"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." This review was possible thanks to Netgalley.

Can I call this Bridgeton on wheels? Sure felt like it. I loved the dialougue. I just finished another book that had cringe worthy dialogue and this was a great book to cure me! I love the characters as well, their dynamic throughout the story was well written and kept me engage. I also got frustrated at times, but not in a bad way, it's part of the plot 🤣 If you like a book with swoon worthy moments this is it.

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham is a charming historical romance that hits the spot.

I thought this was a cute, light, fun, and charming Regency-era historical fiction that brings the reader to a positive and uplifting experience.

It was nice to read this rom-com in between a few more serious novels. It cleansed the air and I effortlessly turned each page, hoping that the ending would be what it was.

Emme and Simon always had the spark. The circumstances of their time that kept them apart were enough to create an interesting storyline that you couldn’t help but cheer them along the way to the HEA.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/14/25.

This story is highly entertaining. It almost doesn't quite read like a historical novel but definitely a rom com. I really enjoyed the characters and Simon is probably my favorite. Emme is a strong willed hilarious woman who really held the entire plot together. There is a fun twist because you don't get to watch the couple fall in love from the start and honestly it really isn't even an enemies to lovers trope either. I don't want to give much away but I was pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns in the plot. And of course there are plenty of swoony moments (this is a Basham book) but it is sweet and clean and at times a bit unexpected. There is a delightful frog and multiple children that added a lot of life and fun.
Overall this is a light and fun read that makes for an enjoyable Regency escape. I recommend!

Four Stars.

" I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

such a sweet historical romance!! I love a second chance romance and this was exactly what I needed. Simon was so gone for Emme and it was fun seeing them fall back in love and try to be together against all odds. I did feel like sometimes it was a little too wordy and repetitive

After having her heart shattered by Simon Reeves, whom she believed to be her perfect match, Emmeline has endured two unsuccessful social seasons. As the daughter of a respected country gentleman, Emme enjoys a certain status, but she does not come from wealth, and she harbors a significant and scandalous secret: she is a published author. Simon, facing unexpected financial challenges, must seek a wife with a substantial dowry.
Unlike other young women, Emme feels no pressing need for a husband due to her success as a writer, especially since her heart belongs to Simon. Nevertheless, she vows to help him find his ideal match—a woman who can provide the financial stability he desperately needs. With both of his parents deceased, Emme is aware that aiding Simon in this quest is no simple task. He has the added responsibility of caring for three spirited younger siblings, and their estate is in disrepair, compounded by a family fortune that has been squandered away through gambling.
Amidst all this, there is undeniable chemistry between Simon and Emme. However, she is resolute in her determination to remain just a friend while assisting him in his search for the perfect bride. This story is enriched by intriguing characters and captivating situations. I found until the last page was turned, it was difficult to put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

Regency romance is one of those genres that can be rather hit and miss for me, but when I see Pepper Basham's name on a book, I know that regardless of genre, it's going to be a story that I will absolutely enjoy... and this one was certainly no exception. Truly, she can write absolutely anything... and write it well! This story was perfectly charming with its blend of humor and so much heart. Emme thought at one point that Simon was the one... until he disappeared from her life. But when he comes back in need of a wealthy wife, she steps into play matchmaker. The trouble is... all those old feelings start to come back! They had a really cute chemistry, and I couldn't help but enjoy these characters together and watching them grow throughout the story. There was also a great cast of side characters to make this story even better. If you enjoy Christian Regency romance and stories that will bring a smile, this is absolutely one not to be missed.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

SENSE AND SUITABILITY by PEPPER BASHAM is a deliciously romantic Regency novel which takes place in England in the height of the St Groves season. Simon Reeves, nephew to the Viscount of Ravenscross, is about to propose to Emmeline Lockhart, the love of his life, when the news of his father’s and cousin’s deaths makes it necessary to marry for moey to save his family from ruin……..
With a broken heart, Emme goes from hurt and humiliation, to wanting to help save Simon and his family from ruin, even going so far as to try and find him a suitable bride. His delightful younger siblings have a great deal to do with her wanting to see his family restored……..
Emme is a published author at a time when women authors are seen to be scandalous creatures. She is supported in this by her clergyman cousin, Thomas Bridges. A great admirer of the author of Sense and Sensibility, she decides to write a novel that is more true to life than the gothic novels she wrote before. I like the way Simon and Emme’s story is compared to that of the characters in the Jane Austen novel……
The story is full of ups and downs, with witty dialogue and some hilarious moments, told against the rigid rules of nineteenth century society.
This is amost enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I haven’t read historical romance in such a long time, but lately I found myself craving romantic stories — and stumbling upon Sense and Suitability was such a wonderful surprise. Pepper Basham delivers a charming and witty homage to Jane Austen, blending Regency romance with a fresh, modern sensibility in a way that feels cozy, uplifting, and full of heart.

This is a short novel where the plot moves quickly, keeping you engaged from start to finish. I truly loved our heroine, Emme, and her “secret,” which made the story even richer. Her passion is something she’s willing to fight for, and that determination gave her character a special spark. Simon, our hero, did frustrate me at times with the way he acted toward Emme, but thankfully his character arc developed nicely by the end, making his journey satisfying to watch unfold.

Basham also shines in creating secondary characters who all have weight, purpose, and distinct personalities. Their roles enrich the story and deepen the world around Emme and Simon. I especially found myself wanting to know more about Arianne — and I sincerely hope that if there’s a sequel or companion novel, we’ll get to follow her story next.

My only small complaint is that I was hoping for the scene of the first proposal to be expanded — either given a longer chapter or even a chapter of its own. It felt like a moment that deserved just a bit more space to breathe. That said, everything else was so enjoyable and heartwarming to read.

With sweet, faith-filled themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery, Sense and Suitability offers a delightful balance of heart, humor, and historical flair. Perfect for fans of Austen retellings, clean historical romance, and feel-good love stories with thoughtful characters, this novel is a lovely addition to your TBR.

I absolutely loved Pepper Basham’s regency novel, Sense and Suitability! This is her first regency, and it’s perfect, with humor, and love, and social balls, and gossip and reputations and the amazing hero and heroine. All of this and more comes to you in a very easy to read, clean story that is full of memorable characters, and leads you in various emotions, in a good way! I’m hoping for a sequel! Wonderful book! I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this review is my own true opinion.

Sense and Suitability is a delightful Regency romance filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable characters. Emmeline and Simon's second-chance love story is both swoon-worthy and filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, especially with their quirky side characters like Aunt Bean and the lovable frog, Blast.

I absolutely adored Emme, she’s witty, kind, and relatable, while Simon's redemption arc is perfectly done. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between their growing feelings and the complicated situations they find themselves in made for such a captivating read. The dynamics, the mischief, and the heartfelt moments kept me hooked from start to finish.

Pepper Basham’s writing is as charming as always, blending sweet romance with humor and just the right touch of emotional depth. If you love Regency romances with strong characters, witty dialogue, and a swoony, slow-burn romance, this is a must-read!

Not too huge on this one, 2.5 stars. The biggest issue I had was the formatting of the story, but I don’t know if that’s just how it’s been written or if that’s the issue with this document. It was fine, ultimately a fine read. I love regency romances, and if I was in the mood for it then this one would probably be no exception. Besides for the formatting issues, the writing was easy to follow along with, but the character conversations felt tilted and forced. Not as badly as The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, but not too far from it either. I think I’ll reread it in the future (when I’m actually in the mood for it) and see if my opinion improves!! I don’t think it was all the fault of the author, and I would love to try something else by her too! Just think that today isn’t my day, and that’s okay!

This book was so sweet like a dessert! And the FMC was so confident and quick minded! Loved Emme. The love story was really heart-warming and I loved all the bookish aspects throughout the story. Bookworms for the win! I got a bit bored during certain chapters though and wanted to hurry up and finish hence why my rating is a 3 star.

I absolutely adored this novel for the most part. I really loved Simon and Emme. They were so fun and cute together.
Basham did a great job with these two even though some of it was a little repetitive I still found it an enjoyable and a funny read. A delightful novel that makes reading fun once again. This one made my day.
I really hated to say goodbye to these wonderful characters that I felt like had become family.
I finished this story in one evening because it was so good. I even found myself giggling in some places.
Emme just has this charismatic energy that made me love her instantly. Even though she did go overboard at certain times.
In certain ways she reminds me of myself which was why I was able to connect with her lol.
5 stars for a job well done in keeping my attention all the way through. I love this author so I knew I had to have this book. I wasn't disappointed at all!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

This was a fun, easy read! I really liked parts of it and though I wasn’t totally drawn in emotionally, I found it totally enjoyable from start to finish.

Delightfully charming! This was a really sweet classic regency era story. I loved the writing style, it was witty and banter filled. There were many humorous sitautions woven into the story that were lively and entertaining. This book had a lot of heart, the characters had distinct personalities and the relationships with family and friends felt genuine.

The main characters Simon & Emme, had layers to their personalities and motivations. I liked that they had the ability to self-reflect and evolve through the story. I was drawn to Simon's predicament and internal struggles as a character from the beggining. Emme was a kind and thoughtful person. Her being an author herself added a meta component to the book - as did the Jane Austen references! Their romance was sweet and engaging, with all their unplanned stolen moments and inner yearning for each other.

I loved Ben and Thomas as characters, the banter and mischief they brought to the conversations with the main character's were a fun dynamic. Aunt Bean's lessons were also dramatically entertaining. I found Simon & Emme's relationships with their siblings and parent very endearing!

A few things I think could have been better:

1. In the second half of the book, the core conflict dragged on too much. The overall struggle of wanting to be together, but not being able to started to feel repetitive in everyone's internal analysis and conversations of the situation. It was the same narrative going back and forth. I also felt Aunt Agatha's role as the obstacle in this regard was overdone towards the end, and didn't feel realistic.

2. When Emme wanted to help Simon and his family, I felt she overstepped her bounds in the way she involved herself directly with the kids without first taking permission. It would have worked better if they had a prior friendship on account of being family friends and not just a courtship. A more gradual approach of helping would have felt more organic, rather than putting everything forth in that one meeting.

On the whole, this was a refreshing and charming read. It's been a while since I read a classic style of historical fiction romance. This was my first book by Pepper Basham, and I'm looking forward to exploring some other books by the author as well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely adored this Regency romantic comedy novel! I thought the story was lovely and I really enjoyed the diverse characters in it! I found this to be sweet, cute, funny, witty and delightful. This was my first book that I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books! I found that the writing style of this story to be unique. The main characters are lovable and the minor characters really stood out! It is a medium paced read that is character driven. It’s all about second chances, joy and chemistry between the main characters! This is an enemies to lovers trope, with a great amount of banter between the two! It was such a fun and entertaining read!

“Sense and Suitability” centers around a woman named Emmeline, who swears off men due to her past experiences with them. A man named Simon, who vanished from Emme’s life in the past with an apology letter, comes back into her life later on and needs her help. Simon really needs a wealthy bride and Emme says she will be a great friend and help him find the one. While Emme is playing the matchmaker, she can’t deny that she still has feelings for him, even though he did her wrong in the past. As this story unfolds, these two might end up happily ever after or come to an agreement of being close friends for life. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!

I think people who love reading enemies to lovers romance comedy novels will love this one! It has low spice and comes with a lot of very likable characters! This is also the same author who wrote the “Some Like it Scot” book!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Pepper Basham and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on October 14, 2025!

This is Pepper Basham’s first Regency rom com. The characters are great, even the overbearing aunts and greedy mothers of eligible girls. The young siblings of the main male character are really fun and add a lot to the story. The challenges of the Regency marriage market are handled well. Wondering if and how the two main characters were going to get their happily ever after kept me reading when I should have been doing other things!

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #SenseandSuitability #NetGalley

This was an incredibly delightful read. A Regency romance that was exactly what I needed, sweet and funny and a little bit chaotic.

Emmeline and Simon met by chance, became friends and fell in love. But on the night they were to be engaged, he didn't show, just his note and no explanations. Two years later, he's back, now a Viscount of Ravenscross, after a sudden passing of both his cousin and his father. He was left with a title, debts, an estate in ruins and younger siblings in his care. His only hope, to marry someone with money. Emmie, seeing the position that he is in now, offers her help with finding him a suitable bride. But will they be able to be only friends or will their feelings just make everything even more complicated. And with Emmie carrying a secret that might tear them both apart, will they be able to find their happily ever after.

I loved this story so much. Emmie was such an amazing character, witty and so incredibly kind. I adored her. And Simon really redeemed himself. I loved how he was with his sibling and the way he loved Emmie.
His sibling were wonderful, Fia with her adorableness, Lottie with her fierceness, and Will with his quiet but insightful presence. They were such a great addition to the story.
So were Ben and Aster and Thomas. I would love to read their stories too.
Also, I have to say Aunt Bean's lessons were hilarious, I was laughing so hard. And Aunt Agatha did grow on me at the end. And of course, Blast-It-All deserves a special mention.

This was a story full of swoony moments, chance encounters, funny and witty exchanges and mischief. Full of heart and characters that made it special.
This was my first novel by this author, but I will definitely read more. I really enjoyed her writing.

This story has everything that Pepper Basham fans expect and love from her: likable main characters, adorable and mischievous kids, loyal friends (sweet Thomas) and amusing friends (looking at you, Ben), and kissing, of course. Even though I knew exactly what was going to happen, I still couldn't put this book down.

I wish there hadn't been a kiss of dubious consent, and some things got resolved too quickly and tidily to be realistic, but I know romance readers aren't here for realism.

This is a delightful story for fans of Sense and Sensibility (obviously) or Little Women. It was so fun to see Emme's development as a writer and person, and even more fun to see the development of her relationship with Simon. Lovers of clean historical romance will enjoy Sense and Suitability!

Also, if you're reading this, Pepper, can we please get another story for Thomas and another story for Aster? I know you're a fan of writing series of family sagas ;D

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This review is cross-posted to Goodreads and will also be posted to Amazon and Instagram within one week of the book's publication.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like this story or not. The first few chapters seemed to keep harping on the one idea until I started getting a little bored. However, because I love this author's "Skymar" series so much I wanted to give this book a fair hearing. AND I'm glad I did.

I loved how Basham used the plot lines of "Sense and Sensibility" to reflect the actions and choices of the main characters. Some of the story brought to mind parts of Georgette Heyer's "A Civil Contract" including Simon's best friend and some very entertaining siblings of both main characters.

Overall, this was a fun read. Based on some of the supporting characters, it appears that the author may be planning some sequels.