Scan barcode
A review by lololovesthings
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
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
4.0
4 stars!
Mazey Eddings is one of my favorite authors. She has never steered me wrong, and "Late Bloomer" is no different. I loved this lovely story full of autism and ADHD representation, bi/queer/sapphic romance, flowers, kitsch, self-acceptance, and grumpy x sunshine wonderfulness! Eddings treats her characters with such passion, such care, that they feel authentic and lived-in, like friends I know in real life. Opal and Pepper are both messes in their own very specific ways. That is what endears readers to Eddings' characters, in my opinion. They aren't cookie-cutter-perfect people who have their lives together tied up with neat little bows. They are blunt, honest, flailing, unsure, compassionate, misunderstood, solid, beautiful, chaotic messes. Opal and Pepper are total opposites. Opal is sunshine personified, always trying to do things selflessly, to a fault. When she buys Thistle and Bloom Farms, she wants to use it as her fresh start. Pepper, the rightful owner of the farm (or so she thought), has been jaded by life and grief and abandonment and is better off hiding away on the farm out of reach of harm's way. Together, they teach each other how to love, care, be tender, express themselves, be affectionate, and communicate effectively. I might not have been as pulled in by their love story as I have been with some of Mazey's other books, but I still really, really liked this one. Terrific spice, incredible heart, bursting with vibrancy and love! I also loved the audiobook narration by Ellie Gossage. She really brings these characters to life in a vivacious, intricate way.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mazey Eddings, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Mazey Eddings is one of my favorite authors. She has never steered me wrong, and "Late Bloomer" is no different. I loved this lovely story full of autism and ADHD representation, bi/queer/sapphic romance, flowers, kitsch, self-acceptance, and grumpy x sunshine wonderfulness! Eddings treats her characters with such passion, such care, that they feel authentic and lived-in, like friends I know in real life. Opal and Pepper are both messes in their own very specific ways. That is what endears readers to Eddings' characters, in my opinion. They aren't cookie-cutter-perfect people who have their lives together tied up with neat little bows. They are blunt, honest, flailing, unsure, compassionate, misunderstood, solid, beautiful, chaotic messes. Opal and Pepper are total opposites. Opal is sunshine personified, always trying to do things selflessly, to a fault. When she buys Thistle and Bloom Farms, she wants to use it as her fresh start. Pepper, the rightful owner of the farm (or so she thought), has been jaded by life and grief and abandonment and is better off hiding away on the farm out of reach of harm's way. Together, they teach each other how to love, care, be tender, express themselves, be affectionate, and communicate effectively. I might not have been as pulled in by their love story as I have been with some of Mazey's other books, but I still really, really liked this one. Terrific spice, incredible heart, bursting with vibrancy and love! I also loved the audiobook narration by Ellie Gossage. She really brings these characters to life in a vivacious, intricate way.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mazey Eddings, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief