Member Reviews
Very conflicted on this review. I grabbed this audiobook based on the cute cover and premise of the book without realizing it was an ultra “clean” romance. It was a cute book, but really didn’t have that deep of a story line. The breakup was barely a breakup and of course the HEA was seen a mile away. I also struggled with the MMC’s obsession with “the kisses”… It was however, light and fun, so still an enjoyable read. 3.5 rounding to 4 as this was partially my own issue 🤣
Loyally, Luke by Pepper D. Basham
Narrated by: Christopher Ashman, K.C. Sheridan, Kathleen McInerney, Natalie Duke, Gary Furlong, Caitlin Davies, and Mhairi Morrison
FIVE STARS
This book was adorable!
Luke is making it through life, through a series of events he is in Skymar with an opportunity to bid on and work on a project fixing up the county orphanage. As the only boy raised with three girls he overcompensates a bit on the "masculine" part of things. Some found it annoying, it just was what it was to me.
Ellie is a princess trying to get her life back on track after a series of poor choices. The Royal family has a place in Skymar where they can live normally and they also care for the orphanage. Ellie is trying to get back to active royal status and is in charge of overseeing the renovations.
Luke and Ellie do NOT get off on the right foot and her royal status goes unknown for some time which gives them a chance to get to know each other.
This book had a host of narrators, all who were perfect. Christopher Ashman, K.C. Sheridan, Kathleen McInerney, Natalie Duke, Gary Furlong, Caitlin Davies, and Mhairi Morrison were all awesome!
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
If you’re looking for a Hallmark movie written into a book, this is it. The author not only references Hallmark movies, but names every romance trope that she’s about to introduce… #meetcute, #forcedproximity, #enemiestolovers, #oppositesattract. It’s cheesy and predictable, but overall a wholesome love story about a small town guy who falls in love with a foreign princess while visiting the fictional country of Skymar.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
This was a very cute romance and I enjoyed all the different narrators for this audiobook. It probably won't be on my favorite romance books of 2024 list, but I still am giving it 4 stars for being cute and taking me away from the stressors of daily life. i will also be definitely looking out for more books by Piper Basham in the future!!
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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
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The book would appeal to the ones who love hallmark movies for sure. While I did like the characters, I wasn't a fan of the writing. It felt like the book wanted to over explain the plot while also having every single trope in the romance genre crammed into one book. I disliked the text conversations between Luke's sister. I just couldn't care about the romance (the ending was sweet I will admit) or the plot. It was just too similar to things I've already read/watched. It makes me sad since it sounded like a book I would have enjoyed a lot but it didn't hit the mark. This is the 3rd book in a series, while you don't have to read book 1 & 2 before this I would recommend it since it would help get the character context and prevent spoilers.
I did really like the narrators, they did a great job with the book. It did help differentiate all the characters.
thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
This is book #3 in the series and I didn't get a chance to read the other books in the series yet but I can't wait to go back and read them. This story reminded me of a Hallmark rom-com movie with a castle remodel and royals!
Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A very romantic fairy tale. Luke and Eli love story is full of touching moments, touch almost all the trope in romcom and have a happy ending. Even if Luke fights all the romance and he is not made for royally, he can’t help but fall in love with his very and real princess. The audiobook with the eight narrates, each one for an important character, makes the narration dynamic and original.
So when I started this audiobook, I did not realize that it was the third in the series! But I did not feel like I was missing any key or vital information to understand or enjoy this book. Thank goodness for interconnected stand-alones!
This book felt like a breath of fresh air. It was such a fun, light romance with just enough drama to be entertaining and make me want to keep reading! I loved the sibling/cousin relationships highlighted throughout the book. Luke had his own little cheerleading squad and I was here for it! Ellie’s growth throughout this book is so tender and I was excited to watch her become the women that God meant for her to be!
The book follows the story of Luke and Ellie as they navigate a renovation project for an orphanage. They have VERY different backgrounds, but are able to find common ground and help each other grow and move beyond past hurts and trauma.
The audiobook has a fantastic cast and the consistency with accents and personality for each character was so immersive!
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this audiobook copy.
I was so happy to listen to the audiobook of this third Edgewood family story! I love the fictitious setting of the Island of Skymar with it's loyal inhabitants. I love the teasing between the siblings and how they encourage one another. Read Authentically, Izzy and Positively, Penelope first, then dig into Luke's story!
I received this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
The audiobook, "Loyally, Luke" by Pepper Basham, was the first time I had experienced so many narrators tell a story, and at times I found it a little confusing. Although the plot intrigued me, I found it to be all over the place, and I was unable to finish the audio version. The synopsis for "Loyally, Luke" sounded like a story I would love, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat. Regrettably, this one just wasn't for me.
What a beautiful story! I don’t always read sweet romance books but when they are so well written as this one you tend to forget about the lack of spice. I loved grumpy Luke and the texts he would get from his sister and cousin! I’m going to have to go back and read the other stories by Pepper Basham! I loved these narrators and the accents they did so beautifully!
Thank you for the ALC for my honest review!
Loyally, Luke. By Pepper Basham is a sweet romance between honest carpenter Luke and Ellie /Eliana Princess of Skymar.
This book really is like reading a Hallmark movie which Luke hates. He's a flannel wearing action movie loving tough guy. Except he has a big heart for his sisters and orphans. He is honest and straightforward and the kind of things girls really want in a partner.
Ellie is the fifth daughter of the royal family of Skymar. She's a recovering addict with a bad reputation she's trying to rebuild after years of hard work. Life in the spotlight had left her with a few wounds and trust issues.
Luke and Ellie are thrown together working on restoring an old orphanage. They start out fighting and then become friends and then more.
They have some impossible circumstances to overcome.
This is a very sweet little rom-com and an enjoyable listen.
I like the different voices in the audio version it gave each of the characters a little more personality to follow.
The text conversations between Luke and his sisters adds a lot of joy and laughter to the story
Thank you to netgalley for this audiobook. This review was given voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
If you’re looking for a good choice to make in your life, choose to listen to this audiobook as soon as possible. It was ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL 🤩. From the full cast of narrators (6!!!) with incredible accents to the various styles used (narrative, texts, emails, “gossip” articles), all of it made for a listening experience that was pure bliss! I didn’t want it to end!!
As an avid cheerleader for the first book in the series, I surprise myself when I say I might have enjoyed this one even more. It seamlessly continues on the series, and it was so fun to get more of Izzy’s and Penelope’s story in this book (including a wedding!)
Beyond being just a wonderfully sweet and swoony romance story, it held some elements that were a bit deeper and thought-provoking than is common: the impact/power the online world can have over past mistakes never being forgotten, the importance of involving other trusted people in big life decisions, and how healthy communication is so important!
😇: Christian publisher (); brief mentions of Christian themes and active faith in the characters
😍: a few descriptive kisses
🤐: no language!
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the complimentary audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
2.5 ⭐️
Luke Edgewood travels to the small town of Skymar to complete a construction project. As much as he tries to resist, Luke falls into his own version of a Hallmark movie the minute he meets Ellie.
I have not read the other books in the series and, while I didn’t feel like I missed anything, I may not have connected to the characters as much because of this. I enjoyed the banter between Luke and his sisters at the beginning of each chapter and I thought the female narrators did a great job. The main male narrator, however, felt like he was trying too hard to be the stereotypical American cowboy. I found myself rolling my eyes at the dialogue and the accent a few times.
If you’re looking for a very sweet, innocent love story that checks the Hallmark tropes list, this may be for you. It just wasn’t my cup of tea (or in the case of Luke, coffee).
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this multi narrator audiobook.
While it's a cute Hallmark centered book where the sisters are always harassing their brother. They are always expecting something Hallmark like to happen around him while he's away in Skymar working. Lots of texts going back and forth between them. It was a clean book with some funny experiences.
While the female voices were great and kept the story going, the males voice and use of a fake jokey sounding accent took me right out of the story. I was trying to figure out if it was real or they were being funny but it was just how the character talked and that's why I gave it 3.
I fell into a Hallmark movie… The unworthy heartthrob meets a Cinderella. The book is a quick read but not much substance. If you need that light romance novel fix this book is it but don’t expect any new twist…
Luke Edgewood is a grumbly hero who makes his way to Skymar to work on some building renovation projects. He has some sisters who are obsessed with Hallmark movies and romance in general. Luke tries to duck their efforts to find him a love of his own. While in Skymar, Luke meets a princess in disguise 🥸 and his life really does start to resemble a Hallmark movie.
Loyally, Luke is a sweet romance with all the feels.
I have to admit I rolled my eyes a few times. Maybe I’m not as much the romantic as the book is intended for.
I enjoyed the multiple narrators and liked listening to the audiobook.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this book.
Love, love, love this book! I was able to read an ebook ARC and love the audiobook narration that was done by this ensemble group. Great job putting this one together! Pepper Basham is the Queen of Christian Rom Com books and this one is her best yet!
Pepper Basham did it again! What a fun way to end this series with Luke Edgewood, brother and cousin to Izzy and Penelope (check out Authentically Izzy and Positively Penelope to read their stories that are equally as fun!). Luke is a non-sensical, flannel wearing, hammer yielding, country boy from NC who finds himself in Skymar, a country off the coast of Scotland, to help remodel a castle turned orphanage. Of course since he is not interested in or looking for anything remotely relating to romance, and then he meets a girl... but not just any girl. One who happens to be a princess. Something that everyone knows except him.
I loved the story and as I listened on audio, the narrators brought Luke and Ellie to life. The hilarity of the situations reminded me of my favorite rom-coms of the 90's (Notting Hill was a big one that came to mind!) and made me smile and laugh. Yes, it is "hallmark-y" - it will give you the warm fuzzies and I think we all can use a break from the craziness of this world to enjoy that!
Thank you Net Galley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC of this audiobook to listen and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
LOYALLY LUKE is almost here!
The series that started with AUTHENTICALLY, IZZY and continued with POSITIVELY, PENELOPE concludes with the love story of my favorite of the Edgewood siblings, Luke, as he falls in love with his unlikeliest match, a princess.
As with the first two books, this one features text threads among the siblings and lots of time in the charming fictional country of Skymar, but it deviates a bit from the epistolary format of the first two book to suit Luke's less effusive nature. I am not typically a reader of royalty romance, but this book won me over instantly with its memorable and hilarious meet-cute, genuine and believable characters, and especially with the development of Luke's inner life, which made me love him as a hero even more.
I was fortunate to receive approval on Netgalley for both the ebook and the audiobook, and I switched back and forth betwee them. I'm not usually one for full cast recordings, but I actually love the way these audiobooks allow each of the siblings to have their own voice, not just in his or her individual book, but across the trilogy. Being able to hear Luke's voice immersed me that much more in the world of the story.
LOYALLY LUKE comes out on Tuesday! If you're new to the series, I think you can read it on its own and still enjoy it, but I wouldn't recommend against binging the first two this weekend...