Perfect Sense

A contemporary YA continuation of Austen's Sense and Sensibility, following Margaret, the youngest Dashwood sister, by the prize-winning author of Ellie Pillai is Brown, Christine Pillainayagam.

She started a fire, now her life is burning down . . .

Maggie is trying to work out who she wants to be, other than the girl who burned down the science block and the least exceptional of the Dashwood sisters. When she’s suspended and sent to Cliveden, a boarding school full of rich, titled families like her father’s, Maggie leaves behind everyone she loves - including Elliott, her crush since forever, who finally seems like he might be crushing back.

At Cliveden Maggie meets the magnetic Theo Willoughby, who understands the power of a family name more than most. Friendships, purpose, and a new life start to grow. But then threatening messages appear. Someone knows about the fire. If she doesn't leave, they'll tell everyone what she did.

As the truth unravels, Maggie and her friend Amara must prove, once and for all, that a name is not what makes you.

• Publication date: 3 September 2026
• Page count: 352
• Dimensions: Height 130 mm; Width 198 mm; Thickness 23 mm
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Format: Paperback
• ISBN-13: 9781037411663