Can you really go wrong with a Jane Austen retelling? This regency romance is an absolute treat and so utterly charming!

This was a cute read, especially if you love clean regency era romances! I loved the characters and the misunderstandings, the characters were all likeable and you really rooted for them! My only complaint was their issue keeping them apart was repeated over and over and over again. It felt like a redundant point. I'm finding that I'm prefer Basham's contemporary books over her historical fictions, but still a good read!

Emmeline has sworn off love, and Simon Reeves: the charming heartbreaker that vanished without a single word. But when he returns in need of help finding a bride, she agrees to be his matchmaker. Strictly as friends, of course!

What could go wrong with a plan this solid? Just some unresolved feelings, a secret writing career (Lady Whistledown, are you with us?!) and a second chance neither of them saw coming… did you?!

‘Sense and Suitability’ by Pepper Basham is a witty Regence romcom full of charm and irresistible tension, the kind that makes every Bridgerton fan’s heart flutter a little bit more.

Emmeline’s independence and secret life as an author made her such a refreshing character, and let alone the slow-build chemistry between her and Simon which I loved, full of tension and tenderness, and how the story gave their reunion some extra depth.

As always, a special thanks to the author Pepper Basham (@pepperbasham), Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read and review ‘Sense and Suitability’ before it’s official publication on October 14. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

tysm netgalley for the e-arc!!
- heartwarming regency romance
- fav trope: helping other character with romance, but ending up falling for each other
- slow burn, witty writing
- critiquing societal expectations

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham is just another example of her lovely writing skills. Witty and warm, this very Austenesque tale had much humor and antics from one little girl and her frog. Heartbreak from selfless decisions to save another’s reputation in society. And a love to swoon over. It was simply beautiful!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

This is one of those books that make you resent real life for interrupting your reading time.

Pepper Basham's Sense and Suitability is everything I love in a clean romance and more! It's a sweet, witty, and heartfelt read that pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the very last page. This is the second of Basham's books I have read. She has a way of crafting stories that feel like cozy cups of tea.

What sets this book apart is its engaging blend of Austen-inspired charm with a distinctly modern (yet timeless) voice. Basham has a gift for writing characters you genuinely root for (flawed, funny, and fully human). The chemistry is warm and genuine, the pacing is spot-on, and the dialogue sparkles. Best of all, the romance remains clean and wholesome, allowing the emotional connection and personal growth of the characters to shine.

I found myself lost in the storyline. Every time I had to put it down, I was a little bit grumpy about it. It's not just a romance- it's a feel-good escape that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants a story that makes their heart happy.

Why you should read it:

-Engaging, heartfelt writing style

-Clean romance with substance and spark

-A storyline that’s hard to put down

-Perfect blend of humor, heart, and hope

I can’t wait to read more from this author (though I may need to clear my calendar next time)!

Emmeline Lockhart's journey through the complexities of love and independence is nothing short of captivating. After two unsuccessful social seasons, she is determined to maintain her dignity, especially after being ghosted by the charming Simon Reeves—an experience that leaves her wary of romantic entanglements. What makes Emmeline's story truly remarkable is her ability to thrive as a successful, anonymous author, finding fulfillment outside of traditional marriage.
The plot thickens as Simon's once-illustrious estate falls into disarray, compelling him to seek a wealthy bride while grappling with his responsibilities towards his unruly siblings. Emmeline steps in as a supportive friend, intent on helping Simon without compromising her heart. Their undeniable chemistry adds layers of tension and emotion, making the reader root for them despite their complicated history.
The writing is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery resonate deeply. This story beautifully illustrates that some love stories, no matter how messy, deserve a second chance. A must-read for anyone who appreciates romance that challenges societal norms!

A charming and unexpected homage to Sense and Sensibility, Sense and Suitability delights with its wit, warmth, and a heroine you won’t soon forget. Emme is bold, unconventional, and refreshingly self-assured as she pushes against cultural expectations—not only to follow her own dreams, but to fiercely protect those she loves. Her journey is as inspiring as it is heartfelt. And then there’s Simon—evolving, earnest, and compelling in his pursuit of growth. Watching him grapple with whether he truly deserves Emme's heart against all odds adds a beautifully introspective layer to this clean Regency romance.

With Basham’s signature humor woven through every page, the story is packed with vibrant banter, endearing children, mishaps and true romance—all while keeping things sweet and proper. This second-chance, enemies-to-lovers tale brings just enough social tension to keep you turning pages, while celebrating the timeless virtues of honor, sacrifice, and love.

A must-read for fans of clean romance and Austen-inspired storytelling.

Pepper Basham can do no wrong in my book! I loved this take on a Jane Austen novel! Pepper has such a funny voice in her writing that is also relatable even when she's writing about 18th century England!

Yet another wonderful book by Pepper, but am I surprised? Not at all! I almost expected to love this one, and sure enough, I did. I will say that if I could do it over again, I would’ve read Sense and Sensibility, first to be more familiar with all the references. However, it’s definitely not required to enjoy the story.

This book is a classic second chance romance with a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe, especially considering how these two broke up in the first place. You knew it would take time for them to find their way back to each other, but wow, was it worth the journey. It’s a super sweet story.

Emme and Simon fell in love years before, but circumstances... namely a change in Simon's station, made it impossible for him to propose. He never explained why, and she ended up being the talk of the town after they split apart. Now, years later, they find themselves back in the season, with meddling aunts pushing them to marry... yet also reminding them that they CAN NOT consider each other.

So, what do they do? They slowly work their way back to friendship. But, of course, it’s hard to stay "just friends" when all your heart wants is so much more. Society has expectations, and Simon needs a woman of wealth and Emme is now far below his station. She can’t give him what he needs, so instead, she decides to help him find a more suitable match.

Emme has a heart of gold and is determined to help the man she still loves, even if it means stepping aside. She wants the best for him, and if she can’t have him, at least she can help him find a better future. She's such a kind, selfless woman...honestly, better than I could ever be!

This story is a page turner, with a sweet, heartfelt romance. You’re in for a real treat with this one.
I rated this one a 4.5, rounded to 5 stars!
I received a complimentary copy, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

A Charming Twist on Jane Austen with a Dash of Heartache and Hope

If you love regency romance with a healthy mix of sass, longing looks, and second chances, Sense and Suitability is totally worth your time. Emmeline Lockhart is the kind of main character you root for from page one. She’s smart, determined, and totally done with love—especially after Simon Reeves, her almost-fiancé, left her in the garden like yesterday’s crumpets. Ouch.

But here comes Simon again, now a full-blown viscount with more family drama than a season of Bridgerton. He’s back, not to win Emme’s heart, but to find a rich bride to save his estate. Cue the heartbreak.

And what does our independent heroine do? Oh, just volunteer to help him find said bride. Because logic, obviously. Watching these two tiptoe around their feelings while pretending they’re just friends? Top-tier tension.

The writing has that classic Basham charm—romantic, witty, and swoony in all the right places. I loved the little nods to Sense and Sensibility, but it still felt fresh and fun, not like a copy-paste job.

Still, Sense and Suitability has all the cozy, dramatic, slow-burn goodness I crave in a historical romance. Emme and Simon’s story had me grinning, sighing, and maybe yelling at them to just be honest already.

Perfect for fans of second chances, misunderstood noblemen, and heroines with a secret (or two).

Thank you to NetGalley, Pepper Basham and Thomas Nelson fiction for allowing me the chance to read this advanced copy.

This is a regency romance retelling of Sense and sensibility. The main character Emme is a driven novelist who has had her heart broken in the past. When said protagonist Simon comes back into her life it unfurls all her past feelings and his.

They both try to push these feelings away, him due to family issues and the need to find a wealthy bride as quickly as possible and her due to not wanting her heart broken again.

After finding out about Simon's circumstances. Emme enrolls herself as help to find his bride, putting her knowledge of the possible candidates to use. But can they resist each other and are they able to keep behind the line of friendship?

I really enjoyed this story and all the characters were interesting. You find yourself not only wanting to know whether the romance will bloom once again for Emme and Simon, but also the development of the other characters as well. From Simon's foreboding aunt and cute siblings to Emma's cousin Thomas and even a little escape artist frog. You are invested in them all. And I really hope that there will be books from their perspectives.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. Simon and Emme had met two seasons ago and seemed to be on the path to marriage. Unfortunately, Emme was left alone and wondering why Simon abruptly stopped their relationship. We pick back up with Emme thinking that she is content on the spinster path. We also learn that she is secretly an author with the help of her cousin, Thomas. The only downside to Thomas is his mother. His mother is intent on getting Emme and her sister married with successful matches this season. This leads her to seeing that Simon is back. As their paths cross, Emme decides to help Simon with finding a bride and taking care of his siblings. It was sweet seeing both these characters trying to stay away from each other even though you knew they were clearly meant for each other. I loved seeing both Emme and Simon's interactions with each other and with each others families. The siblings bonds were very sweet as they provided comedic moments, showed the power of family bonds, and showed Emme and Simon's hearts. I love that Emme and Simon both proved their worthiness to each other families and each other. This was a great read as it was full of heart and a fast read. I hope one of the sibling gets a story next! :)

What can I say except—oh my goodness, she’s done it again! This Regency story is brimming with heart, humor, and a good dose of romance.

Emmeline Lockhart has sworn off love ever since her almost-fiancé, Simon Reeves, left her standing alone in the garden. She has a secret, thriving writing career, with no intention of falling for another liar. Simon, meanwhile, let the love of his life, Emmeline, slip through his fingers when tragedy turned his world upside down. With his father and cousin gone, Simon became a viscount and must marry for money to save his family’s estate and keep a roof over his siblings’ heads.

Thrown together in polite society, Emmeline and Simon try their best to avoid each other. But between undeniable sparks and an accidental run-ins, old feelings resurface. Knowing she, a country gentleman's daughter, could never be what Simon needs, she agrees to help Simon find a suitable wife to secure his family’s future. What could possibly go wrong?

I couldn’t put this book down. Written in Pepper’s ever-clever style, it was pure joy to see Emmeline and Simon navigate their way from once in love to heartbreak and back to something even deeper. Whenever Simon’s siblings entered the story, they stole the page—especially his youngest sister with her messy person and a frog named Blast (Simon’s favorite exclamation!).

This story captured my heart, made me laugh, and kept me reading long past bedtime. Thank you for another delightful read. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pepper Basham and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Anything involving Freddie and Gracie is a welcome distraction.

LOVED this mystery to the very last page. I laughed out loud, swooned over handsome Freddie and his love for his bride. I was really happy to see Blake part of this book again. He's a great character. Looking forward to the next one. No, I'm serious. When is it coming out?

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Sense and Suitability does what my previous ARC tried and failed to do: offer a Austen-inspired story that actually respects its source material. This was a well-done read that felt like it belonged on the shelf alongside my favorite historical romance authors like M.A. Nichols, Sally Britton, Kasey Stockton, or Rebecca Connelly. It reminded me especially of His Bluestocking Bride and His Mysterious Lady, both of which are smart, clean historical romances with a steady voice and enjoyable pacing. It didn’t hit on an emotional level for me personally, but it was enjoyable from start to finish and absolutely worthwhile.

If I had one niche wish, it would be that Emmeline were just a bit older. At 20, her journey felt a touch too youthful to carry the weight of the story’s emotional and societal observations even if that puts her at the same age as her contemporary Jane Austen when she penned her first novel. A version of this story with a 27- or 28-year-old heroine on the verge of spinsterhood would have hit even harder for me. But that’s entirely subjective, and ultimately, this book succeeds at what it sets out to do. Quietly satisfying and well-constructed, it’s exactly the kind of story I reach for when I want a historical escape that respects both genre and reader.

The only other note I’d make is that the characters occasionally felt a bit too modern for the historical setting. Several of them rolled their eyes or used expressions that felt slightly anachronistic. While that kind of modern voice comes with the territory when contemporary authors write historical fiction, it did pull me out of the time period a few times. Still, it wasn’t enough to ruin the experience. The story remains a quietly satisfying and well-constructed read I'd reach for when I want a historical escape that respects both genre and reader.

Rating: 4 stars

Pepper has done it again!!

I adored this story and simply could not put this one down. As a huge Austen fan and a Basham fan I was very eager to see how she would blend these two worlds together and it did not disappoint. If he does not yearn the way Simon does then count me out. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.

I think this might be my new favorite read of the year! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I plan to delve into Pepper Basham's other work very soon.

Two years prior, Emmeline Lockhart and Simon Reeves were about to become engaged after a three-month courtship. But when disaster struck his family, Simon was forced to choose duty over love as he learned to navigate his new life. However, two years later, when the pair are thrust together again, they are as much in danger of being as in love with each other again as they were before.

I want to take care not to spoil anything, but I must say that I loved this clean second-chance romance so much. It's not my usual trope, but Basham did this masterfully and I adored it!

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson, Pepper Basham, and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own in this honest review.

What a fun read!! I love, loved this book!!
I have to admit that I’m a bit biased when it comes to pepper basham books - her storytelling is always top notch!
This is a lovely story about a heroine and who you wish her hero would be…. But it honestly seems to be an impossible thing.
The discovery of the how and the why was wonderful.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Book Review: Sense and Suitability
By Pepper Basham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley and Pepper Basham for providing me an eARC of this novel to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emmeline Lockhart is an author in a time when that is a scandalous profession for a lady, so her writing must remain anonymous. She is also starting her 3rd season on the marriage mart without a match. She thought she had found the perfect match 2 seasons ago until he left her without explaining what happened. Now he’s back and looking for a wealthy wife. Simon Reeves is now a Viscount, but that comes with much heartache and stress. He must marry a wealthy woman to save his estate and his family.

I really enjoyed this book! It is a cute Regency romance with nods to Jane Austen. Emmeline and Simon are great characters who must decide if their past will define them or if they will shape their own futures as much as possible. The supporting cast of characters are great as well; we have a vicar cousin, a couple curmudgeonly aunts, a sweet sister, some mischievous younger siblings and a kindhearted father. There is of course the one character bent on causing issues and getting her way. For the most part it was well done, however I felt there were a couple of threads of the story that needed to be wrapped up. I hope that means we will get another book. There was also not any obvious faith elements in this book except for what is implied by the actions of the characters. I loved the family dynamics in this book- in both families. I loved the shenanigans that the main characters kept finding themselves involved in without even trying.

If you love Jane Austen type stories, or clean , sweet stories set in the regency period then you will love this story. If you are looking for books with blatant faith or want a book with huge amount of action then you might not like this one.