Practically Perfect

Penny Parrish #5

by Janet Lambert

David returns from oversees and meets his new baby, Davy, for the first time. His sister Penny ponders the question of a theatre career versus life in the country. As she considers marriage, will she choose Josh MacDonald, Terry Hayes, or Michael Drayton? Younger siblings Bobby and Tippy are impish members of the family in this fifth book about the appealing Parrish family.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Janet Lambert, born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, was a popular girls' story author from 1941 through 1969 (and beyond to today). She wrote 54 books during that time about a number of different girls and their families. Her most popular series were about the Parrishes and the Jordons. These stories, and many of her other series, became entwined as the various characters met each other, married, and then had children of their own!

Janet, having an interest in both the theater and writing, decided to write her own plays in which to act. She did achieve her goal and appeared on Broadway. When she married a career Army officer, her life on stage came to a close, but her stories were still flowing. Knowing well the "life of the Army," many of Ms. Lambert's books are set on Army posts throughout the United States.

Legend has it that her stories started as bedtime stories for her children while they were overseas. Each night, the author would tell the next "installment" of the series. Later, after her kids were grown, she penned one of her stories (Star Spangled Summer) and—according to legend—it was sold to a publisher the very day after she sent it to them.

Reviews

[Livia Komosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this whole series.. I don't care that it is a book written in the 1940's or that it is a kids book.. I read it when I was young and,am re reading it now and still love it.

So very happy amazon had the whole series as e books. My originals from my mom were missing two from the series.. but not any more.

[Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penny finally marries--and to a cool guy! And she gets career success!

Also Michael and Terry are finally freed from carrying a torch for her. Terry, in particular, has been a mystery--he's handsome, a ladies man, ten years older than she is and a lt. Colonel--yet was toddling after a girl he couldn't even kiss, for years.

And Michael almost died during the war but its back to stateside with Penny in his mind.

Though everything goes so swimmingly in this story it can be fun to swim along--Penny gets a starring role in a play, she gets a husband, her husband gets to be writer and director of her play and she gets her dream house,

[Dawn Lines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this series as a child and have loved revisiting each one.

Read Janet Lambert’s books when I was young and have loved reading them again. Throughly enjoyed this read. Hope to find more to read.

[Christine McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying journey alongside Penny Parrish as she grows in her career and finds love.

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny is at a crossroads in her life. She's been in a successful play now for two years and her friend and mentor, Josh MacDonald, thinks it's time to move on. Josh thinks she needs a new play rather than a possible film role and Penny, though she trusts Josh's advice, isn't so sure. In her private life, she's being pursued by two longtime beaux but she isn't in love with either of them. Her family is all around her, with both her father and her brother home from the war and they are looking at many changes as well. As time goes by and everyone works out what is best for them, a Christmas to remember brings much happiness to all, but especially to Penny, and things are practically perfect.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War II is over and Colonel Parrish is home. The family now lives on Governor's Island, New York on the Army base. David Parrish returns home from overseas and meets his baby Davey for the first time. Penny is now a fairly successful actress. She's still being pursued by Terry Hayes and Michael Drayton. Will she choose either of them or just choose a career over marriage. Then she meets Josh McDonald, who is a rather dour director. He writes a play just for her. Even though he is about 14 years older than her, Penny discovers how she can have both a career and marriage. Life is practically perfect for Penny.

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the other Parrish and Jordan books. I can see the focus shifting from Penny, who is now grown up, to the younger Parrishes. The author makes you know all the family members.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful resolution to Penny's romantic quandaries. I liked all three of her suitors, but only one of them was obviously "suited" to her.

These books are romantic but not mushy or overly descriptive. Just plain fun, light reading. I think I will wait to read the last in Penny's series until after I have read some of the connected books in other series, since it takes place quite a few years later.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny continues to pursue an acting career in New York, longing for a major role on Broadway. She also falls in love for the first time, and wonders if she can combine her career and romance. Perhaps the same person can help fulfill both dreams.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Christmas reread

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny is torn between a life in the country with her kids and the glamorous hard work of the theatre which has always meant so much to her and her husband. Can she find a compromise?