Authentically, Izzy

A fun, low-spice, bookish rom-com told through emails, texts, and letters

By: Pepper Basham

Narrated by: Ferah Ahmet, Christopher Ashman

In this hilarious, low-spice rom-com, a librarian falls for a book-nerd . . . the only problem is they are an ocean apart. Authentically, Izzy is told mostly through emails, texts, and letters and is sure to leave readers with a lighter heart. Perfect for fans of Sarah Adams and Emma St. Clair.

Dear Reader,

My name is Isabelle Louisa Edgewood--Izzy, for short. I live by blue-tinted mountains, where I find contentment in fresh air and books. Oh, and coffee and tea, of course. And occasionally in being accosted by the love of my family. (You'll understand my verb choice in the phrase later.) I dream of opening my own bookstore, but my life, particularly my romantic history, has not been the stuff of fairy tales. Which is probably why my pregnant, misled, matchmaking cousin--who, really, is more like my sister--signed me up for an online dating community.

The trouble is . . . it worked. I've met my book-quoting Mr. Right, and our correspondence has been almost too good to be true. But Brodie lives across an ocean. And just the other day, a perfectly nice author and professor named Eli came into the library where I work and asked me out for a coffee. I feel a rom-com movie with a foreboding disaster nipping at my heels.

But I've played it safe for a long time. Maybe it's time for me to be as brave as my favorite literary heroines. Maybe it's time to take the adventures from the page to real life. Wish me luck.

Authentically,

Izzy

Escape into this fun love letter to books and the people who love them. You'll be sure to laugh out loud and swoon for bookish Brodie as you feel the weight lifted from your shoulders with this sweet, low-spice but high sizzle rom-com.

Critic reviews

'Authentically, Izzy is an absolutely adorable, charming, sweet romance that genuinely made me laugh out loud. A wonderful escape you're sure to fall in love with!' --New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh

'Authentically, Izzy is witty, endearing, and full of literary charm. Grab your favorite blanket and get ready to snuggle into this sweet book that will make you believe your dreams will find you.' --Jennifer Peel, USA TODAY bestselling author

'Basham's Authentically, Izzy was smart, funny, and adorably bookish. I smiled all the way through.' --Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author

Adored the narrators

What a great job they did with all of the various characters! It really made the story come to life!

Bookish delight

This epistolary rom-com is such a delight. I love all the bookish quotes and the storyline is the perfect fit for this bookworm. The narrators’ accents really bring this story to life.

My first epistolary novel - not my last

I honestly didn't realize the genre of this novel when I selected it. I chose "Authentically, Izzy" based on the author, Pepper Basham - she's a fantastic writer. A few chapters in, I realized most of the book was going to be a series of emails, letters and texts and truly, an audio version is the best way to enjoy this genre, IMO. It was thoroughly engaging!

The personal, inner conflict of the main character, Izzy was very relatable in many ways and the epistolary style was a unique way of seeing that struggle. I loved the plot - even if I did see the main conflict/climax coming - the resolution was not cookie-cutter or predictable. I really didn't want the story to be over (partly because I loved Brodie so much) and am glad to know we will have more interaction with them in the subsequent books. Each and every character experienced some personal growth and development beyond meet/cute/conflict/kiss. I loved this book.

I also appreciated how Pepper Basham wove her obvious love of all literature into the story. It's definitely not a casual interest and it makes the reader want to read a wider range of books as well. That's never a bad thing.

Narration: The female reader (Ferah Ahmet) did a good (not terrific, but good) job with the female characters (with the exception of Ellen Sutherland, who is supposed to be British. Ms. Ahmet portrayed her character as a Skymarian-Scottish.) but you could tell she was hiding an accent and struggled with pronunciations of basic American-English words. OH, and you don't actually say "Lawl" when reading "LOL..."

Now, Christopher Ashman is another story altogether. He's fantastic as the male narrator! He made me fall in love with Brodie Sutherland and laugh out loud at Luke Edgewood. He just made every character come to life. (I can't wait to hear him read "Loyally, Luke!")

Up next, "Positively, Penelope!"

Perfection

From Mrs Keith P: I do not read romances, but this one defies the typical formula. Excellent descriptions and detail. Narrators are superb. I laughed and laughed from the first page through the last. I love this story! Authentic accents, says this Southern woman.

A Book Lover’s Dream Come True

The underlying messages of this book are so meaningful. There is a lot of humor for those who need cheering up in this crazy world. Funny thing is that I met my now husband while I was working at a library and I also worked at a bookstore for 6 1/2 years. The owners of the book store said that I was an addict who became a “pusher” to support her habit. We knew that we loved each other after dating for just over a week. He used to write wonderful letters to me when we had to be apart as we lived close to an hour apart when college wasn’t in session. I really enjoy the stories Pepper Basham writes. When you read the book or I suggest listening to it as I did you will understand the significance of my story. I enjoyed the book references as well.