THANK YOU!!! Thank you!!! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this swoonworthy audio ARC.

I adored Ellie Gossage‘s narration. She truly brought Pepper and Opal to life.

Mazey is a goddess and I once again pledge my undying love to her and any book babies she puts out in to this world. I went crazy over the Easter egg that was dropped in from another book and was happy to catch as many references as I did for other things. I cannot wait to get my physical copy of this book!!!

okay so, it started off super cute then fell flat for me in the middle and then ended super cute! Oh and the cover is gorgeous and the characters were super relatable! I loved the chemistry and the character growth. I really enjoy Mazey Eddings writing style!

On the surface, you could easily be deceived by this gorgeous cover and think this is merely a cutie sapphic romance, BUT this is a Mazey Eddings’ story so it has beautiful depth and delves into grief, loss, and allowing yourself to love and embrace that you are worthy of being love. I enjoyed this story so much I read it twice, with my eyes and ears!

If you love forced proximity, you’re in luck because there only one cabin situation nestled within a cozy flower farm and if you also love a found family, Mazey delivers a spectacular supporting cast of quirky, endearing, and fiercely protective characters. I really loved Mazey’s use of flowers and how the memories and lessons from Pepper’s grandmother were beautifully entwined with Opal and Pepper’s individual journeys of growth and healing, as well as their blossoming relationship together.

What else did I love? There’s migraine rep! It thrills me seeing migraines included in more books and Mazey wrote about living with migraines - the debilitating pain, aura, and brain fog and how things like changes in weather and the sun (I can personally attest to this) can be triggering and further exacerbate the pain - with great care and accuracy.

Ellie Gossage’s narration for this soft, sweet story was excellent and I loved the emotion she brought to Opal and Pepper’s characters. Her voices not just for Opal and Pepper but the supporting cast as well, were so entertaining and engaging. Gossage’s vocal performance for Late Bloomer was top notch and I highly recommend listening to the audiobook for all the warmth, humor, and heart she adds to the story.

Late Bloomer is a beautiful reminder that we’re all messy, imperfect beings with doubts, fears, hurt, and unspoken or unachieved dreams… but no matter how chaotic, wild, or “too much” you might think you are, you’re enough and deserving of love as is. If you’re looking for a hug in book form, Late Bloomer is it!

Mazey Eddings can do no wrong in my opinion! I absolutely loved this opposites attract, forced proximity, dual POV, Sapphic romance that sees Opal winning the lottery and buying a flower farm unbeknownst to the former owner's daughter, Pepper, who is also the farm manager.

With great neurodiversity rep (Pepper is autistic and Opal has undiagnosed ADHD) and disability rep (Pepper suffers from migraines), this book is full of heart, heat and all the feels as the two women are forced to work together as they try to win a big flower sculpting competition in order to win a grand prize that would allow Pepper to put a down payment towards buying back the farm.

The emotional depth in this book was outstanding! Pepper hasn't taken a chance on love before and opens herself up to a new sexual relationship with Opal who is also experiencing what it's like to be with a woman for the first time. There was also a lot of family drama between Opal's sisters and Peppers absentee, neglectful mother.

Highly recommended for fans of authors like Alexandra Bellefleur or Alison Cochrun and great on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: open door

A beautiful sapphic romance!

Opal and Pepper are brought together to save the family flower farm, but they both have the worst history of people using them and not caring. I'm a sucker for a great story that takes you along with the character's journey of growth, and this one does not disappoint.

I especially enjoyed the migraine and autistic rep, allowing me to relate to them on another level. They both just want to be loved and genuinely cared for, and I was worried at one point that it wasn't going to work out, but Mazey always makes it right in the end.

**Autism/Migraine rep
**Forced proximity
**Grumpy/Sunshine

I highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator brought Pepper and Opal to life! A heart-warming story that will make you smile, but wish you could reach through the book and hug them.

Oh goodness, this was the sweetest story. The title is beyond perfect, and you can see how it's woven throughout the story.

I love how the author really took her time to match each flower mentioned with its true intention or healing property. The images she painted us had me wishing this was a movie! The spice was tender and heartwarming, and I loved the overall theme of learning to fully embrace your true self.

Started this audiobook yesterday- and I feel so seen.
Mental health, anxiety, desperate need to please- YEP
Struggles with using alcohol as a means to be confident and social- YEP
Struggle to make friends and find a community - YES
Ok fine I'm envisioning both women as late 30s, early 40s. Otherwise, perfection. Some spice, lots of affirmation. Great narration!

Read this if you like:
•forced proximity
•flowers
•opposites attract
•neurodivergent rep

This book was so dang cute. The humor and banter were top notch!

Thank you Macmillan for ALC in exchange for an honest review