Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham is tender, thoughtful, and rooted in kindness, the kind of story that proves a book can be sweet but still swoony. ~ Under the Covers

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If you’ve been missing a sweet, no-spice Regency romance that still makes your heart flutter, Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s charming, heartfelt, and full of the kind of second chance tension that feels soothing and lovely.

What Is Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham About?

After two failed social seasons, Emmeline Lockhart has given up on marriage, and that’s just fine with her. She has a steady income from her secret life as an author and all the independence she could want. The last thing she expects is to be pulled back into the orbit of Simon Reeves, the charming man who once broke her heart.

Simon’s life has changed dramatically since his disappearing act. With his estate in financial trouble and his younger siblings running wild, he’s a man under pressure, and Emmeline might just be the only person who can help him get back on track. So he agrees to have Emmeline helping him find a suitable match. What could possibly go wrong… besides falling in love all over again?

Does Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham Deliver the Romance?

Absolutely. Sense and Suitability is the kind of romance that makes you smile rather than swoon. The chemistry between Emmeline and Simon isn’t fiery, but it’s warm, lived-in, and quietly tender. They already loved each other once, and that shared history lingers in every look and line of dialogue.

The second chance arc feels believable because they both understand why things fell apart before, and they’re mature enough now to know things had to play out the way they did. I actually appreciated that we didn’t get much of Simon’s attempts to court other women; his disinterest makes it clear that Emme was never replaceable.

A Sweet Regency That Feels Comforting and Earnest

This isn’t a laugh-out-loud kind of Regency like a Tessa Dare romp, it’s more Austenesque, with that gentle humor and emotional intelligence that feels true to the period. Basham’s writing leans into faith, lightly woven naturally into the story rather than dominating it.

And while there’s no spice to speak of (just kissing), it never feels lacking. The characters carry the story. You root for Emmeline because she’s confident and capable, yet kind. You root for Simon because you can see how much he’s trying to grow into the kind of man who deserves her. Their relationship feels like comfort and romance, that’s exactly what makes it work.

It’s the kind of story you read on a cozy afternoon, wrapped in a blanket, with a cup of tea.

Final Thoughts

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham is tender, thoughtful, and rooted in kindness, the kind of story that proves a book can be sweet but still swoony.

If you love Austen adaptations, this one’s for you. It’s not flashy or fast-paced, but it is deeply charming, and it left me smiling long after the last page.

Let me know what you think about this one if you read it or if you’re adding it to your TBR. Let’s chat in the comments. But in the meantime, you can always check out all our regency romance and historical romance books for even more recommendations.

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