Book Review: A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Do not read A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham when you are hungry.

Triggers: A precious little girl, mouthwatering descriptions of food and drinks, and all things British.

Daphne Austen is a small-town girl and proud of it. She owns a quaint tea shop in Wisteria, North Carolina, where she offers a lovely selection of teas and dainty treats. The shop, Tea Thyme, along with her love of all things British, was passed down to her by her grandma.

Into Wisteria strolls the epitome of all things British, Finn Dashwood. He’s tall, dark, has a smile that makes a girl’s knees weak, and an accent to match. Only, he rubs her the wrong way. He pokes fun at her tea shop and detests anything tea-related, firmly believing that his pub, with hearty English cuisine and strong coffee, is far superior. Let the battle of wits and swoon-worthy chemistry begin.

This story is full of Pepper’s delightful humor and heartwarming brand of romance. Daphne and Finn, beautifully written characters with flaws and depth, learn they’re better together. Their collaboration brings out the best in each other. The descriptions of their food creations literally made my mouth water. I would have loved to be in their kitchens as they worked out those amazing pairings. Honestly, I’m just a little sad I didn’t get to be one of their taste testers!

The cast of characters in A Brewed Awakening is a delight. Jack, Grammy D, Rosemary, and Finn’s sweet daughter, Lucy, just to name a few, are all wonderfully crafted and add so much charm and depth to the story. I truly hope this is just the first in a series of books set in Wisteria, North Carolina, because I want to spend more time in this sweet town.

Request A Brewed Awakening at your local library, preorder it at most retailers, or find it for sale on Amazon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pepper Basham and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Book Blurb:

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival?

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?