On Moonberry Lake - by Holly Varni (Paperback)

Cora Matthews’s childhood was difficult to say the least. She never knew her father, her mother and she been alienated from her for many years. Her happiest childhood memories were her grandparents and living at their lake lodge. Then without warning when she was 7 years old her mother took her away and severed all ties with them. The rest of her youth was spent drifting from town to town with her mother, never staying in one place, never putting down roots. A lifestyle she had continued as a young woman. The book opens with her standing at her mother’s grave unable to experience grief. Cora didn’t even know her mother was ill. The funeral and burial are at Moonberry Lake, where her grandparents had lived till their deaths. She wants answers to her decades old questions. As if all this was not enough, she also is told that her mother has left her the lodge but she must live in it for a year if she did not she lost everything with no compensation. The lodge has not been lived in for years and was in sad condition, needing many costly repairs. Plus it would require her to stay in one place longer than she ever had. Another challenge was being a loner; she now had to be a part of a small close-knit community. She decides to take the challenge, finding there is way more involved than repairing the building. I could totally envision the lodge. It reminded me of the ones we stayed at for family reunions. I am sure I released some audible “sighs” thinking of those happy memories. I was relieved she wasn’t alone, as, Sam close friend of her grandparents was there to support and help navigate through this major adjustment. All the characters were eccentric to say the least, but cared for each other and lived in harmony. I found it so fulfilling as I watched Cora being pushed out of her solitary life and opening herself up to others. I laughed as her wonderfully peculiar neighbors gave her a crash course in embracing the differences of others. With all the wonderful people my favorite is Widgy the handy woman. She hilarious!! Her uninhibited, unique way of thinking and expressing herself kept me in stiches. In just a few pages I was totally immersed in the story and the characters! There is even a very surprise ending! I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the series! I received this book from Revell publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

Cora may feel alone after a loss but the quirky people in this town are there to help her. I loved the feeling of “helping neighbors,” in this sweet clean story. Cora has been through a lot of changes with the death of her mother, her grandparents and breaking things off with her fiancé. Now she needs to decide if she is going to start over after inheriting a lakefront lodge. It isn’t exactly in good condition but maybe it is just what Cora needs. After being taken away by her mother when she was only seven, it is hard to be back in Moonberry Lake. I really don’t care for all the fuss after the funeral where everyone gathers to eat. Cora is told that, “ when grieved, we eat. Food is supposed to replace the emptiness in our hearts.” Cora just wants everyone to leave so she can be alone with her memories. Now she faces a big decision that could change her life. I liked the emotional journey the author takes us on as Cora tries to understand what happened between her mother and grandparents. Discovering that her grandparents passed away later than she thought brings many questions to her. Hurt from not being able to see her grandparents, she need to know the truth. I couldn’t wait to unravel this mystery and watch Cora find a place she can call home. For some reason this story brought back memories of my own grandparents. I adored them so much and every summer our family would go to their farm and spend two weeks there. It was a beautiful two story house complete with a wraparound porch, cattle, land that went on forever chickens running around the yard and a windmill that stood tall. But like Cora one summer we just stopped going. My heart went out to Cora as she replayed her memories in her mind. Yes those were cherished memories we both shared. Our grandparents made us feel loved and wanted. There are some great characters in the book which for me made the story come to life. A man who thinks he can scare Cora off her land, the handy woman who can fix anything to the sweet old lady who takes care of the cemetery. Of course there is San who watches over Cora in a protective way. All this brings Cora to a realization that maybe she was brought here for a reason. I loved how the story flowed as the author peeled away the pain and rejection Cora has felt after not being able to see her grandparents. Secrets will be revealed along with a deeper sense of belonging and forgiving for Cora. With a bit of romance and finding a family at last Cora will have to let go of the past in order to start a new beginning. I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. The review is my own opinion.

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni is a wonderful work of women’s fiction! Set in the close-knit, small town of Moonberry Lake, the author perfectly captures the essence of small-town life. I live in a tiny town, so I could relate to all the quirks, blessings, and curses that Cora experienced as she settled into life on the lake. Each of the characters in the story is a treasure–each having a story of their own to unpack and display. And I love how Cora learns to slow down and enjoy the gift of these people in her life. With beautiful sweeping themes of finding true contentment, family, and home, this story is going to work its way right into your heart. Pack your bags because once you step foot in Moonberry Lake, you won’t want to leave. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni is the wonderful story of Cora Matthews and her newly inherited home. Cora’s world has been tuned upside down. Having broken off an engagement, the death of her mother and her unreconciled childhood have left her wondering what Moonberry Lake has to offer. Cora remembers visiting Moonberry Lake as a child. But why did her mother leave suddenly years ago and no longer have contact with her grandparents? Why did her mother leave her the family lodge upon her passing? What can she learn from this inheritance? I loved this book! The story line was absolutely enthralling! I simply could not put it down. I kept reading to find out exactly what had happened to Cora and how she ended up in Moonberry Lake. Trying to solve the mystery of her inheritance and wondering if she will ever find true love was intriguing. So may characters to fulfill the story. I absolutely enjoyed it and recommend. I could not put it down.

Even though the leading lady of On Moonberry Lake is twenty-six years old, it still feels like a coming-of-age story. Maybe that is because Cora Matthews feels like she lost her childhood when her mother took her away from all she had ever known and loved without ever explaining why. As a result Cora had never been able to put down roots, that is not until she returned to the small town of Moonberry Lake, Minnesota, a town filled with unforgettable characters. On Moonberry Lake will make readers cry and then laugh until they cry. Numerous times I stopped my husband in whatever he was doing to read hilarious excerpts aloud to him. (I have a broken right hand and wrist. So, I am not currently much help around the house) It brightened my day, and I think it brightened his, too. The only iffy element of this book for me was that a couple of characters had a new age edge to them. I would recommend this book to mature Christians that could separate the wheat from the chaff, but would be less likely to recommend it to new Christians or unbelievers. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This is the first book from this author that I have read. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read it! I really enjoyed it. It was a relaxing, sweet story of Cora Matthews and how she turns her life around with sweet and often very quirky neighbors and friends in Moonberry Lake, property and lodge that she inherited. The lodge is very run-down and locals come to help. It is such a nice story. I hope you will take the time to read it! I loved to see Cora grow and develop as she undertakes the project and interacts with those around her. I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book with no requirement for a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Life stopped for Cora when her mother took her away from the only home she had ever known. The two had lived happily, along with her grandparents, at their lakefront lodge. Without an explanation, when she was seven, her mother abruptly moved them away. Cora never got an answer about why they left, and never saw her grandparents again--although she begged to see them. One day, her mother said her grandparents died. Many years later she discovered it was a lie. After they left, the relationship between Cora and her mother was never good. When her mother passed away, Cora was surprised to find her mother owned her grandparent's lodge, and had left it to her. But there was one stipulation, she had to live in it for a year, or get nothing. The lodge itself was in terrible shape, and it had not been occupied for years. Everything was rotten, or ready to fall apart. Sam, a friend of her grandparents, said he would help her with the lodge if she stayed. The main question is whether or not Cora will be able to stick it out for a year. Up to that point, if things got hard, Cora left. This is a unique story because of its large number of unusual characters. The faith message is confusing. Although some Christian beliefs can be picked out, there are just as many, if not more, of new age or universalist tenets. It almost implies that belief can be a mixture of it all. Because of this, I can only give it three stars. Fans of stories about women making a life in a new place will enjoy this book. Thank you, Revell Publishing, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

This is an amazing thought-provoking book with multiple layers that had me enthralled from beginning to end. The premise of Cora having to return to her old home at Moonberry Lake and try to discover the secret why she and her mother left suddenly when she was a child is one that promised from the start to be revelatory and it was. I enjoyed the story and the faith that undergirded it, but mostly I really enjoyed getting to know the characters who were all different and who all added to the tale. Cora was the vulnerable one who needs to find her place in the world. Sam is her helpful guide, the one who meets her and explains the requirement that she stay in her grandparents’ old lodge for one year in order to inherit it. Kitty is my hands-down favorite; she keeps the cemetery orderly and offers wise advice if anyone will listen. I even liked the old grumpy neighbor who insists that Cora is living on his land and he will get it back, one way or another! I think the most memorable character is the handywoman named Widgy who not only fixes things but she also tries hard to apply her lifetime worth of knowledge to fixing people, too. She is homespun hilarity in a bundle of energy! The story is an emotional one that made me laugh, cry and even think a lot as I read about Cora’s quest to make a new life for herself that doesn’t include constantly moving to a new place or running from old entanglements. The novel is very well-paced and totally engaging, but the characters make the story and the setting adds the charm. This is a debut novel but I would not be able to tell it from the masterful craftsmanship displayed in the telling of a story of finding hope for the future and depending on virtual strangers to be kind. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni Topic or themes I saw: Belonging, home, and really being (unashamedly) the person God created you to be. Read it if you love: ✔️Character driven novels ✔️Contemporary Christian Fiction ✔️Lighter/heartwarming reads ✔️Small-town, lake settings ✔️Vibrant, colorful characters Story: Goodness, me. This book hugged my heart with the tenderest touch. Holly Varni writes in such a way that brushes against the heart of humanity with grace. The story starts with Cora attending her mother’s funeral, and thus introducing to us a mysterious past and strained mother-daughter relationship. With her mother’s passing, she inherits her Grandparent’s old lodge, taking her back to her childhood to a town filled with vibrant and different people. This story captured me right away. From the start it had intrigue, humor, and really engaged your senses in a really unique way. It showcases the beauty of unique individuals and the dignity and kindness human souls crave. The characters were so vibrant and real. This book embodies a truly beautiful and intangible but important reality—that all humans, no matter how broken or ‘odd’, hold incredible worth and beauty. As the story unfolds, that worth and beauty comes pouring out of the characters. Main takeaway: “If you ever find anything in life, that makes the light within you shine brighter, you know it’s part of God‘s plan. Don’t reject a gift that’s being offered to you.” I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni has Cora Matthews inheriting her grandparent’s lodge after her mother’s death. Cora is surprised since she was estranged from her mother at the time of her demise. The lodge is in serious need of repair. Cora needs to adjust to living in a small town where everyone knows your business. On Moonberry Lake is a character driven story. In the beginning, we are introduced to one character after another (there are so many of them). The people that live around the lodge are a quirky lot. I had to laugh at Kitty’s gnome collection because I have a large number in my garden as well. I was not able to connect with Cora or any of the characters. I liked the humor sprinkled throughout (Widgy provides many entertaining moments). I found that the story moved slowly (which made it hard to continue reading). There are some heartwarming scenes in the latter part of the story. There were some encounters with the Moonberry Lake residents there were repetitive (Widgy showing up at the crack of dawn each day for example). The author’s vivid descriptions allowed me to envision Moonberry Lake, the town, and the lodge. The Christian element is light. I was surprised by the New Age statements and beliefs. The romance is clean. On Moonberry Lake has a feel-good ending. Would I want to visit Moonberry Lake again? I would admire the scenery, but I would keep on driving.

“People change when they come to Moonberry Lake. They shed their old skin and emerge into something new,” Cora is told in Holly Varni’s debut novel, Moonberry Lake. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-thirty-six-page paperback targets those interested in contemporary romance based in a small Minnesota town. With slang words such as darn and heck, topics of illness and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an excerpt of the next book in the series, three food recipes, acknowledgments, the author’s biography, and advertisements. After Cora’s mother dies, the twenty-six-year-old woman inherits a dilapidated lakefront lodge in a small midwestern town. Committed to a year of restoring it, she hires a funky repairwoman, befriends a cemetery headstone carver and a look-alike Jesus, helps an agoraphobic scientist, and constantly embarrasses herself in front of a dentist. As she acclimates to small-town living, she learns what it feels like to belong. ~ Why ~ This is a carefree, comical, and cute story about a young lady who learns what contentment and happiness is with the help of her overly solicitous neighbors. I grew to like dependable Sam, Widgy and the Beast, attentive Kitty, and how grief and sustenance were dealt with. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not like reads about a town where everyone knows everyone else’s business may want to pass on this one. Others who do not care for the Catholic undertones and Bible verses might not be interested in it, but there is little depth to true spiritual beliefs. The eclectic neighbors were more the focus than the romance. ~ Wish ~ Since this is the start of a series, it would help to have a map of the town and list of characters at the beginning of the book. ~ Want ~ If you like a quirky story of a woman adjusting to small town living while renovating an old lodge and finding her family, this is a nice beginning. I received a complimentary copy from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was under no obligation to give a positive review.

4.5 stars! What a delightfully unexpected debut by masterful storyteller, Holly Varni! Whether it's the beauty of falling leaves in autumn or the shimmer of a small-town snowscape, Varni skillfully uses descriptive imagery to ensnare her readers—and quirky, eccentric, charming characters to keep them there. I really didn't mesh with Cora Matthews to begin with. She appears stuffy and apathetic in my opinion. However, I found a kindred spirit when I learned she didn't like coffee, just the smell of it. lol She inherits her family's lakeside lodge but isn't quite sure she's up to the task of restoring it to its former glory or even wants to stay in Moonberry Lake. The residents in this quaint town step up to the plate to help, but man, are they weird! And loving, talented, and selfless—family who teaches Cora a lot about herself. I deleted 1/2 a star because I skimmed the tombstone scenes...something about those left me spiritually unsettled. However, this was an amazing novel that emitted unladylike guffaws, girly girl tears, and a whole lot of introspection. "It was amazing how, in stepping out of her comfort zone and getting to know people who lived a bit “outside the box,” she was discovering a new self. A better self." *I received an ARC from the publisher and was under no obligation to write a favorable review.*