Pride and Practicality: A Low-Spice, High-Swoon Regency Rom-Com

By Pepper D. Basham

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reader in possession of a good humor, must be in want of a Pepper Basham book--and Pride and Practicality is one of her best." --Karen Witemeyer, Christy Award winning author

In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all.

Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society's darling--but its favorite cautionary tale.

Now returned home--uninvited and unmistakably whispered about--Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even if polite society would prefer she did it at a very great distance from anyone respectable.

Thomas Bridges, a principled clergyman with an inconvenient habit of thinking for himself, is already walking a narrow line. His congregation expects propriety, his mother expects matrimony, and both have very firm opinions about his future. Thomas, however, would prefer a life guided by conviction . . . even when it proves impractical.

When Arianna repeatedly--and quite disruptively--crosses his path, Thomas faces a dilemma no sermon prepared him for. She is not at all what she ought to be: not dull, not foolish, and--most dangerously--not someone he can overlook, but a kindred spirit who shares his passion for service and his troubling habit of defying society's expectations . . . all with good intentions, of course.

As their forbidden acquaintance deepens into something far more perilous than friendship, Arianna and Thomas must decide: preserve their reputations, or risk them entirely for the good of others----and their own hearts.

Because in a society that measures worth by perfection, choosing grace, mercy, and love may cost them everything--and give them more than they ever hoped to find.

In Pride and Practicality, Pepper Basham delivers a Regency romcom brimming with lively banter, heartfelt charm, and just enough mischief to keep propriety on its toes. With a kisses-only romance that sparkles with chemistry and a story rich in faith, humor, and second chances, this delightful tale invites readers to laugh, sigh, and fall in love with a romance that is as meaningful as it is joyful.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0840717717
• ISBN13: 9780840717719
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 368 Pages

Customer Reviews

swoon worthy Regency romcom

"I have learned that there is always hope. Improbably, inconvenient, utterly relentless hope." Oh how I adore Pepper Basham's books. I loved Simon and Emme in Sense and Suitability. And I absolutely loved Thomas and Arianna in this second book in the Regency rom-com series. This book can totally be read as a stand-alone but reading the books in order will allow you to marinate in the marvel that is the Reeves family. I loved Thomas when I first met him as he was helping his cousin Emme publish her books. His story has made me fall even deeper in love with his kindness, tenderness, steadfastness, devotion to the Lord, intelligence, and pure sense of justice and doing good. Even with his faults, Thomas was the perfect, lovable and believable hero. I loved Arianna and her resourcefulness, grit, humility, forthrightness, and compassion for those in need. Thomas and Arianna had such witty and lively conversations that were incredibly fun. Alongside Regency expectations and delicious rom-com, the author addressed the need for social reform regarding orphans during this time. It was heart-breaking to see little ones suffer because of poverty and misfortune. Thomas and Arianna's vision for helping these children was commendable and I loved seeing grace, mercy, hope and faith become real and tangible. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves heart-warming stories about hope, love, mercy and redemption. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.