I was drawn to read Sex, Lies, and Sensibility because it is a retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, a novel I have read many times. This novel did not disappoint - I loved the story of Nora and Bear especially and wanted more! The good writing made this modern retelling very enjoyable.

Ok Nikki Payne, I apologize. I heard so many good things about this one, but I really didn’t know how you were going to make me enjoy a retelling of Sense & Sensibility. I don’t know what it is about that particular Jane Austen book, but I cannot remember the plot to save my life.

But don’t judge a retelling by it’s source material I guess, because I ATE THIS ONE UP. And while I generally like my contemporary romances a bit shorter, this one absolutely had the plot to support the length - I didn’t feel like any scenes were filler or dragged out. Instead, Payne wove a complex and layered story while never losing track of the central romance.

Bear and Nora were both dealing with some familial patterns of behavior that they were trying to undo, while also taking on so much responsibility for everyone around them. The way they were able to help each other take down the walls they’d each built up was so tender. And the SPICE? Top tier.

I highly recommend this to fans of Austen retelling and also those unfamiliar with the source material. While Sex, Lies, and Sensibility is an excellent retelling of Sense and Sensibility, it also stands 100% on it’s own.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the finished copy!

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC; all opinions are my own.

Nikki Payne is one of my favourite authors. Her writing is magnificent, her ability to adapt classic works by Jane Austen into contemporary settings and modern storylines is creative, and she, herself, is a gem of a human.

Sex, Lies, and Sensibility is a retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, which I absolutely love. While reading the book, I really appreciated how Payne pays homage to Austen's story, but makes adaptations that are appropriate, respectful, and add new layers to the story for a modern audience.

Nora, a former athlete who continues to deal with the fallout of a video scandal, and her sister, Yanne, inherit a rundown house in Maine from their now deceased father and are determined to fix it up and run a business there. Upon moving to Maine, Nora meets Bear, a local Indigenous man who is an eco-tide, and sparks start flying.

Payne writes such great banter, tension, spice, and vulnerability. Her character development is fantastic, and she is so skilled at growing a love story that makes readers root for the characters and want them to win their HEA.

Jane Austen retellings can be a total gamble—some are absolute gems, while others make you wonder if the author even read the original. But this one? Total win! A sexier, contemporary spin on *Sense & Sensibility* with Black and Indigenous characters? Yes, please. It’s fun, it’s fresh, and it clearly knows its Austen roots, making clever updates without losing the essence of the original.

Meet sisters Nora and Yanne (short for Maryanne). Their world is rocked at their father's funeral when they find out their mother was his mistress. As if that isn’t enough of a bombshell, they’re left with nothing but a dilapidated cottage in Maine on the brink of foreclosure. Determined to save their inheritance, they decide to fix up the cottage and turn it into an inn. But plot twist: Ennis "Bear," a Native tour guide, is squatting in the place, giving tours like it’s a public park. Awkward.

Yanne, who has sickle cell, is an intriguing update to the original *Sense & Sensibility* character. She's into tarot and all things mystical, adding a touch of modernity and personality to the mix. Meanwhile, Nora is the more practical, no-nonsense sister who feels like she has to shoulder the world as a strong Black woman, even when things are falling apart internally. The way this story modernizes the characters and conflicts is really sharp.

I would’ve loved to dive a bit more into Yanne’s love life, but I get it—Nora is the main character, and sometimes love triangles just can’t take center stage when there’s an inn to save and family drama to sort through. But that’s a minor gripe. This modern retelling? So solid. And now, I can’t wait to see how Payne spins *Pride & Prejudice*—if it’s anything like this, I’m in for a treat!

Nikki Paynes writing is everything! This book kept me hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t stop until I was done. I really loved the plot and representation

Another great, modern Austin retelling by Nikki Payne. There's always a political element to her novels, this one is no different. A corporation wants to dam the Penobscot River, and tribal council member, Bear Freeman, is trying his hardest to fight it. Nora Dash's dad left them penniless and homeless and they have one year to turn a profit at the property he left them.

The Dash family has the same vibe, which I loved. The appearance of the Bennet sisters was a pleasant surprise. My problem: the story became overshadowed at times by Yanne being the most annoying character ever, and by the fact that Lu and Basil are THE WORST.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this! The steam and tension was so good. I loved the character development also and I was so invested in how the story played out.

Okay okay, I see what you are doing Nikki Payne. Truly enjoyed every bit of this romance book. I read it in one sitting, could not put it down. Such a fun spicy romance read.

This author is amazing! I loved this book so much! I would say she does Jane Austen proud, but Jane would be proud to even be compared to this wonderful book!

slow burn with a lot of moving pieces. at the time i wasn't into slow burns but I will still recommend.
it is def a book you have to pay close attention to while reading so you dont lose track of all the details

I am a self-proclaimed Pride and Prejudice lover, hoarder, collector - all the things. But I am decidedly less knowledgable or familiar with her other works - but that won't stop me from reading and appreciating retellings. This one was interesting and unique - with Black and indigenous representation.

Again, I am not as familiar with the source material - but I felt like I read two different books. The first half of the book was everything - I loved the tension, the build up and the characters. However, the second half sees our two main characters basically apart the whole time - it felt like it really slowed down the pacing and the central romance.

However, I did enjoy the setting and the secondary plot - it felt like one of the more unique Austen retellings I've read.

Also, very high, open door spice - which I always appreciate!

I had been looking forward to this book for ages and it DID NOT disappoint. Nikki is out here doing the d*mn thing. Her books are incredibly funny, sexy but also smart and socially relevant. Bear will go down as one of my all time favorite MMCs ever. This is one of those books I will reread someday and I’ll wish I could go back and read it for the first time all over again.

I loved PRIDE AND PROTEST. So much so I waited on this one so I would have something to savor. This was disappointing, to say the least.

I will forever love the Nora character from the original, and that remains unchanged here. A lot of you appear to love Bear, but he, and that Lu situation, could use some work. I've never liked Yanne's character, or her love interests, so her story I care less about.

I thought I would enjoy the Native love interest. Filipino Darcy, he was not. Speaking of Filipino Darcy, I didn't even enjoy the cameos from our PRIDE AND PROTEST peeps. Sad.

Nora and Bears love story is so exquisite. The sexy slow burn of their romance is something I never thought I needed in a love story and the wait is so worth it. The way Nikki Payne writes three dimensional characters is always a treat.

I’ve never read a Jane Austen novel, but this makes me want to! I also haven’t read Nikki Payne’s first novel, Pride and Protest, and I’m already on a waitlist for it.

I really enjoyed this one. FMC and MMC had so much depth and chemistry. I loved that they were on the same team and fought for what was right.

This follow up to Pride and Protest outshines it's predecessor. Nora and Bear's story is filled with not only love but also friendship and respect for each other's history and life experience. I loved that we got to see them grow as the pursued a friendship and it evolve into a full relationship.

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne had well-developed characters and a plot that was engaging. This book was a great read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

Another fun retelling to add to my faves! Sex, Lies and Sensibility is the reimagined story based on the classic novel by Austen, Sense and Sensibility.

Nora and Yanne are hoping to save their crumbling inn nestled in rural Maine.

It was such a good story, and I loved the twists on the classic tale.

*many thanks to Berkley and prh audio, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

With the opening pages of Payne discussing their anthropological aspects of researching this story I was IN! I was drawn to Bear and Nora immediately as they navigated how to turn their current situations into better lives for themselves, and the ones that depend on them.

I did have some lingering feelings of annoyances throughout the middle as things were dragging but I'm pleased to say the ending made up for it. I did have to slog through a bit to fully appreciate the entire novel!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and netgalley for allowing me an ARC of this one!

I have never read a Jane Austen novel, but now I think I should lol

I really enjoyed this story! Nora and Bear had so much depth between them and I LOVED their chemistry. I thought the story was well written and I loved the setting here.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC