Stephanie Sullivan: Review - Pride & Practicality

TITLE: Pride & Practicality (audiobook)

NARRATORS: Fiona Hardingham and Alex Wyndham

RATING: ★★★★

RELEASE DATE: November 3rd, 2026

Summary (from Goodreads): Thomas Bridges, the new rector of St. Groves, has a simple gain the support of local wealthy parishioners to finance a boarding school for the orphans of St. Groves. With his stellar reputation and good heart, everything seems to be working well, even if he has to avoid his mother's matchmaking with the eligible ladies of the town. But his plans are rerouted when the "lost" sister of Lord Ravenscross returns and she happens to be the same woman in which he shared a secret and unexpected kiss eight months before.

Arianna Reeves has returned home a secret heiress, trying to redeem her past. With money to spare, a desire to earn back the favor of those she loves, and a hope of being useful she not only puts herself in harm's way to help the children of St. Groves but creates an "anonymous benefactress" to support Thomas Bridges' plan. However, their mutual attraction threatens to not only defrock Thomas but also ruin all their best-laid plans for the children.

When a man from Arianna's past comes to St. Groves with a plan to expose Thomas and Arianna's secret, their characters and hearts are tested. Could the truth about one unexpected kiss ruin their futures? After all . . . it was just a kiss, right?

REVIEW: I absolutely adored Pepper Basham’s Sense & Suitability, so I was VERY excited to get my hands on this one. I haven’t read any of her contemporary books yet, but I can say with utmost authority that her historical work is amazing! I was caught up in Thomas and Arianna’s love story from the very beginning, and I lost count of the many times I laughed out loud, gasped, and swooned while listening to this audiobook. I’ve probably mentioned this a dozen times or more, but Fiona Hardingham is my favorite narrator. Alex Wyndham is a new narrator to me, but his deep and sultry voice was an incredible pairing with Fiona. I believe all lovers of Pride & Prejudice will fall in love with Pride & Practicality too. There is romance, witty banter, and the secondary characters (especially Emma) brought the whole story to life in such a wonderful way. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, and I have my fingers crossed that Pepper has another book in the works for this series!

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