Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

I thought the audiobook experience was great as both the male and female narrators conveyed their characters and accents effectively.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, however I did end up feeling that it dragged a bit in the middle. I felt the inner dialogue discussing having strange feelings in both of their chests around each other and how Rake doesn't do feelings became repetitive and eventually distracting from the story. I also didn't feel very strongly about Lizzie and Rake's relationship, which may have been due to how driven by lust it was without a strong foundation making me buy into their HEA.

Overall, I would recommend this to someone looking for a book that does the accidental pregnancy trope well and is looking for a book with lots of humor which I think Mazey Eddings does a great job at inserting into her books. I also though that the author did a great job with the interactions between Lizzie and her friend group and they were some of my favourite scenes of the book!

Cute enough, but it kind of fell flat for me. I didn't really like Lizzie, and Rake was a little too perfect. There were some scenes that I enjoyed, but I found myself hoping the story was almost over and kept checking how much I had left.

I listened to it as an audiobook, and I do think I might have enjoyed it a little more if I had just read it. It was cute though!

Thank you netgalley for the arc!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC! This book has a very intense (with spiciness) and abrupt beginning that I wasn't sure where it was going to go (I like some character development) but things do start to slow down and come together narratively, so I did find myself enjoying the story more and more as it progressed.

4.5🌟 - I really liked it!

Thank you @smpromance for the #gifted ARC and for the EARC/ALC through @netgalley!

Lizzie is chaotic, full of love, and will warm your heart! I absolutely adored this book 🥹!

This book has neurodiversity rep (she has ADHD), a hot Australian man, baking that brings the 🌶, and chef’s kiss 👩🏻‍🍳💋 forced proximity!

Lizzie and Rake were just perfect, perfect, perfect! This had the best balance of charm, humor, swoon, spice, and lovable characters you wanted to root for!

This book has an accidental pregnancy trope, but it really worked for me! I had never read a book like it, and just here to sing praises about @mazeyeddings’s books forever!

Hit me right in the feels!

4/5 ⭐ OVERALL
3.5/5 🌶 STEAM

“If yellow was a sound, he thought, it would be her laugh.” 🥺

If you enjoy:
- Contemporary Romance
- Rom-com
- ADHD Rep
- Australian Hero
- Rapid Fire Steam

To all my romance readers that love it spicy from the start, laugh out loud funny, and rip your heart out sad (Lizzie's back story is just ... 💔). You're going to need to add this one to your TBR, if you haven't yet.

Let me start by saying, the audiobook was fabulous! It was dual narrated, which I couldn't have been more excited about. I love when a romance audiobook is dual narrated, even if the book is written in third person, it gives it that extra pizzazz. Both narrators knocked it out of the park and I really enjoyed listening to this one.

I adored Lizzie and Rake from the start, especially Lizzie. My daughter has ADHD so this hit close to home. My heart broke for Lizzie in so many ways, and even though I support my daughter 1000% it opened my eyes a little more because it's hard to understand when you simply have no clue. The author did a wonderful job representing Lizzie's ADHD. Then, she went a created the perfect partner for Lizzie, in Rake. This man!!! He was so supportive, so kind, so understanding, so everything. I'm not saying anymore so I don't spoil it!

I definitely recommend as long as you're ok with the triggers below! 👇

Happy Reading! 💙

TW: talk of abortion, emotional abuse, ableism, pregnancy

I'd also like to thank NetGalley and the Author for the chance to listen and review early. Wishing you all the best on release day!

I really enjoyed this book! Lizzie is a fun quirky character who is constantly making messes and getting into trouble due to her ADHD. She meets Rake at a bar, they have a one night stand, and Lizzie ends up getting pregnant. Lizzie decides to keep the baby and Rake wants to be a part of her life with the baby. The story follows the two of them as they navigate their relationship together and figure out how to become parents.

The story is told through both Lizzie and Rake’s point of view. I thought both Lizzie and Rake were both likable characters and I like how the author talked about ADHD and mental health throughout the book. The book includes a super fun bakery, the single bed trope and lots of steamy scenes. A great romance read for anyone looking for something new this fall!

was first introduced to Lizzie Blake in A Brush with Love and now she gets her own story. Lizzie is scattered, disorganized, too loving, with too big of a personality and she is a delight. Eddings does an amazing job showing a person with ADHD. Lizzie understands her neurology but she can’t control it. She knows it costs her jobs and relationships and gave her an amazingly sad family life. She meets Rake at a bar. He is Australian, only in town for a fews on business and can’t believe his good fortune in meeting Lizzie. Even though they are responsible this is a accidental pregnancy story. Rake wants to be a partner in everything upends his life transferring and getting a place they can live together (forced proximity).

The story is told from alternating POVs but it isn’t equal. With Lizzie you get her inner thoughts, energy, emotions, and lusts. Rake's POV is more how he sees Lizzie and isn’t bothered by her antics and what others see at shortfalls. He is bewitched by her verve for life. He is a super supportive and may be one of the sweetest heroes I’ve read. I was happy to see Lizzie’s friend group Indira, Thu and Harper (& Dan). They are less a part of the story than in Brush. I like that the author didn’t force a happy ending between Lizzie and her parents but did give family connection with her brother. Lizzie’s strength in finally standing up to her mother is one of the book’s highlights.

One thing that has come up as a negative in the reviews is Rake’s back story. I’m choosing to acknowledge that I do have an issue with an abortion being part of vilifying his ex. Rake doesn’t need any back reason to want to be a part of his future child’s life. The point is Rake wasn’t connected to his girlfriend. It is sufficient that although compatible they weren’t in love or that she cheated. The author makes it clear the main characters are pro choice. But particularly in this year the few lines about an abortion feels particularly yucky and stigmatizing. I like the book too much to mark down for this but others including my daughter have.

I absolutely recommend this is for people who enjoy a unconventional heroine who isn’t easy to love and understand at first. This is funny, steamy, educational and moving. I can’t wait to read what Edding’s writes for her next book.

I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed Mazey Eddings as Lizzie. I had a harder time with the Australian accent used for Rake. When it was narrative he'd read without the accent and then switch to it when reading Rakes words. I liked his regular reading voice without the accent. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook in exchange for a review.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake
By: Mazey Eddings

5/5 Stars

What We Have:
-ADHD Representation
-Dual POV
-Chaotic FMC x Calm MMC
-One Bed Trope
-Accidental Pregnancy
-AUSTRALIAN ACCENT
-Steamy Scenes
-Laugh Out Loud Banter

We also have the best dedication ever:

"For anyone who's been told they're too loud. Too emotional. Too much. You are the perfect amount of enough.”

I selected this book because it was based about a female main character diagnosed with ADHD. Having been (finally) diagnosed as an adult, I was eager to see how this diagnosis would be portrayed. I can accurately state that this was spot on. I have never felt more seen in a book in my entire life. I have been obsessed with neurodivergent books because representation is so important! I felt so connected to Lizzie and could relate to some of her struggles so deeply that I found myself going “ oh yeah! I remember feeling this” or “ yep, me too sister!”

While I know a lot of people hate the pregnancy trope, I truly think it was done so well and it was never once an ick factor. It was emotional and beautiful and really helped highlight Lizzie’s self discovery journey.

This story is dual POV following Lizze and Rake. Lizzie doesn’t do relationships, but she does do one-night stands. She craves the feel of another person but doesn’t want the messy parts that come with being with someone more than once. She is interested in a good time and is waiting at a bar to meet her latest tinder date. While waiting, she meets a handsome, blond haired Australian at the bar. He is so beautiful and she is definitely being stood up by her date. Lizzie and Blake hit it off and end up back in his hotel room. Even though it was the BEST sex of her life, Lizzie tries to run away as fast as possible. Still thinking about Rake, and accidentally leaving behind something that fell out of her purse, Lizzie and Rake end up sleeping together a few more times while he is in Philadelphia. Turns out, he lives in Australia and is only here for the weekend on a week trip. Before parting ways, they exchange numbers and promise to stay in touch if Rake is ever in town again.

Lizzie Blake is a baker working in a stuffy high-end millennial bakery trying to keep up with her bosses demands while managing her ADHD and time management. She is on thin ice with him and after puking on her way to work (weird) she ends up late AGAIN and is fired. Feeling like crap and not like herself, Lizzie discovers that she is pregnant. The last person she was with was Rake, who is now back in Australia. She texts him the news and next thing she knows, Rake has agrees to get on the next plane to discuss things with her in person.

Rake just knows he needs to be there for Lizzie and his future child and they decide to pursue a co-parent relationship. Rake decides to move to America and get an apartment with Lizzie. All would be fine, except Rake wants to take sex off the table. Cool…cool.. except Lizzie is horny and hormonal and wants to bone her hot baby daddy! Tensions are high between them in their new apartment that Rake picked out on a whim which happens to be a studio apartment with no doors?? Rake and Lizzie soon learn a lot about each other due to close proximity. For example, Lizzie forgot to transfer the clothes from the washer to the dryer, but Rake did and even folded her clothes neatly for her. Or how Lizzie wants to keep track of the pregnancy by posting weekly check lists on the wall so she won’t forget/ lose track. Rake agrees and tapes everything on the wall and even helps with the list making.

The two end up meeting with Lizzies friends and tell them that they’re pregnant. While not taking the news so well, we see Rake truly shine. He stands up for Lizzie when her friends make her feel like she is in over here head. He protects Lizzie and supports her which says a lot since they’re still strangers to one another in the grand scheme. The friends eventually come around but it should be noted that Lizzies friends are amazing secondary characters!Lizzie has been stigmatized by her diagnosis by her parents who would rather stick her more medication to dilute her personality and symptoms than try to understand their daughter. Because of this, she has created a tribe of supportive friends to be her family and thank GOD for them. Her friends love and accept her without judgement and have carried her through the years where her family has not. Being a woman and having ADHD is a struggle.

Another great point to add is that throughout this book, Lizzie is so mature and whenever she loses her shit or something goes wrong, she tells Rake exactly WHY she is acting the way she is. She tells him all about her ADHD, about her rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and her therapy/medication plan to keep her on track. And Rake just is so beautiful in accepting and helping her throughout it all. My favorite part of the story was how understanding and accommodating Rake was to Lizzie. He never made her feel like she was crazy and always took time to understand her rationale for her actions.

This book was everything I didn't know I was missing. I pre-ordered the physical copy to keep on my shelves and have recommended it to all my friends. Thank you Netgalley, Mazey Eddings, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan audio for the advanced listening copy for review!

Lizzie Blake is known for her mistakes. Perfect example: kitchen fires. After losing another job to ADHD complications, she falls into bed with Rake, a hot Australian that has given up on relationships all together. Rake returns to Australia after a delightful two-night-stand, only to be pulled back to the States by Lizzie and her unexpected pregnancy. Together, they try to navigate the complicated dynamic of platonic-roommates-who-totally-want-to-bang and a baby on the way.

This book started off strong for me, but took a dip towards the end. Things I loved: the spicy scenes (spicier than I usually read!), the representation of Lizzie's ADHD, and Rake's standing up for Lizzie throughout the book. Things I didn't love: the representation of Lizzie's ADHD, unnecessary conflict, the fact that Rake's narrator wasn't Australian?! When writers overwork certain aspects of books, like Lizzie's ADHD, it stops being central to the character and starts being more annoying than anything. That's how I felt about this, at times. As a mental health counselor who also lives with a partner with ADHD, I found this to be a fairly accurate representation. However, as a reader, I don't need to be reminded of this character trait on every page. Eddings wrote Lizzie's ADHD so effectively that I knew it was there even when she wasn't saying it... so she didn't have to keep saying it.

Overall, this was a pretty cute story with two likeable main characters. The pregnancy trope just might not be for me.

I really have no idea how to rate this book. (BTW, who knew it was part of a series…?I don’t think it took away from the book the fact that I had not read previous books in the series, but looking at other reviews it might enhance your enjoyment).
So let’s talk plot: Loved it! I thought Lizzie and Rake had wonderful chemistry and I kinda liked the whole story.
Let’s Talk Language: Beyond unnecessarily graphic language and scenes. If you were to divide this book up there is about 20% plot/story (Now I would give that a 5) but the remaining 80% I could have done without. It was straight up off the shelf from Adam and Eve) I do understand the fact that the author needed Lizzie to be trying to fill a void (which you find out towards the end) so I had a softer spot for her once you understand her background. But the author could have done the exact same thing with out all of the crude language and descriptive scenes.
One thing I absolutely LOVED in this book was Rake. I LOVED the way he stood up for Lizzie! The scene with her friends was awesome!
I would have really liked more of their story and less of their activity….

Not sure if I will read another one of this authors books because I really did not like her over steamy scenes.

Thank you Netgally for this advanced copy of this audiobook. I was not influenced or reimbursed for this honest opinion.

This is a hard one to review because I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I’ll give it to the author on her quirkiness. I loved both Lizzie and Rake, but I’m not sure if it was the insta attraction/love that didn’t do it for me considering Lizzie’s past. On the other hand, Rake was too perfect and I kept waiting for something to be wrong with him. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that someone who has had minimal interaction besides sexual encounters to willingly uproot their life.

Although this wasn’t a favorite for me, I may give the author another chance in the future.

“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.”

***

This book left me feeling decidedly itchy.

On one hand, the picture painted about a neuro-divergent woman with ADHD, was a fun and hopeful look at what could happen if you’re in the right bar at the right time, and end up with someone who loves your quirks.

On the other hand, there’s something unsettling about having the way your brain works, (and the feelings you have about how your brain works), that leaves one feeling very exposed.

It’s like someone read your therapy notes, and jury’s still out on how they’ll be used – to understand you, or as a weapon.

7/10

I’ll definitely keep my eyes out for more in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this ARC.

The description sounded like it would be a fun listen. It did not start out well for me. Lizzie is a grown woman who lives life with reckless abandon and blames it all on her uncontrolled ADHD and yet does absolutely nothing to learn coping mechanisms. avail herself of therapy or meds or do a single thing to stop the runaway train that she is. Yes, her parents were awful to her and all she wants is their approval, but grow up and take a little bit of responsibility for goodness sakes. And yes I have a lot of experience with people with ADHD so don’t take her issues lightly. She never ever commits to anyone and her longest relationships are 24 hours. Hard stop there. So when she goes out to meet up with a date and he shows up late, drunk and very rude, Rake steps in to help. It starts out as a one night stand, turns into an unexpected pregnancy (yes, condoms do in fact have an expiration date!) they decide to co-parent platonically. I am glad I continued listening. Rake and Lizzie bring out the best in each other, help each other let go of old hurts, learn to let love in and finally value their individual self worth and as a couple. They truly bring out the best in each other.

What a fun romcom this was, so happy I chose to go with the audiobook. Narrated by Summer Morton and Will Peters, and it was perfectly done. This one was funny, witty, steamy, and completely entertaining. Loved it!

Our main character, Lizzie Blake, has ADHD. She is someone who thinks she only wants to have one night stand, she's scared to make connections with people. Then when she meets, and hooks up with Rake, she unexpectedly gets pregnant. Can these two come together to raise a baby?

Told through the POV of both Lizzie and Rake, which was really fun. I loved both of these flawed characters and was really rooting for them. I can't wait to read (or listen) to more from Mazey Eddings.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out Sept. 6

I'll admit that I didn't like Eddings' first novel A Brush With Love very much. I couldn't get into the romance and didn't like the love interest. But I love that Eddings writes romance novels with great neurodivergent rep, so I was willing to go into Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake with an open mind. I'm glad I did because I was mostly pleasantly surprised by this book!

Content warnings: unexpected pregnancy, discussion about abortion, toxic parents, and food.

I liked the main characters Lizzie and Rake so much more than Harper and Dan in the first book. Lizzie's experience with ADHD and her toxic family was heartbreaking but handled well from what I could tell as someone who doesn't have ADHD. I love a good story about a baker and Lizzie's new job at a bakery that makes "explicit" desserts was so much fun to read about. Rake is a little uptight at first, but he really grew on me. Unexpected pregnancy is not a draw for me in fiction, but I felt like it was handled well in this book for the most part. Still, the discussions about pregnancy and abortion could be very triggering for some, especially given recent events here in the US. There's one discussion about a past abortion in the book that I don't think was necessary and may not have been handled as gracefully as it could've been. Overall, I enjoyed this book, I just would've left a couple of things out. If you're looking for romance with neurodivergent rep and a grumpy/sunshine pairing, check this one out!

3.5 stars

This book was fun and chaotic in the best way, much like our main character Lizzie. Lizzie and Rake meet at a bar and hit it off. They spend a few nights together and then Lizzie finds out she's with child and said child is Rake's. Problem is, Rake lives in Australia and was just in town for business.

Lizzie is sure to let Rake know right away that she's pregnant and keeping it (praise the Lord- no secret baby here), and Rake decides to take a transfer to the US to be near her and the baby. What starts out as a fling, turns into a friendship, which then turns into more. I loved how Rake was with Lizzie and how he made her feel about herself. Her parent's are trash and she really needed someone in her corner.

Though this was different in a lot of ways, I would recommend this to those who love 'Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating'. It had that same messy and chaotic heroine meets and becomes with friends with a tidy guy who is nearly opposite of her. I actually loved this so much more than the first book in this series and I'm glad I read it. Lizzie and Rake's book was fun, yet emotional at times and overall enjoyable for me!

Do you ever just need a fun and steamy rom com?!?! Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake came at the best time for me after a few bookstagram made me do it flops.

Lizzie Blake is a fun loving free soul who hooks up with hot Aussie Rake while he is in Philly for work. When an unexpected surprise throws their world for a loop they try to make the best of the situation while keeping their relationship platonic.

Y’all Lizzie had me cracking up throughout this book with her Xrated banter. I loved seeing Lizzie’s growth through the story and how she is able to overcome some ADHD obstacles. Did I mention how HAWT Rake is?!?! Add a sexy Australian accent and he is perfection. Highly recommend his one if you need a laugh with a side of steam!

Full disclosure this has one of my most loathed tropes…unplanned pregnancy…yet I absolutely adored this story and it worked.

Lizzie has got to be one of my fave heroines, she was a riot, I lost count of the times I laughed out loud and Rake well who wouldn’t love an Australian hunk with a heart of gold.

Lizzie and Rake have a two night stand, it leads to a big surprise, a baby. Lizzie is prepared to do it all alone and is genuinely shocked when Rake steps up to the plate and wants to be there for it all. Lizzie struggles with ADHD, she’s a bit of a mess, she’s jobless, estranged from her family but has a heart of gold and clear determination and Rake is the steady centre point she never knew she needed.

Lizzie was so relatable, her messiness was endearing, she was never afraid to say it like it is and be completely herself. I adored the ADHD rep and it felt like the author really knew her stuff or did her research.

These two characters also had instant chemistry, and just because they were hooking up within chapters, Eddings was able to make their connection feel believable.

There are also some well loved tropes sprinkled in, friends to lovers, one bed, close proximity and I think it eases the burn of a baby.

There were a few disjointed parts, maybe a bit of a detour here and there that didn’t feel natural but the heart of the story and the shear fun of it made it a bingeable joy.

There are also characters from Eddings first book, A Brush With Love, but can be completely read as a stand alone, but was nice to revisit.

Mazes Eddings is one to watch for your romance reads.

*The audio was good but I felt like the male narrator should of been Australian considering the character was and would of
made listening perfect.

I read Mazey Edding's first book, A Brush with Love, and found a new author to love. She's local to me, and that, for some reason, makes me like her even more!

I was so excited to see Lizzie getting her book as I loved her in A Brush with Love.

Lizzie is a unique character, but honestly, IRL, she's like many of us. Maybe a bit too loud talks too much, and is a bit scattered at times. As a mother of a child with ADD, I can relate to Lizzie. She's trying so hard to do it all, but it's just too much, and all comes back to blow up in her face. I love reading books about relatable characters, and Lizzie is one of the most relatable characters I have ever read.

One fateful night she meets Rake—a gorgeous hottie from Australia - just a one-night stand that turns into so much more.

The banter between these two was funny, sad, and steamy! I wanted these two to get their HEA, but it wasn't a straight road; there were many twists and turns along the way. I so enjoyed watching these two come into their own and together simultaneously. I love how Mazey Eddings writes, making me feel like I am part of the story. (I am still looking for the bakery in Philly that Lizzie works at because I think it's a genius idea, lol)!

Another great book by Mazey Eddings!
This review is for the audible, and the narrators brought these characters to life and did a great job!

The Quick Bits:

1. Pregnancy Trope
2. Mental Health Rep (ADHD)
3. Family Relationship Drama
4. Romantic Comedy
5. A Hot Australian Hero

I gave this book 4 stars, and no one is more shocked than me. I am not the target audience for this book. I typically hate pregnancy tropes. Had I paid better attention (oops) to the synopsis, I probably wouldn't have read this.

So, why the 4-star rating? It all comes down to Lizzie Blake. For me, she is a genuinely perfect character. I adore her so much. I loved seeing a messy and uniquely creative woman, who struggles with ADHD, and who loves sex and doesn't apologize for her sexuality. It was incredibly refreshing.

I also found that I enjoyed Lizzie and Rake together. While the relationship is a bit "instalovey" (another trope I hate), I think that Eddings has found a way to make it work. Rake was protective without being possessive. I believed in their chemistry and it was genuinely easy to root for their Happily Ever After. I felt like they really worked together to push through their fears and struggles.

I listened to the audio for this and enjoyed both narrators quite a lot.

Trigger Warnings
1. Ableist Views of ADHD
2. Talk of Abortion

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. This is out on September 6, 2022.