After reading Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham, I've been absolutely hooked on how she writes a Regency story!
Pride and Practicality follows Simon Reeves' sister, Arianna, as she returns home to her family after escaping a scandal. I love her redemption story and am so thrilled that I've also been able to meet my favourite clergyman, Thomas Bridges.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Book Synopsis
In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all.
Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society's darling—but its favorite cautionary tale.
Now returned home—uninvited and unmistakably whispered about—Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even if polite society would prefer she did it at a very great distance from anyone respectable.
Thomas Bridges, a principled clergyman with an inconvenient habit of thinking for himself, is already walking a narrow line. His congregation expects propriety, his mother expects matrimony, and both have very firm opinions about his future. Thomas, however, would prefer a life guided by conviction… even when it proves impractical.
When Arianna repeatedly—and quite disruptively—crosses his path, Thomas faces a dilemma no sermon prepared him for. She is not at all what she ought to be: not dull, not foolish, and—most dangerously—not someone he can overlook, but a kindred spirit who shares his passion for service and his troubling habit of defying society's expectations… all with good intentions, of course.
As their forbidden acquaintance deepens into something far more perilous than friendship, Arianna and Thomas must decide: preserve their reputations, or risk them entirely for the good of others—and their own hearts.
Because in a society that measures worth by perfection, choosing grace, mercy, and love may cost them everything—and give them more than they ever hoped to find.
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
Just when I thought that reading Sense and Suitability would be enough to put me into a visceral state of longing, Pride and Practicality goes and does the same thing to a greater extent! Pepper Basham is knocking these Regency stories out of the park with wildly clever dialogue paired with meaningful discourses on faith and touching scenes that draw forth every sort of emotion. It's no wonder that the Reeves siblings are so memorable in my mind, and that their transformations are well worth the wait. In enduring family scandal, Simon and Arianna demonstrate what it means to overcome past challenges to become the people they are meant to be. Readers who have already met Simon will love meeting his spirited sister who embodies resilience and fortitude through her brave actions.
While I'm gutted at how gossip can destroy people, especially victims, I'm grateful that it is addressed head-on in this story. Using pride and prejudice as references as to how we can end up treating people poorly when either or both exist, I found this book to be quite introspective while journeying with Thomas and Arianna. I love that Thomas represents a clergyman who acts with integrity, and that Arianna is not afraid to reveal how hurtful it is to be the recipient of gossip. They both feel real in how they respond to the people in their society, making their experience even more timeless. Thomas' joy in the Lord is noteworthy, allowing us to see the contrast between true religion and performative religion. If you are a fan of Jane Austen and are looking for a faith-driven story that looks beyond the surface, this romance considers what the real cost of love is and why it matters that we do the right thing over doing what is easiest.
Book Summary
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- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommendation: š
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