This book is like a warm hug on a breezy spring day. Opal and Pepper stole my heart with their authentic portrayal and relatable quirks. What struck me most was the refreshing neurodivergent representation woven seamlessly into the narrative. The candid conversations they shared about grief and trauma added layers of depth to the story.

While Opal and Pepper shone brightly, some of the side characters felt a bit flat, veering towards caricature rather than complexity, which occasionally tipped the scales towards cheesiness. Nonetheless, familiar tropes like grumpy-sunshine and forced proximity added to the charm.

Ellie Gossage deserves a round of applause for her stellar narration, breathing life into each character with a special flair. And can we take a moment to gush over that cover? It's an absolute stunner!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to dive into this gem.

CAWPILE
Characters - 9
Atmosphere - 8
Writing - 8
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 9

While I have ADORED every other Mazey Eddings book, this one did not hit the mark for me as I hoped.

When Opal wins the lottery, she decides to buy a flower farm and become an artist. Everything seems wistful but for the flower farm's "actual" owner: Pepper. Pepper has helped her grandma on the farm since she was young. She promises to buy the farm from Opal as soon as possible. Yet, Opal isn't what Pepper expected as she agrees to help her in a flower contest with recognition and money that will lead to buying Pepper out. Opal is just happy to help out, no matter that she has heart eyes for Pepper. Everything is whimsical on the farm, especially when the two cross friendship lines. But will it be enough when everything comes crashing down right in front of them?

While I loved the whimsical flower farm and laughed at Opal's hijinks (who hasn't wanted to dye their hair at least once), I found I had no emotional connection with either main character. I loved the autism representation and could definitely relate to needing those important items right in front of me so they stay at the top of my mind. I just wasn't convinced that Pepper and Opal's relationship would last. Narrator Ellie Gossage did a FANTASTIC job of giving authentic voices to both main characters, making this a quick binge. While this wasn't for me, many may love and I recommend those who enjoy romances pick this one up! It's got a fun nod to Lizzie Blake!

This book is the cozy sapphic romance of my dreams. Pepper and Opal are exactly as weird and lovable as two neurodivergent queer women who live on a flower farm should be, and their journey is simply adorable. I've loved all of Mazey Eddings's books, and this one might be my favorite.

Opal is a people-pleaser to the extreme, and everyone around her knows it (and most take advantage of it). She’s an artist (especially textile art, in the form of shoes), bisexual (check the flag on her car), and neurodivergent (some combination of autism and ADHD symptoms that would require expensive testing, so she just lives with it). When she wins the lottery (a scratch-off ticket that her “best friend” got her for her birthday), she uses that money to get a fresh start… in the form of buying a flower farm, sight unseen, off of Facebook Marketplace.

Pepper lives and runs Thistle & Bloom, her deceased grandmother’s flower farm. Her trust issues, grief, and special interest (the autism kind of special interest) in flowers have made the farm her safe haven. But when a pink-haired personification of chaos arrives, saying something about painting shoes and buying a farm, she’s going to have to figure out how to work with her new roommate to keep the farm afloat.

Opal and Pepper’s story was handled with such care, and it’s clear how much Mazey Eddings loves her characters. The discussions and commentary on neurodivergence and sexuality were poignant without being preachy, and the “late bloomer” aspect to the characters was relatable to anyone in their mid-to-late 20s (or 30s) who feels like they’re bad at being an adult and that they’ve gotten lost somewhere along the way. The first couple of chapters were hard to get through (just because the pre-flower farm version of Opal was a people pleaser to the point where it’s difficult to watch), but absolutely worth powering through to get to a happier place.

Also, loved the brief cameo mention of Lizzie’s bakery (from Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars // 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 spice

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

On the audio front, Ellie Gossage did an incredible job of bringing both women to life. Her talent in narrating all parts of a dual POV book cannot be overstated; I never got confused as to which character was narrating any given chapter. The only criticism I have to give is that the word “Appalachian” is pronounced incorrectly (it’s pronounced “appa-LATCH-an”).

This was such a cute “cottagecore” read that included real topics, and lots of spice. I thought the heavier themes were handled with care, and it was really refreshing to have open conversations about what is/isn’t liked when it comes to sexual encounters actually on the page. These topics are important, and it should be normal for them to be discussed, and be included in the romance genre. I loved the setting of this book, and it really made me want to go and get some fresh flowers for my house. The neurodiversity rep is amazing. I really loved Pepper as a character. Opal frustrated me at times, and sometimes I really didn’t like the way that she handled arguments/conflict,

Overall this is a really sweet read, with lots of spice mixed in. Thanks to the publisher for an ALC for an unbiased review.

Opal won the lottery and buys a flower farm off of Facebook marketplace. Only problem is when she shows up to her new home Pepper is already living there and has no idea the farm has been sold. Pepper's great aunt has passed away and her will is missing. Pepper is sure that her aunt would have left the farm to her, but as it stands the farm belongs to her mother who has sold it to Opal. Pepper and Opal decide to live together and come up with a plan to fix this mess. Opal is naïve, self deprecating, overly trusting, and very relatable LOL. I loved her character and her growth with Pepper at her side. The audiobook was great, and the love story was very cheesy but satisfying. It's a perfect fluffy romance and I'd definitely recommend! Also it's one of the spiciest gay romances I've read and it was so nice to have the bedroom door open!

Mazey Eddings has captured magic in this book.

I received the audiobook of this ARC (thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio!), and I loved it from beginning to end.

Opal, our sunshiney, daydreaming, glass-half-full artist FMC, has found herself on the winning end of a lottery ticket. She decides it’s the perfect opportunity to get a fresh start in life and uses her winnings to buy a flower farm. But she arrives to find her farm already inhabited - by the grumpy, rigid, flower-farmer FMC, Pepper. Chaos ensues.

Both of our FMCs bring depth, and with that trauma to heal from. They are also both neurodiverse, and as someone with AuDHD I saw so much of myself in both Opal and Pepper.

We see the flaws in both women, but more than that we see strength of character, profound self-reflection, and enormous love. Not to mention an incredible balance of sweet sapphic love with SPICY SAPPHIC SPICE.

And something I especially loved, personally, was alllllll the flowers. 🤩 It was a feast for my imagination!

You will love Late Bloomer if you love:
• grumpy x sunshine
• queer love
• found family
• diverse cast
• neurodivergent representation
• flowers and art
• HEAs

Late Bloomer releases on April 15, and I can’t wait to buy a physical copy!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the review copies.

I love Mazey so much, and I will read anything she writes. There were things I loved about Late Bloomer - the descriptive flower settings, Opal’s chaotic inner monologue, Pepper’s orderly approach to life and her friend group. There were definitely parts of each character that I found myself relating to throughout the book, and the ADHD & Autism representation felt authentic and realistic. However, I had a hard time connecting to the story itself and was not very invested in what was happening throughout the book. If you are looking for a soft, sapphic romance based on a flower farm that is mostly just vibes, then I think you will love Late Bloomer.

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Late Bloomer was a sweet, sapphic romance about Opal who wins the lottery and impulsively buys a flower farm. She finds Pepper is already living on the farm and that her con artist mother sold the farm out from under her. This was an easy to read rivals to lovers books with forced proximity and believably neurodivergent main characters. I loved watching these characters fall in love little by little and the dreamy backdrop of the flower farm was just too cute. I really liked this one!
4⭐️

3.5 ⭐️ *rounded up*

Late Bloomer was a cute, but also kinda corny, sapphic romance. Eddings always does a great job of writing characters you can’t help but love.

I wasn’t as into this plot as I have been with previous Eddings books, but I still loved the characters enough to want to know how it would end. Overall, this was a lighthearted, feel good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced copy of the audiobook.

Late Bloomer is an adorable sapphic romance novel with neurodivergent representation. Both Pepper and Opal were like-able characters and I enjoyed getting both POV. This is a nice light hearted fun book, however I do think some of the pop culture references may age poorly. Overall I really enjoyed this book and was nice to see the characters grow though-out the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Did I cringe through the first couple of chapters and almost DNF this? Yes.
Did I stick it out and absolutely LOVE it. YES.
So good. :’)

Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!

I relate so much to opal it’s crazy! She talks about constantly being in one sided relationships and not knowing how to change that. I always describe it like being a fairy godmother. It’s like constantly helping and fixing and caring but feeling like nobody is gonna help you or fix things for you or care about you. Also when the lady was selling her the farm she was talking about how she should’ve been more cautious and she wished people helped her and cared about her and opal was all it and I was literally crying thinking about how bad it felt like she was gonna get got. The neurodivergent rep was great and as a neurodivergent person I related to both characters a lot so I think it was don’t pretty well.

Side note the author also wrote a list of how the flowers in the book are deliberate and symbolic and I love it so much.

Mazey Eddings is a MASTER of banter, desire, and relatable heroines. I love love love her inclusion of characters with neurodivergency, and Opal, with ADHD, and Pepper, with Autism are no exception.

Opal, an aspiring artist, has won the lottery, and spends her winnings on buying a failing flower farm outside of Asheville, NC. Pepper has grown up and worked on the flower farm her entire life, and is shocked to learn that her mother has sold her 'promised' inheritance to Opal. These opposites are forced into a shared living situation as Pepper works to buy out Opal's share of the farm. Heads-bump and wires are crossed, yet an explosive attraction blossoms. Can these two opposites scratch this physical itch and keep emotions and feeling out of this new arrangement?

This was such a fun and vulnerable sapphic romance, and the steam was so steamy. The setting was unique, and the plotline about a floral competition bringing Opal and Pepper's strengths together was fun. I also really adored Opal's sisters and wonder if Eddings has plans to return to this world/family.

I listened to the MacMillan audiobook narrated by Ellie Gossage, and she did a fantastic job! I genuinely thought there was two different narrators, and was surprised when I went to list the narrators and found only one! Her accents, nuanced delivery, and emotive capabilities enriched my reading experience.

It wasn't my favorite Eddings book to date, but I struggle to land on what it was that was lacking for me. However, readers of contemporary sapphic romances will store adore this one!

This was such a cute, spicy, love story. I really enjoyed the setting of a flower farm in North Carolina, and both FMCs were very likeable. The spice was great, as well as the overall plot of the story. I would definitely read more by Mazey Eddings.

Book Review 🌺 🌸-

Over the last year, @mazeyeddings has quickly become an auto-buy author for me. I love that each and every one of her stories is different but every books brings her diverse characters to life and always makes me laugh.

Swipe to see a picture of Mazey and I at @steamylitcon last summer!

Late Bloomer is no exception. Although no one will make me laugh as much Tilly or Lizzy (from her other books) Opal and Pepper brought so much sweetness to this story. I loved the neurodivergent representation and themes of grief and self discovery. While tackling all those bigger topics, the book is still lighthearted and sweet. Definitely one to check out!

Late Bloomer comes out April 16, 2024.

Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for my advanced copies!

I’ve loved all of Mazey Edding’s books and I really enjoyed this one, but it took much longer for me to get fully invested. The narrator was absolutely phenomenal. I loved the voices of all the characters and felt like I knew more about them since I could hear them. Pepper and Opal are two amazing characters and I love them both. Opal’s sisters added common sense to her craziness and humor and support to her down moments. Pepper’s friends are both fierce and fun. The imagery of the book had me seeing the Thistle and Bloom and feeling the comforts of the cozy cabin. The story was slow at the beginning and even cutting out 50 pages would’ve had me invested much quicker. The characters could’ve been a tiny bit more mature in several scenarios, but their quirks were explained well by their backstory. I can only hope to hear more of their story in the future… series on the O. Devlin sisters please! 4.25⭐️, 2.5🌶

This was such sweet & cozy sapphic romance!

Was it a little over the top and cheesy at times? Yes.
Did I love it anyways? Also yes!

Mazey Eddings did an incredible job telling a sweet romance with beautiful neurodiverse representation, all while characters are dealing with toxic relationships and grief. The full cast of characters were great, but I adored Opal & Pepper. We have a grumpy/sunshine, slow-burn, with excellent banter and fabulous spice. It was charming, it was fun, delightful!

I especially loved the author's notes at the end on the book's title journey and the meaning behind all the flowers in the book!

- Review to be posted to Amazon once published!

this book fell a bit flat for me. I felt bad for Opal in the beginning of the story and really felt for her, and then thought the whole buying a flower farm was random. i get how it paves the way for her meeting pepper but there were just a lot of things where i was like these things are happening to move the plot along but dont particularly make sense to me. i also couldnt connect with opal or pepper and so i really raced through this audio to just get it done. didn't enjoy this one

When Opal Devlin unexpectedly wins the lottery, she sees this as her fresh start. People keep coming out of the woodwork to ask about her money, but she decides to invest in herself. She purchases a flower farm in Asheville, NC, sight unseen, and plans to make art there among the flowers.

As it turns out, though, someone is already living on the farm, and that someone is not expecting Opal.

Since moving to Thistle and Bloom Farms as a teenager, the flowers there have become Pepper Boden’s life. In spite of its current financial troubles, Pepper is determined to turn things around for her recently deceased grandma Lou’s farm. When Opal turns up with a deed, it turns Pepper’s world upside down.

Sweet Opal with her “dominant personality trait [of] pleasing others” decides to let Pepper stay on the farm and to help Pepper raise funds to buy Opal out.

So we end up with a forced proximity, opposites-attract, roommates situation with a bit of a grumpy-sunshine vibe thrown in and some delicious chemistry just waiting to be unleashed. It’s a recipe for romantic comedy goodness.

Highlights for me included
- A flower farm in one of my favorite places in the world (Yes, please!)
- How tender Opal and Pepper end up being with each other
- The Autism and ADHD rep
- The portrayal of migraines (I thought to myself, “Mazey Eddings really gets it.”)
- Pepper’s friend group and Opal’s sisters
- The memories of Grandma Lou (She just seems like she was the best.)

It did take me a few chapters to really get into the book, so if you aren’t immediately sucked in, please give it more of a chance.

Ellie Gossage’s narration is fantastic. She truly captures both Opal’s and Pepper’s personalities, and I enjoyed her voices for the supporting characters as well.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

This is the third book I have listened to by Mazey Eddings. I will definitely read or listen to anything she writes. Her stories pull you in from beginning until the end. This is a beautiful story about Opal and Pepper. I loved when Opal finally finds her voice by choosing herself over her friend and Ex. Pepper and Opal were really fun characters and well written. I found this to be a fun and sweet story. I had a great time listening to Ellie Gossage tell the story. She did a really good job and made it easy to follow along with. I would definitely recommend this book as well as her other books.


Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.