it romantic, just frustrating.

When Mazey Eddings first started posting about her upcoming novel, Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake, she mentioned face sitting by page 25 and I was like SIGN ME UP. Despite absolutely loving her debut novel, A Brush with Love, I went into this one with a little bit of skepticism because I tend to really loathe the surprise pregnancy trope. I’m so very glad I gave Lizzie and Rake a shot because I fell hard and fast for the both of them. Rake, a buttoned up Aussie, is EVERYTHING. He’s so patient, thoughtful, and kind, all sorts of sexy, and just the very best listener. I found myself immediately relating to Lizzie, an ADHD heroine who needs physical touch like she needs air to breathe. The two of them together, forget about it. Their chemistry was explosive and hilarious, which to me is the perfect combination.

Eddings’ thoughtful portrayal of life with ADHD as both the person living with it and how it impacts those close to her was my favorite aspect of this book. Just like with Harper’s anxiety in A Brush with Love, Eddings’ takes so much care with the details and never tries to sweep away the uglier aspects. I appreciated so much how Rake never makes any assumptions or judgements about Lizzie’s abilities or how much she does or doesn’t care about something. When she forgets or gets upset or starts to freak out, he just listens, he makes accommodations, he defends her to her friends and family.

I also really enjoyed how despite the fact that their one night stand turns into a full fledged relationship because of an accidental pregnancy, the story does not revolve too much around the pregnancy. Instead, the focus is on how the two of them will create a life as co parents despite being basically strangers and how Lizzie will cope with the new demands of motherhood. I believe wholeheartedly that friends make the best lovers and the friendship that grows between Lizzie and Rake, at times more intimate than the one she shares with even her longest standing friends, was such a joy to read. Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake comes out tomorrow and you definitely won’t want to miss it! Thanks so much to St Martin’s for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! I will read anything Mazey Eddings writes forevermore.

As someone who generally does not enjoy some of the tropes in this book, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The “Hot Mess Express” is often one-dimensional but Lizzie was far from it; she was charming and had many facets to her beyond being messy. The other major trope present is hard to get right, but I think it was done as well as it could be in this case. Thoroughly enjoyable, and laugh-out-loud funny, you’ll want Lizzie Blake to be your new best friend.

Welp I devoured this. Put up my “Do not Disturb” sign because I was hooked.

Lizzie makes countless mistakes in her life. One of this biggest one is breaking the only rule she has, No one-night-stand rule… that is until she breaks that with a two night stand. Rake hasn’t felt like getting close to anyone, until that night Lizzie entered. But forces are out to bring them together over and over again.

The single bed trope is a fave of mine. These two strangers lives could be entangled and try and get it right due to their mistakes. This book had me laughing and I really loved the characters. Lizzie having ADHD was easy to relate to since I have it. Rake is also this Aussie God ripped right from the pages that had me drooling and ready to fly to Australia.

This book really was unputdownable. I laughed, really giggled like a school girl, and geared up at the love story. The humor was on par. Definitely a fresh read.

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake is a sexy, funny, sweet rom-com, but don't let the gorgeous sunshine-y cover fool you – it's also full of self-doubt, working through trauma, and difficult family dynamics. The mix of content kept it from being too sugary (even with the copious baking!) and made it feel grounded and real. I also appreciated the ADHD rep, and how thoroughly it was represented in every aspect of Lizzie's life.

While this was an enjoyable read, I wish there had been more plot. Even the surprise baby felt more like a device to keep Lizzie and Rake together than an essential part of the plot. I also wish there had been more conflict between them. They underwent so much stress and change, and while I loved the unwavering support they offered one another, it would've felt stronger had it been tested in a significant way.

Overall, Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake is a quick, feel-good read that any rom-com lover would appreciate.

I wanted so badly to love this book, but unfortunately, I can’t say that I did. Of course, opinions are just that, and I’m sure it will be a five star read for many others. Although I am typically pretty good at suspending my disbelief, especially when it comes to romance, this one just felt…totally unbelievable. I also felt like we should have gotten to know Rake better than we did. So much of the story was focused on Lizzie and we didn’t get enough of his side of things.

Mazey Eddings has a new fan! I haven't picked up A Brush with Love (although it is waiting on my shelf for Valentine's Day reads), but this author has been on my radar for a while.

I am so glad I read this book.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

An accidentally pregnancy is never my go-to, but my romance-fan heart will try anything...and this one delivers. The highlight of this story is Lizzie and Rake's intense and natural chemistry on page. They are both incredibly real and hilarious so there's never a dull in the story. It was touching reading about them navigating pregnancy and impending parenthood as well.

Eddings is a sold auto-buy author for me and I look forward to more of her books.

A huge Thank You to The author, The publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Such a cute, fun, witty, light-hearted read! I absolutely adore it, and the author as well!
Looking forward to reading 'A Brush With Love' from said author!!!
Absolutely Loved It!!!

Friends, when this book comes out on Sept. 6th, you need to read it!!

Lizzie is a baker who faces challenges due to her uncontrolled ADHD, and Rake is an emotionally unavailable Australian visiting the U.S. for business. Instantly attracted to one another, they spend a couple of nights together before Rake flies home, thinking of it as no more than a short fling. However, when Lizzie suddenly realizes she has a bun in the oven a few weeks later, Lizzie and Rake have to figure out how to co-parent, and finally acknowledge the growing chemistry between them.

The sarcastic one-liners in this book are top-tier, and Mazey Eddings' writing style continues to create such an immersive story that you forget you are even reading! Lizzie was one of my favorite characters in A Brush With Love, and I loved that we got to see Harper and Dan return again to support Lizzie as she makes so many life changes. I was worried about the accidental pregnancy trope going into this book, but I actually thought it created such a sweet storyline. One thing that I loved about their love story was how unconventional it was in a lot of ways - they may not have done everything in the "proper" order, but they loved each other all the same, and that was enough. Lizzie grew exponentially as she learned what it meant to be a parent and how that was so different than her relationship with her parents. I wanted a little more discussion of how Rake worked through some of his issues, but I loved his character all the same. I can't wait to read Indira's story next!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lizzie is a total 180 from most rom com heroines: "too much" instead of "not enough," constantly loses jobs instead of earning promotions, sexually charged instead of timid flirtatiousness. I loved her for that. Her job at Bernadette's naughty patisserie seemed so perfect for her (and reminded me of a similar shop in the Lavender District of San Francisco called Hot Cookie!). Her experience with ADHD as an adult woman was really spot on as well; it was clearly written by someone who knew what she was talking about, especially with the Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Rake was just ok. I feel like we're expected to trust that, just because he's Australian, he's so wonderful, but his backstory was a little dull and the pregnancy plot line didn't do it for me (though I understand it's a popular trope). I also wish the epilogue was different. That said, I loved A Brush With Love by the same author, and of course I'd love to read the rest of the series (hopefully one with Indira and one with Thu).

I loved this book. Lizzie, the main character, has barely treated ADHD and it affects her entire life. I have 2 sons with ADHD, and I painfully related to her struggles. I love how the author treated it, as something to be managed and pointed out the many wonderful character traits that were a result of ADHD. Creativity, spontaneity, and other positive traits are celebrated.
Lizzie has sworn off men until she meets a handsome Australian named Rake. Their 2 night stand results in a positive pregnancy test for Lizzie, much to her surprise. Her parents are critical and unsupportive, and she avoids them as much as possible, especially her mother. Her mother views ADHD as a curse and something to be eliminated.
When she tells Rake the news, he shocks her by leaving Australia and coming to NYC. They’ve never discussed a relationship, but he’s determined to help raise his child. How can two virtual strangers work out how to be parents? This is a must read, 5 stars.

QOTD:

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.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/<id type="integer">4711539109</id>

Lizzie Blake doesn't do relationships, in fact, she has a strict one-night-only rule. After breaking her self-imposed rule and spending an incredible two nights with Rake, an Australian she has immediate chemistry with, Lizzie finds out she's pregnant. Rake wants to be involved in the baby's life and moves to Philadelphia, the two deciding to co-parent in a totally and completely platonic way, and they definitely do not have feelings for each other.

This book completely surprised me in the best way. I instantly fell in love with Lizzie, she's hilarious and full of life with a personality that leaps off the page. Her instant connection with Rake was great, and journeying with the two as they have to navigate cohabitation was a great way to introduce and keep tension throughout the novel. The characters felt like real people and I loved every second I was reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Lizzie Blake is one of the most relatable characters I have read about in a very long time. I felt like I was living in my 20’s again reading about her life. Unorganized, klutzy, living with a roommate, and just an overall hot mess. That is until she meets Rake who was supposed to be a one night stand until she ends up pregnant.

This was a cute read, and I liked both Lizzie and Rake’s characters. Rake won me over when he stuck up for Lizzie to her awful parents and a judgemental friend. Thankfully the friend came around, and the parents didn’t make another appearance. I also liked how the author brought Lizzie’s struggles with ADHD to the forefront. She bounced to the beat of her own drum and found people who love her for it, and gave up on those who don’t.

This was the second book in the Brush With Love Series. The first book was about Harper, this one is about Lizzie and the third book coming in 2023 is about Indira. I have not read the first book, but if the author is going to base a book on each friend then I better get a move on.

Sex-Positive Neurodivergent Rom-Com. Straight up: If you don't like damn near erotica level sex scenes... this book probably isn't your thing. If you're one of the "THERE CAN BE NO SEX AND IF THERE MUST BE SEX IT MUST BE STRICTLY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND THE MAIN COUPLE CAN BARELY KISS OR HOLD HANDS ON SCREEN" types... yeah, just skip this one. You're not going to like it, and you one-starring a book over your own hangups does no one any favors.

For the at least 80% of us who *aren't* like that... this is a fun book. Lizzie, and the author herself, has ADHD. (Serious question - for Autistics we have "Autistic" rather than "has Autism", and the community tends to prefer the first one. Is there a similar name for people who have ADHD?) And this book shows the struggles that can come from that - but also shows how it can be managed and even worked into a strength, with proper preparation and training. (Which is similar for Autistics as well.) This is also a very neurodiverse-positive tale, showing that not everyone has to be a doctor or lawyer or engineer or anything else to have a fulfilling and meaningful life and be able to support and take care of themselves independently. Indeed, even with Lizzie's titular "mistake", there is quite a bit about her life and actions here that are to be readily commended, and it is refreshing to see authors willing to do just this in this era and with these types of characters.

Even though this is listed as "Book 2" (and wasn't when it was presented to me), there are really only a couple of sentences in the entire 300+ page tale where this is even obviously hinted at inside the tale itself, so it actually works pretty well as a standalone, which is how I read it.

Overall this was truly a fun book with a lot of upside, and it is very much recommended.