Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Sense and Suitabiity
By Pepper Basham
Published by Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: October 14, 2025

Description from the publisher:
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.

My Review:
I've read (ok, devoured because I loved them so much) some of the author's contemporary romances, so I was excited to check out this Regency romance by her to see what I thought. I might not have loved it quite as much as her contemporary books, but I still really liked it. I really liked both Emme's kind heart and how she's willing to help Simon even if it means she doesn't get what she wants, and I felt so badly for Simon with his burdens and how he wanted so badly to do what was right for his family and their reputation. Secondary characters added a lot of humorous moments to the story, along with bits of wisdom. I hope we'll see more stories from Basham that allow some of those secondary characters to take center stage.

4 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Echoes of the Sea by Sarah M. Eden

Echoes of the Sea (Storm Tide #2) by Sarah M. Eden
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: September 2, 2025

Description from the publisher:
A modern-day London actor is hurled back to 1803, where a love that defies the centuries awaits.
For Kipling Summerfield, the glamour of Hollywood is becoming a distant memory. After losing the role of a lifetime, he’s forced to take a lesser job as a historical reenactor on England’s Guilford Island. But a sudden storm changes everything, casting him into the ocean—and into the care of a mysterious lighthouse keeper. Kip assumes everyone he meets and the island’s historical setting are just an elaborate performance—until he meets the captivating Amelia Archibald, whose quiet strength feels too real, making him question everything about Guilford.
Amelia has spent her life as an unimportant poor relation and is now trapped by her late grandfather’s will on an island she loathes because of her great fear of the sea. When Kip stumbles into her world, his strange ideas and warm presence are both a disruption and an unexpected light.
As Kip and Amelia work to save Guilford Island, an undeniable connection blooms between them. But when Kip uncovers the truth about where—or when—he is, he must make an impossible choice: rise to meet the expectations of Amelia’s world and build a life worthy of her station or walk away from the love that has redefined his very existence.

My Review:
Time travel is not my favorite trope, but I was totally pulled in by this story. I thought the whole storyline with Kipling thinking everyone was extremely in character all the time at a historical reenactment site was quite clever and unique--a good reason for him to be unaware that he'd even time traveled for a good portion of the book. It was a fun twist that made a not-so-favorite trope totally work for me.
I really liked Kipling and Amelia. They were both vulnerable but strong; they faced hard things but didn't get bitter and grumpy; they just kept trying t figure things out and move forward. I also really liked how kind they were to each other. They could tease each other (and there were moments that totally made me laugh out loud) but were also gentle and supportive of each other, and that was just really sweet. I absolutely loved them together. Secondary characters were also endearing; I like how the community came together to help Amelia and how they also gave some really good advice to help Kipling and Amelia think about things a bit differently.
Two quibbles with the book: I didn't feel like the reason Amelia's grandfather was so cruel was adequately explained...and I want to know what Kipling's tattoo looks like, not just that he has one!
This was a pleasure to read. Highly recommend! 5 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.