Author: Cristina (Girl in the Pages)

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia (Harlem Renaissance Mystery #1) | Review

Posted July 26, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I love a good historical fiction novel, so when I saw this 1920s story that was ALSO a mystery I knew I had to read it! Darker than I originally anticipated, Dead Dead Girls is a thriller set against a vibrant backdrop of 1920s Harlem. I was instantly sucked into the story by it’s action packed first chapter, which features a young Louise (our protagonist) being kidnapped and then managing to attack and escape along with several other girls the man had kidnapped. While it was a bit of a jarring intro to the book, it sets the stage for […]

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and A Crown of Gilded Bones | Reviews to Wrap Up An Addictive Trilogy

Posted July 19, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I suppose I’m back on the JLA train because I was legit addicted to this book. It’s by far my favorite in the series, and Poppy and Casteel’s relationship is definitely at its peak as one of my favorite fictional couples. Though one can argue second series installments are usually filler and bridge books between the first and third installments, I find that when I adore characters sometimes those filler books are my favorite kind because I get to know them and spend time with them in less high intensity situations. Much of this book takes place in Spessa’s End, […]

How To Love by Katie Cotugno | Review

Posted July 12, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I swear, Katie Cotugno never fails to disappoint me. She takes the realest, rawest emotions from being a teenager and manages to spin them into a story that takes me right back into that state of mind, empathizing with the characters even if I haven’t been in their exact situation before. Such was the case when I read How to Love, which I requested from my library on a whim, and absolutely tore through it, inhaling it in a way I haven’t read a contemporary YA novel in a while. The story follows protagonist Reena, who is a teen mother […]

Top 5 Books of 2021 So Far

Posted July 7, 2021 in Book Recommendations & Lists, Features / 7 Comments

I honestly can’t believe we’re at the halfway point of 2021…while 2020 felt as though it was the never-ending year, this year is FLYING by. I haven’t read quite as much as I hoped too (although I’m not too behind…as of now I’m only 5 books behind on my Goodreads reading goal) I still wanted to round up my top 5 favorite reads of 2021 so far. It will be interesting to revisit this list at the end of the year and see if my choices have changed! Devil in Winter | Read January 2021 | I started off the […]

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto | Review

Posted July 5, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I’ve recently discovered the cozy/humorous mystery genre, and have been consistently delighted with the genre’s irreverent, laugh out loud antics and outlandish premises. Dial A for Aunties fits the bill perfectly, and despite a slow start once they mystery got going I was so amused I could not put it down! The story centers on protagonist Meddy who has stayed in her Southern California town with her mother and aunties despite her aspirations for a bigger and better life outside of her tight knit family structure. While she at times resents staying home and working in the family wedding business, […]

A Little Life Update

Posted July 2, 2021 in Features / 3 Comments

I’ve thought about writing this post at least a half dozen times. There’s a lot I want to say…but also not that much at the same time? I’ve been a little quiet here this year and I wanted to provide a few life updates that have been taking up some of my time away from this space: I’ve picked up some other hobbies. I’ve really gotten back into makeup and have been spending a lot of time watching beauty Youtube, buying and testing new products, and starting my Youtube channel (which will be a blend of beauty + bookish content). […]

Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2021

Posted June 29, 2021 in Book Recommendations & Lists, Features / 13 Comments

One of my favorite aspects of book blogging is making lists, especially of my anticipated upcoming releases! Today I’ve rounded up the top 8 books I’m most excited for that are releasing in the second half of 2021 (you can see my picks for the first half of 2021 here!) I’m also linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for this week’s post too! How Moon Fuentez Fell In Love With the Universe (August) | I am always trying to read more books with Latinx protagonists and I’m interested to see how this novel incorporates influencer culture. Also, I LOVE the […]

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry | ARC Review

Posted June 21, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 4 Comments

After roughly a year and a half in Covid quarantine, People We Meet on Vacation was such a wonderful, romantic escape. Detailing the reunion of estranged best friends Poppy and Alex, People We Meet on Vacation flawlessly alternates between present and past timelines, showcasing amazing vacations while also building an authentic, riveting, heartbreaking relationship and legitimately exploring the often mocked “millennial ennui.” I read Beach Read last year and thought it was pretty good, but People We Meet on Vacation truly tugged on my heartstrings. Poppy and Alex’s story was lyrical yet bold, and Henry simultaneously works backwards, starting off […]

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare | Review

Posted May 24, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 3 Comments

Look, I love a good Shadowhunter book. But there’s just something about historical fiction Shadowhunter novels that are just *chef’s kiss.* I keep thinking there’s no way Cassie Clare can top her previous novels but I absolutely adored Chain of Iron and could honestly read about these Shadowhunter babies doing the most boring, everyday things and still be completely and utterly charmed. I honestly wish I could scrub this book from my brain so I could read it for the first time all over again (and I already know that it’s going to be a definite reread for me in […]

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean | ARC Review

Posted May 17, 2021 in Books, Reviews / 2 Comments

I absolutely adore books that have the “modern royalty” premise, so when I found out that Tokyo Ever After had major Princess Diaries vibes, I knew I had to read it! Following Japanese America protagonist Izumi Tanaka, the story chronicles her adventures in finding out her estranged father is actually the crown prince of Japan. What follows is a whirlwind of Izumi going to visit her father and learning about her Japanese heritage and responsibilities of being the descendant of a future monarch, which is a far cry from her life in small town, rural California. Tokyo Ever After was […]