Positively, Penelope Review + Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Positively, Penelope 

Series: Skymar #2 

Author: Pepper Basham 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Release Date: August 1, 2023

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Review

Positively, Penelope is the second book in the Skymar series by Pepper Basham. I HIGHLY recommend you read the first book, Authentically, Izzy before reading this one. Otherwise, you will get spoilers, miss a few things, but mostly, miss out on a great first book of the series.

If you were able to learn how to wear that pink bunny suit from Legally Blonde on stage in front of a pastor and his entire youth group, I think you can do anything.

I loved getting to know Penelope through her adventures in Skymar. Penelope is hilarious and her propensity for not finishing a story (in text/email) makes her more so. She is an extremely positive Polly-Anna, casting out sunshine wherever she goes. She can be clueless at times, which also adds humor.

Just a few things that helped this story shine:

• grumpy/sunshine
• cute child
• single dad
• wonderful cast of characters
• witty banter
• plenty of LOL moments 
• nod to Classic movies
  

This story was hard to put down and it kept a smile on my face. There was so much to enjoy!

I appreciated the references to Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews, Grease, the Sound of Music, and more! There are so many quotes (like the one I shared above) that are hilarious, especially in context. I loved Positively, Penelope and can't wait to read Luke's story in Loyally, Luke. It also makes me wonder if Josephine will get her own story, although she doesn't seem to be as much of a main character as Izzy, Penelope, and Luke. 🤔

Thank you to Justreads Publicity and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. I had pre-ordered Positively, Penelope, but sadly it was not here before I needed this review to go out. However, it is one for the keeper shelf and I can't wait until my paperback copy arrives!

About the Book

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?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Christianbook | BookBub

More Books in this Series

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About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. Pepper's novel, Hope Between the Pages, was a 2022 Christy award finalist. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Authentically, Izzy, $20 Amazon gift card, and a Peter Pan mug!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 26, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 2, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!