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haileycoty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
profpetitfours's review
5.0
Late Bloomer has all of the best parts of Mazey Eddings' writing--deeply loving characters who want to be deeply loved in return, strong neurodiverse representation, and so much humor.
Opal isn't sure exactly what she's doing in life, but she knows that filling in as an inflatable ice cream cone for her dead-end job isn't it. She has an ex-boyfriend--who is awful--but still keeps her on a string. She has a best friend--who is awful--who only wants whatever Opal can give her. And Opal gives, and gives, and gives, the ultimate people pleaser who wants someone to love her regardless. When Laney, the awful best friend, gifts her a winning scratch-off, she takes the money and buys a flower farm off Facebook Marketplace (yes, it's a risk!). It's a place where she can make art and have something of her own.
When she arrives, though, she finds Pepper inhabiting the farm. Pepper is nursing her grief over the loss of the only person who truly loved her, Grandma Lou. She knows everything about flowers but little about the farm's financial reality, which is not doing well. Opal showing up, having legally bought the farm from her awful mom, Trish, is just another blow.
The book follows Opal and Pepper's path to try and find financial stability for the farm. But, more importantly, it follows both in their attempts to take big risks. For Opal, it's standing up for herself and pursuing her art, all while wanting to be everything for Pepper. For Pepper, it's learning to articulate what she wants, even with her autism and a rough upbringing. Those backgrounds do lead to miscommunication, which is never a fan favorite, but in a way, I think it feels honest and reflective of what the two are trying to overcome.
As I said at the jump, the book is full of humor which made me love the Philadelphia trio of books, but there is just as much heart. If you loved that series, I think you'll enjoy this book just as much. I'm curious to see if we'll have another trifecta of books heading our way, as Opal has two entertaining sisters whom we are briefly introduced to in this one.
For those who love Eddings' previous series, you'll see a brief cameo for Lizzie's bakery, which is always fun. I love it when authors have their characters exist in the same universe.
* Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *
Opal isn't sure exactly what she's doing in life, but she knows that filling in as an inflatable ice cream cone for her dead-end job isn't it. She has an ex-boyfriend--who is awful--but still keeps her on a string. She has a best friend--who is awful--who only wants whatever Opal can give her. And Opal gives, and gives, and gives, the ultimate people pleaser who wants someone to love her regardless. When Laney, the awful best friend, gifts her a winning scratch-off, she takes the money and buys a flower farm off Facebook Marketplace (yes, it's a risk!). It's a place where she can make art and have something of her own.
When she arrives, though, she finds Pepper inhabiting the farm. Pepper is nursing her grief over the loss of the only person who truly loved her, Grandma Lou. She knows everything about flowers but little about the farm's financial reality, which is not doing well. Opal showing up, having legally bought the farm from her awful mom, Trish, is just another blow.
The book follows Opal and Pepper's path to try and find financial stability for the farm. But, more importantly, it follows both in their attempts to take big risks. For Opal, it's standing up for herself and pursuing her art, all while wanting to be everything for Pepper. For Pepper, it's learning to articulate what she wants, even with her autism and a rough upbringing. Those backgrounds do lead to miscommunication, which is never a fan favorite, but in a way, I think it feels honest and reflective of what the two are trying to overcome.
As I said at the jump, the book is full of humor which made me love the Philadelphia trio of books, but there is just as much heart. If you loved that series, I think you'll enjoy this book just as much. I'm curious to see if we'll have another trifecta of books heading our way, as Opal has two entertaining sisters whom we are briefly introduced to in this one.
For those who love Eddings' previous series, you'll see a brief cameo for Lizzie's bakery, which is always fun. I love it when authors have their characters exist in the same universe.
* Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *
instalovewithbooks's review against another edition
I was hopeful for this book because of the rep and premise but it was only 20 mins in and I already hated Opal and her pushover behaviour and personality.
No thank you.
No thank you.
smyrebailey's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vrtlpngn's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jfhobbit's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ashheinrich's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
karogers309's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
m_yinger's review
If you would like some of the worst mental health depictions ever in characters. Please read. As a therapist, I made 35% before it became too much. The ADHD MC is a manic pixie dream girl facsimile of someone who has ADHD and the autistic MC is MEAN because she’s autistic which just…no. I’ve been too spoiled by Talia Hibbert to have finished this
storeytime0401's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5