Hello! Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book.

I almost regretted picking up this book because it has one of my least favorite tropes in it. However, I really loved Lizzie and Rake and loved their story. I also am so happy the author decided to shine a light on the neuro divergent population and presented it in a way that not everyone sees. As a mental health therapist myself, I see people just like Lizzie walk into my practice more often than not. They feel confused, misunderstood and like they let their loved ones down every day; all because their brain fires differently. Thank you for showing the world that you can have adhd and have poor executive functioning skills and still be an awesome human being!! I feel that you will have people read this book and finally feel seen and heard.

I just reviewed Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings. and I loved it!
It was amazing because I don't think I've ever read a book that referenced RSD and ADHD as much as this book did. The way she finally stood up for herself because of him wrecked me.
"Just because your brain works differently from neurotypicals, it doesn't mean you deserve to be valued any less. It doesn't mean your love is a burden or liability."
"He definitely said and did the wrong thing. It doesn't excuse it, but his sh**** response doesn't reflect on your worth."
Thank you to #St.MartinsPress & #Netgalley for the ARC of this novel! #09.06.2022

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Lizzie Blake is a character that will stick with me for a bit - her personality came out in every chapter and I could really visualize her vibeant and passionate approach to life thanks to Mazey’s descriptions. I didn’t think I would enjoy the accidental pregnancy plot, but between the banter and the character development for both Lizzie and Rake - I was hooked. I was a proud friend when she had that last conversation with her mom! Definitely excited to see the hype around this book when it comes out.

This was a fun, but realistic story of Lizzie and Rake as they navigate a relationship and impending parenthood. I had a moment of pride when Lizzie has an important conversation with her mother about how you can love, but you can also allow to protect yourself from toxic people. I wanted to shout for joy, because those are the words I never got to say, but truly believe. Having to make that choice is the best thing one can do for themselves. The book was also a testament that it is possible to build a positive support system, people that get you and don’t judge and compare you. Many layers to this tale!

4.5 STARS!!

lizzierake. i'm in love with you.

i am not a pregnancy trope enthusiast but oh. my. GOD i love this book so much. i need the physical copy. lizzie and rake's chemistry is SO HOT and so wholesome at the same time and i miss them so much already.

thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC <3 cannot wait for more of mazey's work, she's steadily becoming one of my favorite authors :')

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.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book!!!
After Mazey’s debut book A Brush with Love, I was so anticipating Lizzie’s story and it did not disappoint. Lizzie is eccentric and unlike any book character you’ll ever read about. She’s a lot but you love her and Rake was just the perfect match. The sudden pregnancy plot isn’t for a lot of people but I enjoyed it so much. The writing is detailed and fun plus it’s such an addictive read. I also enjoyed seeing the previous characters return and be there for Lizzie.

I want to start by saying that I LOVED how ADHD was represented in this book. As someone with ADHD, the way it was written about really was so spot on and made me able to relate to the main character more than I would have otherwise. The story starts off with Lizzie and Rake meeting at a bar and hooking up. Soon after, Lizzie finds out she’s pregnant and then we follow the two while trying to navigate this life changing news. I really enjoyed the character development of both main characters. LOVED that the chapters are pretty short (ADHD friendly!)!

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC! 📚

First of all let me start off with this book is so well written, every character is vivid and nearly leaps off the page. I laughed out loud on an airplane at some of the banter, that’s how good it is.

Normally you lose me immediately if there's an accidental pregnancy BUT this was so sweet, so sexy, and just so right...I could not put this book down. I also love the adult ADHD representation. It was funny, fast paced, and deeply felt. Honestly it's a great book BUT there was persistent sneaky irritation I kept feeling.

I spent a great deal of time reading this book (well devouring it) … a little irritated.

I won't spoil this but I felt like Lizzy was incredibly hard on Rake, for someone who really worked to do the right thing and be open and accepting of so much change, It was almost unreasonable her reaction to an honestly normal slip up, and there were was a little too much try hard to make Lizzie a mess, BUT her humanness really kept me reading so again at the end of the day, I know this book is going to be a hit!

Lizzie leads a wild disorganized life. She can't hold a job. She has one night flings. But her brief encounter with a handsome Australian turns into a little more. She is pregnant and he moves to co parent. Opposites attract. He is organized. Lizzie has adult ADHD. We get to see how she deals with pregnancy and a new job. I love her new job. She works in a bakery that make erotic goodies.
The book was eye opening. I did not realize how ADHD affects older people. I always associated it with kids and school. Her parents were no help. Her brother could do no wrong. Its interesting to see how they work things out.
Thanks, NetGalley for a book I probably would have skipped. It pays to read out of your zone.

I absolutely loved A Brush with Love so naturally, I had to get my hands on this gem! OBSESSED, I just love Mazey Eddings so much. I have ADHD and an anxiety disorder, so it is great to see representation and I love how Lizzie was portrayed in the story. Rake was flawless... chef's kiss (unrealistically great, but I am okay with that). It was slightly far-fetched and unconventional but isn't that what romance books are all about. I read to escape and this book was perfect for that! The story was binge-able, easy to read, and brought up so many emotions. I just loved it. Thank you, NetGalley & St. Martins!

I requested to read and review this book for free from Madison Eddings/St. Martin Publishing Company. This book had mystery, romance, comedy and drama. Can two strangers find love and happiness. Self worth is an important thing. Life can sometimes take you on a unexpected journey. Love has an interesting way of showing it to us. In this book you will meet free spirited Lizzie and combo of friends that are all different but make it work. Then Rafe an Aussie guy that had to shut down his emotions to survive. But can a free spirited help some else blossom or do you need to do it for yourself. This book is for a mature reader only and be read anywhere.

This book starts with Lizzie Blake, a woman looking for a one night stand. She get stood up in a bar by her app date but then the handsome Rake, a man in town on business from Australia, catches her eye. They end up really liking each other meet up more than once before he has to go back home. Lizzie ends up with a “surprise” and Rake is offered a job in America.

This book was an interesting read for me. I started out really not liking the main character. Usually when a MC is labeled as quirky the way they are written tends to annoy me. The first 6-7 chapters this was true for me and I was having a hard time staying interested. A little before the half way mark in the book, I started to understand Lizzie a little bit better and I wanted to see what happened with Rake and her relationship. I liked that the author wrote in Lizzie’s family dynamics and despite a strained relationship with all of them she was able to work it out with some and when to call it quits with others. All in all it was a cute story but I don’t think MC’s personality was the right fit for me.

Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a 30yo with pretty bad ADHD, and who just started treatment for it, this one hit hard. I cried. But oh, how I absolutely loved it. I'm single, and I don't think I'd settle for anything less than a guy like Rake. Thank you, Mazey, from the bottom of my heart.

This follow up novel to Brush With Love totally exceeded my expectations.

This one starts out with some serious steam (this is an open door romance) but what I really loved about it was the representation of what it has been like for the MC to live with ADHD as an adult, and the years of feeling like she was “too much” and “too lazy” due to her struggles with organization and focus.

I especially loved that the storyline focused on a live story where they brought out the best in each other and celebrated the uniqueness instead of trying to change each other.

I absolutely loved this story of Lizzie and Rake - the humor, the banter, the sweetness and the steam. Just perfect!

Trigger warning: toxic family/parents, unplanned pregnancy

I mean WOW I all I can say. I was a big fan of A Brush of Love and was so excited for this book. I finished it in one sitting. I couldn’t stop reading it! The characters were amazing, the emotional and rawness was perfect! An excellent book!

So, this book is honestly a ray of sunshine. I loved Lizzie so so so so much! I loved the dual POV, I loved the chemistry, I loved the emphasis on the importance of mental health. And, most important I loved the growth both Lizzie and Rake had throughout the novel. I saw @susanareadss review and picked it up without reading the synopsis and I highly suggest you do the same. This book really makes you realize that you are in control of who is in your life…..just because you love someone doesn’t mean they are meant to be in your life

I wasn't sure at first I'd like this novel but by the end of the book, I loved it! It was so refreshing to see a character that has ADHD that is relatable and just plain fun. I wanted to strangle her mother numerous times and was happy with the decision Lizzie made regarding interactions with her in the future. Well written, a bit steamy in parts, but it felt right for these characters, both so damaged in their self-esteem come together to heal each other. Highly recommend for those unafraid of some very sexy scenes.

A romantic comedy that was entertaining but fell a bit short for me. Lizzie Blake and her best mistake came off as bit more women's fiction than romance to me. I just wasn't feeling the connection to Rake or their relationship. This author nailed the friends part for sure but the romance just wasn't there when it really needed to be there. With that being said, I did love Lizzie in this. I sympathized with her journey and felt connected to her in that way. At some points in the beginning and middle I got a bit bored in the details and lack of action but I was always tethered to the story and wanting to know what came of Lizzie. I would recommend this book to all women's fiction lovers.

I loved this title. I loved Lizzie and Rake. The depiction of a neurodiverse character was spot-on and refreshing to see. It was thought provoking, encouraging, and supportive. I loved it and highly recommend!

So clearly I only ever read the first paragraph (if even that) of the synopsis because after finishing this book, and realizing what makes up the majority of the content, I was sure the synopsis was cheekily dodging this particular trope. But no. It's right there, in paragraph two : unexpected baby. Yikes. So, yeah, this one's on me, folks. But here's your warning incase you missed that, too.

Obviously (well, maybe not) this isn't only about these two strangers who have to deal with the unplanned (despite their best intentions) consequences of their hook-up gone.. well, unexpected. We also have a lot of dialogue, discussion, and dealing/living-with adult ADHD and the various processing struggles and tricks required to function. Not only function but thrive. And, at the same time, finding the people around you -- platonic or otherwise -- who cherish you regardless and don't treat you as a burden. Which is what one of our MCs was brought up to believe. The other has his own baggage, too, but it's a little more in line with standard romance stuff; except for one thing that is sorta used as motivation (maybe not the right word, I'm struggling with how to phrase this without being too obvious) for why he is so quick so early on to jump in on making their partnership work. I won't say more but there are layers that, even though it's explained and there doesn't seem to be an intent to villainize the situation, it just may not work for some readers because I think it's a fine line on how it may come across. And honestly while I understand to some degree why the author included it, it could've easily just not been there.

Overall, nothing about this made me mad -- not even the thing I'm went on about above, I just kind of did a mental dodge around it; not even the baby stuff (which, by the way, I'm not anti-baby, I just don't prefer them to be the focus and it was mostly the only plot-related conflict). But it's just obviously not my jam. There were some good emotional beats, some of the ADHD representation was interesting to read about as I'm not aware of anyone in my life with that diagnosis and certainly not read it described in the way the author did here, and some of the 'trying to remain platonic while lusting after each other' hijinks were entertaining. But I just didn't connect. I didn't laugh. And I was only minorly impacted by some of the aforementioned emotional turmoil.

This is Eddings' second release and neither have quite landed for me, though both in different ways. I can definitely see why people on my flist are already enjoying this, and why others will still enjoy it. To each their own! I might give her one last shot (three strikes, you're out!) before throwing in the towel though.

2.5 stars