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Penelope: A Novel
Just released!
George Anderson wants nothing more than to be alone in his trailer or on his porch, reading the newspaper, minding his own business. When a filthy, bothersome dog presents herself at his feet, George is anything but pleased, and when the disheveled boy from across the street walks over, it only irritates George further.
Yet as the dog refuses to leave, George begrudgingly allows Callum onto his porch, where, as days pass, a relationship slowly begins to blossom between the boy and the curmudgeonly older man.
When Callum’s mom is whisked away in an ambulance, the small boy’s fate is unknown, forcing George to reckon with the demons of his past and grapple with not only the boy’s circumstances but George’s future as well.
Alternating between past and present, Penelope explores how one moment can echo into the future, how one person can change the way we think, and ultimately, how the merging of two very different lives has, if we let it, the ability to heal a broken heart.
George Anderson wants nothing more than to be alone in his trailer or on his porch, reading the newspaper, minding his own business. When a filthy, bothersome dog presents herself at his feet, George is anything but pleased, and when the disheveled boy from across the street walks over, it only irritates George further.
Yet as the dog refuses to leave, George begrudgingly allows Callum onto his porch, where, as days pass, a relationship slowly begins to blossom between the boy and the curmudgeonly older man.
When Callum’s mom is whisked away in an ambulance, the small boy’s fate is unknown, forcing George to reckon with the demons of his past and grapple with not only the boy’s circumstances but George’s future as well.
Alternating between past and present, Penelope explores how one moment can echo into the future, how one person can change the way we think, and ultimately, how the merging of two very different lives has, if we let it, the ability to heal a broken heart.
- GenresDogsFriendship
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2025
About the author
Amy Fillion
20 books27 followersAmy Fillion is the author of both adult and children's fiction. She is raising three energetic boys in New Hampshire with her husband, attempting not to become too annoyed with her three unruly rescue cats, and immensely enjoying cuddles from her rescue dog. She worked in the field of early intervention after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in psychology. She then left that job to stay home with her growing children.
She loves discussing books with friends, the smell of coffee brewing, reading outdoors in the warmer months, and elephants.
She also loves to hear from readers. You can find her at www.amyfillion.com.
She loves discussing books with friends, the smell of coffee brewing, reading outdoors in the warmer months, and elephants.
She also loves to hear from readers. You can find her at www.amyfillion.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 17, 2025
It's here! I am so pleased to share Penelope with you. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
December 11, 2025
Hope
Sometimes when I finish reading a heartwarming book such as this one, I find that I’m smiling from the inside out. The storyline is not all sugary sweet as the characters struggle with issues common in today’s society but learn to face and overcome them.
Sometimes when I finish reading a heartwarming book such as this one, I find that I’m smiling from the inside out. The storyline is not all sugary sweet as the characters struggle with issues common in today’s society but learn to face and overcome them.
May 12, 2026
Heart Grabber!
I selected this book because of the cover. This book grabbed my heart and held on until the end. Thank you for such a heart-warming story.
I selected this book because of the cover. This book grabbed my heart and held on until the end. Thank you for such a heart-warming story.
December 26, 2025
I made it 4% of the way through this book before cutting bait. Amy Fillion is not ready for prime time (amazon or any other). This is the second of her books that I’ve tried to read, having made it halfway through another. I give up.
Her style of writing is to fill page after page with redundancy (perhaps she used to run the department of redundancy department). What a concise author would write in a half page takes Amy Fillion 3+ pages. She hits the reader over the head many, many times with the same information, perhaps thinking that we’re too stupid to get it, and we need our noses ground in what she’s trying to express. Well, I’m not stupid.
Her style of writing is also disjointed and illogical. She will spend many, many pages on minutia we do NOT need, does not enhance the story (in fact, hampers the flow greatly), then jump ahead to some future time.
She needs a good editor, because it’s evident that she’s not up to the task. I made it halfway through this book and wish I’d given up sooner. Catherine Ryan Hyde she is not, though she seems to want to write in the same genre.
I’d give her a half star if I could. Amazon needs to find better writers than her to fill its stable. Her style of writing is to fill page after page with redundancy (perhaps she used to run the department of redundancy department). What a concise author would write in a half page takes Amy Fillion 3+ pages. She hits the reader over the head many, many times with the same information, perhaps thinking that we’re too stupid to get it, and we need our noses ground in what she’s trying to express. Well, I’m not stupid.
Her style of writing is also disjointed and illogical. She will spend many, many pages on minutia we do NOT need, then jump ahead to some future time.
She needs a good editor, because it’s evident that she’s not up to the task. I made it halfway through this book and wish I’d given up sooner. Catherine Ryan Hyde she is not, though she seems to want to write in the same genre.
I’d give her a half star if I could. Amazon needs to find better writers than her to fill its stable.
Her style of writing is to fill page after page with redundancy (perhaps she used to run the department of redundancy department). What a concise author would write in a half page takes Amy Fillion 3+ pages. She hits the reader over the head many, many times with the same information, perhaps thinking that we’re too stupid to get it, and we need our noses ground in what she’s trying to express. Well, I’m not stupid.
Her style of writing is also disjointed and illogical. She will spend many, many pages on minutia we do NOT need, does not enhance the story (in fact, hampers the flow greatly), then jump ahead to some future time.
She needs a good editor, because it’s evident that she’s not up to the task. I made it halfway through this book and wish I’d given up sooner. Catherine Ryan Hyde she is not, though she seems to want to write in the same genre.
I’d give her a half star if I could. Amazon needs to find better writers than her to fill its stable. Her style of writing is to fill page after page with redundancy (perhaps she used to run the department of redundancy department). What a concise author would write in a half page takes Amy Fillion 3+ pages. She hits the reader over the head many, many times with the same information, perhaps thinking that we’re too stupid to get it, and we need our noses ground in what she’s trying to express. Well, I’m not stupid.
Her style of writing is also disjointed and illogical. She will spend many, many pages on minutia we do NOT need, then jump ahead to some future time.
She needs a good editor, because it’s evident that she’s not up to the task. I made it halfway through this book and wish I’d given up sooner. Catherine Ryan Hyde she is not, though she seems to want to write in the same genre.
I’d give her a half star if I could. Amazon needs to find better writers than her to fill its stable.
March 7, 2026
An amazing book about a dog named Penelope, a boy named Cal and an older man by the name of George! The relationship these three shared was so sweet! The life George had when he was married and the grief that he and his wife shared with the loss of their premature son! The change in there marriage of dealing with grief which destroyed there marriage! George dealing with his best friend dying also! The life George lived until he moved into a trailer park! Cal the little boy across the street became a major part in George's life and of course Penelope the dog! George found purpose in his life again with Penelope and helping with Cal that had a mom on drugs! A very emotional and refreshing book! Definitely need to read!❤️
March 3, 2026
Story of love, laughter and pain…..and a beautiful dog
Was not sure what to expect. Glad I read reviews that the dog doesn’t die, otherwise I may not have selected this to read. What I found was a sad but beautiful story. Story about how we really do need each other, and how simple acts of kindness can bring people together to find happiness. Even when they don’t know they need it. I recommend this book and author.
Was not sure what to expect. Glad I read reviews that the dog doesn’t die, otherwise I may not have selected this to read. What I found was a sad but beautiful story. Story about how we really do need each other, and how simple acts of kindness can bring people together to find happiness. Even when they don’t know they need it. I recommend this book and author.
December 30, 2025
Loved
This was a wonderful heartwarming story. The characters were so natural and real to life. I think this should be required reading for every middle schooler. The world needs to be taught compassion
and empathy today.
This was a wonderful heartwarming story. The characters were so natural and real to life. I think this should be required reading for every middle schooler. The world needs to be taught compassion
and empathy today.
February 15, 2026
As a dog lover, this book had me from the start. It was an easy, engaging read. I loved the hope and heartache, and how real the emotions felt throughout the story.
George is the classic crotchety old man who has spent years pushing people away, while Cal is an incorrigible eight-year-old boy full of life and stubborn charm. Together — with the help of Penelope — they create a story that gently but powerfully shows what life, connection, and healing are really about.
George is the classic crotchety old man who has spent years pushing people away, while Cal is an incorrigible eight-year-old boy full of life and stubborn charm. Together — with the help of Penelope — they create a story that gently but powerfully shows what life, connection, and healing are really about.
March 23, 2026
Interesting but very over written.
The characters are realistic and well described.
I found the main drawback to the story is that it is very over written. I found myself wanting to skip ahead and became impatient to finish the book. I am a dog lover a "kid lover " and a book lover. I've read many books a second or third time. This book will not be in that group.
The characters are realistic and well described.
I found the main drawback to the story is that it is very over written. I found myself wanting to skip ahead and became impatient to finish the book. I am a dog lover a "kid lover " and a book lover. I've read many books a second or third time. This book will not be in that group.
July 28, 2025
Touching tale
Life throws hard curves but has a way of offering us straighter paths. We just need to look for them and surround ourselves with people to support us.
Each of these characters "found" each other because of a dog.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading this author's next book.
Life throws hard curves but has a way of offering us straighter paths. We just need to look for them and surround ourselves with people to support us.
Each of these characters "found" each other because of a dog.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading this author's next book.
July 7, 2026
Easy Read, Sweet Story, Some Language
Good book. I was drawn in by the characters and rooted for each to find peace and healing. There is some profanity and in part of the story a character with a drug addiction overdoses so I would not say this is a children’s story.
The back and forth between the 80s and the present was not disconcerting to me. Knowing George’s backstory brought interest and served to give insight into why he was where he was.
I would have loved an addendum or afterward, maybe Cal graduating high school and a summary of what happened to each of the characters in the interim.
Still, the ending was hopeful, and I enjoyed the book.
Good book. I was drawn in by the characters and rooted for each to find peace and healing. There is some profanity and in part of the story a character with a drug addiction overdoses so I would not say this is a children’s story.
The back and forth between the 80s and the present was not disconcerting to me. Knowing George’s backstory brought interest and served to give insight into why he was where he was.
I would have loved an addendum or afterward, maybe Cal graduating high school and a summary of what happened to each of the characters in the interim.
Still, the ending was hopeful, and I enjoyed the book.
March 31, 2026
Great
book, but very hard to read, it is a happy story with a good ending but the flashbacks are soul crushing. Everyone survives but none in the way they expected. It’s a feel good story too, but there are tears - have lost both my sons and I know exactly how George feels, happy to see him finally open his heart. Penelope is integral to the story but not the heroine, that’s the way severely hurt people can heal, with time and love. Truly enjoyed the book even with the memories it conjured up for me. Highly recommend.
book, but very hard to read, it is a happy story with a good ending but the flashbacks are soul crushing. Everyone survives but none in the way they expected. It’s a feel good story too, but there are tears - have lost both my sons and I know exactly how George feels, happy to see him finally open his heart. Penelope is integral to the story but not the heroine, that’s the way severely hurt people can heal, with time and love. Truly enjoyed the book even with the memories it conjured up for me. Highly recommend.
January 5, 2026
Good story, but very depressing
I liked the part about Geoge and his wife hiw they met. And about their skiingand their freinds Ellen and her husband. I didn't lik the part of the story about George and his wife and their premature son Steven. It was horribly depressing. I almost stopped reading. But I loved the parts about George and Cal and Penelope. And Mandy and Mrs Morningstar and the regulars at the bar.
I liked the part about Geoge and his wife hiw they met. And about their skiingand their freinds Ellen and her husband. I didn't lik the part of the story about George and his wife and their premature son Steven. It was horribly depressing. I almost stopped reading. But I loved the parts about George and Cal and Penelope. And Mandy and Mrs Morningstar and the regulars at the bar.
June 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The author centered the story around a dog that eventually became named Penelope, a man named George who is 70, and a boy named Callum age 8. The story begins in a trailer park where no one knows their neighbors very well. They may wave or nod at each other, but not much else. George is a loner, Cal is just trying to survive, and the dog is surviving in the woods surrounding the trailer park. What happens when the three of them come together? Read to find out.
April 3, 2026
Penelope
An emotional, uplifting, healing story and learning to make room for others. Remarkable characters dealing with the loss of a marriage and a child born to soon, a mothers addiction and her 8 year old son clings to the dream of a better life where he finds happiness in an old man and a stray dog. I was spellbound and found it hard to put down. This is a must read.
An emotional, uplifting, healing story and learning to make room for others. Remarkable characters dealing with the loss of a marriage and a child born to soon, a mothers addiction and her 8 year old son clings to the dream of a better life where he finds happiness in an old man and a stray dog. I was spellbound and found it hard to put down. This is a must read.
April 7, 2026
awesome book
This was such a good book! If you like a pull at the heart strings story this one fits the bill. Well written, no misspelled words, punctuation was spot on. Those type of things kinda drive me nuts. And truth it's not a story about a dog, but a story of a dog bringing two lost souls together. Read it you won't be disappointed.
This was such a good book! If you like a pull at the heart strings story this one fits the bill. Well written, no misspelled words, punctuation was spot on. Those type of things kinda drive me nuts. And truth it's not a story about a dog, but a story of a dog bringing two lost souls together. Read it you won't be disappointed.
April 29, 2026
Not really a dog book, but wonderful!
If you buy this book expecting a dog story, you might be a bit disappointed at first. But what it is is an incredible love story of the most unlikely people, brought together by a special dog Penelope. Very well written with great insight into people's capacity to love in the most ordinary, yet remarkable ways!
If you buy this book expecting a dog story, you might be a bit disappointed at first. But what it is is an incredible love story of the most unlikely people, brought together by a special dog Penelope. Very well written with great insight into people's capacity to love in the most ordinary, yet remarkable ways!
June 8, 2026
Really, really, really , really good, no great book!!!!!
If the world could only have more of this….we would all be better people, I don’t know who I love the most…
Did I mention this is really, really, really like 10/10 good, I mean great!!
This one’s going to stick with me for a long, long time!
I suggest you read it, yep it’s absolutely that good!
Your welcome
If the world could only have more of this….we would all be better people, I don’t know who I love the most…
Did I mention this is really, really, really like 10/10 good, I mean great!!
This one’s going to stick with me for a long, long time!
I suggest you read it, yep it’s absolutely that good!
Your welcome
January 7, 2026
This book left me wanting more.
I want a sequel! I want to see these relationships grow and blossom. The author draws you into the story and lets you sit in the room with the characters.
I want a sequel! I want to see these relationships grow and blossom. The author draws you into the story and lets you sit in the room with the characters.
February 15, 2026
Absolutely Wonderful
This book was a total delight from the beginning. I cared about the characters immediately and I was invested in their story. I guarantee, you will love this one too.
This book was a total delight from the beginning. I cared about the characters immediately and I was invested in their story. I guarantee, you will love this one too.
March 7, 2026
So good!
Oh wow, I loved this book! An old man, a young boy & a cool cast of supporting characters. Everyone growing & learning with each other. I'm very hopeful that there is a followup story.
Oh wow, I loved this book! An old man, a young boy & a cool cast of supporting characters. Everyone growing & learning with each other. I'm very hopeful that there is a followup story.
March 24, 2026
I am an avid reader, reading perhaps 3 to 4 books a week. This box was so delightful that I found myself trying to read slower so that the story would last longer!
From beginning to end, it was a wonderful, heartfelt story!
From beginning to end, it was a wonderful, heartfelt story!
March 27, 2026
Heart warming novel!
I liked this book because it talked about things that happen in your life that you can't control or change, and how these events change us for good or bad. But if we let others into our lives, care about our neighbors, we can grow and heal.
I liked this book because it talked about things that happen in your life that you can't control or change, and how these events change us for good or bad. But if we let others into our lives, care about our neighbors, we can grow and heal.
May 4, 2026
Broken people come together to make them whole...the dog being the catalyst.The characters are fully developed but some scenes are prolonged and over-written. The back cover of the book gives a teaser of the story but actually spoils the ending of the plot. Ugh!
May 26, 2026
A cranky old man finds peace with the help of a beautiful dog and the little boy who loves him. Very melancholy but worth the read. Dogs can perform miracles with their never ending love and loyalty. They choose you.
May 26, 2025
Beautiful
Amy’s books always touch my heart. This book is so well written and I will remember it forever l hope there are more books coming from Amy Fillion
Amy’s books always touch my heart. This book is so well written and I will remember it forever l hope there are more books coming from Amy Fillion
June 24, 2025
5stars
This book made me smile, the entire read. A feel good story. Penelope brought a neighborhood together and helped them.
This book made me smile, the entire read. A feel good story. Penelope brought a neighborhood together and helped them.
October 23, 2025
an absolutely wonderful story!
I laughed, I cried and was so deeply moved! George, Cal and Penelope are wonderfully heart warming. I loved it❤️❤️❤️❤️
I laughed, I cried and was so deeply moved! George, Cal and Penelope are wonderfully heart warming. I loved it❤️❤️❤️❤️
November 3, 2025
There are simply not enough words of praise, or rating stars to give, which can do justice to how I felt about this lovely story. So many emotions!!! It’s a must read!
November 4, 2025
I was looking for a dog story, something light. This book had character depth and although predictable I enjoyed it. And (spoiler) the dog doesn't die!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews