Debut Book
Luna Court
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A poignant true-story memoir by Dandy Noel — discover the journey.
Mariel Hemingway reviews Luna Court
Mariel Hemingway giving a video review of Luna Court by author Dandy Noel
Based on a true story by
Dandy Noel
Two best friends. One road trip. A missing father.
The truth waiting at the end of the road.
In the early 1990s, eighteen-year-old Denver is drifting through Southern California’s music-soaked undercurrent, carrying a grief she can’t outrun. Her father has been missing for over a year. Her mother has been gone since she was two. Nothing feels anchored.
After high school graduation, Denver and her best friend Shay hit the road — what begins as a loose plan to scout college towns and dream up a vintage store slowly transforms into something far more urgent: a search for answers Denver has been avoiding.
From the sun-bleached streets of Los Angeles to the rain-slicked corners of the nation’s capital, the girls move through deserts, highways, diners, and late-night conversations, meeting strangers who mirror their own unspoken fears. With every mile, Denver is forced to confront the possibility that finding her father may mean facing truths she isn’t ready to know.
Set against a backdrop of live music, youth, and restless freedom, Luna Court is a true story about friendship, disappearance, and the quiet ways we search for belonging — even when we’re not sure what we want to find.
Reviews
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![A picture of Mariel Hemingway placed under her review of Luna Court]()
"In Luna Court, Dandy Noel skillfully guides you down a path of exploration, pain, courage, and resilience."
Mariel Hemingway
Oscar-nominated actress and granddaughter of Ernest Heminway
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![Carolynne Gamble smiling outdoors in front of a wooden fence, wearing a dark jacket and red shirt.]()
"Luna Court is an exploration of family, identity, and the human spirit. It is a testament to the power of love and forgiveness, reminding readers that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for healing and connection."
Carolynne Gamble
Business Advisor
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![Jeff wearing glasses in a black jacket standing outdoors near a body of water with autumn trees in the background.]()
“A truly engaging look at one person's journey told in an extremely relatable fashion---very enjoyable!"
Jeff Lee Berg
Musician/RT
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![Isabelle Tugman with blonde curly hair smiling at the camera, wearing a bright blue top, in a recording studio with a microphone behind her.]()
"WOW, what a beautiful memoir! It was raw, poignant, authentic, engaging, and entertaining. Thank you for sharing your story with the world"
Isabella Tugman
Voice Actor
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![Michelle with short dark hair smiling, wearing earrings and a dark blazer, against a neutral background.]()
"This is a story of tiny intimacies, sweeping vistas, and bone-deep revelations. It will keep you turning pages and guessing until the end."
Michelle McClellan
Writer - MLM Communications
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![with brown hair, wearing a black dress and carrying a black purse, standing indoors in front of a decorative metal gate The background features colorful walls, green on the left and maroon on the right, with a framed picture, a stained glass chandelier, and ornate wall decorations.]()
"It was easy to relate to the character's thoughts and feelings. A delightful book that celebrates uniqueness, resilience, hope, and dreams. Such an enjoyable read!"
Tracy Williams
Artist
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![Sarah Richardson with gray hair, wearing a white and black outfit, in front of Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree with ornaments.]()
"I enjoyed the book so much, I finished it in two days."
Sarah Richardson
Business Owner
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![Jeanne with blonde hair wearing a black sleeveless top and a cream scarf, sitting at a festive dinner table with a red poinsettia centerpiece, wine glasses, bottles, and plates of food, during a holiday celebration.]()
"This was truly a heart wrenching and beautiful memoir as told through these two young women's eyes as they roadtrip across the country to find Denver's father."
Jeanna Kaufman
Florist
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![Snow-covered mountain range at dusk with a crescent moon and stars in the clear sky above.]()
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About
Dandy Noel
Luna Court is the extraordinary true story of Dandy Noel, a visual artist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur who spent decades dealing with the aftermath of a series of traumatic events, including her mother’s suicide and her father’s breakdown. Her first book follows Dandy and a dear friend as teenage girls traveling across the country alone in the early 1990s. In a miraculous turn of events, they find what they were looking for.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Huntington Beach, California, Dandy’s stories as a young adult are steeped in the West Coast grunge and alt music scenes of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. In fact, she first discovered her passion for video and film after she and several friends appeared in Nirvana’s genre-defining “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video.
Determined to make sense of own traumatic experiences, Dandy enrolled in film school and wrote a screenplay about her path of self-discovery. She went on to earn a degree in communications with an emphasis on film at California State University at Fullerton and later studied directing at the Los Angeles Film School. She has worked as a photographer, director, and set designer for various TV pilots and short films and as a set photographer for a number of notable artists, including Sean Lennon and Stevie Nicks.
Unraveling the traumatic events of her childhood and young adulthood so she can continue her healing journey, Dandy has made it her life mission to help other trauma survivors realize—through the connective art of storytelling—that they are not alone.
