Mazy Eddings proves, yet again, that she knows romance! Her novels always stick with me and make me feel so seen. Opal and Pepper's story was so unique and original. I loved the setting and storyline. While both of these characters didn't start up as each other's biggest fans, the sparks flew as the story progressed! Overall I enjoyed it but not necessarily as much as her previous work.

Late Bloomer is an incredible and sapphic romance you want on your spring TBR.

Following the lives of Opal, a budding artist who finally has the means to pursue her artistic dreams on a flower farm, and Pepper, the farm’s previous owner and who has no idea of the sale of said farm.

Facing their new predicament Opal and Pepper decide to live and work together until they can come up with a better plan, despite their clashing personalities. While working closely together on the flower farm their friendship begins to blossom, and a romance that fosters growth and acceptance blooms wonderfully.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Late Bloomer is available now!

This book started as what seemed like a cute story with some great neurodivergent representation but then at about the halfway point I was surprised (pleasantly) that it got incredibly steamy and continued to be so for the remained of the book. Overall loved this one and will definitely be on the lookout for more sapphic books by this new to me author.

I loved this! Mazey Eddings knocked it out of the park yet again with a sexy sapphic opposites attract romance. I don’t typically read a lot of sapphic romance but I loved this one. The banter was top tier and who doesn’t love some enemies to lovers and forced proximity.

Thanks to Netgalley & St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

Despite having Mazey Eddings’ books on my TBR for years, Late Bloomer was my first book by her, and now I’m looking forward to diving into her backlist.

Eddings crammed so many of my favourite tropes into one book: opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, roommates, friends with benefits, only one bed, and more. This story was sweet, tender, frustrating, steamy, romantic, funny, and kind of chaotic and messy in a good, relatable way. I loved Opal and Pepper’s interactions, their chemistry, and their growth. The flower farm setting was beautiful and easy to picture, and I adored Opal’s sisters and Pepper’s friend group. I also really appreciated the variety of rep: ADHD, autism, migraines, and grief.

If you’re looking for a sweet, sexy, heartfelt sapphic romance, be sure to add Late Bloomer to your TBR.

This was a sweet, cozy romance. This book is clearly a labour of love from the author. Her characters are built with heart and the care of someone that truly feels their experiences.
I did feel that Pepper and Opal were more suited to be best friends from lovers, however, the relationship that grows between them is genuine. Their contradictory personalities really did compliment one another.
Mazet Edding’s ability to handle difficult topics remains her greatest strength. This is her fifth novel and is have read them all. In this one she handles the grief that Pepper is feeling with love and care. Pepper is permitted to feel her grief and learn how to live with it, nothing is glossed over. Opal and her chaos swoop in and treat Pepper with love and respect from the very beginning.
This is a book where old, toxic friends are replaced with a loving, judgment-free found family. Upon the books closing, you can picture how everyone’s lives will continue on.
The book is funny and full of heart-felt moments.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an e-arc of the book. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Peak Mazey Edding fiction! It’s everything you come to expect from Mazey’s writing: humor, sweetness, and the normalization of differing abilities. 5 out of 5

This book. So freaking cute!! Pepper and Opal were both adorably awkward and quirky but healed each other’s battered hearts. Ahh the banter, the flower farm, the found family, the neurodiverse rep, the spice. Plus, I can’t resist a good grumpy x sunshine. Just love. I read the author’s notes in the back regarding the language of flowers and it added such a meaningful layer to when and how they’re mentioned in the story.

Also, the lavender massage? Obsessed.

Going into this book I expected a sweet fluffy sapphic time and that is indeed what I got, however, there was so much more. The explorations into grief were heart wrenchingly real and same for handling the topic of absent parents. There was also the important handling of having characters with autism and neurodivergence and doing it with care, showing how it manifested in different ways, and how they coped with it, unhealthy or not. The plot was simple yet well done, but I think this book really shines through its characters and all their quirks and flaws. Loved the flower research at the end and explaining how they related to the characters. It was such a cute touch.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc!

This book is so easy to get swept into. As an autistic human, I saw a lot of myself in Pepper, especially the way she second guessed herself. I loved the way their relationship developed and the way Opal matured. So so good

Late Bloomer had me smiling a lot. Mazey Eddings makes life suck a little less when you are traveling with Opal. This isn’t because Opal’s life is worse. Opal is such a positive person that you need that kind of hope and enthusiasm for when times are down that kind of light in a person is so beyond welcome. I just love Opal.

Now Pepper is Opal’s complete opposite (chuckle). This is truly a grumpy and sunshine story. I love their chemistry and their entire relationship from beginning to end.

There are some typos when it comes to Opal’s sister’s Olivia’s name. Other than that the book is fine.

The secondary characters are fun. I’m a little disappointed in how flat Laney and Miles are, but they are the stock characters they are supposed to be. Plus this tale focuses on Opal and Pepper.

The steam! Oh the steam is good. Eddings makes the wait worthwhile and fun. Consent is given many times. Conversation is had. I loved how everything is handled - no pun intended but that ended up being funnier than I intended (chuckle).

I totally recommend Late Bloomer.

I genuinely thought this was a YA. I’m glad I was wrong. First of all, can we all agree that this cover slays??? Like how could anyone not want to read this book with a cover like that? It’s so beautiful. You know what else is beautiful? Opal and Pepper’s relationship. Although they had a rocky start, they eventually became closer. As friends, colleagues, and partners to help sustain Pepper’s grandma’s flower farm. It was fun to see Opal and Pepper’s behaviour around each other. At first you see that Pepper is the grumpy one and Opal is the sunshine one. But when roles are reversed, it was so fun to see that. We get to see Pepper get all soft and lovey dovey when it comes to Opal. And Opal getting all fierce and determined to protect Pepper at all cost. Their relationship was so cute. The epilogue was so cute too. I’m so happy they eventually made the farm their home and build a life together.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Opal wins the lottery and buys a working flower farm with her winnings, only to find the farm is already inhabited by the prickly Pepper. The two women decide to co-habitate while they figure out how to solve the problem of ownership. Romance ensues.

I thought this was a cute premise and I LOVED the representation of neurodivergent main characters (both of them!). This is typical Mazey Eddings, and I'm here for it. The book also featured multiple queer characters, including a non-binary character.

What I didn't love was the rest of the book. The plot was predictable and I didn't really feel the chemistry between Opal and Pepper. I felt like I was slogging through each chapter, instead of being excited to find out what happened next. I even thought the jokes fell flat.

Overall this was a no for me, but might be enjoyed by someone who wants a romance with neurodiverse or LGBTQ+ representation.

This book was my first 5 star of 2024!! I LOVED THIS BOOK! Beautifully written with interesting characters. Loved that one of the main characters a voluptuous but the author didn't make it a thing. Great representation. And the romance!! TOP NOTCH! We need more sapphic romances. I will forever recommend this book and post a review on my social medias!

3.5 stars

*ARC Review*

I love Mazey Eddings' books. I love how she creates unique and detailed voices her for characters. She always handles topics of neurodiversity with grace and care.

Late Bloomer is no exception to my past statements, however I had a lot of trouble getting into this story. The book did not really grab my attention and I was having trouble rooting for the characters. I am not sure if it is because the story felt like it had a mash up of tropes that never really came to fruition (I think there was some enemies to lovers there?), or if it just because I couldn't relate to the characters. The relationship arc was choppy and did not really make a ton of sense to me, I think it may be because of the dual POV. I also am just not a fan of the hidden will story line.

I did love all of the talk of the flowers and the beautiful cover but I wish this novel was able to bloom to its full potential. It was cute and sweet but did not grab me and make me feel something like her others have. For what the story was the epilogue was quite satisfying which is always a good thing!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing the ARC.

Yes, yes, yes, 100% yes. I needed this book so much.

The way that I absolutely resonated with Opal. The way that Pepper was the most endearing person to me. The way that they both grew as human beings and made each other better, despite their crappy situation. I absolutely, completely, wholeheartedly loved this book.

Seriously. I cannot stop gushing about it. I am a literal ball of happiness that this book exists. 5 stars, 10/10, two thumbs enthusiastically way up, absolutely no notes. This was perfection.

What a cute and funny read! I too will now be referring to my hangry moods as “becoming a cuntasaurus Rex”
If you are looking for a close proximity, opposites attract, small town romance this is your book. Perfect for lovelight farms fans but looking for something a little more sapphic!

"Late Bloomer" by Mazey Eddings is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that follows the journey of a young woman named Nora who feels like she's always lagging behind her peers in life milestones. As she navigates through the challenges of adulthood, Nora learns to embrace her unique path and discovers that success and fulfillment don't always adhere to societal timelines. Through her experiences, she finds the courage to pursue her passions and redefine what it means to bloom in her own time.

Many people can empathize with the feeling of being a late bloomer or feeling like they're not meeting societal expectations. Stories like this often resonate with readers because they offer reassurance and encouragement to embrace one's unique journey and timeline in life. It seems like "Late Bloomer" could be an inspiring and uplifting read for those seeking validation in their own paths to success and self-discovery.

LOVE THIS. give me more summer sapphic romances! loved the characters as well as the story. found a new favorite author in this one! thank you so much for the arc.

This is a lighthearted and enjoyable sapphic romance between two people who unexpectedly become roommates when they each believe they are the rightful owners of the same flower farm. They wind up as lovers while living together and working on a big project.

Both Opal and Pepper are characters that are easy to like for their own reasons, and the building of the romantic and sexual tension was well done so that I was ready for them to finally get together when they did.

If you're looking for a romance with a bit of drama but also a happily ever after (and are willing to suspend some disbelief about how two people might actually deal with a situation where they thought they owned the same house) then this book is a good one to pick up.