On Moonberry Lake ~ Review

On Moonberry Lake

By Holly Varni

When her mother moved Cora Matthews away from her grandparents and their home on Moonberry Lake she never felt like she belonged or was home. Worse for years she thought her grandparents were dead because of her mother's lie. But now she knows the truth, but too late to reconnect with her grandparents. But she has inherited their home on Moonberry Lake. And it couldn't come at a better time. Her life is in flux; her mother has just died and her fiancé is now her ex-fiancé.

I really enjoyed this book as Cora works to deal with her past while trying to understand why her mother took her away all those years ago. As she connects with those who knew her grandparents and makes connections of her own, she has to decide if she is willing to settle down and call Moonberry Lake home or do as she has always done - move on and start over.

I really enjoyed this book from Holly Varni who is a new author to me. The setting is contemporary. And who doesn't enjoy a lake setting for no reason other than the peacefulness it portrays. I felt that Cora's growth as a character was what propelled the story. Why did she do what she did and how is returning to the one place she always felt was home change her? This is the story, and I felt it worked well with the various characters who entered her life, offering her insights and new motivations. This is a contemporary romance, and it is, but the romance isn't the focus but rather the thread that works its way in and slowly grows as a possibility. I would recommend this book as it was an enjoyable read and yet not one that intrudes but rather like a good friend who stops in to say, "Hey, how's your day?" You visit and then get on with your day, happier for the exchange.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

"Delightful! Charming! Full of characters who take up residence in your heart. The best of 'News from Lake Wobegon' and Father Tim combined."--Lauraine Snelling, bestselling author of the Red River of the North series

Cora Matthews's life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

It certainly isn't what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family's dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance--with a surprising condition attached--Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.


"An uplifting novel about the power of small-town community."--Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of The Sweet Life

"Rich characters, a delightful setting, and a heartwarming story. You'll love everything about On Moonberry Lake!"--Ginny L. Yttrup, Christy Award-winning author of Words