Not So Very Sensible

The Silver Teapot #3

by Carolyn Miller

Two Sisters Navigate the Minefield of Modern Dating

Elinor and Katie Bennett are as opposite as sisters can be: Elinor loves structure, planning and design, while Katie’s head is in the clouds as she chases fanciful, romantic dreams. A college graduation trip to the Blue Mountains sees them staying at the Hydro Grand hotel for a murder mystery weekend. There, they end up meeting two men who just might hold the keys to their hearts—taking the sensible Elinor Bennett by surprise while crushing the romantic Katie’s hopes. . .and proving that the path of love doesn’t always follow one's plans or dreams.

The Silver Teapot series
Book 1: Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
Book 2: Not Precisely Mr. Knightley

272 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 1, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her bestselling, award-winning Regency and contemporary novels are stories that offer hope, heart, and a twist of Aussie humour. Connect with her at www.carolynmillerauthor.com where you can find our more about her books, and sign up for her newsletter to be the first to know her book news.

Reviews

[ryliekate_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
Publication Date: October 1, 2026

4 stars to this lovely book!
Not So Very Sensible by Carolyn Miller is the third installment in the Silver Teapot series, each one a modern day retelling (of sorts) of Jane Austen’s novels 🥰
This was such a sweet and faith-filled read!!! Almost every page spoke to the Truth of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, grace upon grace, and that He’s plans for us are always better than ever imagined, even if difficult in the moment. The two leads were fun characters, and their relationship was so adorable as it followed the narrative of Austen’s timeless story with a lil’ twist! Very fast-paced and swoony! Ellie’s steadfast and kind heart was so refreshing as was Ethan’s openness of his faith and his gentle soul. Also, they both have such a passionate desire to share and spread the Gospel. His Word is so alive in their lives and spirits.
Now, misunderstanding after misunderstanding forms a good portion of the story, lasting quite a while. Ellie and Ethan have a bit of an insta-connection, spending all of 24 hours together before the mishaps into misunderstandings begin. However their connection is rooted in their faith and shared interests, which is genuinely sweet to see!
This is a clean romance with Christian themes, no-spice, no-language, mild infrequent innuendo, and all the references to Sense & Sensibility! Potential content considerations: toxic family relationships, mentions of a guy saying something just to “get in a girl’s pants”, cancer, grief, and deception/manipulation.
Overall, this was a truly lovely read! Highly recommend if you enjoy sweet, clean, contemporary, Austen-inspired, and heartfelt books!!!
Happy reading :)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for a free, honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance reader copy received from NetGalley.

4 ⭐️

This book was good. I really loved the way the author had incorporated the faith themes in this book. I also really loved the way the sisters always took care of each other. The way both the main characters and the side characters developed through the entire book was amazing. I really loved Ethan and Ellie together.

I really did not like how long it took for the miscommunication/ misunderstanding to be resolved. But both Ellie and Ethan’ s character growth during this period of time made it better. I also loved the way Ellie and Katie mend their relationship. Overall I had a good time reading this book.

I give my thanks to the author, publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not So Very Sensible is the third book in Miller's Silver Teapot series. Having previously read a couple of her historical fiction novels, I was interested to see her take on contemporary romance.

So, let's break this one down:

- Characters: The main characters, Ellie and Ethan, are hardworking, dissatisfied in their current positions, and passionate about their faith. I enjoyed Ellie's family dynamics, particularly the sibling relationships. Ethan's family situation was more complicated, and his reconciliation with his sister near the end felt both meaningful and necessary.

- Setting: The Hydro Grand Hotel sounded lovely, as did the other locations described throughout the novel. Having never been to Australia, I would have appreciated either a map at the back of the book or a few more details about the geography and climate.

- Plot: I thought the plot and pacing were solid overall. However, I would have preferred to see Ellie and Ethan spend more time together before their initial separation. A few plot points also felt a little far-fetched (I mean, if you forget your password, can't you just reset it using your email?). That, along with the engagement, the diagnosis conversation, and Katie's storyline, left me feeling somewhat unconvinced.

- Faith: This was the biggest factor in my overall impression of the book. Personally, I found the emphasis on faith to be a bit excessive. It sometimes felt as though there was a mention of faith on nearly every page. For example, Ellie and Ethan shared their salvation stories almost immediately after meeting, which didn't feel especially natural to me. There were frequent references to "just trust God," "we're praying for you," and reminders that the characters were Christians. Rather than allowing their faith to emerge naturally through their actions, it often felt like the novel was telling readers they were Christians.

Overall, I think this is a contemporary romance with an enjoyable Austen-inspired theme woven throughout. If you don't mind a stronger emphasis on faith than I personally prefer, this is a book worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not So Very Sensible is the third book in Carolyn Miller’s Silver Teapot series, and like the others, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. Each installment follows different members of the Bennett family, offering fresh stories while maintaining the charm of the beloved tea shop at the heart of the series.
Elinor Bennett—Ellie to those closest to her—is the steady, sensible sister. A planner by nature, she prefers structure, predictability, and keeping her life neatly ordered. Her younger sister Katie is her opposite in nearly every way: spontaneous, dreamy, and still searching for her place in the world after college. Though different, both sisters pitch in at the family’s tea shop, The Silver Teapot, alongside other relatives.
When their grandmother surprises them with a trip to the Blue Mountains for a murder mystery weekend at the historic Hydro Grand Hotel, neither expects the adventure that awaits. Ellie, who has never had a boyfriend, finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Ethan Ferris—an attorney with a heart for ministry and a quiet, genuine faith. Unbeknownst to Ellie, Ethan comes from a wealthy, influential family whose expectations threaten to complicate their budding connection.
Katie, meanwhile, is swept up by the attention of a handsome young man who seems perfect at first glance—until his true character emerges, leaving her hurt and shaken. Through these experiences, both sisters are challenged in ways that reveal their strengths, vulnerabilities, and the importance of leaning on family and faith.
Carolyn Miller delivers a tender, uplifting story about sisterhood, identity, and trusting God’s guidance even when life feels uncertain. Readers who enjoy heartfelt contemporary fiction with gentle romance and meaningful themes will find much to love in this installment.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any time I read any type of Austen-inspired story, I feel the need to admit that I have never actually read any of Jane Austen's work or watched any of the movies, so anything I know about these stories is really learned from other people. As such, I cannot speak to how this compares or what nods to the story are included... but for anyone who has also not read them, don't let that keep you from checking out this story. Are those who are more familiar likely to catch things I didn't, of course, but I found that I was still able to enjoy this one very much all the same. I adored the instant connection between Ellie and Ethan. They really did fall fast upon their first meeting, but a series of mishaps and misunderstandings kept them apart and kept me wondering how they were going to reconnect and work it all out. I won't give anything away, but it was a fun read that I couldn't help but enjoy. One of the things I loved most about their story though was how important a role faith played. This was truly such a sweet story and one that I think could be enjoyed whether you are an Austen fan or not.

Not So Very Sensible is a Christian romance with kisses only and no language. It is the third book in The Silver Teapot series, but having not read the previous two myself, I found I was able to enjoy it as a standalone as well.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not So Very Sensible is book three in The Silver Teapot series and focuses on the two youngest sisters of the Bennett family - Elinor and Katie. All of the books in this series are based on Jane Austen stories, and this one is a takeoff of Sense and Sensibility. Ellie is the calm, sensible sister who is also an artist with blue hair. Katie is wildly emotional with no idea of what to do with her life. Ethan Ferris is a lawyer who is also the son of a powerful politician and as such is expected to do whatever is necessary to portray the perfect family. And what would a retelling of Sense and Sensibility be without Willoughby and Brandon?

This is a sweet story that faithfully follows the bones of Sense and Sensibility with some modern twists like lost cellphones and locked accounts (though why “forgot my password” wasn’t used remains a mystery). It’s tough to translate the emotional responses from Austen’s story to modern day, and while this is an excellent attempt, it still felt a little awkward at times. But the relationship between all the sisters is lovely, and the beauty of Australia shines.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to clean romance fans.

This is Christian fiction so expect lots of prayer and discussions of faith and salvation.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austen did it best, right?
And it’s ‘the thing’ to write ‘Austen inspired’ works these days.

So for true Austen fans, don’t bother re-writing her books unless you have something fresh and unique to offer.

Miller does this consistently in this charming ‘Silver teapot series’. 🫖

In this third book, we follow Ellie whose story aligns with Elinor in Austens Sense and Sensibility.

The fun of the read is discovering how the author takes Austens storyline and re-creates it for a 21st century Australian setting.

The depth of the read is the faith-filled sincerity of the main characters, who aren’t just after feel good or lust-filled dalliances, but someone to walk the path of life alongside them.

The setting of this novel may sound familiar to many of you and Miller has photos and further info about the hotel and locations which inspired these on her website.

It had been a while since I read the first two in this series, so only had a vague familiarity with the other characters, but that doesn’t matter innMiller’s novels as they stand alone nicely.

It is always a joy to read anything Carolyn Miller writes, and I am particularly excited about the next in this series, based on my favourite Austen novel: Persuasion.

Gratefully accessed this book early through NetGalley and opinions are entirely my own - although I reckon you’d love the book too :)

[Lisa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not So Very Sensible picks up after the last book where we left the Bennett family. As expected, Ellie and Katie take the starring roles in this nod to Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Ellie (Elinore)--the sensible daughter and Katie Marianne--the emotional daughter.

Of course we have Ethan Ferris, Chris Brandon, and Jason Willoughby...;) And yes...just as in the book, they show the same colors. Did I mention there is also a Lucille (never called Lucy) Steele? Even a nod to the Dashwood family by having Ethan Ferris' sister in law marry a Dashwood. ;)

As in the previous books, I LOVED that the KEY quotes from the famous Jane Austen stories are brought into these ones as well. Specifically when Elinor goes off on Marianne about her feelings. In my mind I had it playing out just as the actress Emma Thompson says it.

It was a very clever spin to the story--and I KNEW the next book was going to be a spin off of Persuasion when their cousin Annabelle (hint hint Anne) plays a more prominent role in this one.

Highly recommend this series especially if you love all things Jane Austen.

4 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGAlley for the ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.

[LA · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in The Silver Teapot series is just as much fun to read as the first two novels!
This time, Carolyn Miller takes the classic Sense and Sensibility into the 21st century with a retelling that is as much entertaining as it is spiritually encouraging. I love how the gospel shows up in this story and how Miller isn’t afraid to weave a solid faith thread throughout the pages.
Just like in the original story, misunderstandings keep characters (and readers!) guessing what’s going to happen next. Readers, once again, are immersed into the culture and setting of Australia. It’s refreshing to read an Austen retelling taking place in a unique setting.
There are characters to love and despise, there’s a bit of intrigue, but most of all an emotional layer that complements the spiritual layer.
Loved it! Can’t wait to read the next story in the series.
I highly recommend the entire series, but readers can read each book as a standalone without missing too much.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely story is based in the Blue Mountains of Australia and is loosely based on Sense and Sensibility

Ellie is the third of four daughters and considered the sensible one. When her grandmother gifts her and her younger sister with the a resort stay, Ellie meets Ethan. Ethan is the son of an influential political figure, and he is thrilled that Ellie likes him for himself, knowing nothing about his family. Unfortunately, Ellie’s sister Katy meets Jason at the same time. Through no fault of his own, Ethan is caught up in a lie perpetrated by a supposed friend and his own family. Can Ethan free himself from the lie and be free to pursue Ellie? Will Ellie be able to forgive and trust him after believing the lie?

The story has wonderful Christian faith aspects such as seeking the Lord’s will, prayer for wisdom, strength, and direction, forgiveness, and salvation.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Shelene Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
I was very encouraged. In my own life, I’ve prayed and God had said no over and over again. It seemed as if the words written were exactly what I needed to be reminded of. It’s hard to trust that God has a good plan for us when He has said no again and again. But this was an encouraging reminder that we cannot see what God has planned but He does have a plan. He hasn’t abandoned us. His timing is perfect.
Also, the Australian author gave a look at politics in a country other than the US and I found that interesting.
I was given an early reader copy but all opinions are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Carolyn Miller’s writing. I devour her books in a day.

Her stories are great, it’s easy to follow, and her humor is clever.

This story is one where the main character meets the guy then nothing but misunderstandings happen!

I wasn’t as huge of a fan of the guy as I could be. He was a little too passive for me at solving life’s problems.

But - I love the writings and the stories. I hope there is more because there is a cousin who needs a HEA….

[Meeoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book and follow-up in the Silver Teapot series. I loved the combination of being in Jane Austen's world and a faith-based (no-spice) romance. The chemistry and connection between the two main characters, Ellie and Evan were authentic and believable. I recommend this novel and the entire series to anyone looking for an uplifting and romantic story. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC. All views expressed are my own.

[Ice Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for this ARC.
This is one of the few Christian romance that I’ve read that really highlighted the purpose and concept of Gods plan.
I did love how quiet and eery the plot gave and how immersive the writing was. The characters and the places, the storytelling made it so easy to like.
I really did enjoy my time reading this and I will recommend for lovers of romance.
Also the epilogue was sweet.

[Christian Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a visceral experience of heartbreak on the page! Reading this book is like stepping into the middle of Elinor Dashwood's mind when she must swallow her feelings about Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility, except that we can also catch just how trapped Edward feels in his romantic entanglements. With Ellie Bennett and Ethan Ferris representing these famed characters, Carolyn Miller breathes life into the complex circumstances these two face in their lives, ministry work, family dynamics, and stirrings of the heart. It's ultimately a case of where good intentions can still lead us astray when we take matters into our own hands instead of fully entrusting them to God, especially in Ethan's case.

Filled with plausible modern-day scenarios leading to ghosting and misunderstandings, it's completely believable that Ellie and Katie both face Willoughby-esque experiences. Getting to read about two sisters in this story and just how they contrast with each other, we can appreciate the differences in personality that God grants us with. Whereas many can relate to Ellie and her sensible manners, Katie's big emotions and transparency reveals how there is room for love to be visibly demonstrated as well, notably among trusted family members. Readers who are fans of Jane Austen will love uncovering all of the gems tucked into Not So Very Sensible, where God's heart for His children is on palpable display.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

Many thanks to the author, Barbour Books, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.