In For a Penny

by Rina Gray

Penny Paige is an aspiring novelist and current ne’er-do-well entertainment writer-slash-waitress. She knows she doesn’t have this whole thing called life together. But she’s got plans. Big plans. And they hinge on winning the coveted Malcolm Dagner Writer Fellowship for up-and-coming thriller authors. If she could just get enough time and money to write her sure-to-be New York Times bestselling novel, she can quit her crappy job and transform from a diamond in the rough to a sophisticated author. There’s just one Malcolm Dagner ended the fellowship, and he kinda hates humanity. He rudely lets her know that there’s no way in hell he would give her a spot, even if he had a fellowship. Just who in the hell does Malcolm Dagner think he is? Malcolm lives in solitude among the mountainous woods in Colorado, with only the occasional company of his housekeeper. A few years ago, he was a multi-award winning and best-selling author who penned the iconic Reese Masterson books. But after a series of heartbreaking events, he’s grumpy, distrustful, and absolutely will not tolerate strangers coming to learn about how to write in his home. Oh, and he has writer’s block. The world has been waiting for three years for the latest book, but what they don’t know is that Malcolm plans to kill off his iconic character. Penny discovers his plans to kill his character, and she’s not having it. Mother Nature seems to be on her side, too. Stuck in a snowstorm together, Penny falls for the loveable grump, though his heart seems as cold as the winter storm. Can her optimism melt his resolve at living unhappily ever after, or will another event outside of their control destroy their shot at love?

Genres: Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Rina Gray is a contemporary and paranormal romance writer. She is also a digital marketing professional who discovered her love of writing in 2012. Writing has always been Rina’s passion, though initially, she tried to deny it. In college, she served as the copy editor for the entertainment magazine and newspaper. During her tenure, she had the opportunity to interview various talented entertainers including Chris Rock and the cast from Reno-911.

Rina has always been an avid reader, sneaking to read her mother’s books she had no business reading i.e. Stephen King’s The Stand, It, and Anne Rice’s various vampire series. As a pre-teen, she received a load of romance novels from a family friend and from that point on, she devoured any book related to romance or horror.

Reviews

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author, so I was super excited about a new book coming out. And then I read what it was about...a budding author?? Yes please! And grumpy sunshine??? SO MUCH YES!! The whole thing was wonderful, from start to finish. There was fun and shenanigans and angst and tears. I was so invested. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny Paige is a hopeful writer working as a waitress. She’s really banking on winning a writing fellowship from Bestselling author (and he won’t let you forget it) Malcolm Dagner.

But Malcolm abruptly ended the fellowship without taking it off the website. Penny’s friends suggest she let him have a piece of her mind in a slam email - just venting, don’t push send. You see where this is going, right? The email got sent. 📥

Thanks to Malcolm's nosey but very sweet cleaning lady, after Penny and Malcolm exchange some heated emails, Penny arrives at Malcolm’s doorstep in Colorado for a wellness check. Seems a snowstorm decides to hit at the same time, how convenient.❄️

I thought this was just going to be a fun grumpy / sunshine romance about two writers, but then Rina Gray went all emotional on me. The topic of facing a genetic, terminal illness is discussed, giving the story depth. Don’t worry; if you like your romance with sass, smiles, and steam, it’s all in here! 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵!

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @sharinawrites for this gifted ebook.

[Rina]

I'm the author for In for a Penny!

It’s my first official indie release which means I had no major publisher! I’ve always wanted to be a hybrid author–meaning I wanted to work with both traditional publishers and also write books and release them on my own.

Well, 2021 kinda forced me to go indie.

Let me be real with y’all. I was on submission with this book for a few months. Got a few no’s from the big dogs (or no response at all). My old agent quit agenting and I pulled the book from querying (which had only been partially written).

I pushed the book to the side, focused on my contracted work and then got a new agent.

But I had a new opportunity that fell into my lap. At a lovely writer’s retreat with my author friends, we were advised to pitch our books to audio publishers. I asked my agent to pitched my Crush on You series to which I received my rights reversions from my old publisher. We sold the series and then then asked if I planned to continue the series. One of my writer friend’s advised me to do so years ago and I said, yeah. I’ve got a book.

We then sold 4 books (The Crush on you Series) via audio and here we are.

Penny is so special to me. Yes, its a romantic comedy but I wrote that book when there wasn’t a lot of sunshine in my life. I questioned my path as a writer and I felt like an absolute failure. And so, it was perfect timing to exercise my insecurities and write about two writers–one a famous author who is suffering from burnout and an aspiring author. In this book, I’m very open about the pitfalls of publishing and honestly it was an absolute delight to write about the industry, in which I have a love hate relationship while getting two very different characters to fall in love.

I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing it.

[Sharon Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Entertaining

I'm a fan of Rina Gray, and each story she writes gets better and better! This was such an entertaining read! I'm not usually a fan of first person POV, but the story pulled me in immediately with the clever banter, and the laugh outloud moments! I LOVED Penny and her quirkiness and big heart. Malcolm couldn't help but fall for her!

I highly recommend this book!

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this enemies to lovers forced proximity romcom story and I loved Penny and Malcolm.
I loved that they got stuck in a snowstorm after Penny shows up on Malcolm’s doorstep to clear up an email sent.
This is an amusing story with great banter and steam that left me smiling.

[Sarah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot to love about this romance. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a great mix of humor, heartbreak, and spice. Everything I love to see in a romance, this had it. Like rom com banter with sexual tension and some deeper conversations. I also liked that Penny gave Malcolm a nickname, it was nice to see the roles reversed in that way. Getting both POV’s I had an idea of the “problem” that would come between the two. I was just waiting to see how they would handle the situation and I was not disappointed. They really had to break down each other’s fears and I liked that it wasn’t a quick makeup. Also, the side characters were just as fun. I loved both Penny’s friend group and Malcom’s housekeeper. A bingeable read that I did not want to put down.

Thank you @sharinawrites and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

[2manybooks2littletime · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
1. Books About Books ✔️
2. Snowed In With A Brooding Hot Celebrity Author ✔️
3. Clever Chapter Titles All Encompassing Our Main Character, Penny ✔️
4. Funny, Sexy Banter ✔️
5. Enemies To Friends To Lovers ✔️
6. Sexy Teacher/Student Scenario ✔️
7. Ever-Present RomCom Plot Point ✔️

1. We readers can never say no to books about books. In For a Penny gives us TWO authors writing their books!
2. The grumpy, smoking hot celebrity is front and center. Although I was confused how Penny even got to his house in the first place. It seems like it might be a tad harder to get there. I get the meddling older lady friends of Malcolm’s helped, but if it’s that easy to get into a celeb’s home, I’m packing my bag right now!
3. I didn’t know there were so many cute sayings that use the word PENNY!
4. My Gawd….😂 the name Penny has for her you-know-what 😂
5. I am always a sucker for a good enemies to lovers story. With this, however, I didn’t think that there was enough build up to the moment of the first kiss. It seemed to come a bit out of nowhere. Not that I didn’t like it - I just wanted a little more romantic suspense.
6. I loved the twist of Malcolm becoming the hot professor for Penny. Everyone has this fantasy, right 🤔 Malcolm can call me Ms. Paige anytime he would like to 🥵
7. It wouldn’t be a great romcom without the falling out and fight to get back together.

In For a Penny is a refreshing, amusing romcom, and it was one I couldn’t put down! I would like to thank Suzy Approved Book Tours and Rina Gray for this gifted review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🏡 love forced proximity
😆 have a sarcastic sense of humor
🏔️ live in Colorado
👩🏾‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏾 enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope

• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄

Penny is an aspiring thriller writer, but when she messages her favorite author, things don’t go the way she thought they would.

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Penny is trying to write a book while simultaneously working two jobs, but when one job drops her from full time to freelance, she knows she’ll have to do something new and daring to get back to full time. She’s also been in contact with Malcolm Dagner, an author she’s been emailing for a fellowship opportunity. But when he shuts her down and tells her her book is garbage, she decides to write him a slam letter one drunken night. Unfortunately, she sends the email to him. To apologize, she flies out to see him only to end up stuck during a snowstorm. Penny and Malcolm hate each other’s guts, but is the snow bringing them closer?

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was a super cute romcom! I could relate to both Penny and Malcolm’s characters in little ways - Penny being too honest to the point of rudeness and Malcolm with his sarcastic humor and personality. These two were so great together, and I loved seeing them fall for one another! I also enjoyed seeing both of them grow up after finding each other. They both changed in big ways, and I think they just think they needed that little push from someone special!

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate a romance that is the right combination of funny while at the same time having a measure of depth and IN FOR A PENNY did not disappoint.

The many funny aspects of this romance include but are not limited to: the dialogue which is witty and fast moving, the email exchanges in this enemies to lovers romance in which an aspiring writer, Penny, is trying to get a writing fellowship from best selling author, Malcolm. The secondary characters from Malcom’s housekeeper and her wife to Penny’s close circle of three friends are perfectly written and complement the story and main characters. My favorite fun part is the chapter titles which are always a play on the word “penny”.

Some of the more serious issues in this book are the effect a genetic illness has on family, the challenges black authors face, and the fear of moving forward after difficult times in life.

The bulk of the book takes place in Malcom’s secluded Colorado home when Penny gets snowed in with Malcolm. Lots of spice yet shared vulnerability during this piece.

This is a great winter romance and I look forward to reading other books in the series.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun rom-com.

Penny is an aspiring writer, currently working as a waitress. She wants more than anything to win the Malcolm Danger award for thriller writers which will allow her to quit her job and write full time. But author Malcolm Danger has told her there is no way in hell he would give her the award. AND then she finds out that he wants to kill off the character of his beloved best-selling books and she knows that she has to do something. So she heads to his cabin in snowy Colorado.

Read if you like:
* Grumpy hero
* Forced proximity
* Enemies to lovers

Read if you want to immerse yourself in a fantasy of what it might be like to be with a sexy author at a Colorado cabin during a snowstorm.

This book was light and a lot of fun.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!
Okay this book contains most of my favorite tropes, so I had to give it a whirl.

Penny is a struggling writer when circumstances bring her to the home of bestselling author Malcom. The two have combative tension off the bat as Penny tries to get Malcolm to face his past and the secrets he’s hidden away.

Grumpy/sunshine? Yes please!
Forced proximity? Um, yes!
Enemies to lovers? Absolutely!!

Super toxic MMC who continually pushes someone he “loves” away then doesn’t understand why she doesn’t want to be with him? This is where I stop. Even after he’s revealed his secrets and talked through things with Penny, he STILL wants to be a martyr and holier than thou, which is my biggest pet peeve in a book.

[Sarah Bowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and very enjoyable little romcom about a best selling author Malcolm and an aspiring author Penny. Penny has been bugging Malcolm through emails and after a mistaken (and drunken) email, Penny goes to his cabin in a small town where he's holed up to apologize.

Then a snowstorm hits and she's forced to stay.

It was so cute the way they go from enemies to lovers. I love Malcolm's grumpiness and Penny's sunshine. I loved to see Malcolm melt! This was a day bingable read and my first by the author. I am so excited to explore more of her books!

[Kendra Broomfield]

Penny and Malcom were made for each other. Penny, a youthful, naive, aspiring writer, and Malcom, an angry and jaded experienced novelist are the missing pieces for each other. Penny helps Malcolm learn to live again by being genuine and giving unconditional love. Malcolm helps Penny to see that life is not always peaches and rainbows. Together, they are a force and have the tools to live happily ever after.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘯!

I had so much fun reading this story. Enemies to lovers, secluded cabin, two writes, lots of shenanigans, likeable characters. I loved every page.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗜𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 by Rina Gray released November 1, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming take on my favorite romance tropes

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rom com gave me all the feels. It also had a lot of substance which was an added bonus. There was so much to love about this book - - enemies to lovers, close proximity, great chemistry (physical and verbal) between Penny and Malcolm and more! This is the perfect winter read since they are trapped together during a snowstorm for part of the story but this book would be enjoyable no matter when you read it. Such a great read!

[Jessica Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda on the fence with this one

I love funny books and when I started this and saw the humor from the first page, I was sucked in. I'd only intended to read the first chapter or so but ended up reading the entire thing in one evening.

I wish I could say that was solely because I was loving it just that much, though. It was also partly because I just wanted to get through it. While there were several things I dug about this book, I found myself a teeny annoyed as I read. Penny has to be one of the most annoying MCs I've read in while. Acts/speaks before she thinks, not to mention being incredibly childish and stubborn. Couldn't admit when she was wrong and played the victim a little too much for my taste.

Malcolm was no picnic, either. The hot-and-cold mood switches were infuriating. And one thing I dislike in books is pushy characters who are apparently supposed to get a pass for meddling just because they're older and have good intentions (aka Tina and Martha). Not bad people at all but, good gravy.

I love forced proximity romance. And sometimes the banter between Penny and Malcolm was entertaining (except when she kept calling him Skippy). But I didn't feel the chemistry between them at all. To me they seemed physically attracted to each other, but I hate to say the declarations of deeper feelings just felt forced.

Even with all of this, I still wanted to see how it ended. The interactions between Penny and her friends were usually really funny. If there's another story featuring Destiny and Troy, I'd be interested in it because their thing piqued my interest. The writing of this book was really good; my subjective dislike for the main characters just tilted it for me, is all.

[WyoGal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopped at 64%

There’s much to like about this story, but the plot bogged down with the characters discussing and analyzing movies, which I haven’t seen, and then going into literary analysis mode. It turned into a weird ‘professor having an affair with his student’ and a creative writing class discussion vibe instead of a romance between equal partners. When not talking shop, I enjoyed the protagonists’ relationship-related candor and refreshingly honest dialog. They do seem suited for each other.

When the female character heads out into the snow, the setting and motivation were unclear. It seemed a forced incident to get the characters to snuggle for warmth.

There is sex in the story without much time for relationship building…more lusty than an expression of hard-earned respect, love, and commitment. There are sexual jokes throughout, references to betrayal, sexy male body parts (is this objectification of a man?), parental deaths, alcohol consumption, and brief (but relevant) discussions about racism in publishing.

I lost interest due to the lack of sexual tension; they had sex, now it’s down to angsty, hot-cold, inner conflict stuff.

There are very few typos. The characters are likable. There are great scenes with fun dialog and fresh uses of language. I just lost interest due to the drama caused by secondary characters who “show up” in the second half.

[SL Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I’ve read all of Rina Gray’s books and enjoyed all of them. But this one had me in stitches. I loved Penny and Malcolm! Through the laughs, there was really moving love story. I loved how Malcolm had to overcome his fears and how Penny realized her value. And Penny’s friends were fabulous (I hope to read Troy’s story, hint hint). Very heartwarming and steamy too! Just a great book!

[Lala Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Great book. Well written. Loved the plot and loved the characters. Her friends were a great side show. To the story. I want friends like that! I would have loved a little more back story to the Troy and Destiny situation. If there's another book, hopefully, it explains everything that went in between those two.

[Tasha Auriell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennies are awesome

This book pulled on my heartstrings so much I took my time reading it, lol. I laughed a lot and connected with the characters. Wonderful read.