Unique format for a wonderful story

I loved the themes of finding oneself and living authentically, all within a sweet romance. I adored the bookish references! Skymar seems to be a magical place and I love it!

The style of writing was fun! It started out as emails, texts, and messages on a dating website, then went to a more traditional story later on. The formats used worked well for the story that was told.

This was a sweet romance, I'd rate G/PG for mild kissing and mention of death of parents.

"Authentically, Izzy" by Pepper Basham is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery that captured my heart from start to finish. This novel is a beautifully crafted exploration of identity, family, and the transformative power of embracing one's true self.

Basham's writing style is tender and evocative, immersing readers in the emotions and experiences of the characters. The protagonist's personal journey of growth and self-acceptance is portrayed with authenticity and grace.

At the heart of the narrative is a poignant story of finding one's voice and breaking free from the expectations of others. The characters' struggles and triumphs are relatable, and their connections with each other add a layer of depth to the story.

"Authentically, Izzy" seamlessly blends themes of faith, love, and personal transformation, resulting in a narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. The exploration of the characters' inner worlds and their paths toward self-discovery make the story truly resonant.

In conclusion, "Authentically, Izzy" is a touching and beautifully written novel that celebrates the journey toward self-acceptance and authenticity. If you're seeking a book that combines faith, emotion, and the power of embracing your true identity, this novel offers a compelling and heartwarming narrative that will leave you uplifted.

I must admit, I had a little bit of trouble getting into this book at first. The way that the first half of the novel is strictly emails and text messages makes it a bit hard to really connect with the characters as it is mostly dialogue and not really in their heads as much. Of course, this is only a personal preference.

I really like most of the characters as they are each interesting in their own ways, each with their own quirks, and this I could tell just from the emails, in the way they wrote, and honestly, kudos to the author for accomplishing that so well. Writing in different voices has got to be a challenge.

Once Brodie was introduced, I especially liked all of the references to The Lord of the Rings and to other books and movies like You've Got Mail. It was great reading a book where the main characters love books so much and keep quoting favourite passages to each other like it's a totally normal thing to do.

The second half of the book I found much easier to read as Izzy and Brodie had met by that point and there was a lot more text that wasn't texts or emails. It was great getting to really see inside their minds and thoughts when Brodie was visiting Izzy and when Izzy was visiting Brodie. Also that Eli guy? My gosh, get the hint dude!

So while you go and read this book now, I'm off to watch You've Got Mail (for the first time).

First, I have to say that I've loved every book I 've read by Pepper Basham...and I did love this too. I just didn't love the epistolary form of writing. Even though I was quite engaged in the story between Izzy and Brodie and totally fell in love with Skymar I felt like it took me forever to read Authentically Izzy. However, that being said, I shall continue to read Positively, Penelope and Loyally Luke because I must know what happens to these siblings! I can't wait to go back to Skymar as well!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 15 November 2022.

I tried really hard to get into this book but I just couldn’t. Reading the passages of the Lord of the Rings inspired book were confusing and unneeded. I had a hard time believing their romance throughout the book. Not my favorite.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me advance access to this title. I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more from this author. As a reader, I am really motivated by character driven stories and I found myself quickly becoming immersed in these characters’ lives. Full review to come.

I am a sucker for an epistolary romance and you don't see it as often these days. This story is told via emails and text messages which can sometimes be annoying in a book but in this case it worked to drive the story. I also liked the multiple pop culture and literary references.

I requested this without realising it was a Christian love story which is not my usual jam. Though the story was cute and the characters interesting, it was way to churchy and conservative for my taste. DNF'ed.

Title: Authentically Izzy

Author: Pepper D Basham


Pg: 415


Series: Skymar 1


Genre: Christian Rom Com


Rating: 5 stars


Publisher: Thomas Nelson


Authentically Izzy by Pepper D Basham is a rom com that is written in emails, letters and texts. As well as standard novel format. It’s also one they I listened to as well as read. I listened to the first half because it helped to make the emails and letters make sense. While reading the second half.


Izzy was an easy character to relate to. As a fellow book worm. But what made me love Izzy the most is that she had my career as a library assistant. That is the first time, I’ve ever seen it as a career in books let alone a rom com. For readers who don’t like love triangle there’s hints of one in the book, but it is only a hint. While most readers will easily fall for the guy Izzy’s falling for. But not me, I was falling for Izzy’s cousin Luke. What can I say I love a guy in flannel with a southern accent.


I enjoyed Authentically Izzy but I am looking forward to the next two, especially Luke’s story.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Alas, I really couldn't get into this one. I liked the idea but couldn't get past about 25% unfortunately, and I struggled with the e-mails and texts vibes. Thank you for the opportunity to read it, , however, and I really appreciate being given a copy.

I sadly didn’t get around to reading this before it expired. The title and first page I did read intrigued me so I am going to try and find a time to read this one. Thank you NetGallery for the ARC and the opportunity, I’m sad that I didn’t get to giving it my full attention but know it has potential to be amazing!

I would like to thank netgalley and Thomas Nelson for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

This was a difficult read for me. I did not enjoy the electronic communication for the entire first part, and there were a few too many reflections of religion for my taste, but I pushed through. I would suggest passing on this one and I’m no longer keeping book two on my tbr.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital review copy.

Lighthearted clean romance that is written through emails and texts which I love. Izzy is quirky and fun which I really enjoy in my FMC. Highly recommend

The dating site correspondence is even worse - there the exposition wouldn't be a problem since the people are just getting to know each other, so sharing stories is natural, but oh, the posturing! The attempts at literary one-upmanship are so annoying, I lost all interest in those characters' welleing. That might have been cute if the characters were in their late teens, but they are supposed to be in their early 30's!

The book for book lovers!!

I love a book that includes text/email exchanges well. This book had it!

Izzy and her family and Brodie are charming and will have you falling for them all!

Authentically, Izzy

by Pepper Basham

There are many enjoyable, bookish novels that have a bookshop or library setting or feature a writer, book club, or writer’s retreat. That kind of book appeals to me, and I have read a lot of them. Authentically, Izzy, however, is the most delightful and thoroughly bookish story I have encountered; and because it is epistolary (emails and texts), the reader finds that words, quotes, and puns play a major role.

I smiled and laughed my way through the tale of shy library assistant Isabelle in the Appalachians who, despite having her heart truly and fully broken two times, is convinced by her cousin Josie into going on blind dates and using an online dating service. An added complication is that Izzy grew up with her cousins after the untimely death of her parents. They are wonderful people, but Izzy has never been quite sure of her role as a cousin/sister.

Brodie, whose family has a chain of bookstores on the island kingdom of Skymar near Great Britain, signs on to the same service. His initial goal is to entice someone to come work in his country. Brodie is single, good looking, speaks English with an adorable accent, and is a book aficionado. His family could use the financial stipend their country offers to citizens who hire employees from outside the country to fund his little sister’s much needed surgery and to shore up their bookstore chain. Employment would be the incentive, but could romance be an added bonus?

Reading the interactions of these two total book nerds is an absolute delight, but there are many barriers to a happily ever after. They include a fear of flying, a long distance courtship, and a professor/author in the U.S. who is also pursuing Izzy. There are hints that certain potentially disastrous situations will catch up with the couple. One reveal happens fairly soon, but then the reader is left waiting for the other shoe to drop. What a pleasurable suspense! It is impossible to read this book without hoping for all to work out well in the end!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance, Christian Fiction

Notes: This book is considered a standalone, but another epistolary novel will be published in August 2023, that focuses on Izzy’s cousin/sister: Positively, Penelope. I can’t wait to read it!

Publication: November 15, 2022—Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

I have found fiction to meet me at the most poignant of times in my life. I learned the power of imagination through Narnia and the intimacy of true friendship in The Lord of the Rings. I found courage from Atticus Finch and an unexpected camaraderie with Emma’s Knightley…Fiction, at its best, speaks to the heart.

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Can you believe Charles Dickens wrote that? I always thought of him as a dreary sort of fellow since he seemed to spend so much time thinking about ghosts and orphans and women who wear wedding gowns for much too long.

(Why do I keep renewing my passport if I’ve never used it? I think something needs to change. After all, Josephine says flying is the safest way to travel, though I’d prefer a magical wardrobe or even a portkey.)

I was not a fan of this book.
I didn’t love all of the email correspondences and I just felt like it was dragging on.
However, I know that there are people out there that have loved this!!

Oh my stars! This delightful romcom felt like a cozy hug for my book loving heart!
Pepper Basham is one of my absolute favorite authors, and if she writes it I know I’m gonna love it! I have been so excited about this book since long before it released, but just finally had a chance to get to it, and wow what a joyful journey this book took me on!
My life story is definitely not the same as Izzy’s, but I related to her in so many ways. Her love of fictional characters, and her journey of learning to let her authentic self shine through really hit home for me and touched my heart in so many ways!
Brodie is an amazing swoon-worthy hero who I fell head over heels in love with! I almost never picture book characters in any specific way when I’m reading, however in Brodie’s case JJ Feild circa Austenland kept coming to mind, and I’m definitely not mad about it! Hear that Mr. Feild, if you can pull off a Scottish accent then please keep your schedule open for when this book becomes a movie! BTW Hollywood, you need to get on that ASAP!
I also loved the secondary characters, especially Luke!
As with everything Pepper Basham writes Authentically, Izzy put a smile on my face, had me laughing out loud, and made my heart swell to the point of overflowing with joy!
I know that epistolary novels (those told through letters, emails, etcetera) aren’t everyone’s jam, but personally they’re one of my favorite things, and I loved this one so very much!
I ADORED every second of Authentically, Izzy! It is one of my favorite reads of 2023, and I most highly recommend it!

P.S. the audiobook is AMAZING and one of my all time favorites! If you’re into audiobooks you need to read this one!

P.P.S. you also need the paperback for your keeper shelf, and if you read ebooks you need that too. This is one of those stories that one needs to own in as many formats as possible!


I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Okay, so this book has been at the top of my TBR pile for months. I never meant to wait this long to read this bookish story from one of my favorite authors but life(insert shoulder shrug here). I finally read it yesterday and let me just say I DEVOURED it. It was such a charming story that immediately captured my heart and attention. I lost count early on at the laugh out loud moments or the smiles it brought to my face. I WANT A BRODIE!! I have a new book boyfriend after this story(with apologies to my husband :D ). He is charming, a bookstore owner, and from a fabulous island that I really wish was real-I'd be planning a trip to visit! Izzy is adorable and her conversations with her cousins are a hoot! I can't wait for Penelope and Luke to get their own stories!!

P.S. I love all the bookish mentions in this story-especially two personal favorite books that got shoutouts. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

P. P. S. These will make sense if/when you read the book! :D