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ckloiland's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
dasofa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Hilarious read. I’m not sure I’d call the romance the central focus of the book, but it was still incredibly enjoyable. It unexpectedly also made me shed a few tears. No spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
lenavejar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Penelope in Retrograde" is a delightful and heartfelt novel that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. The story follows Penelope, a romance author, as she embarks on a Thanksgiving visit to her family after years of being away. From a ride share with her ex-husband to facing her strict parents and indifferent twin sister, Penelope's three-day stay becomes a whirlwind of drama, humor, and life-changing moments.
I loved how the author was able to balance light-hearted fun with more serious moments. The author put together hilarious and heartwarming moments, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. There were many moments where the book had me laughing. Penelope's journey of self-discovery and personal growth is relatable, reminding us of the importance of family and the power of expected connections.
The characters are funny and real, each with their own quirks and complexities. Penelope herself is an endearing protagonist, navigating the challenges of her family dynamic with sarcasm and humor. The chemistry between characters, particularly the potential romantic setup her mom orchestrated, adds an extra layer of excitement.
Overall, "Penelope in Retrograde" will make you laugh, maybe cry, and definitely reflect on the complexities of family relationships. It was a quick and fun read that is a must read for fans of heartwarming and entertaining stories.
Content Warnings:
**Divorce
**Death of a parent
**Medical condition
I loved how the author was able to balance light-hearted fun with more serious moments. The author put together hilarious and heartwarming moments, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. There were many moments where the book had me laughing. Penelope's journey of self-discovery and personal growth is relatable, reminding us of the importance of family and the power of expected connections.
The characters are funny and real, each with their own quirks and complexities. Penelope herself is an endearing protagonist, navigating the challenges of her family dynamic with sarcasm and humor. The chemistry between characters, particularly the potential romantic setup her mom orchestrated, adds an extra layer of excitement.
Overall, "Penelope in Retrograde" will make you laugh, maybe cry, and definitely reflect on the complexities of family relationships. It was a quick and fun read that is a must read for fans of heartwarming and entertaining stories.
Content Warnings:
**Divorce
**Death of a parent
**Medical condition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness
rachelshubin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I chose Penelope in Retrograde as my Amazon Prime first read for September as it was one of my anticipated fall books. Brooke Abram’s debut novel managed to tell a <i>full </i> story in just 238 pages. It’s always fun and meta to read a romance book about a romance writer. I actually found the story less to be about romance and more about estranged family, feelings around divorce, and complex family relationships all taking place during Thanksgiving. I mean, how often do you read a romance style book about Thanksgiving?
My favorite aspect of the story is the flashbacks to various Thanksgivings of the past, which explain why the present holiday celebration is tense. The banter was great, Penelope is a quirky and fun character. A great story of complex interpersonal relationships.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
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