A Brewed Awakening

A hilarious, clean, enemies-to-lovers rom-com

By: Pepper Basham

Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon, Christopher Ashman

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?

Critic reviews

'A BREWED AWAKENING is #anadorablesweetromance full of heart and humor. If you love Southern charm with a dash of British magic don't miss this one!'

'From the first page, readers will feel like a welcome member of this tight-knit, gossipy, caring, and supportive town. While main characters go through the ups and downs of their growing relationship, the quirky secondary characters bring levity and add depth to the town's history and strong sense of community. Readers who enjoy found-family stories and light romance with an even lighter touch of religion, and anyone ready for a solid Hallmark Channel experience will find satisfaction on every page.'

'Pepper Basham has become THE voice in romantic comedy with heart and sass. In A BREWED AWAKENING, readers will find the perfect blend of British wit, Southern charm, and enemies-to-lover banter. They'll also find a community that comes together when everything falls apart and a love story that you wish was your own. It is a pitch-perfect page turner of romantic sweetness filled with zany joy.'

'Pepper Basham turns up the heat in the kitchen and on the page in her newest book, A BREWED AWAKENING, a sweet, wholesome romance that's an absolute treat for the heart. This story had me cheering for the sassy Southern, tea-loving heroine as she faces off with a savory Brit who's equal parts tease and charm--pushing all the right buttons in this enemies-to-lovers romance that had me swooning. And yes, I fell for him too, luv. These two whip up a wonderfully balanced story filled with humor, banter, and a cast of characters I didn't want to leave behind. Pepper infuses joy, heart, and faith into this romcom, creating a story I absolutely devoured--and one that left me eagerly awaiting whatever she serves up next.'

'Steeped in resilient hope, A BREWED AWAKENING blends small town charm, cleft lip and palate representation, and a rivals-to-more romance into a sweet novel readers will savor from cover to cover. Fans of The Great British Baking Show and southern fiction will adore Pepper Basham's literary love letter to North Carolina with its great food, good people, and galvanizing spirit of community. If you fancy a bookish flavor combination of flirtation and found family, A BREWED AWAKENING is sure to be your cup of tea!'