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\nPEOPLE has an exclusive first look at Pepper Basham’s new romcom A Brewed AwakeningThe small town love story is rooted in Basham’s upbringing in the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with pop culture favorites like Pride and Prejudice and The Great British Bake OffThe novel will arrive via Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, next year<\/p>\n
Pepper Basham is bringing English charm to Appalachia in her latest novel.<\/p>\n
The celebrated author cooks up a new romance in her latest book, A Brewed Awakening<\/a>, out next year from Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the cover.<\/p>\n Set in Wisteria, a quaint mountain town in North Carolina, the novel follows Daphne Austen, who runs her late grandmother\u2019s English tearoom Tea Thyme. She leads an orderly existence, until an \u201caggravatingly handsome Brit\u201d named Finn Dashwood opens a pub next door, per the book\u2019s official synopsis.<\/p>\n The cover of ‘A Brewed Awakening’ by Pepper Basham.<\/p>\n Thomas Nelson<\/p>\n Finn left England with his young daughter after his marriage fell apart, and is looking for a new beginning of his own. But the two business owners soon find their disagreements transforming into full-blown prank wars and a competition to cater a high-profile wedding. Daphne and Finn, along with their growing chemistry, soon find themselves the subject of their small town’s attention.\n<\/p>\n Basham is the author of contemporary and historical romances, most recently including Loyally, Luke<\/a>, Some Like It Scot<\/a> and Sense and Suitability<\/a>. The opposites-attract love story in A Brewed Awakening, Basham tells PEOPLE, draws from some familiar influences.\n<\/p>\n “A Brewed Awakening has been both a joy and a surprising challenge to write,\u201d Basham says. \u201cIt carries a little bit of Pride and Prejudice, a dash of The Great British Bake Off, a smidge of Hallmark and it\u2019s topped with a generous helping of small-town Appalachian charm.\u201d<\/p>\n The book is also rooted in the author\u2019s upbringing in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and highlights the strength of community. Basham saw this up close around her home in Asheville, N.C., in the wake of Hurricane Helen in 2024.\n<\/p>\n The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe experienced the devastation firsthand, but also the extraordinary resilience of neighbors pulling together in hope and generosity,\u201d Basham says. \u201cThat spirit of community became the heartbeat of this story \u2014 a romcom filled with personality clashes, mouthwatering food, small-town rivalries, unexpected romance and most of all, hope.”\n<\/p>\n Read below for an exclusive excerpt from A Brewed Awakening.\n<\/p>\n Pepper Basham.<\/p>\n Michael Kaal Photography<\/p>\n \u201cIf we go with your beef tenderloin and the herb-crusted chicken, I thought these might be the perfect finish.\u201d Her gaze searched his. \u201cBut I\u2019m not sure. The whipped cream on top feels like it\u2019s missing something.\u201d<\/p>\n That small question \u2014 that invitation \u2014 meant more than she probably realized.<\/p>\n He polished off the last bite and allowed the flavors another rumination before looking back at her. \u201cDo you trust me?\u201d<\/p>\n Her smile faltered a little. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounded like a question.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d A breath. Then a firmer nod. \u201cYes. I trust you.\u201d<\/p>\n Her answer knocked the grin right back into place. \u201cHow about a burnt sugar caramel drizzle? Served warm. Just enough bite to contrast the sweetness.\u201d<\/p>\n She studied him, and he could practically see her analyzing flavor balance in real time.<\/p>\n \u201cSlow-cook the sugar until it flirts with bitterness,\u201d he continued, watching her closely, \u201cso it deepens the whole flavor profile. Think dark honey, a touch of toffee \u2014 cuts through the richness like a well-timed wink.\u201d\n<\/p>\n He winked to demonstrate.<\/p>\n Her smile bloomed \u2014 full, amused and just this side of playful. She folded her arms. \u201cAre we still talking about the cheesecake,\u201d she asked, \u201cor … something else?\u201d<\/p>\n Oh, she was flirting back. And his wall-pinning thoughts rushed to the front of his mind. He stepped closer. \u201cI was talking about dessert, Miss Austen. What exactly were you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n Color rose in her cheeks. She gestured vaguely toward the container. \u201cThe dessert. Obviously.\u201d Her gaze lingered on his mouth. \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n “You know,\u201d he murmured, gaze dropping to her mouth for half a heartbeat, then he gestured inside. Just a few more minutes with her. Or an hour? Or … maybe forever? \u201cIt\u2019s raining. You\u2019re here. And you brought cheesecake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh …\u201d The word shivered out of her and her attention gave his lips a once-over before she glanced behind her as if someone might be watching. \u201cIt\u2019s late. I\u2019d better get back to my apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably smart.\u201d He nodded, drawing in a calming breath. \u201cOr I\u2019m going to kiss you right here on the porch and scandalize the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n Her bottom lip dropped and a tiny squeak emerged. He almost carried through on his threat. She took a step back, despite the way her attention kept shifting to his lips.\n<\/p>\n