“On Moonberry Lake” by Holly Varni is a lovely story about returning home, and finding out what “home” really means. The narrative centers around main character Cora, who is surprised to learn she has inherited an old family property. The terms of the will require her to actually live there for a year before it truly becomes hers, so Cora moves in.
The character of Cora was very well-written and detailed. She’s had a rocky past, and is trying to figure our her future. The reader learns enough of her backstory to truly understand her, and watching her as she navigates the present makes her even more endearing. She felt very real to me, and I enjoyed getting to know her.
The town is filled with plenty of interesting characters who each add something to the story, as well as to Cora’s search for herself and meaning in her life. My favorite was Kitty, guardian of the cemetery and speaker to the deceased. She added both humor and depth to the overall story. The other important side characters were all unique and easy to keep straight.
The town of Moonberry Lake was practically a character in its own right. The author provided such vivid descriptions that I was able to truly picture the natural beauty of the area, as well as Cora’s home and the surrounding town.
Overall, the arc of Cora’s personal growth and redemption was beautifully written, and I fully believed in her progress and where she was by the novel’s end.
5 slices of perfect Provolone!
