Title: Late Bloomer
Author: Mazey Eddings
Genre: Romance
Published on: March 16, 2024
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Source: digital (Netgalley)
Pages: 391
Synopsis:
Winning the lottery has ruined Opal Devlin’s life. After quitting her dead-end job where she’d earned minimum wage and even less respect, she’s bombarded by people knocking at her door for a handout the second they found out her bank account was overflowing with cash. And Opal can’t seem to stop saying yes.
With her tender heart thoroughly abused, Opal decides to protect herself by any means necessary, which to her translates to putting almost all her new money to buying a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina to let the flowers live out their plant destiny while she uses the cabin on the property to start her painting business.
But her plans for isolation and self-preservation go hopelessly awry when an angry (albeit gorgeous) Pepper Boden is waiting for her at her new farm. Pepper states she’s the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms, and isn’t moving out. The unlikely pair strike up an agreement of co-habitation, and butt heads at every turn. Can these opposites both live out their dreams and plant roots? Or will their combustible arguing (and growing attraction) burn the whole place down?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings is my second novel by the author, although it’s my first adult one. I previously read Tilly in Technicolor, her debut YA novel, which I adored. Late Bloomer is a sapphic, open door, dual point of view romance with extra spice! I have to be honest, what really drew me to this one was the stunning cover. It looked like the perfect book for spring! It doesn’t get much more spring-y than a flower farm, right?! I did enjoy plenty about Late Bloomer, but it never quite reached the five-stars I gave Tilly.
“You deserve a life so peaceful it feels deliciously boring. A life filled with flowers and sunny days and people that show you all the time that you’re valued and worthy. You deserve it all.”
What I enjoyed most about this one was the setting. I’m a sucker for a farm, orchard, or winery setting. Anywhere they work with the land or outdoors to grow and produce things. I can’t help but get sucked in to the magic of it all. It’s a perfect setting for romance!
I also loved the representation. Opal is neurodivergent and Pepper is autistic, and of course, this is a sapphic novel. Eddings is wonderful at capturing the beauty in all of our individual differences. And while I liked both the characters, and especially liked their backstories, I did find both of their voices too similar sometimes, having to stop and figure out who was speaking. They were very different characters—it is an opposites attract romance—but sometimes their words or actions didn’t seem to match the speaker’s personality.
I did also like most of the side characters, especially Opal’s sisters and Pepper’s friends, who could all probably have their own books.
Much of the conflict between our love interests arises from lack of communication, which is not a favorite trope of mine. If it’s done well, I don’t mind it so much, but I found myself wanting to yell at these two to just talk to each other already. It wasn’t long or drawn out, though, so that was good. It was understandable for Pepper’s character who is more reserved, having put up walls, but Opal is super outspoken, except when it’s most important apparently, which was frustrating.
Even with these little frustrations, I found myself rooting for these two to find their much-deserved happiness together. There are plenty of lighthearted—and romantic—moments, as well, which had me smiling!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
My Rating:
Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Bookshop | Amazon
Levels inspired by The Well-Read Librarian from Sourcebooks
About the Author
Mazey Eddings is a neurodiverse author, dentist, and (most importantly) stage mom to her cats, Yaya and Zadie. She can most often be found reading romance novels under her weighted blanket and asking her fiánce to bring her snacks. She’s made it her personal mission in life to destigmatize mental health issues and write love stories for every brain. With roots in Ohio and Philadelphia, she now calls North Carolina home.
A Song For A Book
Eddings is a big Taylor Swift fan, so it only seemed right to choose a song by her. There ARE plenty to choose from. I’ve chosen to highlight “Come In With the Rain”. The lyrics work surprisingly well, but you’ll just have to read the book to know why! 😉
I could go back to every laugh
But I don’t wanna go there anymore
And I know all the steps up to your door
But I don’t wanna go there anymore
Talk to the wind, talk to the sky
Talk to the man with the reasons why
And let me know what you find
I’ll leave my window open
‘Cause I’m too tired at night to call your name
Just know I’m right here hoping
That you’ll come in with the rain…
Have you read Late Bloomer? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
Yes, it would have been nice if there would have just been a couple of conversations. I still enjoyed this one as well, though. Great review!
Nice review, Dedra. I’m not a big fan of explicit sex scenes, so will pass on this one, although I also loved Tilly in Technicolor.