Another sweet book about Moonberry. You just have to love all the characters! Sweet story and lovely setting. These cozy books make me happy. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It's a wonderful book.

Moonberry Lake florist Delphinium Hayes has a gift, a strength, and a problem. Her gift is her empathy and care when it comes to dealing with difficult people–specifically, the seniors who have invaded her store. Her strength is her knowledge of flowers and their meanings, and her problem is that the bank is about to foreclose on her store and home.

Oh, and Delphinium has synesthesia. This is a plot device I can only recall reading once before–Kaleidoscope Eyes by Karen Ball, which I loved because of the unique plot device. In Delphinium’s case, she can smell a person’s essential essence or personality. (I don’t know if this is a real variant of synesthesia, but it’s a fascinating plot device).

There were a lot of things to like about The Blooming of Delphinium. There is some lovely symbolism in the title, given the story is literally about small-town florist Delphinium thriving—blooming—as she encourages the town’s senior population in her shop.

I liked the fact the story was written entirely from Delphinium’s point of view, which gave the story more of a women’s fiction vibe. Introducing a second point pf view (or more) would have given the novel more of a romance vibe and would have given away important aspects of the story.

I loved the way the story wove in the seniors from The Gardens, showing both their foibles and strengths, and reminding us of the challenges of growing older. I especially loved the humour woven throughout the plot.

There were a few things I didn’t like so much. Delphinium has a tendency to let her emotions get in the way of logic which made her seem immature at times. The writing was occasionally less than polished. But the thing that bugged me most was the lightweight faith content. Lightweight isn’t necessarily bad, but it can annoy me where there is a romantic element and one of the romantic partners (in this case, Delphinium) clearly isn’t a Christian. I was looking forward to a conversion scene (I can’t remember when I last read a good conversion scene) but was disappointed.

Despite that, The Blooming of Delphinium is an enjoyable story with a unique premise and some solid views on how society deals with the elderly. The Blooming of Delphinium is the second book in Holly Varni’s Moonberry Lake series, following On Moonberry Lake. I haven’t read On Moonberry Lake and didn’t feel I’d missed anything. There was one scene that introduced Cora, the main character from the previous book, but this is definitely a standalone story.

Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This actually turned out to be more of an emotional read for me than I had anticipated (in a good way) 🥹…I really admired Delphinium’s/Delphi’s character and how she carried herself throughout the story. I also loved the setting and all of the love outpouring from the characters. This was a unique read for me, one unlike any I’ve really read before and I appreciated this factor so much!

“You kissed my hand. That’s like out of a fairytale. Nobody does that anymore.”
“I do, and maybe whatever is beginning with us will end like a fairytale.”
🥹✨🩷

Delphinium Hayes owns a florist shop in the small town of Moonberry Lake, Minnesota. Delphinium has a special gift; she can detect a floral scent from everyone she meets. This lets her know what they are really like. When a group of elderly men from a nearby assisted living start playing poker in her walk-in refrigerator, she works with the assisted living director, Elliot Sturgis, to find a solution. This being Moonberry Lake, there are little surprises and romance.

I wanted to read this book because I absolutely loved On Moonberry Lake. It made my top 10 reads list last year, and I couldn't wait to spend more time in this fictional world.

The Blooming of Delphinium is delightful! Delphinium is a wonderful protagonist. I enjoyed her gift for - quite literally - sniffing out what is good or bad in people, her work at the florist, and her interactions with Eliot.

I also enjoyed the elderly people in this book - they are treasures! And I still love the town of Moonberry Lake.

I enthusiastically recommend The Blooming of Delphinium and the Moonberry Lake series for fans of women's fiction and charming small town settings.

A flower lady named Delphinium. You can about guess how eccentric she might be. But I loved her! and getting to know her!

You'll want to read the first book in this Moonberry Lake series, because you'll meet some of the same people.

Delphinium is unlike any character I've ever met before. She has a unique gifting...each person she meets exudes a scent, and this tells her about their character. Some people she is immediately drawn to, because of their overwhelmingly attractive smell, and others she finds herself having a strong aversion to, because of theirs.

Delphi finds herself in a bit of a hard spot, and the people attempting to come to her rescue are her most faithful friends - the seniors from the local senior center. But...because of all these events, this also puts her at odds with the director of same said senior center.

The results....intriguing and a bit humorous.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Title: The Blooming of Delphinium
Author: Holly Varni

Ch: 28

Pg: 304

Series: Moonberry Lake

Genre: Christian fiction hint of romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell



While I loved Delphinium and her ability to sense smells with people and determining what kind of person they are. As well as the banter between her and Elliot. And the small town of Moonberry lake makes it feel like the reader lives there.

But the seniors, especially Bob stole my heart. Their shenanigans and wisdom made the book for me as they reminded me so much of the residents of the retirement home I used to work at. I wish more authors would include senior characters in their stories. The Blooming of Delphinium reminded me just how important relationships with our elderly relatives should be as well as elders in general. Not just for the wisdom but because they will keep you on your toes and keep you young.

Can’t wait to see if there’s another book in Moonberry Lake and what else the author has in store.





I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine

Holly Varni is a skillful writer; she ever so subtly welcomed me into the small Northwoods town of Moonberry Lake, Minnesota, and enchanted me with her immersive small-town narrative stuffed with unforgettable characters, authenticity, grit, humour, and bighearted drama.

The sense of place and the power of community captivated me. Moonberry Lake’s charm gives rise to big personalities, all of whom are definitely created from the setting. The gentle rhythm of small-town life is the perfect backdrop for the quirky townsfolk and the comic relief they provide. The half-naked poker-playing senior runaways hiding out in the back of her shop, their demands and their retaliation strategies, kept me giggling. I also loved the blooming of Delphinium Hayes; uncovering what makes her tick, watching how she deals with customers, and seeing how she makes room for unexpected love.

I think what I loved most was that Delphinium wasn’t willing to compromise to make a sale. It would have been the answer to her financial woes, but it would mean selling her artistic soul. I admire that quality. I also love it when a book drives me to Google and I had to see a photo of a Delphinium bloom to appreciate the Greek origin of the name.

You’ll want to move this one to the top of your ‘to be read’ pile! Varni expertly navigates the challenges of this close-knit enclave in an engaging way and creates a story that will resonate with a wide variety of readers on a personal level. I know you’ll be immersed and captivated with Varni’s spotlight on belonging, the varieties of human experience and will appreciate recapturing that long-forgotten feeling of hometown pride.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This is a charming story set in the small town of Moonberry Lake, Minnesota. Delphinium is all about flowers. She has the gift of identifying a person’s scent, which adds to her talent as a florist. She finds that her store has become a haven for some quirky, fun seniors seeking a cool place to hang out while their air conditioner is broken at the Senior center.

I love how this author has an insight into people, relationships, and flowers (I learned so much), running themes of forgiveness, loss, and well-timed humor with a splash of romance. I enjoyed this delightful character-driven story with a natural spiritual thread.

This story has a slow start but picks up when seniors begin their exploits. If you are looking for a character-driven story that takes you to a fun town to escape for a while, this is the book for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review.

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I have been waiting for this book ever since I finished Moonberry Lake, and was so very excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley and Revell publishing. I absolutely love Holly Varni's writing style, quirky characters and cozy settings. My hopes were clearly high for Delphinium.
I was not disappointed. At first.
I loved the characters, was happy to see Widgy make an appearance, found the storyline to be pleasant and the dialogue to be snappy. The main character, sadly started to get on my nerves about halfway through the book. Yes she was a tornado, force of nature, and all the other descriptors that were offered. But it started to get hard to see why everyone adored her so intensely after all of her impulsive blowups and her sometimes unforgiving nature. It felt like everyone had to spend a lot of time heaping accolades on her and trying to get her to do some perspective taking.
That being said, all of those long talks by her family and friends did offer the reader some well written points on life and love and loss. The author nails it with her wisdom and poetic way of expressing it. That is what bumps my rating from three up to four stars.
Holly Varni is very much an author that I follow and I look forward to another visit to Moonberry Lake in the future.

This story was so much more than just a contemporary story about a flower-shop and some elderly folks.

It was about not judging people on first impressions (or Delphi’s case, smell) looking further than what you see, realising that the elderly still wants to add value than just sitting around.

I enjoyed all the scenes featuring the elderly, they were like naughty high energy children and added a few moments for laughing at their antics.

Delphi felt and did life with a deep passion and I enjoyed how the author brought her love story to the page.

*I received a compliment copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Excuse me…I’d like to report a theft.

It seems Holly Varni has stolen my heart with her newest novel.

I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. And my heart overflows with the joy that is this story.

From the insanity of the rebel seniors to the stiffness of the local care home director to the impulsiveness of the flower shop owner, the story is simply magical.

I was completely captivated from the first page. I wonder what Delphinium would smell when she encountered me?

Curious? You simply have to read this book!

My thanks to the publisher for an advance copy. My review has not been solicited and I can only hope for more incredible stories from the residents of Moonberry Lake.

Because that’s where my heart is.

I loved the first book about Moonberry Lake, and wondered if there would be a book about Delphinium. I was happy to be able to read it. Moonberry Lake is a pleasant small town, and Delphinium owns the flower shop. She has a gift for knowing what flower goes with each person, which flower to give for each occasion, and her bouquets are awe inspiring. Trouble begins for her when a group of senior citizens begin escaping from their residence home and coming to her back rooms to play poker. Trouble becomes even more serious when she discovers she is about to lose her shop. The way she manages--or does not manage-- her senior friends, finds a way save her business, and learns to trust someone she falls in love with make a delightful story. I also admit to shedding a few tears. Hopefully there will be future books about the people in Moonberry Lake. Thanks to Netgalley for an arc, and no pressure for a positive review.

Thank you to LibraryThing, NetGalley, Holly Varni, and Revell publishing for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the book. I'm providing my honest review.

I found the story of Delphinium and her special gift enchanting, people's personalities being tied to a floral scent is unique. Her devotion to her business and the people around her is a pleasure to read, she truly cares deeply and sincerely. Allowing an ever-growing group of feisty senior citizens access to her shop cooler is funny. At first she's thrown for a loop and tries to figure out how to get rid of them but as the story moves along she becomes the loving caretaker these rascals need. Everything from providing snacks to making sure they take their meds, she's all in by the end of the book.

The two men who come into her life are polar opposites, Mason and Elliot. Mason, a real estate lawyer, gets dragged into the seniors proposed lawsuit against the senior living facility for silly stuff like taco Tuesday and spa day. His involvement with the gang begins to change him for the better little by little. His journey to happiness may be a secondary plot line but it's fleshed out as much as possible. Elliot is the facility director trying to figure why his residents are sneaking around to hang out in a flower shop. Elliot is so strait-laced you'd think he'd be unlikeable, the seniors think so, but his sincerity in wanting to understand and work with the residents makes him the good guy after all.

The story is clean and while not necessarily religious it does have God and faith as part of peoples make up. The happy ever after is sweet and I was completely satisfied. An enjoyable read.

The Blooming of Delphinium is another interesting tale from Holly Varni. Delphinium Hayes, a flower shop owner, can tell by someone’s scent whether they will be friend or foe. When she meets Elliot Sturgis, the director of Moonberry Lake’s Senior Care Facility, she senses violets but also a with bit of harshness!

It is fun to see Delphinium interact with the quirky elderly individuals who are never far from her shop. It is also fun to learn what each scent indicates on the pages of this tale. This group of characters from the nursing facility bring a lot of color to the pages of this tale!

After Delphinium and Elliot have a major conflict, hold tight to see if they are ever able to find any resolution. This is definitely a tale worth reading!

I’ve become such a fan of Holli’s work! She has a delightful way of crafting characters that are full of life, and this book is no exception. The Blooming of Delphinium is packed with lovable and hilarious elder characters who truly steal the show—they had me laughing out loud more than once!

Delphinium herself is a sweet and endearing character. I loved watching her personal growth throughout the story. One of my favorite touches is her unique ability to “smell” flowers on people, which reveals their true nature. It was such a quirky and original idea that added an extra layer of charm to the book.

The plot was an absolute joy to follow, and I’m really enjoying this fun, whimsical series. If you love quirky characters and heartwarming stories, The Blooming of Delphinium is a must-read!

The Blooming of Delphinium
Holly Varni
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Delphinium Hayes has the unique ability to associate the people she meets with flowers representing their character traits. Her nose has never failed her, that is until Mason McCormack walks into her flower shop and agrees to help out the group of disgruntled senior citizens who have started hanging out in Delphinium's back room. her with a group of seniors who have taken over her flower shop as their hangout.

Elliot Sturgis is the director of The Gardens Assisted Living Facility. He cares for his residents, and is determined to find out why they prefer Delphinium's shop to The Gardens.

This second book in the Moonberry Lake series was filled with joy. Varni made her characters leap off the page and into our hearts. We have a decided affection for seniors, so she had us from the very beginning. To write with such love toward the elders of our population spoke volumes to us about Varni’s character. Her “scent” was coming across in a poignant way.

The lead character of Delphinium celebrated the uniqueness of God’s creative abilities mirroring the variety, beauty, and uses of the many flowers He has included in His creation. Delphinium’s quirkiness was rivaled only by her personal devotion poured into the lives of those around her. It seemed unthinkable that Varni could create a character more loved until she introduced us to Elliot Sturgis. He was someone the world may look at as seemingly having it all together until his vulnerability and desire for belonging was revealed. We all have a deep need to be understood and accepted. Elliot masterfully demonstrated that toward Delphinium and their story is only just beginning.

Our only wish was that Delphinium would have come to a personal decision about her need of a Savior. We look forward to more of her story as Varni unfolds the delightful town of Moonberry Lake.

We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.

The Blooming of Delphinium is a charming and heartwarming novel that blends romance, humor, and a touch of magical realism. The story centers on Delphinium, a florist with an extraordinary talent: she can sense people's true natures through their scents. This gift gives her a unique edge in understanding others—except for Elliot Sturgis, the seemingly stern director of Moonberry Lake's Gardens Assisted Living. Despite his strict demeanor, Elliot carries the scent of violets, representing love and loyalty, a contradiction that intrigues Delphinium as their paths continually cross. The chemistry between Delphinium and Elliot slowly unfolds as she discovers the softer side hidden behind his tough exterior, bringing a delightful tension and warmth to the story.

While romance blooms, Delphinium faces financial struggles as her beloved flower shop is on the brink of foreclosure. The book gracefully weaves themes of faith, community, and resilience, showing how unexpected friendships and divine timing can lead to solutions in the most trying circumstances. The Blooming of Delphinium is a cozy and uplifting tale, perfect for readers who enjoy small-town charm, endearing characters, and a sprinkle of magic in their love stories.

“In a small town like Moonberry Lake, one’s personal business is everyone’s business.”
This second book set in Moonberry Lake has a wonderfully quirky set of characters. Delphinium Hayes has an uncanny ability to recognize a person’s personality traits by their unique flower scents. Her gift of discernment can be a help or a hindrance leading to some very funny moments. But the core of the story is her heart for the senior citizens at the local nursing home. As they take over her flower shop, the fun begins. The oldsters have boycotted the facility run by Elliot and the sparks not only fly between the residents and the administration but between Delphinium and Elliot. “A relationship needs sparks, not grenades.” “Both make an impact and can start fires, he smirked mischievously.” “ We spar.” “That’s something.”
There is much to love about this book from witty banter, comical characters, an enemies-to-more romance to a solid portrayal of admirable values and spiritual growth. There are end of life issues , forgiveness and reconciliation all wrapped up in a humorously entertaining plot. The book has all I could ask for in an uplifting, amusing tale that has lots of take away lessons. I loved revisiting Moonberry Lake and its inhabitants.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Revell Reads Program and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

This was a delightful read filled with tons of laughs, heart, and charm!

There was so much to love about this one. The mayhem of the seniors that Delphinium loves. The cute crush that her beau has on her (I’ll leave you to figure out which guy it is 😉). The relationship she has with her grandfather-like figure, Henry. Her ability to get a sense for people’s personalities based on their smell (except for that one person).

This book was filled with likable side characters, tons of shenanigans, and a FMC you that was easy to root for! It was sweet and entertaining. A solid 4-star read for me!