REVIEW: Positively, Penelope by Pepper D. Basham

Positively, Penelope by Pepper D. Basham: Penelope loves theatre, in fact she loves all things vintage and creative, so it really is a dream come true when she is given a chance to do a paid internship on the island of Skymar for the islands oldest and most historical theatre. However on arrival Penelope soon learns that the theatre is in dire need of some TLC both in the finance department but also in winning back the love of the public. Now this should be no problem at all for a creative theatre lover like Penelope but working

with brothers Alec and Matt is proving to be a lot harder than even Penelope had expected. With more things stacked against Darling House can Penelope find some of that lost old charm and magic to save this historic landmark?

Right off the bat I knew that I was going to love this book, I mean with a cute and catchy cover like this how can you not find yourself being pulled into this book? Positively, Penelope was an absolute treat to read, it is an epistolary novel. I really enjoyed that the majority of the book was told from an email or letter perspective, this was a nice change to the conventional style of publishing books and actually really worked in this case. It’s hard not to get invested right from the start of this book with how positive and over the top Penelope comes across. Even though this is the second book in the Skymar series it can be read as a standalone novel, though I do have to say now that I have read this book, I am rather eager to get my hands on the first book in this series.

Penelope is a super loveable character, her joyous and happy go lucky personality is infectious and hard not to love. I absolutely loved getting to follow Penelope as she rambled her way through this crazy mystery filled adventure. I really liked the fact that she was so creative and always looking for a way to make something better even if it posed a challenge for her. I just adored the relationship between Penelope, Izzy and Luke, these three had some hilarious inside jokes and a very easy relaxed banter. More than anything I love the gusto that Penelope had when it came to her theatre family and bringing the community together. As for our hero well Matt was a total treat to get to unfold. I really don’t want to give away to much in what is going on in the romance of this book, this is one of those books that you need to read it to fully enjoy the story. Though I will say that here are no love triangles or unnecessary drama. There is loads of mystery as to who is Penelope’s secret pen pal GK.

Positively, Penelope is a total must read, this quirky cute romcom will reel you in right from the very first chapter and have you giggling all the way through with the number of antics that Penelope gets up to in her mission to bring life back to
the theatre!

Book Info:

Publication: August 1, 2023 | Skymar #2 |

Told mostly through letters, texts, and email, this contemporary romance will charm its way into hearts as Penelope rescues a theater and discovers her true self in the process.

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?