What's in a Kiss?

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By William Reimers

What’s in a Kiss? stands out because it takes a moment that usually lasts only a heartbeat and turns it into a doorway. Cristina Danguillecourt shows how a single spark can shift the weight of an entire life, and that simple idea gives the novel its charm and emotional pull. From the start, the story signals that even the smallest encounter can reveal everything we did not realize we were missing.

Reading this book feels like easing into a quiet conversation with yourself. The lives of Jamie and Emilie unfold with a steady tenderness that leaves you both rooting for them and examining your own moments of hesitation and longing. There is a gentle ache underneath the narrative, the kind that nudges you to reflect on the routines we settle into and the ways one unexpected connection can shake us awake.

The narrative explores themes of inertia, emotional regeneration, and the fortitude required to embrace nascent opportunities. These concepts extend beyond the realm of romance. They tap into something universal about the desire to feel seen at the right moment and the fear that change demands more from us than we believe we have.

Danguillecourt’s writing is warm and fluid. Scenes glide between cities and inner worlds with a natural ease. She has a talent for quiet imagery, like the moment Jamie realizes London no longer feels like a place he lives in but a place that simply moves around him. There is also a lovely line from Emilie reflecting that “a kiss is never just lips meeting but a truth trying to surface,” and it lingers in the mind.

If there is a small limitation, a few emotional beats arrive a little too quickly, but the sincerity of the storytelling keeps the journey heartfelt.

In the end, What’s in a Kiss? offers a tender reminder that life can turn on the smallest gesture. Readers who enjoy thoughtful, emotionally awake romance will find a story that stays with them long after it ends.

About the Author 

Cristina Danguillecourt

Cristina Danguillecourt was born in the United States to Cuban parents of French, Dutch, and Spanish heritage. Educated in Spain and shaped by extensive travel throughout Europe, she became fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Her academic path reflects her diverse interests: studies in education and clinical psychology, a three-year specialization in speech and language rehabilitation, and a Master’s in Human Resource and Development earned in the United States.

Cristina’s professional life has been equally multifaceted. She has taught in bilingual schools as a fourth-grade homeroom teacher, instructing students in Science, Art, and Language Arts in English. As a psychologist and speech-language therapist, she has worked with children facing a wide range of developmental and cognitive challenges, as well as adults recovering speech after neurological trauma. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping others grow, communicate, and find confidence.

A lifelong lover of writing, Cristina has filled countless notebooks with ideas, scenes, and stories—her personal “repertoire,” inspired in part by the advice of her favorite country singer, Garth Brooks. She believes in preserving every idea, knowing that each piece reflects her growth as a writer. Now, she is thrilled to share her stories with readers. With three books soon to be released, her goal is simple: to entertain, to offer escape, and to bring joy in a world that often needs it.

Guided by the motto “What have you done today to better the world and your fellow man?” Cristina approaches life—and writing—with intention, empathy, and purpose. Everything she has achieved has stemmed from her own effort, discipline, and passion, and she brings that same spirit to every story she creates.