I have to start by saying two things; I'm not generally into royal fiction and I absolutely loved the first two books in the series because they were largely epistolary novels. So this one was different, for me, from the other two because you got less of the "sibling" banter that I loved from the first two books. Having said that, I did love finishing out the series with Luke and Ellie's story. The scene in the kitchen was my favorite and I loved the historical elements especially (history major here!)
All in all I enjoyed this book and I'm glad to have spent more time in Skymar, which I really wish was a real place I could visit someday!

I would rate this book 5 stars. Loyally Luke is a must read for lovers of romance and fairytales.
Luke and Ellie had a heartwarming relationship. I love the setting of the book. Basham did a wonderful job at making you feel like you were there in Skylar and part of the story.
Overall this is a very enjoyable book I would definitely recommend it.

Oh, Luke. This is just the perfect way to wrap up the Skymar series, with the rugged exterior and warm and gooey interior of Luke finally taking center stage! We knew it was going to take a special woman to break through his shell, but a real live honest to goodness princess? That is comic gold. From their first rendezvous in the broom closet to helping Ellie check off a list of things she’s never done Luke is chivalrous, mostly kind (in a very blunt Luke-ish sort of way) and he discovers that this woman he’s very attracted to happens to actually be the Princess. They’re the perfect foil for each other—he is the grumpy to her sunshine, the down to her up, the left to her right. Their relationship as it grew was so lovely to watch, and it was especially fun to revisit characters we met in previous Skymar books. Even though this book didn’t hinge as heavily on epistolary factors as previous books (if they did, we’d be looking at a novella at best…Luke is a man of few words!) it flowed effortlessly from a hidden identity trope to a blossoming relationship that I personally adored. The audiobook is everything, and I cannot highly recommend this book enough! I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Loyally, Luke is the third book in the Skymar Christian contemporary fiction series by Pepper Basham. For the richest reading experience, I recommend reading the first two books before this one, where you will meet, befriend, and fall in love with the cast of endearing characters.

In this book, Luke Edgewood visits Skymar and meets a beautiful girl named Ellie who takes his breath away. She is everything he is looking for in a girl, but she also happens to be a princess. Luke and Ellie fight their desire to be together due to their loyalty to their homelands, but their desire to be together continues to build as they get to know one another more. I LOVED the tension between Ellie and Luke in lots of forced (or chosen!) proximity scenes.

Book one (Authentically, Izzy) and about half of book two (Positively, Penelope) were written in an mostly epistolary style, but I appreciate the more traditional narrative style that is book is mostly written in. It feels more "real time" and seems more like Luke's style anyway.

I love the world of the Edgewoods and Luke's story is perfect! The length of the Skymar series books are on the longer side for contemporary romance or rom-coms, but it gives the books a chance to really capture the full world of Skymar and the character building events.

Content: Clean, kisses only.

Christian content includes mentioning God, prayer, seeking God's will, and going to church. I really appreciated the focus on doing what is best for others, not just making a selfish choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I LOVED this book! From start to finish, I absolutely adored it. Is it my favorite of the series?

*whispers* Yes, I think so.

Which feels like a big statement, but MY GOODNESS, Y'ALL. Luke is wonderful. Luke + Ellie together? Magic. The sassy sarcasm, the banter, the bittersweet tenderness of their time together . . . it was just all perfect. For me, there wasn't a single misstep in this novel. Basham has found her stride with the Edgewoods and it's a true delight for readers.

I highly recommend for rom-com fans who love the enemies-to-lovers trope. Or fans who love royalty romances. Or fans who love reluctant but honorable heroes. Or fans of romances.

IF YOU LIKE BOOKS, READ THIS SERIES. That's it. That's the end. These characters nestle into your heart and make themselves real. You don't want to miss this one, friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

A fun story about a grumpy, plaid wearing handy man and an undercover princess. I loved the characters and returning to the fictional isle!

DNF

I think not having read the first books in the series hindered my reading experience. I will go back and read the other books eventually, but not any time soon.

💛 A little different of a book then I normal read/review....This cover just stole my heart and your girl ended up reading a kisses only Christian romance. But I freakin loved it!


Loyally, Luke is:
💛 Secret identity - princess/royalty
💛 MMC Southern boy Carpenter
💛 Cinnamon roll MMC
💛 HUGELY different worlds
💛 Opposites attract
💛 Close Proximity
💛 Forbidden - would the King approve 😱
💛 Funny - LOL funny
💛 Book 3 in a series (but I was never confused)
💛 Delightful banter
💛 Reverse Cinderella retelling
💛 🐶🐶 Chewy + Indie
💛 Texting!

Honestly I feel like that ^ covers it. But just know it was so freaking cute. I laughed out loud and had a heck of a good time. I am so glad I applied for this on a whim. The audio narration was phenomenal as well. A full cast narration?! Amazing! I will definitely be adding book 1&2 to my tbr for when I need something outside of my norm.

Thank you to @librofm for the audiobook and @netgalley for the ebook. AND of course @pepperbasham for writing this adorable book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC of this novel. The thoughts expressed in my review are completely my own.

Luke and Ellie have a meet-cute in a coffee shop at the airport when they accidentally mix up their coffee orders. Their witty banter begins right from the start. Then they find out they are going to be working together on renovating an orphanage. He’s annoyed at first because she was rude when they met, but then she apologizes and tries to start fresh. He tries to avoid being distracted by her beauty, humor and charm, but fails miserably. He rejects that notion that he could fall for her because they are from two very different worlds. Ellie seeks advice from her best friend Maeve who encourages her to not follow the royal protocols of participating in an arranged marriage to help her reputation. Luke seeks advice from his sisters who are all encouraging him to pursue a Hallmark movie romance despite the fact that he is a commoner from America, and she is royalty.

I adored the dual POV so we could see what was happening inside both Luke and Ellie’s minds as they navigated their relationship. Ellie has a sordid past and she is working hard to repair her public image. She hides her true identity from Luke because she wants him to see her for who she truly is and not for what she is, which is a literal princess. I loved the side characters all rooting for Luke and Ellie to admit that they are head over heels for one another.

Read if you enjoy:
Forced proximity
Workplace romance
Small-town
Royal romance / secret identity
Forbidden romance
Sweet / closed door romance
Meddling family & friends

Pepper Basham’s epic Skymar trilogy ends with fireworks in this dazzling final installment, Loyally, Luke. I honestly can’t believe how perfect this series has become. The humor, romance, movie references, characters, and storytelling were top-notch. From the first chapter, the writing hooks you with its charm and comedy. Each book starts off light and fun, but within the feel-good rom-com tropes lie impacting messages that bring depth and heart to the plot.

"Sometimes the best people to come into our lives are the ones we least expect. The ones who we can’t see fitting, but they change everything. Even the things they don’t plan to change." ~ Pepper Basham

I was really curious how Pepper Basham would write Luke’s story. After reading the first two books, readers will know how much he abhors technology and romance. Yet, Pepper deftly handles this challenge with grace and brilliance, taking us into the mind of this grumpy, black-coffee-loving, flannel-wearing countryman. The combination of texts and storytelling was perfect, making Luke’s internal journey and interactions all the more relatable and entertaining.

Luke really took me by surprise in this book. Every romance trope was thrown at him, yet he seemed to lean into it, proving that all along, he was a closeted romantic. I also respected how he remained firm in his standards and beliefs but welcomed change as God opened his heart to Ellie.

"Maybe this happily-ever-after gig wasn’t so bad after all." ~ Pepper Basham

The banter in Loyally, Luke was nothing short of a gold mine. Luke brought a delightful juxtaposition of ruggedness and tenderness, making him a new favorite book boyfriend. On the other hand, Ellie added layers of reliance and growth to the narrative as she fought to rebuild her life. The mutual loyalty and commitment between Luke, Ellie, and their families were beautifully portrayed.

A standout aspect of this novel was how it handled adult topics with sensitivity and realism. Ellie’s past is messy, but her transformative journey is relatable. Pepper Basham’s portrayal of mature love was also refreshing. Luke and Ellie’s relationship was driven by more than passion and attraction; it was underscored with respect, understanding, and a realistic approach to life’s priorities. While most romances show protagonists sacrificing everything for their love interest Loyally, Luke showed that while every relationship comes with sacrifice, it’s admirable to hold tight to your family and duties. Fairytales are great fun to read, but (as Luke so often pointed out) they aren’t real. Not everyone has the privilege of living happily ever after, and this aspect of the story was really authentic, setting it apart from traditional romance narratives.

"Love held power, a truth he knew soul-deep. The earthly sort didn’t always prove magical—he had a track record to support a failure here and there—but the heavenly, pure, all-in kind sure did." ~ Pepper Basham

The supporting characters were also brilliant with their quirkiness and meddling. Penelope remains the fiery redhead who believes in pixie dust and pushes Luke to embrace the fairytale. Meanwhile, Izzy was the bookish, clear-headed ally who helped Luke when things became messy. Ellie’s friend Maeve was also a great addition as she perfectly represented a girl’s best friend; I loved her nicknames for everyone.

The moral of Loyally, Luke is that God knows our hearts. He knows exactly what we need and has worked it out according to His plans. Even the things that seem impossible are possible for our God. If we put our trust in Him and release our deepest desires into His care, we will see how our stories are written according to His perfect timing.

"Why would God send someone so . . . interesting into her life when she couldn’t allow herself to even consider a future with him? To strengthen her self-control? To help her prove she’d changed? She shook the thought away." ~ Pepper Basham

Loyally, Luke ticked all the boxes and brought this series to the perfect close — you will be satisfied with everyone’s ending. I cannot rave about the Skymar trilogy enough; it is the perfect summer read that will have you booking a ticket to a foreign country in search of a bookshop owner, accountant/dancer, or prince. 😉

"Izzy: Oh my word. I hate to sound like Penelope . . .
Luke: Don’t.
Izzy: But this sounds like a movie moment.
Luke: You can’t join her side, Izzy. You’re the reasonable one." ~ Pepper Basham

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own*

There is something truly wonderful about finding a new author to read. I’m new to Pepper Basham’s books and I’m excited to read more.

I absolutely loved this book. The story of a rogue man and a princess is reminiscent of my favorite rouge and princess (Han and Solo). Luke has a heart of gold. He was the perfect grumpy contractor. I appreciated how down to earth he was and how he always himself. Ellie, was so lovely. A down on her luck princess, trying to work her way back into the public eye in a positive way.

The dual POV was perfectly done. I loved the texts between the characters. Maeve especially was a favorite. Some of her lines had me laughing out loud. Being new to Basham’s books, I was still able to get a sense of family and love between Luke and his family. Penelope and Izzy were so funny and wanting a HEA for their brother.

I loved how the ending came together. It was a lovely gift.

Huge thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley approval for the audio and the ebook. I enjoyed listening to the beautiful accents. The narrators did an amazing job of bringing these fantastic characters to live.

I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and more books from this talented author.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book. This book was worthy of a Hallmark movie- sweet and swoony, and I could definitely see it being made into a TV movie. Loved the banter between these two!

This one was a struggle for me - I read a lot of romance fiction and I just couldn’t get into the flow of writing and narrative of this book, and was actually my very first DNF.

I may have to revisit this again to give it a fair go, but for now this one just wasn’t for me unfortunately.

This book was slow for me to get into but I really enjoyed the pacing, the depth of the characters and how the author wove the story together!

DNF / didn't realize this was an installment in a series. I have not read the initial book. It did not feel fair to review. Also, the start with the text convos back and forth, was not my favorite.

In this romance, handyman Luke returns to Skymar for a remodeling project at a countryside orphanage and meets "Ellie," unaware she's Princess Elliana. As they grow close, Elliana appreciates Luke's straightforwardness and the fact he doesn't know her troubled past. However, her royal identity eventually comes to light, complicating their relationship given Luke's ties to North Carolina and Elliana's duties in Europe. The story is ideal for fans of Hallmark movies and features warm, rugged heroes.

You know how the film "Enchanted" is one part witty parody, two parts nostalgic homage, and three parts easter egg hunt for fans of Disney animation?

Well, "Loyally, Luke" is the literary "Enchanted" for fans of Hallmark movies!

Authentically fun and positively charming, Pepper Basham has penned a novel that's sure to have loyal readers swooning and giggling in turn. Basham's clever use of rom-com tropes is at once familiar and fresh, and her characters are utterly endearing.

If you're in the mood for a hilarious royal romance, "Loyally, Luke" is sure to be your cup of tea!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own honest opinion.

Loyally, Luke
Where 🛠️ + 👑 = 💛

Thank you to @pepperbasham @netgalley and @thomasnelson for this digital ARC. As always, my recommendation comes with my honest review and touchy topics listed below to help you make an informed decision for yourself.

I had heard wonderful things about Authentically, Izzy and knew I wanted to read the whole series. Izzy is one of my new favorite books, and Loyally, Luke was nothing short of a wonderful read!

First of all, Luke is a great guy. He’s grumpy, and teases to no end, and has the best kind of banter because his heart cares. He will do whatever it takes for the people he loves, hands down.

Except, maybe, become a royal…you’ll have to read to find out! 🤪

Note: the romance in this book is SO swoony! It is closed-door, but there are some adorable and realistic kisses, so if that’s not your thing, it is something to keep in mind. If that IS your thing, welcome to the right place. 😁💛

There are three books in this series that can all be read as standalone novels, however they are best enjoyed in order! Here is my rating for each of them:

💕 Authentically, Izzy | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

🎭 Positively, Penelope ⭐️⭐️⭐️

👷🏻‍♂️ Loyally, Luke ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: 🍓🍓🍓

Touchy Topics: Terminal illness, child illness, parental expectations, allusions to partying/hanging out with wrong crowd, kissing/thoughts of more.

#bookreview #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #writersofbookstagram #authorsofbookstagram #arcreview #releaseday #pubday #pepperbasham #loyallyluke #romcom #romance #romancebooks #authenticallyizzy

Rating Scale:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: PERFECT. Probably cried
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Wonderful, just not top 10
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Good! Most books fit here
⭐️⭐️: Not really my cup of tea
⭐️: Basically DNF

Content Scale:

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓: Squeaky clean!
🍓🍓🍓🍓: Appropriate for most readers
🍓🍓🍓: Heavy topics, likely 18+
🍓🍓: Intense scenes about heavy topics
🍓: Tread lightly

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC

I really liked this novel. It was fun and adorable. The romance was sweet and their interactions were great. I love the trope of a royalty romance and the fact that our mmc is a grump, makes everything better. At times hilarious and a times just freaking sweet this was an all-around romance.

I have LOVED this series! I'm so glad that the sarcastic, snarky, completely lovable big brother Luke got his story.

Luke is the only male in a family of sisters and is the lone holdout in the Hallmark movie love fest that they have going on. He's more a Rambo, or Mission: Impossible kind of guys guy, complete with the tool belt and the flannel shirts. While his two sisters have both met their matches in the island nation of Skymar, he's only there to lead a building project. He doesn't need romance, but his sister, Penelope, thinks he's going to find his "twue wuv" like she and Izzy both did.

No way, no how, is what Luke believes, until he starts to see a Grace Kelly look-alike everywhere he goes, including on his job site. She says she's there to "help" but she has no construction experience. The more he and Ellie work together his annoyance turns to ... more. He's stunned to learn that the Ellie he's been working with every day is really Princess Elliana, the youngest member of the royal family of Skymar.

Ellie is working to regain her place as a "working royal" since her fall from grace and eventual time in rehab took her out of the public eye. She decided to dip her toes into helping by refurbishing an orphanage in the north of her country where she has been hiding out (and staying out of the press) for the last 3 years. Working with the American, Luke, is refreshing because he has no idea who she really is. She's just "Ellie" to him, and she likes it that way. When someone from the press gets wind of where she is, and starts printing half-truths, she knows her anonymity has run out. Will Luke still see Ellie when he sees her, or will he now see Princess Elliana? Can they ever be together when her parents have a list of "acceptable" suitors for her, and Luke hasn't made the cut?

Readers who love lots of humor with their romance will enjoy Loyally, Luke. I think I liked his story the best of the 3 Skymar books, but since each featured a very different sister's story, they all had unique drawing points. While this can be read as a stand-alone, readers will enjoy it so much more if they read Authentically, Izzy and Positively, Penelope first! It gets all the stars from me! (And, if you can, listen to the audio version instead of reading it! I loved hearing the Scottish accents from the actors.)