Sex, Lies and Sensibility
by Nikki Payne
Reeling from a viral scandal, Nora Dash learns at her father's will reading that she was his secret daughter, and that she and her free-spirited sister have inherited a run-down inn on the coast of Maine. If they cannot revive it by Labor Day, they lose it. Ennis 'Bear' Freeman, an Abenaki eco-tour guide with his own claim on the land, doubts the city sisters will last. Their clashes give way to an electric connection, but Bear's silence about his past threatens what they are building. A sultry, modern take on Sense and Sensibility.
About This Book
Sex, Lies and Sensibility is a contemporary romance novel by Nikki Payne, first published in 2024 by Berkley. It runs 432 pages.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Length
- 432 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- After a viral scandal and a surprise inheritance, a city woman must renovate a Maine inn with her free-spirited sister and a local eco-tour guide.
- Fans of Jane Austen retellings
- Readers who enjoy small-town renovation stories
- Sultry
- Features Enemies to Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- Relationship dynamics rely on withheld information which may frustrate some readers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Relatively equal, though complicated by competing ownership claims to the inn.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Following a career-altering viral scandal, Nora Dash learns she is the secret daughter of her late father and co-inherits a run-down Maine inn with a free-spirited sister. The pair faces a strict Labor Day deadline to restore the property or lose it entirely. Their efforts are complicated by Ennis 'Bear' Freeman, an Abenaki eco-tour guide who holds his own claim to the land and doubts the sisters' success. As Nora and Bear navigate their mutual friction, they develop an electric connection, though Bear's guarded nature regarding his past threatens the future they are building together.
Central Conflict
The protagonist must save her inherited inn by a strict deadline while overcoming personal scandal, family secrets, and a complicated, high-tension dynamic with a local man who holds a competing claim to the property.
Setting
A run-down inn on the coast of Maine.
Strengths
- Clear premise with a strong deadline-driven structure
- Compelling modern update of a classic literary framework
Consider before reading
- Relationship dynamics rely on withheld information which may frustrate some readers
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Nikki Payne
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 432 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780593440964
Sex, Lies and Sensibility: quick answers
- Who wrote Sex, Lies and Sensibility?
- Sex, Lies and Sensibility was written by Nikki Payne.
- When was Sex, Lies and Sensibility published?
- Sex, Lies and Sensibility was first published in 2024 by Berkley.
- What genre is Sex, Lies and Sensibility?
- Sex, Lies and Sensibility is a contemporary romance novel.
- How many pages is Sex, Lies and Sensibility?
- Sex, Lies and Sensibility is 432 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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