I wanted to like Loyally, Luke so much but it was a disappointment. It tells the story of Luke, a grumpy contractor, who goes to Skylar to help the renovations of an orphanage where he meets Ellie, AKA a former rebellious princess who is working to undo her reputation.
Personally, I felt like the two characters did not have chemistry and were very surface level. Also, Luke was secretly a bit of a misogynist by constantly criticizing products and media aimed at women - you are not dumb if you enjoy Hallmark movies!

Loyally Luke sets up a classic opposites attract romance, but despite its promising premise, it falls short of delivering a truly engaging story. The novel follows Luke, a steadfast and loyal protagonist, as he navigates a relationship with someone whose personality and outlook seem at odds with his own (she’s literally a princess).

The romance itself lacks the depth needed to make the opposites-attract trope compelling. Their journey feel predictable rather than emotionally satisfying. Additionally, the pacing drags in places, making it difficult to stay fully invested in the story.

While Loyally Luke may appeal to readers looking for a light, faith-based romance, it doesn’t bring much new to the genre. With stronger character development and more organic storytelling, it could have been a much more memorable read.

Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham is a heartwarming, charming rom-com that combines opposites-attract romance with a dash of royal fantasy. Set in the fictional European country of Skymar, the story follows Luke Edgewood, a rugged, flannel-wearing carpenter who has zero interest in romance—until he meets a princess who might just change his mind.

Luke’s quiet, solitary life is upended when his sister convinces him to take a short-term construction job to help restore a castle-like orphanage. He’s convinced this is the last place he’ll find love—until he encounters the beautiful and impossible-to-ignore princess, who challenges everything he thought he wanted. Their "forced proximity" while working together on the project leads to some hilarious and swoon-worthy moments, from secret journals to accidental closeness in small spaces.

Basham creates a delightful blend of humor, warmth, and slow-burn chemistry. Luke’s grumpy, no-nonsense personality contrasts perfectly with the grace and elegance of the princess, making their interactions irresistibly fun to read. The setting of Skymar, with its quaint charm and picturesque landscapes, adds a magical touch to the romantic story.

Loyally, Luke is the perfect read for fans of clean, feel-good romance with a touch of royalty, humor, and just the right amount of heart-fluttering tension. This sweet, low-spice rom-com is a delightful escape that will leave you smiling long after the final page.

I dont think that Pepper Basham is for me. I find her stories, including this one to be to trite and sickly sweet.

This book was the perfect ending to a fantastic series. I absolutely loved the dynamic in the Edgewood family, and I love how Basham brings the other characters in without taking away from the main story.

The romance between Ellie and Luke is so sweet and the pacing was really well done. Some of the plot was a little predictable, but honestly it was done in a way that gives you the warm and fuzzies, and it wasn’t overly gratuitous; ie there are still plenty of surprises in store ;) My favorite element of Pepper Basham books is the combination humor, Hallmark references and banter, and this book did not disappoint. The narration was really well done as well.

Another gem by Pepper Basham! I had never heard of this author before I read Authentically Izzy, and now she's one of my go-to's! I loved that we finally got to have Luke be the main character of the story. I love the personality, quirks, and everything that Pepper has created for this character. I will miss this family and all the amazing characters in these books.

Thanks to Pepper Basham and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I like the premise of Loally, Luke, however I found the audiobook hard to follow. There were quite a few characters and for me I really had to pay attention to the story or I would get lost. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read the book rather than trying to listen to it.

I loved this so much! A new favorite author for me. Luke is wonderful and the reading of this story is to die for. So good!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This audio made the reading experience for this book even more enjoyable than it already was reading it physically. I loved how the narrator brought the characters to life.

Basham’s writing is both engaging and lyrical, immersing readers in the warm and inviting atmosphere of the town. The vivid descriptions of the landscapes and the bond between humans and dogs create a rich backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. The author's love for animals shines through, adding an endearing layer to the story that resonates with dog lovers and romance enthusiasts alike. Overall, "Loyally Luke" is a delightful read that combines romance with themes of loyalty and personal growth. Pepper Basham has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and inspiring, reminding readers of the beauty of second chances and the bonds that tie us together. This book is sure to leave a lasting impression, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a heartfelt romantic escape.

3.75 ⭐️

Let me preface this by stating that I did not know this was the third book in a series when I started reading it. That being said there is some back-and-forth communication at the beginning of the story where I had no clue what was going on and I was thinking of DNFing the book. I ended up reading the book to the end.

I figured this book was going to be like any other normal and a royal fall in love book, but I was pleasantly surprised. There was actually an attempt to make it seem that they would not end up together. It wasn’t a major roadblock and you could still see the ending coming but I appreciated the effort.

I had a fun time reading this book. In fact, I am going to find the first two books in the series and read those as well.

I rated it down because it was pretty predictable and I thought it could have done a lot more, but was still an enjoyable read.

**Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing | Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.**

Loyally Luke follows Luke, the only brother of the family, and his time in the fictional country of Skymar. It’s there he meets ‘Grace Kelly’ and follows all the romcom tropes, much to his chagrin. Ellie becomes important to him but their future is unpredictable to say the least. Can they navigate a future, or do they simply enjoy the moments given to them?

This is the 3rd book in the series and captures the relationship with the other siblings we’ve seen in previous books, which is a fun twist. Luke is down to earth and is very easy to relate to. The story is fun to follow along and the banter is great.

These characters were so cute! The narrator was perfect! I loved the story and it was so sweet! I enjoyed this book! The characters were lovely and so was the narrator. I was engaged and the writing was interesting!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a copy!

Loved the story, the narraotors did a perfect job in drawing our attention!!! Thankyou to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for this ALC inexchange for an honest review!!🥰💗 RTC <3

I tried, but I just didn't love this book or really couldn't get into it. It was an alright read. I thought the plot was very cliched, despite its endearing qualities.Character Luke exemplified the archetypal Prince Charming. His need to be THE MAN was the root of the problem. The one who is powerful and who refuses to let his tenderness or love for romance water down his manhood. His tenderness and romanticism are plot twists. It had some good aspects, such being light and predictable, but I felt bored with it after 20% because I knew everything that was going to happen. It had a great cast of narrators. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced listening copy for an honest review.

This is a delightful fit for readers who enjoy lighthearted, humorous, and hopeful stories that blend romance, inspirational fiction, and Christian themes, making it a perfect pick for those seeking a feel-good, faith-infused love story with a touch of royal flair.

Pepper Basham is such a fun writer! Pretty sure I already loved Luke before I read this book because he is also in Authentically Izzy (which was great too!). I can tell you, something that I LOVE in books is good 'ol fun, flirty, and whitty banter. Basham is SO GOOD at banter! I also really love all the text threads betweek Luke, Izzy and Penelope- their family dynamic is spot on and just feels so so real.
This is a great stand-alone, clean romance, but if you want to read Authentically Izzy and Positively Penelope first, you will already know these characters and be itching to jump into Luke's story! Loved him and Grace. What a sweet read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for this ARC.

Loyally Luke will likely appeal to fans of Hallmark movies. I wasn’t aware this was part of a series, so my perspective comes from reading it as a standalone. While I didn’t feel like I missed crucial details, not having read the previous books may have made it harder for me to connect with the characters.

If you're into cliché romance, constant trope shout-outs, and movie references with a sweet, happy ending, this book will be right up your alley. It’s so sugary, it could give you a cavity. However, I found the characters lacking in chemistry and depth, and the narration didn’t help.

For those seeking a romance packed with every trope—secret royalty, forbidden love, friends-to-lovers, fake dating—this book has it all. The author embraces the cheesiness and pokes fun at it, which I give her credit for. While the right audience will enjoy it, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! Luke was an amazing MMC! I loved his interactions with the little girls at the orphanage, those heartfelt moments made him the best. I really liked how Luke and Ellie were practically living a Hallmark romance with plenty of comical moments sprinkled in. I also loved all the nerdy movie references!