I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow... this was an amazing read. My sister-in-law has ADHD and I felt like I was reading about her in the beginning. Everything was so accurate.
The story itself is just sublime. I loved being on Rake's and Lizzie's journey, and together with their chemistry, it was such an easy story to read. I feel so lucky to have been able to get a copy.
The characters are so lovely. Lizzie's friends, Bernadette, Rake's parents. All of them.
I'm wondering if down the road, Claire was proud of her daughter and they way they raised her grandchild.

Lizzie and Rake are one of the cutest book couples! Also I think I found a new book boyfriend?
We follow Lizzie who is so fun and does not want a relationship with emotional attachment. She thinks she found her perfect match in Rake who happens to only be visiting from Australia. They have two perfect nights together and then a few weeks later Lizzie gets a positive pregnancy test. This book was so fun to follow Lizzie and Rake while they navigated their relationship while also becoming parents.
I don’t usually like a pregnancy trope but I wouldn’t necessarily consider this book a surprise pregnancy. Like yes it is a surprise but it’s not in a plot twisty way. It’s a fun part of the book.
If you like good banter and spicy romance this is definitely the book for you!
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for my advanced reading copy!

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake is the first book I read by Mazey Eddings - but her debut, A Brush With Love is on my tbr - and didn’t realize it was part of the A Brush With Love series. Even though LBBM is the second book in the series it can 100% be read as a standalone. The characters of Lizzie and Rake were well formed, more so Lizzie, and I really got a sense of who they are.

Chaotic ADHD American, Lizzie Blake, has a two-night stand with neatnik Australian, Rake, who’s in town for business, that results in a surprise pregnancy and a lot of laughs. Example of said laughs, because we all thought it: “Rake? Of course there’s something funny. That’s not a name, that’s a type of hero from a Julia Quinn novel.”

LBBM is a cute opposites attract, open door romantic comedy told in the third person, but providing dual POV. It’s also an Own Voices book (ADHD), which I really like and appreciate. As someone who doesn’t have ADHD it gave me a much better understanding of what ADHD actually is and not what is generally perceived in tv and movies.

Due to her ADHD, and her family’s reaction to it - they’re horrible btw - Lizzie has trouble holding down a job. She’s tried lots of things, but the one thing that Lizzie not only loves, but calms the whirling dervish of everything that is going on in her mind is baking. Thankfully, Lizzie is able to secure a job at a bakery that understands how her very creative mind works, which allows her creative freedom. And the NSFW pastries Lizzie is asked to make are right up her alley.

I have a few issues in the book and the reason it’s not a five star read for me. LBBM is a bit repetitive, especially in the beginning, about their reactions to one another, specifically mentions so the heart and the feeling in his/her chest. There were some other small issues too. Like when Rafe is taking care of business 🍆 in the shower, Lizzie barges in and helps him (not in the way you’re thinking) and there is no talk about her getting wet. Or saying he “tasted like citrus” when kissing after waking up and coffee. I’ve never kissed anyone who tasted like citrus in that situation. However, LBBM is a great book with an even better message of acceptance. I highly recommend Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now for a bit of personal commentary. LBBM was written during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. I read the book on June 28-29, 2022, less than one week after SCOTUS overturned Roe v Wade. LBBM deals with an unexpected pregnancy. There is a fair amount of discussion about Lizzie’s ability to CHOOSE what’s she is going to do about the pregnancy. There is also another character in the book who CHOSE to have an abortion. It’s completely fucking bananas to me that the women of the United States of America, who touts itself as a Great Democracy, has eliminated a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body. Being pregnant is not a public health issue or a government issue! It’s solely an issue for that woman/couple. Full stop. If you don’t believe in abortion, DON’T HAVE ONE or better yet, don’t get pregnant. It’s really that simple.

This book has such a compelling premise: When she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, Lizzie - a charismatic baker with ADHD - is thrown together with the baby's father, Rake, a handsome Australian she barely knows. On top of that, the writing is vivid and engaging, never shying from emotionality (or steaminess), and the main characters are interesting and relatable. Despite Lizzie and Rake's differences, I could feel their chemistry from the beginning.

But the romance failed to deepen after its promising beginning. Rake, despite being a point-of-view character, had no purpose in the story (or, it seemed, in life) other than to serve and support Lizzie. Lizzie, meanwhile, was consistently irresponsible (losing other people's things), immature (literally fleeing from conflict), and inappropriate (wearing a lewd nametag to a professional event) - all of which was instantly excused as the result of her ADHD.

The book didn't really deliver on its premise, either. I was really excited to read about Lizzie's pregnancy: What would the massive hormonal and physical changes of the first trimester feel like to someone who inhabits her body so thoroughly? What kind of changes would the pregnancy invite, or eventually force, in her life? What strategies might Lizzie develop to manage the onslaught of details? And, of course, how would all of this interact with a new relationship with someone who has a very different but equally important emotional landscape?

But the book doesn't get into any of that. Lizzie's pregnancy and her ADHD are devices - the pregnancy to bring the main characters together, and the ADHD to push them apart. Rake is a prop, and their relationship never deepens beyond their promising initial connection. The story, which started as an ambitious and interesting romance, ends up as one that hits all the expected notes but does little else. 3.5 stars.

A sweet story of a one-night stand that quickly became so much more. Lizzie’s quirky personality is so easy to love. And Rake’s tough exterior slowly chips away to reveal a kind hearted man who loves and protects fiercely. Overcoming many obstacles along the way, Lizzie and Rake quickly realize that not only do they care for one another but also truly have found their matches in one another. A cute and quick read that leaves you with a smile.

Thank you Netgalley & Publishers for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I should've hated this book. I know that's a weird sentence to start off a 5-star review but I'm literally in shock that I loved this one ever so slightly more than A Brush with Love.

A Brush with Love is a great book with some of my favorite tropes. To continue the series, I got the ARC of Lizzie Blake even though I was skeptical of some of the tropes used.

And somehow it became a glorious five star, outshining its predecessor.

There's something about the author's writing style that I just love. Every word flows so easily even if Lizzie & Rake's situation was a bit over the top / chaotic / disheveling, it worked.

It is realistic? Maybe not all parts are but its fiction after all. Plus, I think some things that may have appeared unrealistic in first few chapters had a commentary/discussion later in the novel.

Somethings are just meant to be and there's no other way to explain it. I love this book and highly recommend this series.

Can't wait for the next installment in the series!

Between 2 and 3.

I don't know how to rate this book. It had a few 4 stars parts, some 3, and some 2. It was a bit all over the place.

Lizzie, the main character, has ADHD and doesn't fit in with her family, especially her mother who treats her horribly. She has a lot of one-night stands as a means to cope with everything going on in her life.
She meets Rake at a bar, an Australian in town for business, and they fall into a two-night stand, just before he goes back home.
Fast forward two weeks and Lizzie discovers she's pregnant. When she tells Rake, he decides to take a job transfer and co-parent with her.

As the story progressed, with Rake's support, Lizzie learned to be more at peace with herself which turned her more stable in her career.

We also see Harper and Dan from the author's first book, so I'm guessing there will be two other books about the other friends in the group.

Language and sexual content.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This book was a fun read, but I had trouble with the believability of the romance between the characters. It just felt like a case of lust, and not love. It's insta-lovey from the start, and I feel that I had trouble connecting with the story.

This booked really hooked me in from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down even after I finished it.

Lizzie Blake may be a chaotic tornado, but there is no denying that she has a huge heart and fiercely loves her inner circle. Lizzie can't seem to stay on track in life. She's constantly messing up, creating catastrophes, and getting fired from her latest bakery job. She has had ADHD all her life, but she has not been able to find a way to manage and control it, even though she's tried.

After a date stands her up, she finds herself meeting a hot Australian stranger in town for the next couple of nights. Her normal one night stand gets an extension for Rake. Their chemistry is undeniable and their moments out of the sheets have them connecting with one another while hitting up the city.

When the pair find themselves with a literal bun in the oven, Lizzie and Rake try to figure out a way to navigate as co-parents. This book shows the struggles for soon to be mom trying to figure things out and find a way to manage her ADHD. It was really lovely to see how Lizzie worked through her problems and started to build a life she was proud of.

Rake is a true gem and so gone for Lizzie. He says the most beautiful things to her that are literal poetry. I loved how he didn't see Lizzie's ADHD as a burden. He loves everything about her and how her brain works.

This story also focused on what family really is to a person. Sometimes the family you choose means more than the family you are bound to by blood. Mazey really showed how important it is to put yourself first even it means breaking up with a family member because they are toxic.

It was wonderful to see how Lizzie's mental health and attitude toward herself changed throughout the book. Lizzie and Rake both had to learn how to open up and let someone in. They grew so much during the development of their relationship.

I loved this book and I can't wait for the next in this friend group series!

Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

This was a cute, sweet read. Some of the dialogue made me laugh and the writing was easy to follow. Parts of the plot fell a little flat for me, though. It was unrealistic at times, which is a pet peeve of mine in books, and felt rushed in parts.

Thank you St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC!

I loved this book from page one. The ADHD rep was so amazing to see, it had be laughing and rooting for the couple at every page

Thank you for an early copy of this. After reading A Brush With Love, I couldn’t WAIT to get my hands on Lizzie’s story. It 100% did not disappoint. Lizzie and Rake are absolutely perfect. I loved this story so much that a review won’t even do it justice. Just read this early if you have the chance, or when it comes out!

After two years of hemming and hawing, I finally signed up for #NetGalley specifically for this book and Scandalized by Ivy Owens. I was looking forward to this read so much because I was obsessed with Mazey’s debut, A Brush With Love.

I found the same humor, heat between the lead couple, and loved seeing Harper, Dan, Thu, and Indira again. The insight into a female character with ADHD was refreshing and welcome. Mazey’s writing was charming and she continued to create a community of lovable characters to root for. That said, this book probably arrived at the wrong time for me. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade last week, the absolute last thing I wanted to read was a surprise baby rom-com. This trope was pretty hit or miss for me before this hellscape, anyway.

Summary: Lizzie Blake has leaned into her own brand of chaos since graduating from high school and hasn’t looked back. Knowing her ADHD sometimes presents her with setbacks, she doesn’t let the dust settle long enough to dwell in it. She is unapologetically herself, and has a group of friends that are more like family.
One night, while craving another meaningless one night stand, she meets Rake. She finds herself wishing he was a repeat act when he turns up again. And again. Then he flies back home - to Australia. Normally content not to lean into her feelings, Lizzie finds herself reliving their interlude with fondness - until she realizes the condoms they used were expired. Ope! Can two strangers - half a world apart - come together to become co-parents, friends, or maybe even more?

This is perfect for lovers of Three Men and a Baby, Nine Months, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, and the surprise baby trope in general.

Lizzie Blake finds herself victim of many different unfortunate events: Being stood up on date night, losing her job at the bakery, and unexpectedly becoming pregnant following a weekend fling with a man who lives across the country. Struggling with ADHD, anxiety, low self-esteem, and rejection, Lizzie must figure out the best way possible to move forward, with or without her “baby daddy” in the picture.
Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake written by Mazey Eddings receives a 4-star (Very good/I liked it) rating from me. The two main characters, Lizzie and Rake are both broken it their own special ways. The plot highly focuses on the baggage that both carry from their past causing issues with what could be their future. I was rooting for their relationship from the very beginning of the book. Rake had given up so much to make sure he could be a good father to his child. I desperately wanted more from this love story.
Eddings writing style had me laughing out loud, on the verge of tears, and angry, constantly a mix of emotions right along side Lizzie. Her characters were immediately loveable, except for Lizzie’s mother…UGH! Lizzie’s group of friends were a riot, tending to Lizzie in all her needed moments. And Bernadette with her “steamy” bakery items…..WOW!
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good emotional roller coaster ride type of read. You won’t regret adding this one to your TBR pile. Expected publication date of September 6th, 2022.
Content warnings: abortion, cheating, unplanned pregnancy

The hold that Mazey Eddings has on me... I can't not read her books in a day. There's no stopping, pausing, or snack breaks - it is page-flipping good. Lizzie Blake is a gorgeous tornado, just trying to do her best in this crazy world. And when she collides with Rake Thompson... it's immediate chemistry. Steamy burning HOT chemistry. But more than that, this is a story about *love* in all forms. Loving yourself, loving others, and emanating love into the universe. And sure there are some sex scenes and vulva cakes tossed in, but I think that love is what this story is about. And it absolutely nails it. We get tough topics like accidental pregnancy and family toxicity, yet are able to push through it through this lens of compassion. I can't wait to see what Mazey Eddings does next.

*Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

6/10

At first I thought this was a Young Adult book. Even the cover art made me think that. Then I got to the graphic sex, which actually started pretty early in the book.

After all, Lizzie, the protagonist, is a sex addict. That’s not the story line and that’s not how it is described, but let’s face facts people - she admits that she uses sex to make herself feel whole. That’s addiction.

But I digress.

The book is about Lizzie (but I already told you that), who has a tough time keeping her life together. She doesn’t have long term boyfriends. She’s got a tough time holding down a job. She has a bad relationship with her family.

Then she meets Rake, the Australian hunk. And…well… it’s complicated.

This book is good. Not great. But good. Truthfully, I’m not sure who I’d recommend read it. Perhaps if you are a fan of YA books but wish they had much more graphic descriptions of sex, then you’ve found your novel.

The story line doesn’t have any surprises and falls into the basic Rom-Com format - or rather it tries to fall into that format but, though the author describes the sexual escapades in effective flow, it seems she struggles in actually describing the sexual tension between Lizzie and Rake. The way emotions are portrayed seems quite a bit forced.

Truthfully, I think there was probably a better novel in this with a little more work. Maybe if each chapter was delivered not just from the opposite persons point of view, but if the incidents in each chapter overlapped, but viewed from the other perspective. Perhaps that would create more intrigue and tension.

But alas, I’m not the editor. Just a reader.
It’s a 6 out of 10.

#netgalley #lizzieblakesbestmistake

"Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake" was an adorable beach read. It was a fun follow up book to "A Brush with Love" to read more about Lizzie, but could also be read as a stand alone.

This was so so good!! I adored all that characters and the development was great throughout. Kept me wanting more. The push and pull between Lizzie and Rake was addictive and so fun to read.The dialogue was nice to read and helped the progression of the relationship. I would definitely recommend!

This book was so good, I didn't want it to end. The banter had me smiling from ear to ear for practically the whole book. I loved the way Rake loved Lizzie, his understanding and patience is swoon-worthy and then adding in an Australian accent is almost deadly. He is the perfect book boyfriend and I didn't want the book to end. I loved the elements of ADHD, I think it really educates the reader in new and different ways. I want more!!!

I really enjoyed this quick paced, light and fluffy read! I would definitely recommend this as a good beach read.