Ever been so broke you'd consider getting paid for your personality? That's the brilliant, slightly bonkers premise of Nina Wilcox Putnam's 1920 novel, It Pays to Smile.

The Story

We meet Sally Madison, a bright and cheerful young woman whose finances have hit rock bottom. Instead of taking a dull office job, she has a flash of inspiration: in a world full of sourpusses, why not sell cheer? She boldly sets up shop as a 'Professional Smiler,' offering her services to uplift the gloomy rich. Her first and most challenging client is J. Montgomery Manning, a wealthy man notorious for his bad temper and general dislike of humanity. Sally's mission is to get him to smile—a task that seems impossible. What follows is a battle of wills filled with witty banter, unexpected schemes, and the slow unraveling of why Manning is so committed to his misery. It's less about the plot twists and more about the sparkling dialogue and the delightful friction between relentless optimism and practiced cynicism.

Why You Should Read It

Look, this book is over a century old, but Sally feels like a modern protagonist. Her entrepreneurial hustle is something we'd see on a podcast today. Putnam has a fantastic eye for the absurdities of social class and the performative nature of 'niceness.' The heart of the book is the chemistry between Sally and Manning. Their conversations are sharp, funny, and surprisingly touching. You're never quite sure if he's infuriated by her or fascinated by her, and that tension is everything. It’s a reminder that great romantic comedy doesn't need grand gestures; it needs two smart people talking (and arguing) their way into understanding each other.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who loves classic romantic comedies with bite, fans of authors like P.G. Wodehouse or Anita Loos, or readers who enjoy discovering clever, forgotten stories from the past. It's a short, sparkling read that proves a good idea—and a genuine smile—are timeless. If you're in the mood for something witty, warm, and wonderfully different from today's bestsellers, let Sally Madison sell you on the concept.