Saturday, June 15, 2024

Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham (Review)

Series: Skymar #2 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Released: August 1, 2023
391 pages
About the Book:

Penelope Edgewood is practically positive in every way, so when, fresh out of college, she is awarded a paid internship to help save a century-old theater on the island of Skymar, she jumps at the chance. After all, a crumbling theater needs the special touch of someone who reveres all things vintage and adores the stage.

Unfortunately, not everything is as it seems at Darling House Theatre. Finances are in shambles, the local theater group is disenchanted, and the two brothers, Matt and Alec Gray, can’t seem to see eye-to-eye about how to run their theatrical business. So, of course, it’s the perfect place for Penelope to shine her own personal brand of sunshine.

With a little help from GK, the person emailing her encouragement along the way, she puts all her heart into helping the Grays save Darling House. But between Matt’s ever-present skepticism, Alec’s tendency to treat Penelope a little too much like the “princess” she thinks she wants to be (until someone actually started treating her that way), a grandfather who is stuck in his grief, and a mysterious person stealing Penelope’s marketing ideas, she’s not sure her optimism is enough to make a happily-ever-after of her own story, let alone The Darling House’s.

Between an adorable little girl, a matchmaker, a sea monster or two, and a copious amount of musical references, can Penelope draw enough confidence from her faith, her family, and her adoration of all things Julie Andrews, to find the thief and save the theater . . . without getting her heart broken in the process?


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


I loved this book! The characters and the setting just made me fall in love with this story. Penelope has a passion for theater and has arrived in Skymar to complete a 3-month internship at the Darling House (a long running family theater), to assist them in marking and revitalizing the theater. As she gets to know the Gray family she finds out the roots of the theater are deep in their souls, but due to family losses they are struggling. She makes it her mission to see this theater succeed meanwhile it seems they may have a mole inside sharing their plans with the other theater in town. Penelope struggles with homesickness and the challenges facing her but she always tries to find the positive side of things. For example when working with grumpy Matt she makes it her mission to make him laugh. I loved watching the friendships develop and seeing how Penelope was able to influence those around her in a positive way. This story is told through a mix of emails, text messages and in the moment narrative. There are quite a few references to musicals and movies and in particular Julie Andrews and Sound of Music (which I love), even if I hadn't seen the shows mentioned I understood the reference. This book just put a smile on my face while reading and made me feel happy and positive. There are struggles, but I knew that the characters would figure it out.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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