In a world that demands smiles, Elena Marsh has perfected the art of pretending. As the beloved host of a morning radio show, her laughter brightens millions of breakfasts—while behind the microphone, she can barely remember what joy feels like. When a listener's letter dares her to answer one honest question on air, Elena's carefully constructed facade begins to crack. Set against the glittering yet hollow backdrop of broadcast media, Cheerful by Request is a poignant, darkly funny exploration of emotional labor, quiet despair, and the dangerous, liberating power of finally telling the truth.
