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Welcome to my stop on the blog tour celebrating the release of How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior! Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the invitation!

I read and loved Hazel Prior’s debut, Ellie and the Harpmaker, also from Berkley.

About the Book:

A curmudgeonly but charming old woman, her estranged grandson, and a colony of penguins proves it’s never too late to be the person you want to be in this rich, heartwarming story from the acclaimed author of Ellie and the Harpmaker.

Eighty-five-year-old Veronica McCreedy is estranged from her family and wants to find a worthwhile cause to leave her fortune to. When she sees a documentary about penguins being studied in Antarctica, she tells the scientists she’s coming to visit—and won’t take no for an answer. Shortly after arriving, she convinces the reluctant team to rescue an orphaned baby penguin. He becomes part of life at the base, and Veronica’s closed heart starts to open.

Her grandson, Patrick, comes to Antarctica to make one last attempt to get to know his grandmother. Together, Veronica, Patrick, and even the scientists learn what family, love, and connection are all about.

My Thoughts:

Hazel Prior has a knack for spinning heartwarming, charming stories and How the Penguins Saved Veronica is another example. Plus, the main character is eighty-five; how special is that?!

Veronica no longer speaks to her family, and she’s searching for a worthy cause to which she will bequeath her fortune. A documentary about penguins in Antarctica inspires her to visit. Yes, Antarctica! I’d love to visit there, too, by the way.

While there, Veronica convinces the scientists they must save a baby penguin. Patrick’s Veronica’s grandson, travels to Antarctica out of desperation to connect with her. What ensues after offers Veronica so much healing.

This story will warm your heart. If you didn’t love penguins already, you will after this sweet story. I adored Veronica and the growth I saw in her once she opened up. I think Hazel Prior has written a glorious account of how one can heal at any age, or that it’s never too late to mend fences. And one more: animals can be the catalyst for positive change, just because I have to mention the penguins again!

I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Hazel Prior is the author of ELLIE AND THE HARP MAKER and (coming soon) AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS (UK title)/HOW THE PENGUINS SAVED VERONICA (US title). She is also a freelance harpist. She lives in Exmoor, in England, with her husband and a huge, ginger cat.

Have you read How the Penguins Saved Veronica, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR