I’m not a huge regency reader but how could I not with a cover like this!
This was such a fun read. I love a second chance romance and this has wonderful nods to Jane Austen.

I loved all of the characters who were so well written! I will definitely be reading more of this author

This was my first Pepper Basham book, and I really enjoyed the way she tells the story, especially as a tribute story to such an outstanding writer.
The story is a mix of enemies to lovers, second chances for love, and forbidden romance. All the relationships between the characters, not just the main ones, are well developed, and everyone plays an important role in the entire development of the story.
The dual narration by Fiona Hardingham and Christopher Ashman transform the story, making the characters almost come out of the pages.

I'm my regency romance era, and Sense and Suitability was absolutely precious! Such a sweet and adorable read.

This was my first time reading Pepper Basham’s work, and Sense and Suitability was such a fun and endearing story. I was completely captivated by the main characters, Emmeline and Simon, the moment they were introduced, and I also adored the secondary characters, especially aunt Bean. (She is such a hoot!) Each person in this book plays a crucial role in Emmeline and Simon’s love story, and they are all such special people with their own unique personalities. Pepper’s writing is flawless and beautiful, and the narrators did an amazing job bringing it to life. Fiona Hardingham has quickly become one of my favorite narrators. Her voice is so captivating, soothing, and entertaining. Her portrayal of aunt Bean had me literally laughing out loud more times than I can count. I would highly recommend Sense and Suitability to everyone, especially those who favor a wholesome, clean love story, and I look forward to reading more of Pepper’s work in the very near future. .

4.5 stars
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Thank you so much for this arc!
This is my first regency romance book so l'm excited! I really loved the spin on Sense and Sensibility! | love Jane Austin film adaptations, ik they probably aren't 100% accurate to the books but I love them so i am really excited!
I was allowed both a digital copy and audiobook of Sense and Suitability which I definitely enjoyed! I loved this book so much! The plot was amazing and I loved the characters.
Emmie is a great character, she was witty, smart, and kind and completely lovable! Aside from her being lovable I adored Simon and his siblings. Simon won me over with his love for his siblings and for Emmie. Simon though his reasons for not going through with the engagement with Emmie in the first place definitely had his moments that made me angry but he definitely redeemed himself completely and definitely won me over as well!
The audiobook was so great as well! It was very engaging and immersive! And both voices definitely matched the characters.
The book had so many swoony, banterful, and funny moments with so many amazing characters. This is my first read from Pepper Basham but I definitely hope she'll publish a duet or series following the other characters mentioned in this book, perhaps Emmies sister? I definitely recommend this book and audiobook!

I thoroughly enjoyed this Regency romance from Pepper Basham and would proudly place it on a shelf with other masters of the time period including the great Jane Austen! I thought this had such a similar feel to Austen while also resounding with Basham's unique voice, wit, and charm. I hope for many more of this type of book from Basham, with well-developed and lovable characters of all ages, (including some you'll love to hate!) I enjoyed reading about life as a female author in this era, and I really appreciated the theme of forgiveness that grounded the book.

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

✨3.75 (rounded up to 4)✨

A very enjoyable and clean regency romance with the wonderful enjoyment of references to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility while being its own unique storyline! Emme and Simon had wonderful tension and banter as a couple, while also have character traits of kindness and compassion.

Thanks to NetGalley for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

This is only my second regency novel ever. However, I chose to read/listen to it because it’s a Pepper Basham book! I knew it would be heartfelt, funny, and so worth my time. I had copies of both the e-book and the audiobook.

The characters are all fantastic. The kids are a hoot! (I’m going to be saying “Blahhhst!” with a British accent like Fia for weeks!). The main female and male characters, Emmeline and Simon, are so likeable and funny. Simon has quite the growth arc and becomes a hero. Sometimes a novel will have a minor character that just “steals the show.” This is one of them. Aunt Bean is The Regency Era’s “Harriet Olsen” with a snooty, British accent. The female narrator absolutely nailed that character - AKA the “large, lavender shadow.” I found myself giggling many times with her lessons to marry off Emme and her younger sister.

The Regency Era was full of practices and traditions that are odd to me but the author brought it all to life. I found myself cheering for the couple to find a way to be together and for Emme’s “scandalous” hidden identity as a gothic authoress to be received well.

I highly recommend this novel in any format. I will add that I also listened to the narration of the audiobook and it is fantastic. The accents add nuance to the time period. However, it is also wonderful as an e-book. It is a fun book with such chemistry between the two main characters.

*** Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy of this novel. My honest review is in my own words.

Absolutely delightful! This was such a fun read. I love a second chance romance and this has wonderful nods to Jane Austen. As all Basham books, it includes so many wonderful characters and they are well written! I always love how she even makes her side characters important enough to remember

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for access to an arc of Sense and Suitability. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’m a lover of all things Jane Austen and Regency, so this book was right up my alley. In the author’s note at the end of the book, Pepper Basham states that Sense and Suitability is her first Regency novel. I have never read anything by Pepper Basham, but I wouldn’t have expected it to be her first attempt at regency. The main character, Emmeline, is very Jane Austen-esque, and I love seeing the influence Austen had on Basham’s book.

The book is perfect if you’re looking for a feel-good, clean story that features a second chance romance and a happily ever after ending. The romance between Emmeline and Simon is the main focus of the novel, but the relationship between Simon and his siblings is also a significant part of the storyline.

I will happily read another novel by Pepper Basham and will be on the lookout for more!

"Sense and Suitability" by Pepper Basham is a wonderful addition to the Regency Romance genre and her characters Emmaline and Simon are intriguing. Simon is a swoony hero who has to put his family and financial recovery first. Emmaline is a gothic novelist, something the ton would never accept as being respectable.

I feel the book got off to a slow start, but it picks up about 20% of the way through and I just couldn't put it down. Emmaline is so smart, caring and witty...someone I'd love to be my friend for sure! Simon loves his family so much and just wants the best for his young siblings you can't help but like him too! Their aunts and siblings enhance the story and bring a lightness to some of the tension Emmaline and Simon have between them.

I'm so happy that Pepper's book delving into the Regency world was so enjoyable. I see several side characters in this book that could get their own stories in the future and hope she writes more Regency!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the chance to read and listen to advanced copies of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you know me, then you know that Historical Romance is a guilty pleasure of mine. I usually read 4 books at a time and HR is always among them, ALWAYS, so saying this is now one of my more favorite HR is high praise. This book was written so well, the longing, the intensity of thier connection, how they actually fall in love with each other's character rather than just looks. It's just, chefs kiss, beautiful.

The characters are all so diverse, and so interesting. I loved how smart, caring and witty Emme is, how fearlessly herself she is. I loved Simon and his relationship with his siblings, he's so torturiously honest, struggling to be so many things for so many people without losing the essence of who he is. Thomas is so delectable, such a great person and dependable friend. I could just feel how much he cared for Emme, and thier banter was just so funny. Aunt Bean. Oh man, bless her heart, she's so misguided and yet her lessons on how to catch a husband were just hilarious. Little FIA, was just so utterly adorable I loved her. Charlotte and her inquisitive mind. Aunt Agatha just wanting the best for her family. All if them I loved all the characters.

I just loved the whole book in general. I perfer smut in my historical romances, and though there wasn't any in this one, I still loved every minute of it.


*Thank you to Netgalley and to Thomas Nelson Fiction for this free digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

What I enjoy most about this author's books is my ability to get lost in her literary worlds. This author has written across different genres and each one are written so well I can immerse myself in that time, place, and location. There were many passages I highlighted that made me laugh. I thougth Aunt Bean was a hoot! The story was definetly romantic and poetic at times and at the right moments. I loved the author's parallel to the Jane Austen story. To me the ending had a sweet and grand but not over the top gesture. It was a great way to end the story. Overall, I loved the story, characters, dialogue and flow.

A sweet regency romance with lots of longing and slow burn tension. Simon and Emmeline were courting two years ago but everything changed just before he planned to propose. Now two years later they are reunited and he is in dire need of some financial support for his inherited estate. The problem is that now that he’s reunited with Emmeline (who wants nothing to do with him despite her lingering attraction to him) she’s still in the neighborhood and single, though lacking the fortune he needs to marry into for the sake of his younger siblings’ well being.

I enjoyed this nod to Austen and the family relationships throughout the story. Emmeline’s family is close and supportive and Simon’s relationship with the younger siblings in his care evolves throughout the story. It’s a sweet read. The bright, impulsive Emmie provided a great contrast to the serious, more reserved Simon. Her secret as a published novelist was a fun dynamic to this book as well. The climax was a bit predictable but I still enjoyed the journey these characters went through and enjoyed this lighthearted homage to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility and the way that Austen’s characters reflected the journey that Basham’s characters go through throughout this story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham is a delightful Regency romance full of wit and second-chance love. Emmeline Lockhart, an independent author, is determined to stay far from romance after being abandoned by the charming Simon Reeves. But when Simon returns, desperate for help with his crumbling estate, Emmeline agrees to assist him—strictly as a friend. However, the chemistry between them is undeniable. With humor, heart, and a dash of tension, Basham delivers a sweet, heartfelt story about love, redemption, and the possibility of second chances. Perfect for fans of Regency romance with a modern twist.

dnf unfortunately 😕. the premise was good, but i was pretty bored while reading. i read about 20% and i would recommend the book, but its not for me.

i received a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham is outstanding. Utterly outstanding! I was hooked from page one, and I refused to put this book down. Seriously, I would take it with me everywhere so my reading would be as little interrupted as possible. I read this amazing story all in one day. Yes, it is that good. I know I say this after every Basham read, but this may be her best novel yet. Emme and Simon are superb characters. They both equally captured my heart and I wanted so desperately to make everything better for them. I wanted their happily ever after so badly. Simon’s siblings are one of the best captures of children on the page. I simply loved these kids. They add a perfect layer of heart and depth to the story. Truly, I wanted to reach into the narrative and hug these babies so much!!! In addition to her gift of creating realistic, relatable, and endearing characters, Basham is also the QUEEN of crafting palpable romantic tension and that beautifully painful ache in a reader’s heart produced when two characters are supposed to be together — like there really isn’t any other option — but Society tells them they can’t be together, so they do everything in their power to obey Society. Gosh, I hate Society! Whatever the fancy word is for this thing that Basham does to my heart, she deserves every award on the planet for creating it in her books. I love stories that allow me to laugh out loud one minute and hide-cry in the corner of my living room the next. Sense and Suitability did this to me in spades. It was glorious. This book is glorious!!!

I know this review doesn’t really tell you much, but that is because I don’t dare spoil even one second of this amazing story. Seriously, if you love exquisitely written Regency Romances that make you feel the same way you felt reading Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility or Mansfield Park, then you need to order a copy of Sense and Suitability NOW. You will not want to miss out on this story. This is a story that will stick with the reader well after the final page has turned.

I received an eBook galley copy of this novel from the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, via NetGalley, in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sense and Suitability is a thoughtful exploration of relationships, social status, and personal integrity, drawing parallels with Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." The narrative offers a fresh perspective on the characters' motivations and emotional landscapes, highlighting their struggles in balancing societal expectations with personal desires.

The depiction of characters feels authentic and relatable, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with love and societal norms. The prose is engaging, blending wit with genuine emotion, and the pacing keeps the reader invested in the characters' journeys.

The themes of sense—the rational mind—and suitability—the pressures of social conformity—are woven throughout the story, creating a rich tapestry that resonates on multiple levels. The dialogue is particularly strong, revealing the characters' complexities and growth.

Overall, "Sense and Suitability" is a compelling and insightful read, appealing to both fans of classic literature and contemporary fiction. It reminds us that understanding ourselves and each other is paramount to forming meaningful connections.

** Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of this book via NetGalley! These thoughts are my own.**

In all honesty, I didn't finish this book. What I read wasn't bad by any means, it was just... okay. And I had too much else going on to be committing my limited time to just-okay books.

I found the writing style to be a ever-so-slightly choppy, which I didn't love. I also wasn't a huge fan of the plot points, either. I found it all very stereotypical, and I just wasn't a huge fan.

Thank you to the publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC.

I am a huge Pepper Basham fan so I grabbed this book and hoped for the approval.

Ms Basham did not disappoint. If you want a light, reverent, book with very likable characters this one is for you. I hope there is more to the story and series following this novel!