This is only my second regency novel ever. However, I chose to read it because it’s a Pepper Basham book! I knew it would be heartfelt, funny, and so worth my time. I listened to the audiobook. I gave it 4.25 stars.

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. The narration of the audiobook is fantastic and adds nuance to the time period. 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.

Let me start by saying that the narration is fantastic. I loved having both a female and a male speaker. This is a classic tale of social class getting in the way of true love. Simon and Elle have so many obstacles that seem insurmountable: class, money, relatives, scheming socialites and a lack of communication. As they make there way through overcoming all these challenges, I came to love both their characters. A sweet story with a happy ending.

4 stars – Sweet, witty, and utterly charming
Sense & Suitability by Pepper Basham was such a delightful surprise! I went in blind and was hooked from the very first page. This is my first read by this author, but definitely not my last.

Set in a Regency world with full rom-com energy, this story follows Emmeline—sweet, clever, and secretly a successful author of cozy fantasy novels. When Simon, the man who once broke her heart, returns in disgrace (ruined estate, wild younger siblings, debts everywhere), she agrees to help him find a suitable bride.

What follows is a delicious slow-burn romance filled with tension, banter, and second chances. Simon and Emme’s chemistry is undeniable, and watching them navigate old wounds and new feelings was so satisfying.

Tropes I loved:
• Second-chance romance
• Secret author / hidden identity
• Friends-to-lovers
• Matchmaker trope
• Slow burn & mutual pining
• Adorable chaos (yes, there’s a frog named Blast 🐸)
• Emotional redemption arc

I especially loved the subtle nod to Pride & Prejudice and the quiet feminist thread running through Emme’s story. Oh—and Simon reads the books she recommends. Enough said.

This was funny, wholesome, and the perfect palate cleanser between my usual heavy fantasy reads. Highly recommend for fans of Bridgerton, sweet historicals, and clean-but-swoony romance.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for access to an advanced audiobook of Sense and Suitability.

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!

3.5/4

I haven't read Historical Romance in a while and I'm glad I picked up Sense and Suitability, it had everything I love about the sub-genre. With lots of wit, we get naughty children shenanigans and propriety galore.

Our heroine is also a writer, which I love to see. She's kind, very understanding and patient, and she is determined to help Simon find someone that would be more suitable than herself (as she does not have a high enough dowry to help him with his estate). The hero was caring and strived to do the right thing by everyone at the cost of his own happiness. They were very well suited and it made me smile every time they got a moment alone, despite their aunts trying to keep them apart.

I had hoped to get a flashback of when they had first broken up. I love second chance romances and that moment that first pulls them apart definitely makes for a stronger connection to their journey.

A super fun and cute read with a little homage to our dear Jane Austen.

Emme is still recovering from her failed relationship with Simon Reeves, who broke her heart with their almost-engagement. But in the class conscious Regency Era, perhaps Emme should have known that a man so eligible would be out of the reach of someone like her, from a less privileged family? And now, after inheriting the title of Viscount of Ravenscroft, that is even more the case.

The thing is, Emme does not know that the real reason Simon jilted her was due to circumstances out of his control. And Simon could not bring himself to tell her the truth. But Emme has a secret of her own - one which gives her options other than marriage...

This is an engaging story with an unusual heroine. It gets 3.5 stars.

Oh my! Pepper Basham's books always get such wonderful narrators and this one is no exception. I loved the story so much and the narrators enhanced the story so well! "Sense and Suitability" 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.

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!

My favorite by author Pepper yet! If you love Regency Romance, this gem is for you! The sibling bonds, hilarious dramatic meddling aunts, and whiity banter between Emmeline & Simon made it impossible to put down. Full of society drama, gossip, humor, with a wink at Sense and Sensibility, this light hearted novel was medicine my to my soul..
The narrators were great!

Sense and Suitability is an utterly charming retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, filled with wit, heart, and emotional depth. Pepper Basham brings warmth and cleverness to this Regency romance, offering a story that feels both comfortingly classic and delightfully fresh.
At the center of the story is Emmeline, a heroine full of quiet strength and resilience. Two seasons ago, she was practically engaged to the roguish yet irresistible Simon—until he vanished without proposing, leaving her hurt and humiliated. Now, with her reputation in tatters, Emmeline must marry soon or risk complete social ruin.
Meanwhile, Simon has inherited a title, a crumbling estate, and an avalanche of debt. His siblings are depending on him to secure a wealthy match that could save them all from destitution. Emmeline, rising above her heartbreak, makes the unthinkable decision to help Simon find a suitable wife—one who can care for his siblings and bring stability to his household.
What unfolds is a deeply moving second-chance romance, rich with emotion, redemption, and slow-burn tension. Simon’s transformation from careless scoundrel to devoted family man is as satisfying as it is heartwarming. And Emmeline’s grace in the face of adversity makes her a heroine you can’t help but root for.
The audiobook narration adds an extra layer of magic. Fiona Hardingham and Christopher Ashman bring Emmeline and Simon to life with charm, nuance, and emotional clarity. Their performances make the longing, misunderstandings, and tender moments between the leads all the more poignant.
Perfect for fans of Austen retellings, second-chance love stories, and beautifully narrated historical romance, Sense and Suitability is an absolute delight from start to finish. 🎧💖📚

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 on audio. The dual narration was thoroughly enjoyable. All opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of Pepper Basham and was excited to read *Sense and Suitability*. For her first attempt at writing a Regency romance, I think Basham did a good job, although it wasn't my favorite of her books.

While the story had some witty banter and fun comedic situations that I enjoyed, I felt it dragged at times. The narrators did a good job bringing the characters to life, but I wish there had been more depth and detail about the previous relationship between the FMC and MMC to build their connection further.

Overall, I just didn’t connect much with the story, but it was a decent read. If you enjoy clean Regency romances, I think it would be worth giving this one a shot.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, as well as Pepper Basham for granting me access to this ALC.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have to admit — this was one of my first Regency romances, and I’m utterly obsessed! Oh wow, what a dreamy book. First of all, I loved the narrators — they did a wonderful job bringing the story to life. I often struggle to immerse myself in an audiobook if the narration doesn’t fit, but in this case, it was spot on.

The story itself is sweet, charming, and warm. It offers a delightful glimpse into Regency England, with a society full of amiable young ladies and gentlemen all in pursuit of their ideal match. Our heroine, Emmeline, takes quite a scandalous path as an author — especially in a time when women were more often expected to be seen rather than heard. I adored her strong will and determination. Her character truly shines throughout the story!

It’s the kind of book that feels like a cozy escape. I’d call it a quick read (or a quick listen), but I mean that in the best way — it’s one of those stories you simply can’t put down.

Goodreads rating: 4.5 stars

Sense and Suitability is a clean regency rom-com that shared a lot of parallels with a certain popular book/adaptation (cough - Romancing Mr. Bridgerton aka Penelope and Colin's story). Heroine Emme is nearly on the shelf as she has navigated multiple seasons without a successful match, but she also can't be bothered because her career as an author is thriving. When the man who jilted her returns, she aids him in his quest to find a bride but ends up catching feelings instead. I liked the strong, confident female main character and the wit portrayed in this story, but I did find it a bit monotone. Perhaps I would have had a different experience if I read the book rather than listened to it, but it was just ok for me.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for gifting me with an ALC to review. All opinions are my own.

This wonderfully highlights the plight of women in this era and the errors of the aristocratic ways when is comes to marriage and love. Who knew becoming a successful female author could bring shame on a family? This is an adorable love story through rich and rags with focused morals on family and love over money and reputation. I did find it a little slow in areas, and thought the story dragged on, but overall it was entertaining and had a great message. Plus there is a frog named Blast aka Blast It All!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

This romance has a good mix of fun and serious all in a regency time period. Thoroughly enjoyable and I hope this author writes more romance like this.

What a great read, this was all I needed!

The book centers around Emmeline, a secret romance writer who can't forget Simon, who vanished from her life in the past with an apology letter. When he comes back into her life in need of help, things get complicated.

I absolutely adored this Regency romance, with a lot of references to Jane Austen works. The story was lovely and I really enjoyed all the characters, they were a lot of fun to read and follow around.

The book is a fast read, very sweet and fun. I really liked that apart from the romance both main characters have their own life and issues to deal with. Huge shout out to all the minor characters who really stood out! and made the story great.

Read this If you like character driven stories, relatable characters, fun stories, historical romances and a lot of banter between the main characters.

I will for sure checking out more books by this author, as I really enjoyed this one, it was such a fun read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ALC, all opinions are my own.

The audiobook was done well. Both narrators did a great job, even though the different character voices were odd at times.
As for the story itself, it was a lot of telling, not showing. We’re told they’re in love, but there wasn’t much evidence it. I just wasn’t invested in their romance. Maybe if I had watched them fall in love, I would have felt differently. The book seemed to drag at times and was a bit repetitive. A lot of them telling themselves they couldn’t have the other. Overall, it was a cute read.

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to Sense and Suitability in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Pepper Basham book, and I really enjoyed it! It gave me total Pride and Prejudice meets Bridgerton vibes—with the Regency charm, sweet slow-burn romance, and plenty of witty moments. The dual narrators made the audiobook a treat to listen to, bringing the characters to life in such a warm and engaging way 🎧📚.

I especially loved Simon’s younger siblings—they were such a fun, heartwarming part of the story and made me smile every time they showed up. The whole book gave me cozy, comforting feelings, like curling up with a cup of tea and something soft and familiar 🫖💛.

I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author. This one was such a lovely listen!

#SenseAndSuitability #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc-
Audio production of Sense and Suitability.

I enjoyed both narrators and appreciated the dual narrators for the FMC and MMC. They both had clear and understandable voices. Although, I wish the male FMC had a more prominent English accent, I did enjoy his narration. The audio book helped the pacing of the story when it seemed a bit too slow.

I was a little disappointed in Emmaline, that she loved writing but considered not writing for Simon. However, I did like that Simon did not know about her funds until the end and it wasn’t a bearing on his choice to marry her. However, I wish we could have seen them fall in love in the beginning, instead of starting after the gilt.

I felt like there were way too many Jane Austen references throughout and less actual regency situations, customs, or clothing. However, I did like how both sides of Simon and Emma’s family are involved and assist in carrying the plot.
This was a very light read and predictable.