A fortnight ago, I confessed that my desire to read had apparently wandered off with a “Gone Fishing” sign hanging on the door.
Well, I’m pleased to report it has returned. 😁
In fact, I finished this book only minutes before sitting down to write this blog post. Talk about cutting it fine! I couldn’t very well tell you my reading slump was over without having a book to discuss, could I? 😉
A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is a wonderfully whimsical Christian romance that reminded me exactly why I enjoy her stories so much. Being the fan I am, I suspected this book would tick all my reading boxes before I even turned the first page.
This banter-filled business rivals romance introduces Daphne Austen, owner of an English-inspired tearoom, and Finn Dashwood, the British pub owner who opened his business right next door. Their first interactions are less than friendly. What follows is a delightful blend of rivalry, misunderstandings, chemistry and enough witty exchanges to keep romance readers entertained.
Daphne was a layered heroine with so much fire, determination and love beneath her prickly (to Finn, anyway) exterior. While her painful history hit hard, she quickly worked her way into my heart. I also loved her kindness toward Finn’s daughter, Lucy. Some of those scenes were beautiful and tear-jerking, particularly as Lucy navigated difficult moments of her own.
As for Finn… who can resist a British gentleman? Even with his flirty behaviour, hilarious comments and questionable taste in music, his devotion to Lucy and genuine kindness made him impossible not to like.
One thing I appreciated most was the balance between humour and heartbreak. The banter and playful rivalry kept the story light, but beneath the surface were characters wrestling with grief, disappointment and learning how to move forward after the hard moments in life.
There are also strong Jane Austen vibes woven throughout, plenty of Britishness and one delightful dog named Winston who deserves an honourable mention. 😂
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance, quirky humour, faith-filled themes and enough banter to keep you smiling, this story is well worth adding to your TBR.
Now that my “Gone Fishing” sign has officially come down, perhaps I should go see what other books have been patiently waiting for me.
Until next time,
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.