
Positively, Penelope
A fun, low-spice rom-com featuring a grumpy/sunshine couple
by Pepper Basham
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Pub Date Aug 01 2023 | Archive Date Sep 01 2023
Thomas Nelson--FICTION | Thomas Nelson
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Description
In this sweet, low-spice rom-com, an eternally sunshiny woman attempts to pull a hardened grump out of the shadows and find love again within a fun musical theater backdrop.
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
Positively, Penelope is the escape you've been looking for--in a world of cynics, Penelope can't help but be a ray of positivity. Witty, hilarious, and heartwarming, this sweet, kisses-only epistolary novel is told mostly through emails and texts and is set in the same world as Authentically, Izzy, but can be read as a stand-alone. Don't wait to lose yourself in the world of Positively, Penelope, perfect for readers of Sarah Adams and Emma St. Clair.
"What do you get when you combine a lovable heroine with characters who have mastered the art of witty banter? A charming read." --Sheila Roberts, USA TODAY bestselling author
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9780840715203 |
PRICE | $16.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 416 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

I was really looking forward to this book after having read Authentically Izzy last fall. I think Positively Penelope is even better. It helps to read Authentically Izzy first, since Basham doesn’t waste any time in this new book to introduce the country of Skymar or the relationships between Izzy, Luke, Penelope, and Josephine. Once again, I had a horrible time putting the book down, laughed hysterically, and stayed up way too late to finish it. I loved it, and I do hope Basham writes one for Luke now!
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #PositivelyPenelope #NetGalley

This book is a positive delight from the first line to the last. I adored Penelope in Izzy's book and she screamed for her own book, so I couldn't wait to dive into the pages of this novel. On my goodness, it was a true, laugh out loud joy to read this book. The story was filled with twists and hiccups, but there was such delight and fun. And fairy tales. And princesses. And Julie Andrews. Gene Kelly. All the things I adore. In one place. And such fun. And the kissing. Pepper does enjoy writing kissing books. I highly recommend this sweet, fun, romantic romp of a book. It was wonderful!

Penelope's sister, Izzy, met her soul-mate in the island kingdom of Skymar. Now Penelope is doing an internship there for her college degree. She is working toward a career in theater production and this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Her introduction to the country of Skymar was less than stellar and her first impression was a bit off-putting. Never-the-less, the intrepid Penelope is not going to let those curmudgeonly vibes dampen her spirits nor her ideas for helping the theater she has been assigned to help. Through her work, she helps Grandpa Gray find his feet again, she helps Matthias Gray overcome his deeply imbedded pain, and she brings the family's theater back to life, all while sprinkling her brand of pixie dust over everything.
Pepper Basham has written a very non-formulaic romance novel that is laugh-out-loud hilarious. I would guess that 90% of the novel is epistolary through the media of text messages and emails. The reader has to get over halfway through before there is any real narration to the story. She has included overt, dastardly villains; and some sneaky villains who are a bit more clandestine with their shenanigans. There are a couple of mystery characters that are hard to figure out but whose identities are revealed later on in the book. They all add to the warp and weft of the book to make a cohesive story come to life. Penelope's "never say die" attitude is one of the most endearing aspects to the book and her work ethic in bringing the theater back to its former glory are something to behold. The float in the parade was the cherry on top of the sundae that was Penelope's magic.
This is a fun, five star book, with two thumbs up, and a parade float that will take you straight to Narnia.

This follow up to Authentically, Izzy was perfect! I’m not even a huge lover of musicals, but this book had me *almost* wanting to hum along! We met Penelope in the first book, but not like this. She is all sunshine, sweetness, and sassiness and if her brand of optimism could be bottled, the world would be a lovelier place! Penelope took Skymar by storm and no one was safe from her charms, especially Matt and his adorable daughter, Iris! The only problem with this book is that it ended!
I was given an advanced copy of this book and all opinions are expressly my own.

Authentically Izzy was my favorite book from last year so I had high expectations for this. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. Penelope is at first a lot to take in with her big personality and childish optimism. But as the story unfolds, you get to know her for who she is, and soon wish you had more of her traits.
I loved all the musical references! And Audrey Hepburn quotes!
Huge Thank You to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Positively delightful!!! I seriously could get lost in a world of never ending stories between Izzy, Penelope, Luke and Josephine. These characters are so much fun! Their texts and emails to each other are a hoot, in addition to being loving family correspondence. From the bookish Izzy to the musical theatre and positively fashionable Penelope, I can hardly wait for Luke's story.
"I've found that leading with positivity is a great way to face any situation in life, even if my older siblings doubt my logic." "Don't get me wrong. I'm not a leader. But I am a...what's a good description? An encourager with an innate herding impulse? LOL."
Penelope is a force to be reckoned with her positive attitude, her singing, her fabulous ideas, her hard work, her baking skills, and her ability to see potential in everything and everyone. There is no one quite like her and she earns the love of many in this foreign island of Skymar where is is completing her internship. She loves fairy tales and suddenly finds herself having fairy tale moments with some of the sweetest people. I fell in love with Penelope, the Gray's, especially the-at-first-grumpy Matthias, his sweet, sweet daughter Iris, and Grandpa Gray.
Royalty, dancing, romance, mystery, villains, family history, the importance of community, and a ball! Such a delightful story, and I absolutely loved all the Julie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn and Gene Kelly references!
I highly recommend Positively Penelope (and you must read or listen to Authentically Izzy first).
Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I can't wait for my preordered copy to arrive for a special place on my keeper shelf.

As a fan of Izzy, I had high hopes for Penelope, and I was not disappointed. The characters in this book make you wish you knew them in real life. And the positively quirkiness of Penelope is so endearing.
I love that Pepper writes beautifully hilarious rom-com books that you want to read over and over again.
Thank you netgalley for the arc copy!

I think that this was absolutely perfect. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. This was as good. I loved it.
I just reviewed Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham. #PositivelyPenelope #NetGalley
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This book was such fun! I needed this!
I enjoy a cute read, and this one met my expectations all the way!
I read this book in one afternoon!
I could not put it down!
These young ladies have quite the story to tell.
The girls are such a delight to get to know through texts, letters, and emails!
This title made my soul feel full and satisfied.
Fans of Izzy will be sure to delight in Penelope's story, too!
Penelope is a friend that you definitely don't want to let go of!
My favorite thing about this book was the humor that Basham adds throughout the novel. My other favorite thing is the bond that these young ladies have. Something that I've yearned for all my life, and I love finding it through books like these.
Thank you, Ms. Basham for bringing that joy to life once more!
5 stars for a job well done!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Love is worth it all".
What a beautiful and absolutely wonderful story from start to finish! If it's even possible, I love this book even more than Authentically, Izzy. The happiness and hope and love spilled over every page and I never wanted to put it down. Can I give 10 stars?
Please tell me there is a story coming soon for our favorite brother Luke? I'll be first in line.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ahhhh, one of my favourite trios is back!! I didn’t think it was possible after loving Izzy’s story so much, but I loved Penelope’s story even more!
From the prologue alone, I was grinning like crazy. In fact, the entire book had me laughing so hard that a couple family members checked in to make sure I was okay. Just peachy & reading top-notch humour. Seriously, if you need a spoonful of sugar & laughter — read this book!
A few of my favourite highlights being…
✨ The humour
✨ The classic movie references
✨ “Did you just turn Chris Pine into an adjective?”
✨ Alllll the Julie Andrews’ references
✨ Luke in protective big brother mode & showing up for Penelope. (And just Luke in general, haha!)
✨ Grumpy-Sunshine
✨ Iris!
✨ Penelope’s “Mary Poppins” bag… this is so me 😂
✨ Matt calling Penelope, “the pixie”
✨ No love triangles, miscommunications, or third act breakups!
But for all the laughs, it wasn’t fluffy or mindless. It was heartfelt with a giggle — amusing and yet woven together with deep, thoughtful themes. It’s a story about friendship, community, family & belonging, dealing with grief, and the meaning of true love (being that you shouldn’t have to change yourself to make yourself acceptable to others). And of course, the power of a little “magic.” 😉
All I can say is that I loved every minute of this book, it gave me a dose of laughter & sunshine just when I needed it, and I cannot wait for Luke’s story next! 😍
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

These books are so dreamy and I never want them to end! Penelope is such a great character and someone you instantly want to be friends with. She has such joy and exuberance inside of her. Grandpa Gray is another fascinating character as well as Iris! Gosh, I can't say enough good things about this book and hope the author has the next one out as soon as possible.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Pepper Basham has done it again!
Positively, Penelope is a spectacularly sweet sequel to Authentically, Izzy. (If you haven’t read Izzy’s book yet, I recommend you read it first. There are a lot of references to it in Penelope’s book.)
With more wonderfully whimsical characters (Grandpa Gray, Matthias, Iris, and Gwynn…just to name a few), the same fantastic fictional foreign land of Skymar, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments combined with a slow-burn sweet romance, Penelope’s story is “practically perfect!”
I laughed.
I cried.
I loved it!
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
And I can’t wait for Ms. Basham to write Luke’s story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another fabulous Edgewood family Skymarian tale!
Having been obsessed with musical theatre, “The Sound of Music”, Chris Pine and Gene Kelly at different points in my life, I LOVED this story (spoiler alert: I am the target audience!). Add in fun banter between siblings (please tell me the next book is about Luke? He needs a happily ever after despite his protestations!), some wonderful new characters with the surname Gray, and a nefarious situation with the competition, and I was hooked!
I love Ms Basham’s brain, especially the way her character voices are clear, never muddled. There was more “live action” in this book than in “Authentically, Izzy”, but still heaps of fun emails and text messages to read and enjoy.
Loved this story so much... the whimsy and the romance. I also appreciated Brodie popping in occasionally... cos we all love Brodie. And now we love Matt.
And Luke. *begs with hands steepled for the next book to be about Luke*

I had to start this book as soon as I finished reading the first book in this series. I got done with Izzy and had to start Penelope. It was the best decision ever! These books are so fun and I can't wait until the next one comes out! I'm invested in this family now.
In this book, we follow Penelope as she goes to the islands that Izzy is relocating to with her Brodie. She's going to help revive a theatre. And maybe some of the people in the theatre as well.
I loved watching Penelope's positive attitude in action and her Mary Poppins bag. Add in the adorable little girl and it was a lovely book. But then you've also got romance. The problem is that someone is sabotaging all of the hard work Penelope is doing. She can stay one step ahead but it feels like for every two steps forward they take two steps back.
Can Penelope find out who is behind the sabotage? Is there anything she can do to stop it? Can she get the right brother in the bargain?
I loved this book so much and can't wait to find out the rest of the family's story! Also, can I mention I really wanted some pictures or illustrations thrown in to show the twins? They have such cute outfits that Penelope buys for them that they wear but we can only see it in our minds and I wanted to see it for real too!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Reading an 'epistolary' novel is an interesting experience. This is a nice blend, the first half is heavier on the emails and text messages, and then the second half has more 'as it happens' narration and inside heads.
I found this style fascinating, and I read all 7 hours over the course of 2 days. I'd read the first book in the series already, so knew somewhat what to expect, and it was great getting to "see' familiar faces again, as well as getting to know Penelope better. There were several times my heart ached for the characters, and a couple of times I wanted to knock heads together.
But Penelope's determination to choose Joy, even when she's hurting, is beautiful. Pollyanna-esque, but deeper. and she's not afraid to tell it like she sees it, even when that's going to upset someone's apple cart. She does it with kindness, and it shows. I want to be Penelope when I grow up.
I love the interplay between Izzy, Luke and Penelope, (and Josephine). The Family connection is so nice to see.
I received a copy of this book from @Netgalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

Love this book! Penelope is such a great role model of joy, energy, kindness, and fun all while being hardworking and business smart! Can’t wait for Luke’s book!

I absolutely adored this book! Positively, Penelope is a sequel of sorts to Authentically, Izzy, following Izzy’s beloved cousin, Penelope. Now, I loved Izzy because I related to her as the person I am, but I love Penelope because she represents the person I’ve always wanted to be! She’s endlessly positive, sings and dances at random, picks her skirts based on twirl factor (something I’ve done myself in the past), and has a God given gift for loving and encouraging people. How can you not love her?
I’ll admit, I guessed the “mole” pretty early on, but I don’t think the mystery was as important as the other factors of the book.
I absolutely adored Penelope’s relationship to Matthias and Iris. So sweet. And her relationship to Grandpa Gray was heartwarming to say the least. And the romance was swoon worthy.
I also appreciated watching how Penelope came to figure out and accept what God had for her future, even if it wasn’t what she originally thought.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. Just read it, Y’all!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Pepper Basham has done it again! Positively, Penelope is the PERFECT sequel to Authentically Izzy! The only thing that might be better?…….when Luke gets his own story!!!!
Where do I begin? Pepper does a wonderful job of mixing in the Appalachian culture, Rambo movie quotes, and musical theater. Three things that normally wouldn’t go together, blend seamlessly.
I honestly didn’t think I would like Penelope as much as I did! I felt she was childish and lived in fairy tale dream land. But I was wrong! Penelope’s relationship with Matthias had me smiling from the beginning! As usual, the kissing moments were worth the wait!
I’m calling it now….this story has the BEST first kiss moment out of all of Pepper’s other stories!
If you loved Authentically Izzy, then you will absolutely adore Positively, Penelope! Even though it’s a sequel it can totally be read as a stand alone. But why would you?
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good contemporary romance!
I received an early copy of this book via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine and given freely!

This is a delightful book! Familiar characters join some new ones in a story that is filled with love, romance and even a little mystery! I LOVE Matt! What a scrumptious man! The love story is so sweet! This is a book that I could read over and over!
I was provided a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Penelope is a ray of sunshine. She takes puts the music in musical. But Penelope has just flown away from her home nest. And the adventures awaiting may not be quite what she was expecting. There's 2 brothers, an old theater, a job opportunity (or 2), a little girl who wants to be a princess, and grandpa. But Penelope is determined and makes the choice to be positive throughout.
I loved the musical and book references. I loved the letter writing. I loved how this all came together!
"She's not like anyone I've ever met before. She sort of attaches herself to people and then convinces them of things they don't realize they're going to agree to until it's too late."
"Has she bewitched you body and soul?"
"Story is the key to what we bring to the stage, how we present ourselves online, and even how we engage with one another. We all have stories, but in our hearts, we all LOVE stories..."

Another fun book with the email dialogue along with in person happenings. Penelope has taken an intern job in the Skymar Islands, but a different place than the last book. She’s totally in her element and spreading sunshine wherever she goes and to whomever she meets. We meet the Gray family, Alec, Matt, Gwynne and Grandpa, as well as a few others. Josephine still doesn’t understand how her siblings can just go so far away. Izzy is still in the US, and Penelope is only interning though. Izzy is her supportive self and Luke is his sarcastic self. Her first impression of Matt isn’t great, but she loves his daughter, Iris. Alec is gone a lot, but does try and spend some time with her when he’s home. She bonds well with Grandpa and learns a lot from him of the history of the theater she’s to bring back to life. Page turning story and a total delight. Looking forward to the 3rd book. I do wonder how Luke’s text messages will come across when it’s hit turn to write.
A complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This may be my favorite book of the year. It's definitely become one of my all-time favorites. Shifting from quiet, reserved Izzy's POV in the first book to bold, vibrant Penelope's in book two was jarring at first. But, just as she does with everyone she encounters in the story, Penelope quickly won me over, embracing her role of leading lady.
You can not help but love her optimism and authenticity as she faces challenges head-on, always hopeful for a positive outcome. The character growth and romance (the absolute sweetest) unfolds at just the right pace, building towards a climax and finale worth waiting for.
I enjoyed meeting a fascinating new cast with the added bonus of getting to check in with favorite characters from the first book. This charming modern-day fairytale is the perfect blend of conflict, humor, amour and a heartwarming tale that will hold a special place with me for always.

Pepper Basham infused some sort of special magic into this book, because it delighted me from the first page to the last.
Penelope is the best kind of sunshine heroine. Her joy isn't a naive optimism, but a conscious decision she's made to bring wonder and beauty to the world around her. I love her desire to see the best in people and how quick she is to forgive. It's beautiful to see the way she draws Matthias out of his grief and brings hope back into his life.
This book is about family and community, love and second chances. It's a grumpy/sunshine, friends-to-more romance. It truly is one you don't want to miss.

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/

I loved this story by Pepper Basham, the characters and storyline were so fun!
I just reviewed Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham. #PositivelyPenelope #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

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.

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

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
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

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.

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.

Positively, Penelope can be a stand alone read, but I highly recommend reading the delicious Authentically, Izzy first. Readers will not regret that solid decision. Here's a clever tale of a unique set of close siblings and family. Surrounding witty dialogue and mystery, emails and texts among the quartet provide witty commentary to Penelope's adventures and misadventures.
What a joyful read and absolute delight to revisit the island of Skymar and its residents. Strong themes of faith, hope, grief, loss and above all, hope, pervade the text and create a fullness to the story.
I can hardly wait for the arrival of Loyally, Luke in 2024!
I received a copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

This book is even better than the first-and I LOVED the first one! Again, this book is told mostly using e-mail and texting, although it does have more traditional story telling than the previous book.
I absolutely love Penelope. Her zest and positively absolutely shines in this story. Not only does she change the people she comes into contact with, but she encourages the reader to look on the bright side of life in the process. The Gray brothers play an important role in her story, and it’s fun to see how Penelope figured out her true self as the story progresses. The enchanting island the author created in the first book is just as wonderful and whimsical. The writing is amazing and fun and this is a book you will enjoy!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What did I love…So much!
All the names are perfect! Like seriously Matt surprised me! Iris, Penelope, Alec….
I love all the play (and some book) references and then to turn it into a theater rescue just tired it together beautifully.
Pepper always puts such a sweet touch to her romance stories. They are clean and lovely and you want to keep reading them.
This book ends too soon and makes you laugh all the way through!

'Positively, Penelope' is practically perfect in every way! I just loved this book. It is funny, and heartfelt and charming, with villains and misunderstandings and joy. Please read 'Authentically, Izzy' (the first book of these two) to find more joy and happiness. Pepper Basham provides a reading experience that is inventive, uplifting and inspiring. If I could give it 10 stars I would. Now all I can say is bring on Luke!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

PERFECTLY MAGICAL IN EVERY WAY. 5 STARS. LOVE THIS SERIES - SUCH GREAT COMFORT READS! I have to say, these characters make these stories. Authentically, Izzy is one of my favorites books of all time and this sequel did NOT disappoint ya'll! This series is just a good time all around and an ultimate comfort to me. Bonus points here for the movie and theater lovers -as this has all the PERFECT classic movie vibes with Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music, Grease, Cinderella, Rambo and so much more! Perfect princess vibes - yes please! THANK YOU PEPPER for the most magical stories.
Positively, Penelope follows Penelope Edgewood - you would have seen her and her siblings, Luke and Josephine in Authentically, Izzy and they're just a GREAT time! Told in e-mails and text messages, plus the traditional narrative story, we follow Penelope as she travels to Skymar for 3 months to be an intern at one of the most historical theaters on the island. She works with Matt Gray, the business manager of the theater, plus we see his daughter, Iris, Grandfather Gray, brother, Alec and sister, Gwynn. Together they make up this century old theater group that is in desperate need of saving. That's where Penelope comes in! Her marketing skills and experience are going to be put to the test as they work to save this theater.
We get to see messages from primarily Izzy and Luke, with some from Josephine as well. Loved all of these great conversations. I can't wait to listen to the audiobook because the narrators will be the same as Authentically, Izzy and they are WONDERFUL! They truly bring these conversations to life!
Like I said, what makes this story is our wonderful cast of characters! Penelope is so wonderful! She is positive, kind, generous, full of sunshine and a genuine heart! Then we have this grumpy-sunshine guy - Matt - who I LOVED! He has been through such hardship with his divorce and the loss of his mother and grandmother - he doesn't know how to begin again....until he meets Penelope. :) I LOVED the relationship between them and Iris too - Iris was so precious! I loved a good story with a single Dad trying to make his way who can find love again - SIGN ME UP!
I hope you all will pick this book up - as if I haven't sold you enough :) - it truly made me happy and feel like a princess would. :) What a magical place - to be in Skymar. I am so ready for Luke's story! If you love theater, movies, fairytales and just feel good stories - this is for YOU!
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh, My Sweet Goodness!
This second book in this new series by Pepper Basham is so delightful!
I felt so connected to these characters because of the way the author has written it.
This book is mostly written as an Epistolary novel. If you’re not familiar with what that is, it’s where the story unfolds mostly through texts, emails, and phone calls by the characters.
It’s not as much as the first book in this series, but it’s still a significant part and I’ve found that I LOVE it!
The banter and dialogue flow so smoothly and it brings life to each character. I could just hear their wit and relate to many of their struggles and joys.
In this book, Penelope (who is the youngest of all the relatives) is away in the charming town of Skymar. From the minute she steps off the plane, she encounters crazy people and experiences many things. Her life in the dramatic theater world takes center stage and she’s loving it.
I truly enjoyed reading this book because I could relate to many of the things. I LOVE the world of theater and enjoyed picturing all the many parts that go into keeping a theater alive.
Pepper Basham presented a charming tale that actually had depth and humor all wrapped up in the conversations these characters had. There were also bits of wonderful life lessons that deeply touched my soul.
I highly recommend you pick this book up for a delightful read. You just might find yourself dreaming of taking a trip across the ocean to see rolling hills and white cliffs. Or maybe take a trip into a theater to watch a musical.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Positively Penelope is
A real life fairy tale romance with all the feels! Pepper Basham has the perfect knack for nailing swoony real-life romances.
Penelope gets her own dream come true fairy tale in this rom-com set in the perfect back drop of Skymar. Penelope brings joy and positivity everywhere she goes. Even the old, aging Darling theatre where she’s hired on as a marketing intern. Matt, a grumpy, single dad is doing everything to keep his family’s legacy from dying out. Penelope bursts into his world with song, dance, and princesses. His daughter, Iris, loves all the princesses and fairytales. Matt is captivated by her creativity and genuineness to bring life back to the theatre. In fact, the entire Gray family is charmed by her ability to round up the masses and inspire excitement. There are some slips, trips, and bumps along the way, but life has a way of settling out just as it needs to.
The delightful emails and texts from Authentically Izzy continue in this second novel of the series (you can enjoy without reading that one first, but it does add to the humor and appreciation of the siblings bantering back and forth).
Now we just need Luke’s HEA!!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Such a delightful read, one you won't be able to put down. Pepper D. Basham brought a smile to my face, along with several chuckles.
Penelope lands a dream job and turns on her magic, capturing quickly the love of a little girl, and even her dad, Grumpy Matt.
She spreads her love and faith and baked goods around and brings back to life Grandpa, and gets him excited, but life cannot run smoothly, and there is a mole doing their damage. Yes, I guessed whom the mole was but loved how the whole situation was handled!
A story that begins with a lot of texts and emails, and pulls you in, and who doesn't love Peter Pan?
Now I can't wait for the next book in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

To Pepper Basham - BRAVA!! What a wonderfully entertaining story. Penelope is so delightful and full of all the things we love about princesses and fairy tales. I really enjoyed this story so much. It was great to reconnect with the characters we met in Authentically, Izzy (with all their good-natured sibling banter) and to meet new ones. I especially loved Matthias and Iris and Grandpa Gray.
On the surface, Penelope might come across as carefree, but I love how Pepper allows us to see the depth of character and wisdom she possesses. Penelope knows people often don’t take her seriously because of her cheery nature and this quote sums up her perspective: “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.”
Pepper has penned the perfect rom-com, theatrical story for Penelope. We had humor, romance, a little mystery, with a touch of royalty and I enjoyed every minute! I received an early copy for review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Penelope Edgewood is an eternal optimist. Matt Gray is a single dad recovering from heartbreak. When Penelope comes to work for Matt’s family as an intern at their failing small town historical theater, clashing is inevitable. As Penelope works to turn around the fortunes of the Gray family business, will her opinion of Matt turn around as well? Told in a clever email and texting format, this humorous, lighthearted tale of hope is a breath of fresh air and sunshine.

Positively Penelope by Pepper D. Basham is the sequel to Authentically Izzy. It is a charming story about Izzy's cousin Penelope. She has just graduated college and goes to Skymar to help restore an old theater. When she arrives she finds their finances in shambles as well as a lot of work needed on the theater. Penelope dives into the work with enthusiasm. She loves all things Julie Andrews such as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. There are many references to songs and dances by Gene Kelly. She, meets Matt, a single dad with an adorable daughter, Iris. Although this is a fun and upbeat book, someone is trying to steal ideas that only Penelope and the members of The Darling House theater troup know about. This book has it all!! Comedy, romance, mystery and a surprise ending!! It's magically delicious!! It will be published August 1,2023 but it can be pre-ordered now!! I thank the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I loved the feel good vibes and give it 5 stars!! I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Well this just about broke the Swoon Scale™️. Oh my word, did Ms. Basham just give everything here.
Will you check out this trope combo:
Jaded grumpy hero/Optimism avalanche sunshine heroine
Single dad (just the right amount of cute child presence)
Workplace forced proximity with lots of competence
Bit of an age gap
He falls first and a smidge of grovel
The only acceptable kind of quasi-love triangle: the Clear Winner love triangle
And of course, predominant presence of wonderful bantery written communications.
Much like with the first book, even as an epistolary fan, it took me a minute to settle in, and, especially in this story, I was wondering how the written communication format would work to keep us invested in this scenario (our grump meet-cute was told not shown *miffed*). But, never fear, a third person dual POV enters just when we need it, and it’s all systems go, so effective. Really applaud all the pacing/format choices and by that third act when Grumpy Gray is already all in and we have reveals, rescues, declarations, grand gestures and reunions, I repeat, optimum swoonage.
Because this is the kind of life-affirming swoony romance progression where you can see exactly where it’s going, love to see it coming and rejoice when it so-satisfyingly arrives. Isn’t that the heart-tinglingly steady predictability us romance readers yearn for? But then it also exceeds your expectations as you’re bombarded left and right with a very special brand of grump-goes-Gene-Kelly charm in a dreamy Northern European landscape. I’m serious, friends, we have a brokenhearted accountant/dance teacher hero with impressive eyebrows on our hands, ok?
And Penelope is all gotta-love-her, generally oblivious, charming chaos, with her often-rambling, incomplete narrative emails, her dreamy outlook, but with all the creativity and know-how to back it up. She literally barrels into this theater family and community’s life and learns you can have both what you dream and what you need, looking fabulous and quoting Audrey Hepburn as you achieve it.
The Edgewoods are everything and more. Luke’s up, I’m so ready.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Content notes: kissing only, unresolved grief, mention of infidelity and familial abandonment.

Positively, Penelope was positively an absolute delight! I enjoyed getting to return to the world of Skymar and the Edgewood siblings. This book reads like a love letter to the Theater (and Julie Andrews) and I adored every reference and line. I liked all the tropes woven into this book: slow burn, gentle grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, love triangle with brothers, traveler in a foreign land, single dad, grandpa matchmaker, etc. So many wonderful things to love about this book!

“Positively Penelope” was such an exuberant, warm, and comfy read! I had loved Authentically Izzy and was so excited to see more from Pepper D. Basham and the world she created.I loved the epistolary style. It made it seem all the more relatable and down-to-earth. The theatrical and fairytale-ish qualities added to the magic and charm. I enjoyed getting to return to the world of Skymar and the Edgewood siblings. This book reads like a love letter to the Theater (and Julie Andrews), and I adored every reference and line. I liked all the tropes woven into this book: slow burn, gentle grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, love triangle with brothers, traveler in a foreign land, single dad, grandpa matchmaker, etc. So many wonderful things to love about this book! And what a sweet, uplifting romance! We need more books like this to bring a little light into the world. I have already preordered my physical copy!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My gratitude to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley!

I adored Authentically, Izzy. I was ready to dive straight into her newest book.
Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham was so quirky, fun and delightful.
I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. The character development was strong, and the premise was amazing.
The story of Penelope and Matt was enchanting and adorable!
Basham is a master at storytelling who draws the reader right into the story.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I enjoyed returning to this series with Penelope's story! She is such a fun, hopeful character. I connected with her immediately! This book has fun references to musicals and is in a delightful setting.

Like the book before this one in the series (Authentically, Izzy), this novel mostly tells the story through emails and texts. So many wonderful words come to mind after just finishing this novel yesterday. Humor, heart, lightness, tenderness, the appreciation for sibling relationships. Fans of the theater and classic musicals will rejoice over the delightful references peppered throughout the pages. This is an inspy rom-com that’s sure to bring loads of smiles and happy sighs. I’m SO EXCITED for Luke’s story next!

Penelope's story was everything that I'd hope for and more!!! I fell in love with her bubbly and vibrant personality when I listened to the audiobook of Authentically, Izzy! These Edgewood siblings and cousin are the best! Izzy Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood and Luke Egdewood! They are so much fun and kept me laughing with their antics, big brother vibes, sibling inside jokes, love and support, guidance and protection, best friends and a whole lot more!
I loved the combination of letters, emails and texts in this mostly epistolary type novel. There are several scenes that are not in epistolary form and have the characters in person having dialogue. I loved having both. Each form brings out different aspects of the characters' personalities and thoughts and feelings.
Penelope was so much fun! She's just darling and has a larger than life personality! She's cheerful and caring about others. And her musical theater and theater knowledge is the best!!! I'm a huge theater fan and this just made me smile the whole way through! I've been in several musicals but haven't been in one for a few years due to life and schedules but reading this has me wanting to dive back in and enjoy being a part of a show! And all of the Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly and Audrey Hepburn references just had me grinning! They're some of my favorites!!!
As she steps into her role to help save the Gray family's Darling House Theater through her marketing skills and just all around amazingness, she runs into a few bumps and might catch a few bruises. But never fear she's super and finds ways to glow and radiate sunshine!
But there are two Gray brothers, Matt and Alec, whom she has to work with and navigate daily. Add in a cute little girl, some hilarious moments of embarrassment, a mole, witty banter, pitter patters of the heart, a big surprise, a job offer, family, friends, a bicycle, baking, princesses, costumes, a parade, a nefarious rival, dancing, hats, skirts, glitter, rain, a Princess, a ball, sea monsters, deception, and love...and you have a charmingly delightful book that you won't want to set down!
And can I just throw out that there I'm extremely excited for Luke's book!!! *Insert squeal* Seriously, his personality and dry humor crack me up. When the author announced that his book is happening and did a cover reveal, I was one happy reader!!!
If you haven't had the chance to read Authentically Izzy, which is the first book, do yourself a favor and read it! You have plenty of time to do so before Penelope's story releases! A perfect summer read!!!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further!
I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson-Fiction, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!

This book was super cute and the author is extremely talented. This story is told in an email and texting format with the main character Penelope’s siblings. Penelope is super cheerful, positive, and you can see the Mary Poppins correlations sprinkled throughout. If you read authentically Izzie, you’ll be reintroduced to characters but this book can stand alone on its own. I just super enjoyed the authors character creativity and cheer in this story.

I enjoy ANYTHING written by Pepper Basham (I’m sure even her grocery lists are entertaining!). But seeing this was the second book in a series, I decided to read the first book (Authentically Izzy) before diving into this one. I immediately fell for Isabelle and Brodie - it was so easy to identify with that creative but uncertain librarian and her Skymar pen pal. But her over-the-top cousin Penelope?! I was sure this second book couldn’t have the same comfortable flow. Was I ever wrong! Such a classic romance! I love the difference in age and heart-experience between Penny-girl and Matthias. The healing balm she brings to all the Gray family AND their vintage theater is almost magical. More than once I found my eyes misting up. I recommend YouTube for a making your own sound track as you read. Now I can’t wait for the third book in this series!

Charming, delightful, and magical in every way! I absolutely ADORED this book!!
Penelope is hired as an intern to help turn around the struggling Darling Theater owned by the Gray family. Her insightful plans quickly begin to change things and her positivity and optimism make a deep impression on the Gray family, most especially on single father Matt and his daughter Iris.
Matt has closed himself off from the world to avoid getting his heart broken again but even his grumpy wall cannot stand when faced with Penelope's sunshine. He finds himself falling for her but when she returns home at the end of her internship, he is sure to have his heart broken again.
What to love:
Grumpy/sunshine romance
Dual POV
Single dad
Movie and musical theatre references
Sabrina-esque vibes
Bike riding lessons
Grandpa Gray
The parade
Dancing the waltz
Masquerade ball
Hero to the rescue
The first kiss!!!!!!!
Sibling text threads
The first 25% of this book is in epistolary format, meaning that it is told only through texts, emails, and letters. After that point, there are still some texts and emails but it is also told from the dual POV of Matt and Penelope.
I enjoyed the beginning, especially the sibling text threads, but also appreciated when we had the regular POV as well. It was balanced very well!
I am pretty sure I had a goofy grin on my face through this entire book. The characters, the setting, the stars-in-your-eyes romance, even the little mystery sideplot, I loved it ALL.
If you are a fan of Hallmark movies, the theatre, broody and wounded heroes, or even just a charming romance full of pixie dust and fairytales, then you absolutely need to read this book. This gets a very enthusiastic 5 stars from me and I cannot wait for Luke's story!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Positively, Penelope is an absolutely charming book! This heartwarming romcom is told mostly through emails and texts, a format that I adore! Penelope and Matt are the stars here—she is joyful, fairy-tale-believing, oftentimes singing; he is serious and guarded. She has been hired to help his family’s struggling theater, and it was a delight to watch Penelope work ver magic with not only the theater, but also with Matt! Watching their romance unfold was romantic and inspirational and fun!! The setting of this book is unique, the characters are (mostly) enchanting, and I loved every moment.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!!

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

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.

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!

'Are you sure you want to start a professional relationship with a personal objective to sprinkle fairy dust into the life of a man who may not respond positively to your brand of joy?'
As a reader, yes Luke...we all want Penelope to spread her joy to the grumpiest of men!!!
This book.
All of the stars.
All of the thumbs.
All of the praise.
All of the things.
Perfection. I know no one wants to live up to perfection, but this book truly is perfection.
It's balanced in all things. happiness/grumpiness, hope/doubt, live life fully/coast through life, etc.
If you love witty banter, pop culture references, nods to all the classics (we learn from Luke sometimes the term "classic" means different things to different people... if you know you know -- and believe me, you want to know lol), swoony romance, happiness, hope and perseverance this is the book for you! If I missed something that you would relate to more insert that here:__________ because this book is for EVERYONE and I am convinced that EVERYONE needs this kind of happiness in their life.
Penelope is pure joy. From her theatre background, wardrobe, inner thoughts, dreams and her crazy, good skills she will endear herself to you forever.
The Grays...I'm lumping them all in one because they are such a fun family. And dare I say a real-type family. The kind that even when they don't know what they are doing, lose their way, their zest for life...they are a family through and through.
Luke. Luke gets his own paragraph because who of you out there that have been reading this series is not ready for more Luke. Sarcasm has never come across a page better than with Luke. He is good for the soul.
Get this book and read it for everything that is amazing in this world, because bits of it have been sprinkled throughout like fairy dust...and 'who couldn't use a little more happiness in their life'?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/triggers: Grumpy/Sunshine, workplace romance, single parent, dream setting, theatre/pop culture references, great dialogue and banter, great friendships, family relationships (some strained some not), romance, kisses only and a good chance you'll laugh out loud multiple times.

Last year, I fell head over heels for the wonderful, whimsical story that was Authentically, Izzy. It ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year, and I couldn't contain my excitement when I discovered that the author decided to make it into a series. After loving Penelope's character in the first title, I knew she deserved her own story, and I couldn't wait to dive right in. I was a little worried that I wouldn't end up enjoying this one quite as much, since bookish titles are usually more my style than theatre ones, but I needn't have worried. Pepper Basham has delivered another wonderful rom com style romance that kept me reading way past my bedtime, and had me wanting more and more from these adorable, swoon worthy characters.
Penelope's got a big heart for the world around her, and when a dream internship opportunity has her traveling to Skymar to help bring a beloved theatre back to life, she'll stop at nothing to see her dreams come true. With her heart being torn between two brothers who couldn't be more different, finally getting the opportunity to live her out childhood dreams come to life, and trying to get on top of the dastardly individual who seems determined to steal every one of her marketing ideas, Penelope's Skymar adventure is bigger and grander than she ever could have prepared herself for.
I absolutely adored this title from start to finish, and it's every bit as wonderful and amazing as Authentically, Izzy was. Penelope is such a sweet gal, and I think any reader will find themselves wanting to root for her on her somewhat tipsy turvy way to happily ever after. The author has truly created a literary style paradise setting in the lovely region of Skymar, and I enjoyed how this one dives even more into some of the history introduced in the first book. This entire novel felt like a love letter to classic movies, chick lit, and old fashioned romance, and I never wanted to see it come to an end.
Definitely one of my favorite reads of the entire year so far, and I have no idea how I'm going to wait until next year for Luke's story to release.
Final Rating: 5/5.
I cannot recommend this title enough! Do yourself a favor and not only pick this one up, but also pick up the first book as I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. If you're a fellow lover of epistolary novels, then this is definitely the series for you as quite a large portion of the plot is told through hilarious emails and messages between Penelope and her siblings and cousin, and it made a great story even better in my opinion.
Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this title!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via Netgalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

What a delightful sequel! I read “Authentically, Izzy” again to prepare me for reading this book, and I have to say that I love both books so much. A reader could very well read “Positively, Penelope” without having read Izzy’s story, but I am so glad I read them back to back as it made the stories both that much more enjoyable for me. Penelope is a stereotypical bubbly, glass is always half full, lover of all things musicals, theater, and fun. She is a deeply caring person too, and her biggest character trait, beyond her positivity is her loyalty and desire to serve others. Readers will be thrilled to follow Penny as she meets the Gray family and works her magic at their amazing historic family theater. This story took twists and turns I did not expect, and I loved watching it all unfold on the pages. In true Penelope form, this story is filled with family, drama, laughter, tears, miracles, romance, and intrigue. Everything a theater buff would want in a tale, and I think many readers would enjoy as well. I highly recommend this book as a great escape into fiction, and I will be telling my book friends about it, too!
I requested and received a copy of this book for review. The words and thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.

Such a cute second book! I will say it was harder for me to get into because the formatting of this ARC was a nightmare- why is there a logo every other page??? It was so distracting and made me not want to read this book, but I pushed through because this is one of my most anticipated releases of the summer! It was so cute and just makes me want to recommend this series even more. I love the letter writing/email aspect of this series and it continued to shine in this book. All of the characters in these books are so fun and unique- they may be some of my favorite characters of all time.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book- just please Thomas Nelson change your formatting for these arcs!!

#PositivelyPenelope #NetGalley
This is a sequel to Authentically Izzy and the story would make more sense if you read both books in this series. Penelope was quirky and fun. I loved her fettish for Julie Andrews and the Sound of Music, her quotes from movies and that she loved to sing at odd times. Penelope comes to the country of Skymar to intern at a theater, and ends up finding out that it is close to closing down. Penelope decides to try her best to make it thrive. I loved the conversations back and forth between the siblings. How Luke loves to tease his sisters.

“The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think?” —Penelope
Penelope practically oozes with positivity and creativity. And she’s channeling every ounce she can muster into saving The Darling House theater. With any luck, she just might bring an actual smile to a certain grumpy Mr. Gray’s face. But someone isn’t on board with Penelope’s plans. Mischief, mystery, and mayhem ensue—there’s even a kidnapping too! (Note: Though this book reads wonderfully as a standalone, readers will enjoy it even more after reading Authentically, Izzy.)
An epistolary novel written largely in the form of text and emails, Positively, Penelope is witty, charming, unputdownable, and practically perfect in every way!
*Thank you to @netgalley and @tnzfiction for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Positively Perfect!
This story had it all! I loved getting to visit Skymar again but meeting new and wonderfully charming characters.
We get the same feel from this book as we did from the first in the series, Authentically Izzy. Much of the story unfolds through written correspondence like emails and text messages. But we also get the third person point of view story telling. Ms. Basham blends these techniques so seamlessly that the reader gets carried along in the best way possible.
I was invested in what would happen from the first page to the very last! That doesn't always happen. Sometimes I get bored with an ending of a book but not this one!
I've been inspired to try to make chocolate éclairs now! I've even researched recipes. That's in my agenda for the weekend! If Penelope says they are surprisingly easy, I must give them a go!
The only thing that I can think of that would make this book better is listening to it! I hope to be able to do that once it is released. Izzy was so amazing on audio. I need to hear those accents again!
I do wish to thank Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Pepper Basham. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

** “The biggest dreams are the ones that take the most risk, but they’re worth it, Iris. You may just have to make it through the hard things first.” **
Pepper Basham delivers a delightfully lovely epistolary story with “Positively, Penelope,” billed as a standalone but companion novel to “Authentically, Izzy.”
Izzy’s cousin is set to travel to the captivating island of Skymar, where Izzy recently found love and purpose, to intern at an old family theater in desperate need of some marketing help. Penelope joins forces with the Gray brothers — hunky Alec and the enigmatic yet kind Matt — to incorporate new ideas to save The Darling House. But when a rival theater seems to keep stealing her ideas, she’s concerned her plans will be severely thwarted. Will she be able to save the theater, and sort out her feelings for two very different brothers?
Written mostly in letter form — emails and texts — “Positively, Penelope” is filled with both funny and romantic moments, as well as moments that will allow the reader to pause and evaluate their own dreams and desires.
Basham creates delightfully quirky characters readers will fall in love with, as well as filling “Positively, Penelope” with some great themes, like following one’s dreams; encouraging others; getting people to believe in themselves; rediscovering your joy, and we have to choose and even fight for joy; the magic and joy of creativity; the past and present can live in harmony; seeking love (“Love has a way of being much bigger than we imagine”); and the importance of home.
Fans of epistolary novels like “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” as well as authors like Katherine Reay will love this story, which is due out Aug. 1.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I fell headlong into this fine fun laugh-out-loud epistolary romance, one I did not want to end. I adored it as much as book one in the series, Authentically, Izzy: It helps to read it first but Positively, Penelope can be thoroughly enjoyed solo.
The author writes such fully fleshed characters, whose flaws just make them more endearing, and this time Penelope, Luke, Izzy, and Josephine -- along with the country of Skymar -- return again to the compelling pages. A must-read destined to become another fav from a versatile author who writes with such verve and wit that all her books will make it to your TBR list. Highly recommended!

Positively Penelope did not disappoint! I was so afraid that it would not be as good as the first book but it was. I laughed outloud and often found myself wishing I could be in Skymar with Penelope & Matt! Sweet friendships, theater, family and love all wrapped together in one amazing story. Pepper Basham, you did it again.

What a delightfully fun read! I loved it so much! It was just as good as the first book, Authentically, Izzy. This could be read as a standalone, but I'd still recommend starting with Izzy just because it's so good.
I literally laughed out loud numerous times and had a smile on my face for the majority of the book. It's such a feel-good romance, but it has a lot of depth and heart, too. It wasn't just fluff, and I loved that.
This was full of wonderful and likable characters. I loved Penelope's positivity and joyfulness. It was contagious! I also loved her tenacity and determination to help The Darling House. I instantly fell for Matthias. Yeah, he was a grump, but he was such an endearing one! And despite that grumpiness, he was such a stand-up guy. A gentleman with a surprisingly great sense of humor. I also loved the secondary characters too. Grandpa Gray, Iris, and Gwynn—the list could go on and on.
If you're looking for a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, and sweet romance, grab a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed.
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Be prepared to dive into a world that radiates positivity, love, joy, and happiness, and is full of twists and turns with laugh-out-loud vibes and so many amazing references to movies and music.
It's sweet and fun such as our beloved Penelope.
It's a grumpy X sunshine
Single dad
An epistolary novel with a lot of banter and zero spice.
Penelope travels to Skymar for 3 months to become an intern at a historical theater on the island which is in desperate need of savings. There she meets Matt Gray the theater manager a grumpy single dad who had lost his belief in love and magic.
Together they will save the theater and Penelope might just be the key to his happiness again.
I loved the Skymar books. The 1st one was pure joy and now Penelope's story did not disappoint.
Everything was perfect from A to Z and I highly recommend you pre-order this book
You Will LOVE IT 😉
Thanks to @NetGalley and the Publisher for granting me an ARC of #PositivelyPenelope in exchange for my honest review.
Xoxo

This book feels like a continuation of the first book, Authentically Izzy, and was a four star for me until the last part of the story when suspense kicks up a notch and ends on such a sweet note that I decided on five stars. It is told in the same format as the first one with of lots of emails and texts, in the epistolary form. We see the same humor and wit between siblings/cousins, Penelope, Izzy, Luke, and sometimes Josie. What fun they have with banter and teasing, all interspersed with love! Penelope is doing an internship in Skymar, home of Izzy's boyfriend, Brodie, following her college completion. Sunny personality Penelope meets grumpy Matt Gray at the airport, but things get better the more that the two are together. She makes a special bond with Matt's sweet little daughter, Iris. She is working with the Gray family to revitalize their theatre, The Darling House and finds such history and special love in the artifacts and memories. She does a wonderful job and wins the hearts of the family and community. Filled with movie quotes and references, this is another fun and uplifting read. I am looking forward to reading Luke's story.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

An utterly delightful romantic comedy, with a determinedly optimistic heroine ready to tackle any challenge with faith, love, and pixie dust!
Penelope comes to Skymar to help a struggling local theater, and the burst of creativity and light that she brought to every situation. She is indefatigably positive, and I loved how she brings out the best in people inspiring them to hope again. Iris is so adorable! I loved the relationship between her and her siblings, as they communicate through text, email, and phone calls throughout the story. Luke is definitely still a favorite, and I'm interested to see how his story will play out as he is a man of few words.
This was such a fun read, filled with heart, a grumpy-sunshine romance, and great musical theater references. I loved Penelope's zest for life, and how she shares it with others. Matt is a man who has gone through a lot in the past few years, but he has a heart of gold and is an excellent father.
Overall, a completely enjoyable addition to the series with heartwarming new characters, and engaging plot, written by an author who knows her audience well. I loved the humor, excellent chemistry between Penelope and Matt. Highly recommend, and can't wait for Luke's story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Positively, Penelope is “practically perfect in every way.” I loved this delightful, uplifting book! It’s the second book in the Skymar series, and though it can be read as a stand-alone, I totally recommend reading Authentically, Izzy first. Since this story is told mainly in texts and emails, you’ll appreciate knowing what happens in Izzy’s book before you read Penelope’s. That way you won’t get spoilers from her book!
I flew through Positively, Penelope because I just could not stop reading! Penelope’s personality is lovely! She’s always trying to see the best in every situation and person. She loves the theater…especially musicals! Just reading her emails, texts, and dialogue uplifts you! I just completely adored her! I love her family, Izzy and Luke (and Josephine…she is in the book less than the others) with whom she emails and texts. Luke is so funny, and I’m so excited to read Loyally, Luke!
Positively, Penelope has clean, swoon-worthy romance, wonderful characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and an uplifting story. I give this much more than five stars and highly recommend it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I recently finished reading (listening to) Authentically, Izzy, book one of the Skymar series, and it was delightful. I was so excited to dive into Positively, Penelope after getting to know Penelope throughout the first book as she offered encouragement and positivity to her cousin, Izzy. I hoped that this book would live up to the fun and romantic atmosphere created in that first novel. Well, I was thrilled to find a story that I loved even more than the first!
Positively, Penelope was the perfect blend of epistolary and in person dialogue. The swoon factor was there in spades, with a grumpy and heartbroken single dad hero, a sweet daughter, and the delightful Penelope who was able to weave her uplifting spirit and love for all things theater into the entire Gray family.
I simply adored this story from start to finish and I must now wrap my mind around the fact that it will be so long until book three, Loyally, Luke, is released next year! It will be a very hard wait!
I believe that readers could pick up Positively, Penelope and enjoy it even if they haven’t read Authentically, Izzy. So, if you are really wanting to dive into this book without having read book one, go ahead, you should be fine. I, however, love reading book series in order when I can. I do think that it is fun to get to know Penelope, Luke, Izzy, and even Josephine through the emails and texts of Authentically, Izzy first. Then enjoy seeing Penelope get a truly swoon worthy happily ever after in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Penelope has traveled internationally to help use her background and education in theater to help save a family owned theater that has been around for generations but is now failing. This family has faced heartache and grief, but Penelope is determined to make a difference with her knowledge and her own brand of optimism.
Never have I felt more like the grump from a grumpy/sunshine trope than I did while reading this book, because Penelope is certainly on another sunshiney level. Positively, Penelope does a great take on the grumpy/sunshine trope. Penelope is very positive, to the point where others often do not take her seriously. Matt has seen quite a bit of heartache and has buried some of his passions regarding his family’s theater as well as the desire to laugh or smile with ease. At first, Penelope was a bit much for me to handle. But, like Matt and others throughout the story, she really did grow on me. It became more evident that she wasn’t blindly optimistic, as many had accused her of being. She had the plan and knew how to put it in place.