I cancelled my pre-order of this book when I saw it was the pregnancy trope. 25% into reading it, I immediately pre-ordered again because THIS is how a pregnancy trope should be written.

The will they or won't they really drove this book for me. Seeing how Lizzie and Rake's past influenced their present pulled at my heart-strings but I greatly enjoyed seeing each of them push through and grow with each other. While Lizzie's pregnancy brought them back together, it wasn't a case of them being apart because they had broken up or cheating had happened. It was just a lack of time and distance.

Move over Hemsworth, there is a superior Australian out on the prowl 😉😏

This book will make you laugh out loud while also pant due to the steam. A perfect read to capture feel good summer vibes as we start to head into fall.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I know other people who have loved this story. On the positive side, Mazey Eddings does a great job of sensitively writing a character who has ADHD which is something that isn't always well represented in many books. The reason this book was more of a "miss" for me is because the main characters sleep together almost immediately. And one of the twists of the book is based on this. I've always been someone who needs a slow-burn romance and steam later in the book. So I really wanted to like this story, but this just wasn't the romance for me. Other people may love the characters and the story as a whole much more.

My kids painted rocks today and I thought it was the perfect background for this book. Something I could see Lizzie doing with her kids ❤️

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the advanced copy of Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings. This one pubs so soon (9/6) so make sure you get your pre-orders in 🙂

Lizzie Blake meets Rake at a bar one night. Instant attraction results in what is supposed to be a (steamy) one night stand. Except that a few weeks later, Lizzie finds out that she’s pregnant. Rake wants to co parent their baby and moves himself and his job from Australia to Philly. While the pregnancy is the catalyst to this story, it’s really so much more about Lizzie and Rake falling for each other.
Lizzie is a creative, vibrant person who loves to bake. Her family treated her poorly growing up because she didn’t fall in line with their pretentious idea of how a girl should act. This has affected her relationships as an adult. Rake also has a past (who doesn’t) and while he certainly isn’t perfect, he is kind and so supportive. They have a bit of a wild ride but it was so fun to read.

Looking forward to chatting with the @lovearctually crew about this one soon.

#lizzieblakesbestmistake #lovearctuallybuddyread #lovearctually #bookstagram

Lizzie Blake is laugh-out-loud hilarious. She is such a fun, well-rounded character who I just want to be best friends with. Rake gave me major Roy Kent (Ted Lasso) vibes, and was so great in his own ways.

This book was such an enjoyable read and a great follow-up to A Brush With Love. I cannot wait for the rest of the series following the other girls. I fully recommend this book and series to fans of Ali Hazelwood and Emily Henry.

Problems I had: Who in the world is named Rake? That was straight up weird. Also— pregnancy trope. I normally would not like a book with the pregnancy trope, but going into this book and knowing that was the entire premise made it a much better read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review!

Goodreads Review:
A Brush With Love, the first book in this series, was such a great read so I was SO excited when I got an ARC for Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake! You don't have to necessarily read A Brush With Love to understand this book - each one focuses on a different friend in a group, but I think it definitely enhances it to read them in order.

Most people would look at Lizzie and think she's a mess - she has a hard time holding down a job, she's always losing things, and she goes off on weird tangents. But really she's an exuberant woman with a heart of gold who happens to struggle with her ADHD. When she runs into a super hot Aussie guy named Rake at a bar, she decides he'll be her next one-night stand conquest and he is intrigued by her boisterous vibrancy. Lizzie ends up breaking her own rule and spending more than one night with Rake before he has to head back home to Australia, both assuming they'll never see each other again.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Lizzie realizes ... she's pregnant (this is not a spoiler, it's in the official blurb!). Rake, who hasn't been able to see his boring, gray life the same way since meeting Lizzie, immediately upends everything and moves to Philly so that he and Lizzie can move in together and prepare to co-parent when the baby comes.

At first they agree to just be friends and focus on preparing for le bebe, but the sizzle that's been present since they first laid eyes on each other just grows stronger and harder to ignore. But with the forced proximity their own insecurities also come out and cause issues for the two. Lizzie always feels like a failure and like her ADHD struggles make her hard to love; Rake still carries pain from an old relationship and feeling like he wasn't an adequate partner. Will Lizzie and Rake be better off as platonic co-parents or be able to help once another rise above their insecurities?

This book was so sweet, and I loved the ADHD representation. I feel like our society really views ADHD as an issue for young boys but it is getting more recognition in adults and especially women! Rake really sees Lizzie for who she is and loves her vibrancy, it's like she's his sun. He is so sweet and patient with her, not trying to change her but accepting her for who she is and helping her out, and standing up for her when others try to tear her down and don't understand her neurodivergence. And Lizzie shows Rake that you don't always need a perfect plan for things to work out. Their banter is super hilarious, as the spicy scenes are so hot! They're a great couple and the chemistry felt so real.

I think the pregnancy was handled really well in this book - it's obviously the reason that brings them back together after going their separate ways, but the book really doesn't make a big deal out of it and a lot of the time the focus is on the two characters and their relationship outside of the pregnancy, it really is a subtle part and I appreciated that!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC, Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake will be out on September 6, 2022!

Instagram post:
Brush With Love, the first book in this series, was my first bookstagram review so I was so happy to get this ARC! 🥰

Book 📚: Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by @mazeyeddings
Genre 💖: contemporary romance
Rating ⭐️: 5/5
Spice 🌶: open door scenes!

Synopsis: Most people think Lizzie is a mess - she can’t hold down a job, she’s always losing things, and she goes off on weird tangents. But really she’s an exuberant woman with a heart of gold who happens to struggle with her ADHD. When she runs into a hot Aussie named Rake at a bar, she decides he’ll be her next one night stand conquest. Rake is intrigued by her boisterous vibrancy. They both break their own rules and spend a fun few days together before he heads back to Australia, and they assume they’ll never see each other again.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Lizzie realizes she’s pregnant (this is in the official blurb!). Rake immediately upends his life and relocates to Philly, he and Lizzie moving in together so they can prepare to co-parent.

At first they agree to just be friends, but their mutual attraction keeps growing. But with the forced proximity their insecurities come out - Lizzie feels like a failure and Rake is concerned he won’t be an adequate partner. Will they be better off as platonic co-parents?

Review: This book was so sweet and I loved the ADHD representation, especially in an adult woman. Rake really sees Lizzie for who she is and is so sweet and patient with her. And Lizzie shows Rake that you don’t always need a perfect plan for things to work out. Their banter is hilarious and the spicy scenes are hot!

The pregnancy was handled well and wasn’t the main focus of everything, which I appreciated!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC, this is out on September 6!

Lizzie Blake is one of no attachments, only one-night stand. When her date ditches her, she meets Rake (yes, that’s his name. Yes, he has heard every joke about his name). Handsome, beautiful, Australian Rake. And then, they have two-night stand, because let’s be serious, one isn’t enough.
Then, Lizzie learns she’s pregnant. Then, Rake is moving all the way from Australia to be there for the baby (le bébé as Lizzie calls it, which is adorable). Then, they are both playing house like a real couple. Only, they have agreed it is going to be platonic. Lol.

What you’ll see and love in this book:
1. Incredible connection since the beginning—Lizzie and Rake are so attracted and interested in each other since the beginning. HOWEVER, I want to tell you all that this is a slow burn. It takes us a while until these two get together, for real. They might have gotten together at the beginning, but remember, they decided then to be platonic *face-palms*
2. The most patient, and noblest heart ever—Rake.
3. The liveliest, funniest, sweetest heroine—Lizzie.
4. Which brings me to: these characters are perfect for each other. Sure, they have chemistry. Sure, they are both lovely. But it is the fact that their traits are what the other needs. Lizzie needs someone patient and accepting and loyal who is going to stand up for her. Rake is perfect for her. And then, Rake needs someone loving, touching, lively. Lizzie is the winner.
Call them soulmates if you will.
5. Neurodiverse characters. Lizzie is dealing with some ADHD and this topic is pretty important throughout the book and it is really interesting seeing Lizzie dealing with it and accepting herself.
6. Forced proximity/roommates.
7. One bed only. YES! Brace yourself!
8. Old lovely characters! You get to see Harper and Dan ❤️ and then Indira and Thu. And I can’t wait for their respective books!
9. Rake standing up to Lizzie. Just. When he protects her. And asks the other to shut up. Yes. I lived for that.

I requested LIZZIE BLAKE’S BEST MISTAKE without reading the synopsis, after enjoying the first book in this series, a Brush with Love. So basically I went in blind and at first, the insta-love and accidental pregnancy had me unsure. I don’t usually enjoy those storylines, but I am glad I stuck with this book, because Lizzie and Rake’s story really grew on me.
This is a pretty steamy book but it is also so much more than that. I thought Mazey Edding’s did a fantastic job of representing an adult with ADHD. Lizzie’s character is a reminder to treat others with grace and kindness. Sometimes I felt like the plot was leaning towards unbelievable, but yet overall, it was more that there is someone for everyone, which I really like to believe in.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series! Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐
R for some 🌶️🌶️ times

If you're looking for an abbreviated Ross/Rachel storyline or an adult version of the movie Juno or just a great book about finding love as an adult managing their ADHD, this is your book.

Honestly, I didn't know if I'd enjoy an unexpected pregnancy storyline, but I loved Mazey's first book so I had high hopes. And it worked! Plus, the overall description and care put into the portrayal of adult ADHD and Lizzie realizing that she is worthy of love.. it was everything!!

After Lizzie and Rake have a one (er, two) night stand, Lizzie misses her period... And so they go from strangers who found each other attractive to coparents planning to platonically cohabitate. But of course feelings can't help but develop!

Rake was truly so lovely in this book. I love how he cared and loved Lizzie and validated her feelings, regardless of if he understood them. Lizzie's character growth was excellent as she learned to love herself and her brain and neurodivergence.

This book truly centered on Lizzie and Rake developing their relationship. The pregnancy aided this, but it did not distract or take away from the work they both had to do to work out their issues so they could love and be loved. That's what made this book good.

I just want to give Lizzie Blake a big hug after reading this book. At this point, Mazey Eddings is a complete autobuy author for me. I think I loved Brush with Love more, but I am convinced that everything Mazey writes is gold. Read all her books so you can fangirl with me!!

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake was such a stinking cute book that it has made me reconsider my previous ick for pregnancy-centered romance books. It gives off the feel good energy of an early 2000s romantic comedy starring a young Isla Fisher and Heath Ledger while diving into tough topics like emotional negligence and deep seated insecurities with care and deep consideration.

To start at the beginning, I was initially drawn to Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake because I had seen Ali Hazelwood hyping the book up on social media and I saw that our hero, Rake, is Australian, and I love Australia. Those two factors were enough for me to request this book despite not liking pregnancy books (especially accidental pregnancies). I’m so glad I did. Lizzie is pure chaos bottled into a woman, released in only the best ways. The dialogue was so fun; the spicy scenes struck a nice balance between vague and explicit, not going on too short or too long; and you cannot help but root for Lizzie and Rake to work through their personal struggles and start a healthy family together.

There were a few things about the book that I disliked. The plot crutches stuck out to me more than most contemporary romance books, but I forgave them because the story wouldn’t have worked without them. For example, Rake just so happened to be up for a generous promotion that would move him from Sydney to Philadelphia before the two-night stand and his boss found him a similar position weeks later after his initial rejection now that Rake had a reason to be in the US (which he also conveniently had dual citizenship to and didn’t need to worry about a visa). Then they found an affordable and nice apartment that they loved on the first try. Oh, and Lizzie manages to find her dream job despite a less than stellar employment history! The pacing of the plot also occurs quite quickly. I knew going in that with it centering around her pregnancy that it would probably end or near the end around the time Lizzie gave birth, but Lizzie of course sped up everything to where the story ends about 5-6 months and the epilogue is their baby’s birth/shortly after. I would have liked a bit more time for everything to happen, for things to slow down some, even if I can see the reason why a sped up timeline was the choice made.

However, what I loved about Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake more than made up for the dislikes I had. For one, the book is so fun that it matches the happy yellow cover. Silly moments like Lizzie not knowing condoms could expire despite being the queen of causal hookups balanced out cringe moments like her wearing a name tag for Sek C. Baudy at Rake’s work event. Even when I wanted to yell at Lizzie, I wanted to give her a hug. I share so little in common with her and yet something about her feels so intrinsically relatable, something I’m sure other readers will agree with. Rake is harder to understand and (please don’t hate me for saying it) a bit bland, but that works great against Lizzie. She’s so much a little bit of everything that Rake balances her out and allows Lizzie’s characterization to be clearer.

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake was my first time reading Mazey Eddings and already I want to go out and buy her debut novel to see if Harper and Dan are as delightful and fun as this book was.



Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶.5/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

**I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I was so excited to read the second book in the A Brush With Love series! I adored the first book and Lizzie Blake was another great read! I will read ANYTHING Mazey Eddings writes at this point.
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What I loved:
•The ADHD rep! Lizzie is going to be a fan favorite.
•Rake, our Australian hero, his gentleness and acceptance of Lizzie.
•Opposites attract
•Sex positive
•The female friendships from book one
•It’s funny and steamy
•The forced proximity
•The messy love
•The bakery (IYKYK)
❤️
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I cannot wait to read book 3!!
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Thank you netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book!!

I really enjoyed this one. The characters were likeable which really hooked me in quickly. I loved how it was paced and the banter!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

Let me just say, I am not a fan of the accidental pregnancy trope. Did I go into this book blind? Yes, yes I did. Did I keep reading after Lizzie found out she was pregnant? Also yes, but I had to rationalize that the chemistry between Lizzie and Rake was undeniable. Despite their better judgments, they had a magnetic attraction to one another that left them (and me) breathless.

I also went into this book not realizing it was a sequel to Mazey’s debut, A Brush with Love. This realization hit me about 15% of the way in and I’ll say you definitely do not have to read the first book in order to understand the second. Will I go back and read A Brush with Love? Of course! But not having read it did not take away from my overall enjoyment.

Now to the good stuff.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I loved the characters. There is definite chemistry between Lizzie and Rake, but their relationship is anything but simple. Both have their own reservations about how their two-night stand situationship will evolve into a co-parenting relationship after determining that Lizzie plans to keep the baby and Rake undoubtedly wants to be involved. But they are drawn together and can’t seem to stay apart.

Throughout the novel, Lizzie battled with ADHD and had trouble accepting that someone could love her despite this fact. She had been taught from a young age that she was too much for those around her and felt she had to constantly prove herself to her own mother, fighting to feel loved and supported. I was really proud of Lizzie’s growth and the decisions she made for her own mental health even if they weren’t easy.

I can’t wait to pick up A Brush with Love and any future books in this series to learn more about the other love stories yet to unfold.

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake will be published on September 6, 2022.

Thank you to Mazey Eddings, St. Martin‘s Press, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The follow up to A Brush With Love, Mazey Eddings writes a wonderful story that captured my heart! Lizzie Blake is a character that I never knew I needed in my life. She embodies a soul that brightens the world in so many ways. But as a result of her lifelong struggle with ADHD, she has troubles with a biological family that treats her horribly and always expects her to behave a certain ("proper") way. How does she get past her inability to let people in, while having a "one-and-done" mentality with her long string of hook-ups? What happens when she meets a handsome Australian named Rake and ends up sleeping with him twice? Pick up Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake and find out!!! I hope you love Birdy and Rake's story as much as I did!

Be sure to pick a copy when it's released on Sept 6!

5 Star read for me!

What a fun book. Cute, funny easy read about a woman who has a one night stand with a hot Australian man and it leads to complications. This book shows what an adult living with ADHD and her honesty with navigating a relationship. I enjoyed it

Lizzie Blake is a lovable hot mess and Rake Thompson is a buttoned up adorable Aussie. A two night stand results in an oops that forces both of them to face things in their lives they’ve been ignoring and find the right path forward as co-parents. This was sweet, hot, and hilarious.

If you like Helen Hoang, I think you’ll like this one.

Give this book a go if you like:
- racy romance
- ADHD representation
- pretending to be platonic while secretly pining
- forced proximity

3.5 rounded up to 4. This is #2 of a “friend group” series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins for the eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

I requested this book without reading the synopsis. So when I found out it is surprise pregnancy trope, my least favorite romance trope, I was sorely disappointed. Then I decided to trust Mazey Eddings. I am glad I did. Mazey did a great job, This starts of quite steamy, I mean the pregnancy is the result of a one-night stand, or rather a couple of days stand. But there is more to this book than its spice:)

Mazey gives us the most endearingly chaotic character Lizzie and the starchy hero Rake. I loved their dynamic. I loved their interactions. I loved Lizzie's word vomits. I appreciated that Mazey let us in how being an adult with ADHD feels like. I felt especially bad for Lizzie because of the way she was treated by her own parents. She deserves to be accepted and loved for who she is and I am glad her friend group and Rake became her family.

I also appreciated Lizzie's pregnancy wasn't the focus. It is just a pet peeve of mine where pregnancy is glorified. The man looses his mind over how sexy his partner is with all the changes in her body, yada yada.

I enjoyed this one more than A Brush with Love sespite not being a fan of the trope and that says something, I am looking forward to reading whatever Mazey writes next.

Lots of steamy scenes in this book! Lizzie and Rake are an unconventional couple, but their circumstances bring them closer and closer. Both of them are such likable characters! Enjoyed this romantic comedy!

This book was just a little too steamy and had too much language for my liking.

Thank you for my ARC.

Okay, I’m surprised by how much I loved this one. I requested it on a whim because I had seen so many glowing reviews, but I was a little hesitant because I don’t usually enjoy stories surrounding pregnancy.
Lizzie’s determination to manage her ADHD was wonderful. I appreciated the discussion of the shame, guilt and self doubt that was caused by how her parents treated her because of her diagnosis. As heartbreaking as her relationship with her parents is, I’m glad Lizzie’s brother and his wife stepped up and made an effort to strengthen their own relationship.
I loved Rake. As soon as he heard that he’d gotten his one night stand pregnant, he did not hesitate to do everything he could for Lizzie and their baby. As wild as it is to suddenly create a family and a life with someone who is almost a perfect stranger, these two fit together so well. What a fun read.
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4 stars, LIZZIE BLAKE’S BEST MISTAKES by Mazey Eddings is available September 6, 2022! Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for the eARC to review.

This book caught me by surprise. I expected to enjoy “Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake” but I didn’t expect to be floored by the authentic representation of a person with ADHD. The characters are endearing & the accidental pregnancy trope worked fine for me. I know some people take issue with the mention of abortion that comes up later in the book but I didn’t think that it was in any way vilifying the choice - it was presented as the aftermath of a partner having not been honest and trusting enough to share it. The character even said he would have gone with her - “the decision was hers to make.” I think it’s fair to be aware of the content but also nothing that speaks negatively to pro choice. Lizzie herself weighs the topic and makes the choice that works for her. I thought that was all handled well.

As for the romance - holy moly! 🔥 🔥 🔥 This was a steamy one! Rake & Lizzie are pretty hilarious together & their inability to keep things platonic is obviously no surprise. Eddings gave Lizzie an unabashed sexuality and I actually find that really refreshing. I love the tension between them and the attempt to not catch feelings for one another because both have sworn off any of that nonsense.

What I loved most though was the glimpse inside Lizzie’s mind & her memories of a life where she hasn’t always been understood or loved for who she is - even by those who should have loved her best. The author so clearly wants to convey a sense of worth & fierce love for her character and the neurodiverse community. As a woman with ADHD who is also a parent and sister (& likely a daughter) of others with ADHD, this book had me near tears on several occasions. I haven’t highlighted that many passages in a book in a long time. So many profound statements. So many points made that I want to keep with me - on my own journey and for my children. I am so glad an author like Mazey Eddings is out there writing Lizzies into the world. Thank you!

Thanks to #NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own. That being said, this is a book I will buy for shelves! ❤️