Daphne has inherited her grandmother’s beloved tea shop, Tea Thyme, and continues the charming English theme her grandmother began. A devoted Jane Austen fan, Daphne treasures her quiet, predictable life—until a genuine Brit moves in next door and turns her world upside down.
Finn Dashwood arrives in Wisteria, North Carolina, with his six-year-old daughter, Lucy, after heartbreak and betrayal leave him searching for a fresh start. His dream is to open an authentic English pub, but the perfect location happens to be right beside Tea Thyme. Daphne is less than thrilled with the noisy neighbor and his plans, though Finn quickly notices how deeply the townsfolk—and Lucy—adore her.
When a celebrity wedding is scheduled in their cozy mountain town, Daphne and Finn find themselves competing for the coveted catering job. The rivalry escalates into a town-wide contest, with each showcasing their best dishes. The stakes are high, but so are the sparks flying between them.
Pepper Basham delivers a charming tale filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists. The endearing cast of characters will capture your heart, while the sweet romance and small-town warmth make this story impossible to put down. A Brewed Awakening is a delightful blend of wit, poignancy, and hope—a perfect read for fans of heartfelt, clean, contemporary romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is exactly the kind of feel-good, small-town romance that reminds you why her books are such comfort reads. With Basham’s signature blend of humor, heartfelt emotion, and fully lovable characters, this story feels like a warm cup of coffee shared with your best friend.

The chemistry between the leads is both sweet and sparkling, the banter is pitch-perfect, and the community around them adds a rich coziness to the entire narrative. Basham excels at creating characters who feel real: flawed, hopeful, and easy to root for. I especially loved the gentle exploration of second chances, belonging, and finding courage to open your heart again.

If you're looking for a romance that's uplifting without being saccharine, tender without losing its wit, and infused with a dash of Basham’s trademark charm, A Brewed Awakening is a must-read. Perfect for fans of small-town settings, faith-touched narratives, and stories that leave you smiling long after the last page. Highly recommended!

I receive complimentary books from various sources, including NetGalley, authors, and others. I am not required to write a positive review, and I have not received any compensation for my thoughts.

Pepper Basham writes EVERYTHING so well, and A Brewed Awakening is another winner! Sweet, romantic, with a yummy tea shop setting in a small Carolina town I'd love to live in. Plus characters you really come to care about. Loved it!

This book wrecked me. In the best possible way.
I loved it, cover to cover.
The banter between the two main characters was maybe a bit much, but what else can you expect from a Pepper Basham book?! ☺️

Sweet and spicy all around!


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

A Brewed Awakening is a very well written rom-com. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the character dynamics. This author always delivers a good read. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This is my unbiased review.

Pepper Basham has done it again! This book was completely delightful from start to finish. I loved the characters and their development and growth. The plot was well-paced and captivating. I highly recommend this clean and wholesome read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

A Brewed Awakening was so warm and easy to read and fall in love with.

I loved the tiny mountain town chaos, the bakery vs pub rivalry and the little social media posts at the start of each chapter, those were honestly my favourite part 🩷

Daphne and Finn have that soft, steady chemistry that you can’t help but loveee. The prank war, the catering drama, Lucy being adorable it all just worked together in that feel good, small town way.

I really liked this one 🤎📚🫖✨

Charming, funny, and delightful, I loved it! I want to live in Wisteria. You do not want to miss this sweet enemies-to-lovers, and opposites-attract foodie rom-com set in the perfectly endearing small town.

Anglophile Daphne Austen, owner of Tea Thyme, meets the new owner of The Green Dragon Pub, and next door neighbor British Finn Dashwood while she is practically drooling over his English car (a Cabriolet like the one her grandma used to love). "There would come a day when she'd respond like a grown-up around handsome men. This was not that day." She's less than impressed with Finn despite his car.

Oh my goodness, the start of every chapter includes local town social media posts and hashtags that are a hoot!

A Brewed Awakening is about a town full of unforgettable characters, and main characters who have been through difficult losses, an adorable six-year-old daughter Lucy, highly entertaining banter, friendly competition, and lots of great food. Everyone in town pulls together during good times and difficult times. The author has created such a great place, I wasn't kidding when I said I'd like to live here, or spend a vacation here.

I highly recommend A Brewed Awakening for lovers of satisfying romantic comedy! Author Pepper Basham writes completely entertaining and delightful stories, and this latest one is wonderful.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson via Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This was the perfect small town cozy romance I've been looking for! And yes, it did make me want to keep refilling my tea cup while enjoying it. It nails that small-town, Hallmark-movie magic without ever slipping into cheesy territory .It’s warm, funny, and full of heart in all the right ways.

Daphne and Finn have A+ banter, the kind that actually feels earned instead of forced, and their enemies-to-lovers chemistry hits that perfect sweet spot: clean, swoony, and satisfyingly slow burn romance. The small-town gossip threads and social-media posts sprinkled in? Absolutely hilarious. and the small town felt like a place I want to move to and immediately befriend every nosy neighbor.

Finn’s relationship with his daughter was gold, and Daphne was instantly lovable. This book just feels good like comfort food in romance form.

It made me smile the whole way through.

This was such a fun, creative story about a tea shop owner and a single dad who is new to town and opening his own restaurant.
The banter was not just great between the two main characters but the entire town.
It took me a little while to get used to reading the posts in the book but once I did, it quickly became one of the things I enjoyed the most in this book. It just took this from a good rom-com to a great read that has hilarious banter and so much heart. This is the first book I have read from this author but it definitely will not be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a fun, feel-good read! Their rivalry had me grinning the whole time. The banter is great, the setting feels like something out of a Hallmark movie. If you like lighthearted, clean romances with lots of humor and heart, this one’s an easy recommendation. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This one did not disappoint. Sweet, romantic, and the best setting! I love when I can relate to the characters and also when I see a story hold such a special place in my heart. This author writes such amazing stories and I am so happy to share this one with all of the people in my life

A BREWED AWAKENING by PEPPER BASHAM is best described as a “culinary rom-com”, which takes place in the friendly town of Wisteria, where Daphne Austen, lover of tea and Jane Austen, meets the very British, flirtacious and disturbingly handsome Finn Dashwood, drinker of coffee and hater of tea, who sets up his pub next dorr to her “princess tea shop”, Tea Thyme. Finn owns a cabriolet and has a delightful daughter, both of which make Daphne feel less hostile towards her infuriating competitor……..
There is depth to this story as the author gives us insight into the characters’ emotions, and also as tradegy hits the town…….
There is humour, non-stop banter, interference from the locals, competition, a gentle Chrutian message and a sense of belonging in the community, woven into a truly lovely story.
I cannot recommend this entertaining and most enjoyable read strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is a fun, cozy read that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a good cup of coffee ☕️. The story is lighthearted and full of charm, with a small-town setting that’s easy to settle into and characters that feel instantly familiar.

Pepper Basham’s humor really shines—there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments mixed with sweet, thoughtful ones. The romance is clean and slow-building, making it perfect for readers who enjoy gentle tension and lots of heart rather than high drama.

Overall, A Brewed Awakening is an easy, feel-good read that’s perfect when you want something comforting, funny, and uplifting. A great pick for cozy fiction fans and anyone who enjoys faith-filled stories with warmth and wit.

THE BANTER!!! OH THE BANTER!!!! Shout out to Netgalley for approving this book right before a snowstorm and bitt rly cold weather hit. I bundled up on my couch and devoured this book! The banter between the main characters was next level!! Hilarious, sweet, gave me some new sayings that I want to use. I may or may not have cried a few times, and I loved the faith aspect of the book. It was beautifully woven in and just what I needed to hear about trusting God. I absolutely looovveeeeedddd this book and if there isn't a next book in the series with her little brother and her BFF, I will be upset!

Delightful. Adorable. Swoon-worthy kisses and laugh-out-loud banter. I absolutely LOVE A Brewed Awakening. Finn and Daphne are joining Luke and Ellie at the top of my favorite rom-com couples. Finn and Daphne themselves are wonderful; their banter is delightful, and the enemies-to-more trope is so satisfying. The social media posts and comments at the beginning of the chapters add character and humor. I loved the clever hashtags and the fun merch the general store kept coming up with to highlight each post.

Little Lucy is just the cutest, and adds a sweet, adorable layer to the relationship between Finn and Daphne. Pepper Basham created the quintessential Southern small town, a perfect backdrop for the romance. and also the ideal cast of neighbors to support each other in good times and in crisis. The entire town comes together at the end, after a major crisis affects everyone.

I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to leave a review. This opinion is my own.

Pepper Basham has become THE voice in romantic comedy with heart and sass. In A Brewed Awakening, readers will find the perfect blend of British wit, Southern charm, and enemies-to-lover banter. They'll also find a community that comes together when everything falls apart and a love story that you wish was your own. It is a pitch-perfect page turner of romantic sweetness filled with zany joy.

I really enjoyed this read, the banter and texting is great!
Two vulnerable people end up next to one another, and both serve food! Then a clash of beverages, along with food.
The highlight is Lucy, a darling six year old, whom has had her share of life's challenges, and she is a catalyst to friendship.
The town of Wisteria, or rather the people whom live there, are so welcoming, and for a guy from England they soon make him one of their own.
This read keeps you page turner, and mostly with a smile, but we are also offered some very real danger, and wonder if the town will even survive.
I did enjoy the epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

I always look forward to reading Pepper Basham’s books, and I have to say—this one is my favorite so far. The characters are unforgettable, and the setting descriptions are wonderfully vivid. The small town of Wisteria felt exactly like a small town should: full of charm, colorful personalities, good-natured teasing, and spunky elderly wisdom. And let’s not forget the food—gosh! I felt hungry just reading about it.

Settle into your quiet reading nook with your favorite cup of tea like Daphne Austen, or a scalding cup of coffee like Finn Dashwood, and enjoy their absolutely delightful chemistry, delicious food, and witty social commentary. This book was such a joy from start to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this awesome book! My review is in no way influenced by NetGalley or the author and all thoughts contained herein are my own.

5/5 Stars!

There might be a second queen of rom-coms in my heart (so you haven't been dethroned Katherine Center, you're just sharing!) Pepper Basham writes stories of faith, hope and grit that will leave you laughing, crying and believing that the world isn't so bad. And she writes a kiss that will make your knees weak and your face flush, without once entering the bedroom. A Brewed Awakening is classic Pepper Basham.

A Brewed Awakening follows Daphne Austen, who owns a Jane Austen themed teashop and Finn Dashwood, the sexy brit who opened a British style restaurant next door. He catches her ogling his car the first time they meet and it just gets better from there. Daphne loves all things British, Finn is VERY British, and very sexy. What could go wrong? His flirt filter completely malfunctions around her and she's terrified of having her heart broken again. When his young daughter, Lucy, gets attached to Daphne, Finn has no choice but to get closer to the woman, although he too is afraid of having his (and Lucy's) heart broken again.

A prank war ensues, along with soft moments where a concert is thrown, featuring Lucy and Daphne and a lot of Disney songs. Each moment of this book will have your heart in a gooey mess, while also making you believe that true love does exist. Not everybody leaves, and sometimes love stays. And it also shows how much community means, especially when disaster strikes and a dam wall breaks, nearly wiping out the entire town.

After enduring so much loss between them, Daphne and her brother, Jack, are such kind people that you wouldn't say the world has tried to break them. We should all be more like that - leaning more on our faith than on our hurt, finding ways to let the light shine through our brokenness. I love the fact that Pepper Basham has such a soft way of leading her readers and her characters in faith, those quiet prayers we say when we're tired, or panicked or in a mess. The Lord hears them all and that's why we should never stop talking to Him.

Daphne, Lucy, Jack and Finn have my whole heart and this story captivated me in a way that few stories ever do. Nobody writes clean Christian rom-coms quite like Ms Basham!

A Brewed Awakening is perfect for people who love: prank wars between people who love each other and don't know it, perfect food pairings that are complete opposites, opposites attract, cute little girls who are tough and kind and funny, a huge crisis that brings everyone together, flirting and banter (lots of it!) and grace, love and faith. Also, see kisses that render you breathless!

Be ready to laugh, cry, gasp, chuckle, swoon, and experience other emotions as you read this book! I want to visit the town of Wisteria, have tea with Daphne, flirt with Finn, read books with Lucy, and meet all the other wonderful characters I met in Pepper Basham’s new book.

Another warning – don’t read this book when hungry! Basham should be required to include a cookbook appendix!

There’s so much more I could say about this book, but instead of reading what I think, go read the book yourself!

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

Pepper Basham turns up the heat in the kitchen and on the page in her newest book, A Brewed Awakening, a sweet, wholesome romance that’s an absolute treat for the heart. This story had me cheering for the sassy Southern, tea-loving heroine as she faces off with a savory Brit who’s equal parts tease and charm—pushing all the right buttons in this enemies-to-lovers romance that had me swooning. And yes, I fell for him too, luv. These two whip up a wonderfully balanced story filled with humor, banter, and a cast of characters I didn’t want to leave behind. Pepper infuses joy, heart, and faith into this romcom, creating a story I absolutely devoured—and one that left me eagerly awaiting whatever she serves up next.

A fun romance between two opposites set in a small Appalachian mountain town.
Contemporary romance fans will enjoy this one, full of witty banter between rival owners of eateries. The food references were droolworthy, they all sounded so good. Loved the funny 'tweets' from the community members that punctuated the story. There is a lot more going on beneath the surface of their back and forth escapades. Both main characters have had serious life experiences that they had to overcome and that continue to color their outlook on relationships. The addition of a sweet little girl brought out a tender side of both, complete with Disney princess references and songs. The plot turns a serious corner or two towards the end as a crisis brings the community together. The ending was less predictable than I'd imagined as a result and heartfelt. Definitely worth the wait.
Recommend to readers who enjoy a book with a clean romance and inspirational moments. 4.5 stars

A clever enemies to lovers romantic comedy that will draw you in on page one. Pepper Basham's prose is smooth and lyrical. I got a great sense of the setting in Wisteria, North Carolina but also the deep love for all things English. I loved the sass of the main character,Daphne, and how she broke through Finn's tough exterior. A Brewed Awakening is a delightful read you dont want to miss if you love clean rom-com.

I love Pepper Basham's books. Whenever I see that she has a new one it is on my automatic, must buy list. A Brewed Awakening is an excellent example of Pepper's down home fun style of writing. I really enjoyed the witty word play between Daphne and Finn. The opposites attract plot portrayed by a tea drinking, scone baking, girl and a coffee drinking, steak and kidney pie pub owner who both agree on Faith, family and favorite cars! And speaking of family, be careful not to have anything in your mouth when you read anything Granny D has to say, " If you'd told me handsome was comin' to town, I'd have worn my good teeth.". I have to say at this point Daphne and Finn are among my favorite Basham characters, perhaps even second only to Freddie and Grace!

So brew up your tea,Team Daphne, or coffee, Team Finn, and settle back for a rocking good time in Wisteria that ends up with the town choosing sides!

I was given a copy of A Brewed Awakening by NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Anything with Pepper Basham I will pick up and this book was so cute !
I love the title and the plot and I think others will too
It reminds me of Pride and prejudice but with coffee
I hope she makes a sequel
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for a copy

What a cute romcom of an American tea shop owner and a British pub owner. A Brewed Awakening has witty banter, rivalry, chalkboard wars, and a cute girl with a lisp. I enjoyed the social media posts, followed by comments and hashtags as well as the characters Finn and Daphne who experienced difficulties in their lives. What a fun, delightful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Everything I've ever read by Pepper Basham has been pure gold and this is no exception. What an amazing story! The main characters are written so well. I could feel the tension, the doubt, the longing, the worry. Finn's flirtation was attention-grabbing and Daphne's witty responses gave her character beyond the tea princess first impression. The secondary characters provided excellent support and quite frankly, I want Jack to have his own book. Maybe with Rosemary? But I won't be picky. I'm sending prayers that are hopefully answered in book form.

A Brewed Awakening is a delightful small town rom-com. The author does a wonderful job fleshing out two interesting characters and the dialogue was witty and engaging. I didn’t expect how she used a real life tragedy of the North Carolina flood in the plot, but it highlights the close knit community of a small town and how when faced with tragedy people come together to help one another. .

This book!! I don't think I have ever laughed so much while reading. The banter among so many of the townspeople, along with Finn and Daphne, had me rolling, especially Granny D (my favorite). The characters made this book so much fun. I want a series! If you love food, you're going to gain weight just reading the book. I dreamed of food after reading this. The story dives into emotional territory that the whole town shares. But the whole town is a family every day, cheering on and helping each other. Why would a town-altering event change anything? Love, trust, and family will tug at your heartstrings and keep you falling in love with the town, Finn, and Daphne. The humor, chemistry, and fun will have you never wanting the story to end! You outdid yourself, Pepper Basham!

Adorable rom-com. Hallmark movie meets British bake-off competition with a small-town twist. And a natural disaster at the end that had me staying up late! Pepper Basham is an auto-read author for me!

☕ A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is, quite simply, her best work to date. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book gets all the stars, and it kept me smiling the entire way through.

📖 From the very first chapter, this enemies-to-lovers rom-com delivers charm, heart, and laugh-out-loud moments 😂. Daphne Austen, with her Jane Austen devotion, tearoom traditions 🫖, and love of order, is the perfect foil to Finn Dashwood, a pub-owning Brit serving pints 🍺, rock music 🎸, and second chances. Watching these two clash was pure joy.

The setting alone deserves applause. Wisteria, North Carolina has a cozy, Gilmore Girls–style hometown vibe that makes you want to move there immediately. Add in prank wars 🤭, chalkboard battles, and an utterly delightful hashtag rivalry (#BestRomComEver 😉), and the story becomes impossible to put down.

What truly elevates this book is the heart behind it ❤️. The characters are incredibly lovable, especially Finn’s adorable daughter, and the faith elements are woven in naturally and beautifully. This is a clean romance that still sparkles with chemistry, warmth, and emotional depth.

I laughed, I smiled, and I wished it would never end. I honestly wish I could gift this book to everyone. If you love witty banter, cozy settings, heartfelt faith, and rom-com perfection, go grab a copy today. You will not regret it!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Do not read A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham when you are hungry.

Triggers: A precious little girl, mouthwatering descriptions of food and drinks, and all things British.

Daphne Austen is a small-town girl and proud of it. She owns a quaint tea shop in Wisteria, North Carolina, where she offers a lovely selection of teas and dainty treats. The shop, Tea Thyme, along with her love of all things British, was passed down to her by her grandma.

Into Wisteria strolls the epitome of all things British, Finn Dashwood. He’s tall, dark, has a smile that makes a girl’s knees weak, and an accent to match. Only, he rubs her the wrong way. He pokes fun at her tea shop and detests anything tea-related, firmly believing that his pub, with hearty English cuisine and strong coffee, is far superior. Let the battle of wits and swoon-worthy chemistry begin.

This story is full of Pepper’s delightful humor and heartwarming brand of romance. Daphne and Finn, beautifully written characters with flaws and depth, learn they’re better together. Their collaboration brings out the best in each other. The descriptions of their food creations literally made my mouth water. I would have loved to be in their kitchens as they worked out those amazing pairings. Honestly, I’m just a little sad I didn’t get to be one of their taste testers!

The cast of characters in A Brewed Awakening is a delight. Jack, Grammy D, Rosemary, and Finn’s sweet daughter, Lucy, just to name a few, are all wonderfully crafted and add so much charm and depth to the story. I truly hope this is just the first in a series of books set in Wisteria, North Carolina, because I want to spend more time in this sweet town.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pepper Basham and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A sweet and charming small-town romance. A little girl adds heart to the tale. Many interesting characters. Most of whom are known by their tweets. Fun addition. Entertaining flirtation banter. About the time I was getting bored with the food and sugary sweetness of the story it got interesting and exciting. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Another beautifully written, fun story that stands out from the crowd! Funny, romantic, reflective, and inspirational with a message of hope. Definitely worth the read. This book was provided by the author and publisher through NetGalley for me to read. The opinions expressed here are my own thoughts.

This was such a fun book. Daphne is a small town tea shop owner in love with Jane Austen and all things England. Finn is the outsider new to town, single dad, and ready to annoy the tea shop owner right next door. The banter was amazing!! The small town charm and the town social media was so fun and had me laughing several times throughout the book. I would love to make all the purchases from the general store! 5 ⭐️ read

I was given this ARC from Net Galley and Thomas Nelson fiction to read in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this story, and while I struggled a little to get into it, I was very quickly invested and swept along in the characters’ journeys 🥰

The romance was super sweet and wholesome, and really had all the swee

I loved the tea shop and neighbouring pub settings, and the rivalry between Daphne and Finn really was hilarious 😂 I also loved little Lucy, and really all of the supporting characters 💕

Pepper Basham is very quickly becoming a beloved author!