Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

I didn't know I needed this book, but this book knew I needed it! It's so cute and lighthearted but also full of character depth and growth. It hit every spot my hopeless romantic side needed in life right now, and I greatly enjoyed every moment of it!

I love the grumpy x sunshine vibes of this and the way that Opal and Pepper are so different yet fit together so perfectly that it seems like it was fate itself for them to meet. Then there's the neurodivergent representation and the way that they allow each other to be who they truly are no matter the circumstances. The way that they talk about neurodivergence is such a great example of how healthy relationships should be in real life and how to treat people who are different. I loved every second that I could see their neurodivergence shine and the ways that it made them even more loveable!

There was some added depth with their family backgrounds, and I loved that this added dimension to them. It made everything even more emotional, and they definitely made me love them even more for all of it.

If you're looking for a sweet sapphic story with some big feelings, get your hands on this book now!

Opal’s life is feeling a bit out of sorts. She finds herself the winner of a lottery and impulsively buys a farmhouse where she can work on her art. Imagine her surprise when she shows up at the farmhouse to find that the grumpy resident is claiming to be the owner of the estate. Pepper is the grumpy granddaughter of the owner of Thistle and Bloom, a floundering flower farm. Imagine her surprise when she finds her estranged mother has sold the farm out from under her, without the will. Opal and Pepper agree to stay on the farm together while they work out who the true owner is. Can these two opposites live cohesively or will the arguing be too much?

Mazey Eddings does such a good job at writing neurodiverse characters that are raw and real. She creates real angst and hate between characters, but they still can tunnel themselves into each other’s hearts and lives. I loved watching all the moments that Opal and Pepper get to know and understand each other and the true opposites friendship they strike up. I also love how through this friendship, and eventual relationship, these two have each other’s back so much. I love how fiercely protective they are of each other and will do anything for the other.

In this book, like her others, Mazey wrote unique characters and you can’t help but root for them. I wanted both Opal and Pepper to succeed both separately and together. From the moment I sat down to read this book I was entranced and the pages seemed to fly by. I loved the extra characters from Pepper’s friend group to Opal’s sisters. They brought the laughs and were all truly unique.

This was a great book that I truly enjoyed. I look forward to continuing to read all that Mazey writes! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read if you like: grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, force proximity, slow burn

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings is a sapphic romance and the story of Opal and Pepper.
 
Opal’s life is good, but she doesn’t really follow her dreams of being a full-time artist. But by pure luck she wins the lottery and finally chases her dreams, and I loved the little push it gave her. Opal is such a kind and loving person who gives a lot to other people even if they don’t return it and I liked how she slowly learned to leave toxic friendships behind. In addition, I loved all the scenes with her two sisters.
 
Opal ends up buying the Thistle and Bloom flower farm and to start over, but she didn’t expect another person there. Pepper’s grandma built the farm from the ground up and Pepper grew up in this amazing space. Her flower shop is struggling at the moment, and I loved seeing how they bring it back to life throughout the book. Pepper is also on the spectrum, and I really liked how that was shown throughout the story. She is a lovely person as well.
 
Opal and Pepper arrange to stay at the farm, and they slowly get to know each other. All the little moments like the morning coffee ignited little sparks and I also loved how they worked together. They support and love each other endlessly and their romance blooms more with each page and day and I absolutely loved that.
 
Overall, Late Bloomer gave me the perfect spring vibes and Opal and Pepper‘s story is such a heartfelt story and comfort read to me. I absolutely adore this book and highly recommend checking it out. 5 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

Late Bloomer is sapphics on a flower farm, and if that isn't enough to get you in, it's a neurodivergent romance full of mutual pining (get it, more flora jokes), attraction, and learning to work together through some truly wild circumstances that bring Pepper and Opal together (very, 'oh my god they were roommatessssssss') and to work together, not just as roommates but as something like business partners and learning to work with and around each others' quirks. It was good! It was cute, I laughed aloud a couple of times at some of the Opal-isms.

As soon as I marked this book as "read" on the requisite tracking sites I was like, "that was 400 pages??" It sort of flew by and there wasn't much extraneous sceneage, just flowing from one thing to the next including some developments I was hoping would occur but also didn't expect to occur so that was nice! Sometimes I see people on Twitter/Instagram complaining about cultural references dating a book but honestly, that's fine? Not all books are timeless and especially contemporary romances deserve those cultural references -- it helps us understand the characters more and the time period the book was set in if we read it years later, which can be a nice nostalgia warmth! It's a good thing, and Late Bloomer wasn't really very heavy handed with these references either.

Enjoyable romp, enjoyed the flower language notes in the back, thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press/St Martin Griffin for the eARC in exchange for review!

‘Late Bloomer’ by Mazey Eddings
The ever spontaneous Opal suddenly comes into a large sum of money, life changing amount of money. She decides to spend her new fortune on a fresh start, buying a flower farm in Asheville, where she can spend her days working on her art. Upon arriving to her new home she discovers that someone is already living there. In comes Pepper, flower farmer who was raised on the farm and hates changes. As the two work through the challenges of living together, they decide to enter a flower sculpture contest to help Pepper afford to buy the struggling farm back from Opal.
The neurodiversity representation in this book was truly comprehensive. It felt very authentic and well done. I am sure a lot of readers will find themselves represented through this book.
I struggled with Pepper and Opal’s romantic relationship. I did not feel the spark I was hoping to see from these two passionate characters. The physical tension between them was evident, the spice was well done. But I felt like the romantic connection was lacking and could have been a bit more intense.
The growth in the character’s individually was well done. I felt their growth and it was done authentically. It was inspiring to see them work for the changes they wanted in life and from each other.

I received the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book took awhile for me to get into it, I admit it took me several months to read. The beginning really dragged and I admit because while it’s advertised as opposites-attract, I misread it as enemies to lovers, which it is not.

There was a slow burn with these characters, but it paid off. Both Opal and Pepper were very charming and their love was beautiful. I loved all of the side characters, too!

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
Contemporary sapphic romance. New adult.
Opal Devlin likes to do things for people. Even when she can’t afford it herself. Winning the lottery is a surprise bonus she never expected. She also didn’t expect friends to immediately expect a handout. Opal takes the money and buys a farm, thinking she can finally make her art into a business. But when she gets there, she finds that the farm is still actively growing flowers and Pepper didn’t know her mother had sold the property out from under her. Opal and Pepper agree to coexist on the farm while they both make decisions on their future.

Lots of life planning, some angst, a bit of loving, and quite a few flower arrangements and metaphorical flower analogies.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook when reading this story. The audiobook is narrated by Ellie Gossage. The performance is well done with distinct voices for Opal and Pepper as well as a couple of the secondary characters. Both the print version and audio also have chapter headings that tell you whose POV is being told. The different temperaments of Pepper and Opal come through clearly in the audio which helps in getting to know them both.

I enjoyed the sisterhood closeness and support of Opal’s sisters, Ophelia and Olivia. They are overjoyed at Opal’s winnings and drop everything to travel to her when she calls.
I’m glad Opal saw through her so called friend.
I also thought it was great that Opal was so supportive of the farm and the business.

Opposites attract romance with several depths of love and friendship and affection.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC/ALC in exchange for my honest review*

This book feels like how I imagine hugging Mazey Eddings would be like - Soft, warm, and delightful. The narrator did SO well that I honestly thought that there were 2 females narrating. A flower farm in North Carolina is such a fun setting, and I almost wished that we had more book to explore the flower fields and area more. There's a decent amount of steam, though I do feel like I could've done with more. Like how often do you get a natural opportunity to get it on in a flower field? Regardless, this book is full of quotes that made my heart ache and feel so wholly seen as a person. Felt like Opal wasn't the only one who won the lottery.

I loved how this book exists in the same Mazeyverse and I really hope that this gets picked up as a series because I'd love to see Olivia and Ophelia's stories as well.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings is perfect for fans of opposites attract, forced proximity and grumpy-sunshine. Everytime I pick up a book by Mazey I’m instantly happy and rooting for the characters she’s written to find all the happiness in the world that they deserve – and Opal and Pepper deserve ALL the happiness and love. Opal is living at home with her parents and struggling with what’s next in her life when luck should strike and she wins the lottery. And what does she do with those winnings, but of course by a flower farm that our dear Pepper lives on. Opal and Pepper both have struggled with “fitting in” and finding where they truly belong and that they are deserving of love and just being worthy. Seeing these two bloom (see what I did there) into their relationship and fumbling through living together and finally realizing they are enough and of just being who they are – it was just perfect (4.5 stars!).

Definitely recommend you pick this one up immediately, and I’d pretty much read anything Mazey Eddings writes at this point because she always knocks them out of the park.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Mazey Eddings and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

This is a fun sapphic romance. I really appreciated how complex and developed the two main characters are, and I adore a multiple perspective romance. I also loved the found family.

You have to suspend disbelief in the set-up to this sweet, opposites attract romance. When Opal wins the lottery, her impulsive nature leads her to spend most of her winnings on a flower farm she buys sight unseen on Facebook Marketplace. Somehow this is not a scam but the sale comes as a surprise to the farm’s caretaker and long-term resident, Pepper. Any guesses what happens when Opal shows up and becomes Pepper’s new roommate? There’s also a floral sculpture competition, some charming side characters, and an evil mother and toxic ex thrown in for good measure.

Overall, I think I ended up liking the characters, especially Pepper and her friends, a whole lot more than the story. There isn’t a whole lot of conflict or angst in the relationship itself and all external problems seemed to quickly appear before being easily resolved. So this is perfect when you just need something charming and comforting to read.

I was a little worried when I saw that the audiobook had a single narrator even though the chapters alternate between Opal and Pepper’s POVs. This was ultimately handled well by the narrator, who was able to give both characters a distinct voice, but I think this would have been better with two different actors.

I’d give the story 3.5 stars and the audiobook 4 stars.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked the neurodivergent rep in this and it was nice to see characters in an adult novel navigating sex for the first time. Overall, this was a fun time and I loved the North Carolinian/ flower shop setting, but I found the romance pacing a little strange. It felt really slow and way too fast all at once so it threw me off a bit. I might be checking out more from Mazey Eddings though because I found the characters so endearing!

Hell Yes.

I got exactly what I wanted and needed. This was so lovely. You did have to dispend a little bit of belief because as much as I want to believe that this girl was just going to buy property off of facebook marketplace... with zero lawyers involved... yikes... lol. Once you get past it, the rest of it is just lovely. It had perfect amounts of neurodivergence, flower puns, and close friend group that made this the perfect read.

Seriously a great time. The audiobook was a great way to recieve the book, and I'm going to be digging into Mazey Eddings backlist for sure.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Negalley and Macmillian Audio for an early copy.

Opal has won the lottery, literally. She quits the job she hates and hastily purchases a flower farm, hoping to turn it into a place where she can focus on her painting full-time. Upon arriving at the farm, she meets Pepper, who has no idea the farm where she works has been sold. The two must learn to work (and live) together to both achieve their dreams.

Unfortunately, I stopped reading this one at 25% and decided to DNF it. I could not connect with any of the characters or the writing style. The premise sounded interesting, but something kept me from fully investing in Opal and Pepper's story. I know this one will find its audience, and I would be interested in trying another book from this author in the future.

Thank you to author Mazey Eddings, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of Late Bloomer in exchange for my review.

This was a delightful book. Opal and Pepper were great characters. I loved how real they were, and the fact that the author showed their neurodiversity and autism is all its glory.
Opal wins the lottery and decided to buy a flower farm with her winnings. Unbeknownst to her, the farm already have somebody living there. Pepper is none too pleased when Opal shows up.
Their decision to cohabitate leads to a lot of crazy happenings. Besides Opal and Pepper, I was particularly fond of Peppers friend Diksha. This book made me laugh and cheer, and it also made me want to strangle a few of the characters.
It had a little bit of spice, nothing bad or over the top. This book is well worth a read.

The sapphic springtime novel you didn’t know you needed!

Opal is down on her luck and unexpectedly wins some money playing the lottery. With her winnings she buys a cottage core cabin on a flower farm to work on her art (the DREAM), but when she pulls up with all her belongings, a woman (Pepper) is already living there and doesn’t know anything about the sale. Opal is bi and Pepper is a lesbian - if they stay in the same cabin and work to figure out a solution no romance will happen, right? 🤗

This book has:
🌸 Bi representation
🌸 Cottage core vibes
🌸 Neurodivergence
🌸 Grumpy/sunshine
🌸 Forced proximity
🌸 One bed
🌸 Lots of open door spice

Make sure to grab this one when it comes out 4/16! @mazeyeddings I loved the afterword and the language of flowers section, too. 😊

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I loved Opal and Pepper, the flower farm, how much they both developed throughout the book and the ending 🥹🥹🥹🥹


Huge thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio & St Martin's Press for an advance

I love mazey’s books so so much!! They’re always full of humor, passion, sexiness, emotion and so much more. Late Bloomer was no exception!

I loved both main characters equally and could relate to both of them in different ways. Pepper was standoffish, brash and guarded while Opal was open, cheery and excitable. Classic grumpy/sunshine trope! I especially loved Opal’s growth throughout this book. She seemed like a doormat at the start of the story and after cutting off the negative energy in her life and spending time at Thistle and Bloom with Pepper and friends she really started to ~bloom~ 😉. Basically, she got a backbone and found her voice and really discovered her confidence with Pepper’s support.

I felt so connected to the relationship Pepper had with her late grandmother. The sweet flashbacks where she was remembering special moments with her grandma were some of my favorite parts! I appreciated Pepper’s healing as well through her constant grief.

Overall totally adored this story, and let’s give a moment to that COVER!!

My review will be withheld until St. Martin's Press appropriately addresses the 3 simple demands of the boycott. When the demands are met, I will update with my full review.

After bingeing a whole bunch of dark and dramatic fantasy (which I loved, don't get me wrong!), this was the EXACT book I was looking for. Low-stakes, low-conflict, but high-heat and all around warm and fuzzy, Late Bloomer swept me off my feet!

Told in the dual first person POVs of neurodivergent artist Opal and autistic flower farmer Pepper, Late Bloomer not only scratches that burning itch I have for neurodivergent AND sapphic stories, but does it so charmingly. This is the kind of rep I've been looking for: two neurodivergent people falling for each other and supporting each other and avoiding every single horrible cliche that's out there. Like, I want to shove this book at everyone and not only say, "this is how you write an ND love story," but also, "this is how you write a love story. Period."

I have said time and time again that I don't love grumpy/sunshine, but something about the way Eddings does it just feels right. Opal is believably quirky, and Pepper is rightfully pessimistic (hey, girlfriend DID just wake up one morning and find that her farm's been sold), and I loved spending time inside their heads. I found the romance to be not only believable in its progression, but sexy and fun. The spice is to die for! And I loved how very little miscommunication there was. Any miscommunication that pops up is dealt with within the chapter, basically, and the angst resolves so quickly.

If you wanna experience the cottagecore sapphic dream, you HAVE to read Late Bloomer! I'll be eagerly awaiting Eddings' next title.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Mazey Eddings for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!