A Brewed Awakening - Book Review

Pepper Basham is one of my top five favorite authors, so I was thrilled when I was able to read her newest book, A Brewed Awakening, in advance! While the blurb sounded amazing, in reality this story was better than I had imagined. Anyone who loved Basham's Skymar series or How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson will love A Brewed Awakening.

Plot Summary

Daphne Austen’s tea shop is all things refined, elegant, and Jane Austen, much like the owner. When a pub opens next door, her daintiness is assaulted by rock music, greasy meat, and a Brit named Finn who flirts too much for anyone’s peace of mind.

When the caterer for a celebrity wedding falls through, Finn and Daphne’s prank war turns into rivalry as they compete for the job. The matchmaking town and Finn’s adorable daughter watch in delight as their dueling blurs into teasing, flirty fun of which even Jane Austen would approve.

Personal Thoughts

I always worry about how an author will handle an enemies-to-lover trope, but I had no need to this time. Basham skillfully balanced the chemistry and the friction between Finn and Daphne and their transition from enemies to friends to more was believable.

 Not only did I love the main characters, but the side characters added so much to the plot. Finn's daughter, Lucy, was so sweet and the citizens of Wisteria were a hoot - so many matchmakers! I haven’t decided who was more entertaining, Granny D or Pastor Nate.

I ate up every Jane Austen reference and loved all the Britishness. The flirting was too much fun, the banter and wit plentiful; I laughed out loud several times. All the tropes, from enemies-to-lovers to opposites-attract to single dad tropes, were well executed.

Notes

Steam Level: 💋💋💋

Releases May 5, 2026.

Would you be interested in reading A Brewed Awakening? Tell me in the comments below!