SENSE AND SUITABILITY

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.

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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.

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Thomas Nelson
Paperback
October 2025
368 Pages
9780840717061

Buy the Book

$17.99

About Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Praise

“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.” —Booklist

“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!” —Mimi Matthews, USA TODAY bestselling author

“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.” —Joanna Barker, author of A Heart Worth Stealing

“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!” —Grace Hitchcock, award-winning author

Discussion Questions

1. Can you recall one “marriage tip” given by Aunt Bean that you found the most humorous?

2. Social status plays a significant role in disrupting Simon and Emme’s romance. What are some other books from the regency era that show these dynamics? Can you think of any by Jane Austen, in particular?

3. Having children in novels is sometimes a difficult balance of being realistic and engaging. What elements of involving the Reeves’s children in Sense and Suitability did you enjoy? Not enjoy? Why or why not? How do you think their involvement deepened the story? The characters?

4. What are some assumptions we can make about Simon before he became viscount and guardian to his siblings? How about after? How do the trials from his circumstances make him stronger? More grateful?

5. Sibling relationships play a large part in this story. What are some positive elements among the siblings that you noticed? What were some negative ones? How could you tell that the siblings loved one another?

6. It’s easy to jump to conclusions and judgments when we’ve been hurt, and Emme is right to feel hurt and angry at Simon’s initial actions toward her. How does finding out the truth about Simon change Emme’s behavior toward him?