Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC

Late Bloomer follows Opal Devlin and Pepper Boden, two women that come across each other by luck and a shady deal. They are very much polar opposites; Opal diving headfirst into everything (even when she knows she probably shouldn't) and Pepper who finds sudden change is hard to deal with.

This story was extremely sweet, seeing the two find common ground with trying to save the struggling farm and soon a desire to see one another smile. Things aren't perfect in their relationship, both having a lot of baggage from prior betrayals in past relationships. But watching the ups and downs, argues and tears makes the sweet moments all the better.

Overall an amazing book, already recommended it to a few friends.

This book had me experiencing so many different thoughts and feelings so I'm going to be fully transparent and hopefully it makes sense. When I heard about this book I was SO excited, A cottage core lesbian love story with neurodivergent representation AND multiple queer characters, that's a book lovers dream (if they're open minded or queer and neurodivergent)! I also was excited because it's set in my home state, which always makes a love story more real and like maybe I couldn't find that love?! I mean the vibes of the book are everything I ever want to read in a romance. Here's some things that fell flat for me and I didn't quite understand which ultimately made my rating lower, The first thing I noticed was that the chapter POV's weren't super consistent and sometimes when I wanted the other persons thoughts I didn't get them, while also some of the chapters felt like they ended kind of abruptly. I also don't understand how this is an opposites attract trope, to me they felt very similar, they both cared deeply and didn't always stand up for themselves or knew how to express themselves correctly. I think they were made for each other honestly. Along with that, Opals character felt very whiny and depressing the first page you meet her and then the minute she gets to thistle and bloom she's this strong, quirky, quick witted person, and maybe that was her "new and improved" thing but it just felt random? My other nit picky problems were when opal messed up her hair, she's an artist and supposedly does her hair all the time so how did she not know the bleach was going to do exactly what it did without a toner or something to even the white out; and do people a actually get migraines that bad?!? that's so concerning! Aside from the semi slow start I had with this book I really did enjoy it (even if it doesn't seem that way) and the vibes SO GOOD! Opal and pepper have such a sweet relationship and Im rooting for them. It really feels like in the end they understand each other better (as people and being neurodivergent), and are always putting each other first and just want to make the other happy. I would have loved to see more of the friend group because frankly all of the characters are amazing and they felt too side charactery if that makes sense lol . I want Opals sisters and all of Peppers friends around more and it felt rushed at times but the important thing is that they got a happy ending and I had fun in the end. Okay Rant over, excited for this book to release! Hoping to read more of Mazey Eddings!

This was the first Mazey Eddings title I ever read and it did not disappoint. I was hooked within the first few pages as I appreciate when the author jumps right into the story. The two main characters were written in such a real, thoughtful manner and I could visualize each scene easily thanks to the lovely way Eddings describes everything. The stunning cover compliments the story beautifully. I will absolutely recommend this book and I look forward to reading (and recommending) more by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This book was really special for me. I don’t remember ever identifying with a character in a romance book like I did with both of these characters, each for different reasons. The author has created a very sweet, realistic romance that gives representation I haven’t seen a lot of in this genre. The writing is beautiful. The story makes you feel warm and cozy. Absolutely love it.

I loved this book! I laughed out loud multiple times throughout it. It was sweet, funny, and easy to love all of the characters.

let me preface this by saying i read Late Bloomer while recovering from surgery but…

This wasn’t my favorite sapphic romance. It was very sickly sweet, even while dealing with heavy topics, which made dynamics feel underdeveloped. I never really felt the pull between the two MCs, either—i was just left wanting more.

For those wanting a sweet sapphic book with neurodivergent rep, it’s worth picking up for sure!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

What a sweet book. The level of empathy with which Mazey Eddings crafts her characters is remarkable, and Opal and Pepper were no exceptions. The way they existed as individuals in their own right and learned, grew, and changed while still remaining themselves was wonderful to read. Their love story was well-paced and just made me happy while reading.

I love me a good side character as well, and all of the ones included in this book were wonderful. I particularly enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Opal and her sisters.

The story itself was nice, but the real draw is definitely the characters. Come for the fun premise, stay for the people. 4/5.

Rated 3.5 stars, rounded up.
Opal's life goes a little wild after winning the lottery. "Friends" and acquaintances suddenly feel the need to emphasize their importance in her life, while subtly (and not so subtly) asking her for money, and, as a Certified People Pleaser, she doesn't know how to say no. So, rather than saying no and disappointing anyone, she plays the avoidance game, buys a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina, and ghosts them all. She plans to use it as a place to let her inspiration bloom (lol) and grow (ha) her artistic business. Her plans hit a snag when Pepper Smith, who believes she's the rightful owner of the farm, won't budge. They reluctantly agree to share the space, leading to both a thorny (I can't stop) situation and a budding (sorry, not sorry) attraction, all while their dreams hang in the balance.

This was the first Mazey Eddings book I've read and I really enjoyed it. Opal's voice is engaging from the first page and pulls you right into her story. And, because it's dual POV, we get to hear Pepper's thoughtful internal dialogue as she is a woman of few words.

The neurodivergent representation was nice to see in from both characters in different ways. One thing I struggled with a bit was how hard it felt leaned into on Opal's side. I suspect this was somewhat intentional due to the need to show the internal struggle and validate her neurodivergence despite not having a confirmed diagnosis.

I enjoyed the overall storyline and found the setting charming. It was a nice, fluffy read and I look forward to more of the same when I inevitably read other books by Mazey Eddings.

While the book had some exciting moments, I found it to be just okay overall. The author seemed to skim over some crucial parts of the story, which left me feeling a bit unfulfilled. The beginning was promising with well-developed main characters, but the ending felt rushed and neglected some of the more crucial plot points.

This book hit all the marks for me. Representation of bi and queer woman. Disability representation that wasn’t forced. A relationship that didn’t feel forced or super fake. I just loved it. The side characters were also amazing. I will definitely be rereading this book

You'd think that winning the lottery would be a good thing, but its ruined Opal Devlin's life. She quit her dead-end job, but then she was just bombarded by people who wanted a piece of her winnings. To escape, she buys a failing flower farm in North Carolina where she plans to start her painting business. (The flowers can fend for themselves!) But (a very hot) Pepper Boden says she's the rightful owner of the farm, and she's not moving out, so the two strike up a cohabitation agreement.

I'm a huge Mazey Eddings fan, so I was really looking forward to getting my hands on this one! It definitely didn't disappoint! This was such a fun premise, and the execution was done beautifully. The dynamics between these two from beginning to end was a treat to read! I loved the farm drama and Opal and Pepper's reactions as the story went on. Tons of fun! I hope Opal's sisters are next in the series!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Opal and Pepper's sparkly sapphic romance blossoms in Late Bloomer.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:⁣
- That cover! Gorgeous.
- Autistic, migraine and neurodivergent rep
- Sunshine versus grumpy
- Colors and humor are vibrantly infused throughout the narrative
- Grief coexisting with warmth


It had the elements I’ve come to appreciate in Eddings books: Funny and full of sharp dialogue. Authentic and incredibly heartwarming with characters that were layered and relatable. ⁣
⁣
Once again Eddings crafts characters whose experiences jump through the page right into my heart.

With her tender heart thoroughly abused, Opal decides to protect herself by any means necessary, which to her translates to putting almost all her new money to buying a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina to let the flowers live out their plant destiny while she uses the cabin on the property to start her painting business.

But her plans for isolation and self-preservation go hopelessly awry when an angry (albeit gorgeous) Pepper Boden is waiting for her at her new farm. Pepper states she’s the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms, and isn’t moving out. The unlikely pair strike up an agreement of co-habitation, and butt heads at every turn. Can these opposites both live out their dreams and plant roots? Or will their combustible arguing (and growing attraction) burn the whole place down?

Grumpy sunshine sapphic romance? Sign me up! I loved this book so much. Eddings quick whit shines through this story. I loved Opal and Pepper and I loved their chemistry. This was one of my favorite of her books to date.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc! This was a sweet tale of love and queer love. This was relatable, realistic and did not fall short the way alot of romances do.

★ ★ ★ ★ //5

Late Bloomer
by: Mazey Eddings

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVE OPAL AND PEPPER! I loved them through this entire book. This book was a breath of fresh air and the slow burn was done to perfection. I loved sitting down with this light and sweet romance and page after page watched their relationship develop and unfurl. I was so sad when this book was over. I think that everybody should give this a read. Slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity—if you enjoy these tropes you will absolutely love this book, put this on your TBR for it’s release

I fell in love with this book and its characters so quickly. I am a sucker for forced proximity trope books and this book was *chef's kiss*. I haven't highlighted so many lines in a book like this in a long time. I was always laughing, smiling, or crying through the whole book (sometimes all at once). Ugh, it was just so good.

Opal and Pepper were a mess, and I mean that in the best possible way. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow, and appreciated the little details that incorporated their neurodivergence into both their relationship, but also with their friends/family. I've really enjoyed everything I've read from Mazey Eddings, and would read anything new in a heartbeat.

I adored this one! I have loved everything from Mazey Eddings so far and this one did not disappoint. It was perfection. I read it in one sitting and then hated myself for blasting through it so far.

I received this ARC from NetGalley.

I loved this book! I thought is was an excellent little rom com with good character development, a romance you couldn’t help but root for, and an adorable setting on a flower farm. As someone who has adhd, I also loved that both characters were neurodivergent. I’ve read rom coms that are neurodivergent coded, but I don’t think I’ve read one with explicitly neurodivergent characters and I related very strongly with Opal. There is something very special reading a book where you see yourself in a character, and I felt that strongly when reading this book. I also liked that there are content warnings at the start of the book. (grief after the loss of a loved one, complicated relationship with alcohol, parental neglect/ abandonment).

I am absolutely obsessed with this book!
I requested an advanced copy of Late Bloomer because I love a bi romance and thought the cover was cute and the title was clever. I was not expecting to absolutely fall in love with it as much as I did.
If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be “delightful”. The setting was idyllic, the plot was fun and flirty, and the spicy scenes were hot and perfectly placed. The writing was also hilarious. I found myself actually giggling at some of the dialogue. The use of modern slang was fun without being cringey. It felt very authentic to how 20-somethings would actually talk to each other. Pepper’s friends also felt very authentic. I found myself wishing I could be part of their group!
Opal and Pepper are both so relatable and adorable. They are both the perfect amount of awkward while still being extremely likable. And their self doubts/past traumas gave gravity to the situation that made me all the more invested in the outcome of their relationship.
I loved that the grumpy/sunshine dynamic didn’t feel forced. Opal is optimistic because she just won the lottery and is making a new start, while Pepper is angry at losing her grandmother, the farm and seemingly everything good in her life. They make perfect foils for each other without being so completely opposing that their relationship is unbelievable. Some of my favorite scenes in the book were the moments of little intimacy where they both dropped their guard and let slip how much they each really cared.
My only note would be that the ending felt a bit rushed. The third-act-breakup after the competition left me wondering if it was really necessary. I felt like both Opal and Pepper’s emotional development throughout the book was kind of thrown away when they lost the competition and then miraculously built back up again in a matter of pages. I would have liked to see a more wholistic reconciliation to reassure me that their relationship was solid going into the epilogue. But the epilogue was perfect and Opal’s gift almost brought me to tears it was so thoughtful.
Overall I loved the book and will definitely be recommending it to friends and followers!