When Mazey announced this book and I saw the cover, I was so pumped to read this sapphic romance.

Winning the lottery is supposed to be a fun, live-changing moment, right? Well, for Opal Devlin, winning the lottery ruined her life. After quitting her dead-end job, people are literally knocking on Opal's door trying to get a handout now that she has money. Knowing that she's as a problem with saying no, Opal knows she needs to get away asap. So Opal does what any rational person would do, she buys a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina to start her painting business. But when Opal arrives excited for this new chapter in her life, she finds an irritated Pepper Smith living on the farm. Pepper tells Opal she's the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms, and she's not moving. So they come up with a plan for co-habitation, butting heads at every turn. Can these two figure out to co-exist or will they burn the whole place down? Or maybe, just maybe, these two have found the thing they both needed: each other.

This was another sweet and fun sapphic romance. Opal is a force of nature used to getting used by people. Pepper, on the other hand, prefers to be left alone. But the more Pepper is around Opal's sunshine nature, the harder it is for to keep her at arm's length. Despite being two people with different approaches to life, you're rooting for them to work out their differences and have their relationship bloom into more.

Like always, Mazey does an amazing job with neurodivergent rep and writing such emotional characters. As always, Mazey is so thoughtful in her character development.

If you're looking for another sweet and cozy romance, you'll love this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

I don't often find myself describing books as beautiful, however this one definitely makes the list and might be towards the top! I'll be the first to admit that I read way too many (if it's even possibly) heterosexual books about over the top romance and these people have flawless millionaire lives and often are far from relatable. Although winning the lottery and being lied to about buying a property with your winnings is also probably somewhat unlikely and not relatable, being a neurodivergent bisexual human is. And having shitty parents, and goofy siblings, and friends that actually stand up for you is also very relatable. Watching these two people grow and learn to give themselves grace (which is exactly as hard as they make it seem in the book) was so beautiful and touching. The way that Mazey Eddings writes had me enraptured and I couldn't put the book down. Her descriptions of how Pepper and Opal felt towards each other and how they handled their feelings was so unique and wonderful, and touching, and beautiful and I enjoyed every second. I absolutely loved this book. I hope I get to read more of her work later!

this book was just so soft!! This was such a sweet read. It wasn't as emotionally heavy hitting as some of the other romances I've read recently, but it still had impact, as Pepper is dealing with a lot of grief and Opal is learning to manage her people-pleasing tendencies. The romance between these two sapphics is just so sweet, and it is so amazing to see a sapphic nd4nd couple on-page (autistic x likely AuDHD). I'll say that I didn't find the pacing of the store to be the strongest, I really loved both the main characters and the wonderful side characters, which made the book for me. The setting of a flower farm was also so idyllic--only a great romance book could make me want to visit North Carolina!

Late Bloomer follows Opal after she wins the lottery and she battles the fakes in her life wanting to benefit from it. She decides to start over and buys a flower farm in North Carolina, where she meets Pepper. As they unfold the misunderstanding of who the rightful owner of the farm is, the two girls become friends as the sexual tension builds.

This book was a beautifully written sapphic opposites attract story. Not only were Opal and Pepper fantastic characters, but so were Opal’s sisters and Pepper’s friends. I want their stories as well!

Mazey Eddings has 100% become an instant read author for me!

Queer rep with all the happy and lovey vibes! What more could a girl ask for? It took a bit for me to feel the chemistry but once I did this quickly became a 4 star read!

I absolutely loved the representation in this book. It was treated and written so well. Both in sexuality and neurodivergency. My only complaint was that I couldn't fully believe in the romance of the main characters.

Late Bloomer has the cutest cover and I thought the premise of the story also sounded really cute, but unfortunately this didn't match my expectations. I didn't feel like Opal and Pepper had great chemistry and I found the overall story unfortunately a bit boring.

I really liked the setting of this book, as well as the complex representation of ADHD and Autism, but I was left wanting something from the romance. I have loved every other romance book by this author, and I just felt that the development between the characters was really lacking in this book.

There were some really strong elements to Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings. First and foremost, the representation was great! Almost every character was queer, including possibly the most bisexual characters I've ever seen in one book. There was also neurodivergent representation that seemed to be handled with a lot of care.

The main characters, Opal and Pepper, were pretty relatable in a lot of ways. However, certain aspects of their personalities felt a bit unrealistic. For instance, Opal was a people pleaser but, especially at the beginning, the degree to which she was willing to bend over backwards for anyone regardless of how poorly they treated her felt extravagant. Then, she made the decision to try and stand up for herself more and it was as if she had flipped a switch and instantly solved the issue. The ease with which she stopped letting people step all over her made me wonder why she had ever done it in the first place.

The romance was cute but I didn't totally feel the connection between Opal and Pepper. Things between them developed a bit too quickly for my liking and it felt more like lust than love. However, there were still cute moments they shared together and I liked the way Opal showed up for Pepper and Pepper looked out for Opal in a way that neither of them had ever experienced before.

The plot was slow moving and at times I found myself wishing it would move faster. For the first 50% especially I felt like barely anything happened, That said, outside of the main plot there were some more emotional storylines that were well done. I especially liked the depiction of grief.

Overall, this wasn't a favorite romance for me but if the story sounds interesting to you and/or you're looking for neurodivergent representation and an easy-to-read sapphic romance with slightly heavier topics throughout, give this one a try.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to SMP for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this one so much. I have read previous Mazey Eddings and loved them, but this one just fell so terribly flat for me. Opal starts the book talking pretty much exclusively about what a push over she is as if that was her only trait and after winning the lottery, instead of just, idk saying no, she spends her entire winnings on a flower farm. A sale she found on Facebook marketplace. So, you pretty much start out questioning her functionality as an actual human person but when she meets with Trish and writes her a $310,000 check (an extra $10,000 because she's so darn likable!) for a plot of land with literally not a lawyer in sight you realize that she is, indeed, an idiot. Unfortunately, I think Eddings was trying to make her a likable idiot, but she is so overwritten as one that it's basically a caricature of a human, not an actual one. Her entire internal dialogue is about how likable and trustworthy Trish is meanwhile Trish was triggering my fight or flight response.

In comes Pepper, Trish's long abandoned daughter and rightful owner of the property Opal just purchased. While not as dumb as Opal, Pepper is also written so one dimensionally. She's just angry. Opal tries to do a nice thing after doing literally nothing to hurt Pepper and Pepper acts out like Opal has been spending years abusing her.

Nothing in this book was even kind of realistic and no character was likable. I tried my best but ended up DNFing around 30% after trying again twice to read it. I'm so sorry to Eddings but this one was not for me.

Late Bloomer shows us how two neurodivergent characters can complement each other so well. Opal is bright lives in the moment and is looking for a new start after winning a large sum on a scratch off. Pepper is reserved keeps to herself and a select few people. She feels most at hone when she is working on the flower farm. Put these two together after a huge misunderstanding will make you laugh and cry.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.

What a delightful read! It’s light, fun, and utterly charming, making me smile, laugh, and even gasp several times! Between the endearing small-town setting, the hilarious grumpy x sunshine dynamic, the delicious forced proximity, and a perfectly paced slow burn, I was completely hooked! The neurodivergent representation of the two main characters is beautifully done, and the touch of angst in certain scenes added an emotional depth that really moved me. The engaging writing, brisk pacing, and short chapters made it impossible to put down—I devoured it in less than a day without any moments of boredom or heaviness. I truly can’t say enough good things!

The setting of Thistle and Bloom Farms is stunning—a farm surrounded by fields of vibrant flowers, nestled in the peaceful embrace of nature, far from the hustle and bustle. The vivid descriptions of this picturesque landscape were incredibly cozy and captivating.

Opal and Pepper, the two protagonists with their alternating first-person perspectives, completely won me over! They’re complex, full of doubts and fears, and I became deeply attached to them. The romance, with all the tropes I mentioned above, was beautifully developed. I found myself rooting for them as they cautiously navigated their feelings for each other. Their interactions were tender and sizzling, the chemistry was undeniable, and the spicy moments were really well done! I adored them, and the secondary characters were also wonderfully fleshed out and likable.

Overall, "Late Bloomer" is an adorable, fun, and cozy romance that I thoroughly enjoyed!

An enemies to lovers romance about a woman who buys a failing flower farm after she wins the lottery.

I think it too long to really get to the chemistry between Opal and Pepper here. Normally for enemies to lovers, you want that zing between them early so that their feuding feels worthwhile. I just didn't get that enough here so I wasn't cheering for them to get together!

After a long string of abuses due to her winning the lottery, Opal decides she needs a huge change of pace...so she impulsively purchases a farm on Facebook Marketplace. She's flummoxed to find the ornery Pepper living there when she arrives. Opal and Pepper decide they can cohabitate for the time being: Opal can use an outbuilding as her art studio for her sneaker-painting business while Pepper continues to cultivate the land and her beautiful flower farm. Tension rises and it isn't long before their distaste for one another turns into lust. This is a swoony enemy to lovers story that is totally immersive. Absolutely lovable characters with history and hope.

This book is so adorable. Good sapphic romance is do hard to come by. Not just that, this is like a cozy rom com with neurodivergent representation. I loved it.

Thank you to Griffin Press for the arc, it didn't affect my opinion

I am soooo picky when it comes to sapphic romance and this one did not pass my standards. A lot of the conflict felt melodramatic and unnecessary and I just didn't feel the chemistry between Pepper and Opal.

Mazey edding's stories are some of my favorites. they always hit the spot. I loved this book. its not my favorite from her but what a sweet lesbian romance.

Fuck anything and anyone that made you have to survive instead of live. You deserve a life so peaceful it feels deliciously boring. A life filled with flowers and sunny days and people who show you all the time that you’re valued and worthy. You deserve it all.”

– Late Bloomer
Mazey Eddings

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

It was a charming and cozy read. I would recommend it. I just wished it focused more on the character development and less on the intimate scenes. Mazey Eddings is an auto buy author for me. I love her neurodivergent representation in her books.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings had well-developed characters and a plot that was original and engaging. This book was a wonderful read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

This was a delightful sapphic romance! It was endearing and I loved the representation of a relationship with one autistic partner and an ADHD partner, and while that pairing can be difficult you're also able to give each other grace.

While Opal may start as a doormat, it's lovely to see her bloom and grow from that because of the relationship she and Pepper have. They may be initially at odds, but they grow to understand and support one another as tentative friends while slowly they grow to love one another. The pining on Pepper's side is exquisite.