This book is kind of confusing. The back and forth between the text thread and the third person perspective was off putting. Cute story but hard to figure out what’s going on in the beginning and who everyone is and how they are connected.

Loyally, Luke was my first Pepper Basham audiobook. There were multiple readers in this book which enhanced the listening experience. I always enjoy listening to Kathleen McInerney and this book was no exception. The story was predictable and slow in sections but, still held my attention. If you are looking for a light and enjoyable read then this would be a great choice for you. The print and audiobook are expected to be released on May 14, 2024.

Thank you Net Galley, HaperCollins Christian Publishing, Pepper Basham and Kathleen MaInerney for allowing me to preview this audiobook. All opinions shared are my own.

I received the audio in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

This is the third in the trilogy, which I didn't know at the time I requested it. I definitely want to go back and read the first two books in the Skymar series. .

Luke isn't into romance and Ellie is a princess who had made mistakes in the past, and is returning to the spotlight. The two get to know each other as they work to restore an orphanage.

This is a sweet story with a happy ending!

Expected publication May 14, 2024

This was a cute story, but I question why we had so many narrators - it felt a bit too much for me.
The Hallmark storyline was cute if you're into that sort of thing.

Overall this was cute and sweet.

This was a great 3rd book in this series. I loved reading more about Skymar. I also really loved that the characters from the previous books were still in this one. Royalty and commoner love stories always get me. It just show that love can conquer all.

Thanks Netgalley for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to listen to the ALC of this novel.

Reading the description of this novel, I was absolutely intrigued and so excited to listen to it. As soon as I started listening, I had to speed up to approximately 2x speed (which isn’t unusual for me, but normally not until I get a feel for the narrators and story line). The narrators spoke so slowly it was distracting. I also didn’t care for the back and forth between all of the separate narrators. The accents seemed to be forced and made it hard to pay attention. I still think this could be a great book, but I think it would be much better physically reading instead of listening. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish it due to the points listed above.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook of Loyally, Luke but Pepper Basham.

I had high hopes for this book. Luke is a contractor who goes over sees for a job. He bumps into a grumpy Grace Kelly look-a-like when he first arrives. You follow Luke through his construction project which ends up being overseen by none other than the grumpy girl.

The author added in a lot of line droppers from Hallmark, Bridgerton and many other romantic movies.

I do like how sweet and caring Luke becomes for the princess. I just didn't care for the sisters, and the town gossip rag.

The writing is engaging and rich with emotion. The dialogue is snappy and genuine, which made the interactions between characters incredibly enjoyable. The setting, with its small-town charm, added an extra layer of coziness to the story. It was a feel-good romance that left me smiling long after I turned the last page. It's a book I'd recommend to anyone looking for a story about love, loyalty, and finding happiness in unexpected places

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook.

This was a clean Hallmark-like romance book. The pace was very slow. I had to speed the audiobook up in order to not give up completely on it. I also did not care for the narrators. They were not captivating and very cringey at times.

Oh my, how I loved these two and their love story! Literally had the cutest Hallmark, GAC, and Christian values/influence which I loved! I'm so glad I got to read this in audiobook form the whole cast was fantastic! The accents were amazing and beautiful.

To be honest, I DNF'd Authenticly Izzy. I tried reading and listening and just could not get into it. I had no interest in book 2 and then figured I'd give Luke's book a try after hearing all the hype. I am so glad I did because this was so great! I don't think reading them out of order messed up the series, but you probably know each character a bit better by reading them in order. I will definitely be going back and reading the previous two books now.
I did enjoy the audio narration of this book, but I wasn't 100% sold on the southern accents, but otherwise, I enjoyed the numerous actors for each character, bringing such life and fun into this book! Thank you, NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Thomas Nelson, for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio ." I read/listened to this book and I absolutely feel in love with Luke and Ellie. I loved the how the narrators did Luke's part and how the did Ellie's parts. But lets be real most of all I loved how the text messages were read. I loved the references to faith it was not in your face for those that don't need it but it was perfect for those of those that do. I cant wait to go back and read the prev two stories of Skymar now.

The writing was amazing and interesting at the same time. The characters were well penned down so that we as a reader can easily relate and understand them.
Right from the starting till the end, it was interesting and had my attention to the fullest. Plus in audiobook format it was fabulous.
I love it.

This was such a cute book! I had not read any of the Skymar series books, so I went into this book somewhat blind in the Skymar world. That said, I was unprepared for the fun texts between Luke and his 3 sisters. These added an additional element to the story that I feel some other romcoms could benefit from. Luke gives me Luke Dane vibes from Gilmore Girls, a tough, rough, and grumpy man, who loves children and knows hard work. Throughout the story, Luke's sisters are texting him stating that his life will become a Hallmark rom-com, and sure enough it does. Who doesn't love a romcom that talks about life becoming a romcom?

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and loved the cast of seven different narrators. The texts come alive with the various voices *chiming* in. Overall it is a cute story that the cast of narrators brought to life perfectly.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I finally read (but mostly listened to) my first contemporary by Pepper Basham and that I enjoyed the story is no surprise. Loyally, Luke is the third Skymar book, and I was not fully prepared for the delight that is the texts between Luke and his three sisters, the perfection of the grumpy meet-cute between this small town American carpenter and the princess set on rehabilitating her image, and all the overt fun with tropes - the characters basically calling their story out as a Hallmark romcom.

With a cast of seven narrators, the texts are particularly lively with the different voices chiming in. A fun story, a cast of voices that help bring it to life, what more could you ask in an audiobook? Loyally, Luke may be best when the Skymar books are read in order, but I found it quite enjoyable as a first read in the series.

Recommended.

This review refers to an advance digital audiobooks that I voluntarily read and reviewed via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

Super cute (both Luke and the book)! I need to read the first two Skymar books now!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Loyally, Luke is a sweet story about a regular US citizen who meets and falls in love with a member of a royal family while on an assignment in a foreign land. It feels like a loose adaptation of fairytales such as Prince and the Pauper and gender-reversed Cinderella, and has the flavorings of a Hallmark movie. Although part of a larger bookish universe by author Pepper Basham, this third installment of the Skymar series does very well as a standalone Christian romance with a few mentions of characters from previous books.
The story features a carpenter from the Blue Ridge mountains who travels to the European nation of Skymar for a construction project that he will be leading. On his way at the airport, he has an unpleasant encounter with a haughty and rude lady. Lo and behold, this arrogant ‘Grace Kelly’-lookalike turns out to be his client for the project he is leading. As they learn more about each other, they discover the softer and sweeter cinnamon roll interiors to their gruff and prickly exterior personalities. As their romance blossom, they are faced with the obstacles of distance, royalty, and adult responsibilities.

I love the female protagonist, a princess trying to redeem her reputation and outgrow the lasting impact of her wild past. In my opinion, the grumpy male protagonist exudes traits of toxic masculinity and was trying too hard to come across as a conventionally masculine ‘manly man’. I particularly dont care for the mentions of losing ‘man-points’. Hopefully these traits are not something women still find attractive in the 2020s in real life. Luckily his toxic masculinity is limited to his internal monologues, and does not spill over much in his actions.
Although categorized as a Christian romance, this book doesn’t mention God or religion too much. Overall, this is an easy, and fun read with depictions of a caring family.

Luke goes to the Skymar ready for a construction job. He met Ellie over a coffee mess-up. Immediately dislike until he ends up working for her. They kiss and start to fall for each other until he finds out she’s a …….princess! Now what is a normal man to do

This movie is hallmark, Cinderella and what every girl (or boy in Luke’s case) dreams. Finding your true love and making it work in this crazy world. It was a really sweet story

Not my cup of tea. The audiobook was a combination of the two things I don’t care for in romance novels - cutesy story and voices that make the book sound even cutesier.

I simply adored this book! How could you not love Luke! I love his “macho” personality of being a classic flannel loving carpenter. This book had some many cute and sweet moments. All the cheesy hallmarks references had me cracking up and loving the storyline even more.