Sense and Suitability

A sweet Regency, enemies-to-lovers rom-com

By: Pepper Basham

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham, Christopher Ashman

In this clean Regency romance, a woman with a scandalous past (and an even more scandalous secret) swears off love--until the man who broke her heart needs her help. What could possibly go wrong? Perfect for fans of Tessa Dare and Eloisa James looking for a low-spice, witty Regency romance, "Sense and Suitability is a sweet, second-chance Regency romance with an Austenesque flair." (USA TODAY bestselling author, Mimi Matthews)

After two failed social seasons, her family may think the third time will be a charm, but Emmeline Lockhart just wants to survive with her dignity (and singleness) intact. She thought she'd found her perfect match in Simon Reeves--charming, handsome, a veritable hero from a novel--until he vanished from her life without so much as a "farewell" or "my deepest regrets" (or even a vague apology scribbled on the back of a calling card). Lesson learned: never fall for a man known for his charm.

Fortunately, and unlike many of the other eligible young ladies of the ton, Emmeline has no need for a husband--because she's already found success in her scandalous (and very anonymous) profession as an author. Why bother with matrimony when she can make her own fortune and write men exactly the way she wants them?

But fate--or the misfortune of Simon's reckless patriarchs--has other plans. Simon's once-proud estate is in shambles, his family fortune has been gambled away, and the younger impressionable siblings in his care are running wild across his estate (and possibly across all of England). Simon is in desperate need of a wealthy, prestigious bride . . . and a friend.

Emmeline may not fit the role of heiress, but she can certainly be a friend. Just a friend. She'll help him find a suitable match, ensure his reputation remains intact, and keep things strictly platonic--no matter how dangerously appealing his new-and-improved sincerity and regret may be.

There's just one small problem: the undeniable chemistry that still smolders between them. Can Emme play matchmaker for the man she's still in love with without losing her heart all over again? And is it possible that some love stories--especially the messy, inconvenient, impossible ones--are worthy of a rewrite?

Filled with lively banter, adorable children, a frog named Blast, and swoony kisses, Sense and Suitability is the sweet Regency romance you've been looking for. Basham brings her signature humor to the Regency era where social strictures keep the tension tight in this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance.

Critic reviews

'An utter delight! Pepper Basham's debut into the Regency genre sparkles with deft wordplay and a joyous wit. Simon and Emmeline's story charms on every page, while endearing side characters try their best to steal the show. With clever nods to Jane Austen's classic, SENSE AND SUITABILITY is everything romance readers adore: sweet, swoony, and perfectly bingeable.'

'Filled with romantic drama caused by misunderstandings and poor timing, the pace is quick, while the charming characters and their consistently good-hearted approach to dealing with conflicts and other difficulties make this novel sparkle.'

'SENSE AND SUITABILITY is a sweet, second-chance Regency romance with an Austenesque flair. Pepper Basham brings a modern voice to classic themes, offering keen insights into family and community, while never losing her signature humor. An absolutely lovely read!'

'Wow. SENSE AND SUITABILITY is one of the best Regency romances that I've read in YEARS. With her signature humor, Pepper Basham has penned an engaging, dreamy tale with a cast of delightful characters and witty dialogue that absolutely sings! I found myself thinking about the hero and heroine while away from the novel, eager to find out how it all ended. This is a must-read for Jane Austen fans!'

Delightful

I greatly enjoyed this story of a love that seemed impossible to survive. The characters were endearing while the villainess was conniving. This story hinges on priorities including loyalty and honor and making the best decisions as a result. If you love Jane Austin or regency novels in general you will fall in love with this story. I have loved every book by Pepper Basham that I have read or listened to over the years.

Enjoao

I enjoyed the premise of this novel. Because the author set up the story so well in the opening chapters,the novel could’ve been more interesting at half its length

Excellent!

Excellent!! What a great book. It’s humorous and fun (Aunt Bean’s lessons!), light but not fluffy. There’s beautiful character and relationship development, and I loved the forbidden-love, second-chance romance. Though perhaps a little slow at times, it’s very well written and kept me fully engaged throughout.

What I probably loved most is that the relationship tension is caused by circumstances, not the endless miscommunication and insecurities that often plague romance novels. The MCs are clear headed and practical. Communication is clear, hearts are exposed, and decisions are selfless. It makes for a wonderful read and a most heartwarming ending.

For those who enjoy audiobooks, the narrator is excellent.

While this is a standalone book, you’ll likely enjoy it more if you’ve read Sense and Sensibility, as there are many references to its characters.

Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kisses. There is a very light message of faith and God.

Amazing regency book and audio!

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! The narrators were great; what an amazing listen!

Loved this Regency period story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is fun with plenty of romance and humor, and the author’s research of the societal expectations of the time really shows. The narrators were quite enjoyable to listen to.