Did I pick this up because the cover is gorgeous? Maybe. But I also love Mazey Eddings, especially Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake, so that factored into my decision as well!

I absolutely loved it. At first I was concerned because Opal is surrounded by some terrible characters at first, and I just can’t handle reading a book where someone is getting bullied by their “friends” the whole time. But, her roommate might be a nightmare but here sisters are super supportive and delightful - so the book quickly turned around for me.

The set up was fantastic - the stakes for the flower farm were perfect for a romance. The opposites attract was everything I could ever want. The found family? So wonderful.

I wish I could go into more depth but I read it so quickly that all I really have are vibes to give you.

🎧 Narrator Ellie Gossage does an excellent job creating a cast of characters that is easy to distinguish between. Late Bloomer was excellent as an audiobook!

A dreamer of an artist collides with a second generation flower farmer in this slow burn queer romance set on a beautiful flower farm in Asheville.

Opal Devlin has dreams of moving to NYC to pursue her art, while languishing in a demeaning minimum wage job surrounded by less than stellar friends. After winning the lottery, she impulsively buys a flower farm in Asheville off of Facebook Marketplace (girlie pop, what!). There she meets Pepper Smith, the granddaughter of the recently deceased owner (and daughter of the deadbeat seller). Pepper is less than thrilled by the prospect of being left homeless and jobless so Opal offers Pepper a way to buy back the farm, including letting her stay at the cabin. Romantic hijinks quickly ensue as the two women are thrust together.

The romance between Opal and Pepper heats up with Opal breaking down Pepper’s facade - Pepper is the prototypical black cat girlfriend, standoffish to Opal’s sunny, optimistic disposition. Actually, Pepper is insanely stand-offish lol. Not sure if that was meant to be a character trait of her autism (she doesn't trust people because she has trouble reading them maybe), but her initial distrust of Opal is pretty deep despite the fact that she agrees TO LIVE in the SAME cabin as her?? Regardless, they eventually act on their attraction, entering into a "no feelings" sex relationship (because we all know "banging the tension out" never ends in catching the feels right??).

My take: The spicy scenes are top notch, kudos to Mazey, A+, no notes! The two MCs also find ways to communicate their needs despite their vast differences, and support each other as they grow in their relationship (Pepper telling off Opal's horrid friends, for one!). Opal’s sisters are also an absolute highlight - everyone deserves a hype team like that.

The only real (small) bone I have to pick with this book is the fact that Opal’s family doesn’t sit her down after winning the lottery to make sure she was READY for the RESPONSIBILITY - ugh. I knew it was coming and I understand it as a plot device (and a demonstration of Opal's impulsive behaviors) but still. Financial responsibility is sexy, ok?? But I supposed without it, we wouldn't have this lovely romance so I'm not going to complain.

Financial literacy not withstanding, this is a feel-good romance that will leave you aching for a trip to North Carolina!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ARC.

I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. To be published soon! April 16th! Mark your calendars!

This book was an absolute riot of fun. First things first, just a disclaimer from me to you: don’t tell people if you win the lottery in the real life. Just don’t. Chances are you will not have a meet ugly with the hot local lesbian and end up cohabiting with her on her adorable flower farm. I just… had to get that out there. I did really enjoy this book though, as a fellow ADHD whose partner is on the spectrum, some of this was very relatable. I too once changed my hair color at the drop of a hat just to feel something. Because I have a unique perspective of this, I did have some minor cringe and second hand embarrassment a couple times. Communication is key in any relationship, but oh my god, please do not assume that your autistic partner has picked up on something. They haven’t. I can almost guarantee you that they probably haven’t.

But honestly? Other than the second hand embarrassment, I don’t have much bad to say about this book. I was a little concerned considering how much Opal lets people walk over her to start with (hi, yes, also a chronic people pleaser here) but that did improve pretty quickly. This was a very cute novel with an adorable premise and some surprisingly intense spice. Definitely would recommend!

5⭐️

ARC kindly provided by publisher via NetGally for an honest review.

oh my god… am I Opal?? This book was cute, cheesy, and everything I wanted it to be. The cover is just as beautiful as its content! As a neurodivergent gal myself, I loved the representation and several accurate takes of how our brains work. Ellie does an amazing job with her narration bringing this story to life, making you feel everything as deeply as our characters. 1000 times yes to everything in this book, possibly my favorite sapphic book I’ve read.

A forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine sapphic romance -- need I say more? Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me a bit. While I adored the premise I just couldn't quite connect with the characters or their relationship. Too insta-lusty? Not enough emotional connection? Not enough conflict or angst? I just felt like I needed more from all of it.

I listened to the audiobook of this one and the narration was really enjoyable! The narrator did a great job at portraying both characters (I honestly thought there were two narrators!) and brought the story to life. It was easy to listen to and I binged the audiobook in a couple of sittings.

With all of that said, this is great for someone looking for a light, cozy romance. The writing was great, the LGBTQ & neurodivergent rep was great, and I certainly will be checking out more of Mazey's work in the future.

ALC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copies of Late Bloomer!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

Mazey Eddings! You are amazing! Late Bloomer was so adorable and while I’ve absolutely loved every single book by this author, this one is my new favorite! Everything about this book was just pure perfection. The setting, the characters, the premise, the competition. All of it. Just so perfect and so well done. I cannot recommend this one enough!

After winning the lottery on a scratch off ticket, Opal decides to get away from everyone knocking on her door for a handout, and puts all of her new money into a failing flower farm in Asheville, NC. Her plan is to use the cabin on the property to start her own painting business. But upon her arrival, she’s greeted by a gorgeous, but grumpy woman she comes to find out is Pepper, who states she is the owner of the farm is refuses to move out. The two strike up a an agreement and plan to both stay on the farm together. Will Pepper and Opal be able to work out their differences and be able to live together on the farm? Or is there more at risk?

Seriously, this book is just so good! I loved the flower competition aspect and how that brings Opal and her sisters and Pepper and her friends together. I also really love how the grief aspect is intertwined into the story. I just felt like everything was so well done. And the notes on flowers at the end! Don’t skip that part!

🎧I started with the physical book, but quickly moved to the audiobook once I realized it was narrated by Ellie Gossage. I LOVED Gossage as the narrator. I loved how smoothly she flowed between Opal and Pepper and just felt like her performance was flawless. I cannot recommend this audiobook enough. You are in for a real treat with Gossage as the narrator. Seriously. Listen to this one if that’s an option for you. You will not be disappointed!

🌺Grumpy x Sunshine
🌺Forced Proximity (Roommates)
🌺Neurodiverse Representation
🌺Sapphic Romance
🌺Lots of Spice!
🌺Grief and Healing
🌺Enemies to Lovers

Posted on Goodreads on April 9, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around April 16, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on April 16, 2024
**-will post on designated date

Did I enjoy this book? Eh. But is that solely due to the fact that I just think I don't care for contemporary books that much? Yes. For what the book is, it did the job. But for me? The lack of action coupled with the only conflict being a staggering and honestly annoying amount of miscommunication was driving me up the wall. At least with some other contemporary books I've read at least a little something happens but I felt like absolutely nothing happened.

TLDR; If you like contemporary Sapphic books then read this. You'll enjoy it. It's fun and sweet and has some descriptive sex scenes. It just wasn't personally for me because I like a bit more action in my stories.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I thought the narration was well performed and fit the characters personalities. The mix of emotion, love and humor was a perfect balance. So glad to get the opportunity to listen to this sapphic romance!

A Mazey Eddings novel truly is ‘sugar and spice and everything nice!’

I thoroughly enjoyed this sapphic romance that was filled with joy, vivid descriptions, witty banter, angst, insecurities, acceptance, artistry, friendships, sibling love, healing, flowers, spicy romance, and neurodivergent representation.

I loved that the characters didn’t try to change each other but worked to sort out their own and each other’s feelings (although they do avoid each other when embarrassed or unsure). I thought Opal and Pepper complimented each other really well, despite being opposites. This made for an entertaining read that had me laughing out loud at times. Opal’s sisters and Pepper’s friends are incredibly supportive, kind, and very entertaining adding an extra layer of depth.

I also thought that grief of a loved one was handled gently with a lot of heart and acceptance. And when you finish this book, if you want to talk about Pepper’s mother, I have a lot of thoughts, and I’m sure you will too.

I switched between the ebook and audiobook while reading and really enjoyed both formats. The audiobook narrator was able to give the characters distinct voices, which really helped bring both Opal and Pepper to life. Though if I were reading this with others around I’d definitely use headphones or the ebook during the spice because those scenes are spicy!

<If you like a more chaste romance book, this might not be the tale for you>.

Thank you to NetGalley Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the advance ebook and audio books of this fantastic title. Mazey Eddings I loved “Late Bloomer!”

Available for preorder now and on shelves next Tuesday, April 16.

#romancefiction #romance #sapphicfiction #stmartinspress #stmartinsgriffin #romanticcomedy #mazeyeddings #latebloomer #macmillanaudio #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #booknerd #romancereader #comingsoon #sapphicromancebooks

This is one of my favorite sapphic romances I’ve ever read. It was just so cute. I loved opal and her people pleasing self. Watching her starting to put herself first was just so idk perfect. The representation in this book was excellent as well. Spice was great. I will definitely recommend this book and be checking out other books by Mazey.

4.5 stars

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book was much as I did, but I LOVED the setting and both MCs.

Opal and Pepper fit together so well and complement each other in every possible way. Their interactions were beautiful and mesmerizing. Pretty much an unputdownable book which I relished. Pepper is uncomfortable around Opal and dislikes her from the start. Opal in her own words- is a chronic people pleaser, ready to do anything to help Pepper even though the situation is not to her liking either. This is somewhat of opposites attract romance and I really enjoyed it.

There's some great mental health rep thrown in there and Eddings has given adequate emphasis on the backstories. I instantly liked the MCs and the side characters and rooted for them. Nothing about them was a red flag and the way the showed their care and affection for each other was endearing. I liked the way the climax was resolved too, everything felt cozy and believable. My only issue was with Trish, and her initial portrayal verses the image Pepper painted later on. I'd like it if there was some light shed on her background too.

Eddings has put together a list of book titles that were on hold in the writing process as well as the significance of the different flowers referenced in the book. I was certainly not expecting that, and it was a pure delight to get that added joy to my reading experience. My first book by the author and it won't be my last!

So everything above this is back from when I reviewed the ARC and after listening to the ALC, I've some more thoughts. Yup, I still like the MCs and love the scenery, but the book's lost some of its initial spark. Sometimes I felt there was too much emphasis on a character's emotions- telling instead of showing. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I was too in love with everything the first time and now without the rose-tinted glasses, I see how this is far from perfect.

When Opal, an artist, wins the lottery she purchases a flower farm sight unseen. Opal arrives at the farm to find that it’s not unoccupied. Pepper, the granddaughter of the flower farm owner, is surprised to find that her mom sold the farm without her knowledge. The cheerful Opal and grumpy Pepper live together on the farm. Opal wants to help Pepper earn money to buy back the farm and together they enter a flower competition.

Flowers, love and personal growth bloom in this book. I love the tropes - forced proximity and opposites attract. I was expecting the story to be a little more about saving the farm and their romance. Instead it was a lot about the characters self reflecting.

The characters are quirky and very likable. I thought them starting out as no strings attached as a little odd because they clearly had an undeniable romantic connection. Their sexual attraction and the spice was top notch. This book was a nice, easy romance read.

I enjoyed the audiobook. The voices captured their personalities nicely and helped me differentiate the POVs.

At the end of the book the author gives an explanation of the flowers and it was really interesting. I also enjoyed her commentary on the book title controversy.

I highly recommend this book if you’re a fan of Mazey Eddings, sapphic romances and opposites attract love stories.

Mazey Eddings can do exactly no wrong, and this is evidence of such. I have seen criticism that the characters skew too young in this title, and I would argue that it makes the experience more real. Our FMCs have had experiences with substance abuse, and are sexual-I think these are both areas that are so very real and raw, and a lot of writers are afraid to go there. Mazey handles these topics with grace and still allowing the experiences to shine. The narration was great and I think this lended itself to audio just fine!

Opal, having recently won the lottery, buys the Thistle and Bloom, a struggling flower farm. When she arrives, she realizes that she got more than she bargained for when the previous owner's granddaughter, Pepper, is still living and working on the farm, and she isn't planning to leave. The two form a tense agreement to share the farm until the end of the season, butting heads at every corner. The two must learn to work together if they want the farm (or themselves) to make it to the end of the season! This book does include on page references to past use of drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. There is also a verbally abusive parental relationship on page.

Tropes include:

✅ Sapphic Romance
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Neurodiveregent Representation
✅ Autism Representation
✅ Bisexual Representation
✅ Cottage Core Vibes

Overall, a lovely sapphic romance. Pepper and Opal are a cute pair, and their happy ending literally made me sob. I wish that this audiobook never had to end and I could bask in the warmth of their love forever <3

Minus one star for lots of pop cultural references, and because Mazey Eddings created a perfect world that I can't actually live in 😉

I pre ordered this book and requested the ARC. THAT'S HOW MUCH I WANTED TO READ IT. This book is fantastic. A saphic grumpy sunshine. With neuro spicy representation. I'm so obsessed. Highly highly recommend

I love everything about this book. It’s sweet, sexy, loving. It is such a beautiful book about a beautiful relationship, and Mazey’s writing is warm and hopeful. It’s a wonderful book and a wonderful read.

Thank you NetGalley and Mazey for the ARC audiobook. All statements are my own thoughts and feelings towards the book.
I was given the audiobook and I really enjoyed her narration. Audio narration can really impact a story when it not done well, but this was good! She did a good job of using different voices for different POVs with Opal and Pepper.

The story is about Opal, who is struggling through adulthood when her crappy best friend gives her a scratch off ticket for her birthday. She wins big, 500,000, and takes a big leap to follow her heart and dreams. In the process, she ends up living with Pepper, a semi-grumpy autistic woman whose grandmother recently passed away. How will these two make it work?

Opal was so relatable to me, like I saw a previous version of myself in her. The people pleasing, the self doubt, the adhd. She really nailed it for me. I also love how the author weaved their neurodiversity into the story line. It gave great context without taking over the story.

4.5 stars

Every once in a while, something in my brain gets a bit resistant to starting a new rom-com novel (something about not being prepared for all the emotional ups and downs, probably), but then I begin a book like this one, and I wonder why I ever read anything else. I’ve quite enjoyed all my books from this writer. She has an impressive ability to pull me into her stories right away, she crafts interesting and relatable characters, and she includes intentional and meaningful representation of diverse identities. Plus, this one was set on a flower farm- I love it. As with other books I’ve read from the writer, this story contains a mix of sweet romance, spicy interludes, funny moments, angsty scenes, heavy topics handled with care, and a happy ending. Plus, the cover is beautiful, and I’m a fan of the title she eventually settled on. Love it all!

Not going to lie, this cover called to me and it is gorgeous.

This one was definitely more of a slow burn, grumpy sunshine, small town, saphic romance. I did love the autistic and other non-neurotypical representation, and it definitely had some spice. Also loved the Asheville setting.

Opal is down on her luck when she wins the lottery. She buys a flower farm on Facebook Marketplace (much to her family's dismay and horror) and moves there to create her shoe art. She meets Pepper, who was under the impression this farm was left to her in her Grandma's will. They butt heads, they are opposites, but oh do they attract.

There was a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding, which is not my favorite.

I will say I definitely learned a thing or two.

Many thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio for an ALC, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @Macmillanaudio for my free copy!

I listened to the audiobook and it was great! I loved the sweet and reluctant romance between the two neurodivergent main characters! This book was fun, quirky and uplifting! Definitely a must have read for any lgbt reader/supporter!

Opal wins a cool half million on a scratch off she received as a last minute gift for her birthday. Tired of her people pleasing existence, always putting others before her self, her fake best friend and ex-boyfriend stealer, Opal decides to drastically change her life and follow her artistic dreams! She buys a flower farm in the hills of North Carolina, where Pepper, current tenant and grand-daughter of the late owner is shocked to discover her mother sold it out from under her!

Opal and Pepper come up with a solution for the unfortunate circumstance of taking away Pepper's home and try to live peacefully together as Pepper scrambles to come up with funds to buy the farm back from Opal. Enter some SPICE, lesbians, conflict and two quirky women and you have a terrific read!