AUTHOR: Pepper Basham

NARRATORS: Fiona Hardingham and Christopher Ashman

RATING: ★★★★

RELEASE DATE: October 14th, 2025

REVIEW: This was my first time reading Pepper Basham’s work, and Sense and Suitability was such a fun and endearing story. I was completely captivated by the main characters, Emmeline and Simon, the moment they were introduced, and I also adored the secondary characters, especially aunt Bean. (She is such a hoot!) Each person in this book plays a crucial role in Emmeline and Simon’s love story, and they are all such special people with their own unique personalities. Pepper’s writing is flawless and beautiful, and the narrators did an amazing job bringing it to life. Fiona Hardingham has quickly become one of my favorite narrators. Her voice is so captivating, soothing, and entertaining. Her portrayal of aunt Bean had me literally laughing out loud more times than I can count. I would highly recommend Sense and Suitability to everyone, especially those who favor a wholesome, clean love story, and I look forward to reading more of Pepper’s work in the very near future. 

AUTHOR: Carolyn Brown

NARRATOR: Brittany Pressley

REVIEW: This was my first time reading Carolyn Brown’s work, and it was an enjoyable read. The plot was very intriguing and what initially drew me to this book. Daisy and Lily are former prostitutes from an upscale brothel who venture out to find new beginnings in Autrie, Texas as seamstresses. I loved their determination and spunky attitudes, and I rooted them on throughout the entire book. Most of this story deals with women’s rights during the post Civil War era - or lack thereof - and it was fun reading the antics Daisy, Lily, and the women of Autrie get into in their quest to be treated as equals. Beulah, a secondary character, was my favorite, with her sharp tongue and fiery spirit. The ending was a tad bit disappointing, especially after everything Daisy and Lily went through to make their home in Autrie and to help liberate themselves and the other women. (Trying not to give away any spoilers here). I also wished the epilogue had been fleshed out with more details about what happened to the women. Did Daisy and Lily ever have children? Did Beulah find love again? Did Wesley get thrown into an abandoned well and succumb to the horrible ending he deserved? These are just a few of the unanswered questions I have, but overall The Paradise Petition was a fun read, and I would gladly recommend it to everyone. 

DIRECTIONS: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, blanch the broccoli 15 to 30 seconds and remove with a slotted spoon and rinse under cold water to stop it from cooking. Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water then add to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate until chilled. Serve cold. 

NOTES: Tortellini: Shelf-stable tortellini holds up better than fresh in pasta salads. Cook just until al dente and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Broccoli: For a softer texture, blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. Make Ahead: Best served cold—can be made up to one day in advance. Toss before serving and refresh with a splash of oil or vinegar if needed. Add-Ins: Try baby mozzarella balls, feta, grilled chicken, or salami to turn this into a more filling main dish.

NUTRITION INFO: 1 cup, Calories: 192kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2.5g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 398mg, Fiber: 2.5g, Sugar: 2.5g - WW Points: 6

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

Hello, dear readers! This week’s prompt from Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl is Books I’d Like to Re-Read, but since I rarely ever re-read books, my list is about ten of my all-time favorite books that I’d like to read again for the VERY FIRST TIME. Happy Tuesday!

AUTHOR: Sarah Loudin Thomas

NARRATOR: Pilar Witherspoon

RATING: ★★★★

RELEASE DATE: July 15th, 2025

REVIEW: Such a great story! This was my first time reading Sarah Loudin Thomas’ work, and I truly loved it. Her writing is flawless, and her descriptions are so vivid I could picture everything clearly in my mind from the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains to the stark contrast of WWII-era Germany. I loved every character, especially Hedda and Garland. Also, the narrator, Pilar Witherspoon, is absolutely incredible. She had me hanging on to her every word, and her many different accents, from Hedda’s German to Garland’s slow southern drawl, were spot on and just amazing. I will definitely search for more of Sarah and Pilar’s work. If you love sweet, faith-based historical romances, then I highly recommend These Blue Mountains. 

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own).