AUTHENTICALLY IZZY delighted this bibliophile, and I could not put it down. It is not a romping romance novel for those not schooled in the classics. The literary references were many: Lord of the Rings, Atticus Finch, Jane Eyre, Jane Austin, and others. Quirky, funny Izzy, the main character, begins a long-distance relationship with Brodie, the two having connected through an online matchmaking site. Izzy’s home is deep in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and Brodie lives on an island near Scotland. (Audiobook lovers, I bet his accent would make us swoon.) And his family owns a bookstore. Is he perfect, or what? Izzy is a librarian, so this suitor has all the boxes checked. Does Izzy take the leap? And what about the other guy she’s meeting for dinner?

Pepper Basham is a talented writer. Her descriptions are full and clear, and her word usage is extraordinary. I love her writing style and cannot wait to read her other books.This story is told through texts and emails to Brodie and family members. While I loved the story, the format slowed me down as I had to check the sender and then the recipient on each email or text exchange. AUTHENTICALLY IZZY is a delightfully clever and engaging story.

It was a very cute read and I enjoyed it a lot! The characters were very likable and I related to the main character, Izzy a lot.

I’ve never been a fan of the epistolary format, but because this novel is written by one of my favorite authors I thought I’d give it a shot. Sadly, I put down the book knowing this format is definitely not for me.

From the moment I started reading I found myself fighting to connect, and found myself often skimming rather than reading. I think if a small part of the narrative would’ve been correspondence I believe that would’ve given the reader a chance to connect on that deeper level with the characters, and thus feel more vested in the story. Sadly, I never reached that point.

I really did want to love this story, but every time I picked it up I felt like it was a chore. The characters are endearing, and I can see why the author chose this writing style, but it is definitely not for me, especially with this type of correspondence being quite dated, in my opinion. I tried to think back to a time when I had such correspondence with anyone like this by email and remembered a friend in Canada whom I used to write to way back in 2016. It’s sad really, but texting is so much easier these days.

This is a very clean and wholesome read, and the cover is so stinking cute that I couldn’t help but be curious. I will say, there were some charming parts, and a few lines that made me chuckle, but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested. I craved to find a connection, especially having loved all of Pepper Basham’s books that I’ve read in the past, but I feel like this writing style was just too out of my comfort zone. Pair that with the overall disconnect that I felt, and it made for a tough read that was lackluster, at best. I also have to say that all of the Lord of the Rings reference eluded me, as I am not really a LOTR fan, but for fans of the beloved series I think you’ll find kindred spirits within these pages.

I really do think the premise is endearing but the execution was left wanting, at least for me.

I loved this new book by Pepper Basham. It is cute, relevant and so fun to read, which isn’t surprising since all her books are thoughtful and sweet.
I enjoyed the format of email/text conversations, it had me flying through the pages. Also, the relationship between Izzy and her cousins is heartwarming, and the development between her an Brodie is perfect. With all the references to other books, especially Tolkien, it hits home as a fellow bookworm.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page, and will be recommending this book to everyone.

I want to start this review by saying that I adore Izzy and I feel I am Izzy, from the way she sees the world to the way she lives in her books.

Though I adored the format of the emails and texts going back and forth between Izzy, her family and her new love interest, I needed the real life style writing to start a lot earlier. It was solely emails until just over half way. I understand we needed this format for the long distance aspect but I wanted to be in on the phone calls and not just hear about them in an email.

I adored Brodie and gosh if I could only find my own Brodie. A bookish man with a heart of gold who is perfect for our FMC.

Luke was also an unsung hero. The way he pretended not to care as any big brother likely would, but was always there when needed and always said the right thing was wonderful.

I couldn't put this down and I just adored the quick witty writing of this author and I definitely need to check out more of their work.

If you fancy a bookish romantic comedy, you really need to check this out!

A sweet nerdy romcom, but have to be honest…after a promising start I wanted to quit reading. The book for most part consists of e-mails and texts and unfortunately the epistolary writing style turns out not to be my cup of tea. But if you don’t mind that writing style and then you should definitely join Izzy on her quest to find Prince Charming.

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

I like epistolary novels, so I enjoyed the email/text format. The switch from email to narration 60% of the way through the book was jarring, though. Also, while the correspondence between Izzy and Brodie is cute, the language feels overly flowery, like it belongs more in a historical/period romance than a contemporary one. This style continues when Izzy emails her cousins (one of whom lives in the same town as her?), who annoyed me at times--the sarcastic Luke is the soothing balm that kept me reading.

It's a cute read, but the idiosyncrasies put me off.

The family dynamics and the romance between Izzy and Brodie made this book quite a charming read. I loved the unique writing style and thought Izzy was hilarious. The book references were fun, the plot is well developed, especially considering that writing style: communications between the characters feel completely authentic, like real e-mails and text messages rather than constant info dumping. An awful lot of faith is embraced in this novel though.

Filled with her signature wit and humor, Pepper Basham’s newest book, Authentically, Izzy, is a delightful romantic comedy told mostly through emails and texts. Populated with realistic, endearing characters this story stars two bookish introverts who meet on an online dating site. With Isabelle Edgewood in the heart of small-town Appalachia and Brodie Sutherland living on an island across the Atlantic Ocean, it seems an insurmountable problem when they find they’d like to be more than friends. I enjoyed seeing how Basham brought out the different personalities of the main characters and their family members through their emails.

The characters are well-drawn and fun, the writing is engaging, and the humor tickled my funny bone. Sprinkled with lots of bookish quotes and references, book lovers will find much to enjoy. Themes of overcoming insecurity, taking chances, and love of family add depth to the tale. Basham shows once again that she can tackle many different genres with aplomb.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Authentically, Izzy is an epistolary novel, one of only two or three that I have read. I must admit, it is not my favorite book structure, but it worked for this fun, contemporary novel. The book is largely made up of digital communication between Izzy, her cousins, and a book-loving guy she met through an online dating site. While this grandma of four didn't relate to many things in this story of contemporary dating, I could relate to the love of books, reading them and sharing them. I also related to the importance of being true to oneself, and the wonder of falling in love. Pepper Basham infuses this story with a lot of humor, largely in the banter between siblings and cousins.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Authentically, Izzy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a lighthearted love story. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Thank you to the author, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review (coming late because COVID finally got me).

Book nerds and an epistolary novel - completely my jam. Yes, it was unrealistic and there was too much Christian content for my taste (I overlooked the publisher, and it wasn't marked as Christian romance on NetGalley) - but it was witty, fun and sweet. Overall a fun read, and I loved the message that staying true to oneself is the way to go - even if those around you may not always get you.

Authentically, Izzy is an epistolary novel that brings you two adorably awkward people who find each other thanks to some matchmaking schemes of Izzy's cousin. There were some great lol moments, swoony moments, tons of bookish quotes, adorable pets, and a cast of characters that were a great representation of family imo. Though this is different than other Pepper Basham novels, it still has her voice throughout the pages. You'll get a love of Appalachia, Blue Ridge mountains, and international countries. In fact, that country may be a chain of islands complete with a set of royals. The imagery was vivid and made me wish the places were real.
Another great Basham novel for readers.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

I am such a sucker for romances that include books and this one did it perfectly! Authentically, Izzy is such a lovely and heartwarming read and I absolutely adored the epistolary form. It was so much fun to get to know these characters through E-Mails and texts and it was just so, so funny. This definitely wasn't the last Pepper Basham book I've read.

Thirty year old Izzy Edgewood is a librarian with meddling and fun loving cousins/siblings, when of them signed her up on a dating site. She gets to know Brodie Sutherland who lives on the other side of the ocean, on a whole different continent and what ensues is a slow burn relationship of mega cuteness proportions!

Ok ok, so I actually loved this. As a whole, it's so adorable and the MCs were so lovable. Brodie is just the sweetest of cuppiecakes ok! I grinned and giggled and sheepishly smiled... a lot. I loved how it was very very bookish, with a lot of book references of many genres and authors (for you Austen and Bronte and Tokien fans) and citing quotes and even including trivias. I loved how quirky Izzy is and unapologetically herself. Like i said, i loved Brodie. Enough said. Hee.

But i didn't like the love triangle that was thrown in. It was a little unnecessary alongside the other problem factor to their relationship buildup. I enjoyed the epistolary way of writing at first. It was unique to have a story told through emails and SMSes. But it got a little too much for me. It went on for much too much, it got tiring. To read mails and messages from so many characters and actually keeping track of what written by whom. Eventhough i know it was like somewhat a crux to the storyline. That affected my fun a little. Cause let me tell you this book was fun. It got to regular prose somewhere in the last paets and all was right in the world again. This was a good blend of romantic. And sweet. And adorable. *looong siiigh* I was just a weeeee bit put off by the extensive run in emails and smses.

I think if you loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you would definitely love this. If you are a hopeless romantic, you'd so love this too. Have i said i loved Brodie?!

We meet Izzy when her meddling cousin, Josephine sets her up on an online dating site. But shockingly, she instantly connects with a fellow Hobbit lover named Brodie. We see their long-distance relationship develop through messages back and forth, as Izzy is in the UK and Brodie lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Is Izzy brave enough to face her fears and fly across the world to meet who could be the one?

First, Authentically, Izzy is primarily an epistolatory novel told through emails. It took me a little while to get into both the format and the book as it was definitely a slow-burn romance between the pair. But the relationship build-up was enjoyable, as were the meddling family dynamics.

If you're looking for a heartwarming and unique closed-door romance, I think you'd enjoy Authentically, Izzy.

An absolutely wonderful book! It is full of being yourself, even when literally everyone around you is saying to be someone else. Don't be ashamed of who you are! This book is full of amazing quotes and book references that will keep you happy until the very end! The romance is so so sweet. I couldn't have asked for a better book!

I absolutely love Basham's writing, and once again, am in love with another set of her characters. This is such a sweet story, with humor, randomness, and romance all mixed together, which makes it lovely.

I saw a three star review that described Authentically, Izzy as clean, sweet, and reality free. It absolutely is, and that's why I unashamedly give this book 5 stars. As a North Carolina native, I love that the book is partially set in NC. The book is also available in audio with two narrators, and despite having read the book, I immediately checked out the audio book out on book launch day, and am already 1/3 way through. I love the book even more the second time around.

Authentically, Izzy is written in epistolary format, as a series of emails and texts, with a little extra thrown in. I wasn't sure how I'd like this style, but having read another epistolary I enjoyed, and knowing I adore Pepper Basham's books, I didn't hesitate to joint the launch team when given the opportunity. Well, I'm so thankful I was given that opportunity to read an ARC, and I'm absolutely not required to give a positive review - all this love and excitement for this book are all my own.

This book took me foreverrrrr to read. Forever for me is 5 days 😂.

Here’s the thing, the premise for this book is adorable, and I applaud the author for trying something different with the format being mostly emails and texts.

The problem is the format did NOT work for this book. Izzy is writing long drawn out emails to her cousins, one of which lives in the same location as her, the second MOVES to the same location as her shortly after the book starts I think, and the third is off at college. But also they’re texting? Why have long drawn out emails if you’re going to text? And then sometimes they’re like emailing and start off with “during our conversation yesterday…” if you JUST talked in person why are you now emailing when texting exists? And why do you sound like too proper grandparents when they’re all 30 and under?! It just didn’t work.

Now the emails between Izzy and Brodie? Okay, long romantic emails for long distance relationships are cute. But having JUST the emails for the first 60% of the novel was really hard, the story didn’t feel like it was going anywhere, the emails were written in very old-style formal language like how people talked before email, like back when it was parchment and ink and quills and letters took days to get to someone.

If this had been set in a different time period, or if it was only when communication was happening with Izzy and Brodie? Okay, sure. But I ended up just skimming a lot of this until near the end when narration picked up.

Also there’s like no conflict until 93% in and it’s resolved SO fast. And then everything is just fine.

For me, this was a TOUGH read. But if you want to try out something new when it comes to the format of your romance novel, feel free to pick this one up. It’s very slow burn, no spice, heart eyes fluffy romance. (There’s nothing wrong with that, I’m just letting you know!)

Izzy Edgewood is a self-proclaimed introvert who is fond of all things bookish. While she enjoys her job at the local library, she dreams of opening her own bookstore. Only, it seems some of her family members have their own ideas for her future. And then there’s her cousin Josephine who is determined to find her a boy friend Toward this end, Josephine creates a profile for Izzy on the online dating site Heart to Heart. Despite Izzy’s initial frustration at her cousin’s antics, it may be the best thing that ever happened to her.

Brodie Sutherland was born and raised on the remote Skymar Islands.. Given it’s out of the way location and quaint old world charm, the younger generations have flocked to bigger and better places. Hoping to bring new residents to the islands, the government has offered a stipend to those residents who bring a new spouse or resident employee to the island. Brodie’s family could use the stipend to help prop up the family book business, as it has been sliding for the last few years. And so, Brodie puts himself out there on the on line dating site, Heart to Heart. He never expected he would truly meet someone like Izzy, someone who loves, honors and appreciates books and literature as much as he does.

This is a story of growth and self actualization. Written in three parts, the first two consisting primarily of texts and emails between Izzy and her cousins, Luke, Penelope and Josephine,,between Izzy and Brodie, and between Brodie, his mother, his brother Anders and his cousin Brynna. Though initially I wasn’t sure how I felt about the format, The further I read, the more I realized that the texts and emails provided great insight into the characters personalities. They also provided a great way for the author to examine both the pros and perceived cons of the relationship as Josephine plays the motherly foil to Izzy’s dreams and Anders is the pessimistic foil to Brodie’s always optimistic attitude. Seeing both sides of the story brings the reader closer to Izzy as she struggles with letting go of her insecurities and taking the biggest chance of her life.

Be aware that there are lots of bookish references and quotes scattered throughout the story. If the reader doesn't have a passing familiarity with some of the stories, the references may not mean as much, though context will lend clues to their meaning. All the pieces combine to create an enchanting story that left me with with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart.

DNF'd at 20%

I appreciate the review copy but due to my own error I did not realize this was not my kind of novel. I was not a fan of the over use of quotations, the way the story was told got boring so fast.

I wanted to love this and see how authentically me it was but it was not a fit.