Stephanie Sullivan: Review - Sense and Suitability

TITLE: Sense and Suitability (audiobook)

NARRATORS: Fiona Hardingham and Christopher Ashman

RATING: ★★★★

RELEASE DATE: October 14th, 2025

Summary (from Goodreads): 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?

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.

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