Tuesday, August 1, 2023

POSITIVELY PENELOPE by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Pepper Basham has done a superb job again with a format almost entirely of messages and emails and it is completely adorable.

Penelope, cousin to Izzy from Authentically Izzy, is a perky, Pollyanna type of person, who is interning at a theater on the Island of Skymar. “I have chosen joy, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have to fight for it.”

On Skymar, she meets grumpy Matthias Gray, the single father of Iris. The Gray family owns the Darling (as in Peter Pan) Theater, which needs a re-entry into society after a hiatus.

This is a story of change, dealing with grief, and learning to look on the bright side of life. There is a bit of tension and mystery when someone tries to sabotage the progress of rejuvenating the theatre. Ms. Basham gives us an smart, optimistic heroine who uses her pixie dust liberally. I love the references to lots of musicals, Julie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly and even snarky comments by brother Luke about Rambo movies.

Of course Matthias has a softening of his heart thanks to Penelope. “How could he deny fairy tales when he had just stepped into one?” Together they bring new life to the old family theatre and find romance along the way.

Just the cute, perky story to lift your spirits.
*I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. 5 stars and a clean read


BackCover Blurb:
The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think?

Dear Reader, My name is Penelope, and while I may not be a real-life princess, I’ve been told I possess a certain fairy-tale heroine quality. I wield optimism as my weapon of choice, don amazing shoes and vintage hats whenever possible, and speak in musical references. All of which perfectly qualifies me to succeed in my new role as a marketing intern at the historic Darling House theater on the island of Skymar.

Only . . . it seems this internship position is going to be a LOT bigger than I thought. The Gray family, who owns the theater, has been stuck in a rut of darkness ever since the loss of their matriarchs. Now all that’s left is a dying theater, a reclusive grandfather, three siblings, and an adorable seven-year-old girl who desperately needs some pixie-dust magic.

So that’s what this story is about. My plans to save the theater! (Plans that, somehow, keep being stolen by a local competitor.) And an anonymous online theater troupe. And two single brothers who may be vying for this American girl’s heart . . . until they’re not (or maybe they just want me for my ideas too). And a dream job offer that will require me to make a truly heart-wrenching decision. I may not excel at finishing stories, but I promise to see this one through to its happily ever after.

Positively,

Penelope

Thomas Nelson Publishing, August 2023
 Available in digital ebook, library binding, paperback, and audiobook:

 

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