Late Bloomer is a fun, cosy and steamy romance novel that I had a lot of fun reading. It is the perfect book to pick up as the weather turns warmer and we head through Spring. If you are a romance lover, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one.

Winning the lottery has ruined Opal’s life. People begin bombarding her for a handout as soon the word gets out she now has some money. The problem is she can’t seem to stop saying yes. So, Opal decides she needs to protect herself however possible. That means putting all her new money into buying a failing flower farm and start her painting business.

But, her plans for self-preservation and isolation go away when Pepper is waiting for her at her new farm. Pepper states she is the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms and is not moving out. So, the pair strike up an agree to co-habit but seem to butt-head at every turn. Can they live in harmony or will they end up burning the whole place down?

Late Bloomer is told from dual POVs which I loved. I’m always a fan of a book that is told from the perspectives of both main characters and it works excellent in this book. Opal and Pepper are both so chaotic yet so calming and joyful to read about.

Throughout the book both of the characters go on quite the development journey. We watch them get stronger as people both separately and together. They are both so caring and tender with each other too which I loved. Each of them brings something unique to the book and are main characters you’ll fall in love with.

There are some amazing side characters in this book who are all unique and easy to distinguish between. My favourites had to be Opal’s sisters and if you read this book you will find out why. This book has a real diverse cast of characters alongside some excellent neurodivergent representation.

Thistle and Bloom Farms is where I would like to live when I get older! It sounds like the most beautiful place. I would have loved a little bit more of a description of the wider settings in the story aside from the farm though as I feel that would have enhanced the story even further.

I feel like the romance in this book was so cute to read and at times it got rather steamy. Add that to the forced proximity and it makes for a wonderful sapphic romance. Plus, this book covers some quite heavy topics including grief and healing. The author weaves this into the story in a delicate way whilst keeping it raw and real. Despite discussing these heavier topics this book still feels upbeat and hopeful throughout.

Mazey Eddings is an author whose books I’ve read before and whose books I have enjoyed. I will certainly be picking up the others by her that I have yet to read. Her writing is very easy to get into and provided me with a much needed escape.

Overall, Late Bloomer is the perfect sapphic romance to read this spring. It is heart-warming, hopeful and all round wonderful. I would highly recommend giving this one a read!

‘Late Bloomer‘ by Mazey Eddings offers readers a fun and cozy plot that wraps them up like a warm blanket on a chilly evening. From the first page, you’re drawn into the charming world of Thistle and Bloom Farms, where lottery winner Opal Devlin finds herself entangled in unexpected adventures. The plot unfolds with delightful surprises, making it a joy to journey alongside the characters.

One of the standout features of ‘Late Bloomer‘ is its dynamic and diverse cast of characters. Eddings skillfully incorporates representation of neurodivergent characters, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Each character brings their own unique perspective to the narrative, enriching the overall reading experience.

While the setting of Thistle and Bloom Farms provides a picturesque backdrop for the story, I found myself craving more depth in the world-building department. The glimpses we get of the flower farm leave us wanting to explore further, and it would have been rewarding to see more intricacies of this enchanting setting.

Eddings’ writing style in ‘Late Bloomer‘ leans a little towards the cringe, cliché, and cheesy side, peppered (see what I did there?) with numerous pop culture references. Despite these elements, the romance between Opal and Pepper still manages to be swoon-worthy and overall very cute to read. The author doesn’t hold back on the spice either, with several steamy sapphic scenes that will leave readers turning the pages for more.

While the chemistry between Opal and Pepper sizzles in the bedroom, I sometimes felt like their connection lacked depth outside of these intimate moments. Despite their status as opposites attracting, a stronger foundation of shared interests or heartfelt conversations could have enhanced their relationship dynamics.

‘Late Bloomer‘ could’ve benefitted from more character development to fully round out its ensemble cast. Without deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations and backstories, the story may feel slightly padded, and some readers may find themselves wishing for a tighter narrative.

Would I recommend it?

Yes I would. ‘Late Bloomer‘ is a charming read that balances cozy romance with spicy scenes and an engaging plot. While it may have its flaws, fans of sapphic romance will find much to enjoy in Mazey Eddings’ latest offering.

I definitely enjoyed this but it felt a bit slow in parts. The characters were relatable but could’ve done with a bit more fleshing out.

The queer and neuro divergent representation was well done though and there were so many wholesome moments that spoke to my cute and fluffy loving heart!

There was a lot of pop culture references which aren’t my fave in book as I feel like it really dates it.

I would absolutely read more from this author.

Oh Mazey Eddings, how I adore your writing! Eddings has blown it out of the park with her first sapphic novel, and I can only hope for more. She’s truly giving us the sapphic & autistic representation we all need!

Opal and Pepper were the most chaotic and lovable main characters we could’ve asked for—the development from friendship to sapphic yearning was phenomenal.

Late Bloomer is a cozy, cottage core esque sapphic romance with neurodivergent representation that everyone must read!

And might I add, the cover designer has masterfully created the best cover I’ve ever seen. I only hope to have this face out on my shelf forever …

This was a very cute romance. I liked our main characters and they were adorable together but the day after i finished it i didn't remember anything and i just never think about it

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this arc!

This book was so refreshing. It was such a different plot line and I really enjoyed it. I read the book in a few sittings and immediately felt like I connected with the characters.

Forced proximity is one of my favourite tropes and I felt like it was done excellently in this book. Both main characters got on excellently and you could see the growth of both, individually and together. It felt real and not pushed. I also really enjoyed the neurodivergent aspect as it is under-explored in literature!

A solid 4 star read!

Although i couldn't really connect with either Pepper or Opal, this was a really sweet book.
I liked the discussion about grief and family issues (I felt so much for Pepper, tho) that part was great.
My main issue was the romance. These two felt more like friends with benefits than an actual couple. It was more lust than love, and I wanted more of the latter.
Still, this was a sweet and fun book, and I truly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for my earc of this book. I was so looking forward to this and wanted to love it, as I’ve really enjoyed her other books but I felt myself getting so frustrated with Opal and found the first 15% almost painful to read. The chemistry with the LI wasn’t there for me and it felt like “tell me” instead of “show me” with the romantic interactions and I therefore didn’t finish.

Late Bloomer was such a cute, fun, sapphic romance that I absolutely adored. The front cover if gorgeous *heart eyes*
The two protagonists of this novel, Opal and Pepper, find themselves in a forced proximity situation, an opposites attract romance that keeps things cheesy and wholesome in the best kinda way.
Honestly such a feel-good read and I'm always on the look out for a good sapphic/ queer romance story!

thank you to Headline via NetGalley for a digital arc

I can’t quite pin down why but I just didn’t love this. I found their relationship a little rushed, maybe more tell than show on their connection and I ended up just a little bored. I think the characters were good and you could see their individual growth. It felt like a book I could’ve loved but ultimately it just fell a little flat for me.

I did not finish this book.

The plot felt really forced and unnatural, but not in a fun way. I also found both main characters infuriating - neither were ever reasonable at any point.

I haven't posted this review as I feel others might enjoy. It was just not for me

I read Brush With Love, but this boo I enjoyed so much more. I loved the plot how Opal bought the flower farm which Pepper was living on and they both had to make the best out of a terrible situation.

This one is for the plant and flower girlies which I’m not because allergies. I found the characters, Opal and Pepper, to be super endearing and sweet and I loved how their neurodivergence was portrayed. The romance was super cute although maybe a little too quick but I liked it nonetheless. 3.75⭐️

3.75⭐️

This was a lovely and cosy read that has been on my tbr for a while and definitely didn’t disappoint! This is a sapphic romance with an interesting forced proximity trope. When Opal wins the lottery, she buys a farm on facebook, only to turn up and find out the farm already has a resident, Pepper, who is unaware of the sale. The two come to an agreement to live together for the next year and slowly fall in love. The neurodivergent rep was great and so was the character development of both Opal and Pepper. It is sometimes a little difficult to figure out/remember whose pov you’re reading but not too much of an issue. This was a fun, cosy queer romcom that was the right amount of steamy and charming, definitely worth the read!

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Thank you to Netgalley and Mazzy Eddings for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley UK and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for a review.

4 ⭐

I think ME's storytelling is only improving. I have really enjoyed each of the books she has released in the past few years and Pepper and Opal's story was no different. I always really enjoy this author's approach to writing neurodivergent characters because it's always been really clear that it's authentic and well thought out, which makes it wonderfully relatable as a nd reader.

A wonderful part of the love story is how Pepper and Opal finally find people who understand them. Pepper has Grandma Lou and Diksha, and Opal is welcomed into that and is eventually able to reject the shitty friends who have been stringing her along.

It was fun, flirty and a really enjoyable read.

Late Bloomer succeeds in its writing with good neurodivergent representation and its use the sunshine versus grumpy trope. The vibes were cute and cosy, and the story was light and simple, which made for an easy read, allowing me to finish it in one day.
What stopped me from rating this higher was the fact that the jump from a no-strings-attached arrangement to declarations of love was slightly rushed and the characterisation of Opal did not feel consistent between the POVs.
I would recommend Late Bloomer to anyone who is looking for a low-stakes, cosy, wholesome, Sapphic romance and to someone who doesn't mind a few Taylor Swift references sprinkled throughout.

This is a cutesy girly lighthearted romance. Unfortunately it wasn’t for me. The writing was trying too hard considering it’s just a light romance. Long winded flowery descriptions. The romance was cute but that was it. I guess if you want a light quick read you might enjoy it but wasn’t for me.

Opal buys a flower farm, sight unseen, and when she gets there, she finds Pepper, who has been working on the farm for years, but Pepper’s mother has sold it without her knowing.

This story is wonderful and so very Mazey Eddings, but the beginning was really hard to read. Opal is a people pleaser - her vulnerability and gullibility made me really uncomfortable and I had to make myself read on. Persevere, people, because things quickly fall into place and it’s those trusting aspects of Opal’s character that enable her to try and give the flower farm a go and make space for Pepper.

It’s low angst, forced proximity, steamy and fun. There’s neurodiversity, bisexual representation, inexperience, communication and consent, and it all fits together so beautifully.

I’ve loved all of Mazey’s books, especially The Plus One. This has a different feel, but once again it’s an immersive world with such likeable and believable characters. Opal’s sisters are brilliant, they know her so well and there’s no major villain, although Pepper’s mother is a piece of work and Pepper is carrying some past trauma. There’s growth for both of them as they navigate a future on the farm and I was so invested in them getting together and making it work.

This book is aesthetically gorgeous. The cover, the flowers, the imagery, even the tenderness between Opal and Pepper feel so very lush. There’s few hard edges, hardly any masculinity - toxic or otherwise - and this feminine energy washes through the whole delicious romance. Great fun!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Headline and Mazey Eddings for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This was a really cute and sweet sapphic small town romance and I really adore the cover!

It was the right level of lighthearted and dramatic and the characters felt believable. I much preferred Peppee to Opal,I think I’d find Opal annoying in real life but they worked well together.

Would recommend, it’s not setting the world on fire but it is a solid romance,

Oh my students are going to love this! Two string female leads, who support and challenge each other but are also comfortable being vulnerable too. Add in this swoon-worthy rom com setting and you have a truly enjoyable read.