Author: Cristina (Girl in the Pages)

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo | ARC Review

Posted June 17, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

Though Maurene Goo’s novels have never been all time favorites of mine, she always writes cute, fun stories (with delicious descriptions of food) that have plucky protagonists and much needed Asian representation. When I heard the premise for Somewhere Only We Know featured a K-pop star, I was super intrigued, as K-pop has definitely been taking the US by storm the past few years (and who doesn’t love a good celebrity and normal person relationship??) Unfortunately, Somewhere Only We Know missed the mark for me, and ended up my least favorite of the author’s novels. There’s a lot that this […]

Mini Reviews | The Book of Essie and The Afterlife of Holly Chase

Posted June 10, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

The Book of Essie had been on my radar for a while because if you know me, you know I am fascinated with any contemporary books that tackle the topic of religion. I’m also a sucker for reality TV so this novel was right up my alley as it focuses on Essie, a teenager who has grown up in a very conservative, religious household with her pastor father, controlling mother and various siblings, a life which is all captured on the reality tv show “Six for Hicks.” As expected, there’s more than meets the eye with the Hicks family and […]

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo | ARC Review

Posted June 3, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

Isn’t it just the best feeling when a book that you’ve been HIGHLY anticipating lives up to your expectations? That was my experience when reading With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo. I initially swooned over the gorgeous cover and the fact that it featured a Latinx protagonist, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from the writing since the author was new to me and I’d heard her previous book was more poetry-focused. However, I almost immediately fell in love with this story of a resilient teen who balances the challenges thrown her way with grace and heart. […]

Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim | ARC Review

Posted May 27, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

Thank you so much to Berkley for providing a review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! From the moment I heard of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune, I KNEW I had to read it. Set in San Francisco, centered around food, with a dash of magical realism? Yes, please! Then the cover was released and was (and is!) absolutely adorable, and once I saw it on NetGalley I hit that “request” button SO FAST. Though not slated for release until June, I eagerly started the book in February and found it to be a heartwarming […]

What’s On My Library List [2]

Posted May 17, 2019 in Book Recommendations & Lists, Features / 3 Comments

What’s On My Library List is an original feature I started to highlight some of my most anticipated reads I have on hold through my local library that I am eagerly waiting for! I’ve decided it’s the perfect time to return to this feature I launched last year as I add digital library books to my holds list in preparation for my honeymoon! I am a total e-book fiend when it comes to vacation and my Kindle is my constant companion on airplanes, by the pool, etc. I’m hoping most of these will come in time for me to […]

Rom Com Reviews | Meet Cute and Red, White & Royal Blue

Posted May 15, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 3 Comments

Last year I read my first Helena Hunting novel and thoroughly enjoyed it despite not usually being a fan of sports novels. It was fun, a quick read, and had a steamy romance. I was expecting more of the same from Meet Cute, but found it to be a much heavier novel filled with a lot more heart. Kailyn and Daxton meet in law school where Kailyn has a series of embarrassing interactions with him as he’s the star of her favorite CW-esque show (as would I if I had run into Chace Crawford from Gossip Girl or Chad Michael […]

Monthly TBR Plan: May 2019

Posted May 8, 2019 in Features, TBR / 4 Comments

I’ve made a lot of reading resolutions, and one of them is to be better about cultivating a monthly TBR. I know so many bloggers do beginning of the month TBR posts and I always LOVE reading them, so I’ve decided to post my own as well! I will include my physical, e-book, and ARC TBRs as well as a status update of where I am prior to starting my upcoming month’s TBR. Reading Progress Prior To This Month: 22/70 Books Read I know I sound like a broken record BUT wedding planning has REALLY impacted my reading this year. […]

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren | ARC Review

Posted May 6, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 4 Comments

Thanks so much to Gallery Books for providing a review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! Ever since I finally jumped on the Christina Lauren train in the second half of 2018, I’ve been obsessed with their stand along romance novels. They’re always sure to be full of witty banter, fun premises, and hilarious side characters. The Unhoneymooners checked all of those boxes, with the added bonus of being the first wedding-themed read by them that I’ve encountered, which is always perfect material for a romantic comedy. Initially set in snowy Minneapolis, the story opens with protagonist […]

There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon | ARC Review

Posted April 29, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 3 Comments

*A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review!* I always know that when I pick up a story by Sandhya Menon it’s going to be sweet, fluffy, and full of heart. There’s Something About Sweetie is no exception, however it has the added bonus of being my favorite Sandhya Menon book to date! I was utterly charmed by Sweetie’s resilience and confidence and she’s the perfect type of protagonist I know I would want my future children to encounter when they’re reading YA one day. There’s Something […]

In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton | ARC Review

Posted April 22, 2019 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

I always seem to forget how much I enjoy historical fiction until I read it and remember how fascinating it is. There’s something so surreal about reading fiction that you know is often based on major real life events and being dropped into the mind of someone who is experiencing it as their reality, even if fictionally. In the Neighborhood of True had been on my radar for a while because it combined many of my favorite elements in YA, including a Southern setting and religious themes. I was also excited to pick up a book that followed a Jewish […]