On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

When you pick up a book by a new author, you never know what to expect. Will it flow well? Will it have a good plot? Will the characters be believable? Will there be a good message? There’s an extra thrill in testing out a new author. This was my first experience with a Holly Varni novel – from what I can tell, it is her first novel (though she does have a podcast with more stories of characters from Moonberry Lake called Moments from Moonberry Lake) and I am quite certain it will not be her last.

What is family? Cora Matthews isn’t really sure anymore. It was just her and her mom for a long time – ever since the fall out between her mom and her grandparents, when her mom took her away from Moonberry Lake and everything she loved. They lived an unstable life that left Cora longing even more for the home she remembered.

Now, Cora’s mom has passed away, and Cora returns to Moonberry Lake to settle her mom’s affairs – only to discover she has inherited her grandparents dilapidated lodge – as long as she remains at the lodge for a full year.

Enter a series of eccentric characters who will either help her stay or push her far far away from Moonberry Lake. There’s Sam Klevar, the family friend who is responsible for helping her navigate the terms of the will and help her get settled. Cora knows he’s keeping something from her because he can’t fully look her in the eye when she asks some questions.

Then there’s Kitty – keeper of the local graveyard and caretaker of the stories of the deceased. When Cora was young, she thought she was a witch. Joseph Manz – the silent neighbor who brings her baskets of produce from his garden but hardly speaks a word. Widgy McQuire – the five-times widowed Jill of all trades who takes on the project of making the lodge livable once again. Jonathan Wells – the agoraphobic who employs Cora as a personal assistant.

Not to mention Ben – the dentist who only ever seems to see her at her very worst and in the most embarrassing situations. Rolf Johansson – the other neighbor, the one who wants the lodge for himself and holds a grudge against all of Cora’s family. Sofia Bennett, Mimi Morgan & Arielle Witherspoon – Kitty’s Thursday tea group, each with their own quirks, and Cora’s ex-fiancé Kyle who may not understand what the term “ex” means.

If you enjoy vignettes of village life and quirky characters, this is the novel you want to read next!

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. ( )

A cute and charming book with a cast of unforgettable characters. When Cora's mother dies she finds out she inherited her grandparent's amazing lake house. She had fond memories of going there as a child but that all stopped when she turned seven. From then on she and her mother were always on the move, something she continued to do as an adult. Cora never stayed anywhere long and never put down roots. With her mother dead, she has no family left to ask questions to. There are so many things that don't make sense. Her grandparent's lake house is hers as long as she stays there for one year, it is in rough shape and needs to be gutted, but she quickly finds herself warming to the job. Her kindly neighbor Sam helps her hire a grumpy handywoman by the name of Widgey and soon the old decrepit house is coming back to life. The physical work keeps her body busy and meeting all the interesting neighbors and townfolks start to keep her mind engaged. For the first time in a long time she is happy and content. Can Moonberry Lake be the place where she finally settles down? A charming inspirational read. ( )

I needed lots of tissues around while reading this story. I loved this contemporary novel filled with some romance and lots of learning about family and how to improve on your life. I loved Cora and Widgy. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

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. ( )