I was so excited to revisit the characters of Mt. Airy and Skymar from Authentically, Izzy. I enjoyed Penelope's story, although I'll admit that I relate SO much more to Izzy than Penelope. Penelope's optimism and excitement for life were infectious, though. She won me over with her completely loving nature. I loved how the story progressed as she worked to save the theater! And ALL the main characters were wonderful.

I definitely recommend reading Authentically, Izzy first just to get to know the characters, but it's not necessary. This book was delightful!!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley, and Pepper Basham for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sweet, heartwarming and whimsical. This book was so sweet and such a good time. Loved the different formats you get in the book too with the emails and messages!

This is a sweet, heartwarming story. It was a bit slow at points and quite predictable, but cozy and charming and just want I was in the mood for. It could be read on its own, but reading Authentically Izzy first would help understand some backstory. And I’m so glad that it’s strongly hinted that Luke will get his own book next!

Positively Penelope is a beautiful story surrounding family and keeping your passions alive!
This is a sweet novel (that is mixed with the epistolary style) that follows Penelope: a positive, outgoing, theatre-loving woman on an adventure overseas, who is trying to revive an old theatre.

Although this was a case of “it wasn’t the book, it was me”, I can still sit here and acknowledge that this story was an incredibly wholesome, cute, cozy read. For some reason this took me so long to read? The plot simply didn’t keep me hooked - it was lacking a little something that I can’t put my finger on that had me hooked when I was reading its companion ‘Authentically, Izzy’ last year.

Despite this, this is definitely a book I recommend if you’re a fan of the ‘grumpy x sunshine’ trope, if you love musical theatre (especially anything Julie Andrews related), princesses, books featuring a single dad love-interest, Christian romance, or if you like a book with a confident female lead.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

Funny, informative and positively witty.

It has been a while I read a Pepper Basham book and immediately I saw this one, I knew I had to read it.

It is not just a gorgeous cover but a delightful book. Lovers of romance books filled with a lot of banter would love this.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

Positively Penelope offers a charming return to the fictional island of Skymar. Penelope Edgewood, Ms. merry sunshine, has her work cut out for her to win over grumpy single dad, Mathias Gray while working with the family to help save The Darling Theatre. Little Iris was adorable.
There were so many funny and cute moments with all the song and movie references that kept me turning the pages. I do enjoy the epistolary style writing, but as a sidenote the postscripts could have been included in the emails and texts to streamline the content.
Pepper Basham is one of my favorite authors and I enjoy whatever she writes. I'm looking forward to her next book with a lot of anticipation. I appreciate Thomas Nelson making a copy of Positively Penelope available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

I absolutely, positively, (sorry, I couldn’t help it!) loved this book and Penelope who brings her optimistic and fun-loving outlook to the people of Skymar when she is given the opportunity to help revitalize an old family-run theater. What Penelope is able to accomplish not only for the theater, but the town, and the Gray family in the time that she is there as an intern is remarkable.

There were so many things I loved about this story that I gave it a five star rating. Throughout the story I found gems of truth about faith in God and His care for us that had me highlighting quite a few things that I plan on returning to later. The emails that Penelope sends to her family back home are so fun because she half explains things and leaves her family hanging. It’s up to them to prod her to finish her stories and fill in the details or send someone to check on her to make sure she is all right. I loved Penelope’s character, her infectious outlook on life and caring of people, and her ingenuity. I think we all need more Penelope's in our life.

If you like romantic comedies, faith inspired stories, and a book that will make you smile, this one is for you! I consider this to be the second book in the series of the Edgewood siblings, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I can.not.wait. to read Luke’s story who is Penelope's brother!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

I wasn't able to read this because after the "font matter," the pages were blank on the NETGALLEY version. I downloaded it a few times just in case, but my Kindle app showed blank pages starting from where "Chapter 1" should have been. I am unable to review the netgalley version of the book for the above mentioned reason.

This started off cute but slowly died in my esteem as it dragged on. The book is a solid one hundred pages too long and while nothing is surprising, it would have been better if it didn’t have so much bloat. Also it started as emails, texts, and letters which isn’t normally my thing but I was willing to get on board. But halfway through we start getting regular writing and by the end it’s mostly abandoned the letters style. Which is fine, but made it seem like the author couldn’t figure out how to make it work and abandoned it. Also, not a fault of the book, I got this as an ARC and it was a horrifying format. The text had constant breaks and the publisher put their logo in the middle of the page every two pages. I was between a 2 and a 3 but am rounding up because I’m sure some of my annoyance comes from that and not the book itself.

Musical theatre fans will love this fun song filled novel that reads like a musical. If that’s possible. But this novel shows us like Rogers and Hammerstein that impossible things are happening every day. Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn fans will find every reference bringing a smile to their face. And if you’ve ever worked in a theatre you know they’re always struggling so this was so accurate. Penelope is me at twenty-four. Young yet given so much responsibility in a theatre. I could relate in so many ways. If only theatres were run actually run by straight single fathers who dance.

Positively , Penelope
By Pepper Basham
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
Thomas Nelson
Christian Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
I absolutely loved reading Authentically, Izzy last Fall. Please read that one first because it explains so much.
This is a great read also! Mystery, songs, bicycling, twirling, baked goods, and much more make this a book I’m happy to recommend. Delight from beginning till the end,
5 stars

With literature and theatre references abound, Positively Penelope is funny, endearing, and lovely. A true grump meets sunshine, single father romance takes place in the setting of saving a local theatre from closing down. Penelope keeps all sorts of magic tricks in her “Mary Poppins bag” but can she find a way to bring this grieving family back together, save the theatre, accept her dream job, and maybe still find true love?

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, and the set up of the story. The first chunk of text is presented in email and text format. I enjoyed it at first, but I did think it went on a little too long. Like I thought maybe the entire book was going to be presented this way. But it was not. I like the perspective switch when the emails and texts ended as well. I thought it was clever, and I always love a dual POV story. This story has family baggage, loving and supportive siblings, small town charm, betrayal, love, and humor. An easy, fun read.

I absolutely adore this series! Positively Penelope is such a sweet story about second chances. I adore the characters (and loved the updates on characters from Authentically Izzy) and the setting and everything about this book. I also can’t wait for Luke to get his own book.

Positively Penelope was absolutely amazing! Penelope made my musical loving heart smile! A perfect read for anyone who loves Broadway, Julie Andrews and romance!

This book just made me so happy and I absolutely LOVED it! Authentically Izzy was one of my absolute favorite books from last year so I was highly anticipating the release of Positively Penelope… and it was so much fun!🥰

You know those books that are just fun to read? Well, this is one of those books. I loved the characters, the setting, the humor— all of it. I was basically smiling the entire time I read this book.💗

First of all, I absolutely LOVED these characters!
Penelope was just wonderful. She adores Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn, classic movies, theater, musicals, fairytales, and vintage things— and I completely loved her character! She was just such a fun character. I really just wanted to be besties with her and make sugar cookies and watch Audrey Hepburn movies all day.
And then we have Matthias. I loved both him and his adorable daughter Iris. He’s a very grumpy, cautious, and serious guy in the beginning but then Penelope comes along and flips his world upside down. The sunshine/grump trope in this book was the best!🥰 I adored Matt and Penelope together. The romance was seriously adorable. 💗
I loved getting glimpses of Izzy, Brodie, and Luke again! I love them all so much. Izzy and I are kindred spirits, and Luke is pretty much my favorite. He’s hilarious and made me laugh constantly. I really can’t wait for his book!

I felt like this book was the perfect mix as it was told through texts, emails, and third person. I especially enjoyed getting more third person narrative in this one! I do love these cousins’ text message/email conversations. My life would be 100% more fun if I could be on their group chat.😂

This book just made me so happy. I laughed out loud multiple times and was smiling pretty much the whole time I read it. But this book is more than just a story that will make you laugh and smile. It also has deep moments too and I loved that!

In conclusion, I loved this book! It was just so much fun to read! It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I am SO excited for the next book in this series!
If you love the sunshine/grump trope, theater, classic movies, and epistolary novels, I think you will love this one!☺️

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

My issue with this is that it was never mentioned that this was a christian romance. And I don't mind going out of my comfort zone but I need some warning before jumping into a book talking about Jesus so much. Now as a romance, it was fun, it was cute, the swoon factor was there and it was good. As to the mystery plot line, it was one of those that were pretty in your face and I guessed it almost immediately. So it was fun, a good in-between book before another big fantasy novel but not very memorable either. 3.5 stars

Thank you to the author and the publisher, Thomas Nelson FICTION, for sharing an ARC of this book with me.

This was such a fun and whimsical read. I enjoyed the writing style a lot with the letters, emails and texts.

I loved this story by Pepper Basham, the characters and storyline were so fun!

I just reviewed Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham. #PositivelyPenelope #NetGalley
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I love a book that references characters and actors from other stories and movies and Positively Penelope is brilliant at it! Especially old movies and actors!

Having said that, I didn't connect with the characters as much as I liked. I laughed and sympathize with her, just didn't connect. However I enjoyed the story (epistolary novels are my jam!) and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I was captivated and immediately engrossed by this delightfully entertaining narrative thanks to Penelope, a character I liked hanging out with. I enjoyed her family, the way they interact with one another, and the outside world is charming. Just as you enjoyed Authentically Izzy’s book-related knowledge, you’ll enjoy Penelope’s movie and theatrical trivia.

I appreciated how this novel was told through letters, texts, and emails. In this narrative, Penelope makes every attempt to keep the Darling House Theatre, open. Her efforts were admirable. By showcasing this local resource, she gives the town and the theater hope by identifying this local treasure.

Of course, the part where Penelope embarks on a mission to introduce princesses and fairy tales to Matthias’s small daughter Iris was fun and compelling. You will adore Penelope, her zeal for life, theater, and everything related to the Darling House Theater. If you enjoy Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Sundays at Tiffany’s, and other classic film trivia, you will adore this story.

The significance of true love, as well as friendship, community, family, and belonging, are all explored in the novel. Along with joy, laughing, and sunshine, it also addresses bereavement. The third book in the series will introduce readers to Penelope’s brother, Luke, that has me intrigued. I liked the way the author drew me into this mystery, and I enjoyed the wonder and charm of this story. It was impossible to put this book down. It’s a fantastic getaway that your book group will adore.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/