Authentically izzy, p.33
Authentically, Izzy, page 33
“I’m so sorry, Brodie. I never meant to hurt them. I was wrong. So wrong. I should have known that you were different than anyone else I’d ever met.” Her gaze came back to his. “So much better, but I’d been hurt so many times, the whole stipend thing seemed to follow the MO of my romantic history. But then I reread our correspondences and thought about all the things I love most about you.”
“You love me, do you?” His voice had lost its edge.
“Aye.” The word he used so often quivered out of her with a sniffle. “Even though I’ve done a poor job of showing it lately.” Her vision blurred but she refused to lower her gaze. “I want you, to be with you, if . . . if you can forgive me. And if you think you can want the same thing.”
His gaze bore into hers, searching, extracting whatever information he could, and then he gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Aye, I can.”
Her breath hitched. “What?”
His lips caught her word and she melted into him, her hands trembling up to wrap into his hair. Part-sob, part-laugh slipped between their kisses until she pulled back to cradle his face with her palms. “Are you serious?”
“Was the kiss not answer enough?” He winked and squeezed her closer, giving her another lengthy kiss that stole her breath. “And you want me, do you?”
“Mm-hmm,” she murmured, pressing her forehead against his, holding him close.
“You can have me, Karre.” His lips quirked into an unruly grin. “And I’ll throw the job in too.”
She laughed out a sob. “A bonus already?”
“What can I say? I’m a fool for a beautiful, bookish woman and an excellent apology.” And with that, he brought his lips back to hers with such thoroughness, her doubts about finding a shelf-space in his heart dissolved to dust. In fact, she was pretty sure she’d made it to his Favorites shelf. He’d certainly made it onto hers. Featured book, even.
“Actually, I think I’m the benefactor of this particular bonus, Isabelle Edgewood. And I’m a fan of happily-ever-after stories, too, particularly the real kind,” he murmured against her lips before sneaking another kiss and reminding her what a difference being loved made to dreams and futures and learning to be authentically you.
So their story may have started out between a human and a hobbit, but it ended rather deliciously like a Tolkien-ish happily ever after. “And he took her in his arms and kissed her under the sunlit sky, and he cared not that they stood high upon the walls in the sight of many.”
And Brodie didn’t seem to care either (not that they were on top of a wall or anything), but standing in the middle of a crowded bookshop fit their story a little better. He proved he was quite adept at not only caring and forgiving, but kissing a woman exactly like he knew how. And Izzy wasn’t complaining one bit. In fact, she encouraged his practice with great zeal. How perfect to confirm a bookishly wonderful, long-distance true love in front of the epistolary Romance section of a bookshop! If that isn’t the setup for a happily ever after, Izzy didn’t know what was.
* * *
From: Izzy Sutherland
To: Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin, Penelope Edgewood
Date: August 3
Subject: Once upon a time
Dear Cousins,
I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to remain in Skern for another week before I return to the States. Brodie and I are working out the logistics of my new position with Sutherland’s Books and I’m just enjoying all the extra in-person time with him before we’re separated again.
It hasn’t been hard to find my place back in the family here, because the Sutherland ladies were all a little put out with Brodie for not mentioning the stipend from the start, so it seems Brodie was suffering from a broken heart from my leaving and a few tongue lashings to boot. (Anders remains the same, so . . . I’m still on the bottom shelf of his interest.)
But I’m grateful that it’s all in the past now, and I can make plans!
Josephine, please keep sending those adorable photos of my niece and nephew. I can’t wait to cuddle up to them again when I get home.
Penelope, you are going to love it here. Brodie’s family have offered to help you with life here as much as you’d like . . . and there’s a theatrical troupe in Skern, which might pique your interest.
Luke, if you take care of Samwise as well as you take care of me, then Samwise may not want to come back to live with me at all. However, I know his favorite treat, so maybe I still have a chance.
I created the Book Matchmaker link on Sutherland’s Books website today. We’ve already gotten a hundred hits or so and a dozen messages for me to help readers find their perfect literary fit. How ironic that after all my complaining about matchmaking, I’m now in the business of it myself—though I prefer my sort with fictional matches than with real hearts.
I am glad for it, though. It took being forced into unwanted matchmaking for me to discover who I was, what I wanted, and my own perfect match. Isn’t that what we all want down deep? To be seen for who we are, even with all our flaws, and be loved anyway. Completely.
Thank you all for being that to me. I can’t wait to share the rest of this life adventure with you.
Love,
Izzy
PS: Now all we need to do is find the right match for Penelope and Luke, Josephine. But I’ll leave that in your very capable hands. Luke, you can thank me later.
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin, Izzy Edgewood
Date: August 3
Subject: Re: Once upon a time
Izzy,
Oh my goodness! You gave Josephine PERMISSION to match us? I’m so glad I’m leaving the country. Thankfully there won’t be any crazy matchmakers over there.
Penelope
PS: I love the photo you have on the Book Matchmaker link. SOOOO much better than the earless author one from your Heart-to-Heart profile.
PPS: There’s a fun theater group on Heart-to-Heart with a subgroup from Skymar! I’ve already joined (as Julie Andrews, of course)!
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin, Penelope Edgewood
Date: August 3
Subject: Re: Once upon a time
Izzy,
I hate you.
Luke
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin, Penelope Edgewood
Date: August 3
Subject: Re: Once upon a time
Luke,
There’s just something about being blissfully happy, you know? I suddenly feel compelled to sprinkle joy into the lives of others.
Izzy
PS: You’re welcome.
“It is delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?”
Anne of Green Gables
THE END
Discussion Questions
What are some characteristics about Izzy that you notice in the beginning of the story?
How do you know that Izzy’s family are emotionally close to each other? In what ways do they show they love each other?
What are some things about Brodie that cause Izzy to keep writing to him?
When someone doesn’t feel like they belong somewhere, how can it manifest itself in their lives? Characteristics? Choices?
How does being truly “seen” and loved change Izzy from the beginning of the book to the end?
Do you think the epistolary style offers any unique perspectives for the reader that the third-person style does not? If so, what are they?
If we compare Eli and Brodie, how do we, as readers, know that Izzy should choose Brodie over Eli? What characteristics does Brodie show that reflects a better match for Izzy?
From a Christian’s perspective, how does recognizing your life has a greater purpose not only change the way you face hardships and hurts but also how you live your life?
Acknowledgments
This book was one of the funnest books I’ve ever written, and it is in no small part due to the people who became a background part of its creation. There is no way I will remember everyone who encouraged me in this process, but here are a few:
Carrie, Joy, and Beth, thank you for always coming alongside me in every book journey, especially this one. We encouraged each other through Covid, and I think Izzy certainly helped. Thank you for always being on “my team” and helping me believe more in myself with each new story. I am so grateful for you all!!
I can never thank my street team, The Pepper Shakers, enough for their continual encouragement in every story and how they spread the word with such excitement. You guys touch every story before the rest of the world, and I’m so grateful for you.
Susanne Blumer, thank you for letting me pick your brain about owning a bookshop and all the intricacies of the process. I hope Authentically, Izzy sprinkles as much “magic” on readers as you and your team display in Sassafras on Sutton.
Rachel McMillan, thank you for championing this story and me. I’m grateful we talk the same bookish language and can bring our imaginations to the pages in so many ways (though you are MUCH more like Izzy in your massive reading than I am). I’m grateful you are my agent and friend.
It has been an absolute blast to work with Becky Monds on this story. Becky, thank you for believing in this story and in me. Thanks for taking a chance on it and for overflowing with constant encouragement, fantastic direction, and . . . a great sense of humor. Luke loves you.
Books don’t just magically appear, no matter what fantasy stories say, but . . . every book I’ve ever written has a team of personal elves who keep my private life moving forward so that my fictional life can make it to the page. My five “not so little” elves (my kids) never fail to celebrate each book with me, even by listening to me complain or laud all of my imaginary friends. (I’m refraining from referring to my husband as an elf, though he is equally supportive). Thank you all for loving me so much. I am grateful beyond words that God allowed me to spend this nonfictional life with you. I'd also like to give a shoutout to my daughter Lydia, in particular, whose lovely artwork is on display FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER in a book! Her maps of Skymar and Ansling were specially crafted from her love for me and this story. (She is also one of my BEST book pushers out there).
And to the Author of my faith, I am so grateful for your love and for the gift of imagination. And thank you for loving stories so well that you wrote yourself into ours so we could have an eternal happily-ever-after.
“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).
About the Author
Photo by Michael Kaal
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com.
* * *
Facebook: @pepperbasham
Instagram: @pepperbasham
Twitter: @pepperbasham
BookBub: @pepperbasham
Acclaim for Pepper Basham
“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
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve read such a truly wonderful romance. Basham’s Authentically, Izzy was smart, funny, and adorably bookish. I smiled all the way through and finished it with my cheeks hurting. All the Lord of the Rings references was the cherry on top for me. Izzy and Brodie have officially overtaken Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester as my favorite literary couple. You have to read this book!”
—Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author
“Pepper Basham is at her witty and charming best throughout the pages of this bookish delight! Fans of Katherine Reay will feel right at home between the covers of this epistolary treasure. Featuring a perfectly sprinkled smattering of Tolkien, Authentically, Izzy proves that the best reality sometimes begins with a little bit of fantasy. I hope you have as much fun with this one as I did!”
—Bethany Turner, bestselling author of The Do-Over
“In Authentically, Izzy author Pepper Basham has created a delightful cast of characters who quickly become your friends. Izzy beautifully captures the nerd in all of us who adores books and stories—sometimes more than real life. When a family member decides Izzy needs to live her own story, it sends Izzy on a fun romp that leads to a sweet, sigh-worthy romance. Grab this one today!”
—Jenny B. Jones, bestselling author of There You’ll Find Me and Sweet Right Here
“This book was so much fun! I was drawn into the story from the beginning and loved the emails and text messages between Izzy and her cousins. What was even more fun was seeing how Izzy and Brodie’s relationship grew from a few funny messages to a sweet relationship. I loved how Izzy grew throughout the story and learned to love herself and find her own strength and love. And her cousins were a hoot! Luke was my favorite cousin. His emails and text messages kept me in stitches. I highly recommend this fun and romantic book!”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of The View from Coral Cove
“You don’t see enough epistolary novels these days, so the format of this being told almost entirely through emails appealed to me straightaway, and I wasn’t disappointed! We follow librarian Izzy as she meets perfect-sounding bookshop owner Brodie online and wonders if he’s too good to be true. Filled with the wonderfully warm cast of Izzy’s family, and the swoon-worthy email exchanges with Brodie, I absolutely loved reading this book and felt like Izzy was a real friend rather than a book character! A book written by a book lover, about a book lover, for book lovers everywhere! I loved it! In fact, the only issue with this book is that my to-read list has grown exponentially from Izzy and Brodie’s recommendations! It’s a book lover’s dream read!”
—Jaimie Admans, author of romantic comedies
Other Books by Pepper Basham
Contemporary Romance
Mitchell’s Crossroads series
A Twist of Faith
Charming the Troublemaker
A Match for Emma
A Pleasant Gap Romance series
Just the Way You Are
When You Look at Me
Novellas
Second Impressions
Jane by the Book
Christmas in Mistletoe Square
Historical Romance
Penned in Time series
The Thorn Bearer
The Thorn Keeper
The Thorn Healer
Novellas
Facade
Between Stairs and Stardust
Stand-Alone Novels
The Mistletoe Countess
Hope Between the Pages
The Red Ribbon
My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel’s Dream
Copyright
Authentically, Izzy
Copyright © 2022 Pepper Basham
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Published in association with William K. Jensen Literary Agency, 119 Bampton Court, Eugene, Oregon 97404.
Maps by Lydia Basham.
Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.
Scripture quotation from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Basham, Pepper, author.
Title: Authentically, Izzy : a novel / Pepper Basham.
Description: Nashville, Tennessee : Thomas Nelson, [2022] | Summary: "In this charming epistolary romance, a book-loving librarian is unwillingly enrolled in an online matchmaking service and embarks on a journey toward love that starts with emails to a quirky islander and ends in a choice that will change her future forever"-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022015988 | ISBN 9780840714985 (paperback) | ISBN 9780840715036 (epub) | ISBN 9780840715173
Subjects: LCGFT: Romance fiction. | Christian fiction. | Novels.
Classification: LCC PS3602.A8459 A94 2022 | DDC 813/.6--dc23/eng/20220404
