Luke merely came over to Skymar to help with some historic restoration projects and then to be present for his sister's wedding. What Luke didn't expect to do was to run into a Grace Kelly look-alike (Ellie) who would also end up hiring him to help her renovate an orphanage in a historic castle. Ellie can be so infuriating at times, but as Luke is forced to spend more and more time with her, he realizes she may have more in common with him than he initially thought. I absolutely loved the banter between the characters. The epistolary and multiple point of view elements really make this story. The characters are great and I am sad to see this series end. Highly recommend this book for lovers of contemporary romance.

3.5

When I requested the ARC for this on NetGalley, I had no idea that this was a Christian romance. I also didn’t realize that it was the last in a standalone series. I just saw some tropes that I enjoy and figured I’d give it a shot.

I am Catholic, but typically don’t read Christian romance. Sometimes I find them to be a bit too preachy.

I think that this story will be enjoyed by people who like Christian romance. The story has common Christian themes of reformation and faith, but ultimately focuses on the cute romance. I think that non-Christians could also enjoy this story. The romantic chemistry is present, and although the story is clean, physical attraction is still conveyed very well.

I enjoyed Loyally Luke, although I think it’s a bit cheesy. The story is self-aware of its own cheesiness, and the characters joke about the romance being like a Hallmark movie. I’m a big fan of royal romances, so I had fun with this story. I also liked the sibling relationships and I liked reading their text threads. It made me interested in the earlier books in the series.

Ultimately I recommend this story for someone who wants a romance that is kind of corny, but light and enjoyable.

This book was okay, but I have to admit that I'm not a fan of books that begin with a text message exchange. I don't find it to be a good hook for readers. However, I ended up enjoying the book.

Ok, I’m going to admit a few things right from the start. One, I thought this was going to be another gushy Hallmark, nothing new under the sun type of book, I was proven wrong. Two, I saw all the texting within the book and I thought this is going to be hard to follow, I was delightfully proven wrong. Third, it is the third and final book in a series of three related books and I thought I’m not going to follow or understand the characters and admittedly at first I was a little confused about Luke, his sisters and his cousin but again, I was proven wrong by an author who took the time to carefully introduce all her characters and then develop them all in her own timing and in the most thorough of ways. And there are a lot of wonderful characters in this book.
Now, let me expound a little and give a little intro into this delightful romance of Luke Edgewood, an American carpenter, a commoner no less, meeting a Skymaran Princess, Eliana St. Claire, the Duchess of Mara and the North Country but just Elle to Luke. Well, she became known as “Elle” after the two agreed they needed to start over after a disastrous first-met at the airport at which time Luke’s thoughts of her ran more like this: “ Well, wasn’t she a bouquet of arrogance.” Yes, as in all good “fairytale” romances these two enemies are thrown together in the most remarkable of renovations. The renovating of an orphanage, where the reader is introduced to some of the sweetest characters, and the orphanage is in a castle….yes, a castle. Luke has traveled from his home at the foot hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. to Skymara for a couple of reasons. One, his cousin Izzy, he considers her his third sister, is getting married to Brodie there and while there he has agreed with Mr. Lewis Gray to do some renovations for a cabin Luke will be staying in and the orphanage. His sisters Penelope and Josephine will be meeting him in Skymar closer to the wedding date but until then this close-knit family corresponds frequently through text messaging and those messages are what truly make this book UNIQUE! They are full of funny banter, friendly teasing and lots of emotional support. Each sibling is different than the other but yet they share a common bond of love and support of each other even though they are relentless in their teasing of each other and poor Luke, being the only male, gets all the female advice he wished he didn’t. Princess Elianna “Elle” is a patron on the Board overseeing the orphanage and she wishes to be hands-on with the renovations and she proves to be much more than a princess but unfortunately she also has a past that haunts her and a paparazzi gossip rag that will give her no respite. As the story unfolds Elle and Luke get past their disastrous first impressions and begin to have mutual feelings towards each other knowing they shouldn’t because of all the complicating issues but will Elle’s failure to tell Luke that she is the Princess be the final complication?
A few more things I found refreshing about this book. It is a clean, no sex necessary, romance with charm galore but never gushy. Just a stand-up guy supporting, caring, loving his princess in his way and a flawed Princess being able to channel her inner self because of the guy she could truly love because he saw her as just Elle. Another refreshing thing is the author’s references to taking matters to God, praying, thanking Him. It is done in subtle ways but I appreciate the fact that this author included those moments in her book. Another thing I found amusing, and there were many humorous moments within the texts between the siblings, but I loved the contrasts within the story. For instance the King married a commoner; the Frasers, Nessa and Gordon were sunshine and the grump; Luke, the quiet one, shared the cabin with Peter, the talkative one; Penelope, the romantic Hallmark fairytale fortune teller, compared to Izzy, more realistic, low key adviser, and Josephine, whom we don’t learn a lot about seems more reserved until a certain text near the end; and of course, Luke, the American commoner, and Elianna, Princess of Skymar. This is one of those books I would gladly give more than five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars to because it ticked all the boxes for me; written well, had originality, unique format with texts, wonderfully developed characters including the secondary characters, storyline flowed smoothly and easy to understand, no inconsistencies, descriptions were adequate, appropriate and revealing, clean with passionate kisses, and the best unexpected HEA!
I received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book via Netgalley but was given no monetary compensation. I read for the enjoyment and voluntarily review so that others may know what to expect and authors may be helped by critique and encouragement.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity

Love the small town setting and the main characters have real chemistry.

Ever since Luke was introduced in Authentically, Izzy, I was looking forward to his story. I loved his snarky comments and his good heart. This book had a lot less of the snark and a lot more of the heart. And Luke has a lot of gooey romantic thoughts.

Unlike the first two books in this series, this was not an epistolary novel. There were very few emails and some text exchanges, but most of the book was written like a traditional romance novel. And if you have ever read any of Pepper Basham's romances, you know there is going to be kissing and swoon-worthy moments.

Although I'm not a fan of the commoner and princess falling in love storyline in general, I did like the character of the princess. She had an interesting backstory and a love for her family and country that was admirable. And I enjoyed that readers were able to see what was happening in the lives of Izzy and Penelope from the first two books. There was also some poking fun at romantic tropes while they were employed.

What I probably liked best about the book, however, were the secondary characters. I loved the orphans and the townspeople that the main characters interacted with.

Overall, I enjoyed the series. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the other two books in the series first.

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

I thought I really loved Authentically, Izzy and Positively Penelope but then I read/listened to Loyally, Luke and I really fell in love with Luke and Ellie! It really was my favorite of this series. Such a great conclusion and I loved the banter back and forth between him and his sisters. Ellie was just perfect for her knight in flannel. It was such a fun romance and I couldn't get enough of it!

The narrators were just awesome too. Very enjoyable to listen to. Great job to all!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 14 May 2024

UNEXPECTED LOVE

Author Pepper Basham writes delightful rom-coms, and Loyally, Luke is one of her best works. Basham writes the character of Luke as a woman's dream brother, cousin, and boyfriend, all wrapped into one! Luke has always been unusually close to his sisters and a cousin. They communicate through group texts many times a day. The girls have found their “soul mates” and are eager for Luke to find his. He is content with his life, his work, and his dogs. Luke accepts a small-term construction job in Skymar, a European country. The first person he encounters is an insulting but gorgeous woman. The kind that gets under your skin, and as much as you want to, you cannot forget. Basham’s fast-moving plot manages to throw these two together quickly as they soon discover they will be working on the same project, and she is in charge! They also quickly realize that there is a significant mutual attraction between them. Have they found unexpected love? That is before Luke discovers the woman has kept a secret of devastating proportions from him. Can these two find a way back to each other after this secret is revealed or is their relationship doomed? I encourage you to read this delightful book to find out the answer for yourself.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

DNF. Verily predictable awriting akin to Hallmark romance movies which ironically are mentioned profusely. Not necessarily bad just not my cup of tea.

Pepper Basham is one special lady.

I've looked forward to Luke's tale for what feels like forever, and this anticipated story fulfilled every hope and dream I had. 😍

Similar to "Authentically, Izzy" and "Positively, Penelope", this epistolary novel overflows with lovable characters worthy of emotional investment, delightful banter between Luke and his sisters, and a beautiful, complicated romance set in the picturesque world of Skymar.

But what I loved most about this story? Luke. I've loved him since Izzy's book, and Ms Basham didn't disappoint. Luke is "blokey" and rough, able to banter with the grumpiest tradie, yet tender and thoughtful to love on a young child or anticipate the "simple" wishes of a princess.

In true Pepper Basham style, this story is rich in believable friendships with "I wish I knew them" sorts of people. Down to earth characters mingling with royalty and working-class alike. I love how relatable each person is, how upsetting the difficult moments can be. This story calls to your heart, burrows deep, and stays with you long after you close the book.

NB I received an ARC of this novel. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.

If you're looking for a heartwarming, sweet romance that'll leave you with a smile, Pepper Basham's Loyally Luke is the perfect pick. Set in a charming fictional country, this delightful story follows the enchanting journey of a royal princess and a common American, blending witty banter, a slow-burn romance, and an uplifting happily ever after.

From the get-go, the chemistry between Luke and Ellie is palpable. Their interactions are sprinkled with humor and warmth, making their connection feel incredibly genuine. The email exchanges between Luke and his sisters add an extra layer of charm, providing glimpses into his caring personality and deepening the reader's affection for him.

One of the highlights of Loyally Luke is watching both characters grow. Ellie had made some mistakes in her past, issues that became quite public, and caused her to retreat from royal duties. As she struggles with the press's scrutiny, and Luke wrestles with his growing affection for someone he believes is not an option for him romantically, the story becomes even more compelling. Luke and Ellie discover the importance of embracing love, realizing that it makes them stronger together. Their journey is not just about falling in love but also about learning and growing as individuals, which is beautifully portrayed.

The ending is everything you could hope for in a romance novel—hopeful and heartwarming. Pepper Basham has truly crafted a gem with Loyally Luke, a story that's sure to captivate anyone who believes in the power of love.

In short, Loyally Luke is a delightful escape into a world where love conquers all. It's a must-read for romance lovers who enjoy a blend of humor, heart, and a dash of royal charm. Don't miss out on this sweet, uplifting tale.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

*I received a gifted copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own!*

I absolutely adored this book!! The Skymar series has been such a treat to read and Loyally Luke was so much fun. This is book 3 in the series. While each book could technically be read as a standalone, I really recommend reading the series in order because you do catch up with the characters from the past books quite a lot. Luke is such a kind and dependable guy. I loved that he finally got to fall in love in this one!

One of my favorite parts about this series is that it is often told through text and emails. It is such a fun and unique addition to these books. It really allows me to get immersed into the story and make me feel as if I am talking to the characters. Pepper Basham writes in a way that makes you never want to stop reading. Her characters are so much fun, so relatable, and hilarious situations are sure to ensue. Despite Loyally Luke having the ability to have me literally laugh out loud, there is also so much heart to this book.

Luke and Ally’s relationship almost starts out as an enemies to lovers situation. I was right there beside Penelope kicking my feet and giggling at all the trope-y situations they fell into. Their relationship turns so sweet!! The way they care for the children of Skymar but also in the way they respect each other throughout the book was just so kind and meaningful. I really loved all the characters in this book (Penelope is my GIRL and I loved getting to catch up with her life)!

I mostly read this one through audiobook format and let me just say the narrators were perfection! This book had multiple narrators for different character POVs and it just added to the story all the more. I’m pretty picky when it comes to audiobooks but I really enjoyed this one.

Overall, I just loved Loyally Luke! It was such a fun and sweet story. I couldn’t get enough of the characters. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet, no spice, romcom!

After reading Penelope's story, I was excited to see what would happen with Luke and I was not disappointed! This was such a cute story! The struggles that Luke and Ellie faced were relatable and it was fun to see them overcome obstacles and grow together.

4.5 stars

I really really really really want to live in Skymar!! Or at least visit :)

I expected Luke to have a tough story but sheesh!!! This was HARD! And DEEP! And I connected to it much more than I ever expected. I loved Luke in Izzy and Penelope’s books. He’s just as good in his own. While I don’t normally relate to guy characters in books, I do share Luke’s affinity for the cold and his hatred of attention.

As someone who has found herself in circumstances that seem to have two options at impossible odds with each other, I could feel the hopelessness and tension in Luke and Ellie’s situation. I also appreciate the wisdom and perspective that is offered to them by people who can see more clearly. And I very much appreciated that they made the hard choices. So many times in books the characters do what “feels right” and what “makes them happy”. Luke and Ellie choose what they know to be right despite how it feels or what it means for them. And yet, it’s still a great book!!!!

Setting this book in a CASTLE ORPHANAGE just makes me want Skymar even more. Dang! There are so many good moments in this book but two of my top ones are Luke’s conversation with Faye 😍🥺 and the car conversation between Gordon and Nessa 😂😂 They are too funny in general.

Also, I want to know if Pepper Basham actually watches all the action/guy movies that are sprinkled throughout or if she asked the guys in her life for help there. I mean, Hacksaw Ridge?!

3 ⭐️

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

I wanted to love this but I just couldn’t get into it. I really struggle with the email and text message format, and I was relieved there was less here than earlier books in the series, but even so, it didn’t hook me.

Other reviews are glowing so this is clearly a me problem! I might give this series another try down the road.

Title: Loyally, Luke
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke

Honestly, the format of the book—a solid chunk of it is text message transcripts and emails—aggravated me enough that I almost stopped reading early on, but then I got a grip and pushed through. This was a sweet read, and I loved how faith was just a part of the characters’ lives without it being made a big deal out of. This was a quick weekend read and would be a good vacation read.

Pepper Basham lives in North Carolina. Loyally, Luke is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

A fairytale love story that is sure to make you smile! I Secret royalty and flannel wearing carpenters that touched on so many romantic tropes, but not in a cheesy or over done way complemented the deeper story lines of forgiveness, redemption, and hope. The religious nuances were perfect and gave the reader a deeper sense of connection to the characters. Highly recommend if you like a feel good, Christian, closed door rom-com.

I haven't read the previous two books in this series, but always enjoy a Pepper Basham book and picked this one to read.

It might have helped to read the first two, but it was easily understood and a romantic stand-alone, too. Luke is flown from Mt. Airy, NC across the sea to help repair a cabin. And finds there is a secret project at an orphanage. I love all the Hallmark movie references and the texts between Luke and his sisters is highly entertaining. It's a fun, sweet romance and the characters are cleverly crafted.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Pepper Basham’s Skymar series is fun and delightful and very romantic. Every reader of the first two books in the series has been waiting for Luke’s story. Basham delivers BIG in this book featuring the gruff and manly Luke Edgewood finally falling for, of all things, a real princess. Luke and Ellie’s scenes are fabulous and I was so invested in their growing relationship. Some of my favorite scenes are those where Basham lets us hear just what Luke is thinking! I found myself laughing out loud or reading a portion to whoever happened to be in the room with me.

Basham has done a masterful job with the relationships between characters, their conversations and their banter. She includes entertaining conversations between Luke and Ellie, Ellie and her good friend, and Luke and his siblings. These interactions held me captive to the story. Love!!

This book might be enjoyed as a stand-alone, but reading the series in order will definitely add to the enjoyment of the novels. Characters which are introduced in the first book are integral parts of the second and third books.

I not only read this book but have listened the audio version. The narration featuring various voices is wonderful. Whether you read or listen, you will consider your time well-spent!

I have thoroughly enjoyed every visit to Skymar and know I will return with re-reads!!

| Story Review |

Ellie St. Claire may be trying to change her ways, but one run-in with Luke Edgewood brings out a cattiness in her that she can’t tame in the moment. Luke was stopped in his tracks at how beautiful she was, but all Ellie saw was someone studying a misbehaving princess and looking for a scoop. While their first meeting may have them butting heads, their second meeting determines they’re on exactly the same page. Luke flew in from the states to work on restoring parts of an orphanage in the European country of Skymar. He never thought the woman he had a semi-hostile (on her part) introduction to would be the one overseeing the project, that she would be a princess, or that he would have to fight a fierce attraction to her.

One of the best parts of this book were Luke’s texts with his family. This is how the story kicks off, and it’s a continuous thread throughout. Though Luke insists he’s not looking for love, they read through his evasiveness right away, and when they find out that it’s Ellie, Princess of Skymar, that he’s falling for, they have his romantic royal story written before it’s even begun. But Luke knows he’s not built for the spotlight that royal life brings, and with Ellie returning to work as a full-time royal, moving to this new country is not a sacrifice he’s willing to make. Not with his parents back in the states. But the more he gets to know Ellie, the less sure he is of his life’s direction - something he thought was set in stone. I loved the way Luke turned to God when he was unsure about things, and the way he guided Ellie in the same way. While he was pretty decisive, he was willing to be flexible as things progressed, and they moved forward at a slow burn pace that I appreciated. There was really time for Luke and Ellie to get to know each other in this story. This was a Hallmark movie come to life (though Luke would argue otherwise,) and that brand played a big part in the texts going on with Luke's family.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters in this story. The orphans steal the reader’s heart right away, along with Luke’s and Ellie’s, and the meddling townsfolk were such a wonderful addition. They added a ‘Notting Hill’ element that made reading it so much fun. And, of course, Luke’s family that I mentioned earlier. Though they weren’t there, the conversations really let us in on who Luke was and how much he loved his family. Ellie had a text thread with one of her friends, as well, and it filled us in on her past and what she was trying to overcome in the eyes of her country.

My only criticism was that this did seem to drag on a bit with the ‘oh, there are too many reasons to stay apart’ to ‘but how can we live without each other?’ scenarios that we went back and forth with a few too many times. I would have liked to see them really stick to this, and then have them reunite that final time. But even with that, I enjoyed this story.

Loyally, Luke ends the Skymar series, but getting to know Luke’s family from their texts really makes me want to get to know them better. I will definitely be going back to read the previous books, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for what Pepper Basham releases next!

| Narration Review |

Loyally, Luke was narrated by Christopher Ashman, K.C Sheridan, Kathleen McInerney, Natalie Duke, Gary Furlong, Caitlin Davies, and Mhairi Morrison. I’m not familiar enough with these narrators to know who narrated what character(s), but I can say that this was a wonderful cast. They brought even more life to a wonderfully written story, and I’m so glad I read this via audio. I think the texts, especially, were highlighted with this method of reading. It really captured the squee element his family clearly had while Luke was falling for Ellie. If you have the chance, I would recommend reading this via audio.