Thanks for the book in exchange for my honest review.

So, if you're in the mood for a cozy, sweet romance with a surprising spicy twist, Late Bloomer is a great pick. The story revolves around Opal Devlin, who wins the lottery and finds her life completely upended. After quitting her dead-end job, she’s overwhelmed by people asking for handouts and ends up buying a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina. Her plan? To find some peace and start a painting business in her new cabin.

But things take an unexpected turn when Pepper Smith, the fiery and gorgeous rightful owner of the flower farm, shows up and insists she’s not going anywhere. What follows is a fun and fiery cohabitation agreement, with plenty of arguments and undeniable chemistry between the two.

I loved how this book tackled the clash between Opal’s need for solitude and Pepper’s fierce determination to keep her family’s legacy alive. The romance is both sweet and spicy, which was a pleasant surprise given the cover. It’s a charming, feel-good read with a lot of heart. If you're into sapphic romances with a touch of humor and a whole lot of chemistry, you’ll really enjoy this one!

Love Mazey Eddings and as usual Late Bloomer has great representation! I loved the small town setting and the initial tension between Opal and Pepper (classic opposites attract), but as the story went on I expected a bit more to happen and found myself not always gripped to keep reading. But if you are looking for a low angst HEA then you will enjoy this! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Late Bloomer is a cute coming of age-esque queer romance taking place in rural North Carolina. I felt the author created the world and built each individual character so well. Opal is a quirky ray of sunshine while Pepper is a socially awkward grump. I enjoyed the way the author explored mental health and mental illness in these two characters and how they each navigated their relationship differently. Opal’s growth in self confidence and ability to stand up for herself really resonated with me. Pepper wasn’t my favorite character but she grew on me later in the story. Some of the dialogue between them was on the corny/sappy side which isn’t my favorite.
I did feel like the author incorporated a lot of plot points that at sometimes felt too complicated but by the end I had a better understanding of why those elements were add. The storyline with Trish felt unfinished and the final chapter felt rushed. Overall I was pleased with this book.

This book was an interesting concept for sure. I had really high hopes going in. The representation was great, but I feel like it just missed the mark for me. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the characters and the situations felt odd at times. It was a light and fast read.

First off, this cover? Absolutely beautiful.

This book was kinda giving sapphic cottage core and I loved that. I loved the small town flower farm setting. It sounded so heartwarming and beautiful.

Despite listening to this story at 2x speed, the story went by quick. I found the same thing with Eddings’ other books that I’ve loved. However, I felt like this one didn’t really have a lot of plot going for it. For instance, I reached the halfway point of the book and had to ask myself what actually happened so far.

Eddings writes romances so well, but I felt like this book needed more substance for me to really love Opal and Pepper together. The foundation was there and I would’ve loved a sapphic neurodivergent romance!

<i>Thank you, Netgalley and SMP & Wednesday Books, for the ARC!</i>

I enjoyed this but felt slightly disappointed! I have loved all of Mazey Eddings’ books, because they’re always so funny, heartwarming, and angsty. This book was definitely heartwarming and sweet, but it lacked the angst that I want to see in my romances. Pepper and Opal were very sweet but there wasn’t anything special in my opinion.

This book was everything. I swear Mazey Eddings can do no wrong. I loved Opal and Pepper so much, the setting, the characters - everything felt just so right. It put me in a happy place I didn't know I needed. Forever obsessed with Mazey's work.

I love Mazey's books - she's an autobuy author for me for sure. When I found out she was writing a sapphic romance, I was so excited! Also, look at that cover! Gorgeous! I ended up saving this one to listen to while I did my planting in my garden for the year and that was definitely the superior way to experience this book. Overall, I loved Opal and Pepper together - they were cute and hard to not root for. Their personalities balanced out nicely and they definitely grew together. My only gripe was that the miscommunication got to be a bit too much by the end of the book.

Late Bloomer is a cute, humorous sapphic romance that I really enjoyed. Opal wins the lottery but it doesn’t change her life for the better as she hoped it would. She quits her job and buys a failing flower farm, but when she arrives, she finds out she was scammed by the owner. Pepper is the sole employee of the farm bd is struggling to keep it afloat and claims she is the true owner. They arrive to both live at the farm and sparks start to fly between them, but the angry kind at first. I love the character growth Pepper and Opal encourage in each other. This enemies to lovers novel is definitely worth a read!

The chaotic and sweet AuDHD romance I didn't know I needed. Late Bloomer was such a sweet romance following Opal, how after winning the lottery decides she's going to buy a flower farm on a whim. Does she know anything about flowers? Not really! She's an artist and the farm seems like a great place to draw inspiration. But when she shows up and meets Pepper, who's aunt had owned the farm before passing, Opal has to figure out whether to keep the farm or sell it back to Pepper.

This story had me holding on for dear life as I watched Opal make the most spontaneous decisions and just run straight into situations without thinking. It was exciting and stressful because I wanted her to slow down, and thankfully that's what Pepper ends up doing. These two balanced each other which really helped their relationship as it grew.

Mazey Eddings always does a great job with handling characters that are dealing with anxiety or depression, and I think she did a great job with the autism and ADHD rep in this book. It's nice to feel seen when you're reading a story.

DNF 33%

I really wanted to love and enjoy this one, because the premise sounded right up my ally. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into the main characters and (from what I read) the romance was lackluster. To be more specific, Opal was a character I didn't enjoy reading. Her tendencies to people please got on my nerves and her naivety started to t piss me off after awhile. I also felt no chemistry from Opal and Pepper, it read to me like Pepper was being downright rude to Opal with no chance of romantic interest.

I don't have much else to say because I DNF'd this book over a week ago and I've forgotten most of my thoughts since then.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love the cover of this book and felt the premise was SO promising. For me, it fell a bit flat in that it read REALLY young for an adult romance book. I found myself skimming most of the book, sadly. I truly believe it is a me issue, it seems like so many people loved this book!

Fresh and engaging. This was a breathtaking love story that kept me so intrigued and interested. We need more Sapphic romance novels and this one does not disappoint.

Although I really wanted to like this book, it was just so unrealistic that I struggled to appreciate the plot. The “love” in the story felt like it centered around thirst aka lust which I can understand but isn’t a great look for a romance novel.

I wouldn’t not recommend it but if you have other books to read, maybe try those first and then try this one.

“f*ck anything and anyone that made you have to survive instead of live. you deserve a life so peaceful it feels deliciously boring. a life filled with flowers and sunny days and people that show you all the time that you’re valued and worthy. you deserve it all.”🌸💐🌻

Opal is struggling to make ends meet between work, her shitty ex and shittier friends, and her true passion - making art. But when she wins the lottery, she discovers the people who once treated her as disposable are suddenly reappearing in her life. Knowing she needs a drastic change, she stumbles across a flower farm in Asheville, NC and buys it without a second thought. However, when she arrives at the flower farm with all her belongings, she discovers that there is already someone living there… Enter Pepper, who had no idea that the only true home and livelihood she ever had had been signed away without her knowledge. Opal, people pleaser that she is, suggests they live together (despite being polar opposites) until they can figure things out. What could go wrong?

this was such a sweet grumpy x sunshine story 😭 Opal and Pepper balanced each other so well. Opal is impulsive, prone to speaking before thinking, and incredibly stubborn, while Pepper is analytical, quiet, and reserved with her emotions. They brought out the best qualities in each other, even when they butted heads. very cute and uplifting read!

Thanks NetGalley and Griffin for this arc

“It’s so silly, but I’m rooting for her. For the me that never was. I’m sure she’ll do better than the me that is.”

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Late Bloomer follows Opal and Pepper as they meander through Opal accidentally purchasing Pepper’s flower farm out from under her, while working together to overcome their own heartbreaks and save the farm from financial ruin. Oh, and of course try and deny feeling for one another at the same time!

This is my third Mazey Eddings book I have read, and I always enjoy her writing style! It’s so funny, and I find myself laughing out loud throughout it! I think so many people are going to relate to Opal and Pepper’s struggles with socialization and just life in general with neurodivergent brains. I especially loved when Opal mentioned inserting herself into Pepper’s friend group and annoying them all until they liked her because that too is my friend making strategy 😂

I did find myself struggling with the characterization a bit. I felt like Opal in particular made decisions and acted not at all consistently to the character that was laid out early in the book, and the one that appeared at the third act conflict. The feelings aspect also seemed to go from not to hot like a switch, I would’ve loved to feel a little more development there! I also think the story would’ve benefitted greatly from a lawyer taking a look because multiple times I found myself going “that’s not how that works, you can’t buy a flower farm like that,” 😂 I know it’s romance and I should just let it go, but it kept coming up as a main plot point!

Overall I rated it 3.5 stars and would def recommend if you’re looking for sweet and spicy, flowery fun, with a dash of found family, a little grief and healing, and silly goofy humor!

This is currently my favorite book of 2024 and it might even stay that way!
The overall story was very sweet and warm, while there were also things discussed that were more serious, like grief and having a strained relationship with your parent. I loved all of the characters a lot and I really enjoyed seeing that relationship between the MCs bloom!

There was a clear plotpoint that we were working towards with some smaller storylines sprinkled in between. Like the storyline of Pepper's complicated relationship with her mother. It made me so angry and frustrated and it sometimes made me want to yell at my screen. Which I think is a good sign. The characters felt so real. I loved Pepper's character development and Opal's bubbly personality! Their personalities sometimes clashed, but they always come back to each other. I can't speak on representation from experience, but I did like to read about an autistic x neurodivergent relationship.

By the end I was fully sobbing, my heart full and blooming.

I can't wait to read more of Mazey Edding' stories very soon!

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I ended up finding both characters annoying and generally couldn't see why either would want to be with the other. I really liked the flowers part of the story. I just wish there had been something deeper.

Thank you to the author Mazey Eddings, publishers St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of LATE BLOOMER. All views are mine.

Laney flips me off as she peels down the gravel driveway, and I shoot the gesture right back. I giggle as I glance over my shoulder and see Pepper doing the same. Real classy broads, the pair of us. Loc.3799

I loved this book, for so many reasons! Firstly, thank you so much to the author, Mazey Eddings, and publishers, St. Martin's Press, for providing content warnings in the front matter of the book. This makes books so much easier to read for individuals like me, so thank you!

I've forgotten a lot of the story, to be honest. I really struggled with the alternating first-person POVs, especially when the chapter transitions didn't always introduce a new speaker.

But the characters are definitely memorable, as evidenced by my selected quotes. I love the fierceness that comes out when Laney and Pepper come togather. They bring so much out in each other, and they represent such important matters– mental health visibility, and the loneliness of creating.

And I do remember the spicy scenes. I usually skip these, because I'm really not into it. But I thought these scenes were sexy, creative, and a little dirty, but at the same time not too explicit. I appreciate the balance Eddings strikes in this book and I plan to read more of her books!

Recommend to fans of spicy romcom, open door romance, Sapphic romance, and romances with creative leads.

I know this comedown—this crash—after putting so much of yourself into a piece of art, then releasing it to the public. It’s like the tether that holds you to earth snaps, and you float aimlessly into space, having no idea where you’ll land. If you’ll land. It’s terrifyingly lonely. Loc.3539

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for putting content warnings in the front matter. This kind of thing greatly improved the reading experience for me!

2. The narrative voice is slightly absurd and very ironic. It's quite wonderful! I hope she keeps it up! *The speaker is reacting to the scene, but I do still like the voice!

3. Some really excellent mental health awareness content in this book, such as at loc.259:I know nothing about this will change unless I find the courage to make the next move. But stagnation is comfortable. Making a change takes bravery, a willingness to declare what I want then be swept into the unknown consequences of it. If I never move, nothing ever changes, but if nothing ever changes, I can’t be crushed by the disappointment of it not working out. Also, I am impressed by the accuracy of mental illness representation, at least at this early stage in the manuscript. I hope this element remains impressive!

4. I'm hooked on this narrative. The plot work is solid!

5. Interesting premise, interesting writing: "What about...feelings?" The last word comes out like a curse. Loc.1993

6. Love this bit of writing, riveting! I finally pull my eyes away, looking at Opal as panic mounts in my chest. I hate the pain. I hate the memories. I hate the sudden hook of a reminder pulling my chest apart. I search for words, but they’re stilted and sharp, too many clogging my throat as I continue to stare at her. Loc.2662

7. This book makes a clear statement about the isolation artistry and making art: I know this comedown—this crash—after putting so much of yourself into a piece of art, then releasing it to the public. It’s like the tether that holds you to earth snaps, and you float aimlessly into space, having no idea where you’ll land. If you’ll land. It’s terrifyingly lonely. Loc.3539

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. I had to take a 3 day break from this book for unrelated reasons. Returning to it was like coming in cold. Nothing stuck! *Finished fast after this though!

2. Repetitious images: bubblegum-pink hair and a too-earnest smile Loc.1089

3. Alternating POV's with narrators being first person main characters who oppose each other in the conflict can get hard to follow sometimes!

4. I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope, which plays a big part in this play.

5. This isn't quite how 529 education savings accounts work...but who cares?

Rating: 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨 /5 pieces of art
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Jul 2 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
👭🏽 Sapphic romance
👩‍💻 boss-subordinate relationship trope
😶 silent treatment
👥️ alternating first-person POVs
🚪 open door romance

Really enjoyed this one - took me a bit to adjust to the author's style, but once I settled in I really liked it! Love the cover as well.