Penelope in Retrograde

by Brooke Abrams

In this witty and heartfelt debut from author Brooke Abrams, a romance writer with a passion for astrology reluctantly travels home for Thanksgiving to make amends with her estranged family… and possibly manifest her own happily ever after.

Romance writer Penelope Banks can write the perfect love story, but when it comes to family, all she’s got is a rough draft. Penny shelved the idea of fitting in with her high-achieving family years ago, but when her new business venture―a romance bookstore―is at risk of closing before its doors have opened, she’s forced to ask for help from the one place she never expected. Home.

Penny’s prepared for the usual Thanksgiving lineup: her perfect sister, meddling nana, matchmaking mother, and workaholic father. The guest she didn’t anticipate? Her ex-husband, Smith. After an awkward rideshare with Smith leaves Penny questioning why the romance in her life exists only in her novels, Penny adds some fiction to reality and turns her father’s colleague into the perfect fake boyfriend.

With only four days to mend damaged relationships, and her bookstore’s future at stake, all the stars must align for Penny to finally write a happily ever after for herself and her family.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Audiobook, Humor, Contemporary Romance

251 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2023

About the author

Brooke Abrams (she/her) lives in the Sonoran Desert with her husband, three kids, three dogs, cat, and a small army of houseplants.

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope Banks lives in San Francisco, she writes romance novels and is returning home to Southern California to spend Thanksgiving with her family. It’s been ten years since she visited, her dad is the CEO of United International Engineering, her twin sister Phoebe and her fiancée Falon both work for him and Penny feels like a failure and she's never been good enough.

Things don’t get off to a great start when her plane lands at the airport, her mum thinks it’s not safe for her to use a ride share, maybe she should’ve listened, because her fellow passenger just happens to be her old neighbour, high school boyfriend and partner in crime and ex-husband Smith Mackenzie.

When she finally arrives everyone is waiting out the front of the house, as they didn’t believe Penny will actually show up, her mum Sylvia, dad Carter, Phoebe and Falon, Grandmother Rosie and Martin Butler and her mother invited him because she doesn’t like to have an uneven number at her dining table and she's trying to find Penny a husband.

Penny is rather surprised by Martin Butler, he’s rather good-looking, and he’s her father’s work colleague, she asks him to be her pretend boyfriend so she doesn’t look like a loser, Smith has a new girlfriend and want him thinking she's been pining for him for years.

Penny and her fellow writers Chelsey and Jackie and members of The Smut Caven want to open a romance only bookstore, and she's waiting for the perfect time to make her pitch to her father and Phoebe keeps telling her that she and Falon have big news to share and Penny has to wait.

Meanwhile Penny has to deal with her over the top southern belle mother, her grandmother Rosie is ninety six, she likes a drink and isn't growing herbs in her greenhouse, her clothes and comfy birkenstocks are not up to her mother's lofty standards, Martin turns out to be a nice guy and not all what she’s expecting, her dad has a bit of a scare and Phoebe discovers her perfect love story might be about to unfold in the last place on earth she wants to be.

I received a copy of Penelope in Retrograde from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Brooke Abrams debut novel is a hilarious, four days of mayhem, madness, full of quirky characters and it turns out Penny isn't the disappointment to her family and no one is perfect. Fours stars from me, a quick read and a humorous story.

[Suzanne Eisenhauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently, I'm in the minority as one who didn't love this book. This story tries way too hard to be cute and funny. Penelope's (Penny) need to turn everything into a joke becomes grating really, really quickly. The overly long ride-share scene with the ex-husband at the story's onset drags and becomes one long string of unfunny events and quips. Penny comes across as tone-deaf and selfish even though she likes to blame it on her family. The rest of her family, with the exception of Nana Rosie, aren't that much better. They nitpick each other to death. I appreciate a good rom-com just like everyone else but this one felt too contrived.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this for my free Amazon book this month since Mercury is currently in retrograde and it was a fun, quick read. Quirky and emotional I enjoyed the flashbacks of past family holidays and getting to know the characters. Personally I found the main character, Penelope, to be extremely relatable

[🩶 April • A.M. Flynn • 🩶 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed to read this and laugh out loud at a book!

[Gnome Mami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke Abrams is an incredible talent! An entertaining and hilarious read. There aren't many books that can actually make me LOL, but this one had my roommates running in wondering what was so funny. The protagonist is clever and earnest and has conflicts with everyone else in the novel. There is always some sort of mishap, but it isn't void of emotion either. Depth and Hahas! I couldn't ask for a better read.

Note: I have changed my group chat with my BFF's to Smut Coven, as I am LIVING for that name.

[Literati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and fluffy with some amusing moments. One minor quibble - not a spoiler alert. Penelope learns early in the book that her former mother-in-law, Fiona, had died and is taken aback by the news. Fiona was a woman she greatly admired and loved. In her words, " like a mother to me". Penelope even credits Fiona's input in changing the type of books she would eventually successfully write. How is it possible, in a time when the death of even a minor celebrity trends across social media platforms, that Penelope would be unaware of the death of a woman who is described as "rock star royalty"? Not plausible. And each time Fiona was mentioned thereafter, that little flaw popped in my head and took me out of the story.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book with honesty as a motif, I'll be upfront that I'm on the fence about how I feel after reading, "Penelope in Retrograde." From the very beginning, the writing style felt forced, and like it was trying too hard to make Penny come across as a someone with a fast wit and a joke locked and ready as a response to pretty much anything anyone in this book ever says to her. I found her constant deflection exhausting by the end of it. She's the main character, so most of the book obviously focuses on Penny, but even with a majority of the pages to serve as insight into her she felt a little one dimensional and the rest of the accompanying characters' time felt rushed and like an afterthought. With that being said, the author does a nice job of capturing the disfunction and simultaneous love that can be felt within a family, especially around the holidays.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Book!!!! I adored it on Audio. It was funny, hilariously funny, but also moving. It does jump around in time, to the setting of various Thanksgiving's past. But a family and various other odd quirky characters are involved. It starts with Penelope getting an Uber to go over the bridge to the island to return to her family after 10 years, with her Pomeranian Ozzie. From the Uber to the last pages, this is fabulous. There was a moment (don't all books have this, with a serious crisis of attitude) where right around 65%, I started to dislike the way Penelope was behaving. I found her mean spirited and immature. But she shaped up pretty quick and it became easy to root for her again. In addition to the parents, she has a twin sister Pheobe, a Nana Rosie, and plenty more surprise characters. She has a great sense of humor, even if it is deflective in nature. I think its the absolute perfect Thanksgiving Read. I laughed so hard at points, well you know what happened. She is witty, and she's not the only one.... She has great banter with quite a few of our characters. And like a good thanksgiving pie, or thanksgiving surprise, I dare not spoil the rest.

[Shauneen Hutchinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I Should Not Review This Book

I now know for a fact that romance novels are not my jam. So I should not choose to review a novel that is unabashedly a romance novel by a romance novelist about a romance novelist. Totally unfair from the start. But I selected it as my Prime book of the month, and I feel I should say something. Thus I can safely say that for me 2 stars are excellent. The author is talented and imaginative. Dialogue is well done. Characters are interesting. Story is cute.
A writer ends up in a hired car with her ex-husband by chance and arrives home for Thanksgiving to find that her parents have invited a new employee of her father’s to join them as her “date” for the meal. Enough. I am sorry that the total might not be enough for me, but if this genre is your choice I think this might be a good one for you. A lesson for me here that there are books for all of us. That is why we have chocolate and vanilla. Enjoy the feast!

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strongly recommend reading this funny extravaganza debut in a not so public place due to giggling, laughing out loud and smiling through the whole humerous fictional book.

[Sharon Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny and heartfelt

I loved this story. I laughed out loud. I felt sad. I cheered. The characters were so well written that their personalities were real to me and I loved them all. I would definitely read more from Brooke Adams.

[Jessica Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick read solely because it was so entertaining. Penelope, or Penny, is relatable and hilarious. Her family is slightly chaotic, like the train wreck you can’t look away from. But they tug at your heart strings at the same time.

This book was funny and heartfelt, plus she ended up with the guy I was rooting for so that’s always a plus

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amazon First Reads. Not a bad book, but just not for me. I don’t know what I was expecting; it’s a romance novel about a romance novelist. Nothing happens. I’ve seen this story a million times. Rich girl is successful at a creative career she loves and family is disappointed she doesn’t go to Princeton. Something sad happens and then they all accept each other. The end. Yawn.

[nela.reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Penelope Banks szuka miłości" to książka, po której nie spodziewałam się absolutnie niczego. Nie chciałam się na nic nastawiać i ograniczyłam się jedynie do przeczytania opisu książki, który skutecznie przekonał mnie do jej przeczytania. I cieszę się, że tak się stało, bo ta stosunkowo krótka lektura okazała się idealnym przerywnikiem między bardziej rozbudowanymi historiami.

Było lekko, zabawnie, bez zbędnych opisów, niepotrzebnego rozwlekania fabuły i skomplikowanych wątków. Jednak na pierwszy plan zdecydowanie wysuwa się humor, który w tej książce określiłabym jako dość specyficzny. Chwilami miałam wrażenie, że pewne rzeczy, które mają miejsce w "Penelope Banks szuka miłości" są zbyt abstrakcyjne żeby były prawdziwe, potem uświadomiłam sobie, że to po prostu coś w rodzaju mojego książkowego guilty pleasure. Niestety nie podam Wam konkretnego przykładu, aby nie odbierać zabawy z czytania, ale naprawdę są tam mocno zapadające w pamięć sytuacje i choćby z tego powodu już polecam zainteresować się tym tytułem.

Co do wątku romantycznego: pojawia się i jest ciekawie poprowadzony, ponieważ mamy tu motyw fake dating, próbę zeswatania głównej bohaterki z nieznajomym oraz spotkanie po latach z byłym mężem i jego narzeczoną, ale w mojej opinii nie jest on najważniejszy w tej książce. Owszem, jest przyjemnym dodatkiem, ale czy należy do moich ulubionych? Raczej nie. Po prostu jest okej.

Natomiast uwielbiam w "Penelope Banks szuka miłości" wszystkie perypetie rodzinne i relacje Penelope z najbliższymi jej osobami (przynajmniej w teorii najbliższymi). Dzieje się tutaj dużo, każda więź jest inna, każdy ma swoje problemy i w całym tym chaosie związanym ze Świętem Dziękczynienia nie jest łatwo przetrwać i pozostać oazą spokoju. Naprawdę świetnie zostało to pokazane i myślę, że każdy może z tego wątku wyciągnąć coś dla siebie.

Co do zakończenia, to wystarczy jedno słowo: cudowne! Lepiej bym nie zakończyła tej książki. Myślę, że to jedno z lepszych zakończeń jakie miałam okazję ostatnio przeczytać. Jestem usatysfakcjonowana i mimo że "Penelope Banks szuka miłości" ma nieco ponad 300 stron, to nie czuję niedosytu.

Ogromnie polecam. Świetnie się bawiłam, szybko przeczytałam, a ostatnią stronę przeczytałam z uśmiechem. Jeśli szukacie czegoś takiego, to warto się zainteresować.

[Współpraca reklamowa z wydawnictwem Muza]

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0- 4.5 very fun stars. This was my First Reads choice this month. The astrology title grabbed my attention and decided to give it a try. It was a great choice by the way. Not sure how I'd categorize this story though: it's a bit of romance, chick-lit, family drama, fiction all rolled into one. Divorced Penelope has an agenda and reluctantly goes home for the dreaded Thanksgiving holiday after some time away from her fam. However, this is one family holiday that doesn't go the way anyone intends. I loved feisty Nana Rosie. That Martin is a keeper too. Enjoyed how Penelope's stuffy family has some real eye opener moments and learns to roll with the changes by the end. This book was a good time. Just fun, funny and sweet.

This was a new author for me. Would definitely be up for another read by Ms. Abrams.

[Deemcgdiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally entertained the entire read! The dialogue, banter, sarcasm and sharp wit leaps off the pages and the characters pull you into their lives with ease. Didn’t want it to end. If you want to laugh, smile and just enjoy a good read, Penelope in Retrograde will foot the bill. Would love a follow up book!

[Sophia Dyer • bookishly.vintage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my Amazon First Reads pick for September, all opinions are my own.

This book was fine.

I did not hate reading it, and I did enjoy a few parts throughout, but overall, this felt.....okay.

I enjoyed how this was a little snapshot of Penelope's life, a little four day adventure over Thanksgiving with some shenanigans and good ole family drama. I think Penelope had a decent amount of character development over this short period of time, and she really found a way to come to terms with her past and actively work toward a better future.

The synopsis made this book sound like there would be a romance element, and there was a tiny one. There is a bit of fake dating, but I missed out on the chemistry of the two characters - I felt like there was more with the ex. And for the main character being a smut author, there is surprisingly zero spiciness to this book at all. There is kissing, but that is it.

I also feel like the divorce Penelope went through was really dragged out, but then so anticlimactic in the reasoning. Of course it would be awkward running into each other for the first time in a decade, but it took so long before the divorce reasoning came out that I really expected something grievous to to happen. Nope, just something small and anticlimactic.

This book is definitely not life changing, but it was enjoyable to read. I did find some favorite parts throughout the book, and tabbed a couple lines I loved as well. It was an easy read, and a nice break between my fantasy stories.
Content warnings: loss of a parent, animal death, drug use, divorce

[Tracy Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaccckk! I’m so sad this book had to end!
Such a brilliant debut… the banter, the slapstick humor, the realistic family drama…all sooooo good.
Think about reading Unhoneymooners for the first time and laughing your ass off. Before being introduced to Christina Lauren and Emily Henry, I never realized that contemporary romances were full of quirky, funny, relatable characters. This is one of the best romances I’ve read in a long time and yes, I laughed my ass off!

[Erica Loose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. It had me laughing and smiling throughout. Penelope was a character you could root for despite her sometimes selfish or messy choices. I found myself feeling for Penelope throughout the book. This was a great debut novel.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and 1/2 stars. It’s hard for me to believe that this is Brooke Adams first book. I loved it. I think I got this book from Amazon as a kindle first read. Of course it got lost on my kindle among all the books I collect.

Any author who can take a woman as infuriating as Penny and make me fall in love with her is a keeper. All the side characters are so much fun. I loved Martin and when he gets stoned at the dinner party I laughed till I cried. Her grandmother is also a lot of fun. I can’t wait to check out her second novel in January 2025.

[Marina Corby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ I had zero expectations going in and was pleasantly surprised by this quick read! The characters are so dynamic, the pacing is spot on, but what I loved most was the dialogue- it’s been a while since I’ve read such clever banter! My only complaint was that Phoebe and Penny were both a bit annoying in their behavior towards each other-to the point where it took away some of the enjoyment when they were interacting…but honestly this was a SOLID read! Would recommend!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hysterically funny. Likable characters.

[Julie hope · Rating 1 out of 5]

Arrgh! Time I'll never get back! She ended up with the wrong man!!!! Should have ended up with her ex-husband. The synopsis really leads one to believe she and her ex will get together. The beginning of the book shows such a good chemistry/relationship with them then all of sudden there is another candidate on the scene. I was disappointed, the main reason I chose this as a first read book was I liked the idea that was given in the synopsis. I feel like a victim of bait and switch! To be fair though the Romance is not front and center of this book. Romance is kind of an aside. The center is more family drama and family relationships especially at holiday times. I found that part overall well written however a boring premise. This is a book that definitely should have the ending read first to avoid disappointment.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up as an Amazon first read. It was a fun, easy read and a good mix of funny and sad (or maybe that's just because I, too, dread being around my family for the holidays for similar reasons)

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much family drama, not enough romance.

[Deborah Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance writer, Penelope Banks, is forced to ask for help from the one person she never expected to ask; her Dad. Penny prepares herself for an unusual Thanksgiving ritual and her twin sister Phones who is her complete opposite. Penny has chosen this time to approach her father for financial support with a business venture. She and two other writers a want to open a local romance bookstore in San Francisco. The plot moves right along filled with heartwarming, entertaining and really funny moments. A fun, feel good book. Just what I needed.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny! The main character is hilarious if not a little slow to catch on to things. Her lack of vulnerability and insight are a bit irritating at times but in the end she comes full circle and opens her heart to let others know her. 💗 I enjoyed going for the ride of wild family dynamics, awkward conversations, and hilariously witty banter. I want this to be made into a movie- think the family stone but at thanksgiving.

[blanche’s books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - this book was a DELIGHT

Penelope is a romance author living in San Francisco. She hasn't seen her family in ten years, but she goes home for Thanksgiving hoping that her dad can help her finance her dream romance bookstore. However, it all takes a turn for the worse when the only other person in her rideshare is her ex-husband Smith, and that leads her to fake date her dad's cute colleague Martin. She has four days to mend her relationships, save her bookstore, and get a happily ever after like the ones she's been writing about.

Was this book life-changing? Probably not. But did I laugh out loud multiple times and have the best time? Absolutely. This was the perfect fall romance, with a loveable and funny main character who knows how to banter. The Thanksgiving setting was so cozy and lovely; I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a pick-me-up. I really appreciate a romance where the main character feels like a real person with a personality and interests. Penelope was witty, and honestly, I think her relationships with her family were a refreshing change for a romcom. It reminded me a bit of an Emily Henry book - literary fiction with a side of romance. Also, no spice for my closed-door girlies :)

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this impressive debut.

[Erin McQuitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! It’s not perfect but it’s rare when a book makes me laugh out loud and there was some very funny moments and great dialogue. And this author is a Tucson local!!🌵Will definitely read her next book.

[Cindi Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️