Ebook Review: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon by Lauren Kukla

 

Blurb: 

Little Rabbit can’t sleep. His brothers and sisters may be snuggled up beside him, but the glowing moon in the night sky has captivated Little Rabbit, and he wants nothing more than to reach up and touch it. But how can such a small rabbit reach something so far away?

Little Rabbit knows if he just had the special abilities of the night creatures around him, he could reach the moon. Possum’s strong tail would help Little Rabbit swing from the tallest tree. Bat’s wings would help Little Rabbit soar through the sky. Beaver’s sharp teeth and claws would help Little Rabbit build a ladder straight up to the moon.

But Mama Rabbit knows something Little Rabbit doesn’t—that being small doesn’t mean being powerless, and every creature has special gifts that help them thrive. With warmth and wisdom, she reminds her little one of the unique traits that make him an essential part of the forest family. Then she gently sends him on his own magical journey to the moon by encouraging him to close his eyes and dream.

This gentle bedtime story about curiosity, self-acceptance, and the boundless power of imagination is sure to help caregivers and their little ones find sweet dreams on sleepless nights.

Amazon: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon - Kindle edition by Kukla, Lauren, Markkula, Katie. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon by Lauren Kukla, Katie Markkula | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon eBook by Lauren Kukla - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon by Lauren Kukla - Books on Google Play

Goodreads: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon by Lauren Kukla | Goodreads

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

This was a wonderful story. I loved how acceptance of yourself was included in with the desire to be something else. Little Rabbit wanted to touch the moon. As he tried to find ways to get there, his mother kept pointing out his good qualities. The illustrations were very well done and beautiful. Definitely a wonderful bedtime read with a lesson.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Ebook Review: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

Blurb: 

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

Amazon: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home - Kindle edition by Craig, Fergus. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home eBook by Fergus Craig - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig - BookBub

Goodreads: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars. I found this to be an interesting and fun read with plenty of twists. Carol, an ex-con serial killer, moved into a retirement home. There, she learned how to make friends, showed that she could solve a murder with help, especially to prove she was innocent. I loved her determination to keep her past in the past and willingness to overlook how others perceived her. Trying to connect the two murders in these pages kept me guessing. I found the denouement convoluted and well explained, and the ending very intriguing.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Ebook Review: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott

 

Blurb: 

A remarkable trio whose lives have been cracked wide open by their husbands’ crimes unite to catch a serial killer in this dazzlingly captivating novel.

Beverley, Elsie, and Margot are not your average housewives. They are all wives of convicted killers. During the sun-drenched summer of 1966, the three women form an unlikely friendship after the discoveries of their husbands’ brutal crimes. With their exes—some of California’s most infamous murderers—dead or behind bars, they are attempting to forge a new future for themselves.

Headstrong Beverley tries compulsively to maintain control of everything around her, all while raising two children. Bookish Elsie fights to make a name for herself in the newsroom, working among men who sneer at her career goals. Glamorous Margot prefers partying to homemaking and devotes all her energy to upholding the appearance that everything is fine—anything to quell the shame from her husband’s deceit.

They know people look at them and think only one thing: How could they not have known what their husbands were doing? How much are they to blame? And yet when a string of local killings hits the news, the three women—underestimated, overlooked, shrewd—decide to get to work. After all, who better to catch a killer than those who have shared their lives and homes with one?

At once a riveting portrayal of shattered trust and a story of gripping suspense, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is a testament to the intricacies of women’s lives and how the deep bonds of female friendship can empower, uplift, and lead us to endure.

Amazon: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives: A GMA Book Club Pick - Kindle edition by Arnott, Elizabeth. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives (GMA Book Club Pick) by Elizabeth Arnott | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives: A GMA Book Club Pick eBook by Elizabeth Arnott - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives: A GMA Book Club Pick by Elizabeth Arnott - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott - BookBub

Goodreads: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the trip into the 60's, the references, etc. as well as a look at what the lives of those who were married to killers were living. Beverley, Elsie, and Margot did their own investigations, found clues, and tried to help others. I had an inkling as to who was doing the killing, but it did take me until about 2/3 of the way through the story. Some parts were slow due to the in-depth descriptions of the three friends and their pasts, but it was definitely an interesting story.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Ebook Review: Mistress of Wyndview (The Wynd Brothers #1) by Jane Charles

 

Blurb: 

Was Caroline Sutcliffe the one woman who could fill the emptiness within?

At the age of eight and twenty, Sterling Wynd, Earl of Wyndham, left England.

Duty weighed heavily on him, and solemnity filled his soul. However, before he turned thirty, chose a suitable wife and went about begetting heirs, he wanted to do something for himself—see the world. Or at least the part that had made his family wealthy.

Caroline Sutcliffe had once loved deeply. She’d married quickly and her husband soon went off to war. But after receiving word of his death, and finding herself alone, she returned to her father and the Cape Good Hope to carve out a new life for herself and her daughter.

She had not expected to meet a handsome English Lord filled with duty and in possession of so little humor. Further, she could not understand why she was drawn to him. Yet, Caroline knew that she could love Sterling deeply and passionately, but she feared he was not capable of either.

Will Sterling find a way to open his heart and let go of his control or will he lose the one woman who could fill the emptiness within?

Tropes you'll love:

• Slow Burn
• Opposites Attract
• Widow
• Friends to Lovers
• Series Starter
• Regency Romance
• Steamy Scenes
• Unconventional Heroine
• Broody Hero

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

The Wynd Brothers
Book 1 - Mistress for Wyndview
Book 2 - Miss Wylde and the Wynd
Book 3 - Whispers in the Wynd
Book 4 - Chasing the Wynd
Book 5 - The Lady and the Wynd

Amazon: Mistress of Wyndview: Regency Historical Romance (The Wynd Brothers Book 1) - Kindle edition by Charles, Jane. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Bookbub: Mistress of Wyndview: Regency Historical Romance (The Wynd Brothers Book 1) by Jane Charles - BookBub

Goodreads: Mistress of Wyndview (The Wynd Brothers #1) by Jane Charles | Goodreads

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

Found it hard to put down. I loved the different setting and the characters. Caroline was doing what she had to in order to keep her family in a home. She was loyal to her family, caring to all those around her, and so very helpful. She tried to hide her intelligence and abilities from Sterling when he showed up to visit his holding. It was entertaining to watch everyone tiptoe around him, trying to keep everything secret to help Caroline. Throw in some matchmaking by Sterling's mother for both, and this was a wonderful read.

I received an ARC, and this is my unsolicited review.

Ebook Review: The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera

Blurb: 

When the last fare of the night turns up dead in her backseat, a Sri Lankan American taxi driver works off the clock to clear her name in this mystery novel by debut author Yosha Gunasekera.

Siriwathi Perera doesn’t quite know where she’s going in life. She never expected to be a taxicab driver in New York City, struggling to make ends meet and still living with her parents at twenty-eight. The true-crime podcasts that keep Siri company as she drives don’t do much to make up for the legal career she imagined for herself, or the brother she’s grieving.

When public defender Amaya Fernando gets into her cab, they make a quick connection through their shared Sri Lankan roots. Siri, whose social circle is limited to her grade-school best friend, Alex, thinks things might finally be looking up with this new potential friendship. But she’s suddenly dropped into her own true crime when she discovers her next passenger murdered in the backseat, and she has to call Amaya sooner than she’d expected.

Pinned as the obvious and only suspect, and desperate to clear her name, Siri chases down leads across the boroughs of New York City with Amaya’s help. But with her court date looming, they have just five days to find out who really killed the midnight passenger—or Siri’s life will be over before she can even truly live it.

Amazon: The Midnight Taxi - Kindle edition by Gunasekera, Yosha. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: The Midnight Taxi eBook by Yosha Gunasekera - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera - BookBub

Goodreads: The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera | Goodreads

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the story. This was like a locked-door mystery, a dead body in a locked taxicab. Siriwathi had a fascination with true crime and now found herself in the middle of one. She learned quickly how the real world works. Her fortuitous encounter with Amaya who came to her rescue helped bring new people and friends into her life. There were several twists, one that I was a bit discouraged with, but overall this was a good story.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

 

Ebook Review: Maybe This Once (Rock Bottom Love #3) by Sophie Sullivan

Blurb: 

From the “queen of sweet romance” (Falon Ballard) Sophie Sullivan, comes a small-town, opposites-attract romance about two people who end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling.

Tired of living in the shadow of her famous parents, Charlotte Ashford gladly left behind a life of glitz and glamour to pursue her true passion: becoming a counselor. However, when a viral video upends Charlie’s plans, she wonders if the real key to discovering herself is through her late father.

Grayson Keller has finally settled in one place, surrounded by family, and secure in his business. By his third summer as owner, Get Lost Lodge is thriving. Whatever happens, Grayson is perfectly content with his quiet life and careful heart. That is, until he meets Charlie, whom he can’t seem to get out of his head.

On the surface, Charlie and Grayson have nothing in common, but they can’t fight their attraction to each other. They’ve both been hurt before, and they’re not looking for anything serious. The solution is easy: they’ll date, have some fun, and walk away unscathed. Right? Or, maybe this once, they can see past the hurt to what, or who, is on the other side waiting for them.

Amazon: Maybe This Once: A Novel (Rock Bottom Love Book 3) - Kindle edition by Sullivan, Sophie. Contemporary Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: Maybe This Once: A Novel by Sophie Sullivan | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Maybe This Once eBook by Sophie Sullivan - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: Maybe This Once: A Novel by Sophie Sullivan - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan - BookBub

Goodreads: Maybe This Once (Rock Bottom Love, #3) by Sophie Sullivan | Goodreads

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

An enjoyable read with quite an emotional (for me) ending. Charlie was a runner, escaping a bad situation, though she was stronger than she thought. With support of new friends and family, she came to realize her true worth, learned to relax and to like herself, even as she kept secrets from everyone. Gray had his own walls up, but once he set eyes on Charlie, his heart began to lighten up, and life looked better. As the secrets unraveled, both put walls back up. I loved how Charlie mended things with her mother and gained the confidence to realize her heart's desire. Definitely went through several tissues by the end.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Ebook Review: Janae Sanders' Second Time Around (Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club #2) by LaQuette

 

Blurb: 

A single mom gets a second chance at love with her high school sweetheart.

Wary of love after divorce, Janae Sanders focuses on the best things in her life: her son James and her besties in the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club. As for romance? Not today, Satan. That is, until high school heartthrob Adam Henderson crashes back into her life at their 20-year reunion. Sparks fly, but just when Janae considers dating again, the new superintendent of James’ school district slashes his beloved arts program. Instead of getting her groove back, Janae gets her protest on.

Returning home after twenty years, Adam jumps at the chance to reacquaint himself with Janae, the one who got away. But he’s nearly reached his limit, juggling a meddling father, school politics, and—unbeknownst to him—Janae’s ire. If he can’t get the head of the PTA off his back after cutting programs that were costing the district money, his debut role as superintendent and his love life hang in the balance.

When a school board meeting is called and they both realize they’ve been dating the enemy, Janae gives Adam two choices: restore the program or lose her. Adam proposes a third option: one weekend at his cabin to talk it all out—funding the arts, and old feelings too. When her girls cheer her on, Janae must decide if she’s willing to risk it all. Armed with sass, sarcasm, and a suitcase full of emotional baggage, Janae and Adam discover that sometimes love shows up in the most infuriating and unexpectedly sexy ways.

Amazon: Janae Sanders' Second Time Around: A Novel (Savvy, Sexy, & Single Club Book 2) - Kindle edition by LaQuette. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: Janae Sanders' Second Time Around: A Novel by LaQuette | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Janae Sanders' Second Time Around eBook by LaQuette - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: Janae Sanders' Second Time Around: A Novel by LaQuette - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around by LaQuette - BookBub

Goodreads: Janae Sanders' Second Time Around by LaQuette | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars. Janae had a rough marriage and divorce, but she was a devoted parent to her son. I loved how she was so strong for everyone, completely out there when needed, and loyal to her friends. It was a little hard when she would doubt herself or her worth, especially in regards to Adam and their history. Adam was determined to win Janae's heart despite his own unhappy marriage as his feelings for her had not changed. I did applaud him for his decision to follow his own future rather than his father's desire. There were moments that I had tears and smiles. A wonderful story.

I received a copy through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

2026 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge

 

I did not do so well in 2025, but I hope to meet my goal in 2026. My level will be Silver (25 books). Join my at this link: https://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2025/11/2026-netgalley-and-edelweiss-reading.html

Welcome to the 
NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge!

What the challenge is all about…

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of NetGalley/Edelweiss books sitting on your shelf to be read?
Have you lost your 80% rating and would love to get it back?
Do you want to challenge yourself to read more NetGalley/Edelweiss books?
Do you need extra inspiration to achieve that next badge?

If the answer is “YES” to any of these questions then this is the challenge for you!

Challenge guidelines… 

• The challenge runs from January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026. There is no deadline to sign up.
• Everyone is welcome to participate – you do not need to have a blog.
• Any genre, release date, length, etc. counts – it just needs to be a book from NetGalley or Edelweiss.
• Books can count for more than one challenge that you are participating in.
• The first day of each month I will post a monthly “link-up” for you to link your reviews. If you forget one month, no worries, just catch up the next month.
• Questions: Feel free to leave a comment below.

The Levels…

Bronze – 10 Books

Silver – 25 Books

Gold – 50 Books

Platinum – 75 Books

Diamond – 100 Books

To sign-up…

• Make a blog post stating the level you intend to read in 2026 and link that blog post to Mr. Linky below.  The first Link should be your name, the url should be the direct link to that blog post, not your main blog page.
• If you do not have a blog then state your reading level in the comments below and how you will be sharing your book reviews.
• Last but not least, be sure to come back every month and link in those reviews. This is really the hardest part – remember to do the monthly “link-ups”! 

I'm looking forward to another fun year of reading!