I Liked the idea of the book but I couldn’t finish it I had to DNF halfway through
I feel like it had potential and it didn’t reach it for me

I absoultely love multi-media books... It just brings an interesting book to the next level and this book is one of my favourites so far this year. I can't wait to have the physical copy in my hands its just magical and amazing and everyone should go out and read it as soon as they can.

This was an interesting book. I have a thing for books that are what I call multi-media, where the story is told not just through the traditional means but also with texts, e-mails, etc. Izzy was fun, cute, and charming, and so was Brodie. It was delightful and cheesy. I also liked their families, the premise, the setting, and all the bookish talk. The banter was witty, heartfelt, and encouraging. I related to the main character in her love for books. I plan to check out more by this author.

Eh. The synopsis promised a fun bookish time but it feels like click-bait now. I would not recommend it, and I'm really disappointed as I was expecting it to be hilarious and relatable but yeah as I said, it's just the synopsis.

Do you think there is a clinical diagnosis for obsessive matchmaking or do we chalk it up to overeager, loving family members with too much time on their hands?

Themes and vibes:

• talk bookish to me
• quirky heroine
• family meddling and matchmaking
• not-so-secret pen pals
• Lord of the Rings
• Christian romance

Oh man. Well, this was definitely different from what I normally read. And I really liked most of it. Izzy was fun, cute and charming, and so was Brodie. I also liked their families, the premise, the setting, all the bookish talk…

As for what I didn’t like, the epistolary form had its pros and cons. There were scenes I wanted to go through with Izzy instead of being told about them in an email. Plus, the storytelling was a bit dense.

Still, I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got, and I definitely plan to check out more by this author.

If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Authentically Izzy by Pepper D. Basham in exchange for an honest review.

this book was cute!! i loved all the book quotes and references. while it was a lot of Lord Of The Rings (which i’ve never read) it also referenced some Agatha Christie which, as we all know, is a favourite of mine.

i liked Brodie and Luke, i think i probably think a lot like Luke which is why i really enjoyed his character.

the book is set between email conversations and typical book writing, the typical book style doesn’t come into play until half way through the book so i found it a bit jarring to go from consistent email format to actual storytelling without the email format.

overall, it was a really easy, pretty enjoyable read. very cute and sweet!

This book! I’d heard that it would be different from Pepper Basham’s other books, and it was. But it was fabulously different! Readers should step into this new book-world knowing that the first part is unique in how you’ll get to meet and know the characters. But what a fun way it was to do it! Pepper Basham is known for writing heart-tugging inspirational romance with characters you can’t help but root for, and that’s exactly what I found in this novel. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, and can only hope that one day I’ll get to read Luke’s story!

I simply loved this story. It was all about books and writing! I thought it was funny, sweet and well written. ❤️
It reminded me of You've Got Mail!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

If you are a millennial or younger and have never struck up a conversation with a perspective dating partner... you are lying or a diehard Luddite. Although email (rather than messenger style communications) can feel a bit blocky I enjoyed that this book opened with extended email communication and continued to have emails throughout. I like that the communication isn't exclusively between the leads but also with tertiary characters. It gives it a pretty unique pacing compared to a standard romance. I appreciate the variety a lot.

When Izzy first meets Brodie she couldn't believe it when he demostrated knowledge as a fellow bookworm. But with time they get to know to know each other a lot. The first non email/telephone in this book doesn't occur until over 50%! I dig this slow unveilling of themselves to each other. They are a perfect match.

If, like me, you rarely read outside your chosen genre of romance, you may find some Lord of The Rings references a bit above your head. The character is a 'stereotypical bookworm' happy to obsess over literally greats. It is good to read characters with a genuine bookish inclination other than Jane Austen and makes for an interesting banter style.

I do have to subtract half a star for the main character exhibiting the fear of sounding fat because she preferred books to hiking. When the characters not only aren't fat but also fear being mistaken for fat it is a bit too fatphobic for me.

Pepper Basham does it again. She’s so talented at writing in new sub-genres and this bookish epistolary contemporary romance merely reveals her talent stretches that much wider. Told through emails and text with the occasional scene set in the last third, we get to know Izzy and Brodie. Wonderfully plotted, touching, and full of the warm family dynamics which is Pepper’s signature specialty! Fans of Melissa Tagg and Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green will love Authentically Izzy.

(I was surprised by talk of the “the universe” instead of God, though, so thus the 4-star review instead of 5.)

Pepper's books have a way of making me fall in love with the characters and their stories. Her cast is always unique and genuine. There were times in this story I alternated between wanting to throttle certain characters, then give them a hug. I love Luke and Penelope. Can they have their own stories? The author speaks bookish fluently and her well-woven words touches my soul with each new story. This one is truly beautiful.

Authentically, Izzy is my first read from Pepper Basham and I am truly hooked. The characters are adorable and flesh out although we only follow them in email format. Online dating and matchmaking isnt new for romance book, but Izzy the librarian make this topic become super hilarious and fun to follow. Her monologue and chat kinda oldies and full with book literature contents (especially LoTR!). I am sure fellow bookish will understand the inner joke and found this delightful read. The romance itself is clean, cute and sweet with extra kisses.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this delightful copy. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own. Authentically, Izzy will release at 15 Nov 2022

✅️ Contemporary Romance
✅️ New Adult/YA

Introvert Izzy gets an online dating profile made for her by a family member. On there, she meets Brodie, who is also a Lord of the Rings fan (like herself). 🧙‍♂️

Cute, funny, sweet relationship. 🥰
Clean romance - few kisses 💋

*Loved all of the side characters/cousins also!

Note- Story is told through emails/texts mostly.💌

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!

I was excited to read Authentically, Izzy because of the author Pepper Basham and her history of writing humor in her romances, but finding it was written as emails made the book even a better read!
The character development of librarian Izzy and her vastly different personality cousins made the emails between them delightful monologue. The choice of conversation among them is Izzy being set up on a dating site by the no-nonsense oldest cousin and the romance that follows for her. Her love interest couldn't be better developed than Brodie, a bookshop owner from a small European Island.
I did enjoy Authentically, Izzy and recommend it as a fun romcom. My only complaint would be that I thought the story could be a little shorter and still be as delightful.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

If you are a lover of literature and books, like I am, you’ve got to read Authentically Izzy. It took me a bit to get used to reading the epistolary style, but I’m so glad I kept reading. I absolutely loved the characters. Izzy is adorable and so smart. Brodie will sweep readers off their feet. And the cousins are a hoot. Truly, if you enjoy a story with lots of book references, this is the one for you. Plus the description gave me the desire to visit Brodie’s island. Much of the story brought smiles to my face as I followed Izzy on her dating journey. If you read and enjoyed Katherine Reay’s The Printed Letter Bookshop and Of Literature and Lattes, you’ll enjoy Pepper Basham’s latest. I received a free copy of the book with no expectations. The opinions here are mine.

The family dynamics within this story were heartwarming and make the romantic storyline all the better. I enjoy when authors take the time to develop the secondary characters. The epistolary style was fun but the excessive use of post scripts caught me off guard. It also dragged some of the plot and made it a little difficult to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love Peper Bashams books, but this one was hard for me. I don't enjoy books where it's reading emails or letters to people back and forth without any break. It seemed like almost half of the book was that and I quickly lost interest.

"Authentically, Izzy" is a young adult vibe kind of book that drawns out attention quickly and get us immersed in their narrative with delight. Altough some parts of the email conversations has got me a little bit tired, The story has flew by pretty fast and with fun. An enjoyable book!

I LOVED this book! Pepper Basham is a new author to me but she immediately made me feel cozy and at home in her storytelling world. Brodie and Izzy were intertwined in her book through this stories and blossoming love, through emails and messages and notes. Their story was alive and kicking on the page and I didn't want to put it down. A true gooey rom-com that had me swooning and laughing along, I was only sad when I reached the end. Excited to explore the world of Pepper Basham and venture into the other delicious worlds she has created.

What do you want, Isabelle?

Pepper Basham brings her love for books, earnest characters, and the Blue Ridge Mountains to Authentically, Izzy. Isabelle (Izzy) Edgewood has had some harsh breakups, and she doesn’t want to repeat the experience. She wants to find romance in a shared love of books. Except her cousin Josie has other plans, signing her up for online dating and blind dates. Izzy might change her mind when two potential matches, who also love books, come into her life.

This is an epistolary novel, with the majority written as emails and texts between Izzy, Brodie, and their respective families. It does have some narrative portions in part two of the book. It is also a New Adult book, with characters in their early 30’s. Though, the tone and writing style of the story is more suited to Young Adults. With no bad language, or references to adult content. The romance is sweet and is a slow burn, as Izzy is initially cautious with her relationships. Relying on a mutual love of books for the two introverted characters to meet, and become friends online.

Pepper Basham does a wonderful job of characterizing introverted characters, without any harsh criticism. She especially works hard to call Izzy quiet, and not label her as shy. It is also a Hallmark like book, and does compare and reference hallmark stories. Brodie even reads Shakespeare love sonnets with Izzy in front of her fireplace. The descriptions of Mount Airy North Carolina, and the fictional country Skymar are lovely and picturesque. Mentions of faith are not the forefront of conversations, but Izzy gauges her dates on their book preferences. Izzy, Brodie and their families are kind, supportive, loving, and just a little bit overprotective.

This is a very sweet story of Izzy finding courage to pursue new experiences, and begin new relationships. Brodie is just as charming, and thoughtful as any book boyfriend should be. Together, they have a lot of fun bookish conversations, and a great TBR book list.