Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Pick this book for the cute cover, stay for the witty banter and steamy romance. (ARC review, out April 16)

If you want a book that is edgier than your typical romcom, this one is it. Like a rose, it follows a classic design, but the thorns are full of sarcasm, swear words and spice.

I was kicking my feet with joy reading this book. Our two main characters are both neurodivergent, and are honest and up front about it with each other. They are constantly navigating how they experience the world, and how the other person does.

The whole story takes place at a flower farm, which is just the coziest setting for a love story. Opal is an artist who wants to paint/design shoes. Pepper works on the flower farm that her recently deceased grandmother started.

There is amazing gender and sexual identity rep that feels authentic and drives the story forward.

I cannot understate how much I love that Opal is in a larger body and NO ONE SAYS ANYTHING. She has no 'trauma' from her frenemy, her parents or her past partners. No one brings it up. It's not something she has to 'overcome' and feel good about herself for. This is the type of love story that plus-size characters (and readers) deserve.

Thank you to GoodReads and SMP for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This book is best read after sculpting a life-size statue of Jeff Goldblum out of flowers. If you prick your finger, let your girlfriend help you feel better.