A princess and a …just a regular guy? This novel wants us to fall in love with the story of a standoffish princess and a flannel wearing guy.

If mostly works. This book was cute if not a little simple. The characters and their motivations were clear and who doesn’t love a royal love story? It’s part of a series that you don’t have to read the first books, but it helps.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I would like to thank netgalley and Thomas Nelson for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely end to the trilogy.

When Luke travels to Skymar to fix up some old buildings, he's definitely not looking for romance. In fact, after two of his siblings found happily ever afters in Skymar, he's a bit leery of the place! But even that fact never prepared him for meeting the woman who could have been his match - if it weren't so impossible. Unfortunately, impossible it is, and it soon becomes clear that getting out with his heart intact will be equally impossible. Can Ellie overcome her scandalous reputation and show her people what she really is now: a mature woman ready to serve others? And when family and duty pull Ellie and Luke in opposite directions, can they find a solution that will let them be together?

If you've read previous books in the series, you'll have a fair idea what to expect, so I need only say that this is just as good and you should definitely read it. For those who haven't, you're really in for a treat. The book is full of heart but also has plenty of humour, great characters (including supporting characters), a beautiful setting, some hilarious text exchanges, and a deeply satisfying ending (oh, and get ready to read the others when you finish, because you won't be able to resist!). I've tried to analyse what I love so much about this series, but I'm having no more luck with this books than previous ones - there's something about them that makes them impossible to put down but also dangerous to read while with others (you'll laugh, guaranteed). Best of all, I think Luke has been my favourite of the siblings overall, so to finally see him get the happy ending he so much deserves is great. All in all, a great read and a great end to the series - though I'm very sorry to see it end. Highly recommended.

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

DNF @ 30% —> skim the rest.

In the beginning, I thought this was a unique story with lots of potential. However, as I read on, this book felt like a crossover between The Princess Diaries 2 and Bridgerton without having any of its own independent development.

The characters felt very flat to me. The writing did not grip or hook me.

The text messages/town gossip column at the beginning of each chapter we are the only locations in which any palpable personality was felt. I read some other reviews that said “the other two books in the series support the epistolary format being similar to You’ve Got Mail.” However, this book is being marketed as an interconnected standalone therefore, I disagree with that sentiment. Additionally, there was no development or personality outside of these parts. Finally, all of the on page comparisons to the story “being like a movie” in every other chapter were too cliché for me.

I would definitely give this author another chance if there were enough reviews from sources that I trust saying the writing is vibrant, developed, and unique.

Y'all, I have loved Pepper's series set on Skymar and I've been begging for Luke's book. Harassing. Needling. Begging shamelessly since August. I got my hands on a copy and inhaled it. I laughed outloud. Multiple times. I may have cried. Seriously! I grinned like a fool. I loved it. Go preorder it now. I enjoyed the prior two books in the series... a lot. But I adored this one. Luke is the perfect hero. Perfect. He may be my first book crush since Gilbert Blythe.

I absolutely LOVED this book, it was exactly what i needed to get out of my reading slump!! So heartfelt and sweet and I may have found my new favorite book boyfriend lol

There's a clear link between romcoms and Hallmark movies. Some novels acknowledge that in sly little winks or brief mentions. Some pretend they're not connected at all. And some - like this one - bludgeon the reader with that link at every turn, having characters discuss it and the narration draw parallels every time anything happens. Sadly this doesn't make it subversive or funny, it just points out how similar the plots are - I very nearly cringed at the scene where Luke explains the 'royalty undercover' trope to Ellie, who at the time is very much undercover! Readers should also be aware, although it didn't bother me, both characters are (undefined) religious and there are mentions of praying and reading devotionals - it's not heavy handed but I know there are readers who don't want any mention of religion at all in their reading.

Although the blurb doesn't mention it, this is the third in a connected series of novels. Events and characters from those novels are constantly mentioned without any context; I would recommend starting with those rather than this one to avoid confusion. I was able to follow the basics but I was definitely missing parts of the story.

Romcoms by their nature are predictable, but they can be well written. I found this one was not interesting to read; there were no surprises at any point. I could have predicted it, point for point, from the summary and the first chapter. The writer constantly mentioned the same points, like Luke's self-effacing nature and Ellie's orange scent - honestly, every single time they met Luke noticed the 'light orange scent that seemed to follow her around'. It's really put me off using orange scents!

I did enjoy the banter between Luke and Ellie; the author has a good hand with dialogue, keeping it light and fun. While "Loyally, Luke" may appeal to readers seeking a comforting dose of familiar romantic tropes and witty dialogue, I personally found the lack of surprises and the constant reminders of rom-com clichés to be uninteresting. But there are readers out there who are going to love this one, and I hope they find it.

LOYALLY, LUKE- Pepper Basham
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9780840716583
E-book ISBN: 9780840716729
May 14, 2024
Contemporary Romance

Scotland- Present Day

When Luke Edgewood gets off the plane in Scotland all he wants is a cup of coffee. While waiting in line to place his order, he spots an attractive woman. He stares at her. After all there is no harm in just staring. Finally placing his order and receiving it, he tastes it, only to find that it tastes like something with a floral flavor. He ordered black coffee. He mistakenly took the coffee of the woman he had been staring at. She accuses him of trying to meet her on purpose and Luke is taken aback.

Princess Elliana St. Clare is used to people trying to meet her which annoys her. When a man takes her coffee, she assumes it is a ruse to meet her, but she is too smart for him. After telling him in no uncertain terms that she is not interested, she goes on her way. Little do both know that they soon will be working together to help orphan children.

That is the start of something good in LOYALLY, LUKE. Luke is a man’s man. As a stonemason and carpenter, he considers himself a practical guy who knows he has emotions but tries not to deal with them too much. Princess Elliana, Ellie for short, has had a lot happen to her and all of it recorded in the media. After spending years acting out and getting in trouble, she is ready to take her place in her family as a working princess.

While it seems at first they have nothing in common, Luke has qualities that help Ellie navigate this new version of herself. Luke, being burned by a woman who thought to change him, is attracted to Ellie but does not see how they can be together with his life in Virginia. Part of the joy of reading LOYALLY, LUKE is figuring out how the two of them are going to get together.

A super sweet and super cute with plenty of humor, LOYALLY, LUKE is a great way to spend a few hours. Go out and grab a copy.


Avis Yarbrough

Well, this is what I get for not looking up an author beforehand (in my defense, it was not listed as such on NetGalley).

But this Jewish reviewer just read a Christian romance.

Here's your warning if you've never read Pepper Basham and just thought "oh, a cute cover" like I did: this is a Christian romance. There is a fair amount of talking about God and how God plays a role in their lives. It's not the end-all of the story, but it's definitely worth being advertised as such.

I am trying to stay objective, ignoring the Christianity talk, in this review. There were definitely some things I really liked here. The epistolary style of writing, the date scenes (the tree one was a definite winner), the clear love letter to Hallmark movies. But there were a few things that made this book fall flat to me.
1) We are told over and over again that Luke is this gruff, grumpy man, but we never see it. All we see are flannels and toxic masculinity with how much he hates any mention of "girly" things.
2) If his masculinity ever came into question, never fear: he will remind us of how much he loves Rambo or Indiana Jones. And how much Ellie was "not like other girls" for understanding his movie references to, you know, some of the best known movies of all time
3) As much as this was a love letter to Hallmark movies, if you forgot, the reminder will be shoved down your throat. I felt my eyes glazing over after the tenth mention in a chapter.
4) Skymar is just...not a well-written country? Like it just feels like Walmart Scotland but then Scotland still exists in this universe? Also, what kind of country name is Skymar? At least Disney realms have names that feel apropos. I could go off on this for a while. I loved the small-town setting, and I loved the trope of the undercover princess, but the country itself missed the mark.
5) The orphanage. It's 2024. It made my insides feel a bit gross how it was all like "oh, the poor orphans!" As if it were a scene in Annie.. But maybe this is mission trip type stuff and I just don't know that because I'm Jewish.
6) Last, but certainly not least: the snowstorm in mid-May. If the author really wanted to include that scene, a classic and mainstay of Christmas Hallmark movies, set the darn story in March. Not May.

I hope this review makes sense for those who do like Christian romances, that my rating is not just because it's not my faith. I think faith-based romance is important. I think closed-door romance is important. Especially when it's kissing only and not alluding to more! But there were a lot of flaws in this story that made me sorely disappointed.

#LoyallyLuke #NetGalley

A rebel princess trying to change, a town that hides their royalty so they can live a somewhat normal life. An American carpenter and an orphanage in need of repairs. I've been looking forward to Luke's story, his witty comebacks when texting his sister's, and his light sarcasm. Ellie was an unexpected joy. She so wants to be noticed that she is trying to dig herself out of her rebelish stage. What a fun read.

4.25/5⭐️

This is third in a sibling trilogy, and although they can be read alone, I recommend reading them in order.

Luke Edgewood has journeyed to the European island country of Skymar (fictional), where two of his sisters have met their matches, to work on a renovation project for an orphanage there. He meets Ellie St. Claire, the project manager, who unbeknownst to him, happens to be the youngest princess of the realm.

As these two are almost immediately attracted to each other and their relationship develops, it seems that their chance at happiness is doomed. She cannot abdicate her duties, he has a business and family awaiting him in the US.

I really enjoyed this story, but maybe not quite as much as its two predecessors, and honestly I’m not sure why. Luke is a one-in-a-million guy, Ellie is sweet and is working hard to restore her reputation from party girl to responsible royal, and Luke’s sisters provide loving support as well as some hilarious comic relief along the way.

Well-written and enjoyable trilogy. I recommend them all.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing the free early arc of Loyally, Luke for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This was my first experience with this family. An entertaining method of communication via text. Definitely a Hallmark movie style book with a smidgeon more fun. The movie quotes added so much, even those I was not familiar with. Delightful banter. A few heartwarming and heart stopping moments. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am so excited that we finally have a Luke book! The dynamic between Izzy, Penelope, Josephine and Luke is one of my favorite literary sibling relationships.
Luke Edgewood is a flannel-wearing small town American who makes his way to our favorite island, Skymar. After a disastrous not-so-meet-cute when he arrives at the airport, he is ready to get to work on the short-term renovation project he was hired for.
Elliana St. Claire, youngest daughter of the King and Queen of Skymar is doing her best to repair her tattered reputation and show everyone her past is well behind her. She is ready to step up as a working royal and oversee the construction project on the orphanage that is near and dear to her heart.
Getting to know more about Luke filled my heart and Ellie was a great match for him. The chemistry and banter between Luke and Ellie had me laughing and they were adorable together. I love the personal growth we see in the characters as they navigate life and their relationship. They help each other heal from their past trauma, overcome fears and encourage each other to just be who they are.
Another must read from Pepper Basham! I can’t get enough of the movie and book quotes and references in this series.

First off, if Luke Edgewood and Duchess Elliana St. Clare aka Elllie, star in a new HGTV remodeling home makeover show, I will willingly sign up for Hulu or whatever streaming services they land on. Take.My.Money
This is my first time reading Pepper Basham’s Skymar Series and the story was so well done! I do want to read her first two books in the Skymar series just to understand Luke’s sisters and get their backstory to understand their group texts (which are adorabs by the way). That’s one thing I did appreciate about the story was the sibling banter and companionship they had for one another. They were supportive and teasing in a special kind of sibling love!
The story definitely gives off Hallmark vibes and the characters even pokes jokes at it throughout the story. Yet, it wasn’t over the top with just the right amount of a sweet and thoughtful romance. Luke and Ellie are the perfect opposites attract romance trope.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Pepper Basham for allowing me to read the ARC of Loyally Luke in exchange for my honest review.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Friends to Lovers
🔔 Hallmark Chimes
🎭 Opposites Attract
🏡 Small Town
😘 Kissing Only

Princess Elliana St. Clare has lots of responsibilities and wants to prove to her parents and the people that she has grown up and is worthy of being a working royal. She meets Luke on one of her projects where he is hired to renovate an orphanage. Luke has no idea he’s friendly with a princess. She’s just Ellie to him. When he finds out she’s a royal, they agree that their relationship cannot move forward but they cannot contain the chemistry between them. One of their last days together gets caught by paparazzi and makes headlines that do not shine Ellie in a positive light. Luke, once again, shows how loyal he can be and shows up for the princess in a way no one has before. I loved the gruff American falling for a princess trope! This book was super cute and sweet!

I loved every book in the Skymar series, and this last installment is the icing on the cake! Luke and Ellie…a princess and a carpenter…are a truly endearing couple! They are literally from two different worlds, but their hearts were good and true. I loved that he brought the unexpected to her life, and that she added romance to his! All the books in this series feature texts and emails between Luke, his sisters and his cousin, and it’s been so much fun to watch those relationships, as well as their romantic relationships, evolve! I also love Skymar, this picturesque land with its colorful who characters who care about each other and their home. I’m sad to see this series end, to say goodbye to Skymar and its lovely residents! This is an uplifting book, and the whole series is sure to warm your heart.

This is the final book in a trilogy about siblings (...one might be a cousin?) who travel to the fictional country of Skymar, which is vaguely Scotland-adjacent but is its own country with its own royal family, and fall in love. Luke Edgewood heads to Skymar to help fix up some cabins and a castle/orphanage and attend his sister/cousin's wedding.

I was pleased that this book almost immediately fixed two of the things that bothered me about Positively, Penelope, the previous book in the trilogy--Luke says that he's from North Carolina, and Penelope refers to her boyfriend as Matt, not Matthias. I was quite pleased. Penelope continues to be a presence in this book via texting with Luke, and she annoyed me as much as she did in her own book. Fortunately, as I hoped, Luke himself isn't as annoying. He meets Ellie, who turns out to be Princess Elliana of Skymar. She's something like the fourth child of the king and queen, so probably won't inherit. Still, as a princess, her antics from three years before the start of the book haunt her as she tries to prove herself as a dependable, non-scandalous working member of the royal family.

Luke was definitely less annoying than Penelope, but Basham was a bit heavy-handed in portraying his manliness--raised with sisters (and a female cousin), Luke feels the need to be very masculine and doesn't want to go anywhere near girly-type movies or entertainment. When he finds himself falling for Ellie, he tries to distract himself by watching Rambo or Rocky or Mission: Impossible. Which, honestly, I don't hate as a concept. It's just that there are so many references to him thinking about "manly" movies as opposed to Hallmark-type movies that it's just way too much.

(ALSO. If you're shortening the name "Indiana Jones", you spell it Indy, not Indie. And also, there were a bunch of movies quotes in this book in such a way that even though I am very, VERY familiar with the movies, I managed to not pick up on the quotes until a character explicitly called it out.)

When it comes down to it, I think I got frustrated with this book because the characters tend to speechify with each other instead of having normal conversations. Everything is either banter or Very Deep Conversations in which people talk in ways that I don't think anyone has ever talked to each other. It's show vs. tell--Basham has the characters just say exactly what they want to convey instead of writing how people would actually talk about things. It's not that nobody would ever say any of these things; it's that they wouldn't say all of them, over and over throughout the book.

Also, talk of Ellie basically needing to be "redeemed" from her past, which honestly didn't seem THAT bad, gave me the ick.

THAT SAID. I actually really liked the plot of this! (Ditto for Positively, Penelope, now that I think about it.) She writes multiple tropes and handles them in a really good way. The conflict was totally organic and you could sympathize with pretty much everyone involved. Ellie has an Evil Ex, but he's not around much. There's some God talk in the book, but it seemed organic to the characters. I feel like Basham has a good feel for stories, but needs to work on writing characters that don't sound so clunky.

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

Loyally, Luke is supposed to be a stand-alone novel, but it references other characters and plots from Basham's other books. I was surprised this was an epistolary novel (use of emails and texts), and this style is not my reading style. Luke Edgewood goes to the fictional country of Skymar to complete a construction project and is distracted when he meets a beautiful woman who resembles Grace Kelly. Basham creates a close-proximity romance filled with humorous tropes.

I did not realize that this book was part of a series (I plan to read the rest of them) but this Rom com follows the story of Luke Edgewood MMC and Ellie St. Clare FMC.

What can I say- this story was charming and funny. The story often references Hallmark movies and HEA. Even with the references I can see how this could be one. Luke has no interest in finding romance despite pressures from his family. It's not until he has to work with Ellie whom he and her initially get off on the wrong foot - is overseeing the project that Luke is assigned to work on.

I'm not a fan of the third person POV for romance books and it took a bit to get through purely due to formatting.

If you are looking for a cute romantic comedy that has HEA then check this out!

A sweet, fun story. I wasn't sure how the text messaging would work, but it turned out to be fairly minimal in the story. The story takes place on the page. Readers meet Luke Edgewood and Elliana St. Clare. I did not read the prior books in the series, but that didn't slow down my ability to follow the characters and plot.

Themes of overcoming one's past mistakes, making difficult choices in life. Compromise.

[One note--The blurb threw me off-- as it's written in first person, but the story is in third (my preference).]