This author is hit or miss for me, and while not completely a miss this time, it did veer that way for me. Overall, I felt like too much was packed into both of the character’s arcs individually that it felt like there wasn’t a clear growth or development with either of them, and it left the romance not enough time to blossom. Autism, ADHD, abusing drugs and alcohol, depression, family death, family abandonment, shitty friends, a shitty ex - like, that’s just way too much, and everything felt half-assed because of it.

I will say though, the plot was a good one.

IN MAZEY EDDINGS WE TRUST!!!!
Mazey never leaves me disappointed. If this cover doesn’t convince you to read this, then allow me! Low conflict & very comforting to read. Always happy to read stories with loads of neurodivergent rep.

Chef kiss!!

Thank you to the publisher, author, & NetGalley for a copy of the ARC!

Initially I was intrigued by the plot of the book. Unfortunately the writing style made it hard to turn the page and give it a fair shot.

Cute, low angst read.. I normally love Mazey’s books but something was missing from this to make me enjoy it more.

What a fun book. I have never read anything by this author, so it was a total surprise. I thought it was funny and messy in the best way. Both MC's have self-esteem issues and just life issues. I did not think that they could figure out how to live together and help each other. I love how both struggled to communicate and try to help each other move forward. Neither ever gives up and they eventually figure out how to move forward together. I will be looking for other books by this author. I think you should read this book! It is really good and an interesting dynamic between the two main characters.

I received a free copy for an unbiased review.

A sweet romance. Opal wins the lottery and impulsively buys a flower farm with the bulk of her winnings. When she arrives she is confronted by Pepper, granddaughter of the previous farm owner. Pepper insists the farm belongs to her and refuses to budge. Soon, and despite all odds, these opposites attract.

The author, as usual, does a great job of creating a cozy ambiance and compelling side characters.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Late Bloomer is a really fun grumpy/sunshine romance. Pepper and Opal paths cross unexpectedly and immediately butt heads.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Opal and Pepper were such fun characters to read and I absolutely loved this story! There was also some pretty great representation in this book and I can’t recommend reading this one more!

This title is sweet, tender, and kind. The flower farm setting is as dreamy as the romance <3. Another fab romance from author, Mazey Eddings.

I think I was expecting more from this book than what it gave, and I'm willing to admit that's on me for hoping the title meant there would be more of an exploration of someone's sexuality, or more of a discussion of what its like to be older and still not have sexual experience.

I really loved Opal's sisters, I thought they were funny and chaotic, as well as Pepper's friends. It was a little difficult to distinguish between Pepper and Opal's voices, but I appreciated that this book was low angst and straightforward. Also I'm still very obsessed with the cover, as we all should be.

I liked A Brush With Love & Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake, but LOVED The Plus One by Mazey Eddings, so I was excited to read this sapphic love story. It definitely lived up to my expectations. I appreciate the way that Mazey handles mental health with her characters. They have so much depth and you truly feel like you know them.

The story of two women who meet right as each faces a crossroads in their personal lives. They are both immediately irritated by each other, but those feelings slowly turn to attraction the more time they spend together.

This was an excellent rom-com of a book that I throughly enjoyed! While the characters may have met under contrived circumstances, Opal and Pepper’s story develops at a natural medium burn pace. Opal and Pepper obviously get a lot of time together, but I liked how they were also given space alone to sort out their own thoughts and feelings. They are separate people whose identity is not solely based on the other. The story also had the right amount of spice. The scenes were authentic and weren’t just all about the sex. Each one helped the characters to evolve personally and together.

My only complaint is random people from the characters’ past showed up towards the end of book. This parts felt forced to me and didn’t really get their purpose.

This is an excellent book worth the read, however.

MAZEY EDDINGS DOES IT AGAIN. I was thrilled when I got approved for this book. I love the premise, I love the characters, I just love this whole darn thing. Everyone needs this book in their life.

How sweet and lovely this was!

The characters were so relatable and I love how well written this representation was. I am not always a fan of grumpy/sunshine, but it’s be honest, it didn’t feel like that description fit the characters too well, so it didn’t not bother me.

It did feel a little slow at times, and some of the writing/phrasing was repetitive. I loved seeing the ADHD and autistic representation, but at times I did get frustrated with how their inner monologues did not match up with how they interacted. Namely, near the end, Pepper reflects on what happened after the competition and what she should have said, how she could have comforted Opal, etc, but in the next chapter, she said she didn’t know why they weren’t talking. It felt disconnected from her previous thoughts on what happened.

I did love the little queer found family, the explorations of grief, and the steamy scenes. Overall, a great book that I can’t wait to recommend when it hits the shelves!

How sweet and lovely this was!

The characters were so relatable and I love how well written this representation was. I am not always a fan of grumpy/sunshine, but it’s be honest, it didn’t feel like that description fit the characters too well, so it didn’t not bother me.

It did feel a little slow at times, and some of the writing/phrasing was repetitive. I loved seeing the ADHD and autistic representation, but at times I did get frustrated with how their inner monologues did not match up with how they interacted. Namely, near the end, Pepper reflects on what happened after the competition and what she should have said, how she could have comforted Opal, etc, but in the next chapter, she said she didn’t know why they weren’t talking. It felt disconnected from her previous thoughts on what happened.

I did love the little queer found family, the explorations of grief, and the steamy scenes. Overall, a great book that I can’t wait to recommend when it hits the shelves!

This is the loveliest, sweetest, most special grumpy/sunshine story I've ever read! Pepper and Opal are two of the most lovable characters I've ever read. I wanted to give both of them the biggest, warmest hugs. Opal especially I wanted to be her best friend. My heart ached for her, probably because I related to it so much, as she tries to connect so deeply with everyone. I loved her story of finding her self-worth, self-acceptance, and strength in her voice to stand up for herself as she navigates her new start at life on the flower farm. And Pepper had to grow up so fast, I love that her friends and Opal give her a chance to rely on others, learning to trust in other people, in love, and in the possibility of finding her own happily ever after with Opal. The way Pepper and Opal fit together like actual soulmates was my favorite part of this story. The complement each other perfectly and I loved seeing them grow so much for the better as they navigate each other in the beginning, start a friendship, and eventual relationship. There is so much love, acceptance, joy and happiness, mingled with the harsh and sucky moments that come with life, that make this story so lovingly realistic and hopeful. This story, like most of Mazey Edding's stories, give me the joyous and giddy hope in real life love, friendship, and happily ever afters in all their glorious forms. One of my absolute favorite stories ever!
Thank you for the arc :)

In this steamy, emotional sapphic romance, Mazey Eddings - whose books have always featured neurodivergent main characters - has created a premise that is unique and adorable while fulfilling many well-loved tropes, and a truly interesting and well-developed main character.

The problem is, it is *one* well-developed main character, living in two different bodies. Sure, there are differences between the two - the predictable loud/quiet, messy/tidy divide - but in many ways the two main characters, Pepper and Opal, are indistinguishable. This particularly noticeable because the narration is split between them, and it's a particular issue because it takes the air out of the story's conflict to see the two women undergoing similar flawed rationalizations and making identical mistakes. This is, perhaps, the way real relationships work, but it doesn't translate well to the page.

3.5 stars - a well-written, endearing romantic drama, but lacked conflict and character differentiation.

I felt a connection to this book! Coming out late in my life too, it was a fun read! I loved the plot and the characters! An easy 4 star read!

I am so lucky to have received this as an ARC! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and I cannot wait to purchase a copy when it comes out! I related to both characters so much, with the disabilities that they have and the trauma that they’ve been through, I feel like this book was written for me! I want to hug the author because this will be my happy place for quite a long time!

I love this author, but this one didn't really do it for me. The steamy scenes were incredible, but I just couldn't get into the plot. It was still a really well written book though

I absolutely adored this book. Fans of enemies to lovers and grumpy/sunshine tropes will love it. The personal growth shown by the characters adds a level of reality to the story that is lovely. Excellent neurodivergent representation.