***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Dear Reader, My name is Isabelle Louisa Edgewood--Izzy, for short. I live by blue-tinted mountains, where I find contentment in fresh air and books. Oh, and coffee and tea, of course. And occasionally in being accosted by the love of my family. (You'll understand my verb choice in the phrase later.) I dream of opening my own bookstore, but my life, particularly my romantic history, has not been the stuff of fairy tales. Which is probably why my pregnant, misled, matchmaking cousin--who, really, is more like my sister--signed me up for an online dating community.
The trouble is . . . it worked. I've met my book-quoting Mr. Right, and our correspondence has been almost too good to be true. But Brodie lives across an ocean. And just the other day, a perfectly nice author and professor named Eli came into the library where I work and asked me out for a coffee. I feel a rom-com movie with a foreboding disaster nipping at my heels.
But I've played it safe for a long time. Maybe it's time for me to be as brave as my favorite literary heroines. Maybe it's time to take the adventures from the page to real life. Wish me luck.
Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham is a delightful bookish romantic comedy that is mostly emails and text messages, but I found them to be well written and drew me right into the story.
Story Recap:
Izzy Edgewood wants to own a bookshop and find the love of her life. While her best friend can’t help her with the bookshop, she can help her find the love of her life by setting her up on a dating app.
She “meets” Brodie on the app, and they start to correspond and they realize they have a lot in common. But, they live thousands of miles away from each other. After months of correspondence, will they ever meet? And if they do, will they meet each other’s expectations?
My Thoughts:
I was surprised when I saw that almost the entire book was made up of emails and text messages, but once I started reading, I realized that the two main characters are both bookish people who are also good writers, and that make this epistolary style of story work for me.
Izzy is a strong bookish woman who just wants to own a bookstore and find someone to love. She’s funny and has a supportive and interfering family. And Brodie is a wonderful hero, he’s kind, with a delightful sense of humor. He also has a supportive family.
The messages and emails are not just between Izzy and Brodie but include each of their family members too. In this way, we get to meet and enjoy Izzy’s sisters and brother and Brodie’s family too. They are all such wonderful characters and I enjoyed the way they each had their own style when writing.
This is a clean romance with some religious content, but it was not overwhelming. I enjoyed the fictional country where Brodie lived and his family and bookstore.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Authentically, Izzy to anyone who enjoys clean romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Pepper Basham
I wrote my first story when I was a nine year- old, freckled-faced tomboy in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (my earlier writings wouldn’t have been considered “books”, more like short stories). Coming from a long line of oral storytellers, weaving a good yarn seemed a typical part of my life. It wasn’t until I finished college, had two children, and a full-time job before I began to study the ‘craft’ of writing (you know when I had plenty of time).
My music-director turned pastor husband took his first senior pastor position eight years ago, moved the 6 of us to Tennessee, where we added our fifth and final kid to the Basham crew. And now we’re in Asheville, NC. Yep, we love the Blue Ridge Mountains.
So…now I’m an older, freckled-faced mommy enjoying life, learning to write, and laughing often. My mom says that I must have a small bit of insanity because I don’t realize how stressed I ought to be.
I’m also a speech-language pathologist who spends her time hanging out with kids who have social communication and language difficulties! It’s a challenge and a blessing – and constantly teaches me about the importance of thinking outside the box!
My newest book, The Heart of the Mountains, brings readers into the early 20th century Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It’s a sequel to Laurel’s Dream and both are now available.
It sounds like my sort of book. I am curious about the emails and messages layout. I like a bit of that, but not too much – although it is always good for a laugh when they add emojis!
This is an interesting writing style and brings epistolary writing into the 21st century. I read the author’s bio and can’t imagine having the time or energy to do all she does.
Oh I love bookish books! I would love to own a bookstore….wouldn’t that be magical? The epistolary style must be interesting, the only other epistolary book I’ve read is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Hope you are having a nice week, Wendy!
Great review, Wendy! I’m a really big fan of epistolary style kinda books so I’m really loving the sound of this one. And the cover is also super cute! 😍
I did not realize this was an epistolary book, Wendy. Glad it worked out for you. Nice review.
I love when stories are done through emails, etc. This one is now moving higher up on my TBR because of that! Great review!
It sounds like my sort of book. I am curious about the emails and messages layout. I like a bit of that, but not too much – although it is always good for a laugh when they add emojis!
A great review!
Now I have to add this to wish list. It sounds my kind of book. Thank you for sharing this.
This sounds like a lovely read, great review 😊
This sounds like such a delight to read! And I love the emphasis on books.
Will need to check it out! Excellent review, Wendy.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. It does sound very good and the main character sounds very relatable. Excellent review!
This sounds really good!
This is an interesting writing style and brings epistolary writing into the 21st century. I read the author’s bio and can’t imagine having the time or energy to do all she does.
She’s one busy author. ! Thanks, Linda
The epistolary style of writing can be refreshing and work if done well. Sounds like a sweet romance!
It’s a very sweet romance. Thanks Rae!
Oh I love bookish books! I would love to own a bookstore….wouldn’t that be magical? The epistolary style must be interesting, the only other epistolary book I’ve read is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Hope you are having a nice week, Wendy!
Zoë
I would love to own a bookstore too. I really want to read Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I’ve seen the movie, which I really enjoyed.
Excellent review Wendy! I am reading this one now and loving it. I love Pepper’s stories!🤗📚☔💜
Excellent review Wrndy! I am reading this one now and loving it. I love Peppers stories!🤗📚☔💜
Double post and I spelled your name wrong!😥🤦♀️fat finger syndrome!🤷😂
I”m sure I do that all the time!
I love books that are written in unconventional ways. I might have to give this a try.
I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
That’s a unique way of telling the entire story, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Rae!
WE like that she wants to open a bookstore and that she has two romantic interests!
Yes! The bookstore angle was so good.
That’s such an interesting writing style and it sounds like it works for this book. Wonderful review Wendy!
Thank you, Jodie!
Great review, Wendy! I’m a really big fan of epistolary style kinda books so I’m really loving the sound of this one. And the cover is also super cute! 😍
Thank you, Stephanie! It was a cute book!
I have an ARC for this one but saw that it was better to read in book form, so I ordered it and will read it when it gets here 🙂 Lovely review, Wendy!
Yes, I bet it is better in book form. I hope you enjoy it, Cindy!
Not sure that writing style would work for my enjoyment. But I know some readers like yourself, don’t mind it at all.
It was jarring at first, but I eventually got used to it.