DNF at 30%

Pepper D. Basham's small town romance Loyally Luke centers on the relationship between Luke Edgewood, a construction worker, and Duchess of Mara Elliana St. Clare.

I was intrigued by this book after reading the synopsis, but after three chapters, I thought the characters were uninteresting.

The fact that much of the book—at least the portion I read—was devoted to texting was the first thing that threw me off. For example, each chapter would open with a scene of characters texting one another.

The fact that it was never made apparent whose point of view it was in threw me off further. Because of the texting, I would initially assume the chapter was written from Luke's point of view, but it would eventually reveal Elliana's inner monologue.

To be honest, the book is badly written, and I regret not dnf’ing way sooner, but I wanted to give it a shot.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and to the author, Pepper D. Basham, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

What a satisfying ending to a stellar series! With a unique setting in the small kingdom of Skymar, Pepper Basham once again transports readers into a romcom with the much-anticipated love story of Luke ... or is it? Delightfully adverse to all things Hallmark, Luke's inner voice is fly-off-the-page funny.

Ellie's backstory is rich and vibrant in a way not often explored in Christian fiction. I found her to be a friend. Well done! What an ending!

Y’ALL. The way I was squealing through Luke & Ellie’s story! Like, Penelope would be (and probably actually is) so proud for how Luke & Ellie’s meet-cute ended up, because the whole thing was such a Hallmark movie. It has everything, including royalty, and this is such a sweet ending to such a cute series. If snuggling up with your pet with your favorite hot drink whilst watching your favorite Hallmark or Netflix romance movie is your favorite thing to do, you’ll love “Loyally, Luke”.

"Loyally, Luke" by Pepper D. Basham falls short of expectations, earning only a 2-star rating. While the premise promises a blend of romance and comedy, the execution leaves much to be desired. The protagonist, Luke Edgewood, is a one-dimensional character relying on worn-out clichés—his resistance to love, love found in an unexpected place, and a seemingly unattainable woman.

The narrative feels forced, with the attempt to create a fairy-tale romance falling flat. The protagonist's interactions with the Grace Kelly lookalike lack genuine chemistry, making their connection unconvincing. The reliance on romantic tropes becomes predictable, robbing the story of any unique charm it might have had.

The construction of the plot feels contrived, and the inclusion of a castle-like orphanage and a secret journal does little to elevate the overall narrative. The attempt at creating a magical snow globe atmosphere comes across as forced and fails to evoke the intended emotions.

In "Loyally, Luke," Basham fails to deliver a fresh take on the romantic genre, leaving readers with a story that lacks depth, originality, and the emotional resonance expected from a romantic comedy.

If a hallmark movie and the princess diaries had a baby, it would be this book. I knew nothing about this series or author when I received this arc, so I didn’t know it had two books that precede it, but thankfully I was able to follow along even though I didn’t know the side characters and their backstories. The author uses a different writing style than I’ve ever read before where a big chunk of the books is texting dialogue between the main characters and their friends/siblings. At first I didn’t really enjoy it, but over time I actually felt that it gave the story a unique twist and also helped move the plot along. Luke’s sisters were really young and immature sounding and we don’t get to actually see them interact in person, but I liked the friend of Ellie and their text exchange and felt like it was more realistic. I liked the MMC and really appreciated his thoughts on love and relationships, as well as how he encouraged and championed the people around him.
I was not a huge fan of the plot of the book, mostly because I find the royal, fake, vaguely European country thing to be really cringy. It’s just not for me, but I think this one was at least somewhat well done.
If you’re a fan of hallmark movies and like the cheesy, super wholesome and not super angsty type of romances, I recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this book so much! The romance was so cute and the banter was top tier and I would highly recommend!

Loyally Luke

I really didn’t want the book to end. I want more of Ellie and Luke. I love all their scenes together. I loved the orphans girls and how Luke talked to them. This will be a story that will stay with me for a while.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. This book review is my own opinion.

'I'm surrounded by pixie dust and romance and no amount of Rambo quotes will help.'

I have been holding my breath for this book. Positively Penelope was my IT book of 2023 and Luke became such a staple character for me in both Authentically Izzy and Positively Penelope...so his book was at the top of my MUST READ list of 2024.

I am not disappointed.

What I love about Luke: his sarcasm (first and foremost-I love anything that will make me laugh out loud and Luke can do this at almost every phrase that comes out of his mouth). I also love his relationship with so many women: sisters, cousin and of course Ellie! I can't even count how many lines of his I highlighted throughout my initial read through. (That's right, this book has already been read more than once this year!)

Ellie is such a fun and complex character. I love her redemption path and her step back into the Royal family. It's relatable (well maybe not the royal part, for all of us commoners.) But that sometimes we take a different path in life and we can always find our way back. I also loved the meet-cute, their second meet-cute, and literally everything that followed. She is perfect for Luke. I loved that she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty and be an actual help in everything she was doing.

I loved the setting, I loved the small town charm feel, I loved the off-limits romance and Roman Holiday vibe, I loved the royals...you get the picture, right? I loved it all!

Such a joy to read. Highly recommend!!

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

Content: acknowledgement of past life indiscretions and alcohol use (no explicit details), redemption vibes, sarcasm and banter (it's all so good), a couple of religious exclamations (no OMG's), romance-kisses only.

This was a cute enemies to lovers trope book. I liked reading loyally like thank you to netgalley for the book.

4.5 🌟 rounded up to 5 for the series as a whole

Characters: 4
Connection to the book/Enjoyment: 3
Setting: 4
Plot/Overall Story: 3
Writing: 4

Every point= 0.25 stars, max per category 4 points

I just love this series from Basham! The characters are some of my favorite and the wholesome stories of growth, rich settings, cultural references, faith elements and of course clean romance. All of these stories are super sweet and fun mixed with different writing styles that I just love- emails, letters, texts. I was so excited to read Luke’s story! This one was filled with fun troupes like a meet cute, one of us is famous/royalty, forced proximity, friends to lovers, and more! I really enjoyed it! While I will say the beginning didn’t catch me right away with all the construction talk, as soon as the Ellie was really a part of the story I was hooked. I still think Authentically Izzy will reign supreme as my favorite from the series, just because I related so much to her character, but the whole series is so fun and I love that I can recommend it to teens and adults! I also am so thankful to read a Christian fiction from Thomas Nelson that actually had Christian themes in it and real mentioned of faith- this is what we want TN!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Pepper Basham for the opportunity to read this wonderful book!

Just when you think a series could not get any better, along comes Luke’s story. When grumpy standoffish Luke falls head over heels for a real life princess, you can’t help but fall in love with him and this amazing cast of characters along the way.

Poor Luke (who is a Rambo watching, flannel wearing, manly man) feels like he is stuck in a Hallmark movie of the worst kind. Then, just when he thinks it can’t get any worse…well…it does. This books was such a fun read. I would HIGHLY recommend the whole series.

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Book #3 in the Skymar series, you really will need to read book 1, Authentically Izzy, and book 2, Positively Penelope, to understand all the subtle and not subtle nuances. I will admit that Loyally Luke is my favorite because, well, Luke.


Basham continues with the same writing style (epistolary) as the first two books, so many emails and texts, however she adds a lot more face to face interaction to this one. And does it so well that the styles meld together easily.


I absolutely love this family of siblings/cousins and was so sorry to see the series end. But what an ending. A true to life princess meets a lumberjack style builder. Sparks fly. Doubts fly. You’ll need to read it to find out what happens because I was gobsmacked.


Grab a copy, settle in with your favorite beverage, and enjoy returning to Skymar.


I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Pepper Basham has done it again! This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this fun read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The way the author writes was kinda new for me, took me a while to get it. But when I finally did, the story was almost halfway done, so I couldn't really get into it.

Still, there were some things I liked. The small town setting was nice, and the whole found family idea was cute and. Also, the fun text messages at the start of each chapter were cool.

Didn't grab me right away, but if you're into cozy small-town stuff and stories about found families, you might enjoy it more than I did. Remember, these are just my thoughts. Everyone's got different tastes.

Pepper Basham's novel, "Loyally, Luke," takes readers on a delightful journey of unexpected romance and self-discovery. The story centers around Luke Edgewood, a self-proclaimed bachelor, who finds himself thrown into an unfamiliar world of love, adventure, and impossibilities. With his trademark wit and charm, Basham paints a vivid picture of Luke's journey as he navigates the complexities of romance while working on a construction project in the enchanting country of Skymar. From the very beginning, Luke makes it clear that he has no interest in romance, preferring solitude, black coffee, and flannel. However, fate has other plans as he encounters a Grace Kelly lookalike who initially irritates him but gradually sparks his interest. The twist? She is a literal princess, making any relationship between them seemingly impossible. Basham skillfully weaves a tale of forbidden love, exploring the challenges and sacrifices that come with embracing the extraordinary. As Luke and the princess, whose name is revealed as the story unfolds, collaborate on restoring a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town, readers are treated to a delightful blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and undeniable chemistry. Basham captures the essence of "forced proximity" with cleverly crafted scenes, including a small closet, a secret journal, and the forbidden allure of holding a royal in one's arms. The tension between their growing connection and the constraints of their respective positions adds depth and intrigue to the narrative. The author's writing style is engaging and laced with humor, making the story an enjoyable and immersive experience. The characters, especially Luke, are well-developed and relatable, drawing readers into their world and evoking a range of emotions. Basham's attention to detail transports readers to the enchanting landscape of Skymar, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the story. "Loyally, Luke" encompasses all the elements of a captivating romance novel, delivering a heartfelt and satisfying read. Pepper Basham skillfully combines the allure of fairy tale romance with relatable characters and a touch of magic. Readers will find themselves cheering for Luke and the princess as they navigate the complexities of love, loyalty, and the pursuit of happiness. In conclusion, "Loyally, Luke" is a charming and enchanting novel that reminds us of the power of love and the beauty of embracing the impossible. Pepper Basham's storytelling prowess shines through, offering readers an engaging and memorable reading experience. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply seeking an uplifting tale, this book is a must-read. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite flannel, and embark on a journey that will warm your heart and leave a smile on your face.

uch a cute rom com! A princess and a carpenter fall in love while working on a project together. He was very sweet with her and brought her out of her shell. I also loved Luke’s relationship with his sisters and his care for the children in the orphanage.

“But real love isn’t so much looking out for myself as it is the other person’s best. Helping them shine.”

Honestly, this book took me forever to get through and I had to force myself to finish it because I felt an obligation to. I just could not get into this at all…I know I received an uncorrected proof of this book, but boy were there spelling errors galore. The storyline itself was just not what I was expecting, and I found myself literally forcing myself to read this book just to get through it.

Thankful that I received a copy of this book, however it just was not for me.

This was a fun and light read! The content wasn't totally for me, but I can tell that it was well written and the characters were very well done. I can see why fans of this series really love Luke!

Cheesy and charming, the latest installment in the Edgewood family series is Pepper Basham at her most self-aware tropeyness. The characters are as likeable, and the ridiculous situations as funny and far-fetched, as readers would expect from Basham from her previous Edgewood books. Enemies-to-lovers isn't my favorite trope, but Basham made it work, developing Ellie and Luke as fun individually and together. My favorite part of the story was the focus on Ellie's redemption with God's help. I also enjoyed the adorable kids.

However, for my personal taste, there was too much focus on kissing and physical attraction for people who weren't even dating and might just hurt each other. I also felt that some other characters were a bit one-dimensional.

Overall though, this is an enjoyable read and just what I'd expect from Pepper Basham. I always jump at the chance to read her books because they are truly feel-good: not because they ignore the bad parts of life, but because they encourage joy and hope despite difficulties.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. I will publish this review on Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram closer to the book's publication date.

Loyally Luke is a sweet romance about a grumpy carpenter from North Carolina who travels to the country of Skymar to assist on renovating an orphanage with a woman named Ellie. The more he gets to know Ellie throughout the renovation, the more he feels like he my find love in Skymar after all. A surprising twist involving Ellie's identity makes Luke sure that they can never be together despite his feelings. I enjoyed the romance between Ellie and Luke, his banter with his sisters and some of the faith elements included in the book. The main conflict of the book felt drawn out at times, but despite that was a wholesome and enjoyable read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.