I authentically love Authentically Izzy by Pepper Basham! Authentically Izzy revolves around Izzy in her quest for love. Izzy is a young woman whose world revolves around books and is trying to hold the pieces together after her parents tragic deaths. After her cousin signs her up for an online dating site, she starts communicating with Brodie, who Izzy believes is her cousin at first, but is actually a real live male. Brodie is from an island across the pond and his family owns a chain of bookstores. Brodie and Izzy are a perfect match as they try their best to overcome past fears and hurts, and be their authentic selves.

I was busting out laughing during much Authentically Izzy! I also thought Izzy and I have a lot in common. I love how Ms. Basham wrote Authentically Izzy primarily in e-mail communications and texts. You could really tell the type of relationships that Brodie and Izzy had not only with each other, but their respected families as well. I love how the relationship of Brodie and Izzy progressed in the book. I also want to the island Brodie is from! I highly recommend Authentically Izzy by Pepper Basham! It's a fun escape with quirky relatable characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

I just finished 'Authentically, Izzy' by Pepper Basham, and oh my goodness, what a delightful read it was!

First, Izzy is hands down one of the most endearing characters I've encountered in a while. Basham has a knack for creating relatable protagonists; Izzy is no exception. Her journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and inspiring.

And let's talk about the romance! *Swoon alert!* The chemistry between Izzy and the love interest is absolutely electric. Basham knows how to write a slow-burn romance that keeps you flipping pages well into the night.

But it's not just the romance that shines in this book. The friendships, family dynamics, and small-town charm all add depth to the story. Plus, the humour sprinkled throughout had me chuckling more than once.

Now, fair warning, this book isn't all rainbows and butterflies. Basham isn't afraid to tackle heavier topics, but she does so gracefully and sensitively.

Overall, 'Authentically, Izzy' is a feel-good read that is heartwarming and swoon-worthy. Do yourself a favour and add this to your TBR pile—you won't regret it!

This wasn’t what I thought it was going to be while looking through it. From others it seems like it was done well, but letters/emails as the main form of communication seems like an odd choice to me and that’s not something I love.
Thank you so much for the ARC

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

A fun read, sweet and clean. Took a bit of getting used to the emails and text, but definitely worth a read.

This book was well-written, and the concept was very cute. I liked the main characters and the supporting ones, but I was not a fan of how the story took place through emails and texts. It was a good concept but I just personally wasn’t a fan.

I will say I do typically lean more towards a spicy romance but this was so sweet and cute.

Clean, full of heart, and romance. Also love reading about a fellow book nerd finding love!

I loved the commutation between the characters it felt like I was reading someone’s actual emails and texts. It was just really well written and felt real. Always a bonus!

Pepper Basham is one of my favorite authors, however, Authentically Izzy is not one of my favorite books by her. I loved the plot, the characters are fantastic, and the settings are delightful. I did not care for the whole texting thing. I also struggled with all of the references to The Lord Of The Rings. I have neither read nor watched the movies, and honestly I have no desire too. (Sorry Pepper). I can honestly say Authentically Izzy is worth reading.

So pour up a pot of tea, grab a cozy blanket and curl up for a fun read.

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Posting review a bit late due to some personal circumstances, but absolutely thrilled to have been granted this ARC. Such a sweet read!!!

This book was so cute. You have 2 book lovers falling in love over emails. It was book so easy and cute to read that I couldn't put it down. I totally forgot I had this on my tbr and It was a book that i enjoyed from start to finish.

A cute, clean romance. While this isn't a perfect book--some of the interaction was just overly flowery and wordy and I didn't love the conflict with the stipend and hiding that information--it is a very enjoyable read.

Such a cute read and so much fun! I'm a huge fan of epistolary novels so this was perfect for me! Definitely one that you'll breeze through and enjoy the whole time. A great summer read but it'll also be a lovely getaway on dark winter days when you need a pick me up!

4/5 stars!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Authentically, Izzy
by Pepper Basham
Pub Date 15 Nov 2022
Thomas Nelson--FICTION,Thomas Nelson
Romance


Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction provided me with Authentically Izzy to review:


Dear Reader, I'm Isabelle Louisa Edgewood. Fresh air and books keep me content in my blue-tinted mountains. Oh, and coffee and tea, of course. I am occasionally accosted by the love of my family. (You'll understand my choice of verb later.) My romantic history hasn't been the stuff of fairy tales, but I dream of opening my own bookstore. This is probably why my pregnant, misled, matchmaking cousin-who is really more like my sister-signed me up for an online dating service.


Trouble is, it worked. Almost too good to be true, I've met my book-quoting Mr. Right. Brodie lives across the ocean. Just the other day, a perfectly nice author and professor named Eli asked me out for coffee at the library where I work. It's like a rom-com with a foreboding disaster.


I've played it safe for a long time. Perhaps I should be as brave as my favorite literary heroines. Taking the adventures real might be the next step. Wish me luck.


I give Authentically, Izzy five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This book has a lot of great humor and wit! Great character development and honestly I fell in love with the hero and heroine. Any book that is about books is a book for me! Could I say book one more time? Ha! HOWEVER, it didn't work for me and here is why. I enjoy epistolary moments in books, but what I do not enjoy is an entire book written in email and text. I want to see the characters actually engage with one another. I think we miss out on so much of the love story by not actually living in the moment with the characters. I definitely enjoyed the author's writing, and I would like to read another book by her but not in this format.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Thomas Nelson for this advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the epistolary nature of the first half of this book, and the swerve back to a prose storytelling method in the second half felt a bit too much of a change after this. The storyline was intriguing and enjoyable overall.

Iveliz Explains It All” is a novel in verse by Andrea Beatriz Arango. The book tells the story of Iveliz, a 12-year-old Latina girl who navigates seventh grade while facing mental health challenges. Iveliz retreats into her poetry and journal to cope with depression and PTSD. Her abuela Mimi’s arrival from Puerto Rico means a chance to feel like a family again, filling in the space left by her father’s absence. But Mimi’s Alzheimer’s has progressed since the last time Iveliz saw her, and Iveliz’s fraught relationship with her distant, always working Mami doesn’t help to keep the peace either. Meanwhile, her friendship with Amir, a boy from Afghanistan, seems to be on the rocks, and Iveliz keeps getting in trouble at school thanks to bullies, an ill-conceived revenge plot, and awkward attempts to forge a new friendship. Going to therapy and managing her medication also eat away at Iveliz even as she tries to find solace in visions of her dad. Full of heartbreak and compassion, Arango’s debut crackles with refreshing frankness and wit. The author excels at building Iveliz’s voice through each poem, leading to a tale that’s quick to read yet hard to put down.

Book Review: Authentically Izzy

Pepper Basham weaves a charming tale in "Authentically Izzy," inviting readers into a world where bookish dreams and modern romance entwine. This delightful epistolary novel introduces us to Izzy Edgewood, a passionate book lover, quote enthusiast, and aspiring bookstore owner. Izzy's life revolves around the enchanting world of books and her beloved Lord of the Rings, leaving little room for real-life romantic adventures.

Enter her pragmatic cousin, Josephine, who takes it upon herself to nudge Izzy out of her comfort zone and into the realm of online dating. Initially skeptical, Izzy finds herself engaging in conversations with a fellow book lover, Brodie, who resides oceans away in a quaint town. The connection they share over books, family, and heartfelt exchanges is endearing, but the question remains - can their burgeoning love endure the hurdles of distance, particularly when a charming local author vies for Izzy's affections?

Pepper Basham crafts a narrative that is as enchanting as the stories Izzy adores. The characters come alive through their written exchanges, allowing readers to delve deep into their hopes, fears, and burgeoning romance. Izzy's evolution from a dreamer to someone willing to take a leap of faith is beautifully depicted, highlighting the courage it takes to pursue love beyond the barriers of fear and distance.

The chemistry between Izzy and Brodie is palpable, and their blossoming relationship is portrayed with grace and authenticity. The inclusion of letters and online messages adds a unique layer to the storytelling, providing insights into their personalities and feelings. The backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the captivating world of books serves as a perfect setting for this heartwarming love story.

"Authentically Izzy" is a tale that celebrates the magic of bookish dreams and the triumph of love over uncertainty. Pepper Basham's narrative style effortlessly captures the essence of love and companionship, leaving readers with a heartwarming message - that sometimes, the most magical love stories are those that unfold beyond the pages of our beloved books.

In conclusion, "Authentically Izzy" is a captivating and delightful read, a love letter to book lovers and romantics alike. Pepper Basham's skillful storytelling and heartfelt characters make this a novel worth savoring, leaving readers yearning for their own happily-ever-after.

Loved the writing style of this author, written mostly in emails and text messages. I wasn't sure in the beginning but it turned out to be really fun and was a breeze to read through, Anything that involved books in the story line is usually a winner for me and the two main characters in this story are the cutest book nerds. Such a cute romance, no spice but the characters made up for it.

I was not a fan of this work. I really disliked the format. It felt disjointed. I would probably give this author another chance because I liked the premise.

I can't remember if I've read anything written by Pepper Basham before, but I know I have a bunch of her books tagged as "Want to Read". Authentically Izzy was a delight. I wasn't sure about the format at first, but when I listened to the audio version, it brought the characters to life, and made everything coalesce into a wonderful romantic comedy.

Izzy Edgewood has been unlucky in love, to the point that her family is worried about her disappearing into the books she reads voraciously. They know she's funny, full of great quotes, and a complete Lord of the Rings aficionado, but how is she ever going to meet anyone new when she's buried in her books? When her pregnant cousin takes matters into her own hands and signs Izzy up for an online dating community, Izzy is furious. She has no plans to even open the app, but finally succumbs to her cousin's nagging. One man captures her imagination with his bookish references to The Hobbit and witty responses to her emails. Could her Mr. Right really be "just across the pond" in the tiny island nation of Skymar?

Brodie Sutherland is intrigued by Izzy's devotion to books. His family owns the largest and oldest bookstore on Skymar, so he understands her better than any other woman he's ever met. Their instant connection thrills him but he feels a bit guilty, since he only got on the Heart-to-Heart site for monetary gain. Skymar's government is offering money to any citizen who can bring new residents to their country and the money would go a long way toward giving new life to the family business. The more Brodie gets to know Izzy, the less the money matters. Can he convince Izzy - who hates to fly - to come to Skymar for a visit, and if she comes, will she stay?

This book was beyond fun to read or to listen to. I loved the family dynamics between Izzy and her cousins Josephine, Luke, and Penelope. Each personality explodes off the page, and I can't wait to read the next installment, Positively Penelope!!! Readers who love romantic comedy that is completely swoony, will love this story. I highly recommend!!