Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title: A Brewed Awakening
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance
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?
Excerpt
Finn Dashwood stood in her doorway, looking both out of place and frustratingly at ease, a small container in his hands. His presence alone seemed to dwarf the dainty decor, and the contrast of his dark jeans and fitted gray Henley against the pastel paradise of her tea shop was almost laughable.
He wasn’t a Darcy. Or a Knightley. Or a Brandon.
So he shouldn’t make it work.
And yet . . . he did.
Her gaze drifted to the container he carried, and her heartbeat skittered. Had he actually brought her something?
Could it be that the jerk had a conscience?
“Good afternoon, Miss Austen.”
His voice! That unfair, glorious British accent dipped in baritone.
“Welcome to Tea Thy—” Rosemary’s greeting cut off as her pale-green eyes locked onto Finn. “Goodness. Sakes. Alive.”
“Don’t start,” Daphne muttered under her breath, shooting Rosemary a look, but it wasno use. The woman stared with sheer appreciation and absolutely no self-control of her facial muscles. Nothing like reinforcing Finn’s ego with Rosemary’s impression of a cartoon character who’d just seen a twelve-foot sandwich.
Finn’s grin crooked, clearly missing nothing from the little exchange and Rosemary’s near hyperventilation.
“That new creation looks very suspiciously unlike tea.” He nodded toward the milkshake in her hand.
The residual chill from the ice cream evaporated beneath the sudden flush in her cheeks.
“I happen to serve many things in my shop besides tea, Mr. Dashwood. If you’d taken the time to ask rather than tossing around uninformed critiques, I’d have been happy to enlighten you.”
Why did he seem to bring out her snarky side? And why did she suddenly want to go cook three batches of dark-chocolate croissants.
And why did he have to possess such expressive eyes? Her fingers tightened around the glass in her hands. Tea should only prove a temptation in liquid form.
Not eye color.
“Now, Daphne-honey, that ain’t no way to talk to our new neighbor.”
Granny D had made remarkable speed from her table to the door, clicking her tongue like a chicken on the hunt. “Lord have mercy,” she exclaimed, fanning herself dramatically with a weathered hand adorned with tarnished silver rings. “If you’d told me handsome was comin’ to town, I’d have worn my good teeth.”
Finn turned, brows high, then broke into a slow, amused grin. “Good afternoon, ma’am.” He offered his hand. “Finn Dashwood.”
“You sound as good as you look, don’t ya’?” Granny D hummed her appreciation as she circled him, making no attempt to hide her appraisal. Why did Daphne feel as if the woman was one step away from checking his teeth like a prize stallion at auction?
She almost whimpered.
There were wonderful things about small southern towns.
And then there were . . . these moments.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | BookBub | Bookshop
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About The Author
Tour 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.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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