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callie_castle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was given an ARC of this book and wow, it was such a beautiful, heartwarming book that made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think, and most importantly…I felt seen.
Pepper is an autistic woman who is hyperfixated on her late Grandma Lou’s flower farm, adorably named Thistle and Bloom. She wants her quiet routine, and she wants to live on her farm in peace…if only she could find Lou’s will.
Opal is an artsy girl who is working a dead end job and feels like she has no future. She has severe ADHD and I understood all of her decisions, I understood why she acted the way she did.
When Opal accidentally wins the lottery and buys the farm Pepper lives on, sapphic chaos ensues. I appreciate that the author played with the useless lesbian trope but they aren’t actually useless lesbians. They’re two neurodivergent girls who communicate and interact with the world in VASTLY different ways.
I very much enjoyed the twist of the U-Haul Lesbian as well. Opal moves in before she’s even met Pepper! It also was a nice way to really highlight just how different neurodivergent people are, and how despite having similar issues, can struggle with communication on a immense level that has severe consequences they can’t stop running into.
I loved seeing myself in these two characters. I loved seeing queer neurodivergent characters that use words like autism and ADHD, and the real implications of not learning ways to work with your abilities instead of against them can cause you a million problems such as Opal’s brush with drugs and struggle with not becoming an alcoholic.
The book is realistic, but it’s still a joyful read. It’s a gay romcom with neurodivergent disaster gays. This book was basically written for me. If you’re a gay/queer neurodivergent who’s been searching for a romcom that features you, you’ve come to the right place.
Pepper is an autistic woman who is hyperfixated on her late Grandma Lou’s flower farm, adorably named Thistle and Bloom. She wants her quiet routine, and she wants to live on her farm in peace…if only she could find Lou’s will.
Opal is an artsy girl who is working a dead end job and feels like she has no future. She has severe ADHD and I understood all of her decisions, I understood why she acted the way she did.
When Opal accidentally wins the lottery and buys the farm Pepper lives on, sapphic chaos ensues. I appreciate that the author played with the useless lesbian trope but they aren’t actually useless lesbians. They’re two neurodivergent girls who communicate and interact with the world in VASTLY different ways.
I very much enjoyed the twist of the U-Haul Lesbian as well. Opal moves in before she’s even met Pepper! It also was a nice way to really highlight just how different neurodivergent people are, and how despite having similar issues, can struggle with communication on a immense level that has severe consequences they can’t stop running into.
I loved seeing myself in these two characters. I loved seeing queer neurodivergent characters that use words like autism and ADHD, and the real implications of not learning ways to work with your abilities instead of against them can cause you a million problems such as Opal’s brush with drugs and struggle with not becoming an alcoholic.
The book is realistic, but it’s still a joyful read. It’s a gay romcom with neurodivergent disaster gays. This book was basically written for me. If you’re a gay/queer neurodivergent who’s been searching for a romcom that features you, you’ve come to the right place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Gaslighting, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Minor: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, and Stalking
torismazarine's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Drug use
katevdz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book! I thought is was an excellent little rom com with good character development, a romance you couldn’t help but root for, and an adorable setting on a flower farm. As someone who has adhd, I also loved that both characters were neurodivergent. I’ve read rom coms that are neurodivergent coded, but I don’t think I’ve read one with explicitly neurodivergent characters and I related very strongly with Opal. There is something very special reading a book where you see yourself in a character, and I felt that strongly when reading this book. I also liked that there are content warnings at the start of the book. (grief after the loss of a loved one, complicated relationship with alcohol, parental neglect/ abandonment).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol
jessicastephenson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has the absolute best premise - what's better than a sapphic romance set on a flower farm? I also loved that both the main characters were neurodivergent and that it was clearly stated that they were; there was no guessing or hey maybe they are neurodivergent. I hate when authors side step around declaring a character is neurodivergent and just says they are "quirky" or "different" so this was a nice change.
I feel like Opal and Pepper clicked so well together as a couple, and there was a good balance of spice and sweet. I can relate a ton to both characters being neurodivergent myself, but also I could really understand Pepper's journey through grief as I am experiencing the same thing. Also, what is more relatable than Opal's chaotic hair journey?
The cover was also a 10/10 for me, it's so beautiful! And the author's note at the end really made me love Mazey Eddings (the endless list of flower puns for the title made me giggle) so I'm intrigued to read the author's other books.
I feel like Opal and Pepper clicked so well together as a couple, and there was a good balance of spice and sweet. I can relate a ton to both characters being neurodivergent myself, but also I could really understand Pepper's journey through grief as I am experiencing the same thing. Also, what is more relatable than Opal's chaotic hair journey?
The cover was also a 10/10 for me, it's so beautiful! And the author's note at the end really made me love Mazey Eddings (the endless list of flower puns for the title made me giggle) so I'm intrigued to read the author's other books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Alcohol
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