Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake

The most vibrant, effervescent, and relatable character I’ve ever met, Lizzie Blake’s energy flies off the pages and directly into your heart. Perfect ADHD representation. Wonderful pacing and character development. A story that makes your heart simultaneously soar and ache AND face-sitting?? Is this a dream?! I am honored to have been one of the first to meet Lizzie Blake as a beta and arc reader and I’ll be screaming about her well after her release in September.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake is a hit. No other way to put it.

This book is just so damn fun. It has a plot revolving around an accidental pregnancy, but done so originally and spectacularly well that I don’t see how anyone could not fall in love with this story. A laugh-out-loud, one of a kind romcom that will make you swoon AND blush AND cry (sometimes even all three at the same time! A true feat!) It has amazing ADHD rep and is such a beautiful story about self-love and finding the right person for yourself. Packed with heat and well-thought humor, it’s a truly perfect sequel to the amazing A BRUSH WITH LOVE. I never thought anything could top ABWL, and yet Lizzie’s book just did.

Lizzie has always heard she’s “too much”, too emotional, too messy. Rake has heard he’s emotionally unavailable. When they meet at a bar, there’s an instant connection, but neither one wants more than one night, so they go their separate ways, only to find out they may need to spend more time together.

I loved this take on “hook up turning into more” trope. I loved the perspective of Lizzie’s ADHD. This book felt like it was about two normal people who make mistakes but just keep trying to be better people for themselves and for each other. I loved their honest relationship, and Lizzie was such a fun character.

CW: accidental pregnancy

"He and Lizzie were a mix of blurred lines and one hundred different shades of gray, something undefined, not entirely real."

What You'll Find:
✔️Romantic Comedy
✔️Opposites Attract
✔️One Night (well two)
✔️Surprise Pregnancy
✔️Sweet With Open Door Heat
✔️Dual POV (third person)

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake tells the story of Lizzie and Rake. Lizzie lives with ADHD. And when it costs her another job, she throws herself into a two night stand. Something she does NOT do. Not the hookups... she does those. It just that it's always one and done for Lizzy, who does not let anyone get closer than the one time hook up. But Rake from Australia, there briefly on business, has her throwing all caution to the wind. Rake couldn't be more opposite. He's emotionally closed off and avoids intimacy. But something about Lizzie brings down his guard. It doesn't matter though. Because after two nights, he's back to Australia. That is, until Lizzie discovers she's unexpectantly pregnant.

I really enjoyed the authors debut. But I was SO excited for this story. The tropes, my catnip. I am so grateful to have received an ARC because I absolutely adored this book. It starts with a bang, literally lol. Pardon my bad humor. And then you get so much more. I am not sure how the author fit so much in, but the story was so well rounded and filled to the brim with everything that made my heart warm. I loved the MC's. The setting. The important topics that were handled with lightness at times, and care more importantly. The pining and steam were perfect. But mostly, I just loved the authors ability to capture the emotion in each moment so perfectly with her words. You feel them.

"Think we can actually do this?" Lizzie asked in a quiet voice. Rake's heartbeat sped up under her cheek, but his voice was smooth and steady. "I know we can."

This story felt young at times but I didn't dislike it like I typically do. How could I when it made made smile from start to finish? I laughed out loud numerous times. I even teared up a time or two. This story feels fresh and unique, the author putting her own stamp on romance. Lizzie truly blossoms. And Rake, what a supportive swoony soul. I loved how they grew together. Accepting and loving each other, and themselves. And owning their HEA in their own way in the end. I truly loved it. Make sure you put this on your TBR now to read on release in September!

*I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Quotes used subject to change with publication.

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

I finished the first book in this series many months ago as I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. It has lived rent-free in my mind ever since. So to say that I squealed (literally there was a witness) with delight at being able to read Edding’s follow-up novel is putting it mildly. This book is even more fantastic than the first.

Lizzie, our heroine and namesake, made her debut in Harper’s story. She deals with ADHD and has issues focusing at a job or maintaining relationships. I’ve never been diagnosed with ADHD but boy did I feel like I could relate to her, and at times Rake, so much. I felt seen by this novel because the things Lizzie wants are things I think anyone can relate to. This book actually served as great insight into how someone with ADHD ticks and made me more understanding of their situation.

Speaking of Rake, oh did I enjoy Lizzie’s quip about how his name is something from a Julia Quinn novel. He’s also Australian… swoon. I would like to think I had a similar reaction to Lizzie when she discovers him at the bar but I’m wayyyy too shy so I will live vicariously through her.

Together they tackle an unexpected pregnancy juxtaposed by Lizzie’s ADHD. Rake and Lizzie’s understandable feelings of panic and subsequent actions thereafter were also realistic. I thought both the pregnancy and neurodivergent aspects were both handled respectfully.

Their relationship showed the desire to be loved and accepted unconditionally for who they are, flaws and all, whatever they may be, which I think is something most of us can relate to. Their relationship portrays this dynamic beautifully.

The book was quick, fun, smutty, humorous and had great snappy dialogue.

When I finished reading I literally hugged my Kindle, sighed and thought THIS is why I read. This is the kind of book that leaves you feeling so good you keep reading other books trying to regain that feeling.

If there is one review you take from my page, please let it be this series.

Thank you #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every now and then when reading a book, one finds parts of themselves reflected amongst the characters. When reading this book I felt completely consumed by the fact that Mazey Eddings was able to write an entire story of a main character that was essentially me, all while never meeting me or evening knowing who I am.

Lizzie's struggle of always feeling like she's too much, her struggle with making connections for more than one night, and her struggle with fitting into a family when they've always made her feel like she was too much, was all a little too relatable.

All of that aside this book was an absolute blast to read. Between the unexpected pregnancy trope, the roommates and forced proximity. I really can't name a single thing I didn't like. It was so fun and playful I absolutely loved the relationship between Lizzie and Rake. I found myself crying more then I wasn't but truly I think that was more so because this book was hitting way to close to home.

Lizzie Blake is so well developed that I don't think I'll be able to stop raving about this book for years to come. There is truly something so satisfying about being able to see yourself represented so well in a book you're reading. It was so relatable to be able to read Lizzie's struggle with adult ADHD and how people are so easy to assume her actions are a result of laziness when in fact its so much more.

Honestly huge kudos to Mazey Eddings on such an exceptionally well represented book!

Thank you to St. Martins Press & Netgalley for the ARC of this novel!

Mazey Eddings sophomore novel is even better than the first (A Brush with Love). (And I was a sucker for Harper and Dan and all their dental school antics). Eddings does such a wonderful job in representing a heroine with ADHD and has a perfect balance of inner dialogue and action to reveal Lizzie's neurological patterns. I loved the dual POV between Lizzie and Rake. Lizzie is never the victim and Rake is always caring and never an enabler. (that's a huge buzzword right now with #ownvoice writers and Eddings is writing all of the reps in a bang up way).
This book is perfect for patrons that love an eclectic (but not cookie cutter), three dimensional heroine who owns her s**t and works with those around her to get her life together on track. The hero and all the supporting cast of characters love and support her (well, except for one, no spoilers here). Rake is dreamy and undeniably human and watching him fall in love with LIzzie is adorable.
One of my favorite reads this year. Loved it.
Thanks so much for the ARC!