Sense and Suitability: A Sweet Regency, Enemies-To-Lovers Rom-Com

By Pepper D. Basham

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0840717067
• ISBN13: 9780840717061
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 368 Pages

Customer Reviews

Regency Romantic Comedy at Its Best

This is Basham’s first Regency era novel, and it is superb. She has the gift of storytelling, and if you don’t believe it after reading this book, I’m not sure what to say about you. If you’ve read Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, you’ll see parallels with the story of the two main characters. Simon Reeves, the Viscount of Ravenscroft, who teeters between Willoughby and Colonel Brandon, and Emmaline Lockhart, the heroine, who perfectly combines Marianne and Elinor. Fans of Jane Austen will appreciate and enjoy this story. Basham has captured the style of the beloved author while creating something fresh. If you like romantic comedies, this novel will please you. There are many serious moments, especially involving Simon’s siblings, but the story is also so much fun with ample laugh-out-loud moments. The faith element is present but subtly presented. I’d almost classify this as a clean, romantic comedy, which is not the norm for Basham. This novel is delightful and definitely a five-star read.