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 âsighsâ 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.
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 âsighsâ 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 quaint story of a girl's growing up in a challenging world. It really is heartwarming in some places.
