I thought this was the perfect holiday book. Just enough holiday cheer mixed with romance. The Groundhog’s Day premise was interesting and different and I actually liked that Mae only repeated her day 3 times. Any more and I think it would have felt repetitive. As I’ve come to expect from Christina Lauren books, the ending was incredibly cheesy but in this case I think it added to the charm.

4.5 stars

In a Holidaze meets Groundhogs Day meets holiday rom com. Ah I loved In a Holidaze so much going back and reliving everything Mae had done trying to figure out what she needs to do in order to get things right and to stop reliving their holiday vacation. It was a nice fresh storyline with a holiday twist.

I am not the Hallmark holiday movies kind of girl, I know, I know some of you might have gasped at that and whispered, "What is wrong with you?" So, I thought maybe I might not like this story, but I am so glad I was wrong on that and loved it. The big family fun and shenanigans was such a nice touch.

I was rooting for Mae and Andrew (her childhood crush) and had a feeling he had to do with what she had to get right. Definitely a cute holiday read!

I thought this one was fun and it had a little bit of everything! What would you do if you have a chance to redo something and find your happy? Maelyn gets a holiday do over that is fun and charming and a little head shaking! Communication my friends is key!!! I didn’t think the book was super repetitive and that was my worry when you see it’s a “Groundhog Day” like read!

What I loved were the different personalities all squeezed into that house! It reminded me of my friend group and something we always joke about making a reality someday! At its heart this is a story about family and friends and the bonds you keep even if you don’t live next door to them anymore. It’s about unlikely love thats been in front of you the whole time. It’s about second chances and making things right. This story warmed my heart and I can’t wait to discuss it with the authors tonight!

Originally reviewed on Forever Young Adult on 12/2/2020: http://foreveryoungadult.com/2020/12/02/in-a-holidaze/

BOOK REPORT for In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Deck The Halls: Merry And Bright
Naughty or Nice List: Nice
Melt My Marshmallows: Squishy And Sweet
On A Scale from The Grinch to Buddy The Elf: Hallmark Should Take Notes

Deck The Halls: Merry And Bright

While that bright green doesn’t exactly scream “Christmas!” to me, it does catch the eye and stand out from all the other snow-covered house/landscape covers, and once you’re looking you'll notice the twinkle lights and the ornaments. So I guess I’d say it does its job.

What’s Going On In Santa’s Workshop:

Maelyn Jones LOVES Christmas with her family, especially this year when it breaks up the monotony of her unfulfilling job, her lackluster love life, and distracts from the fact that she had to move back in with her mom and new step-dad. Her "Christmas family" consists of her parents’ college BFFs and their children, and their annual tradition of spending the week at the Hollis’ Utah cabin has been going strong for more than two decades...which is why it’s so upsetting to Mae when she learns that Lisa and Ricky are selling the cabin.

Coupling that with a regrettable late-night make out session with the younger Hollis brother, Theo, Mae is at a low, low point as they head to the airport. She throws out a call to the universe to show her what would really make her happy. Right after, her dad gets into a car accident and they wake up on the plane—heading TO Utah, about to relive the entire week again. Mae is the only one who notices they've done this all before. Is this her chance to make a change, or is she stuck in some kind of weird Christmas limbo?

Naughty or Nice List: Nice



Mae isn’t as forthright about her wants and needs as much as she could be, but don’t many of us have issues standing up for ourselves? She also goes a little cuckoo as she relives the same first few days over and over, trying to parse through the right actions she needs to take to actually get through the full week, but I can’t really blame her for being freaked. Nothing she does is so over-the-top ridiculous—compared to many Christmas romances I read—and I think that’s because authors Christina Lauren know what they’re doing in the rom-com department.

Melt My Marshmallows: Squishy And Sweet

So I know I mentioned Mae’s moment with Theo above, but her heart has actually secretly belonged to his older brother, Andrew, since she was thirteen and realized how a chiseled jaw and floppy hair got her heart a-fluttering. But Andrew has never seen her as anything but “kid sister” Mae, and even if he did, if he ever found out she kissed Theo, it’d be over. Luckily for Mae, no one else remembers anything from the “previous” timelines, so this might be the time for her to be bold and honest about what she wants.

I’ll admit at first I was totally expecting this to be a surprise romance in which she realizes Theo is the one for her but…spoiler alert, it wasn’t. But after I got that notion out of my head, Mae's moments with Andrew were sweet and just dirty enough (if you’ve read Christina Lauren, you know they can go DIRTY in certain books, but tend to stay hard PG-13 in their rom-coms).

We Got (Christmas) Spirit, Yes We Do!



This was exactly the right amount of Christmas cheer I needed to get into the spirit this holiday season. Since Mae goes back in time to the beginning of her vacation, we get to see all the annual traditions and even the start of some potential new ones. There’s something so cozy about everyone bunked up in unusual sleeping arrangements and in close proximity that brings to mind family vacations where everyone actually likes each other. As someone who considers some of her best friends from college like siblings, I loved the idea of them all getting together every year specifically to be with their found family, even through tough things Mae’s parents’ divorce.

Mistletropes



What Christmas trope isn’t in this book? You’ve got ugly sweaters and Christmas tree lots, snowball fights and snow sculpture contests, presents by the fire and a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt. I can't leave out the wintery backdrop and the cabin in the mountains, along with some skiing and traditional holiday dinners. And of course, lest we forget we’re in a rom-com, some mistletoe action with everyone urging the awkward couple on with evil glee.

On A Scale from The Grinch to Buddy The Elf: Hallmark Should Take Notes

I’d say this book is full-on singing it loud for all to hear with its holiday glee and sweet romance. Plus it’s well-written and fun to be around to boot! I would totally be okay with Christina Lauren giving us a new holiday-themed novel every year.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Gallery Books. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. In a Holidaze is available now.

Super cute book. Very similar to the movie the 12 Dates of Christmas that came out in 2011. Had I not read this before I saw that movie, not sure I would have enjoyed it as much.

'In a Holidaze" by Christina Lauren features a trope that I am beginning to realize I don't really care for. The Groundhog Day trope. Reliving the same day over and over...and over again just is not my jam. The overall plot was cute and I definitely enjoyed some aspects but I did not feel a real connection with any of the characters. I also didn't really feel the chemistry between them.

I really enjoyed this story, definitely a different take on Christmas. Lauren’s writing style is easy to fall into and flows throughout the entire book for an enjoyable relaxing read.

This book was a delight to read, and really put me in the holiday spirit! I love a good romcom novel, as long as the story isn't too Hallmark-esque, and this one really worked for me. I absolutely adored the setting of the cabin, and it made me feel nostalgic about holidays spent at my grandparent's sprawling house. While it would have been nice to have a little more insight into why the main character was experiencing this Groundhog Day-type situation, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this novel. I think this will definitely be one that I reread around the holidays in the future!

Another winner from Christina Lauren and a great holiday reading vibe! Enjoyed the romance and the supporting cast.

This is a totally new author for me. Someone has recommended it, and I have tried it. This book was surprisingly good! Good plot and writing. What I like the most about it was the fact that I could relate to the character from the book. This author is now on my favorite list!!

In A Holidaze
By Christina Lauren

I need to believe that things will be better, that wishes do come true! I want to feel the Christmas love and joy the holiday season brings. This hilarious time loop story brought the charm, and yuletide cheer. Christina Lauren delivered the magic that I needed.

Written in their signature style - adorable and relatable characters. This fun, feel good and festive read put me in the right mood.

Check this one out! One of my faves!

A somewhat slighter book from romance powerhouse Christina Lauren. I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of their past books (I think Roomies is their best), but it was still distracting holiday fun.

Love Christina Lauren. Always a fun easy uplifting read. Not my favorite of theirs but still worth recommending to others. It was the perfect fluffy Christmas break read I needed.

This book was my December Book of the Month and I couldn’t wait to read it. I cleared my December reading calendar so I could enjoy all the holiday books this year and this one was top on my list! I have never read anything by Christina Lauren but I am about to buy all her books!

Holiday rom-coms are my one of my weaknesses. I mean, I used to mock my friends who watch all the Hallmark holiday movies, but then I watched one and now I secretly stayed up late to sneak in a couple during the holiday season…..plus I may or may not have watched Love Actually a million times!

So basically this book was high up on my reading list and I was so excited to read a fun little holiday romance that was all about unrequited love at the holidays—oh and a little time travel.

Summary
One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
Ok so the time travel part sounded a little weird right? Ya that’s what I thought too, but honestly it’s not. This is a little like Groundhog Day where the main character keeps repeating the same day over and over again until she finds out what makes her happy. I really loved this concept and while it sounds like an odd mix, it really wasn’t. It was such a charming and festive read. I wanted to immediately rent a cabin in the woods with all of my family and friends every year. The premise of the book was so great. I adored how the close group of family and friends came together every Christmas, I felt just as nostalgic as Mae when I thought of the cabin.

At first I was really a fan of Andrew but then as the tory moved along I really started to love him and thought he was such a great match for Mae. He was charming and sweet as well as thoughtful. Mae had such a great modern heroine voice and I think this book will definitely appeal to a younger 20 something audience. Mae was sassy, funny, and yet oddly vulnerable and a total people pleaser. I really could relate to her even though I am almost 40 so I think she will appeal to a number of readers.

The unrequited love Mae had for Andrew throughout most of her childhood was so sweet and I admired that she finally worked up enough courage to profess her love for him. I laughed and smiled my way through this book and before I knew it I was almost done…..in a 24 hour period of time. I easily could have read it in one sitting. It was such a fast read. I was transported and I finished this one feeling happy and content, not to mention ready for more Christmas romances!

After finishing this one I was eager to check out all of Christina Lauren’s books and I ordered like 3 more even though they aren’t Christmas-y, I still want to read more books by her because there were plenty of times that I laughed out loud and felt acutely connected to Mae that I wanted to experience more of that from this author. This is a modern romance for modern readers. I loved every minute of it! If you are looking for a quick funny holiday rom-com then look no further. This was a great option and I loved it!

Book Info and Rating
Paperback, 336 pages

Published October 6th 2020 by Gallery Books

ISBN198212394X (ISBN13: 9781982123949)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Gallery Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 5 stars

Genre: holiday, romance

4.5 stars

Maelyn Jones loves nothing more than spending Christmas with an extended family of her parents’ dearest friends in a bursting-at-the-seams cabin in Utah. It has been a tradition for her whole life, and brings a plethora of memories, including those surrounding her deep and unrequited love for Andrew, the eldest son of the cabin owners: her mom’s college roommate and her husband. These people are her family to a degree, and when Mae gets drunk at the end of their stay she makes out with Theo, Andrew’s philandering younger brother–who treats her like crap the morning after. And after THAT she learns the cabin is being sold and she’ll never spend Christmas with these folks again. It’s upsetting–even more so than her parents’ divorce several years ago.

While heading for the airport, deeply disappointed Mae makes a wish to find “what will make her happy”. Then fate steps into her path. She’s next conscious on the airplane en route to Utah, a week ahead of the nightmare trip she’d just endured. Armed with the knowledge she’d just gained, Mae tries to make sense of this second chance. Only, she keeps messing up and getting sent back to the airplane to restart the pathway to her happiness.

She finally decides to confide in Benny, one of the original parent-pals, who is a usual co-conspirator. Benny aids Mae in her quest to not be shipped off to the plane, and also to find her happiness. It turns out that Mae is deeply unsatisfied with the state of her life, and she decides to do EVERYTHING differently, like even confessing her longstanding crush on Andrew. It seems to be working, because Andrew is pretty much the best kind of guy, but even he struggles to understand Mae’s predicament. She’s terrified that she’s going to finally get what she so desperately wants, but have it ripped away in a flash of tragedy and return to the danged airplane.

If you like Groundhog Day, and holiday romances, this book is likely going to be a hit for you. Poor Mae has so many fits and starts, and her relationships with these folks are all so strong and yet tenuous. She offends Theo, who has a weird fixation that THEY were supposed to get together, since they are the same age, while Andrew gets mad that there might have been a reality where Mae chose Theo…first. The angst and drama are all so timely placed, I was turning the pages late into the night to get to the HEA, which totally happens, even if Mae hadn’t figured out how entirely her life needed to change if she was going to find her true happiness. I also liked that she needed the help of others to make the happiness of their entire crew grow by leaps. I really enjoyed it, even though it’s pretty low on the steam factor for New Adult romance.

I love Holiday books, and I always enjoy Christina Lauren. In a Holidaze was no exception. Its fluffy, Christmas cheeriness was exactly what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit.

Maelyn Jones has spent every Christmas since she was born at a cabin in Utah with two other families. One of the families has two sons. One is Mae’s age and one is a couple of years older, and he’s the one she has crushed on since junior high.
“If you put all of my favorite things in a Willy Wonka machine, I’m pretty sure Andrew Hollis is the candy that would come out.”

The cabin is her favorite place, but this is a rough year for Mae. Her life is falling apart and she just found out it may be the last Christmas there. After a major screw-up in a weak, drunk moment, Mae asks the universe to show her the path to happiness.

And Bam! The whole trip starts over again like Goundhog day, giving Mae another few chances to get it right.

I really enjoyed getting to know this family. There were a lot of characters introduced at the same time, but they were extras. We never really got to know any of them except stoner Uncle Benny, Andrew and Mae. Still, I loved their holiday traditions and the warm, loving way that they enjoyed the holidays together.

With some fun, sweet and loving moments, and a few that made me tear up, Christina Lauren brought a new holiday romance that may end up on my annual re-read list
“Don’t be coy, Andrew Polley Hollis, you know you’re my favorite thing.”

Likes:

•A warm, feel-good Christmas romance.
•The family traditions.
•Uncle Benny.
•Sweet and heartwarming.
•I loved the ending.

Dislikes:

•There were a lot of characters to get straight.
•The time travel/groundhog day theme seemed to have just fizzled out by the end.

The Down & Dirty:
If Groundhog Day meets a Hallmark Christmas Movie sounds appealing to you, then In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren will fit the bill perfectly. This old-friends-to-lovers romance was filled with friends, family, traditions, romance, and holiday spirit. I smiled, laughed, and teared up. What more could I want from a book?

Rating: 4 stars, 3.5 Heat

I loved this sweet holiday book! I blew through it in an evening and loved the character development and romance!!

Christina Lauren are the queens of romance. The Holidaze was so heartwarming and funny!! Exactly what you want from a holiday romcom.

IN A HOLIDAZE is a light and festive read that’s perfect for the holidays. The characters were likable and the romance was cute. It just didn’t “wow” me like previous Christina Lauren books have. While these characters were likable, they didn’t stick out for me like some in their previous novels. Overall, it’s light, funny, and a nice palate cleanser to read around Christmas.

This was such a great holiday read! I loved the characters and their banter that they shared. The main character was easy to care about and her relationship with the family friends was so adorable and genuine. I gave this 3 stars because I believe it could have been much shorter. Although the plot of the story is repetition, I do think for the reader it was hard to stay engrossed.