Book Review: Pride and Practicality by Pepper Basham

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One chance meeting can leave a lasting impact.

Arianna Reeves is running from grief, misplaced trust, and a ruined reputation when she crosses paths with Thomas Bridges, who sees a woman in trouble and does what he does best: provides care. It is a night neither of them will forget, despite believing they will never see each other again.

With Thomas’s compassionate help, Arianna lands on her feet and returns to her family, hoping to rebuild her life. She comes home humbled and ready to serve both her family and her community. To her surprise, she finds her brother much changed and a new sister-in-law who is delighted to welcome her back. Although forgiveness does not come easily from her other siblings or the community, Arianna is determined to make amends through her actions.

Thomas is a newly appointed clergyman stepping into a position left vacant after his predecessor’s scandal. He has a difficult path to navigate as he seeks to shepherd his congregation, set a worthy example, and care for the orphaned children in his community, his true passion. Arianna’s unexpected return complicates his carefully ordered life, especially when she repeatedly puts herself in danger while trying to help the same children he longs to protect.

Pride and Practicality is a joy to read. It is filled with humor, compassion, and, of course, two well-meaning people falling in love. I loved Arianna’s strength. She is doing the hard work of confronting her past mistakes and growing from them without allowing shame to stop her from caring for others.

Thomas is equally delightful. I appreciated his tender heart, kind nature, and willingness to sacrifice for those around him. When Arianna and Thomas finally stop resisting their connection, they realize they are working toward the same goal and that joining forces makes their mission far more attainable. This is a beautifully written story about grace, service, second chances, and the unexpected ways love can help rebuild a life.

While you can read Pride and Practicality as a standalone, I think it is most rewarding to read it after the first book.

Request Pride & Practicality at your local library, preorder it at most retailers, or find it for sale on Amazon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pepper Basham and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Book Blurb:

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.