Thursday, April 9, 2026

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Danny Can Read


 

I love discovering picture books that are perfect for early elementary classrooms, and Danny Can Read by Diana Paola Navarro Gomez is one of them. This charming title works beautifully as a read-aloud and is also bilingual, making it an excellent resource for English language learners and students curious about Spanish. Best of all, Danny Can Read celebrates the joy of reading, which is a message that will resonate with every reader.

 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Danny sabe leer / Danny can read

Written by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez

Illustrated by Carmen Blanco

Ages: 4–8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mr Momo (2025) | ISBN: 979-138-752-3121

 

Publisher's Book Summary: "Danny Can Read is a bilingual (English–Spanish) picture book that celebrates the magic of reading and the power of learning at your own pace. Dinosaur siblings Danny and Lily discover that their talents shine in different ways — and that they shine the most when they work together. Through a warm, engaging story designed for read-alouds, children explore big feelings like frustration and comparison, practice empathy, and build confidence as they see that differences aren't obstacles — they're strengths. Perfect for ages 4–8, ideal for bilingual families and for readers learning English or Spanish."

 

Readers can purchase their own copy of Danny Can Read at Amazon and learn more about Diana Paola Navarro Gomez by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram and as well as here

 

 

The Giveaway:

 

 

I've partnered with Diana Paola Navarro Gomez by hosting a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Danny Can Read. Enter for a chance to win one of three signed paperback copies of Danny Can Read. One grand prize winner will also receive a 36-piece puzzle inspired by the book along with their signed copy. The giveaway ends April 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM Mountain Time. Enter the giveaway here or by clicking the graphic above. Good luck!  

 

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Blog Tour: The Name Game by Beth O'Leary


 

Readers can always count on Beth O’Leary’s books to bring a smile to their faces. Today, she has a new one out: The Name Game. I’m thrilled to be part of the Berkley blog tour for this new rom-com about a man and a woman who share the same name. Billed as The Hating Game meets You’ve Got Mail, it promises a delightfully fun combo. Both characters are hoping for a fresh start—only to realize they’ve landed the same job. Set on the remote island of Ormer, the story features a setting that feels like a character in its own right and makes for a perfectly charming spring read.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

The Name Game by Beth O'Leary

Pub. Date: April 7, 2026 

 


 

 

The Story: Charlie couldn’t be happier to take the job of farm-shop manager on the remote, wild Isle of Ormer. She’s grieving, a little lost, and in desperate need of a fresh start.

 

Jones has come out of a difficult breakup and is looking forward to some peace away from the noise of his city life. Moving to Ormer couldn’t have come at a better time.

 

But when Charlie Jones and, ahem, Charlie Jones both turn up at Ormer’s one and only farm shop, claiming to have been offered the role of manager, everyone is baffled. How could this have happened? And just who is the real Charlie Jones?

 

You can purchase your own copy of The Name Game at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop, and Books A Million. Readers can learn more about Beth O'Leary by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Let me know inf the comments if The Name Game is on your spring TBR list and if you are a fan of Beth O'Leary.  

 

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

10 Books to Read in April

 

 

April is here! Flowers are blooming, the sun is (hopefully!) shining a little more, and warm days are ahead. And what better way to welcome the spring season than with a good book? Here are the titles I’m excited to dive into this month.

 

1. Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (4/21)

"A twisty tale of justice, redemption, and one irrepressible woman who’s not done breaking the rules just yet."

 

 

2. Happy Ending by Chloe Liese (4/14)

"A clever and heartwarming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Annabel Monaghan about two best friends who must fake a relationship for their exes."

 

 

3. The Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman (4/28)

"A beautiful, heartbreaking love story about two teens who find their way back to each other through a second chance romance."

 

 

4. The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn (4/7)

"A woman tests the limits of her so-called amicable divorce when she flies to Paris for the destination wedding of her former sister-in-law, only to butt heads with the deliciously gruff best man."

 

 

5. The Name Game by Beth O'Leary (4/7)

"A man and a woman with the same name are looking for a fresh start only to discover they have landed the same job in this charming new romance."

 

 

6. American Fantasy by Emma Straub (4/7)

"Set sail on a parasocial voyage of friendship, nostalgia and resurfaced teen angst. Emma Straub’s latest story follows Annie, who boards a ‘90s-themed cruise ship and unexpectedly bonds with her favorite boy band while rediscovering the joys — and frustrations — of her youth."

 

 

7. Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto (4/28)

"A nearly divorced trophy wife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to find a fresh start in the unlikeliest of places." 

 

 

8. Mrs. Benedict Arnold by Emma Parry (4/28)

"A riveting reimagining of the young woman who almost ended the American Revolution."

  

 

9. The Island Club by Nicola Harrison (4/28)

"An unputdownable novel of loves lost and found, shocking secrets—and the power of female friendship."

  

 

10. The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer (4/7) 

"Come along with the Book Witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading." 

 

What books have caught your eye this month? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Blog Break


 

With Easter and spring break on the way, I’m stepping back from the blog for a bit to enjoy some family time and much-needed down time. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday (if you celebrate) and finds a moment to relax with a good book. Before we know it, all those beach reads will be out—I can’t wait to share this summer’s best reads with you.


See you soon,
Christina

 

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Bridgerton Roundup: Mini Reviews


With a new season of Bridgerton on Netflix, it inspired me to finally finish reading the much-loved series. There's something special about the Bridgerton family and I'm sad to say goodbye to them. If you love all things Bridgerton, check out all of my previous reviews as well as read-alikes and the spin-off series. 

 

It's in His Kiss (Bridgerton #7) by Julia Quinn
Pages: 496
Genre: Romance
Pub. Date: June 28, 2005
Publisher: Avon
Source: Personal Copy
Other Books By Author: Bridgerton series
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
 
 
Goodreads says, "Meet Our Hero…
Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth’s sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past… and the key to his future. The problem is—it’s written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

Meet Our Heroine…
All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She’s fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her—something charming and vexing—that grabs him and won’t quite let go…

Meet Poor Mr. Mozart…
Or don’t. But rest assured, he’s spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual–and annually discordant—Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other… and that there is nothing as simple—or as complicated—as a single, perfect kiss."
 
Gareth St. Clair is in line to inherit his family's estate and fortune, but all that is up in the air as his father is an all-around awful person and is set on destroying his inheritance. Gareth finds his ancestor's diary, written in Italian, and hopes to translate it as he feels it holds some family secrets. Who better to translate it than Hyacinth Bridgerton, who speaks some Italian and spends most of her days reading to his grandmother, Lady Danbury. Everyone knows Hyacinth can be a pill and is extremely outspoken, but that doesn't intimidate Garth in the least. Their adventure translating the diary and piecing the puzzle of his family together leads them to adventure, romance, and even more family secrets waiting to be revealed. Julia Quinn's It's in His Kiss is a delightful addition to the Bridgerton series, filled with snappy dialogue and swoon-worthy romance.
 
I loved Hyacinth from the start of It's in His Kiss; she is everything you could want in a heroine. I also appreciated that this installment in the Bridgerton series included a bit more adventure than the other novels; it was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed figuring out the St. Clair family's mysteries. Quinn also did a great job with the dialogue and the witty banter between Hyacinth and Gareth; it made the story jump off the page and sizzle with a slow-burning romance. 
It's in His Kiss is a favorite of mine from the series.
 

 

 
On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgerton #8) by Julia Quinn
Pages: 496
Genre: Romance
Pub. Date: June 27, 2006
Publisher: Avon
Source: Personal Copy
Other Books By Author: Bridgerton series
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
 
 
Goodreads says, "A funny thing happened... Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...
She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...
Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar..."

 

 

Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love and is determined to find it. When he meets Hermione Watson, he is sure this is it....except she is in love with someone else! Hermione's best friend, Lady Lucinda (Lucy) Abernathy, knows Hermione is headed to disaster with her current crush and agrees to help Gregory woo Hermione. However, the more these two individuals work together and spend time together, the stronger a connection forms. However, before Lucy and Gregory can actually be together, Lucy is already engaged to someone she doesn't want to be with, thanks to her cruel uncle, who is responsible for her betrothal. Julia Quinn's final Bridgerton novel, On the Way to the Wedding, has so many things I love, but overall, it fell flat for me as it wasn't my favorite from the Bridgerton series.

A lot happens in On the Way to the Wedding towards the last twenty five percent of the novel; there's a hostage situation, guns, theatrics, etc, and it just felt really unrealistic and over the top. Due to that, I didn't enjoy the novel as much as I had hoped. I am sad, though, to see the series come to an end as it's one of the best romance series I've read. Even though On the Way to the Wedding was a bit of a letdown, I am still glad I read and listened the series, and it will always be one of my favorites, especially with the marvelous Rosalyn Landor narrating. 
 


Are you a fan of the Bridgerton series? Have you read all the novels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and which Bridgerton book is your favorite.  

 

 
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