Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title: Sense and Suitability
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Genre: Clean Regency Romance (Rom-Com)
In this clean Regency romance, a woman with a scandalous past (and an even more scandalous secret) swears off love–until the man who broke her heart needs her help. What could possibly go wrong?
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?
Excerpt
“Young ladies?” Aunt Bean’s frown expanded her chin to three. “What do we care for other young ladies. We are here to discuss you, Emmeline.” She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes and attention with such intensity Emme’s throat tightened. “I give you my word, I will have you married before I return to Bristol to celebrate my first grandchild’s birth.”
All humor fled Emme’s body, replaced, instead, by a chill that ran up her spine at the determination emanating from Aunt Bean’s terrifying expression. Why did the prospect of marriage have to sound more like a threat than a promise? Emme was certain the original design offered much more joy and happiness than whatever gleamed in Aunt Bean’s pale eyes.
Thomas stepped in before Aunt Bean could elaborate further. “Mother, I know you are the preeminent expert on finding women husbands, if you do say so yourself.” He studied his mother, the gleam in his eyes in contrast to his complacent grin. “But must we discuss matchmaking upon our first arrival at Thistlecroft?”
“How can we not?” Aunt Bean’s entire body stiffened so fast her hat shook. “We have much to repair!”
Thank you for the reminder, Aunt Bean. Yet another barb to stick into Emme’s lingering incompetence. But she’d learned her lesson. Do not trust intelligence, handsome features, and a quick wit.
Or excellent dancing skills.
And delightful conversation.
Or a tender heart.
She nearly groaned. What on earth was left to rely upon?
“This is of utmost importance to Emmeline’s future and weighs heavily on her father’s mind.”
It was unlikely Father spent a great deal of time considering his daughters’ futures, but, of course, Father could be easily swayed into worrying about something or other, especially to ensure Aunt Bean’s speedy departure. How the woman winkled her way into an invitation in the first place probably involved a little bullying, a heavy dose of guilt, and a massive amount of sweets.
“You haven’t even met the prospects yet.” Thomas cast a sympathetic look in Emme’s direction. “There may not be a decent fellow in the lot.”
“We are in St. Groves, Thomas.” Her nose rose even higher, if that was possible. “Not some backwater country parish. There are plenty of eligible men who will do for Emmeline.” Her hawk eyes returned to Emme. “Whether Emmeline will do for them is why I am required.”
After another dramatic second of scrutiny, Aunt Bean released Emme from her gaze and stepped, cane in rhythm, to finally be poised in a chair. “Seated” was a much too relaxed word for Aunt Bean’s position.
“Whether Emme will do for them?” Both of Thomas’s brows rose in exaggerated mock horror before he turned. Cradling his chin with his thumb and forefinger, he examined Emme, his gaze glimmering like the mischievous boy he used to be. “Well, her eyes are tolerably large and her nose has an acceptable slope.” He waved a dismissive hand toward her, the dimple in one cheek the only mark of his teasing. “But there is the question of her chin.”
Emme nearly lost complete control of her laugh. Thank God for Thomas and his desire to keep the conversation away from the past. Oh, how she’d missed him. Apart from her sister, Aster, he’d been her dearest friend in all the world. “Ah yes, many a marriage have been ruined over an imperfect chin.”
“Chins are in fashion, I am told. And yours is suitable enough.” Aunt Bean squinted in focused study of the offending protrusion. “But your nose is rather fine too, despite being marred by those unsightly freckles. The waters in Bath would do wonders for your complexion, Emmeline.”
Emme bit her smile into submission. Thank the Lord she wasn’t wearing her spectacles to complete the ensemble of inadequacies. “I have heard similar tales.”
“She’s not too tall,” Thomas interjected with a lopsided grin. “And she does read devotionally.”
Emme rolled her eyes. Trust her cousin to weave such nonsense into her aunt’s relentless critique.
“I have every confidence we will secure an excellent match now that I am here to set things right.” Aunt Bean raised her cane like a pointer. “We start at a disadvantage, naturally, but despite the mishap of your first season, followed by an unfruitful second, your reputation has only been slightly tarnished. Mercifully, no true scandal has occurred, even if its stench remains.”
How reassuring. No true scandal—only mortifying humiliation and the lingering ache of a shattered heart. But what were those trifles when set against the towering edifice of matrimony?
“A woman grows wiser and stronger when thwarted in love,” Aunt Bean added, as though dispensing great wisdom. “And the further we stay from scandal, the better your prospects. A faded rose is still a rose.”
Encouragement clearly wasn’t Aunt Bean’s natural gift.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop
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About The Author
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will receive a signed copy of Sense and Suitability (or winner’s choice of Pepper Basham’s books) and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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