a brewed awakening | book review + giveaway

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about the book

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?

publisher: thomas nelson

release date: may 5, 2026

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review

whenever i pick up a book by pepper basham, i know there's going to be plenty of banter to keep me going—and a brewed awakening does not disappoint!

finn dashwood's looking for a fresh start with his six-year-old daughter when he arrives in wisteria, north carolina to open a pub. of course, on his first day in town, he gets off on the wrong foot with the neighboring tearoom's owner daphne austen, which ignites a rivalry that quickly becomes the talk of the town. underneath their bickering and banter, though, simmers an attraction that might soon become too hard to deny...

finn and daphne make for such a fun couple to follow. between their arguments about tea versus coffee or sweet versus savory or the appropriate playlist (and volume)—or just about anything, really—a heartwarming friendship develops, despite the competition and especially when finn's daughter is present. their banter is pitch perfect, yet they manage to balance some sweet personal moments with their professional rivalry. of course, the small town of wisteria has to play a part in both their rivalry and romance, and i had so much fun reading the back and forth of it all.

it's a delicious contemporary romance, and i easily recommend it!

i received a complimentary copy from the author and/or publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.


considerations:
—language: none
—spice: kisses only
—faith: mentions of God and prayer
—content: disability, natural disaster, mentions of divorce and loss of parent/grandparent

about the author

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 southwestern VA, where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

giveaway

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of A Brewed Awakening, and winners choice of a Literary Beverage Mug or a Storming Castles mug!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 13, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

tour schedule

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