When I initially heard about this book, I immediately added it to my TBR because--really, how can you not? The description alone left me swooning: an enemies-to-lovers sapphic love story on a flower farm? Sign me up! And while you’re at it, call up HallMark to do the adaptation because yes! Plus, the cover. The cover! This was everything I could’ve wanted in a fluffy sapphic romance and checked all the boxes…or so I thought.
Besides the fact that this is a sapphic romance, one of the love interests, Pepper, is also autistic. And while I can’t personally speak to the autistic representation myself, it is encouraging to see more of this kind of representation featured in literature, to have characters like Pepper, whose own experiences relating to their autism are referenced throughout the novel.
Another thing to note about this novel: it is verrrrry spicey. As in, very very spicy. So be aware of this going in, if that isn’t your thing. For me, I don’t typically like spice in books. That’s just my own personal preference, and I did go into this book thinking it would be more of a cute and fluffy HallMark-style story. But I will say: even though spiciness isn’t typically my thing, I actually loved how the spicy scenes were written in this. There’s so much open communication written into these scenes between Opal and Pepper. Going into their first time being intimate with each other, the two are each coming from a different place, different levels of experience, different insecurities, and it was so refreshing seeing them navigate this together with nothing but reassurance and compassion. And this honestly needs to be the rubric for people in sexual relationships in real life as well as in future books with intimate scenes.

Normalize one partner not having any prior experience.
Normalize said partner not knowing what to do and not feeling ridiculed by the other partner but rather supported.
Normalize constant communication and checking in with each other and making sure this or that feels okay.

I especially loved the moment when Opal opens up to Pepper about her own insecurities with her pubic hair. Again, I feel like this is something that often doesn’t get addressed in most romances but is SO important to normalize in sexual relationships. This was probably the one scene in the novel where I truly felt my heart melt for these two characters, the way that they show vulnerability and support each other in this moment.

My Hangups
To be clear, I don’t think this is a terrible book—not by a long shot! I think a lot of people will genuinely enjoy this book. It just didn’t do anything for me. I really wanted this to be a cute and fluffy romance on a farm, not unlike many a HallMark movie. I’ve also read books with the enemies-to-lovers trope in the past and have usually found them really enjoyable and endearing. But this one to me was just too angsty for my liking. Pepper as a character also absolutely infuriated me pretty much the entire time, so between those things, this wasn’t very enjoyable to read because, quite frankly, I didn’t care if the two love interests ended up together. If I’m being honest, I felt the most bad for Opal throughout the entire book. It’s clear that she has trouble standing up for herself and putting herself first and is just all-around a chronic people pleaser—to her own detriment. So between her letting Miles and Laini walk all over her, and even later when Pepper makes her feel like an intruder in her own house and shows so much disdain for her even as Opal still bends over backwards to try to please her, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up for herself for once. Of course we know that Pepper is going through her own struggles and we know where a lot of her anger and distrust is coming from, but I still didn’t think her treatment of Opal was fair. So to me it felt like Opal was almost going from one toxic relationship to another, where she’s yet again made to feel like she doesn’t matter, yet again feels the need to overcompensate her people pleasing as a desperate plea for validation. Not exactly the kind of relationship you’re rooting for.
Even Opal’s ending feels underwhelming. She spends the entire book putting everyone else before herself, bending over backward to please people. And by the end… she’s still the one to bend over backwards for others while not really receiving anything in return. So let’s see. Pepper gets to keep her family farm. She gets to go to college, thanks to the fact that Opal poured her earnings into creating a college fund for her. What does Opal get in the end? I guess Pepper is the prize? Yay..? I just wanted so much more for Opal.

There were other issues here and there that I had, which mostly came down to writing. Moments where it definitely felt like the writing was underdeveloped. Parts of the plot or certain scenes that I thought could be more fleshed out. And then just some outright cliche moments, like the fact that no one thought to, I don't know, go into Grandma Lou's bedroom and look in the incredibly conspicuous jewelry box that's sitting right on the nightstand, where her will has been this entire time. Also, as a frustrated Millennial who can't afford to buy a home in this godforsaken year of 2023, I can't begin to voice my exasperation that Opal is able to outright buy an entire farm "for the vibes" even though she has absolutely no prior knowledge of real estate, mortgages, how much houses costs, and doesn't even know how to write a check. I hate this economy. But I digress.

Final thoughts: I guess I just wanted so much more from this, and it didn't quite deliver for me. There are still so many positive takeaways from this novel that readers may find comfort in, from dealing with grief to learning to overcome the hurt from your past. But as a romance novel, this wasn't a favorite.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

3.5 stars

Opal, down on her luck and not knowing where life is going, wins the lottery and on a whim buys a flower farm in Asheville, NC. The only problem is, Pepper, current resident & sole farmer at the Thistle and Bloom, did not realize her estranged mother sold the farm. Pepper and Opal decide to coexist, with undeniable attraction for one another. You know where this is going.

I have and always will be a fan of Mazey Eddings' novels. I really loved her first series of adult novels, so I was super looking forward to this one and was over the moon when I received an ARC for it. This book is not like that series, and I think my expectations for this book really subdued my experience.

I loved many things about this book, the main thing being the autistic and neurodivergent representation in both Pepper and Opal. I trust Mazey implicitly to write neurodivergent characters, and she nails it every time. I also loved the setting of the flower farm, and it was just an added bonus that it happened to be in Asheville. Also, the smut was SMUTTING. This book was steamy. Also, gotta say, it's dual POV, and we love getting both characters' perspectives in a romance novel.

A lot of my grievances with the book are in others' reviews as well. Both Pepper and Opal had very similar voices, so even though it was dual POV, I found myself forgetting who I was reading in some places. Pepper and Opal both felt a little one-note and underdeveloped, I really like romance books with a lot of depth to the main characters and I just wasn't getting that in these two. The humor in the book is very chronically online style humor, which will probably date it quickly, and the disagreements and conflicts between Pepper and Opal were confusing and caused me not to really buy into them.

With all that said, this book was a good light-hearted, low stakes romance. If you go into it with that expectation, I think you'll really enjoy the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Late Bloomer" by Mazey Eddings artfully narrates the journey of Pepper and Opal, two distinct characters brought together under unexpected circumstances. Opal, impulsive and hopeful after a surprising lottery win, buys the Thistle and Bloom flower farm, only to find Pepper, the wary granddaughter of the former owner, already there. The book gracefully alternates between their perspectives, providing a deep, authentic look into their evolving relationship. Eddings skillfully blends humor with the earnestness of a sapphic romance and the complexities of neurodiversity, making the story both enjoyable and meaningful. Despite some rushed elements, "Late Bloomer" shines as a compelling, character-driven exploration of growth, understanding, and the unpredictable nature of life. It's a delightful read for those who cherish stories of personal transformation and the beauty of unexpected connections.

I love a sapphic romcom, especially one with neurodivergent rep! This was a great new novel from Mazey Eddings that I'll definitely be staff-picking.

Very slow to get going. Loved the representation. Both queer and neurodivergent. I feel like the lottery story line was a bit pointless. Didn’t feel like too much of enemies.

I love Mazey Edding’s books! This was a cute one. I loved the forced proximity trope. It was a nice love story! Would recommend it.

I adored this book, and I adored both of our two main characters so much!

Opal is an artist who is down on her luck with a handful of truly crappy friends when she, surprisingly, wins the lottery. She uses the money to buy a flower farm and goes to move in, only to meet lovable grump, Pepper.

Pepper has lived at/ran the farm for years with her grandma, who recently passed away, and Pepper is not leaving the only home she’s ever truly known.

The two of them agree to cohabitate while figuring out details of what the future of the farm looks like, and what blossoms from this unlikely pairing was so much more emotional and lovely than I was anticipating.

It’s a romance novel, so of course there’s love, but there’s also acceptance, grief, neurodivergent representation, vulnerability, personal growth, and humor! It just touched on so many important other aspects of the characters’ lives and personalities, and that made Pepper and Opal’s love feel that much more real. There are actually a handful of lines from this book that will live with me for a long time.

This book was an easy 5 stars for me, and I’m looking forward to rereading it when it is released in April 2024!

Also, as a bonus, the cover is just STUNNING! 😍

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this. I’m a sucker for a sapphic romance and Late Bloomer had what I was looking for in a romance.

I really liked this. There were characters that you really did root for. The relationship between Opal and Pepper made my heart so happy. There is something about a flower field and people falling in love that just adds an extra layer of romance.

Another great book by Mazey Eddings!!

This was such a sweet, wholesome book (with some spice too!!) and I really enjoyed it.
I thought the way the characters were portrayed felt very authentic and realistic and I was able to understand them and the way they acted very well. The problems made sense and contributed to the plot and the characters had great growth.
Mazey Eddings also did a really good job of portraying neurodivergent characters without making it a big deal (as in, it's an important part of the characters' identities but it's not some big, shocking reveal used as a plot point). I enjoyed watching the characters learn to communicate with each other and with themselves. I enjoyed the setting of the flower farm and felt like I could really picture all the flowers and the landscape without the book being bogged down by description. It felt like the perfect balance between setting and plot.

While I didn't have any major critiques of this book, one thing to be aware of is that the main conflict comes from a lack of communication between the characters. I didn't mind it and I thought it was handled well in addition to being very realistic, but if you really can't stand poor communication in books this is your heads up.

Overall I thought this was a fantastic, feel-good book. This will be the perfect spring read when it is released in April.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of Late Bloomer!

Mazey Eddings is able to create likeable characters that still have the ability to feel real. Even though Opal has reasons to be guarded, she just wants connections with people which makes her want to be open to everyone she meets. Pepper on the other hand has dealt with being left behind so keeps her heart guarded. Throughout the corse of "Late Bloomer" you are able to understand who Opal and Pepper are, what makes them tick, and how they still have the ability to grow as people.

Combining all of this with the cast of loveable side characters leads to a truly enjoyable sapphic romance that feels like a warm hug.

4.5 stars!

This book was a masterpiece! Opposites attract, FF love story, forced proximity, first time. I really enjoyed both the MCs Opal and Pepper. They're both such unique characters and felt very real and raw. I enjoyed that the author showcases neurodivergent MCs. Beautiful story and the epilogue tied it off with a bow so well. I also loved how the author commented on the making of the title haha

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I really didn’t expect to love this book so much! The story is heartwarming, I’m so in love with the characters, especially Olpal, I admire her so much and I feel her emotion in a way that I cannot immagine.
The autism rep is below every expectations. Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of rep, we struggle to find it and to find it well written. This is a well written autistic rep. If someone is interested.
The plot is pretty simple, but poignant, and I ship the main characters so hard!
I really love this book and I can’t wait to read more of this author. I cannot believe this is her first book!!!!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the arc.

It's not often I come across a well-written autistic character, especially one who is so open about their autism. Pepper made me, an autistic person, feel so incredibly seen. I LOVE PEPPER! She and Opal are so adorable - I actually wanted to cry while reading some of the scenes. I will definitely be recommending this to my fellow readers! And I may even snag a physical copy for my personal library!

Mazey Eddings has done it again. I just adore her books. This one has my all time favorite setting. A flower farm?! How cute is that?!

🌸 dual POV
🌸 ADHD/Autism rep
🌸 Sapphic Romance
🌸 Opposites Attract
🌸 Laugh out loud funny

I absolutely loved these characters. They were so real and relatable. I hope Mazey considers a sequel because I'm dying to get more of Pepper and Opal's story!

Late Bloomer is a very cute low-stakes cozy read with a fabulous cover (because we all judge books in part by their covers). There is a lot to like about this book: neurodivergent representation, engaging prose, and opposites attract (grumpy/sunshine) romance.

Opal is a neurodivergent artist who always tries to see the best in people. The people she calls friends are nothing of the sort and she's in a dead end job feeling very stuck and not very creative. Rescue comes in the form of a winning lottery ticket for half a million dollars which she impulsively uses to kickstart this new phase of life. Headstrong Opal buys a flower farm, nevermind that she knows nothing about flower farming, and bumps heads with Pepper. Pepper is grumpy, but for good reasons. After the death of her grandmother she discovers that the farm is on the verge of bankruptcy, that her grandmother didn't leave a will, and that her irresponsible and flighty mother has decided to sell the farm without even consulting her. Under one roof these women work together to try and save the farm in a slow, forced-proximity romance.

I think with lower stakes novels such as this, the characters become so much more important in creating emotional stakes in the reader and I feel like this book may have missed the mark. Some parts of the book felt slow to get through and I just felt myself wishing that the characters were a bit more than they were.

I received an ARC from St. Martins Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Late Bloomer
Mazey Eddings
5⭐️

Another bingeworthy read by Mazey! She never disappoints in my book (and hers 😆). Thus is why she is and will forever be an auto-buy for me! I swear with each new book I fall more and more in love with her writing and her unforgettable characters.

Late Bloomer was an absolute delight from beginning to end. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. I adored the story and the flower farm setting could not have been a more perfect backdrop for this sweet romance.

I could not get enough of Opal and Pepper. The banter, the angst, the steam! All of it was CHEFS KISS perfection. Watching their relationship bloom (pun absolutely intended) and seeing both of them come realize their beautiful value, was everything.

It had ALL the feels, beautiful neurodivergent/mental health rep, and that Eddings humor I relate so hard to. Nobody makes me LOL like she does.

What I loved;
🌸 Opposites-Attract
🌹 Sapphic Romance
🌺 Forced Proximity
💐 The Flowers
🌸 LOL Banter
🌹 Epic Spice!! 🥵 Whoever says Pepper isn’t spicy, needs to read this one!!

One of my favoritest parts is at the end when Mazey explains the flowers mentioned and the symbolic meanings. So many small gestures you might not have noticed that added so much swoon. I think I highlighted every single word. Also definitely don’t miss the hilarious list of unhinged title options! 😂

Pub Date 4/16/24. Add to your TBR, pre-order, request from your library. Do ALL the things because Late Bloomer is an absolute must read.

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I loved it and cannot wait to get my hands on a gorgeous finished copy. 🌸

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
My Rating: 4/5⭐️

Thank you @netgalley for the ebook copy of Late Bloomer!

My Review: This was a sweet and powerful book about the struggles behind finding yourself. Opal doesn’t have the best luck but when she wins the lottery she thinks her luck might turn around. Making rash decisions is what she’s infamous for and with the lottery money she buys the flower farm, Thistle and Bloom. She’s hopeful and excited but soon finds out that the house on the farm is already occupied by Pepper, the granddaughter of the former owner of the farm.

Pepper draws a line in the sand immediately and swears off Opal, not wanting anything to do with her. They decide to occupy the farm together while the will and farm ownership gets sorted out. Over time Pepper warms up to Opal’s eccentric personality. Opal loves creating art and expressing herself through her work. Together they decide to enter a flower competition and while working together they end up really enjoying each other’s company.

This book has great representations for the neurodivergent and lgbtq communities. Mazey Eddings’ cheerful, fun writing style makes the story of Pepper and Opal exciting to follow. You meet the people in their lives that have helped them through trauma and stand by them while they both work on their own mental health. Pepper and Opal’s growth throughout the book is strong, developing into true soul mates.

I’m so happy I got an early copy of this book. I’ve been reading more lgbtq books and this one definitely goes to the top of the list.

I wanted to love this like Mazey's other books but I just...didn't??

Opal wins the lottery and uses the money to get out of her funk and start her art career. Kinda predicable? IDK this part of the plot didn't work for me. Opal is generally a mess, which, fine but did she really not think twice about buying a property through FB marketplace?!

Pepper is going through her own issues and they aren't helped when Opal shows up and moves in. Forced proximity but really, either one could have left at any time so wasn't really forced.

I couldn't get past the plot in the first 15% and had no desire to read further.