This was a quick read that I didn't 100% LOVE. I'm all for having flawed characters, but these two were almost too toxic for each other. There was almost too much hinderance for them to be together that had me thinking "why should I finish this book?". I normally enjoy correspondence in books, but something about this didn't quite do it for me.

I'm going to start by saying, I adored this book. It tried to make me hate it, but it failed. Here's why. I could not deal with the entire first half, if not more, of this book being written in email, and text form. I found it annoying, I couldn't get past the format. BUT! Once the author switched over to a more traditional writing format, I very quickly realized, there was absolutely no other way to introduce us to the characters! The creativity is just jumping off of the pages, just as Izzy's creativity jumps out of her once given the changes.

I adored Izzy in all of her authentic self. The fairy tale she lives is a true dream for every bibliophile. Living in world of books her whole life, introverted, witty. She finally finds herself in a world far away from that she knows so well when she meets the man of her dreams and he helps her realize and find her true authentic self in a world of books!

*I was kindly gifted this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

If you are someone who can read a book and love it for plot alone, then you’d probably rate this a lot higher than I have. I actually adored the plot and the story itself, so I hate that I’m rating it so low due to language.

The story is a cute romance which began online and became a long distance romance. The couple are book-obsessed and that’s their main bonding point. They are really cute together, so if you’re up for a cheesy romance, give this a go!

My issues come in with the language. I have specific points I’d like to raise with pages, but generally the language and style wasn’t perfect.

I’ve recently read a few books which are email/text based instead of prose based, and I’ve really gotten into them and enjoyed them. I actually loved the way this was mostly email/text and then some prose came in towards the end. However, as some other reviewers have mentioned, email is a very outdated form of communication these days and while it doesn’t specifically seem out of place to me as someone who did communicate via email, a younger audience wouldn’t be able to relate in that way. Not necessarily a criticism, just an observation.

On page 24, Izzy and Brodie are talking and she says something about preferring reading to hiking and goes on to say she hopes Brodie doesn’t assume that she’s fat because of that. I don’t like the assumption that because someone doesn’t like hiking they are fat, but even if they were, I don’t see why that’s a bad thing. It’s just a subtle hint of fatphobia that really wasn’t necessary.

There are also several mentions of JKR and Harry Potter. Of course, it’s a book about bookish characters who love things like HP and LOTR, but with the current situation regarding her, I just think it would be smart to not include those references.

Brodie is always presented as a sweet character, but he’s also always been under the assumption that Izzy will leave her life behind to move to him& has never considered that she may want to stay with her family and life. Izzy’s outlook has always been “I don’t want to move, but he might not either, so that’s a problem”, Brodie’s has always been “I don’t want to move, but Izzy will love it here”. That kind of attitude just doesn't fit the sweet, awkward Brodie that's been presented throughout the rest of the book, so I'm just seeing an inconsistency. I don't think the Brodie shown everywhere else would act like that, so either he's not sweet and awkward like that, or he is and doesn't have that attitude. I just can't see one person being both of those things.

Following on from my above point, Izzy is aware of this attitude and doesn’t have a problem with it. When she was helping Eli with his book, she complained about his heroine being needy and willing to drop everything for the love interest, saying she isn’t a proper heroine, but then does the exact same thing. Just a bit hypocritical. Also when she says things like “why would someone like him want someone like me”.

Overall, if you’re not someone who over-analyses language like I do, I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy this book. I did enjoy it, but my issues with the language are stopping me from rating this any higher.

3.5 stars

Very clean, sweet romance with adorable main characters. Part epistolary, part narrative with a classic style of writing. My criticisms would be:
1. Too long
2. Those two toxic supporting characters
3. A lot of two-steps-forward-one-step-back
These things made for an unnecessarily cumbersome reading experience. The early correspondence between cousins, especially, is very wordy.
Fortunately, I think I’ll be in the minority with opinions. And, overall, there’s a lot to love about this book.

Authentically Izzy is a delightful and smile-inducing read. I was hooked from page one and revelled in the email and text message correspondence that make up the chapters. Izzy Edgewood's character resonated with me on many levels, and her cousins (Josephine, Penelope and Luke) are striking secondary characteristics. The marriage of minds between Izzy and Brodie is spellbinding and tugged my heart strings. The numerous references to the Lord of the Rings and English classics will make any avid reader swoon. The quotations used at the end of most emails celebrate the beauty of words. While I had an idea of how the plot would unravel at different stages, it did not take away from the central question of what it means to be your authentic self. This means embracing change, taking chances, ruffling a few feathers and opening your heart. There are a few religious references made, which I didn't mind at all. Overall, the ending made me smile, and dopamine indeed made its arrival!

A thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A fair four-star read. I usually love episodic stories, as they just appeal to me so much, I know its not everyone’s taste, but to me they just remind me of being young and getting letters that told me what was going on all over the world in far away places. This was good, but I couldn’t help feeling like I was missing something, as I enjoyed the whole thing, but I didn’t love it as much as I expected to, as it has all the great parts, they just don’t quiet fit. I will likely give this another read, as it has great bones.

I loved the beginning of this, the emails and text messages. It was like opening into a life, getting just puzzle pieces and putting together who they are from those pieces. Well done :)
Unfortunately I felt it was a little slower paced than I was expecting or in the mood for.

I love Basham's character development and witty banter, but I feel that was lost a little in the epistolary format of this book.

Aside from that I loved Izzy and find myself identifying with her quite strongly. I didn't even know what my dream job was until she defined it. Sign me up for that!

And Bodie was perfection.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC!

This is a new to me author, and I'm so glad I gave this a chance. It was so good and drew me in from the start.
I highly recommend this book.

What a delightfully bookish romance!! Izzy Edgewood is a small town assistant librarian who adores books and just hasn't found her mister right. When her cousin signs her up for an online dating site, Izzy gives it a try. And to her surprise it works and soon she is exchanging messages with Brodie, a nerdy book lover, who lives an entire ocean away. As they correspond more regularly Izzy must decide if she can overcome her own fears and traverse the distance between them.
This is the romance that bookish people have been waiting for. Full of book quotes and references galore and then the sweetest romance I couldn't put this down. Izzy and Brodie are both people I would love to know and be around in real life. Even the cast of characters surrounding them are wonderful, and examples of loving family members, even if sometimes a little misguided. I adored this book and think any avid reader and nerd alike will enjoy this story.

I didn't end up finishing this book sadly, it was not for me. It was a little too slow and I wasn't a huge fan of the emails but hopefully others enjoy it.

I really could not get into this book. Big let down for me. It was just a bunch of letters that were a bit ridiculous. I am sorry just not my cup of tea.

Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When her cousin signs her up for a dating site, Izzy ends up meeting a fellow book lover - the problem is he lives on the other side of the world and she fears he might be too good to be true.

I loved the fact that Izzy is a librarian and book lover. What I loved ever more though? The fact that Brodie is perfect for her, just like she’s perfect for him. They are both such sweethearts how can you not love them?

The love between cousins is another topic I’d like to be explored more in books. You cannot choose family. When they have such a special bond though? It’s more like friendship and I’m totally up for it!

The book is well written and it contains a fine sense of humor. The writing is very efficient and helps you get attached to the characters.

I also really liked the literary references. They make the book so special for a book lover like me.

Well done!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

Told through a series of emails, this charmingly romantic tale is a love letter to books, the written word and the magic of an idyllic life. Sometimes stepping out of your routine allows you the perspective you need to figure out what makes you truly happy and how to live your life to its fullest and happiest. I loved this book so much it would take pages to correctly review and do it justice. Book lovers need to read this!

Oh this book! I actually adored Izzy and her Lord of the Rings loving self. I myself have found a new appreciation for that trilogy after watching it with subtitles so I wasn’t annoyed with the references in the book to the movie. Her online dating turns into a sweet romance that helps her overcome some of her own fears and worries of life. It’s super sweet and I loved reading this one!

A contemporary fairytale for book lovers everywhere, Authentically Izzy combines humor, literary references, and faith-filled lessons to entertain readers. It is a phenomenal creative work and a stellar read! The well-executed epistolary format when hero and heroine are corresponding across an ocean transitions seamlessly to a wonderful narrative when they are together in person. Full of truth, this book speaks to singleness, trusting in God’s plan for your life, and the excitement of an unknown future. I found myself highlighting a good portion of this book because it had so many profound points that spoke to my soul. As icing on the cake, this book is chock full of book and movie references to delight fandoms across all genres. Pepper Basham consistently delivers captivating stories with relatable characters, steamy yet clean romance, and a good dose of humor--- and Authentically Izzy is no exception!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. My thoughts are my own—I really did love it!

DNFing this book @40% coz I can't read it anymore😭

Ngl, I loved the first 20% that I read - it was so funny and witty, I was grinning and smiling all the time. The exchanges between the protagonists were so sweet and I was super invested in the plot. But after some time, I was just skimming through the dragged conversations.

Even though I loved the conversation style initially, it became boring pretty fast. There was just so much unnecessary information and the pages-long paragraphs...omg😓 Plus, who interacts through emails in this century? It felt really out of touch...Also, what's up with all the PS, PPS, and PPPPSSS??😩

Moreover, there is a love triangle which I don't like but there was no chemistry in any of the couples. For some time, I was captivated by Izzy-Brodie's interactions and couldn't stop laughing when Izzy wrote long-ass paragraphs telling about her life events to Brodie, a stranger😂 but it too became repetitive.

I couldn't connect with any character but liked Izzy's personality a bit coz she stood up to Josephine every time she tried to belittle her - be it about Izzy's looks, habits and whatnot, Josephine was so nosy and obnoxious that I wanted to hit her. Izzy was strong and a little mess with cheerful vibes, which I liked about her.

Brodie gave me such calm and collected vibes in all the parts I read of him but even his impact started becoming dull after some time. I have no idea about Eli because I was not interested in his story at all. Out of all the side characters, Luke is the best😌

It's not that I have not read any epistolary novels before, I have! and love the writing style but it didn't work in this one. This is a miss for me and I'm super disappointed😔 because I had high hopes. But many people have loved it, so do give it a try. Maybe, you'll like it too!...or maybe I'll pick it up again someday but for now, dnf-ing it.

Thanks to Pepper Basham, Thomas Nelson--FICTION and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on 15th Nov'22.

P.S.😉: I'm sure Pepper Basham is an incredible author and I'll read her other works but this one didn't work for me. I'm giving 2 stars✨ for the starting part that I enjoyed to the fullest.

I think I'm going to have to agree with another reader on this one.
Josephine was just being Josephine.
Yes, she did get on my nerves a lot!
Izzy was a delight and her personality was cute and all but I think the style of which this book was written I definitely couldn't get into. This was a definitely did not finish for me.
I think I tried at 3 times to finish but it just didn't connect with me.
I love Pepper's other books to the fullest however. I just finished one and I totally adored it.
I apologize Pepper. I really do but it just didn't connect. I will however still make a recommendation for others.
I will say that a few places did make me laugh though.
I did love the family bonds. And I also loved the setting of this story.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am a huge fan of Pepper Basham's stories, and this book just entrenched that fact more firmly in my mind than ever.
This is an epistolary novel, so quite different from others of her novels I've read.

The story started out a bit slowly for me at first, and it took me a bit to get into it.
But...I absolutely fell in love with Izzy. And Brodie. And their sweet, sweet relationship.
Stretching across continents, a friendship into something more...yes, this is a delightful way to grow a romance.

Reaching the end was bittersweet. I am so excited to read any sequels that may come along.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Authentically Izzy was a unique love story created using emails and text messages to share the perspectives of each character. Izzy is a avid book lover who connects her world using quotes from many books in particular the Lord of the Rings. The main male character of Brodie was so perfect and sweet. Brodie Sutherland......his accent alone will pull you in!Their relationship has so many sweet moments....and soooo many book quotes/references. This part was really fun for a fellow book lover and my TBR list has grown now! In the end, the ah-ha, leads to an oh so super sweet, ooy-gooey moment! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, light hearted romance novel. I loved it so much, I pre-ordered the physical book for when it comes out. Also, Pepper Basham, please create a book for Luke and Penelope. I loved them and want them to have their happily ever afters too. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and given freely.