Veronica wants to leave her fortune to a group studying penguins in Antarctica, but she demands to visit and see their research first. Around the same time, Veronica finds out that she has a long-lost grandson, Patrick.
This was such a charming and heartwarming story. Veronica has not had an easy life - from her old diary entries, we find out what happened to her during WWII. Now that she's 85 years old, she wants to do something good with the wealth she's amassed, and after seeing a documentary on TV, she decides that penguins are it. Veronica can be prickly, stubborn, and too forward at times, but she knows what she wants and how to get things done. I loved watching her interact with the scientists in Antarctica. And when she decides to save an orphaned penguin, we see a whole other side of her. As much as I adored Veronica, I wasn't sure about her grandson Patrick at first. He didn't seem to have much ambition, but I enjoyed his growth over the story and how the two managed to overcome their first impressions of each other. A lovely story about family! 4 stars
We Came Here to Shine follows two young women working at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. Vivi is an actress who is now performing in the synchronized swimming show, and Max is a journalism student working at the fair's paper.
First off, I loved the setting of the World's Fair. The scale and the wonder of the fair both came through really well. Vivi and Max were interesting characters and had a lot in common - both were strong women whose livelihoods unfortunately were dependent on the men around them, which was typical for the time period. I think Vivi handled herself much better - she made the best of bad situations. Max, however, was too impulsive and angry, constantly trying to find ways to make herself seen. I know the way she was treated was unfair, but she didn't really help herself, either. The decisions made by both of them near the end of the story seemed a little implausible and nonsensical, though. The random third person omniscient POV was a little jarring at times, but overall the writing was good. 3.5 stars
Wow, you are really killing it with the Goodreads wins. That's fantastic! I'm also glad to hear Hazel Prior's new one is such a good read. I had just read the blurb for it a couple of days ago and thought it sounded really sweet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's always fun to win a giveaway!
DeleteI did really enjoy it and it makes me want to check out Hazel Prior's previous book.
I have that Prior book on my TBR. I liked her last book, and this one sounds even better. I love the premise, and it sounds like it was as heartwarming as I hoped it would be.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll really like this one!
DeleteThanks for the heads up about both books. I have been very curious about We Came Here to Shine. I might try to get that one from the library this summer now that we have curbside pickup! I like the setting of the World's Fair too--sound like an interesting time period/setting.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I definitely think the setting and time period are right up your alley!
DeleteI am looking forward to We Came Here to Shine - such a great time period and that cover is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI agree! So atmospheric!
DeleteThese are such wonderfully different books, but i think the thought of Veronica saving an orphaned penguin completely won me over!
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like that one!
DeleteI really enjoyed Veronica’s story too! Hazel Prior does such a great job with this kind of story!
ReplyDeleteI need to read her other novel!
DeleteNice wins! I added How the Penguins Saved Veronica to by TBR last week (or maybe the week before), and really love the synopsis! I'm happy to see you gave it 4 stars. :)
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
I hope you love it, too!
DeleteYay for winning giveaways! That first book sounds sweet.
ReplyDeleteIt really was!
Delete