The Blooming of Delphinium , Moonberry Lake #2 by Holly Varni

Book description:

Making the perfect match is like arranging the perfect bouquet--and no one is better at it than Delphinium Hayes. Except when it comes to making a match for herself.

As far as hidden talents go, she is blessed with one of the more unique ones. With the slightest passing whiff, she knows someone's most admirable or weediest characteristic. This peculiar perception never fails to give her an advantage in understanding people--except for one man, whose scent doesn't seem to match his demeanor.

Prim and proper Elliot Sturgis, director of Moonberry Lake's Gardens Assisted Living and Senior Care Facility, carries the scent of violets--meaning love and loyalty--yet is strict and unwavering in his determination to stop a group of his wily residents from sneaking over to Delphinium's shop to play cards in the flower cooler. But the more glimpses Delphinium gets of the soft side beyond Elliot's harsh exterior, the more she understands his scent--and her intrigue deepens as sparks fly.

The crowd in her cooler isn't Delphinium's only problem. Behind on the mortgage payments and on the verge of losing her shop to foreclosure, Delphinium isn't sure where to turn for help. But God has a funny way of putting the right people in the place at the right time . . .

My review:
  I loved the author's debut novel, On Moonberry Lake, and was eager to see if she could top that one.

She did. In spades.

I was laughing within the first few pages, but when a flower shop owner finds retired men in pants and undershirts playing poker in her walk in cooler...you have to chuckle. 

There is so much in this book: feisty senior citizens pulling a coup against the retirement center they reside in, humor...lots of humor, romance.....and heart. I found myself thinking that many times as I read this novel in one sitting. This book has heart.

Although there was much to laugh out loud about at the shenanigans of the retirees, there was also the somber look into how much they need something to do. Delphinium was such an awesome character, and I loved how she dealt with the older people and loved them, and how they loved her. Though the way she reacted to some things - like in relation to Elliot - made her difficult to like at times.

Elliot was also a great character. With his being the guy running the retirement center the older people were intent on escaping, his and Delphi's relationship was not destined to be a calm and boring one. Far from it. 

The scent thing with Dephi was different. I Googled it, and it is something that exists. Interesting. 

As with the first book, there are humorous clips from the town newspaper, and Widgy makes a couple of appearances, the second appearance to drop a very unwanted gift off for Delphi. 

The town's reactions and actions in regards to Delphi's problems were awesome, and the protest of the retirees was awesomely funny. 

There was one "how could you?!" moment the author did towards the end of the book, but I still consider this an awesome read. It is difficult to give a book like this the kind of review it deserves, and I mean that. It was moving, it was funny, it made me laugh, it made my eyes water, it made me think, it made me smile. The author has a talent for weaving humor, small town happenings, interesting and unique characters, hope, and serious life changing moments and coming out with a story that is definitely worth reading. And a book that deserves more than the 5 possible stars. 

Special thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:
Holly Varni is the author of On Moonberry Lake. A native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, she was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Though she, her husband, and their three sons live along the Central Coast of California, her beloved Midwest roots continue to haunt everything she writes. She hosts the Moments from Moonberry Lake podcast, where she shares more stories of her beloved characters. Learn more at HollyVarni.com.

Check out the first book in the Moonberry Lake books