Author, Storyteller, Podcast Host
Author of the Sweet Thyme and Moonberry Lake series.
Small town stories that invite you home.
A Perfectly Reasonable Plan
A Sweet Thyme Novel
A spunky six-year-old obsessed with death upends the lives of four elderly relatives as they embark on an unforgettable road trip that reminds them to cherish the sometimes infuriating–but always beloved–people they call family.
“A Perfectly Reasonable Plan is one (mis)adventurous road trip you don’t want to miss. Packed with laughs, tears, and plenty of heart, this endearing novel is a sweet reminder that when lost, love can steer you toward what truly matters.”
—Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café
Stories that invite you home.
I write stories about small towns and the people in them—because I believe community is one of the most beautiful things we create together, and I want readers to finish my books feeling like they’ve found a little more of it.
Hello, I’m Holly!
I’m so glad you found your way here!
I’m an author, storyteller, and podcast host who believes the most extraordinary people are usually hiding in plain sight—the neighbor mowing his lawn in pajamas, the grandmother who says exactly what she thinks, the stranger who turns out to be the wisest person you’ve ever met.
If you love quirky neighbors, wise elders, and stories that leave you feeling a little more hopeful about the world, you’re in exactly the right place.
The neighbors are waiting. Come on in.
Small Town Fiction
Where small towns hold the biggest stories.
My books are about the relationships that shape us—the ones we’re born into, the ones we stumble into, and the ones we’d never have predicted but couldn’t imagine living without. My stories are a reminder of what truly matters and an invitation to reconsider what family can mean.
Expect small-town charm, unforgettable characters, hilarious mishaps, and life lessons that sneak up on you when you’re still laughing. My hope is that you finish each book feeling a little lighter—and a little more grateful for the people in your own life.
Sweet Thyme and Moonberry Lake are just down the road. I’ll meet you there.
Books by Holly Varni
Sweet Thyme
Some towns you visit. Sweet Thyme, you belong to. There is a place for everyone, where wisdom comes wrapped in mischief, love arrives disguised as meddling, and every scheme hatched with good intentions goes gloriously sideways before it goes right.
Moonberry Lake
Tucked away in the beautiful North Woods of Minnesota, Moonberry Lake reminds you of a simpler time, yet the struggles and drama revealed will feel similar to today. You’ll hopefully find something familiar in the quirky characters that speak to you and make you smile.
Endorsements for Holly’s Books
“What a wonderful story! I absolutely adored it! This book was such a delight to read and the best so far this summer!”
Interviews & Reviews
“This novel is a love letter to small towns and unlikely friendships, to the family you build around you and the faith you make your own.”
Reading Is My Superpower
“Plucky Delphinium’s an irresistible heroine, and the sweet ending will leave readers satisfied. Varni’s fans will be thoroughly charmed.”
Publishers Weekly
“Thoughtful and well-written, with nuggets of deeper meaning planted strategically throughout the book, Holly Varni’s tale unfolds brightly and sweetly.”
Novels Alive
Listen to the Podcast
Listen to my podcast, Steeped in Sage—Stories Seasoned by Time. This is where you’ll find all the Pearls from Posey and Moments with Martha!
Click the button below to read or listen!