Member Reviews
The most vibrant, effervescent, and relatable character I’ve ever met, Lizzie Blake’s energy flies off the pages and directly into your heart. Perfect ADHD representation. Wonderful pacing and character development. A story that makes your heart simultaneously soar and ache AND face-sitting?? Is this a dream?! I am honored to have been one of the first to meet Lizzie Blake as a beta and arc reader and I’ll be screaming about her well after her release in September.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥
Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake is a hit. No other way to put it.
This book is just so damn fun. It has a plot revolving around an accidental pregnancy, but done so originally and spectacularly well that I don’t see how anyone could not fall in love with this story. A laugh-out-loud, one of a kind romcom that will make you swoon AND blush AND cry (sometimes even all three at the same time! A true feat!) It has amazing ADHD rep and is such a beautiful story about self-love and finding the right person for yourself. Packed with heat and well-thought humor, it’s a truly perfect sequel to the amazing A BRUSH WITH LOVE. I never thought anything could top ABWL, and yet Lizzie’s book just did.
Didn’t realize this was a sequel but it was cute as a stand-alone! Super sweet story and Rake is a cute male character!
Lizzie has always heard she’s “too much”, too emotional, too messy. Rake has heard he’s emotionally unavailable. When they meet at a bar, there’s an instant connection, but neither one wants more than one night, so they go their separate ways, only to find out they may need to spend more time together.
I loved this take on “hook up turning into more” trope. I loved the perspective of Lizzie’s ADHD. This book felt like it was about two normal people who make mistakes but just keep trying to be better people for themselves and for each other. I loved their honest relationship, and Lizzie was such a fun character.
CW: accidental pregnancy
great romance with adhd being addressed. I liked this trope of a 1 night stand that created a baby. I loved his name of rake. I liked her brother and friends. I liked that she was able to find a job and do well at it. I liked that they started co parenting and not having a full relationship.
"He and Lizzie were a mix of blurred lines and one hundred different shades of gray, something undefined, not entirely real."
What You'll Find:
✔️Romantic Comedy
✔️Opposites Attract
✔️One Night (well two)
✔️Surprise Pregnancy
✔️Sweet With Open Door Heat
✔️Dual POV (third person)
Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake tells the story of Lizzie and Rake. Lizzie lives with ADHD. And when it costs her another job, she throws herself into a two night stand. Something she does NOT do. Not the hookups... she does those. It just that it's always one and done for Lizzy, who does not let anyone get closer than the one time hook up. But Rake from Australia, there briefly on business, has her throwing all caution to the wind. Rake couldn't be more opposite. He's emotionally closed off and avoids intimacy. But something about Lizzie brings down his guard. It doesn't matter though. Because after two nights, he's back to Australia. That is, until Lizzie discovers she's unexpectantly pregnant.
I really enjoyed the authors debut. But I was SO excited for this story. The tropes, my catnip. I am so grateful to have received an ARC because I absolutely adored this book. It starts with a bang, literally lol. Pardon my bad humor. And then you get so much more. I am not sure how the author fit so much in, but the story was so well rounded and filled to the brim with everything that made my heart warm. I loved the MC's. The setting. The important topics that were handled with lightness at times, and care more importantly. The pining and steam were perfect. But mostly, I just loved the authors ability to capture the emotion in each moment so perfectly with her words. You feel them.
"Think we can actually do this?" Lizzie asked in a quiet voice. Rake's heartbeat sped up under her cheek, but his voice was smooth and steady. "I know we can."
This story felt young at times but I didn't dislike it like I typically do. How could I when it made made smile from start to finish? I laughed out loud numerous times. I even teared up a time or two. This story feels fresh and unique, the author putting her own stamp on romance. Lizzie truly blossoms. And Rake, what a supportive swoony soul. I loved how they grew together. Accepting and loving each other, and themselves. And owning their HEA in their own way in the end. I truly loved it. Make sure you put this on your TBR now to read on release in September!
*I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Quotes used subject to change with publication.
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
I finished the first book in this series many months ago as I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. It has lived rent-free in my mind ever since. So to say that I squealed (literally there was a witness) with delight at being able to read Edding’s follow-up novel is putting it mildly. This book is even more fantastic than the first.
Lizzie, our heroine and namesake, made her debut in Harper’s story. She deals with ADHD and has issues focusing at a job or maintaining relationships. I’ve never been diagnosed with ADHD but boy did I feel like I could relate to her, and at times Rake, so much. I felt seen by this novel because the things Lizzie wants are things I think anyone can relate to. This book actually served as great insight into how someone with ADHD ticks and made me more understanding of their situation.
Speaking of Rake, oh did I enjoy Lizzie’s quip about how his name is something from a Julia Quinn novel. He’s also Australian… swoon. I would like to think I had a similar reaction to Lizzie when she discovers him at the bar but I’m wayyyy too shy so I will live vicariously through her.
Together they tackle an unexpected pregnancy juxtaposed by Lizzie’s ADHD. Rake and Lizzie’s understandable feelings of panic and subsequent actions thereafter were also realistic. I thought both the pregnancy and neurodivergent aspects were both handled respectfully.
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.
When I finished reading I literally hugged my Kindle, sighed and thought THIS is why I read. This is the kind of book that leaves you feeling so good you keep reading other books trying to regain that feeling.
If there is one review you take from my page, please let it be this series.
Thank you #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Every now and then when reading a book, one finds parts of themselves reflected amongst the characters. When reading this book I felt completely consumed by the fact that Mazey Eddings was able to write an entire story of a main character that was essentially me, all while never meeting me or evening knowing who I am.
Lizzie's struggle of always feeling like she's too much, her struggle with making connections for more than one night, and her struggle with fitting into a family when they've always made her feel like she was too much, was all a little too relatable.
All of that aside this book was an absolute blast to read. Between the unexpected pregnancy trope, the roommates and forced proximity. I really can't name a single thing I didn't like. It was so fun and playful I absolutely loved the relationship between Lizzie and Rake. I found myself crying more then I wasn't but truly I think that was more so because this book was hitting way to close to home.
Lizzie Blake is so well developed that I don't think I'll be able to stop raving about this book for years to come. There is truly something so satisfying about being able to see yourself represented so well in a book you're reading. It was so relatable to be able to read Lizzie's struggle with adult ADHD and how people are so easy to assume her actions are a result of laziness when in fact its so much more.
Honestly huge kudos to Mazey Eddings on such an exceptionally well represented book!
Thank you to St. Martins Press & Netgalley for the ARC of this novel!
I loved this book endlessly. A BRUSH WITH LOVE is wonderful, but my queen Mazey Eddings really knocked it out of the park with this one. LIZZIE BLAKE’S BEST MISTAKE is my favorite kind of rom-com novel: charming, hysterical, and incredibly heartwarming.
I loved Lizzie and Rake - they are one of my new favorite fictional couples of all time. I loved their romance AND I loved them each as characters. Their relationship was so soft, supportive, and lovely.
As a neurodivergent reader, I thought that the ADHD representation in this book was so special. Lizzie’s ADHD is a huge part of her experiences, and this was handled with so much honesty and care. I am grateful for authors like Mazey who explore stories led by characters with brains like mine. It’s important for everyone to see the characters they relate to fall in love (romantic and platonic) and be treated with kindness and understanding. I had no clue how to write this review without getting incredibly personal, but I cannot thank Mazey enough for telling Lizzie’s story.
If you like any of the following things in your books, here are some extra reasons to add LIZZIE BLAKE’S BEST MISTAKE to your tbr:
💛 ADHD representation for an adult female main character
💛 Face-sitting within the first 30 pages (and other great sexy times)
💛 Charming, three-dimensional characters
💛 EMOTIONAL CHARACTER ARCS
💛 Sex positivity
💛 Hilarious banter
💛 BAKING
💛 Idiots to lovers / a one-night-stand turned into more
💛 THE SWOON-WORTHIEST ROMANCE
💛 A supportive friend group and lovable side characters
💛An accidental pregnancy romance done SO WELL that this made me rethink my lukewarm opinion of the trope
LIZZIE BLAKE’S BEST MISTAKE solidified Mazey’s place as an auto-buy author. I cannot wait to read anything and everything she writes in the future.
TWs: accidental pregnancy (and accompanying symptoms), emotionally neglectful parents, ableism, discussions of ADHD medications/treatments
This was a good read, i was smiling very often at lizzie’s exuberant personality. rale though was kind of boring. Nonetheless this was still cute
Lizzie and Rake 💥
Strangers one night stand on repeat. ADHD mentally unavailable. The sizzling heat radiating off these two is… bites fist.
Lizzie is quirky with witty come backs, hilarious outbursts and a fireball of energy. At 27 she continues having trouble balancing life, work and family. Her inability to see the same man twice has led her to countless one night stands, and a endless list of flings.
Insert Rake an Australian, yummy businessman. Rake is immediately drawn to Lizzie. He is suffering from a two year dry spell. He doesn’t do hook ups, relationships or anything for that matter. He is routine, hardworking and committed to a simple life.
Why you should read this:
-It’s hilarious!
-Spicy flings
-Heart wrenching struggles with mental health
-Jaw dropping plot twist
This is the follow on to a brush with love. Look i loved the first book but this one is probably the BEST of the two! I absolutely am in love with Lizzie and Rakes story, the perfect rom-com read.
Mazey Eddings sophomore novel is even better than the first (A Brush with Love). (And I was a sucker for Harper and Dan and all their dental school antics). Eddings does such a wonderful job in representing a heroine with ADHD and has a perfect balance of inner dialogue and action to reveal Lizzie's neurological patterns. I loved the dual POV between Lizzie and Rake. Lizzie is never the victim and Rake is always caring and never an enabler. (that's a huge buzzword right now with #ownvoice writers and Eddings is writing all of the reps in a bang up way).
This book is perfect for patrons that love an eclectic (but not cookie cutter), three dimensional heroine who owns her s**t and works with those around her to get her life together on track. The hero and all the supporting cast of characters love and support her (well, except for one, no spoilers here). Rake is dreamy and undeniably human and watching him fall in love with LIzzie is adorable.
One of my favorite reads this year. Loved it.
Thanks so much for the ARC!
Ahhhh I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this ARC (thanks to NetGalley and the publisher), and I was thrilled to find that Lizzie Blake is as endearing, adorable, strong, and feisty than she was in A Brush with Love. I am infatuated with Rake, who is a dream book boyfriend. I love how Mazey Eddings tackles mental health diagnoses and familial relationships and complexities of friendships, and even though I personally was not a pregnancy trope fan, Eddings managed to make me into one by the midpoint of this book. I love, love, love this book and can’t wait for others to love Lizzie and Rake as much as I did.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read this eARC of Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake. It was amazing having no downtime between ABWL and LBBM.
Lizzie constantly struggles with her ADHD and self-worth. Throughout her adult life she has been anti-relationships. Love just isn't in the cards for her... until she meets Rake, an Australian in Philadelphia on business. They go home together and spend Rake's last day in Philly sightseeing. The chemistry between them is immediate.
As the book continues, Lizzie finds herself in a predicament (trying not to spoil the main plot here). It has been a while since I read a book with this type of trope. I was not the happiest of campers when I realized this was going to be the entire plot point for the rest of the book.
Even with all of this, Mazey's writing kept me engaged and wanting to continue reading the story. I am so so happy that I did! I adore Lizzie. She is a real and well-developed MC. I was rooting for her and am so happy we got a book devoted to her. She is definitely a character I would want to be friends with in real life.
The story takes off and pushes Lizzie and Rake into forced proximity (a trope that I adore). Their banter is hilarious and genuine. I struggled to connect with Rake on a deeper level, as the reader is kept in the dark about him most of the time. I wish we had more chapters from his perspective or even just some that showed his personality outside of being loving and supportive to Lizzie! I felt his character was a little one-dimensional, but I obviously still fell in-love with him!
Also can we talk about the spice!! Is it hot in here or is it just me??? That shower scene with Lizzie's laundry was hilarious!!
I am patiently waiting for Indira's book now.
3.75 rounding up to 4 stars because of Lizzie's character development and the neurodiversity representation. :)
I was a big fan of Mazey Eddings's debut, ABWL... and after reading Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake - I'm still a huge Mazey Eddings fan :)
I will be honest and say that I did not like Lizzie at first - well, maybe that's not exactly right. I just didn't know how to take her. She seemed brash and impulsive. I didn't know if she was genuinely funny or just flighty. BUT. As the story grew and Lizzie revealed more and more of herself, I began to understand her. And when I saw past the exterior shell she put up around herself, I was able to see the real Lizzie and she was wonderful! I realized that Eddings wrote the character perfectly because my feelings were essentially what Lizzie had been dealing with in her life: People made snap judgements about her, wrote her off, didn't know how to take her, etc. but it was the ones who looked beyond her protective walls that were granted access to her beautiful soul.
Lizzie is a hoot. And she is fiercely loyal and. heartbreakingly hard on herself. Rake is.... sigh. Swoon worthy.
And the way he loves Lizzie is a parallel for how Lizzie lives her life - free and without abandon. It's such a lovely give and take that they have. I didn't know much going into this novel as far as plots or summaries, so I will admit to being taken aback at the surprise pregnancy trope, but after my initial pause, it flowed right along with the rest of Lizzie and Rake's story. Most of all, I love that Eddings portrays Lizzie as being able to take control of her mental health. She can't control it (I.e - she can't make her ADHD disappear) BUT she CAN control how she manages it - and I love to see the good things that come her way when she is not spiraling.
Another lovely book by Mazey Eddings filled with representation, mental health awareness, hope, and of course, lots of love!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Lizzie has always preferred one night hookups to long term relationships. After losing another job due to her ADHD struggles, she goes looking for a one night stand with an online date, only to end up in Rake’s bed. After deciding to make it a two-night-stand and then cut ties, Lizzie continuing on with her life in Philadelphia and Rake returning home to Australia, Lizzie is shocked to discover she is pregnant.
Rake, determined to be a father to his unborn baby, upends his world and moves to Philadelphia to be near Lizzie. As the two try to establish a platonic co-parenting plan prior to “le-bebe’s” arrival, they find it hard to maintain physical boundaries and the lines begin to blur.
I had not read Mazey Eddings’ debut, “A Brush With Love”, so when St. Martin’s Press granted me an arc for this novel, I was over the moon and knew I wanted to read it immediately. And I really really enjoyed it.
I loved reading about each of the MCs with all of the quirks and oddities, particularly Lizzie who seems like a burst of sunshine that I wish I could meet in real life. Her relationship with Rake is swoon worthy and I loved seeing them each discover who they are and who they ultimately want to be.
My only criticism is that it was a bit steamier than I think it needed to be, and not all of the open doors scenes felt necessary or enhancing to the plot line. Overall though, it was a fun and charming read that I would recommend, especially if you like a good bit of steam in your novels.
One final note - as a neurodiverse individual myself, I am hard pressed to find good representation of the intricacies of the struggles we sometimes face living in a predominantly neurotyoical world. Although more and more neurodiverse authors are popping up on the scene, it’s still few and far between. This makes Mazey Eddings one of a handful of extremely important authors and I hope you’ll check out her work to, at the very least, see what it is like to be a person with ASD/ADHD, etc.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 ⭐
i thoroughly enjoyed this one! and I'm so mad at myself for not checking if it's part of a series - which it is but i doubt it'll make a difference...i'm just ocd that way
i love how ADHD is represented in this story because it's true that many think it's just a person being super hyperactive but in reality it is a much more aggravating internalized battle
...and it's also how we learn to know and love Lizzie Blake! she's one fiesty firecracker that understands that her ADHD is messing up some parts of her life but she's determined to not let it define her. there were times where i was so insanely proud of this girl while also being able to laugh at her antics
and how Rake was just the sweetest fit for Lizzie! this man was an absolute saint and was always there, never complained and stood up for Lizzie. yes there was one aspect that were kind of a red flag but i personally saw his side but he also redeemed himself in the end so all iiis good
for some reason when i requested this, i didn't know it was going to be an accidental pregnancy but it worked well for the story and our couple which ended up being just the most perfect ending
*𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*
"If yellow was a sound, he thought, it would be her laugh."
On this, St. Patrick's Day, I am here to gush about how LUCKY I feel to have Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake in my life. Thank you to @netgalley and @smpromance for the advanced copy, and thank you to the queen, @mazeyeddings for sharing her brilliant mind, relatable characters, and wonderful stories with us!
Friends, I loved Harper and Dan's story in A Brush with Love but this one has it beat for me. Harper's friend Lizzie, baker extraordinaire who struggles to keep a job due to her ADHD and prefers hookups to relationships, happens to meet Australian hunk Rake (yes, like the tropey romance character... he's aware) and they spend a very sexy night together. He doesn't date either but they are drawn together more than once before he heads back home. A while later, Lizzie realizes her life is about to change and he may be part of it longer term after all.
I. Loved. This. Book! While I don't have ADHD, I've heard from friends and multiple online folks who do that the representation makes them feel seen, and Mazey used her own first hand knowledge to write Lizzie's experience in a way that still made it relatable for me as someone with brain fog and cognitive issues. Lizzie and Rake's chemistry is excellent, which makes the pining and denial palpable when they try to leave sex out of their relationship.
Lizzie can often be found completely distracted from and avoiding what she meant to be doing, in a kitchen amongst many sweet treats and a flurry of mess and activity. In honor of her, I'm featuring her book in my routinely messy kitchen. But also, that's a gluten free cherry cranberry pie and it was delicious.
Also, Mazey is such a fun, bubbly, honest soul and I've really enjoyed getting to know her over this platform. You can see our interaction in the second image.
This book comes out in the fall, so read ABWL first and then preorder this one when you can!!
#BookReview #LizzieBlake #FeelingLucky #SweetReads #OwnVoices #ADHDRep #RomanceNovel
n this follow up release to the wildly popular “A Brush With Love”, Ms. Eddings chooses to explore a different type of love story: one where (spoilers) there’s an accidental pregnancy and (omg), there’s only 1 bed, but we’re ~just friends~.
Lizzie is our MC. She has ADHD, which has gotten her in trouble for as long as she can remember due to her scatterbrained nature and inability to plan well and execute tasks. This “failure to comply” has branded her as lazy and messy and sloppy, when really, it’s just that she does better with small to-do lists and tasks broken in small chunks.
Enter our LI, Rake (love the nod to Olde English ton terms). He’s Australian, very guarded, and (according to Lizzie) has a VERY big reason for the bulge in his briefs. Good sex, expired condoms, a one night stand turned “let’s do this a couple times” leads to a couple of pink lines on a pregnancy test….or 12.
This book is a look at the life of someone with ADHD through their eyes. The way that seemingly small tasks can seem insurmountable, and how difficult it can be to “conform” one’s circular brain to the square hole that the world wants to force it in. I do not have this particular neurological quirk, but reading it definitely made me appreciate my own differences in brain processes, and see ADHD-ers in a different, more gentle light.
At the end of it all, we all deserve love. Different brain types, different bodies, different colors/ethnicities. All are worthy of love. And, if I may, directly from the acknowledgements:
“Every brain is beautiful, and they all deserve love exactly as they are.”
Mazey Eddings is a favorite of mine. When I read A Brush With Love I knew Mazey was something special.
Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake was completely unputdownable for me! I stayed up until 2am finishing it in one sitting.
I absolutely loved the characters here... Lizzie and Rake! I loved the chemistry these two had.
The chemistry, playfulness, and dynamic between the two main characters has you swooning from start to finish.
The characters were likeable, the story was engaging and the writing is phenomenal.
This book is funny and witty and will make you laugh out loud while at other times make you weep for each of these characters.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
St. Martin's Griffin,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.