Sunday, May 10, 2026

Book recommendation: A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

 

Yeah, I actually did it. Me, a guy who is a confirmed bachelor read a rom-com. That is romantic comedy for those who don't know. 

And it was an amazing read. I laughed a lot. At one point I had just taken a bite of my lemon Outshine Bar when I laughed out loud, and choked on said bar.

Someone on social media said this book has depth. And it may sound odd to say that about a book like this, but it is true. The book is filled with hilarious zingers, one liners, and banter that is pure genius. 

And there is something towards the end of the book that tests the whole town. Not giving any spoilers, but not everything is happy in the book. But it has a great ending. 

I posted my thoughts and mini review in the fiction group that I am in, and the author thanked me, and said she saw a bumper sticker a few years ago on a guy's car that said "Real men read Austen." So maybe a guy reading this book is not that odd.

Pepper Basham is an amazing author. Her books span a few genre's, including the awesome Freddie and Grace Mysteries...which has a 5th book coming out next month: The Bachelor Spy, which I already preordered. I highly recommend her books. 

My review of A Brewed Awakening: 

"Yeah, this is a ROM-COM, and yeah, I am a guy....but man, what a great story. I laughed out loud so many times while reading it, and it was hard to put it down and go to bed...but I had actually fallen asleep after resting my head against the back of my couch.

The comedy and zingers/banter in this book is pure genius, yet as someone else said, the book has depth. I loved the characters, plot, the food and recipe descriptions, the setting. This book deserves more than 5 stars. It is 100% awesome. If you have never read one of Basham's books, this would be a great one to start with."

And I would be remiss to leave off a description of the book: 

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival? Perfect for fans of Courtney Walsh and Emma St. Clair.

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

Fall headfirst into a romance that's as sweet as scones and as lively as a pub singalong. Early readers are raving about the laugh-out-loud humor, irresistible chemistry, and swoony, kisses-only romance that makes A Brewed Awakening impossible to put down. Grab your copy today and discover a charming enemies-to-lovers story brewed with heart, humor, and small-town magic.



About the author:

Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her twentieth book, The Cairo Curse, came out in February. Next up is Positively, Penelope, the sequel to her bestselling novel, Authentically, Izzy. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram. 

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com 

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