Member Reviews

*Spoiler alert*. Don't you just love a great happily-ever-after?! This one does not disappoint. Swoon-worthy flannel-wearing heroes and true princesses just can't be beat. If you're looking for a feel-good read, you've found it in Loyally, Luke. Recommended.

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Pepper Basham, need I say more? Loyally, Luke is a book for everyone, and by everyone I mean everyone. My older teens will be reading this along with all my friends. The relationship between Luke and his "sisters", is so lovely, and his interactions with other characters in the story. He melts your heart.

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"I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Wow! Another wonderful, heartwarming, love story from Pepper Basham! It was a sweet and funny and romantic fairy tale with Basham's special brand of witty banter between the siblings and friends. As with Books 1 and 2, there's a nicely incorporated atmosphere of faith in the plotlines without getting preachy or self-righteous. After I read it the first time, I went back and re-read "Authentically Izzy" and "Positively Penelope to revisit their stories. It enhanced my second read of Luke's story.

I loved it so much I've pre-ordered my own copy of the final version!

Rate G with some PG kisses.

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I’ve said this about both Authentically Izzy and Positively Penelope but I’m gonna say it again because it’s completely true for Luke’s book too— this book made me really, really happy.❤️ I’ve loved Luke’s character since I read Authentically Izzy so I’ve been looking forward to his story for a while now. Well, it was wonderful and I absolutely loved it! I’m pretty sure I didn’t stop smiling the entire time I was reading it.🥰

This book was all Luke and his personality and I was here for it! He’s the type of guy who hides how much he cares behind humor and sarcasm. He’s really sarcastic and funny but he’s also really thoughtful and kind. As an introvert and more laid-back person myself, I also find him really relatable. Oh, and he loves kids so that just makes me like him even more. Basically I just love his character so much!
Watching him fall in love with Ellie was both really entertaining and really sweet. I loved it.❤️
As for Ellie, I really liked her! She was definitely a princess worth rooting for and a wonderful match for Luke. I loved how she was striving to be a better person and move on from her past.
Their romance was both funny and sweet! Luke and Ellie’s banter was everything. From the meet-cute to the many tropes in their relationship, it was a fun ride.☺️

One of my favorite things about this series is the sibling dynamics. I just love the Edgewood siblings! As a southern girl myself, I just get them so well.🥰

I laughed out loud numerous times which doesn’t happen very often with books. I LOVED the humor! I needed a good laugh and this book gave me that. The Edgewood siblings’ group chat is one of the most entertaining and hilarious things ever, especially Luke’s sarcastic replies.😂

I love that this book not only has lighthearted and funny moments but also has deep and meaningful moments too. I love the faith content in this book, especially the parts where Luke talks about his faith. It also had a really good message about finding your identity in God which I loved.❤️

In conclusion, I loved this book! It was such a fun read with a good message. I love these characters soo much so saying goodbye is bittersweet but I know I’ll want to revisit these books in the future.🥰
If you’re a fan of rom-coms that have sibling dynamics, a meet-cute, witty banter, laugh out loud humor, an inspiring message, and the romance a princess and a common guy, I think you’ll love Loyally Luke!❤️

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

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This book is so much fun to read. I love the texts between Luke, Izzie, and Penelope. I also like the one’s between Ellie and Maeve. The dialogue between Ellie and Luke is clever too. I had to laugh at Luke’s reaction to Hallmark movies and the chimes. This is a very uplifting book and when it ended I felt better for reading it.

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I would give Loyally, Luke 10 stars if I could!! Words cannot express how much I loved this book and the rest of the series! I’m a bit sad it has come to an end.
It was all so perfect from the movie quotes, the Hallmark references to Luke and Ellie’s budding relationship.
Read Loyally, Luke. You won’t be disappointed!

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Caution; Do not read a Basham book in public unless you're prepared for others to witness reading reactions including: sighs, squeals, snort-inducing laughter, goofy grins, and tears (mostly happy).

Luke's story is everything I hoped for and more. I was smiling the entire book either from humorous banter & situations or heart melting interactions. Luke and Ellie are genuine, humble, loving, loyal, strong, and realistically flawed leads supported by friends and family who make the character depth so much richer. Ellie is the perfect match for Luke. I love them as a pair. The way their faith was shared throughout the pages knit with my soul.

This story invites you to become part of the Edgewood family as they explore new lands, adventures, relationships and friendships so true-to-life readers are fully immersed in the world and lives of the characters. I wanted to jump into the group texts with my own interjections.

So many scenes became instant favorites: the meet-cute (*chime*, sorry Luke), the closet, conversations with the children, the reveals, the first kiss, twitterpated Luke, the cabin, and so many others. My heart is full to bursting. How are any other books supposed to follow this one? I'm in a full book hangover.

The entire Skymar series is a forever favorite. There is not one book I like better than another. I cannot find the words to fully express how much I love this author or how her stories touch my heart and life. I will treasure the Skymar series and revisit them time and again.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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If you fell in love with authentically Izzy, then you will definitely fall in love with loyal Luke. humor, I couldn’t put down authentically Izzy, and I definitely cannot put down this amazing book.
#LoyalLuke #PepperBashan
Who doesn’t love a book with hilarious family members texting back-and-forth and bantering to each other.LoyallyLuke

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Pepper Basham has done it again! What a wonderful romance! I loved every minute of it. There were texts as in previous books, but that was only a minor ( but important) part! There were swoony kisses too in Luke’s story. Izzy and Penelope played parts, especially in texts. I really enjoyed reading this book! I received a free copy from NetGalley, but my review is my own opinion.

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This book comes after Authentically Izzy and Positively Penelope. It helps to read those two first, since Basham doesn’t waste any time introducing the country of Skymar or the relationships between Izzy, Luke, Penelope, Josephine and their significant others. Once again, I had a horrible time putting the book down, laughed hysterically, and ignored everything else on my to do list to finish it. I hate to say goodbye to these special characters, so Basham needs to figure out how to write more books about Skymar!

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

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I just finished reading Luke's story and I'm very, very sad.

Why am I sad?

Because the epicness of Skymar romance is over! Because now I've finished the book and I wasn't done yet! Because this is by far one of my all-time favorite series' and now it's done!

But, oh, what a finish! I soaked up every single drop of this literary beauty and I'm full to bursting with joy. Pepper Basham just has a way with contemporary romance that both curls your toes and warms your heart, all while encouraging your soul and enriching your faith.

I don't quite know how she does swoony so well while keeping the romance sweet. That's most definitely a gift, and I still say she needs to teach seminars on how to do this!

A good satisfying read, a heart that's full and a teary eyed grin that makes my face hurt? Bring it! And if I waxed poetic, gushed over imaginary characters, or seriously fangirled at all... just blame it on a Basham book!

My thanks to the publisher for an advance copy. My review is truthful and has not been solicited.

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Loyally Luke is THE perfect ending to an absolutely charming series! It had me in tears one moment and laughing out loud the next. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story, one of my most anticipated in 2024! I am basking in the joy that this book brought me, and I just want their stories to continue, is that too much to ask? This series, Authentically Izzy, Positively Penelope, and Loyally Luke is at the top of my most cherished contemporary reads.

*The sweet, funny, and supportive texts between siblings/cousins has engaged and delighted me.
*The humorous banter is just SO fun.
*The integrity of Luke, and how he quietly supports and encourages others to shine.
*How he knows and responds to his family members is a hoot.
*His love of children, especially at the orphanage is endearing
*His gruff exterior and soft heart make him irresistible. Who can resist flannel or a tux?
*Enemies to lovers, Friends to lovers, opposites attract all work in this delightful story.
*Ellie and her best friend Maeve: love the texts between them too.

Penelope and her romance tropes and Hallmark movies directed at Luke, and his responses are a riot. "Meet-cute? He growled down at his phone. Just the two words paired with the definition turned his stomach. Ridiculous. Penelope and her little powder-puff, sparkly shoes, glitter world. What did she know?"

"His welcome smile dies a slow death on his face. Before him, in a gray suit with golden hair pulled back in a familiar bun, stood Grace Kelly." "He wanted to prove Penelope wrong. He was not in some rom-com. Or worse, a Hallmark movie."

For all the fun, there is a wonderful depth to the story as well. "El, you're going to have to keep choosing to do the right thing over and over again. It's much harder to climb out of a bad reputation than to sully a good one. So just keep choosing right and let all those right choices speak for themselves."

I highly recommend Loyally Luke by Pepper Basham (and the rest of the series)!
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I plan to purchase a copy for my keeper shelf to go with the rest of this beloved series.

And down the road, I wouldn't mind a Book 4 or a Christmas novella with all my favorite characters from this series!

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Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I started off really loving this book but I am not sure it’s the books fault that I drifted off so much as it’s been me home sick and can’t focus. I am willing to read this one again later on when I feel better. So many positive reviews on Goodreads I think it’s worth checking out again. I did love the setting of the book. Small country side. Down to earth characters. Small community. I also enjoyed the style of writing. I always loved when there are text messages as part of the book.

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I've been waiting for Luke's story to come out and I was excited to read it once it did. Of the three books in the series, Luke's story was not as compelling as Authentically, Izzy or Positively, Penelope, but it did bring the series full circle. Luke's love interest was not what I expected, but the twists and turns throughout the book keep the reader engaged, and admittedly, Luke is a swoon-worthy leading man. Pepper Basham has pulled the series together and tied it up in a neat package that will entertain readers for hours. Some of her books provoke deeper thought and contemplation, but this one is pure enjoyment.

Luke is in Skymar to help with a remodel on an orphanage, as well as remodels on a couple of cabins. He is there for three months, staying through until Izzy's wedding. Then he's going back home. He meets Ellie in the airport when their coffee orders get switched and it's all downhill from there.

Ellie is trying to overcome a past that no one wants to let go. She goes to some lengths to hide her identity, but it still comes out when she least expects it. Now she has to deal with Luke finding out about her past and making corrections for the future.

As with the other books in the series, much of the plot is moved by text messages among Luke, Izzy, and Penelope. The only thing I didn't like in this book was that Penelope became a bit vapid in her interactions with Luke. Luke, overall, was unassuming and quiet, and he spent his time doing his work.

It's still a good read and is great for whiling away a few hours snuggled under a blanket with a cup of tea on the side. Four Strong Stars.

Thomas Nelson provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

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What a way to start 2024! This fairytale rom-com would make SUCH a fantastic movie. Who can I call to make this happen? Lol

I was beyond excited to return to the small European country of Skymar. Especially when the star of this book is the absolutely endearing, slightly grumpy, flannel wearing, yet completely soft-hearted LUKE! Think Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls, but even better! His sister calls it “faux grumpiness”, which I think defines it well. Luke is a lot of testosterone surrounded by a family full of females. His “grumpy” is more an amazing combo of sarcasm and quick wit. Understandably needed to keep from drowning in his surrounding sea of estrogen.

In this story we find Luke Edgewood in the village of Crieff where he’s been hired to renovate a castle to be used as an orphanage. The most adorable meet cute happens as he’s grabbing a coffee one day and literally bumps into the woman of his dreams. A “Grace Kelly” type as he describes her. Unbeknownst to him, “Grace Kelly” (Ellie) is a LITERAL princess who has been out of the royal spotlight for quite some time after several complicated and troubling years.

There’s love, there are kisses, there’s a cozy cabin and an actual royal ball! There are beautiful moments of faith, hope, forgiveness and acceptance. And of course, more of the amazingly well written back and forth texting banter between Luke and his sisters.

I love how the author simultaneously has Luke mock Hallmark movies as he is 100% living out one of his very own. It’s hilariously well done. *chimes* You’re going to adore this book and I highly recommend adding it to your May TBR.

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

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Once again, Pepper delivers an enchanting tale of heartfelt moments, hope, laughter, and the sweetest romance!

I turned positively giddy when I received my approval email from Netgalley and could NOT wait to dive in! As one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2024, falling in love with Luke & Ellie was the best way to start off my reading for the year! I read it in a day and could NOT put it down!

Starting out, I’ve said this ever since Authentically Izzy (book 1)—Luke Edgewood is a gem. A prince among men. The embodiment of a good, godly man. He’s a quiet & steady hero, my favourite kind. And the way he handles the kids—mentoring the boys & listening to emotionally overwrought little girls? So precious. ☺️ And I’ll never get over the way he interacts with his sisters. Sure he teases their lives out, but his genuine care & thoughtfulness, the way they’re able to share the hard stuff with him and how he’s a listening ear is admirable. Perfect he is not, but he’s one of the good ones. Oh yeah, and he’s practically allergic to the word “romance” and the other h-word (Hallmark, haha). 😂 So of course, he can do nothing less than fall in love with a princess.

Ellie was a dear. She’s the prodigal princess trying to repair her tattered reputation. And along the way, she rediscovers who she really is, thanks to Luke’s encouragement, as she embraces her God-given identities & leaning into His truth, instead of listening to the tabloids narrative. She’s a quiet sort of strong, and I love her for it. Her journey & development are beautiful to behold.

As a couple, Luke & Ellie are hilarious. Their meet cute? I was dying. Absolutely dying & wheezing with laughter. Their “trope list” made things all the more humorous without feeling cliché. But despite their two different worlds, their getting off on the wrong foot, the forced proximity, and Ellie’s hidden identity, they balance each so well. I swooned, which almost never happens, and was reduced to a puddle of emotions over their dynamics. 😭🤭

A few highlights worth mentioning (… basically the whole book, haha!):
✨ the Hallmark chimes 🔔
✨ adorable orphan children
✨ small village charm & tight knit community spirit
✨ the fishing pole
✨ “‘I’m just a girl. Standing in front of a boy. Asking him to—‘“ “Don’t you dare say it.” 😂

Compared to Izzy & Penelope’s stories, most of the book is told narrative-style and interspersed with text threads & emails. While I miss the epistolary style, let’s face it, Luke writes two sentences tops. So this was much more his style. 😂

With this being the last book of the series, the bittersweetness hit me in spades as I read the final “The End” and the curtain fell on the Edgewood Trio for the last time. But it was so much to see these darling characters get their happily ever afters—the cameo appearances of Penelope & Izzy & their fellows were so perfectly lovely!

This truly is one of my favourite contemporary series & one I both highly recommend and look forward to returning to again and again!! 💛


*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

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This is a delightful, charming story of Luke, a carpenter who is known to wear flannel shirts. He is also the brother of three sisters, Josephine, Penelope, and Izzy. Izzy is really his cousin; however, his family adopted her. He is close to them all, exchanging frequent text messages. Penelope is determined to turn Luke’s life into a Hallmark movie and does her best to make that happen.
Luke accepts a job in the country of Skymar to restore and modernize an orphanage for children. Upon landing, after a long flight from the United States, his first stop is at an airport coffee shop, where his order gets mixed up with a most annoying woman who smells like oranges and to him looks like Grace Kelly, the actress.
Princess Elliana St. Clare has turned her life around after a few years of a less than desirable lifestyle. She has taken on responsibilities she shirked during the three years of denouncing her position and living a wild life in the spotlight for all to see. One of her new responsibilities is being involved in the renovation of the orphanage.
Luke’s first day on the job is a surprise when he finds “Grace Kelly” is involved in the project. She introduces herself as Ellie, who has a degree in interior design. Ellie proves to be knowledgeable and helpful in the efforts to restore and modernize the orphanage. They develop an easy friendship and there is even a bit of a spark between him. Luke has no idea Ellie is Princess Elliana and she has not found the exact right time to tell him.
As the story progresses, there are delightful, witty, fun text messages exchanged between Luke, Penelope, and Izzy. The often-funny text exchanges add humor and often I had to stop reading because of laughing out loud.
This is a sweet, fun romantic story that I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

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I love Pepper Basham, and I appreciate what she's doing with this series: bring fun and frothy Christian romance to the table. But it's not really my style. Loyally Luke suffered from "singular plot syndrome." The whole story hinges on one problem that seems insurmountable. There are no other subplots or layers.

That said, her writing is always engaging, and I enjoyed the family dynamics and texts even if Penelope is ridiculous.

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An amazing book about princesses and regular guys . Luke has been asked to manage a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar . It is one of the two biggest orphanage and is very important to restore so that the kids which live there are happy and secured . Princess Ellie is the Patron of the orphanage
and she has to work with Luke . They met before at the airport and she wasn't very nice with him . Luke thinks she is working for the royal family and she is like Grace Kelly . Together they work and they develope feelings . When she revels to him about her past and who she really is Luke is shocked . They deside to remain friends so they can spent time together until he goes back to USA . Ellie is trying to change her image from three years ago and believes that her parents won't accept Luke as the man suitable for a princess , and Luke can't abandone his parents and job and live all his life as royal . What will they choose ? Will their love for each other win ?
I hope we will see Ellie siblings have their own book .
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

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

So this book, is almost as if the clean and cozy queen Sarah Adams wrote a book inspired by Hallmark movies and the Princess Diaries 2. It was sweet and enjoyable read, however I felt it was a little disjointed due to the large portion of the story that was told via text message communication. I see the point, but, as someone not a fan of this writing method, it bothered me to the point where I was glossing over the large portions of conversation, forcing myself to go back and read what was happening. That, and the repeated, in your face movie, trope and hallmark references stopped me really becoming drawn into the story. I felt like it was being shoved down my throat that this is what was supposed to be happening right then to the characters, as opposed to a natural relationship building; I don't care what you say, people don't talk like this in real life. This constant, over explanation and tell tell tell, as opposed to show, stopped me becoming fully invested.

However, having never read another of this Author's works, I appreciate what she was trying to do, in making a clean, small town romance that is easily digestable for anyone to enjoy.

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