**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher because I am a librarian and librarians are awesome. **

This was not actually my cuppa, kind of like the author's other abandoned-by-me Brush With Love. That is to say, I found plenty of passages LOL-worthy and charming, but I think that this particular brand of cute middle-of-the-road contemporary romance is just not the thing I should be requesting from publishers any more. Yes, Lizzie has ADHD/Executive functioning issues, but like, I either want everything to be totally contrived and gratuitous (Ice Planet Barbarians, anything by Ali Hazelwood) or I want all sorts of angst drama (People You Meet on Vacation, Like a House on Fire).

(Like, seriously, Ann, stop pretending you want fluff. Didn't Kaz Brekker teach you anything?)

Will I recommend to readers who are full on contemporary romance fans? YES. It's adorbs. The banter is cute and I'm sure any barriers to HEA will be contrived and then resolved equally quickly.

But once again, I'm reminded that what I'm looking for dramatic angst drama and thoroughly damaged psyches instead of encouraging and supportive men. I have one of those at home already.

(Three stars for general romance fans, 2 stars for me personally)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book! This is a sweet, quick read towards which I feel sort of ambivalent. I thought the pregnancy trope - which is a contentious one - was done well here, with Rake (what a strange name) stepping up and standing by Lizzie, even when it may make him unpopular. I thought Lizzie was a fine character, but I wish more had been done with her. She was very surface level, and even though she had problems to deal with, she just fell flat for me. I also was unhappy with the ending - we jump straight from the two love interests making up to the baby being born and them having moved on with their lives. I'm sure you can sense a theme - this entire book was fine, but easily could have been better.

Lizzy Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings

Wow!! This one was an enormous joy to read and I can promise you I laughed, swooned and cried by the time I finished this book! We first meet Lizzie in Mazey Eddings’ first book, “A Brush with Love”. Lizzie lives a life full of constant disarray. She struggles with the reality of what having ADHD as an adult is like and having to be looked down upon. The best way to cope, in Lizzie’s eyes, is to put up walls and have one night stands; it’s during an attempt that she meets Rake, the handsome Australian with walls of his own, is captivated by Lizzie (and vice versa) and the two embark on a two night stand that neither can forget. A few weeks later, the pair find themselves together again, and expecting a little baby!

The part of Lizzie’s story I liked the most is how real Mazey Eddings captured her life with ADHD, and those around her not understanding, except for Rake, who accepted Lizzie second he met her. What they share is profound and intimate, and I blushed so many times!! Their banter had me chuckling, and their inner thoughts about each other were highly amusing! That being said, the steam was spectacular and well written!!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a funny, delightfully steamy, and heart tugging romance novel!! There’s also a spicy baking side business that was not what I was expecting (don’t google at work)!

“Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake” releases on September 6, 2022!

Thank you to NetGalley, Mazey Eddings, and St. Martin’s Press for approving this copy of this ARC for an honest review!

Lizzie Blake is officially in my top favorite characters ever written! I can’t tell you how much I loved reading about Lizzie and the people she surrounded herself with who just so loved her for who she was. Gah, it was just beautiful. Rake’s appreciation for all of the things she felt insecure about was just so heartwarming and I loved them from pretty much their first interaction. This book is SO good and I can’t wait to see it in the hands of other readers!

This is one of those books that deserves all the stars and more. It was hooked onto it since the very beginning and I was so lost into this that I didn’t realise that I’m about to end it haha. I really enjoyed and loved it. The characters were so fun especially the WMC. And the chemistry and the banter was just chefs kiss. Along with that, I really loved the ADHD rep and how it was gently handled. Overall, it’s a full 5 stars read for me.

O-M-G Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake is such a fun and amazing book by Mazey Eddings. I had just read a Brush with Love, and became a Mazey fan then, but I was approved for Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake yesterday morning and then finished it in one sitting last night. I loved it so much, I felt compelled to go to Instagram, follow Mazey Eddings and then send her a DM about how much I loved it.

Mazey does an amazing job with portraying neurodivergent people, and in this case Lizzie. Lizzie has adult ADHD and has been through a life of people looking down on her or treating her differently because she may act differently than society expects. She meets Rake pretty quickly into the book and falls into a 2 night stand before he flies back to Australia, and then a couple weeks later, finds out she has a surprise baby.

What I loved about Rake is that he accepts Lizzie as she is, and finds her ADHD to be a strength. Some authors try to change the neurodivergent person in their books, but not this book. Neurodivergence is celebrated and seen as normal, as it should be. The portrayal of a family that didn't take the time to understand and may just be toxic for Lizzie, to seeing Rake and then his parents just fall in love with her as is. No conditions, no changes needed, just Lizzie for Lizzie. I also loved seeing the side story of Lizzie having a hard time holding down a job, but then finding the one boss that sees her ADHD as normal and working with her to find a good rhythm instead of trying to mold Lizzie into something she's not. Plus their shop is just a fun concept. Through it all, Lizzie did have her friends from Brush with Love with her, who also love her for her. It was fun to see Dan, Harper, Indira, and Thu again, and can't wait to see more books in the series.

Would definitely read again and I've honestly recommended it to multiple friends already and it's not even out until September. If you want a heartwarming, funny, romantic story with a little heaviness of toxic families mixed in, I recommend reading this book.

**Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

If I could give a book more than 5 stars, this book would get it. the first book of the series was so good that i had super high hopes going into this book. lizzie and rake were such lovable characters. the one night stand to accidental pregnancy trope can be tricky to navigate, with showing the development of their entire relationship in such a short time, but eddings did an amazing job of the two characters growing both individually and together.

At this point, if Mazey would give me her grocery receipts to read, I would read and definitely enjoy it. Because what is this sorcery?? After A brush with love, I went into this book with some high expectations, and omgg I didn’t feel disappointed. Lizzie Blake has officially become my new favourite girl in the town. Rake was fun too. Mostly, I loved how the ADHD rep was handled and portrayed via the characters. Overall, a full 5 stars read

Mazey Eddings is known for her best-selling book, "A Brush with Love." I've heard great things about her, and so I jumped at the chance to read her newest book, "Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake." The titular character, Lizzie, is a young woman who battles her ADHD. This causes problems for her at work, at home, with her family, and within relationships. However, things change once she meets Rake. What was first meant just to be a one-night stand quickly turns into something more when Lizzie discovers that she's pregnant. As Lizzie and Rake learn how to work together, sparks fly and Lizzie realizes that she can use her ADHD as a benefit rather than a hindrance.

I really enjoyed reading from the point of view of a character with ADHD. It helped me understand how those with ADHD feel. I feel that some of the obstacles in this book were resolved a little too neatly, but it was a quick and easy book to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! This was the second book in a series that reminds me of “The Friend Zone” series by Abby Jimenez which I just adore. And I have to say, I enjoyed this one significantly more than the first book which is always a great surprise!

The main character Lizzie and her story of life with adult ADHD will stick with me for awhile- she was such a fun and likable character, and I love how this author has once again “normalized” a challenge that many people face.

This book was heartwarming, relatable, funny, and definitely a bit on the steamy side for the rom-com world.. I’m excited to see what this author writes next! Thank you to St, Martin's Press for my gifted review copy.

This book took me for a wild ride of feelings. I was so happy to see the author do ADHD justice. I loved how raw and honest the book was, how Lizzie's characterization was respectful and loving. I loved Rake's devotion to and adoration of Lizzie. The two of them had me near tears. Incredible!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake has been a favorite read so far this year. We follow Lizzie on her adventure of life as an adult dealing with ADHD and being a "disappointment" to her family.

Lizzie and Rake are a wonderful couple and it is displayed through the many ups and downs of this novel. Lizzie is a great main character who is faced with great challenges that are compacted by her ADHDd. It was a great read that exposes so many flaws that are in real life.

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.

Didn’t realize this was a sequel but it was cute as a stand-alone! Super sweet story and Rake is a cute male character!

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

great romance with adhd being addressed. I liked this trope of a 1 night stand that created a baby. I loved his name of rake. I liked her brother and friends. I liked that she was able to find a job and do well at it. I liked that they started co parenting and not having a full relationship.

"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!