I need to stop picking up romance books when I know they’re not for me (I love a sapphic relationship, but I need some more plot/worldbuilding/physical movement that the romance genre simply doesn’t give me).

I would burn down the world for Pepper. She felt very familiar and had such a beautiful vulnerability to her. I loved her conversations around grief, around expectations, and especially around her Autism. I liked that she struggled to put words together and would opt for silence or action over saying the wrong thing.

Opal on the other hand didn’t really stick in my head. I didn’t like her views on money (but I guess any 24 year old who wins the lottery would be kinda the same?) and she was just generally harder for me to follow and understand - in a way that made her feel inconsistent, like she was being warped to fuel Pepper’s story.

I also wish we saw more of the ensemble cast, since they really only have one key scene as a group and a handful of paragraphs individually. It makes both Opal and Pepper seem very isolated.

The audiobook narrator also does a fantastic job of really differentiating between the two characters

Thank you MacMillan for the audio copy of Late Bloomer from Mazey Eddings. I am a big fan of this author, I love their writing, focus on diverse experiences with neurodivergence (and making neurodivergence part of someone's identity, what makes them special versus a disorder!), and here a strong focus on inclusive queer relationships. Eddings' books always sing with joy even as they dive into the challenges of neurodiversity and mental health struggles; the characters feel real and their experiences capture real world experiences with identity, family, and growing into one's identity.

Late Bloomer is spicy sapphic romance but it's also a story of creativity and identity, of finding out what passions are and how to pursue them, and a story of love and grief and family/found family. I loved Opal's spirit, her openness to taking risks and to making her life and dreams her own; Pepper's journey to process her grief, her past relationship with her mother, and her love for Thistle and Bloom were written with an authentic caring voice. The secondary characters with Opal's loving sisters and Pepper's genuine friends were really well developed too, adding a richness to themes on family and found family that added depth to the story. I have to admit as well that I loved the setting, a flower farm as a business but also a place of creativity and artistry, I really wanted to be there on the farm with Opal's painting and help Pepper care for her blooms.

And a cheer for the excellent voice narration that made the book come to life, I am glad that Opal and Pepper had their own performances to add that depth to the audiobook.

I wanted to love this book. Sadly, I DNFed it at 47%. I thought it was cheesy, cliche and a bit boring. The writing seemed a touch too YA for my tastes. I'm rating it three stars because, while it wasn't the book for me, it could be the perfect book for someone else.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC. And to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Late Bloomer is a fun romance novel in which you get to watch two people's journey of finding themselves and finding a connection that works for them. By themselves, both Opal and Pepper are very strong women. However, as you peel back the layers you see the reason why they have so many walls up and become who the are. They approach life very differently and learn to adapt to the other person. I love how the author grew these characters. The discovery of their lust for each other didn’t feel forced and I found myself rooting for them the whole book. I like the attention to detail the author did with the flower. Easy to miss if you’re not good at flowers, but fun easter eggs if you know a thing or two about them. I enjoyed this book and would happily put this on my recommendation list for friends.

Opal, my dear, you probably should have spent some of that money on therapy!!!!

Overall: very cute, sweet romance, fairly realistic neurodivergent rep, likeable but messy main characters. A fun read. Definitely good to shut off any part of your brain with financial literacy while reading.

Grateful to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for early access. The audiobook was read by Ellie Gossage, whose reading I found delightful.

I’ve LOVED everything Mazey has ever written…until this one🥲 which makes me SAD! But also not everything can be a win? This might even be a 2.5⭐️

I loove the neurodivergent representation she always has (autism, ADHD in this one), I love that she branched out to write a bi/sapphic romance! But unfortunately that’s where the loves ended…

I often felt bored, the characters were cliched, I couldn’t tell Opal and Pepper’s POVs apart, and I never really cared what was going on so I spaced out a lot🫣 I’m sorry!! I tried!!

I will still shout my loves for the Brush With Love Series till I’m blue in the face though!!!

Mazey Eddings has been an autoread author for me for a long while now - they way she writes neurodivergence has really healed something deep within my brain. I was so so excited to see that this book is sapphic and it lived up to everything I've come to expect from Mazey's writing!

Opal and Pepper's relationship isn't perfect - it's the story of two neurodivergent people getting to know each other and figuring out how to communicate and how to show up for the other person. Their relationship felt incredibly realistic which honestly is something I love to see in books. Just because it isn't immediately easy, doesn't mean that the relationship is any less valid or swoony. There are so many quotes and sections that I highlighted because they are just SO GOOD

I found myself relating so much to Opal - her ADHD, willingness to do anything for her friends (even when they aren't very good friends), crassness, really just all of her! I loved Pepper too but wasn't relating to her much until she talked about her queerness and labels, which felt very similar to my own experience/feelings.

Read this for:
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Neurodivergence (ADHD & Autism)
- Opposites attract
- "Let's bang it out to get it out of our systems"
- Truly lovely and supportive friend group
- unapologetic queerness

I really liked the audiobook and the narration by Ellie Gossage was excellent.

Also this book has easter eggs for both Tilly in Technicolor and Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake! I also feel like the Princess Bride reference in this book is just for me (it's definitely not).

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this audio arc!

Late Bloomer follows two very different girls as their whole lives are turned upside down.
Opal is really down on her luck, until she wins the lottery. Desperate to escape her circumstances, she ends up buying a flower farm. This is going to be the perfect new start! However, when she shows up Pepper is there.

Pepper has been living on her grandma's floral farm for years now, and she recently passed. Pepper just assumed that she would get the property. But when pink haired and wild Opal shows up with the deed stating that she owns the property, it becomes apparent that her life is NOT going the way that she expected.

This was one of my most anticipated books for 2024 and it did not disappoint! I wasn't even aware that Mazey Eddings writes Neurodiverse characters. This was sapphic and had ADHD/ASD representation and I loved every single second. I literally laughed out loud and fell in love with both characters. I HIGHLY recommend this book! Plus the cover is STUNNING!

Late Bloomer has cemented itself as one of my all-time fave sapphic romances. The neurodivergent and Autistic representation made me feel so seen. I related so much to Pepper in every way, which is so rare for me in reading characters who are on the spectrum. And the fact that the story was set in North Carolina, specifically Asheville, was so fun because I felt like I was in on a little secret since I was able to recognize so many of the references and could picture the setting so easily. Opal and Pepper's story was so sweet and lovely, the way they connected had me kicking my feet and giggling -- I love them so much and I need a hundred more books about them. This book will be one I read and reread for years to come.

The way Mazey Eddings never misses is amazing. As a 40 year old with ADHD, and all the insecurities that come along with that inside friendships and relationships, feeling constantly like you’re “too much” for that person…. Somehow, when I read Mazey’s books - I feel deeply scene. Usually moving me to tears at least once.

Late Bloomer was no different. Of course the author drew me to this book first, but the cover also immediately captivated me. It’s truly gorgeous. This delightful sapphic romance about two neurodivergent women was deeply heartwarming. It’s a must read for all.

My only note on the beautiful audiobook narration is a pronunciation. The few occasions the Appalachian Mountains are mentioned, it’s pronounced “appaLAYshun”. But in North Carolina, we say “AppaLATCHun”. It might not seem like much - but it gave me pause both times - since Opal is supposed to be a western North Carolinian. I’m sure it’s much too late to fix it - but just a note for the future. ;)

After falling in love with Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake I put Mazey Edding’s on my TO WATCH author radar and was soooo excited to see Late Bloomer and its gorgeous cover cross my path.

Opal and Pepper… the cutest!

When Opal comes across a large sum of money she chooses to follow her dreams with her art and on a whim purchases a flower farm… Pepper works on the farm and it wasn’t brought to her attention that her late aunts property has been sold. So when people pleasing Opal turns up to move in Pepper is taken a back and has no family or place to go. She lives and breaths the flower farm and needs it. So what does Opal do but suggest a way for them to both stay. Opal can create her art and Pepper can continue working on the farm with hopes to purchase it back.

I really enjoyed this one. 💯 out there that Opal wouldn’t be like … ugh this is my place now bye… but then we wouldn’t have a book! The characters have a lot of depth to them Pepper grieving and Opal wanting to be that person Pepper can trust to be there. I loved these two and their connection and how it blossomed over time. Very much opposites attract!

My favorite part in romances are the occupations/hobbies/interests and the flower farm and Opals shoe art stole my heart.

Thank you Macmillan Audio 🎧
Releases 4/16

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/

The narrator did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life. I really enjoyed their voice, it fit the story perfectly in my opinion!

Overall the story was cute. I give it 4 stars. It was a sweet romance book. But I did feel some of it was a bit rushed. There was a disconnect between the middle and the ending of the book. All in all it was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ahead of release in exchange for my honest opinion.

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

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

Late Bloomer is another quirky, heartwarming romance from Mazey Eddings. The story follows Opal, a naive, lost artist who wins the lottery and can’t handle how it impacts the people around her. She impulsively buys a flower farm, but when she arrives, she meets Pepper…the rightful owner of the farm. The two come to an agreement that involves them living on the farm together. The two couldn’t be more different, but why is there still chemistry between them?

This was a super cute read. It is full of vibes and romance, as well as lovable characters. There is a full cast of fun characters, so I hope Eddings revisits this world. Ellie Gossage does an excellent job with the narration. I highly recommend the audio format.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cutesy swoony vibes were immaculate and the flower vibes just screamed ✨SPRING✨! Not to be dramatic but I’m a better more happier person because I read this book😂
Also I love me an instantly wealthy/coming into a large sum of money troupe AND a starts whole new life troupe so this book was it for me!!!

Also I have to admit that while I read this tandem-ly I definitely endorse the audiobook if you have to choose one! It was sooooo good!

Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for the review copies as always my opinion on thes books are all mine💕

5.0⭐️

#macmillanaudio #stmartinsgriffin #stmartinspress #latebloomer #mazeyeddings I

Title: Late Bloomer by Mazey Edddings
Publication Date- 04/16/24
Publisher- Macmillan Audio
Overall Rating- 4 out of 5 stars

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A cozy, cozy sapphic romance on a flower farm. What else do you need? Nothing. Review over.

Okay fine. I really enjoyed Late Bloomer. Mazey Eddings has become one of my go to romance authors. She writes into her stories wholesome characters, medium stakes, realistic dynamics and humor. Similar to her other works, Mazey has written two neurodivergent characters and she does it well. You can tell she pours so much love and pieces of herself into her writing which greatly transforms her stories. Take Lovelight Farms and make it sapphic.

This is an all around wholesome good time. We have Opal who has won the lottery and wants a change from her current life. She is a “yes woman,” and struggling to do something out of her comfort zone. Then we have Pepper whose grandmother just died and her estranged mother has sold the family flower farm to a stranger who just won the lottery (insert Opal showing up and moving in).

The two main tropes are grumpy sunshine and forced proximity. The all around mood and tone of this story is light and hopeful while also discussing topics like grief and neurodivergency. There is also solid bisexual representation without biphobia.

I also really enjoyed the narration, the characters were brought off the page and the quality was great. Audio is not a bad way to take in this story. Either way, if you’re a romance fan you don’t want to miss this new release.

This audio is perfect. This book is perfect! Pepper and Opal have my HEART! I love everything Mazey writes and already can’t wait for whatever’s next!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars

Aaaaaaw. This is a sweet one.

Opal and Pepper meet through an intriguing circumstance. After coming into a lot of money, Opal purchases a large flower farm. It turns out that the seller of this farm, Pepper's mother, is a shady individual who has not had Pepper - the farm's long-time resident - in mind at all during her selfish money grab. Trouble and romance ensue simultaneously when Opal and Pepper find themselves in the same place with at first different and then quite complementary goals.

As is the case in many romances, some of the opportunities for character development and plot expansion move aside for the sake of the burgeoning relationship. I did enjoy both characters - Pepper more than Opal - and the queer and neurodivergent rep is great, but the most satisfied readers will be those who come for the romance versus other elements.

This is a cute one, and the author's note about the title is a funny must-read at the end.

We all know by now if @mazeyeddings writes it, I will NEED to read it! (Plus we are both dentist 🦷 yay!)

Late Bloomer 🌸 is another winner from Mazey; this book was fast paced, a breathe of fresh air but most important a very raw story (she always writes some messy but relatable characters). I love the representation of autism and neurodiversity within the two MCs - it makes it almost impossible not to fall in love with Pepper and Opal.

Opal, a neurodivergent, wins the lottery just in time for a much needed life change. What she doesn’t expect is this life change isn’t what it seems to be from the get go as her world collides with Pepper, who is autistic. Opal is a people pleaser and Pepper would prefer to avoid people, but what “blossoms” and yes pun intended, is more beautiful than anything that can be grown in a garden.

This precious, feminine novel has so much amazing mental health representation and will leave you with all the feels! PS - loved a little Lizzie mention too made my heart flutter

Late Bloomer

Oh my goodness this book stole my heart. I’ve loved everything Mazey Eddings writes but it’s possible this is my new favorite.

Opal won the lottery, left her dead end job (and loser ex boyfriend) and buys a flower farm. It’s a total surprise when she finds, Pepper, who lives and works on the farm and is searching for her late grandmother’s will.

The two come to a truce of sorts where both stay on the farm. As they decide to compete in a contest to help Pepper buy back the farm they develop a friendship with benefits that quickly becomes more.

This was just so tender. I wanted to give Opal and Pepper a hug at different points. I loved the setting on the flower farm and am dreaming of a beautiful bouquet after reading. I loved the friendship with benefits they shared that was quickly more. I just adore the relatable characters Eddings writes. They both needed someone to love them. I loved how they cared die each other. I mostly listened to the audiobook and appreciated how the narrator was able to alternate between Pepper and Opal. As always, I cannot wait for more books from Mazey Eddings.

i'm so happy to report that one of my most anticipated romance reads of spring 2024 was great. 'late bloomer' by mazey eddings follows 24-year-old opal, a down-on-her-luck artist with severe anxiety who suddenly wins $500,000 on a scratch ticket. desperate for a fresh start, she spontaneously buys a flower farm with plans to use the lush landscape to inspire her art. what she didn't count on was the surly, yet very attractive, pepper who currently lives on & operates the farm that used to belong to her late grandmother. deciding to both live on the farm until a solution can be found, opal and pepper very quickly realize that while they might be opposites in almost every way, maybe a desire to save the farm will bring them together in the end.

this was CUTE. nothing i love more than a floral, rural setting. the mental health & neurodiverse representation in this book was great, and the slow burn of the romance felt very real & moved the story along well. i do wish we got to spend more time with some of the side characters (especially opal's two sisters), as they all felt like placeholders whose only function was to push the main romance along, and they could have been more developed. overall, i was really happy with how this story went, and am excited to see if eddings writes any more queer stories in the future.