Blog Tour and Giveaway: Alli the Alligator

 

I always appreciate picture books that convey a positive message, and this new one, Alli the Alligator by Cindy Miller, highlights a beautiful theme of kindness and celebrating differences. This book would make a wonderful addition to an elementary classroom and serve as a reminder that our differences are what make each of us special. 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Alli the Alligator

Written by Cindy Miller

Illustrated by Joan Coleman

Ages: 4–7 | 32 Pages

Publisher: BookLogix (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1-6653-1069-7

Publisher's Book Summary: "What happens when being different makes you feel like you don't belong? Alli Gator loves swimming and playing along the banks of the Rumbly River with her family. When she discovers children nearby, she dreams of going to school just like they do. But being the only alligator in a classroom full of children isn't easy. On her first day at Swamp Elementary, the other students stare, whisper, and laugh. Just when Alli begins to lose confidence, an unexpected moment reveals her bravery and kindness—and shows everyone that differences can be a gift."

 

Readers can purchase their own copies of Alli the Alligator at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon. Also, to learn more about Cindy Miller, please visit her website.  

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Cindy Miller and The Children's Book Review to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Alli the Alligator. Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win a hardcover copy of Alli the Alligator by Cindy Miller. Good luck!

 

Book Review: Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman

 

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: G.P. Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "When Sera Watkins and her family arrive at their summer house on Cape Cod, she has one goal in mind: protect her heart from the boy who broke it, her next-door neighbor, Luke Tisdale. The problem is, Luke still has a piece of her heart—literally. When Sera received a new heart as a baby, the healthy valves of her old heart were given to Luke. Forever bonded, Luke and Sera grew up together, spending sun-soaked days swimming at their secret beach and painting at art camp.

Then, two summers ago, their friendship almost turned into something more. Key word: almost. Because one fateful night, everything changed. Sera’s health took a turn for the worse. A family secret sent Luke spiraling. And they weren’t there for each other when it mattered the most.

Now, Sera is ready for a fresh start, which means no more pining over the boy next door. But Luke has grown up a lot since she’s seen him, and the chemistry she felt two summers ago? It’s still there. Sera isn’t sure she’s brave enough to risk it all again, but when she gets some difficult news, she realizes there’s no time to waste. Maybe it’s finally Luke and Sera’s moment, their chance to enjoy the sweet kiss of summer together—before it’s too late."

 

 

Sera Watkins has returned to Cape Cod. She is looking forward to a summer of fun, but her next-door neighbor and ex-friend, Luke, is also back in town for the summer. They had a falling out and haven't reconnected since, which is a shame as they share a deep connection stemming from childhood. They are both organ transplant recipients. Sera has had a heart transplant, and Luke received Sera's heart valves, and the families have been connected by this event ever since. Thanks to flashbacks provided by Felleman, readers are privy to their previous summers together, the growing feelings between them, and the eventual fallout. Jessica M. Felleman's Last Kiss of Summer is a heartfelt YA summer novel that packs an emotional punch.
 
I really enjoyed Sera from the start of Last Kiss of Summer, and I think many YA readers can relate to her, especially if they have a chronic medical condition. She has to deal with that every day: the limitations, her parents' worry and hovering, in addition to a myriad of other issues - not to mention the everyday pressures of being a teenager. The more the summer progresses, the more Sera realizes that what went down between her and Luke was really just a product of miscommunication. Could they get back to the place they were before? However, in the back of her mind, Sera is worried about her current medical struggles.
 
The fictional beach town on Cape Cod is the perfect setting for a summer read. I really enjoyed that aspect of Last Kiss of Summer. I also really appreciated Felleman's take on chronic medical conditions as well as organ transplant recipients. Readers could tell that Felleman did her research and brought to the forefront what goes into the daily life of living with this condition. Felleman did it with sensitivity, and it brought a deeper level to the story. Lastly, fans of Nicholas Sparks and A Walk to Remember will especially appreciate this YA novel that gives readers all the feels. Grab your tissues for this one!

 

Book Review: The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

 

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Romance

Pub. Date: March 24, 2026

Publisher: Forever

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Just for the Summer,

Part of Your World, Say You'll Remember Me, and Yours Truly

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "A beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way. In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything...

For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But Chris isn't the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago—Chris is her boyfriend's best friend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else. And he’s just not that guy."

 

After a fun night out at a concert, Larissa gets a ride home from Mike, and not his more subdued (and slightly grumpy) friend, Chris. Once Larissa and Mike start dating, though, things get complicated. Mike doesn't have it together, and often Chris fills in for him. When Larissa needs a ride to the hospital for her mother's surgery, it's Chris who steps in to help out. The more time they spend together, the more time they realize they have a lot more in common than they thought, and perhaps there is some chemistry, too. She can't help but wonder what if she had gotten a ride home from Chris the night of the concert? Once Chris adopts a rescue dog, Larissa volunteers to help take care of him when Chris can't due to his busy job, and now they are spending even more time together. But Chris could never betray his best friend, even when Mike doesn't deserve someone like Larissa. Readers keep wondering how long they can deny it, though, especially when Mike has some major difficulties he is hiding from Larissa. Abby Jimenez's latest novel, The Night We Met, is a slow-burning romance filled with real-life issues and a strong friends-to-lovers romance.
 
Don't get me wrong. Jimenez writes some of the most enjoyable romances out there, but for me, The Night We Met felt a little too heavy at times. Larissa's life is in shambles. She has a really co-dependent relationship with her mom, who is also a mess , and her dad has screwed over her line of credit. She can't get it together, never went to college, and often needs people to bail her out of situations. This got old for me, because I wanted Larissa to be the hero of her own story without the help of men. Eventually, things fall into place, but she needs a lot of assistance. Which is fine! But......this type of scenario felt very young to me at this point in my life. Mike, her boyfriend, is no different and is battling many issues in his life - some more serious than others and Chris cleans up all his messes. Chris seems like the perfect book boyfriend, but the fact that he is constantly doing this for Mike eventually feels like he is enabling him. This dynamic got old.
 
However, Jimenez does write a good friends-to-lovers romance in The Night We Met. All the aspects of a Jimenez novel that we have come to love are there--witty dialogue, a rescue dog, real-life issues (like a nut allergy!), a realistic romance, and a lot of pining. Due to this, The Night We Met would make a great beach read for those who want a realistic contemporary romance.
 
So, while The Night We Met isn't my favorite of Jimenez's novels, I still enjoyed it overall. Have you read it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and if you are a fan of Jimenez.  

 

The Ultimate Summer Reading List for 2026

 

It's finally here—the best time of the year, in my opinion: beach read season! Find a sunny spot and grab a good book because it's time to relax. I'm here to provide you with recommendations throughout the season, so be sure to bookmark this page. Below, you'll find a list of the best beach reads and summer releases to add to your summer TBR (to-be-read) pile. It looks like it's going to be an excellent summer for books! I've marked any titles that I believe would be great for book clubs with an asterisk (*). Keep an eye on this space for upcoming releases, spotlights, and more as we dive into the joys of beach read season!

Already Released:

 

• The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom (3/17)
• The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (3/24) 
• Happy Ending by Chloe Liese (4/14) 
• The Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman (4/28)
• The Island Club by Nicola Harrison (4/28)

 

May:

 

• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (5/5)
• Liberty Island by Virginia Hume (5/5)
• Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (5/5)
• Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey (5/5)
• A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Lauren Kamoie (5/5)*
• Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen (5/5)
• The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (5/5)* 

 
 

• The May House by Jillian Cantor (5/12) 
• June Baby by Shannon Garvey (5/12) 
• The Shippers by Katherine Center (5/19) 
• Fever Dream by Elsie Silver (5/19) 
• Take Me With You by Steven Rowley (5/19)* 
• A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys (5/26

 

 

• Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (5/26)
• The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (5/26)*
• Have a Great Summer by Francesca Cocchi (5/26) 
• The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay (5/26) 

 

 

June:

• Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore (6/2)
• The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (6/2)
• Land by Maggie O'Farrell (6/2)*
• Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews (6/2)
• Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino (6/9)

 

  

• It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (6/23)
• When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams (6/23)
• Worse Than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy (6/23) 
• The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (6/30)
• Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard (6/30)
• The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (6/30)* 

 

 

July:

 

 

• Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw (7/7)
• An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton (7/7)
• Every Version of You by Natalie Messier (7/7)
• Love You More by Emily Giffin (7/7)
• Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels (7/7) 

 

   

• Crash Into Me by Robinne Lee (7/7) 
• Summer People by Sally Blakely (7/14) 
• The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza (7/14)
• The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren (7/14)
• Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel (7/28) 

 

Shop All Books Here:  

 

Which books are you most looking forward to reading this summer? Are there any you think I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments below.  

10 Books to Read in May

 

I believe that May consistently features some of the most exciting book releases. With more beach reads becoming available and the weather warming up, what more could we ask for? Here are the books I'm looking forward to this month:

 

1. The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (5/5)

 "When your life flashes before your eyes, where would you stop?A magical, time-traveling love story."

 

 

2. The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (5/5)

"Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elizabeth Strout’s new novel tells the story of a chance incident that sparks a powerful realization in a beloved teacher’s life—a poignant meditation on loneliness, friendship, parenthood, and the importance of truth in a capsizing world."

 

 

3. The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (5/5)

"The multimillion-copy-selling author of The Help returns with a bold, big-hearted novel about a group of unbreakable women, fighting for what's rightfully theirs--and the power of friendship to change everything."

 

 

4. A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys (5/26)

"The daughter of a powerful tycoon escapes to a glamorous artists’ retreat—where dark secrets and dangerous temptations await—in this gripping Prohibition-era novel." 

 

 

 

5. Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (5/5)

"Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel."

 

 

 

6. The Shippers by Katherine Center (5/19)

"Shipboard antics abound in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance, as JoJo and Cooper team up, fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, get jealous, answer long-held questions, and finally, at last, discover truths about each other that will change everything."

 

 

 

7. Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen (5/5)

“A reflective coming-of-age love story about an unassuming girl who learns to stand on her own while falling in love during a life-changing summer."

 

 

 

 8. Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (5/26)

"A hardworking single mom returns to her seaside hometown and stumbles into a fake dating situationship with a wealthy, workaholic scion."

 

 

 

9. Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey (5/5)

“Queen of the beach read,” (Cosmopolitan) returns with a heartfelt escape to coastal Carolina."

 

 

 

10. Liberty Island by Virginia Hume (5/5)

"From the bestselling author of Haven Point comes a sweeping historical novel about the generations of a family that spends summers in a seaside enclave on the rocky Maine coastline."

 

 

 Which books are on your May TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.