Blog Tour and Giveaway: Mrs. Gourd

If you're like me and feel flustered by the bedtime routine, you will find Jody Bucher's new picture book, Mrs. Gourd, incredibly relatable. Mrs. Gourd comes to chat with kids, help bedtime go smoothly, and leave children with smiles on their faces. What more could a parent ask for? This picture book is perfect to share with little ones when the bedtime routine has become anything but routine! 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

 

Mrs. Gourd

 

Written by Jody Bucher

 

Illustrated by Monica Violet Joy & Asha Butler

 

Ages: 4+ | 40 Pages

 

Publisher: Ingram Spark (2026) | ISBN: Hardcover: 979-8-9894987-1-0 | Paperback: 979-8-9894987-0-3

 

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Anyone who’s had to put children to bed knows how unpredictable the routine of bedtime can be. Enter—Mrs. Gourd. When Mom finds herself at her wits’ end, Mrs. Gourd’s unexpected arrival changes the course of bedtime—in a good way. Taking charge in her persnickety, silly way, Mrs. Gourd wrangles in bedtime, leaving the reader amused, and best of all, those little ones drifting off into dreamland. When all else fails, it’s Mrs. Gourd to the rescue!"

 

You can purchase your own copy of Mrs. Gourd at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. To learn more about Jody Bucher, you can visit her website and connect with her on Instagram.   

 

Enter the Giveaway: 

 

 

I've partnered with Jody Bucher to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Mrs. Gourd. Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of five signed paperback copies of Mrs. Gourd. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed hardcover copy with a personal note from the author, two pairs of Mrs. Gourd dress-up glasses, a gingham check picnic blanket, and a Jellycat Bashful Toffee Puppy stuffed animal. Good luck!

 

 

Book Review: Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore

 

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: June 2, 2026

Publisher:William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books by Author: Mansion Beach, 

The Islanders, Summer Stage, Two Truths and a Lie, 

and Vacationland 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.

Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.

As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond."

A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly.

 

Three Shipman sisters gather at their family's New Hampshire beach house for a sort of reunion after their mother's untimely passing. Except their father, Calvin, has different plans. Not only has he remarried since their mother's death, but he also wants to sell their beach house, unbeknownst to the sisters. So, this week is looking to be more than just a relaxing trip. The eldest sister, Jordan, is a high-powered communication consultant who lives and breathes her job. Natalie, the middle sister, is a bit of a tradwife influencer, except her social image is about to blow up. And lastly, there is Mae, the youngest daughter, who is dealing with some issues of her own and working on training a rescue dog. All of the sisters and their families come together for this week, and they have to deal with memories of summer's past, memories of their mother, and how each person grieves in their own way. Meg Mitchell Moore's Down with the Shipmans is a heartfelt beach read for those who enjoy a family drama with a beachy setting. 
 
I thoroughly enjoy stories that alternate between each sister's point of view, as it paints a more vivid picture of the family that way, and that's the case in Down with the Shipmans. Each sister grieves their mother's death differently and tackles the selling of the house in their own way, not to mention dealing with their father's new wife. While this is a heavy topic for a beach read, I believe Moore balances it nicely with the beach house setting and the fact that story takes place right around 4th of July.
 
If you enjoy family drama with issues that are relatable, look no further. I laughed at a few parts in Down with the Shipmans, especially dealing with the training of a rescue dog. Also, the novel tackles the complicated love of sisters, family bonds, resentments, and ultimately moving on from a death in the family. While this wasn't my favorite of Moore's novels, I enjoyed the sisters' heartfelt stories and their chance to come together once again at their beloved beach house.
 
Are you a fan of Meg Mitchell Moore? Is Down with the Shipmans on your summer TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.  
 

Blog Tour: An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton

 

Chanel Cleeton is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, so when I had the chance to participate in Berkley's blog tour for her new novel, An Infinite Love Story, I eagerly joined. The novel was released yesterday and features a dual-timeline narrative set during the Space Race of the 1960s. I love that time period and can't wait to immerse myself in this book. I've heard it's perfect for fans of Atmosphere. Is An Infinite Love Story on your summer TBR list?

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton

Pub. Date: July 7, 2026 

  

Goodreads says, "When Joe Mitchell launches into space, the world is watching. It’s 1968, and the country waits with anticipation and excitement for another successful mission, another celebration as America sets its sights on the Moon. And then comes the knock at the door.

Joe Mitchell’s spacecraft has lost contact. He and his fellow astronauts onboard are feared to be dead. It’s his wife Vivian’s worst nightmare come to life, her grief suddenly taking center stage as the nation waits and mourns. In her quiet moments, Vivian relives their memorable story, unable to accept that this is the end to a love that felt as though it was written in the stars.

As the investigation surrounding Joe’s lost spacecraft intensifies and the mishap is written off as an operator error, Vivian is determined to clear her husband’s name and uncover the mystery of what happened in space. When someone starts sending Vivian messages—messages she believes only Joe could send—she begins to wonder if their love is stronger than space and time, and she’ll do whatever it takes to bring her husband back to her. "

 

You can purchase your own copy of An Infinite Love Story at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books A Million, and Bookshop.  

To learn more about Chanel Cleeton, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram. 

In the comments, let me know if you are a fan of Chanel Cleeton and if you plan on reading An Infinite Love Story this summer. 

A Blog Break

 

Happy 4th of July to those who celebrate. I’m taking a short break to recharge. In the meantime, I hope you get a chance to slow down, savor the sunshine, and spend time with the people (and books!) you love.

10 Books to Read in July

 

July has arrived, bringing with it the best of summer. We can look forward to warm days, humid nights, plenty of sunshine, beach and pool outings, and hopefully a vacation filled with good books and relaxation. Here are the books I’m excited to explore this month.

 

1. The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren (7/14)

"An unforgettable romance in which a fateful accident erases a troubled marriage from memory—and a scientific breakthrough gives love one extraordinary do-over."

 

 

2. An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton (7/7)

"When an astronaut is lost in space, his wife relives their epic love as she attempts to unravel what truly happened to him, in this sweeping love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race."

 

 

3. Every Version of You by Natalie Messier (7/7)

A heartfelt contemporary romance debut follows a woman who gets a second chance at a formative time in her adult life—this time to win the “one that got away.”

 

 

4. Love You More by Emily Giffin (7/7)

"A woman is newly engaged to a man she adores when she receives a call from her first love with news that shatters her carefully ordered world."

 

 

5. Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw (7/7)

"A woman rediscovers the mythical island she stumbled upon as a child—and the man she once met who apparently hasn’t aged."

 

 

6. The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza (7/14)

"A propulsive dual-timeline mystery drenched in art-world intrigue and brimming with family secrets, betrayal, and the intoxicating lure of power."

 

 

 7. Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel (7/28)

"A captivating new novel about several intertwined stories of love, loss, courage, and redemption set over the course of one magical week in Paris.

 

 

 8. Summer People by Sally Blakely (7/7)

 "One week. No drama. And absolutely no dating each other."

 

 

9. Crash Into Me by Robinne Lee (7/7)

"A completely new, fearlessly intimate novel of messy, complicated relationships—one that delves into desire, race, power, and the shifting terrain of identity and selfhood."

 

 

10. Helpless by Jessica Knoll (7/7)

"After Faye, a powerhouse Hollywood producer, has a run-in with her ex-boyfriend Henry, a dangerous game unfolds, unraveling a years-long mystery."

 

Which books do you plan to read this month? Are any of these titles on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.