Big Cherry Holler

More about the book

In the extraordinary sequel to BIG STONE GAP, we return to the enchanting mountain life of Adriana Trigiani’s world. Eight years have passed since Ave Maria Mulligan, the town pharmacist and long-time spinster, married coal miner Jack MacChesney. Embracing love and commitment, Ave Maria strives to create a happy life for her growing family, unaware that fate and the ghosts of her past will challenge her marriage. The protective mountain walls cannot shield her from the life lessons she must face. This narrative explores the complexities of marriage, revealing deep secrets, power struggles, betrayals, and unmet expectations between husband and wife. It also depicts a community grappling with the decline of the coal mining industry, showcasing the resilience of the people of Big Stone Gap. Key characters include Iva Lou Wade Makin, the bookmobile librarian, savvy businesswoman Pearl Grimes, and Spec Broadwater, the Rescue Squad captain navigating his double life. Ave Maria’s best friend, Theodore Tipton, now a band director, remains her trusted advisor as he achieves success. When Ave Maria takes her daughter to Italy for the summer, she encounters a handsome stranger who presents a life beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. This forces her to confront what truly matters to her, her marriage, and her family. Rich in humor, wisdom, and the vibrant drama of mountain life, this story captures the journey of two lovers striving to rec