Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham is a delightful bookish romantic comedy that is mostly emails and text messages, but I found them to be well written and drew me right into the story.

Story Recap:
Izzy Edgewood wants to own a bookshop and find the love of her life. While her best friend can’t help her with the bookshop, she can help her find the love of her life by setting her up on a dating app.

She “meets” Brodie on the app, and they start to correspond and they realize they have a lot in common. But, they live thousands of miles away from each other. After months of correspondence, will they ever meet? And if they do, will they meet each other's expectations?

My Thoughts:
I was surprised when I saw that almost the entire book was made up of emails and text messages, but once I started reading, I realized that the two main characters are both bookish people who are also good writers, and that make this epistolary style of story work for me.

Izzy is a strong bookish woman who just wants to own a bookstore and find someone to love. She’s funny and has a supportive and interfering family. And Brodie is a wonderful hero, he’s kind, with a delightful sense of humor. He also has a supportive family.

The messages and emails are not just between Izzy and Brodie but include each of their family members too. In this way, we get to meet and enjoy Izzy’s sisters and brother and Brodie’s family too. They are all such wonderful characters and I enjoyed the way they each had their own style when writing.

This is a clean romance with some religious content, but it was not overwhelming. I enjoyed the fictional country where Brodie lived and his family and bookstore.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend Authentically, Izzy to anyone who enjoys clean romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a cute and light-hearted romance novel about two people fall in love through exchanging email letters before they even meet in person.

It’s unexpected to find myself invested in this book. Its unique writing style of series of email letters and SMS is actually enjoyable to read. It feels like as if Izzy is a real person who’s me sharing details of her life to me as my bestie in real life. Apparently, Izzy Edgewood is an easy book character to connect to. I like her personality for being true to herself and definitely NO drama in life. She’s straightforward and humorous.

The book is divided into three parts. At first, I am thinking that reading a series of email letters would be boring. Well, some parts could be a little unexciting, but the quirkiness of the other book characters has kept me engaged and interested. The wittiness and entertaining exchange of conversation through letters are well-written. In fact, there are a lot of inspirational quotes that I loved. I write them down in my notebook.

Another thing that makes this book a one-of-a-kind is the map of a fictional island called Skymar Island. It’s somewhere in between Scotland and Netherlands. It’s actually interesting and attractive (if it’s colorful). Although one of Izzy’s love interests isn’t in the royalty bloodline in this novel as expected, he’s still close to that. Skymar Island is a rich country where the citizens experience winter half of the year, cool mountains, competitive government and small businesses. Not to mention, people live in manor houses.

All in all, it’s an easy and perfect fine read for bookish people. If you think you’ll enjoy this book, consider these tips:

✔️ book quotes and love for literature
✔️ Lord of the Rings references
✔️ matchmaking and pen pals
✔️ snarky dialogues

i wasn’t able to get on board with the letter style of the book. I personally don’t like books with even text messages in them so this was really not my style. it was an interesting take and super original though.

I loved this story so much! For any of the fans of Beach Read by Emily Henry, PICK THIS BOOK UP! Izzy reminded me so much of January, and I think for anyone who dreams of escaping to a little town in the middle of nowhere just to read romance novels and listen to Taylor Swift!

I really struggled with this one and I had to DNF at 70% in. This books narration is predominately told via emails and texts which just wasn’t my cup of tea. The narration style and the slow pacing made this read a miss for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m definitely out of my comfort zone with this genre since romantic comedy, Lord of the Rings and classics are not my favored genres and the references to them went right over my head. This is an expository novel and I think the formatting was really off for the Net Galley copy I had so it was difficult to delineate the communication methods. I am convinced that the wonky formatting really impacted my reading pleasure. I connected fairly well with Izzy and Brodie but I felt like her family really hadn’t treated her well and forcing someone onto a dating app is really quite rude. They all seemed convinced that she couldn’t make her own decisions. When I got past all of the texts and e-mails, I found that the heart of the novel is to stay authentic to yourself and seek your own happiness. The inspirational thread was definitely apparent, and the novel was very clean.

While this was not a favorite of mine from Pepper Basham, I DO always enjoy the versatility of Pepper Basham’s novels. She runs the gamut from a true crime novel, her beloved Appalachian Mountains stories, historical fiction, and one of the sweetest romances I think I’ve ever read. My top favorites of hers are Hope Between the Pages (dual timeline) and The Mistletoe Countess. I will not hesitate to check out the rest of her generous backlist.

I received a Net Galley copy of this book from the publisher and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This is the perfect example of a perfectly fine book but I am definitely not the right audience but there will be and they will love it.

A mostly epistolary style novel, done in emails and texts between Izzy and her cousins, and Brodie her overseas friend turned potential love interest and his family.

I thought at first I would get tired of this style of writing but the author did such an exceptional job at keeping it flowing and easy to make sense of.

I also think it’s hard to build chemistry this way between characters but she did succeed in solidifying their relationship, I felt the sweet friendship and could see the slow turn of feelings.

However, this book was just a bit too wholesome for me and that is like I said great for others who love sweet, closed door romances, I just needed a bit more spark.
Also the idea of email is a bit dated for people to communicate in their 30’s, I would of like to see it become a tad more modern.

Tons of fun nods to bookstores, libraries and book lovers so that always makes for a fun experience and this book delivers that in spades.

A perfect read for someone who enjoys wholesome romances.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the digital ARC all opinions are my own.

I was drawn into this book by the delightful cover. The characters are quirky and the writing is well done. I had never read anything epistolary before and while it was charming at first, it also made it difficult for me to connect with any of the characters or feel invested in the story at all. It ended up not being able to keep my attention. DNF at 25%.

Thanks so much to Netgalley, Just Read Tours, the publisher, and the author for my complimentary e-arc of this book. Any opinions here are my own.

Sadly I DNFed this title. The 1st half of the book is all a series of emails and chat messages between Izzy, her family (who are trying to set her up on a Dating Site), and the male love interests. I'm not sure whether its due to the format of the story or the character development, but I never felt drawn to care or invest in the characters. Nothing was keeping me reading. Skimming through, I may have enjoyed the story had I found a reason to care for these characters and their lives.

I really enjoyed this story! I wasn't sure how a story told mainly through emails and texts would go, but I adored it! Izzy and Brodie were fantastic, and their chemistry was the thing fairy tales are made of even electronically. The settings were so well-done. And it wouldn't be a Pepper Basham book without a fantastic kiss!!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Filled with witty banter and literary references that will dazzle every bookish nerd's heart!

Found myself smiling and laughing several times as Izzy slowly revealed her true self through emails on an online dating site. There were so many bookish references that a true bibliophile would treasure. I was thoroughly enchanted with the way Ms. Basham incorporated epistolary writing to tell Izzy's story. I could just 'hear' the different voices and 'see' the characters as they communicated, sharing their true selves as they hid behind their computers half a world apart.

Although this is definitely a romcom, and Pepper Basham is a master at penning a good romcom, I loved Izzy's journey, one of finding her own direction in life. (I want Izzy's job). I look forward to having a few peeks of Izzy in her sister's story.

Fans of Shaffer's The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Katherine Reay's Dear Mr. Knightley will adore this story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

#BookReview: AUTHENTICALLY, IZZY by Pepper Basham

I have enjoyed the author’s other books so I was looking forward to reading this one. The format is quite different from my usual reading but I like the cheery tone of the story. I was introduced to the characters via text messages, emails and an online dating site. That was new and I didn’t know what to make of it at first. About a third of the book, I started to look forward to the messages. It seems like since it’s something written, the characters showed their true emotions and thoughts.

This was a cute and light hearted romance with bookish main characters. There were many book references. They are Christians so there is a layer of faith in their conversations and actions which I liked. This book also had serious topics such as self acceptance, finding your true calling in life, love of family, and forgiveness.

I didn’t think I would enjoy this book but I did. I am so happy I gave it a chance It was so good. I laughed and cried with Izzy and Brodie. I’d love to visit Skymar and I can’t wait for Penelope’s story.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Pub date: 15 Nov 2022

Thank you Thomas Nelson and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a fun read that is told in text and emails. I enjoyed everything about this book. If you are looking for a fun, clean heartwarming read, grab this book. Loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Finally, a book featuring a female character that enjoys "Lord of the Rings!" This book has every niche trope I could ever hope for, including a nerdy, male love interest that enjoys reading. This is a cute, cozy, slow-burn love story that makes you believe in long-distance relationships. This was such a fun and relaxing story to escape into for a few hours.

I couldn't read this. I tried. I really did.

At 25% in and I am still unsure of anything that is going on, I cannot continue on. This book was not for me.

The majority of the book is emails back and forth between Izzy and her cousins/family members. The alternating chapters are emails with the guys she is meeting on this dating app.

I could not connect to the story at all, I was not interested in the plot or characters.

I hope this book brings nerdy Lord of the Rings lovers joy, because I could not understand most of the references within this first fourth of the book I read.

Authentically, Izzy is an epistolary lovers dream book! This was a fun read for me. I've only read a couple of this style book before and loved them. So, when I heard that Ms. Basham had written one I thought "yay me"! Now I will tell you in case you are wondering, there isn't any real life interaction with the hero and heroine until about 50% through the book. And yes, she has some great kissing scenes in there as well! "Yay me" again! This is a transatlantic relationship that takes the reader from the mountains in Virginia to a fictitious island in England.

I thoroughly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys reading love letters through emails, and texts between a hero and heroine. Also, there is some very witty and comical scenes between family members that had me laughing out loud.
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers and this is my honest opinion,

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc!

‼️ POTENTIAL SPOILERS ‼️

"But books have provided me continual journeys and adventures for which my bank account can never meet."

The writing in this book was so eloquent! I feel I should inform you that this book is mostly written in email exchanges + didn't realize until a couple pages in that this is a Christian book (just FYI), which was a first for me.

I had accepted that the book was email exchanges and then we get to 60% of the way in, and it gets changed up, to a regularly formatted book! Personally, if the whole book had been what that last 40% was, I would've enjoyed it a bit more. I feel I can't fully get into a characters development if I'm not also getting the surrounding context.

Brodie was a dream! And to live in a dang castle? With a tower for a library? Swooning right now.

And can I just say I highly disliked Josephine? Felt nothing for her character.

I would recommend this if you get LOTR references because I felt like a dummy not being in the know 😅

Also, I don't think it ever covered or discussed a particular past relationship for Izzy that didn't give me that satisfying touch.

And as an FYI, this book releases NOV 15 ☺️

Rating: I enjoyed it as a one off book but not for me in the future ☺️

Do you love books? Do you love romance? Do you dream of fictional men as a partner? Also, Do you dream to build a bookstore or a library?

Izzy does. Isabelle Edgewood is a reader(just like you), who works in a library, obsessed with books and dreams about fictional men(again just like you). When her matchmaking-obssessed cousin sets up an account in a dating site, Izzy meets Brodie.

Brodie is the only man close to fictional men (for Izzy), who lives an ocean away from Izzy. He understands Izzy for what she is and he listens to her. Who in their right mind cannot fall for a man like that? Izzy did too overcoming all her insecurities. Unwrap this magical romance of Izzy and Brodie by reading this amazing book.

This is an epistolary novel(A term I learnt from this book). It is fun to read the emails and messages(felt like stalking😂). And it is rich in vocabulary. I learnt many new words. I also loved the descriptions of places - Skymar Islands, Brodie's town and Blue Ridge Mountains. (I googled Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina and fell in love with them🥺)

Dislikes : It is a little long. And Eli's character felt cutoff all of a sudden. A proper closure from Izzy, after library fight, would be good, I guess.

Perfect Romcom for bookworms. I bet everyone will relate to the characters at some point.
I will admit that I haven't read any of the books that are referred, except Pride and Prejudice🥲. But I enjoyed reading the book.

Absolutely not, I did not even finish it. Firstly, I didn't realize that it was a christian romance. Which once you get to the actual reading is very heard to miss and not at all my cup of tea. But it also felt incredibly sexist and disgusting. I couldn't dislike a book more if I tried.

Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars! What a delightful story! I initially found it a little confusing to get into as the book starts with a series of emails and texts but it didn't take long for me to be caught up in Izzy's story.

This book has all my favorite things: a sweet love story, lots of snarky dialogue, a great group of family members and friends, and a satisfying HEA. AND, as an added bonus, there are lots of great references to some of my favorite books and authors.

Rated G and no profanity. Yay!