This was one of the cutest books I think I’ve ever read in my life:) Oh my heart!
I was constantly smiling or gigging.
I adore Penelope, she is so funny and relatable! I wish I could be her friend, but reading this book made me feel like I was which was so much fun!
This book has one of the most sweetest romances! It was tender, caring, loving, and passionate all at once!
I absolutely adore all of the film and literary references in this book, I may have shrieked when a certain line from pride and prejudice was referenced,
it made my whole day!!
Singing in the rain is a very special film to me and my family, hearing it mentioned in this story made me cry happy years:)
The Edgewood family is so similar to my own, it is so fun and funny to read!
I truly have only good things to say about this book, it was a lovely, and delightful experience! I highly recommend!
🎧🚲💌🎭
-grumpy x sunshine
-love triangle
-family drama
-small town & island
-slow burn till it’s not;)
-funny family dynamic

Thank you so very much to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book has great potential to be my top read for 2023. I can't remember the last time I laughed so heartily at a book. I have seen some negative reviews from folks who don't enjoy epistolary style novels and if that's not your cup of tea, I wouldn't recommend this one as it's probably 2/3 in that style, but the style made the particular brand of humor work so well. This is the 2nd book in the Skymar series. If you've read Authentically, Izzy, you're familiar with the characters and the fictional country of Skymar. If you haven't, this story will stand on its own, though. This book follows Penelope, the youngest of the Edgewood siblings/cousins. When she receives an internship at a family theater in Skymar, she's thrilled to go on an adventure across the world and see the land that her cousin Izzy has come to love. What she doesn't expect is to fall in love in the process.

This book had such a sweet love story, great character development, good family dynamics, LOTS of witty banter and more laughter and joy than I could shake a stick at. I did have misty eyes a time or two as well - this book brought out all the feels, but the overall feeling of the book is whimsical. Knowledge of musicals - particularly Sound of Music is helpful as well, which I was glad for as that one is one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed Penelope's joy and spirit and the creative ways she breathed life into a dying theater. The story was good, the characters were wonderful and the ending was thoroughly satisfying. If you enjoy fun contemporary rom-coms, this is one I would heartily recommend.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Positively Penelope
This was a fun story. Pepper Basham is a CF romance writer and I am usually not into reading romance. But I would call this a love story, a light and terrifically fun love-story. Love stories seem to me to be based more on character and romance often based on appearance. I read Authentically Izzy first and this is a sequel to that delightful story. Penelope is a young, quirky, vintage move buff, with a vivid imagination. Her sister Izzy, from the first book, is a book quoting fun character. I really enjoyed all the references to Gene Kelly music, and memories of old movies with him dancing were welcome. Pepper did a wonderful job creating such interesting characters with a good story line. Good emphasis on overcoming first impressions and forgiveness. Like the story of Izzy this is mostly letters, or texts back and forth between the family, that allows the point of view to float back and forth between who is writing. I needed this light, fun story.
Thanks to #NetGalley, #Pepper Basham, #Thomas Nelson Fiction

4.5/5⭐️

A second in series, I loved this one every bit as much as its predecessor (Authentically, Izzy). It is told in emails, texts and prose from both the leading mains.

Penelope has been given a paid internship fresh out of college to help save a family owned (the Grays) century-old, failing theatre a world away on the (fictional) island of Skymar. As she brainstorms various marketing schemes, she finds herself spending time with both Matt Gray, the theatre’s accountant and father to 7-year-old Iris and Alec, Matt’s younger brother who works the business side of the theatre. As she begins to see some of her ideas pay off, she’s also frustrated to discover that there is a mole at the theatre who is working with their local rival competitor.

The emails/texts here are mostly from Penelope’s sister Izzy, her sister Josephine and her brother Luke back home in NC. They are hilarious, warm and supportive and show a wonderful family closeness.

Penelope is a vivacious, optimistic, theatre-loving (with lots of mentions of actors/actresses/movies) dynamo who spreads joy, hope and homemade baked goods to everyone she meets. She is a lovely, heartwarming character. Matt is a hardworking, single dad who has trust issues but finds himself being won over by Penelope (whether he wants to be or not). There are also other stellar characters like Grandpa Gray, Iris (adorable), Gwenn (Matt’s sister), etc.

This book was simply a pleasure to read. Wholesome and a bit faith-driven, with wonderful messages to unwrap, it leaves a warm, fuzzy feeling behind.

Definitely recommended.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing the free early ARC of Positively, Penelope for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I love Pepper Basham's writing but the books told by letters/emails are just not my jam. I want to like them because I love her story telling but I just can't get into the flow of it.

I love this book! Penelope is an absolute joy. Pepper Basham continues with the Edgewood family support system. This time Penelope is traveling to the county of Skymar. She is off to her internship readers learned she had applied for in Authentically Izzy. She and her family keep in constant contact through messaging and phone calls. This makes for a different kind of reading feature for the beginning of the book. (I had a hard time adjusting to this technique when reading the first book of the series but was prepared to enjoy it with this story.)
Penny is a joyous young lady who loves the theater, musicals and the magical romance of princesses and heroes. She soon meets and charms her way into the hearts of most of the Gray family who owns The Darling House. This theater on the island of Fiacla is in dire need of rejuvenation. Penny just may be the person who can bring joy back to the family and the one-hundred-year-old theater. There are some very interesting characters here, delightful seven-year-old Iris, her great-grandfather and college student, Gwen. There's also two single men, the handsome Alec and the grumpy Matt, father of Iris.
The book has a great touch of humor, some intrigue, deep faith and a sweet romance. I really enjoyed it. It's better than a movie by you know who!
I received an advanced readers copy from publisher Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion of it. I cannot wait for brother Luke's story!!

What can I say?! I love Penelope! Because she’s so happy and bubbly, Penelope has to work hard to show people there’s more to her than smiling and singing. And there is so much more! I really enjoyed watching her help the struggling theater and the struggling family. She’s a gem. The slow-burn romance was really sweet, and, like the previous book, the back and forth with the siblings/cousin is so fun! This was just the light-hearted book I needed!

Positively perfect in every way! This was an absolute hit by Pepper Basham! Penelope’s story has such warmth and comfort, it’s impossible not to love it. Authentically Izzy had already become one of my favorites, but Penelope’s story was perfectly done. As a lover of theater and musicals, this was so much to read. I did have my broadway playlist on while reading it, and made it a thousand times better. I just know Penelope would appreciate a broadway soundtrack to her life.

Penelope is completing an internship at a historical theater in Skymar. Working with Matt Grey, the manager of the company, to bring the theater back to life proves a challenge when competition is fierce. Penelope, in all her optimistic cheerfulness, is determined to succeed. She is underestimated due to her positive and cheerful attitude, but it doesn’t deter her from her goal. Matt has suffered heartache and loss. His guarded heart only has space for his daughter, Iris.

Penelope and Matt are very interesting characters with two very different outlooks in life. Yet, those differences make for a fun and witty dynamic. The humor was top-notch and I was just laughing out loud the whole way. But it also had its serious and heartfelt moments. It was a perfect combination of lighthearted, humorous storytelling with plenty of heartfelt lessons. I loved the themes of friendship, love, and community that it’s displayed throughout the book.

This is very much a grumpy/sunshine trope, one of my favorites. But I really liked that grumpy didn’t equal rude, which it often happens in grumpy/sunshine tropes. One of my favorite characters here was Iris. She was a precocious little girl, who just needed a little bit of “magic” in her life. I loved everything about this book! It was the perfect combination of humor, depth, and love. I cannot wait for Luke’s story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

I am honored to have read Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham. It is a magical, special story full of vulnerability and heart, and I was so there for every minute. The characters are lovely. I adore Penelope and her positive outlook on life. Matthias is the perfect hero — a great father to his daughter, Iris, and exactly the sort of man a woman like Penelope needs. Iris is a completely sweet and endearing little girl whose energy is effervescent. And Grandpa Gray and Gwenn are awesome. In this story, the reader is back in the wonderful world of Skymar with its beautiful scenery, fantastic and lovely communities, and delightful Scottish-like accents and customs. I enjoy the setting as much as I love the characters! And then there are the many poignant themes and topics discussed. There is so much I want to say about this story, but can’t because I don’t want to spoil a single second of this outstanding tale of restoration, romance, and happily ever after. All of this weaves together to create an excellent story, but what touched me the most is that Basham allows us readers into a grief journey via Penelope, Matthias, Alec, and Grandpa Gray. I don’t know if this is intentional or not, and perhaps I’m a tad sensitive to grief (even fictional grief) right now because of my own recent losses, but Positively, Penelope became the cathartic read I didn’t even know I needed.

There are many, many moments in this story that really gripped my heart in regards to grieving the loss of a loved one, but it’s something Alec says that resonates deeply: “[The loss] didn’t seem fair or right, and we were expected to go on with our lives as if this catastrophic thing hadn’t happened” (loc. 4543). I’m not going to lie, I had to put the book down for a minute to have myself a good cry. Alec is 100% correct. The death of a loved one feels wrong…so, so wrong. The loss also feels completely unfair; and, at least for me, it’s really hard not to get angry. The hardest part is that in our society there is no time given to mourn. My job gives three days of bereavement. After that, it is expected that you will be back to work as if nothing life-altering has just happened. It’s a shame that we, as a society, don’t have more compassion towards those who are hurting due to loss. But I am grateful for people like Pepper Basham who recognize the need to sit in sadness for a minute or two in order to get to the heart of what grieving really is. Who acknowledges that it is a seriously heartbreaking process that needs time and grace to work through. That it leaves a person-sized hole in our hearts that we don’t ever really recover from. And I am super appreciative that Basham reminds us through Penelope that the best way to deal with grief is to talk about the people we’ve lost. When we tell their stories, and remember how we were a part of those stories, it helps ease some of the pain and heartache.

Positively, Penelope is a wonderful story — one I won’t soon forget. It is beautiful and must be experienced. If you are a fan of well-written fiction with BIG heart, sweet romance, and a great happily-ever-after then you have to grab a copy of this story ASAP. You do not want to miss out on this amazing journey.

I received a galley copy of this novel in eBook form the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is just delightful! It is an epistolary novel for the most part. We get Penelope's thoughts as well as those from her brother and two sisters through texts, emails, and phone calls. About half way, the novel does move away from emails/texts and such.

Penelope Edgewood is all hearts, flowers, unicorns, princesses, and glitter, with a touch of show tunes. I just adore her. I love a heroine who has a flair for the dramatic (working in theatre is perfect for her) even in her wardrobe choices--she loves a good hat!

Penelope travels from her home in North Carolina to the (fictional) country of Skymar to help a family save their crumbling theatre. Her sunshine personality is a wonderful foil to the family's resident grump and accountant, Matthias. The people who run the Darling Theatre cannot help but fall in love with Penelope, her persistence, and her positivity. Even Matthias, who is nursing a broken heart himself, eventually caves. However, someone is trying to sabotage the return to glory of the Darling Theatre, and it's up to Penelope, Matthias, and the rest of the family to figure out who before Penelope has to return to North Carolina for a new job.

Positively, Penelope
by Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Series: None
Rated: 2-3
Obtain: Borrow
Back of the Book: “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”

Impressions: This started out very choppy bouncing back and forth between emails and text messages. As I continued reading it became easier to follow the story and make sense of the characters conversations. That being said I did not enjoy this writing style. The overall story was very fairy tale like and whimsical which I believe was the goal. It was a bit too light for me.

Quotes: “‘I’m NOT a leader. But I am a … what’s a good description? An encourager with and innate herding impulse.’” -I loved this line because this is how I would struggle to describe myself.

“‘I talk too much, come on too strong, give and expect honesty (and that honesty may come out with less finesse than it ought, usually because I’m talking faster than I’m thinking and, well, I think that’s a part of my personality God is trying to work on…’” – I think this adequately describes me in my youth.

“‘Fear rarely leads to a better ending.’”

“‘ I’ve chosen joy, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have to fight for it. And sometimes, that fight starts as soon as I wake up in the morning.’”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion and review. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the second book in the Skymar contemporary romance series by Pepper D. Basham. This novel and the series is epistolary, written mostly in emails and texts, which is a format I really enjoy. After reading the first book, Authentically, Izzy, I was anxiously awaiting more time with these people and places. The 2 communities featured in this series, the Skymar islands and small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mt Airy, are both quaint and lovely; both are Hallmarkesque, endearing settings. The families that are woven into the books are just as warm and loving and Hallmarkesque. The love stories and characters are faithful, sweet and charming. Pepper is great at providing lovely characters and wonderful families that support them. I LOVE seeing supportive loved ones rally around genuinely good and lovely individuals as they find a wonderful companion for life. The whole experience is like indulging in a warm chocolate chip cookie.

Penelope, the titular character in this second installment, was one of my favorite supporting characters in the first book; so, I was thrilled to read her story next. She channels her inner Mary Poppins like a pro! I just love a good ray of sunshine character. I read romance to just feel good and warm inside and happy. To enjoy the beauty and love and connection and commitment of 2 people coming together. In the author's words, this is a sweet dose of "a self-appointed joy-bringer" who has the "personal objective to sprinkle fairy dust into the life" of others. I was almost constantly smiling throughout this tale!

Positively, Penelope is such an appropriate title for this story and its ever optimistic main character.

Penelope is staying on an idyllic island helping a local theater company run by the Gray family, namely brothers Alec and Matt. While brainstorming ways for the theater to get more business, Penelope also falls in love.

The story is told in an epistolary format, utilizing emails and text messages. I find this format so much fun when done well, as it shows the bonds between characters based on the tone on the messages and the things they text to one another. There are many messages between Penelope and her siblings as she describes the island and everything happening there. She has a tendency to start a story and not finish it until another email begins, which could be distracting and take me out of the story at times.

I never felt quite connected to Penelope. She is a young character, but felt very immature to me and the constant upbeat tone and princess references began to get grating. It just unfortunately missed the mark for me a bit, though well written and I’m sure others will adore it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

While this book was good, it wasn't my cup of tea. I know that the patrons at my library will definitely enjoy this though. I will still be recommending this book for purchase at my library.

This followup to Authentically, Izzie is just as much of a delight as the first. Penelope's positive attitude and journey to a grown-up romance was a lot of fun to follow. The Skymar angle added a whimsical touch. I'm finding Pepper Basham to be a can't-miss author for me. Can't wait for the next one!

This book is a sequel to the author's other title "Authentically, Izzy." Just like it's predecessor, the novel follows a modern-day epistolary format, with e-mail and text message exchanges between a cast of characters, many of whom will be familiar to fans of the previous book. The main focus is the bubbly, theater-loving Penelope, who believes she may be finally living the fairytale life of her dreams while working in the idyllic island of Skymar (also introduced in the previous novel). While Penelope's theater dreams come to fruition, she realizes that some of her fantasies were merely that, fantasies, and discovers along the way that what she thought was important features in her fairytale story (and in her prince charming) may not be what she needed after all.

The book can be slow-going as readers work to sort through the characters and the story, even for those familiar with the background and layout of the series. However, this is a pleasure to read once all the details fall into place, allowing the reader to just enjoy the storytelling.

Highly recommended for readers who are looking for a pleasant read. While there is romance, it is very clean. Reminiscent of classic movie musicals that many have grown up with. While the book is technically christian, and does mention Church and God, this book is not preachy and can be enjoyed by everyone.

A fun and enjoyable read with some interesting charachters. Loved the storyline and some of the fun In between.

Couldn’t stand the formatting of the emails/texts, the large banner from the publisher showing up every other page, or the writing style that just sounds so stupid and immature. Barely got 5% in and realized this book was NOT for me at all.

That balance of heartwarming and hilarious. A cheery book that’s easy to read, and the perfect break from my normal suspense books. Penelope’s sunny spirit shines through the pages, making her a relatable character.

I recently read a book that brought a smile to my face and was genuinely delightful. The story revolves around Penelope, a kind and generous person who radiates positivity, and Matt, a single father who struggles with starting over and can be a bit grumpy at times.

Fresh out of college, Penelope is thrilled to be offered a paid internship to assist in the restoration of a century-old theater on the picturesque island of Skymar. She eagerly accepts the opportunity as she believes her passion for vintage items and loves for the stage will be the perfect fit to help rejuvenate the crumbling theater. Regrettably, things are not what they appear to be at Darling House Theatre. The financial situation is in disarray, the local theater group is disheartened, and the Gray brothers, Matt and Alec, cannot agree on how to manage their theatrical enterprise. Nevertheless, Penelope sees this as an opportunity to showcase her unique and positive outlook.

The narrative is presented through a combination of letters, text messages, and emails, and is filled with hilarious moments, particularly between the siblings and their inside jokes. Despite the twists and hiccups, the story remains enjoyable and fun, with plenty of romance and kissing scenes. Overall, I highly recommend this sweet/clean romance and entertaining book for anyone who wants to have a good time. I also can’t wait for Luke to get his own book. It was a wonderful read!

I would like to express my gratitude to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with the eARC. Please note that all opinions shared are solely mine.