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Summer in the Moon Garden
A tender, feel-good novel about friendship, second chances, and the quiet courage to begin again.
When Kat’s twenty-year marriage unravels and her twin sons leave for a summer semester in Alaska, she retreats to her hometown of Criss Creek, Illinois, seeking comfort in familiar faces. Her best friend Jess is struggling too—trapped in a failing marriage and hiding a life-changing secret. Together, they create a bucket list to reclaim joy, freedom, and themselves.
Then Kat’s first love, Danny, reappears, stirring old feelings and long-buried regrets. As summer unfolds and truths surface, both women must choose between what’s safe and what’s possible.
Summer in the Moon Garden is a cozy, heartfelt story for anyone who's ever wondered if it's too late to start over. With its blend of warmth, honest emotion, and a touch of small-town magic, this uplifting read is perfect for fans of women's fiction who believe in hope, healing, and happily ever afters.
When Kat’s twenty-year marriage unravels and her twin sons leave for a summer semester in Alaska, she retreats to her hometown of Criss Creek, Illinois, seeking comfort in familiar faces. Her best friend Jess is struggling too—trapped in a failing marriage and hiding a life-changing secret. Together, they create a bucket list to reclaim joy, freedom, and themselves.
Then Kat’s first love, Danny, reappears, stirring old feelings and long-buried regrets. As summer unfolds and truths surface, both women must choose between what’s safe and what’s possible.
Summer in the Moon Garden is a cozy, heartfelt story for anyone who's ever wondered if it's too late to start over. With its blend of warmth, honest emotion, and a touch of small-town magic, this uplifting read is perfect for fans of women's fiction who believe in hope, healing, and happily ever afters.
- GenresSummer Reads
370 pages, ebook
Published July 24, 2025
7 people are currently reading
2187 people want to read
About the author
Kristie Booker
2 books35 followersAs a native of rural Illinois, Kristie Booker has a deep affection for small towns. Although she has called Chicago home for more than twenty years, her heart remains tied to her roots.
Through her writing, Kristie reconnects with the essence of her small-town upbringing, crafting captivating stories that capture the spirit and charm of of these beloved communities.
When Kristie is not lost in a book or typing her own tales, you'll find her indulging in her passion for cooking and nurturing her small city garden.
Planting flowers, herbs, and vegetables brings her joy, and she often finds that her stories seem to take root alongside them, transforming her modest yard into an oasis of creativity and growth.
As a mother of two nearly adult sons, a lazy labradoodle, and a wife to a wonderfully supportive husband, family is at the heart of everything Kristie does.
Through her writing, Kristie reconnects with the essence of her small-town upbringing, crafting captivating stories that capture the spirit and charm of of these beloved communities.
When Kristie is not lost in a book or typing her own tales, you'll find her indulging in her passion for cooking and nurturing her small city garden.
Planting flowers, herbs, and vegetables brings her joy, and she often finds that her stories seem to take root alongside them, transforming her modest yard into an oasis of creativity and growth.
As a mother of two nearly adult sons, a lazy labradoodle, and a wife to a wonderfully supportive husband, family is at the heart of everything Kristie does.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 2, 2025
This delivered on fulfilling the need to curl up and escape into a easy to read story without big anxiety ridden plot twists. It was a refreshing change of pace to have the setting in the good old Midwest.
August 11, 2025
Summer in the Moon Garden by Kristie Booker is a warm, heartfelt story about second chances, deep friendship, and the courage to start over!
When Kat’s twenty-year marriage falls apart and her twin sons head off for the summer, she escapes back to her small hometown of Criss Creek. There, she reconnects with her best friend Jess, who’s quietly dealing with her own crumbling marriage and a secret that could change everything.
The two women make a bucket list, part rebellion, part self-discovery to shake off the weight of their pasts. But Kat’s plans get complicated when Danny, her first love, reappears, and old feelings rise right alongside old regrets. Over the summer, they’ll have to decide whether to stick with what’s safe or reach for the life they’ve always wanted.
Kristie Booker captures small-town charm, the power of friendship, and that bittersweet mix of nostalgia and hope! It’s perfect for anyone craving a summer read with heart!
⚡️Thank you Cricket Press and Kristie Booker for sharing this book with me!
When Kat’s twenty-year marriage falls apart and her twin sons head off for the summer, she escapes back to her small hometown of Criss Creek. There, she reconnects with her best friend Jess, who’s quietly dealing with her own crumbling marriage and a secret that could change everything.
The two women make a bucket list, part rebellion, part self-discovery to shake off the weight of their pasts. But Kat’s plans get complicated when Danny, her first love, reappears, and old feelings rise right alongside old regrets. Over the summer, they’ll have to decide whether to stick with what’s safe or reach for the life they’ve always wanted.
Kristie Booker captures small-town charm, the power of friendship, and that bittersweet mix of nostalgia and hope! It’s perfect for anyone craving a summer read with heart!
⚡️Thank you Cricket Press and Kristie Booker for sharing this book with me!
November 16, 2025
I really enjoyed Summer in the Moon Garden by Kristie Booker. It’s a heartwarming story about starting over, family, friendship, and finding love again. I especially liked the second chance at love between Kat and Danny — it felt real, mature, and hopeful.
I also loved the closeness of family throughout the book. Kat’s love for her boys really came through, though I found it was often repeated throughout the book about the boys and the divorce and how they would deal with it. Still, that caring side of Kat made her easy to relate to as a mom. Kat’s family as a whole were all very close and of course very supportive of her and her decisions.
Jess’s storyline was interesting, and after her lottery winning I found it interesting how she was spending her winnings. I even found myself questioning how she would explain the spending during her separation. Her friendship with Kat was a strong and touching part of the story.
Overall, it’s a warm, feel-good read about friendship, second chances, and moving forward after heartbreak. It left me smiling at the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I also loved the closeness of family throughout the book. Kat’s love for her boys really came through, though I found it was often repeated throughout the book about the boys and the divorce and how they would deal with it. Still, that caring side of Kat made her easy to relate to as a mom. Kat’s family as a whole were all very close and of course very supportive of her and her decisions.
Jess’s storyline was interesting, and after her lottery winning I found it interesting how she was spending her winnings. I even found myself questioning how she would explain the spending during her separation. Her friendship with Kat was a strong and touching part of the story.
Overall, it’s a warm, feel-good read about friendship, second chances, and moving forward after heartbreak. It left me smiling at the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 29, 2025
I volunteered to read this book as an arc reader because the title alone reeled me in. The description of the moon garden brings back memories of my teenage years spending my summer with my grandmother in California, and the late nights I spent just relaxing in her back yard garden while the moonlight hit all the beautiful flowers as I just thought about life… what I looked forward to after summer break and in the next year of my life. The things I’ve done in life I wish I did differently. And as I read the book, the moon garden that was described within served the same purpose.
The book is about many different parts of Kats life. It’s about a beautiful friendship between Kat and Jess that held strong while they both grew up, started careers, got married, had kids, and lived miles apart. They pick up where they left off when they are together again. And even struggled with their marriages together (in different ways). It’s about small town romance and second chances with the one she should have never let go. The one that (to Kat) shouldn’t have been there for her when she hurt him so badly. It’s about family (and this was such a huge thing for me! I love a close knit family). One that sticks together and is there for one another in the toughest of tough times.
It’s hard for me to come up with the words without spoiling the book for everyone else. But, this book was amazing. I took my time reading it to be sure I took it all in and didn’t rush through. I am so glad I chose to read this one as an ARC reader. I will be buying the paperback for my bookshelf because this one deserves a spot, and to be read again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is about many different parts of Kats life. It’s about a beautiful friendship between Kat and Jess that held strong while they both grew up, started careers, got married, had kids, and lived miles apart. They pick up where they left off when they are together again. And even struggled with their marriages together (in different ways). It’s about small town romance and second chances with the one she should have never let go. The one that (to Kat) shouldn’t have been there for her when she hurt him so badly. It’s about family (and this was such a huge thing for me! I love a close knit family). One that sticks together and is there for one another in the toughest of tough times.
It’s hard for me to come up with the words without spoiling the book for everyone else. But, this book was amazing. I took my time reading it to be sure I took it all in and didn’t rush through. I am so glad I chose to read this one as an ARC reader. I will be buying the paperback for my bookshelf because this one deserves a spot, and to be read again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 15, 2025
I received this as an ARC from BookSirens and the author, Kristie Booker, for an honest review. I'd first like to thank BookSirens and the author for extending this offer to read this. While I don't fully understand what a moon garden is, the book was lovely.
This book touches on real adult life problems with marriage, divorce, empty nesting syndrome, and finding yourself through challenging times. While the plot was unsurprising and contained plot twists you could see coming from a mile away, I did not care. This was cozy and I was along for the ride. It took me out of my head long enough to feel like I was experiencing the summer nights of small town Illinois.
The FMC, Kat, and her best friend, Jess, embark on a summer long journey of personal growth, finding out who they are, while relying on the people who matter the most to them. If you have experienced any kind of life at all, there is something here to relate to and you feel for the characters. There is a second chance romance that evolves here but it is more tender with a lot of pining rather than any type of spice.
This book was clean and it touched on deeper matters of the heart. If you want a HEA wrapped in a bow, this book is it.
This book touches on real adult life problems with marriage, divorce, empty nesting syndrome, and finding yourself through challenging times. While the plot was unsurprising and contained plot twists you could see coming from a mile away, I did not care. This was cozy and I was along for the ride. It took me out of my head long enough to feel like I was experiencing the summer nights of small town Illinois.
The FMC, Kat, and her best friend, Jess, embark on a summer long journey of personal growth, finding out who they are, while relying on the people who matter the most to them. If you have experienced any kind of life at all, there is something here to relate to and you feel for the characters. There is a second chance romance that evolves here but it is more tender with a lot of pining rather than any type of spice.
This book was clean and it touched on deeper matters of the heart. If you want a HEA wrapped in a bow, this book is it.
September 4, 2025
Where do you go when life falls apart?
Home.
Home to your family, your friends, your history and yourself.
Well written, must read, women's fiction by talented author Kristie Booker.
Kat has a Chicago life and a small town soul, a disconnected marriage and nearly grown sons. When her life becomes unrecognizable, she heads home.
Kat's best friend, Jess, stayed in town, questioning her choices, trying so hard to make it all work and then, her luck and life unexpectedly change.
The Leo Sisters are together again.
Small towns girls, strawberries, second chances and summer in the moon garden...
Flowers, family, friendship.
Puppies, horses, fruit salad.
Winning the lottery and losing the limitations...
Summer in the Moon Garden is a book club worthy, triumphant story of resilience, strength, friendship, family, letting go, finding your way, starting over and rediscovering your dreams and yourself.
Home.
Home to your family, your friends, your history and yourself.
Well written, must read, women's fiction by talented author Kristie Booker.
Kat has a Chicago life and a small town soul, a disconnected marriage and nearly grown sons. When her life becomes unrecognizable, she heads home.
Kat's best friend, Jess, stayed in town, questioning her choices, trying so hard to make it all work and then, her luck and life unexpectedly change.
The Leo Sisters are together again.
Small towns girls, strawberries, second chances and summer in the moon garden...
Flowers, family, friendship.
Puppies, horses, fruit salad.
Winning the lottery and losing the limitations...
Summer in the Moon Garden is a book club worthy, triumphant story of resilience, strength, friendship, family, letting go, finding your way, starting over and rediscovering your dreams and yourself.
August 6, 2025
Easy reading rhythm but plenty of intrigue about mom, Kat, and dad, Richard’s marriage. Not a fan of Richard’s character as he cut out of their 20 year marriage without trying to salvage it in anyway. Loved their twins Jack and Charlie starting college with their Grandpa’s sage, loving advice left behind for each of them in the time capsules which helped Kat and the twins face a new start, situation with Richard’s divorce.
Liked Kat’s mom, Millie, sister Lindsey, best friend Jess and old love Danny who still held a piece of Kat’s heart all these years. Found this to be a good read about family and where a family gathers is not important, just that they are together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Liked Kat’s mom, Millie, sister Lindsey, best friend Jess and old love Danny who still held a piece of Kat’s heart all these years. Found this to be a good read about family and where a family gathers is not important, just that they are together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2025
2.5 rounded up. This was my first book by this author. I don't know if all her books are cozy, but this was too much for me. You need to suspend ALL disbelief when reading this - the timelines for things, how supportive and perfect friends and family are, the situations - it is complete fantasy. So, if this is your thing, you will love this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2025
Loved this story of a woman whose children have left, at a crossroads in her marriage, who runs into her farmer ex, whom she didn't know if she would be happy staying on the farm with. The characters come to life and Kat Bauer is someone we're all rooting for, even when she breaks the law! It's a story of family, friendship, midlife questionings, motherhood and my beloved Midwest! Couldn't recommend it enough!
July 2, 2025
‘Summer in the Moon Garden’ by Kristie Booker is a book I’ve devoured and never wanted to end.
It is deep, honest, raw, and heartfelt. This is the kind of book that gives the mind a lot to ponder, and the heart plenty to feel.
This is my first book by this author, and hopefully, it won’t be the last.
Many thanks to BookSirens for the e-ARC of this beautiful novel.
It is deep, honest, raw, and heartfelt. This is the kind of book that gives the mind a lot to ponder, and the heart plenty to feel.
This is my first book by this author, and hopefully, it won’t be the last.
Many thanks to BookSirens for the e-ARC of this beautiful novel.
August 26, 2025
This is such a wonderful book! I really enjoyed the characters and the history behind their friendships. It is so beautifully written and the author does such a great job tying it all together. I also love the small town charm she incorporates...it made me wish I was from one so I could experience the close family and friends.
September 20, 2025
I received this book as a Goodreads give away. I was very excited to read it and was not disappointed at all. It was an excellent read. Although the plot of the story is one often found now days, I personally never tire of reading these stories. Trouble in current life, goes home, finds oneself. The character development of Kat was very good as was seeing her realize how wonderful a simpler life is. Everyone can find something to relate to in this story. Put this high on your to-read list.
October 1, 2025
Rough first chapter but great story
I absolutely loved this story. So many words of wisdom shared throughout and tough lessons learned. Without any spoilers, that's about all I can share. The first chapter was a little overwhelming while the main character was apparently doing nearly a dozen things at once but the over all story was one I truly enjoyed. A great romance novel!
I absolutely loved this story. So many words of wisdom shared throughout and tough lessons learned. Without any spoilers, that's about all I can share. The first chapter was a little overwhelming while the main character was apparently doing nearly a dozen things at once but the over all story was one I truly enjoyed. A great romance novel!
September 24, 2025
This novel traces the emotional arc of a woman who finds herself after 20 years of marriage by going back home. This book made made me laugh and cry. I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Kristie Booker!
October 6, 2025
This was a page turner that once I started it I couldn’t put down. A great, well-written book about the problems life throws at us, and how we can lean on our friends and family for support.
I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily
July 7, 2025
A great summer read! I fell in love with the characters and by the end of the book I felt like one of the family!
July 7, 2025
A great summer read! The characters come alive and resonate as true people. I couldn’t put it down and fell in love with each character’s story. Very enjoyable!
July 21, 2025
Well written and detailed. A feel good story with a lot of heart.
July 24, 2025
Feel good book of the summer! Ready for the next one!
August 4, 2025
great feel good story
I had trouble putting it down! A great story, everyone and anyone can relate to! Look forward to reading a sequel!
I had trouble putting it down! A great story, everyone and anyone can relate to! Look forward to reading a sequel!
August 6, 2025
A beautiful story of family, friendship and the strength it takes to start life over again. This deals with romance, divorce and friendship in small town Criss Creek.
Not your typical romance, we follow Kat, raised in Criss Creek but living in Chicago with her husband and her two sons.
It’s hard to put into words this one without giving too much away but it runs very deep and emotional. Highly recommend a read 💗
Not your typical romance, we follow Kat, raised in Criss Creek but living in Chicago with her husband and her two sons.
It’s hard to put into words this one without giving too much away but it runs very deep and emotional. Highly recommend a read 💗
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews