I'm so happy to finish a series as I feel like I've been such a slow reader recently and am only starting things or am partway through. Now I can say that I have experienced the full Skymar effect! Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham was such an adventure, and it also met one of the prompts for the Clearly Christian Readathon from Galatians 5:22-23, where self-control as a fruit of the Holy Spirit is exhibited throughout the book.
Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Book Synopsis
Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad. . . and even the impossible.
Dear Reader --
My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don't need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.
But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, that I'm going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.
Or maybe not. Because I've met a Grace Kelly lookalike who is annoying. . . until she isn't. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that's easy to forget when we're working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and "forced proximity" includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.
Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way--I'm going to need it.
Loyally, Luke
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
This book feels like the ultimate culmination to a series that has offered witty epistolary dialogue, immersive narrative insights, and an utter self-awareness that gives readers the experience of stepping into a movie and its accompanying commentary all at the same time. It is difficult to express the sheer delight that embodies the Edgewood family as it is evident how loving and caring they are toward each other. Luke's story could not have played out any other way than for him to shine in his role as a noble and valiant brother, cousin, friend, and ultimately, prince. In fact, the commentary that Luke provides in his correspondence regarding the scenario he is in is probably the best book-in-book experience I've had in reading a modern romance.
Loyally, Luke is one of those books where you can't help but be amused by the journey because it blatantly points out tropes and cliché moments without actually feeling like you're in the middle of it; that takes some pretty amazing skills! Though there is plenty of chemistry and sizzle in this book, Pepper Basham keeps readers focused on the spiritual themes of self-sacrifice, self-control, and finding one's identity in God. Luke and Ellie are able to see and appreciate each other's qualities because of their time spent serving others, which makes their story all the lovelier. Readers looking for a satisfying conclusion to the Skymar series will have their expectations exceeded. Prepare yourself for an enjoyable foray into pop culture references, likeable characters, and Hallmark-esque self-deprecating humour that will sweep you off your feet.
Book Summary
- Format of book: 📱
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommendation: 👍
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