I love a good rom-com and this was no exception. I loved the food aspect. I loved the tea vs coffee debate throughout hte whole book.

Just finished my ARC of A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham** and it was such a fun read!

Small town, enemies-to-lovers, comical moments, community charm, hilarious side characters, and sweet, swoony clean tension — it all makes the perfect “blend.”

Set in a cozy Appalachian town, the story follows a passionate tea shop owner whose plans for her beloved shop are thrown into chaos when a rival businessman steps in with ideas that clash with hers at every turn. What begins as frustration and competition slowly brews into something neither of them expected.

This book honestly felt like small-town Appalachia meets Gilmore Girls. The town was full of personality, the dialogue was witty, and the side characters added so much heart and humor.

This was such a fun read — I loved every second of it. Sweet, cozy, and full of charm.

I was also blessed to receive an advanced listener copy, and the narrators were FANTASTIC at bringing this story to life — especially the funny little old ladies of the town! 🎧✨
Thank you to TNZ Fiction and NetGalley for the advance copies in exchange for an honest review!

This is a fun, witty, clean story!! I liked the characters & the plot. There are good plot twists & I liked the ending. All in all, loved the book & look forward to reading more by this author!!

I liked the witty banter & the puns and how the story played out.

The narrators did a great job & their southern accents were fun.

Thank you to the author (Pepper Basham), publisher (Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio) & Netgalley for the ARC read. All opinions are my own.

A Brewed Awakening
A hilarious, clean, enemies-to-lovers rom-com
by Pepper Basham
Narrated by Ann Marie Gideon; Christopher Ashman

I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.

Trigger warnings:
Flooding, loss of belongings, cleft palate, prosthetics

My favorite quote: “Reality ruined more daydreams than fiction ever could”

If you like Sweet Home Alabama - chances are this book is for you.

Daphne is an entirely sweet, kind southern woman. She loves her community, her friends & family, tea & baking.

Finn is a part gruff, part charming, part antagonizing former brit that flirts like it’s going out of style. He’s a great dad, a great cook, and is partial to coffee.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. The narration, characters, and plot all spoke to my soul. Definitely don’t pass this one up!

It’s funny, it’s charming, it’s romantic, and it’s movie worthy!

This was such a fun, lighthearted listen. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was full of witty banter and great chemistry, and the small-town setting added a lot of charm. The story balanced humor and romance really well, making it an easy and enjoyable audiobook to get lost in.

If you enjoy clean rom-coms with memorable characters and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this one is definitely worth picking up.

I loved this book so much!!! I felt all the feels. I was sad, I was laughing and I was in the edge of my seat. Finn was adorable. I loved the whole community and how invested they were in...everything haha.

When I find a book I enjoy, I often can’t wait to also listen to the audio version. It gives a different perspective. "A Brewed Awakening" by Pepper Basham is just that type of book. Her witty, lyrical prose on the page held so much potential to be captivating in audio.
And I wasn’t disappointed. The already well fleshed out characters became 3D as I heard the voice. It was simply delightful.
I can’t recommend "A Brewed Awakening" in book or audiobook form enough.

I absolutely loved A Brewed Awakening the author penned a witty and thoughtful slow burn romance with lots of heart. The ensemble of characters were quirky, adorable and fun. I won't spoil the communities' challenge but it will be relevant and cathartic for many. The narrators did a fantastic job in bringing the story to life!

Did Finn & Daphne just become one of my new favorite book couples???? 😍😍😍 I think so!! Sweet tea shop owner meets brooding pub owner, Pepper did the enemies to lovers so well. The witty & sarcastic banter between these two! 😆🥰… chefs kiss! 😘 This book is no spice, with all the heat! 🤭 Had me cackling at some of the comments made and grinning ear-to-ear over half the book! Closer to the end there is a serious disaster that occurs. It was devastating, but way the community comes together is beautiful. 🥹 I seriously went to bed thinking about these characters & woke up thinking about them! I want more. ☹️ Truly one of those books I didn’t want to end! An easy 5 star read & now I need to physical copy so I can annotate! 😊🩵🌟

- Creative Hashtags #️⃣
- Adorable little girl 👧🏼
- Pranks 🤪
- Foodies will love this 🍰🫖
- Handsome Brit 👨
- Found Family 🩷

Both narrators did a fantastic job!

I did receive a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction.
My review is honest and of my own opinion.

I received an advanced reader copy of A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham from NetGalley for an honest review.
This was such a charming and cozy romance! The small-town setting, witty banter, and rivals-to-romance dynamic between Daphne and Finn made this such a fun read. I loved the humor, the heart, and the sweet moments throughout the story. The town of Wisteria and its quirky characters added so much charm.
If you love cozy small-town romances with great chemistry and lots of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up!

This is rom com that is so cute! A tea shop owner, Daphne and new pub owner Finn had me laughing from the beginning, the meet-cute so unique. And from that time, they become instant enemies and the fun, witty banter begins. The banter is off the charts FANTASTIC and the social media comments at the beginning of each chapter made me laugh out loud. Finn’s daughter steals the show; she is so sweet and tender. I loved how Daphne was with her and what a great dad Finn is. I loved this story that was emotional, sweet and swoony and felt real. A must-read book to add to your TBR. I also listened to the audio, and the narrators are fabulous and bring a wonderful story to life, so great!
Thanks to NetGalley for this complimentary copy of this book, the review is my own opinion.

A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is everything I’ve come to expect from this author—swoony, sweet, clean, and filled with heart and purpose. She’s truly an auto-buy for me, and this story is a perfect example of why.

I first read the book and then revisited it through the audiobook, and I honestly appreciated it even more the second time around. The narration by Ann Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman was beautifully done, adding so much depth, charm, and personality to the story.

What stood out most to me in this listen was the strong sense of community. The small-town setting is rich and inviting, giving off cozy, familiar vibes similar to Gilmore Girls. You can truly feel the love and support woven throughout the town, especially as the characters face both joyful and difficult moments together.

There’s a lovely balance of humor and heart here. The banter between Daphne and Finn is witty and engaging, delivering that classic enemies-to-lovers tension, while the story also makes space for deeper themes like loss, resilience, and overcoming adversity—especially in light of the storm.

I also deeply appreciated Basham’s thoughtful inclusion of speech differences, like cleft palate representation. It adds a meaningful layer of authenticity and compassion, reflecting the care she put into this story—especially knowing it was written during a challenging time in her own hometown.

Overall, this is a charming, faith-filled romance that blends humor, heartache, and hope so beautifully. I highly recommend picking up the audiobook if you can it truly brings this delightful story to life.

If you are looking for a rom-com that subverts expectations and is chock full of witty banter, A Brewed Awakening is for you.
Pepper Basham plays with the tropes in this one, it is a cheeky, laugh out loud nod to the romance world.

The audiobook production features the remarkable range of the narrators. Ann-Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman tackle an impressive spectrum—from a sweet British child to a fully grown Southern man. As a listener, having two narrators really helps pack an immersion punch.

What truly stands out is how Pepper Basham creates a whole town feeling while keeping her scenes personal and largely intimate. By sprinkling social media posts throughout the narrative, she creates that nosy-neighbor, small-town vibe perfectly. It feels like you're scrolling through a real life feed in Wisteria.

Pro-Tip: I highly recommend a tandem read/listen for this one! Seeing the digital social media visuals while hearing the richly narrated Southern accents creates a level of immersion you don't want to miss.

I absolutely loved this take on this Jane Austen retelling. I had gotten a chance to listen to the book in audiobook format.

I really enjoyed the plot and characters. It was dual pov and dual narrator. which I very much enjoyed throughout this audiobook. I loved that it was an happy ending.

“His voice! Pure mocha with a drizzle of something sinful.”

Pepper Basham is the absolute queen at delivering clever one-liners that ooze with description, writing hilarious puns, and giving her characters depth and wit. Daphne and Finn are no exception and their dazzling story set in the hills of North Carolina stole my heart.

Finn, a single dad from England who is starting over, has his work cut out for him with his tea obsessed neighbor and slight rival. This small town full of quirky residents and all the hashtags had me laughing constantly, but beneath all the fun and games, this story tackles some somber moments with a storm and ensuing natural disaster, but while serious, the lighthearted vibe doesn’t become heavy.

The zings that Finn and Daphne dish out are enveloped in snappy attraction and chemistry, making this one a purely delightful read.

Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril; mild religious themes

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

A great rivals-to-lovers story that was well narrated. Daphne enjoys small town life, running her tea shop but needs to start doing more to promote her small business. Finn just moved here for a fresh start with his daughter and set ups shop right next door to Daphne and the two engage in hilarious banter throughout this book. The teasing turns to flirting turns to more. They end up teaming up for an event, but when tragedy strikes the small town in the form of a natural disaster, they get even closer by helping out their town. This makes them fall in love even more! Well written, well narrated.....a fabulous happy-ending story. Publishes: May 5th

(I received an audio-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Pepper Basham)

Everybody is sick of hearing me ask for audiobooks that compare to Courtney Walsh’s Contemporary Romances, and I have *excellent* news for these folks— I found one!
A Brewed Awakening is a super sweet, southern, small town story about a Tea Shop owner who enters a Bake-Off against the new to town British Pub Owner. She wants to hate his guts, but he’s British— and unfortunately for her, she’s been pre-programmed to obsess over all things British. He moved out of the country, to The South to start fresh with his adorable, young daughter— unfortunately for him, swearing off the female species is harder than it sound…. Especially when one is surrounded by Southern Belles. Each character, main and side, are entertaining as it gets! The banter is great, the storyline stays playful, and the characters are all quite likable! The narrators were brilliant and very fun to listen to. The accents were nailed and each character was their own!

The cheesy, clean rom-com, steeped in puns (iykyk) I didn't know I needed! Two rival neighbors, a tea shop and new local pub competing for more than just the catering opportunity that could change business forever. Listening to this audiobook put me right in the middle of Main Street of this small North Carolina town. A perfect listen on a walk, in the car, or whenever you need to escape to a small southern town to feel hospitality and hope. By the end you'll be cheering alongside the townsfolk of Wisteria for Daphne and Finn!

As usual, Pepper Basham has hit a home run. This story is so much more than just a brewing romance (see what I did there) although it's got all the flirty, romantic feels that make a rom-com worth reading. I can't recommend this book enough- I loved it. Also, if you don't want readers begging for more stories in the same venue, quit writing such believable side characters. May we have Jack's story next? Asking for a friend. Also, I totally appreciate the addition of a homeschooled kid with an FCC license and a ham radio. If I hadn't already fallen in love with this book, that would have pushed me over the edge for sure.
I went back and forth between the e-book and the audio narration by Ann Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman. CHRISTOPHER ASHMAN! His voice makes everything better. Even tea.
I received a free copy from Thomas Nelson Fiction, Thomas Nelson Audio, and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A brewed awakening was a wonderful small town, enemies/rivals to lovers, closed door romance featuring Daphne, a Wisteria native, and Finn, a single dad who recently moved to Wisteria with his young daughter. Daphne is the owner of the tea shop in Wisteria and a lover of all kinds of teas and sweet treats; while Finn is the complete opposite, a coffee lover who loves to cook savory, english dishes. The banter was great in this story, and the interaction of the main characters with each other and the other Wisteria residents was hilarious and sweet. The narrators had great pace and did an amazing job bringing this story to life.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for providing this Audio ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

While there were themes that didn't resonate with me, the book was still a delightful read. The characters are fun and witty and the banter is a real treat. The real world disaster could hit people rather hard, but it is handled tastefully from my personal perspective.

ARC/ ALC REVIEWS:

Special thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Thomas Nelson Audio, and Pepper Basham for the complimentary copies (electronic and audio) of this book. This is an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A culinary rivalry sparks between Daphne Austen (Tea Thyme) and Finnley Dashwood (The Green Dragon) when their respective food preferences clash. However, things come to a head when the two are pitted against one another for a chance to cater a high profile wedding. But when a storm sweeps through the small-town, food wars are the last thing on anyone’s mind. Will Daphne and Finnley be able to set their differences aside for the betterment of the community, or will they be each other’s undoing?

You don’t want to miss Pepper Basham’s upcoming release, A Brewed Awakening!!!

I had the privilege of both reading and listening to this book ahead of its release. While both mediums are enjoyable, I highly recommend the audiobook. Ann-Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman do a fantastic job narrating. The pair are highly skilled voice actors, as showcased by their ability to alternate between accents (American and British). As a result, they serve as an integral part of bringing Pepper’s story to life.

This book stole my heart. Most readers will be drawn to this story for all the British references and the will-they-won’t they drama/ tension. But the true gems are found in the MMC being an attentive single-father and side characters who don’t let their physical difference (cleft pallet and limb disabilities) impede their everyday life.

In addition, this story serves as a love letter to Basham’s own community. While the story is set in the fictional town of Wisteria (North Carolina), it faces a storm that closely mirrors Helena. The tropical storm, Helena, swept through North Carolina in September of 2024. Declared a major disaster, Basham witnessed her community be destroyed and eventually rebuilt. Drawing on her first-hand experience, Basham beautifully showcases the powerful impact faith and being neighborly has. After all, it is in our deepest time of need that true colors are revealed.

Be sure to read this book for:
-Enemies to More
-Opposites Attract
-Second Chances
-Forced Proximity
-Tight Knit Community
-Faith Themes

I am so excited to see more and more Christian authors emerge in the romance comedy genre. Some of the previous Christian romance novels I have read in the past were not my favorite but I thoroughly enjoyed A Brewed Awakening. I listened to this story with an advanced listening copy and both narrators did a fantastic job with their performances.

I loved the storyline, the characters and Pepper Basham even did a great job taking her readers right into a small town in North Carolina. Every character leapt off the page and I loved the dynamic of Finn as a single dad falling for the sweet little tea shop owner, Daphne. If you’re looking for a clean romance that is cozy and full of lighthearted humor then definitely check out Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham. The audio is a great option if you’re looking for something that is easy to get lost in while you’re multitasking around the house or yard.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio and Pepper Basham for an ALC of A Brewed Awakening. I enjoyed the experience.

A Brewed Awakening is such a terrific opposites attract, clean, laugh out loud, romantic comedy with a twist and a nod to Jane Austen. Pepper Basham is such a master in this genre, and her books are always a delight. I loved the setting of a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina and the vibes that come with those communities. Daphne is still grieving and growing after the death of her beloved grandma and loves all things British culture. When Finn arrives, in her dream car BTW, she is captivated. Then he opens his mouth and the banter is on. I love the involvement of all community members and all the social media hashtags and call outs. Seriously, they land perfectly and are hilarious. As Daphne and Finn learn to see beyond the public façade, there is a deep respect and admiration. I loved how they complement one another and come together when it matters. The nod to the recent hurricane and destruction in Pepper’s hometown area was a beautiful, redemptive thread all on its own, but worked well in this story.
I also had the privilege of listening to an audiobook version and found the dual narrators just delightful. The accents, pace, and personalities shown through.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

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!

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

I didn’t think I could love this book more…then came the audiobook. It was amazing! The narrators were perfect and made the characters came to life even more. I cannot recommend this book enough!

I was also given the audiobook ARC from Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for an honest review.

Oh, this one might be my new favorite from Pepper. The banter, the flirting, the rivalry??? I loved every second of it. Also, I was STARVING the entire book because everything the characters’ make sounds so good. I need a cookbook asap. This one had so much heart along with the comedy. I loved little Lucy. She was the perfect addition to the story. And this one took a turn at the end and really tugged at my heart.

This was an all around beautiful, funny, wonderful story and I want to read it again already.
The narrators were so good! I loved both of them.
#teampubandtea

*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher. My opinion is all my own.

Quintessential Basham! Which means comedy with a whole lot of heart and plenty of quirky characters to fall in love with. While Daphne and Finn are clearly the main characters, I was charmed by so many of the secondary characters as well. I mean, how can you resist someone who shares bits of wisdom like, “…about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.”?! This author’s wordsmithing is always a delight – and she’s definitely in a league of her own when it comes to a clever turn of phrase.

I really like how the ‘enemies to more’ trope is handled in ‘Brewed Awakening‘. It never gets petty or nasty — just full of comedic charm. Like the chalkboard wars. And the games are on!

Finn, our British hero (eep!!!) arrives in Wisteria with adorable daughter in tow, determined to create the very best of new beginnings for them both and that definitely does not include romance. Especially not with with the prickly girl next door…well business owner next door. Their meet-cute is both cute and a disaster and things take off from there.

Daphne may have made some snap judgements. Finn may be harbouring old hurts a little too tightly. But there’s no denying the sparks flying and their banter…well, it goes way beyond banter into something much more delectable. And it’s so much fun! I’m still grinning over some of the zingers.

As in all of Pepper Basham’s books, there’s a stirring mix of emotional depth woven throughout the story. And, honestly, I was moved to goosebumps and tears by the end. Wow, I was not expecting that!

A moving celebration of hope and new beginnings.

I listened to the audio book and I loved every second of Ann Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman’s dual narration. They captured the rom/com vibes perfectly and really did justice not only to Daphne and Finn, but to the whole diverse cast of secondary characters as well. A brilliant listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

A fun flirty food battle brings together a small town in this Jane Austen loving foodie, opposites attract romance.

Daphne Austen is surprised to find that her Jane Austen themed tea shop's new neighbor is a tea-hating British single dad, opening a pub style restaurant. Daphne is upbeat and creative, slowly working to introduce her own creations to her inherited tea shop. She is marvelous with children, and I liked the banter between her and her brother Jack, as well as her new neighbor Finn Dashwood. Finn is a hardworking single father who wants to give his young daughter a solid upbringing.

Such a fun read, with all the hilarious hashtags as part of the food battle, and grumpy-sunshine interactions. I loved how Daphne and Finn embraced the opportunity to boost their small businesses and lean into the attention as the town takes sides and stirs the fires. A lighthearted read, with a full cast of delightful characters, great interactions and a solid helping of faith.

Overall, it's a fun flirty read, with great characters and a small-town setting in the heart of Appalachia. Filled with humor, sweet moments, and witty banter, infused with a love of British literature. A satisfying upbeat rom-com, sure to bring a smile to your face!

Male and female narrators capture the emotion and perform the banter excellently.

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

This Christian romcom is full of humor, hope, faith, and love. If you want a clean, wholesome, and feel-good read - this book is for you.

If you looked in the dictionary under romcom- you’d find A Brewed Awakening. It’s one of the most comedic comedies and romantic romances I’ve ever read. 🥰

This book brings the comedy. The social media commentary between the whole town was absolutely hilarious. So many good one-liners and hashtags. The banter was incredibly clever. The humor never felt contrived or forced - it was just genuinely and consistently hilarious.

The romance- WOW! Expect intense tension and so many sparks! ⚡️ I thought the pages would catch fire. 🔥 Finn is a fantastic flirt but he is absolutely devastating when he is sincere. 🫠

And the love story was about so much more than physically attraction - it was about genuine goodness and kindness that asks nothing in return. It is about selflessness and unwavering support through the hard times.

Note: The first 90% of the book is a fun lighthearted romcom. Then a natural disaster hits and while there is still some humor (thanks Granny D) and plenty of hope, there are some staggering losses for the community.

💋 Kisses only
🚫 No profanity
❤️ Happy ending

Expect:
🩷 Rivals to friends to more
🩷 Protective single-dad with the sweetest daughter and swooniest British accent
🩷 Prank wars
🩷 Cook-off competition
🩷 A whole cast of lovable side characters

Favorite parts:
💕 Granny D’s sense of humor in the midst of danger
💕 When Daphne teaches Finn to French braid hair 🫠
💕 Ribs & focaccia - soulmates
💕 When Finn rescues Daphne’s teapot 🫖
💕 The cooking competition 🧁
💕 The hilarious custom shirts & aprons 👚👕
💕 Daphne’s obsession with Finn’s British car
💕 The whole town coming together to help each other
💕 When Daphne teaches Lucy how to discern truth about her worth (when dealing with unkind comment from others)

Is it too much to ask to get another book set in Wisteria? I need more Granny D, Rosemary, Jack, and Pastor Nate!!!

Another Rom-Com at its Best!

A brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham brings laughs, smiles and a whole lotta tea/coffee drama ;) Daphne Austen, loves all things English, so much so, that she runs her late grandmother's tea shop. Daphne puts her whole heart into keeping her grandmother's way of doing things but her beloved tea shop is "falling apart" at the seams. She starts to think, maybe, she can try and expand on flavors and bring new treats to the shop and maybe just maybe, try social media???

Finnley Dashwood new to this small town, came with his young daughter from... you guessed it, England, to start anew. But Finnley isn't your normal "Englisher", he doesn't care for tea - oh no! He loves coffee - and when he sets up a coffee pub next dorr to the tea shop.... cue the social media war.

The whole town joins in in the #teacoffeedrama #enemytolovers #teecoffeeunite
This is another read that would make for an awesome Rom-Com movie, I'd buy a ticket #makeamovie #awakemysoul #iwantmoredrama

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the audio ARC

☕️📚 Audiobook Review: A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this audiobook! A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham was such a sweet, heartfelt story that completely pulled me in from start to finish.

The narrators did an amazing job bringing the characters to life I was hooked the whole time. Finn and Daphne were so adorable together, and their chemistry felt genuine, natural, and full of those little moments that just make your heart happy.

One of my favorite things about Pepper Basham’s writing is how she creates clean romance that never feels lacking. All the emotion, tension, and depth are still there, and this story was no exception. It was full of warmth, charm, and just the right amount of swoon.

If you love feel-good romance with lovable characters and all the emotions (without the spice), this one is definitely worth a listen!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the ALC of this novel!

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Chef/Chef
Social Media Feud
Small Town
Found Family
Single Dad
Coffee vs. Tea

Oh where do I even start??? Finn is a british chef newly relocated to Wisteria, NC to open a pub with his sweet young daughter, Lucy in tow. Next door, long standing tea shop owner Daphne is not impressed. What starts as a feud turns to more as the pair competes to cater a social media influencer wedding. When disaster strikes, the whole town comes together and Finn and Daphne realize the feud was really just flirting all along.

This is a sweet, clean, feel good rom-com. The banter between Finn and Daphne, along with the addition of cute little Lucy was everything I could have imagined for a small town romance! I was NOT expecting the ending, but gosh was it TOP TIER!!! I felt a full range of emotions when listening to this book. I loved the social media breaks between chapters, so cute with the hashtags!! Narrators Ann Marie Gideon and Christopher Ashman brought Daphne and Finn to life perfectly. I hope Pepper writes more so I can read them!!

Honestly! This book was just beautiful from start to finish. Dreamy English Pub Owner and Southern Coffee Shop Owner… how could I not love this story. It was so much fun to follow along their journey! Loved it! The narrators were delightful! Great accents and the banter and communication was just so satisfying!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read! All thought and opinions are entirely my own!

This was exactly what I was expecting and what I needed to lighten my day! A sweet small town romance with a host of lovable characters. The banter was good, the slow burn was burning, and it left me craving a good cup of Earl Grey and a hearty meal. I loved the townspeople and the added touch of social media with some very clever hashtags. I was giggling and routing for Finn and Daphne the whole time. And of course, adorable Lucy. It should be noted this is a Christian romance with faith openly referenced. I felt like the author did this super well, which I really liked. The narrators did a great job and I appreciated that it was a dual narration.

Delightfully sweet romance full of all the witty banter, heart, and small town charm I've come to expect from this author.

The clever hashtags and meddling townsfolks had me laughing out loud. The way the whole town came together for the big and the small things was heartwarming.

The romance between Finn and Daphne is sweet and full of witty banter and playfulness. However, some of my favorite moments were the small and tender interactions with Finn's daughter Lucy.

I had the opportunity to listen to an ALC after reading this book. The narrators were emotive and engaging and really brought the whole quirky town to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had privilege of getting to listen to the audiobook version and the narrators were the perfect choice. It sometimes takes me a while to get used to some of them; this was not one of those times. This book was a whole lot of sweet, and a little salt. Daphne and Finn didn't get off on the right foot, and it was a few awkward meetings before the chemistry really took hold. Though the banter was there from the start. The humor was a very welcome addition to the romcom set in a little North Carolina town. It brought just enough seriousness to the story that you weren't drowning in the sweet. So, if that's the vibe you're looking for, the book more than delivers.

So much fun banter and prank-like rivalry between Finn and Daphne! I laughed out loud several times over. The townspeople's gossip social site is the best and caused me to lol most. Pepper writes so all her characters are full and you grow to love each and every one of them. I loved Lucy, Finn's 6 year old daughter.

There are no swears or alcohol and level 1 kisses only. Dual POV.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from @Netgalley and @thomasnelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I also listened to the audiobook and lived the dual narrators. English accent anyone?

“I want to do this. This life, with you, every day”
“you already have it.”
“And I plan to keep it up as long as you’ll have me. In a ‘till death do us part’ kind of way”
“I’m game for that sort of long term competition.”
“Competition? Oh good. Because I have a very specific question to ask you later this evening. I’ve already hired Lucy to look adorable, so you can’t say no.”
“What if I already say yes, with no bribery required?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”

Wow. Just wow. Pepper Basham has done it again. This was my second arc by this author and I loved this one even more than the first! If a book makes me cry it’s almost always an instant 5 star read for me. This book had so much love in a non-romantic way. There is found family, rivals, kind of enemies to lovers, single dad. So many tropes and so well executed. I was so giddy and happy while reading this. (Until I wasn’t happy anymore)

In this story you follow Daphne. Daphne is the owner of a small tea shop called “Tea Thyme” She took over this store from her grandmother. After losing both her mother and her grandmother, Daphne is struggling to keep the store afloat. She doesn’t want to change anything about the store or the menu because she doesn’t want to erase her grandmothers memory and what she built. However if things don’t change soon, the store won’t be open for much longer.

Enter the cute English guy with a cool car and a cute daughter. What could possibly go wrong? Finn moves to a small town called Wisteria with his 5 year old daughter. This is an attempt to get away from his old life and start over fresh. Hes planning on starting an English pub. Lots of renovations are needed but with the help of all the people in Wisteria, he manages to open almost a week after. Daphne is not too thrilled about Finns new restaurant cause lo and behold, they’re neighbors. Two English restaurants next to each other can only mean one thing. One competition. One winner. But who will that be?

Throughout the book every chapter starts with online posts where the people from wisteria talk to each other and Daphne and Finn mostly fight/flirt. This makes the start of the chapters really funny. The small town found family feels so homey it was so heartwarming to read about. This books brings focus to children with physical disabilities. In this case it’s speech impediment. The way the author writes about this is so beautifully done and after reading the authors note it becomes even more powerful. This is not just a romance though. There is a lot of sadness and tragedy happening and the ending was written so emotionally, I felt it so deep. I really grew to care for this characters. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio and the author of this book, Pepper Basham, for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this amazing ALC.

🎧This book was so well done. This had to have been so hard for Pepper to write as she lived through the twist in this story. I don’t want to spoil it, but I’ll say that she did a great job of showcasing the helpers.

The banter throughout was incredible, and I loved both main characters along with all the quirky and lovable supporting characters.

So much to love in this beautiful story!!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. ❤️

Finn Dashwood, British chef and coffee connoisseur, has moved to the small town of Wisteria, North Carolina, where he's opening a pub-right next to a tea shop that oozes with dainty teas and pastries. That would be all fine and dandy (and he is a bit of a dandy) if he hadn't started off on the wrong foot with the teashop owner, Daphne Austen. Sparks fly and so do the snarky comments and banter. Wisteria is soon wrapped around his little finger but will he have the same effect on Daphne?

The shenanigans of these characters had me giggling on every page! I thoroughly enjoyed Finn and Daphne's journey from the first extremely unfortunate meeting to the end. Another enjoyable read by Pepper Basham. Finn's heart is endearing. Their banter is first rate. As I said, I chuckled to myself every page.

Well done.

Pepper Basham has done it again! This audiobook was delightful from start to finish! The narration was perfection. The book is full of themes of second chances and enemies to more! The plot was well-paced and the characters were charming and witty. This is definitely one I'll read again! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This was my first book read by Pepper Basham, and I couldn't have been more impressed. I was hooked from the first chapter with the banter between Daphne and Fin. It was such an interesting setting to have an Englishman move to North Carolina, but I enjoyed every second of it. I am a sucker for opposites attract and enemies to lovers tropes, and A Brewed Awakening satisfied me completely. I loved all of the Supporting characters in this small town, especially Daphne's brother and Finn's daughter. Pepper knows how to write a kissing scene better than any other Christian author I know so far! I am excited to read the rest of Pepper Basham's contemporary romance novels.

Well, Pepper has done it again. She absolutely hit this one out of the park. Opposites attract, pranking, and swooning ensue in the midst of top-notch storytelling. The people of Wisteria are the embodiment of southern charm and sass and Daphne, Finn, and Lucy are absolute perfection. The entire story is wonderful, but I especially appreciated Pepper's inclusion of a natural disaster reminiscent of one that hit her hometown in real life. It was so special to read about the resilience of the people of Wisteria, which I know echoed the courage and determination of Pepper's neighbors and friends. This entire book is just so chock full of comfort, meaning, and all the feels. You should absolutely snag a copy as soon as it's available!

❤️All the most clever hashtags/social media posts (I absolutely loved these!)
❤️Absolute top-notch banter
❤️Electric blue Cabriolet
❤️Tea party vibes
❤️Pub fare
❤️Cleft palate/congenital limb malformation rep
❤️All the princess things!
❤️Foodie heaven (so many interestingly yummy combos!)
❤️Rosemary, Granny D, Jack, Pastor Nate, and so many other wonderful town side characters
❤️GrubWars
❤️Cook-off at the Harvest Festival
❤️All the general store merch
❤️The relationship between Daphne and Lucy
❤️The entire town's shipping of Daphne and Finn
❤️Getting through something extremely difficult together
❤️Resilience and hope
❤️Epilogue

The narrators for this one are wonderful! The only complaint I have is that the male narrator is a bit over the top with his southern accent at times. I am southern myself so I'm sure I'm being a little judgmental here...

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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 read a copy of this book first, then I listened to the audio. And, oh, the audiobook is soo wonderful! I love the narrators so much. They make the characters come to life, which draws you straight into the story. I can't even convey how much I love this book in all its forms. Can't wait to hold a physical copy next month!

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

I listened to the first 90% in audiobook and then switched to reading the ebook for the last 10%. I liked the male narrator of the audiobook, especially the voice he did for Lucy. This is a dual POV romance from a Christian publishing house. However, for those who are not or are less religious, this is a very subtle religious romance. I was 50% into the audiobook before I googled the publisher to confirm that it was a Christian publishing house. The romance is very sweet with lots of flirting and banter. The downsides of the book I thought were that the first 90% or so of the book leans hard into the less fun parts of "small town" life such as the gossip, the being in each other's business, the mean teasing, the involuntary matchmaking, etc. It's only in the last ten percent of the book that you start to experience the nicer cozier aspects of small-town life. The other downside is that each chapter is proceeded by A LOT of social media posts with dozens of hashtags. Which is probably fine in the print book but is unbelievable annoying in the audiobook version. I greatly enjoyed the ending of the book. The final 10% really knocks it out of the park.

This was a good one. I am not sorry that I read it, even if Daphne's opinion of coffee made me mad. There is room for coffee and tea in the world.

This story completely delivered. I laughed, I smiled, and then it hit me emotionally in the best way—this was everything I want in a romance.

Daphne and Finn’s dynamic was such a highlight. Their opposites-attract, rivals-to-reluctant-partners energy created the perfect mix of banter, tension, and gradual softening that made their relationship feel both fun and genuine. Watching them move from frustration to friendship to something deeper was incredibly satisfying.

Lucy absolutely stole the show. She was sweet, funny, and added so much heart to the story—every scene with her felt brighter. I also really appreciated the disability representation, which felt thoughtfully handled and added meaningful depth without ever feeling forced.

The small-town setting, the humor, the prank wars, and the emotional backstories all blended together into a story that felt cozy while still carrying real emotional weight. I listened to the audiobook as well, and the narrators truly brought the story to life—their performances added so much personality and charm to the characters.

I’m already hoping we get Jack and Nate’s stories next, because I’m not ready to leave this world yet.

✨ Spoiler Free Book Review ✨
The Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham
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I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review - and wow, what a joy this was to read!! 🫶📖

This was my third book by Pepper Basham, and I can officially say she’s in my top five favorite romance authors of all time!!!!💕 The way her humor aligns with mine is honestly unreal. I don’t think I’ve ever read an author whose sense of humor matches mine so perfectly - I was laughing out loud the entire time 😂

This story is set in a cozy small mountain town in North Carolina, and it is the definition of a happy, feel-good book ☕🌄 You’ve got a tea shop owner, a coffee-loving Englishman, and the most charming small-town community. The atmosphere is chef’s kiss 😘 cozy and wholesome 🏡✨

THE ROMANCE IS SO GOOD!!! The witty banter between the main characters is some of my favorite I’ve ever read. Their dynamic gave me total Flynn Rider and Rapunzel energy, which I absolutely adored since Tangled is one of my all-time favorites 🤭

And can we talk about the single dad trope?! 🥹 This was my first time reading it, and I am OBSESSED!!! The way Finn loves and cares for his daughter, the community, and Daphne (our tea shop owner) completely melted my heart. His daughter is the sweetest addition and brought such a fun, wholesome element to the story!!! 💕

Also, if you love food, prepare yourself because this book will make you hungry 🤤🍰 Both main characters are chefs, and the descriptions are incredible!!! Add in the small-town social media banter (which was SO fun and unique), plus little nods to things like The Lord of the Rings and Disney, and it just makes the whole reading experience even more delightful. 😍

I also highly recommend reading the author’s note either before or after the story - it adds such a meaningful layer to everything ❤️

I truly can’t say enough good things about this book. If you love cozy settings, swoony romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and tight-knit community vibes… just go read this when it comes out!!! 🫶📚

*****

⚠️ Content Considerations ⚠️
- Grief (cancer)
- Abandoned by spouse/parent
- Heavy flirting (not inappropriate)
- Natural Disaster

ALC and ARC provided by NetGalley and Thomas Nelton Fiction Audio in exchange for an honest review.

My first Pepper Basham read, and I absolutely loved it! Having the audio for an immersive read made it even better.

As for the ALC, Ann Marie Giden and Christopher Ashman are fantastic! Love how each viewpoint was voiced by that one narrator. Many times it made it better!

I fell in love with this charming town! Full of humor and fun play of words for coffee and tea lovers, it was fun to watch this food competition and romance take flight. The plot twists toward the end gave depth to this fun novel. It showed resilience, community, hope, and love in a way that left feeling cozy long after I listened.
I loved the narrators!

Absolutely adorable book filled with faith, banter, love, laughs, and small town life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this audiobook ARC!
This was such a cute book to listen to and there were so many fantastic things about this book and these characters which have my heart. This is a no spice, small town romance that has faith themes.
This was my first time reading Pepper Basham's books despite countless of them residing on my TBR to obtain and read one day! I absolutely love her way of portraying stories and will absolutely be reading more from this author!
- I loved the witty banter and the back and forth between Daphne and Finn from the very beginning and was evident through the evolution of their relationship even as it shifted into more.
- An MMC with a British accent, a single dad with an absolutely adorable little daughter and a love for bantering with a certain tea loving neighbor had me absolutely swooning!
- I loved the way that Daphne and Finn each had to realize truths about themselves and to lean on their faith.
- Lucy is so cute and precious and I loved all the interactions not only depicting such a loving single dad but also as her connection and relationship with Daphne began to strengthen and evolve.
- The side characters really helped to depict the life of small town feel both which the nosiness, the kindness, the community, and the familiarity of it all!
- Finn and Daphne had a unique and hilarious banter and battle of wits they shared with one another from the moment they met and I loved seeing how they remained true to themselves and their banter filled relationship continue to thrive even as they grew from rivals into friends and finally into lovers!
Tropes:
- Single dad, small town romance, rivals to lovers, bantering, faith themes, Sweet and clean romance, prank wars.
This book is perfect for fans of: flirty bantering, MMC with an accent, Jane Austen lovers, clean romances with faith themes, and Rom com lovers who want to laugh and swoon alongside these characters!

- I felt that the audiobook narrators helped to bring this story and these characters truly to life! I flew through this audiobook and never wanted to stop listening!
- I liked the dual narrators, the only thing that would make this book even more perfect would be to have the opposing narrator narrate the dialogue of their character when they were talking during the other character's point of view. For instance when Finn's POV was being narrated, the same male narrator would narrate all the characters including Daphne, I think it would have made it a bit more cohesive if the Female narrator would have narrated all of Daphne's dialogue even during Finn's POV. But I still loved and enjoyed the way these characters were brought to life!

A Brewed Awakening was exactly the kind of rom com I always hope for, and it delivered in all the best ways. I have such a soft spot for this genre, and this book gave me everything I wanted from a cozy, feel-good small-town romance.

I loved both of the main characters so much. Their dynamic was charming, funny, and easy to get invested in, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through. The side characters also brought so much warmth and personality to the story, which made the small-town setting feel even more inviting and full of life. Finn’s daughter was absolutely adorable and added such a sweet extra layer to the story.

I also really loved the way each chapter opened with social media posts and hashtags. It gave the book such a fun, playful touch and added even more charm to the town and its community.

I listened to the audiobook and thought both narrators did a fantastic job. The female and male narrators each brought so much personality to the characters, and they made everyone feel distinct, which made the listening experience even more enjoyable.

This was warm, charming, and full of heart and the kind of book that is perfect to cozy up with. If you love small-town rom coms with lovable characters and a comforting atmosphere, this one is definitely worth picking up when it comes out in May 2026. I received an ARC copy from Netgallery and this is my honest review.

“A Brewed Awakening”

This book was a mixture of hilarious fun and moving depth. I laughed out loud, but also cried actual tears 😂😅 It comes out on CINCO DE MAYO so that already means its cool 💃 (Publication date May 5, 2026)

Daphne owns a tea shop and loves all things proper and British. New neighbor Finn is a coffee loving pub owner from England. In this “enemies to more” romance, they prank each other, drive each other crazy and compete for a job.

What to expect:
-HILARIOUS hashtags and social media posts between the townspeople
-cleft palate awareness
-single dad
-natural disaster where the town pulls together

I so enjoyed this book! The romance was fun to watch bloom. The townspeople were so lovable- I wanted a tshirt from the general store LOL My community went through a natural disaster some years ago, so I could really relate to that part in the book. This book was a lovely mix of emotions and I enjoyed the ride! This was actually my first book by Pepper Basham, and after reading it I have already purchased 2 of her other books 😍

Thank you to Pepper Basham , Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Netgalley for an Advanced Listening Copy! All opinions are my own