Penelope was born with a nose and ears like a pig. Her wealthy family was cursed a long time ago when her male ancestor got a servant pregnant. The servant later committed suicide so her witch mother cursed any future daughters to look like a pig. The spell can only be broken if someone loves and accepts her for who she really is. Penelope, now an adult, has been sheltered all her life by her parents, hiding her from the public. They also try to find her a suitable suitor in the hopes of breaking the spell. However, the suitors, upon seeing her face, always run the other way. Meanwhile, a reporter who sees the tabloid value of printing a picture of Penelope schemes to gain access to her. He hires Max to pose as a suitor to be able to get that prized photo. Yet when Max arrives at the house, he meets Penelope via a one-way mirror, and he starts to fancy her. Even when he sees her face, he is not incredibly disturbed. When he takes the picture, he goes back to the reporter, but because of guilt, he gets rid of the camera and the photo. Penelope is upset, so she runs away and experiences the world for the first time. She then reveals her face, and the people start to accept her. Meanwhile Edward, a former suitor with a hidden agenda proposes to Penelope, and she accepts. Yet because of her feelings for Max, she backs out. When she talks to her mother, she tells her that she is happy with who she is, which breaks the curse. Now normal, she lives a seemingly uneventful life and is happy to be unnoticed. Max, who's real name is Johnny, still loves Penelope but is guilty for not pursuing her. Penelope finds him, and reveals the new her, and they kiss.
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Best part of story, including ending:
It's like "Beauty and the Beast," but with a more assertive and confident "Beast."
Best scene in story:
When Max/Johnny starts to fall in love with Penelope.
Opinion about the main character:
I like Penelope's spunk and how she is undeterred by her mother's nagging and overprotection.
