Sweet Thyme is running out of time. With businesses closing, young families moving away, and "For Sale" signs becoming part of the landscape, the town's future looks increasingly uncertain. Refusing to watch their beloved community disappear, the spirited seniors who run the local newspaper hatch an unconventional rescue plan: recruit six promising journalism students for a summer internship and convince them that Sweet Thyme is the perfect place to build a future.
The students uncover the scheme almost immediately--but leaving proves far more difficult than expected. Between unforgettable neighbors, surprising friendships, community traditions, and plenty of laugh-out-loud chaos, Sweet Thyme begins to feel less like a detour and more like home.
As the summer unfolds, both the students and the lifelong residents discover that saving a town isn't just about attracting new people--it's about believing a place, and the people in it, are worth investing in. Filled with humor, heart, and an unforgettable cast of characters, A Summer of Spectacular Chaos is a joyful celebration of belonging, second chances, and the unexpected ways a community can change your life.
Holly Varni grew up in Minnesota surrounded by grumpy grandparents, eccentric neighbors who thought nothing of mowing their lawns in pajamas, or were addicted to the Home Shopping Network and filled their house with porcelain dolls. These treasured childhood experiences planted the seeds for her storytelling, nurturing her gift for capturing the humor, wisdom, and charm of small-town life. She lives along the Central Coast of California with her husband and their three grown sons, however, her beloved Midwest roots continue to influence everything she writes. When she isn’t working on a book (or three at the same time because that is how her mind works), she is either tucked in her favorite chair with a blanket reading a book, or listening to an audiobook while doing a puzzle. Connect with her online at hollyvarni.com; Instagram: @hollyvarni; Facebook: @hollyvarniwriter; X: @hollyvarni