Cover Image: In a Holidaze

In a Holidaze

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Member Reviews

Once again Christina Lauren wrote a book that I found difficult to put down. I loved Mae trying to figure out the loop and what she needed to change. Can't wait to see what this duo comes up with next!

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I honestly loved every Christina Lauren's book I read so far. This one is not different... It's light, it's full of surprises, and I loved the time-loop element that was new!! I don't usually read holiday romances, because I'm not a huge Christmas-everything fan (except for trees. I love my tree!), so I made an exception for them and I'm pretty glad I did. Every time I read one of their books I want to buy them all. Maybe one day I will 🤣

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Surprisingly, this was only my second Christina Lauren book, despite owning nearly all of them. While I was very hesitant with the 'groundhog day' type storyline, it ended up really working for me. It wasn't what I had expected, but instead super cute. I loved all of the characters SO much, but really shipped Mae and Andrew. This book was just full of emotion and feel-good love, which is exactly what I wanted out of this holiday read. I really enjoyed Maelyn's journey of finding out what true happiness meant for her, and how she grew as a character.

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Such a fun holiday rom-com! It was a nice light and easy read, which is perfect for the holiday season. I can definitely see this book becoming a Netflix Christmas movie. Super cute and uplifting!

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley, for gifting me a copy of the book for a review.

I now want to be part of this family and spend Christmas with them at this cabin. ;)

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I was looking for a lighter read and this romcom was perfect.
The story revolves around a group of people that have been spending Christmas together for many years. Whether divorced or with small children they have kept their tradition going. I loved the family aspect of the book and the fact that there was no judgement. These people had been getting together for many years and they were all respected and treated equally. From the little twins up to the adults everyone was loved. There is a time loop happening for one of the characters to live through and humour and new love.

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Another wonderful heartfelt read from Christina Lauren! I love reading books by these ladies. It had the classic charm and romance that always make me swoon. Can’t say enough good things, not only about this read but also all their others.

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In a Holidaze was exactly the book I needed at the exact right time. I have to admit, Christina Lauren’s books are kind of hit or miss for me and, oddly, I tend to love the books that get really mixed reviews - case in point: Twice in a Blue Moon and In a Holidaze. And I really, really loved this book.

I’ve seen a lot of trope discussions this year and I’m always surprised to see friends-to-lovers at the bottom of so many people’s list of favourites. For me, In a Holidaze showcased the many reasons it’s one of my favourite tropes. The shared history, the inside jokes, the nicknames. Then of course there’s the pining when the feelings are one-sided like they were with Mae, and then the awareness something is changing paired with the realization something amazing is happening. In a Holidaze had all of that and it was just so well done. There were a number of passages I read and then reread or had to sit back and just take a minute to happy sigh and swoon. Also...Andrew is the absolute swooniest and is one of my top favourite book boyfriends of 2020.

I adored Mae and Andrew, the wintery setting, the family dynamics, the holiday traditions, the humour - just everything. I didn’t want this book to end and I can’t remember the last time I felt that way. In a Holidaze is easily one of my top two favourite holiday reads of 2020, and an overall favourite of the year.

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Mae is on her way to the airport after Christmas when she makes a wish to the universe to show her what will make her truly happy. Cue some Groundhog Day style time travelling as Mae relives her Christmas break with family and old family friends over again until she works out her “happy”.

This one’s had a lot of hype about it and while I did enjoy it I think I’m in the minority as I didn’t feel it quite lived up to the hype. I thought it was a sweet story, I loved the setting of the cabin and the premise of the big family/friends Christmas gathering every year, and some of the characters I really loved, such as Benny. (I’d love to see a spin off book about him.) But, personally, the Groundhog Day scenario just wasn’t for me, as I think it felt a little repetitive. I suspect I’d have liked this book more without that aspect to it,

Still a cute holiday read that I’m glad I read but it’s not one I can see myself wanting to reread next Christmas.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4

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This was a really fun and unique story. I love holiday books and this one quickly became one of my favourites. I think this book would make a great holiday movie one day! So cozy and festive. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a wonderful Christmas story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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To say Maelyn is unsatisfied with her current situation in life would be an understatement. She is back living at home, working a job she hates, and now she has made the biggest romantic mistake ever! All of this is toped off by the fact that she has just learned that this will be the last time she will be at her favourite place in the world. The Utah cabin her family has shared with family friends her whole life, she has spent every Christmas here her whole life. As she drives away for what will be the last time she sends out a wish "Please. Show me what will make me happy." Next thing she knows she hears metal crashing and she wakes up back on the plane at the beginning of the trip. Mae now has to figure would what she has to change to break free of the loop or she will end up on the plane again after another strange disaster.

Christina Lauren bring their usual well developed characters and atmosphere with a little magical realism to the table and I am 100% here for it. I will admit I was a little unsure when I first read the synopsis of this one as magical realism isn't something Christina Lauren have done before they are well known for their Romantic Contemporaries with a bit of spice but this was a perfect about of magical realism with everything else they are known for with the holidays in their too. Even with a fairly large cast of characters I didn't feel like anyone got lost in the crowd and I was in touch with all of them and genuinely card, I was one of the family. Not to mention the beautiful wintery background of Park City Utah you can feel the Christmas spirit through out the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone has enjoyed Christina Lauren's previous books, enjoys romantic contemporaries, Christmas reads, magical realism, or is just looking for a light hearted fun read that has some fun laughs and with great family/friend bonds.

I personally could not get enough, I think this might become a new holiday re-read every year.

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I absolutely loved this book. I purposely waited until the holidays to read it. It did not disappoint!! I highly recommend reading this book

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I’ll admit I don’t usually read these kinds of books but I need a little extra Christmas this year.

I think we’ve all seen this one floating around. Our main character Mae is caught in a time loop and has to repeat the same day over until she gets it right. I haven’t read a book like that so I was intrigued.

Omg I was laughing so much! I thought it was so funny and cute! I love the relationship growth between the characters and the lessons Mae had to learn along the way. Her reactions to waking up on the plane again each time was so funny!

I think the authors had her go back in time the perfect amount, any more would have been overkill.

I think this is tied with The Unhoneymooners as being my favourite Christina Lauren book.


💛 thank you @booksparks for sending this my way #gifted

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I keep changing my mind on Holidaze.

Some days I remember how much I adored the large family gatherings at the Utah cabin.

Other days, I waver on the execution of the Ground Hog Day trope.

Most days, I still have a crush on the leading man.

Always, I cringe at the wish of "show me what will make me happy." A character goal would more obviously be to find happiness. Which I guess Mae eventually figures out to do. But that's a weak character arc.

I generally think of CLO books as really steamy. This wasn't. So that may be good or not so good for you.

Overall, I was sucked into the story, I'm a hopeless romantic.!

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5 stars!

.
.

Groundhog Day meets your favourite “friends to lovers” romance. Just way less depressing than the movie (seriously.)

Although Christina Lauren isn’t on my current auto buy list, this one might have bumped them onto it. HOLIDAZE was 100% what i wanted and needed in a 2020 holiday rom-com. Feel good? Check. Solid, solid cleansing ugly cry? Check and check.

Ugh. It was just so good, y’all!! Definitely add this one to your holiday reading list.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my copy.

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4.5/5 ⭐️

This book was very cute. If you’re a HEA reader like myself (happily ever after) you will really enjoy this. My favourite aspect of the story was the role that Mae and Andrew’s families played and their supporting yet minimal impact on their decisions throughout the book. I’m so happy neither of the families were the reason for conflict within the story/relationship like it normally does in Holiday books/movies. Overall, I would definitely recommend this for the mood/seasonal reader whose looking for a quick and easy read that’s perfect for cozying up by the fire!

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Groundhog Day meets quintessential Hallmarky holiday movie when Maelyn Jones gets stuck at her annual cabin holiday getaway with all of her favourite people. There are holiday traditions galore. There are shenanigans. There is festive drama and hilarity. And of course, romance.

Best bits:
• The cabin setting was *chef’s kiss* - I could see that place and I wished it was an Airbnb. You know how I like a cabin getaway.
• So many cute holiday traditions came to life in this one - scavenger hunts, sledding, snow sculpture contests, board games. It oozed Christmas cheer.
• Snappy dialogue - I think Christina Lauren is really strong with banter and humorous dialogue.
• Uncle Benny was the best secondary character - quirky, kind, and wise in a hippy sort of way.
• Cute love connection between Andrew and Maelyn (on the milder side steam wise).

Howevers:
• Don’t expect to understand the “why” or “how” of the time travel aspect. But friends, be honest here, please tell me when have you ever REALLY understood when an author has tried to “explain” time travel? Be honest... There is a reason I am a reader and not a physicist. So I actually didn’t care that it wasn’t explained. I don’t usually get it when an author tries.
• There was quite a cast of characters and aside from the main players, I didn’t connect a lot with the others and I think that was a weakness in a story that hinged in great part on the relationships between the families.

Favourite Lines:
“So I ask the universe, simply: Can you show me what will make me happy?”
“I was coming out here to ask why you were acting so weird, but I see I need to keep things present tense.”

Verdict: Good holiday fun. Not my fave of the 3 Christina Laurens I’ve read but really enjoyable reading overall and confirmed that I’ll keep looking for more by this duo!

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Ever wanted the chance to have a do over? In A Holidaze explores this - and does it very well I think. Not only do the authors describe a perfect holiday romance but they show that in order for it to happen, Maelyn needs to take steps for it to happen. It is suggested that in order for things in her life to change, she needs to change her actions and expectations.
I loved this read - it is perfect for the holiday season. The story kept me smiling. Definitely one to put on my to-read-again pile!!

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This was my first Christina Lauren book and it did not disapoint! I thought it was a really cute holiday story and I liked the Groundhog day vibes.

Was it a bit far fetched and unbelievable? Sure! But I still think it was a fun read. I liked the idea of this whole group getting together every holiday season and sharing traditions, because ultimately, that's what Christmas is all about.

Glad I added this one to my holiday reading list and I look forward to other books from the author!

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This is a sweet take on the Groundhog Day trope. Who hasn’t even experienced a day or week or month so bad, you wish you could go back and fix it? Mae is trying to figure out how to get out of her rut and uses her experiences to grow and learn from.

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1-1.5

ok i just want to start off by saying how the whole time travel aspect did not translate well here, especially for a character who is 26 years old, & the whole car accident thing was left unanswered & was just forgotten about. it was incorporated terribly & i think it diminished the strength of mae's character & just did not flow well with a holiday romance.

i think mae was one of christina lauren's weakest protagonists which is sad because i was so ready to read an amazing holiday romance. i can appreciate mae for finally going after her happiness (but even that's a stretch because she wished for it) but if you've liked a guy for a decade & have had numerous opportunities to confess, but absolutely NEED time travel to push you to confess then that's kind of disappointing.. i also don't like how she was angry when theo said he felt led on by her & just overall how gloomy she was when andrew needed space.. she was just not a character i could connect to, definitely not a character i liked.. i think it would have been better if she had to face her mistakes & choices instead of wish her problems away for happiness..

i didn't like the romance between mae & andrew at all i think mae was head over heels for andrew & i think andrew had more of an 'ok let's see how this goes/let's try this out approach because my tarot reading said so' because i didn't see a single sign of andrew being interested before mae confessed so the romance seemed very forced on his end & was not enjoyable to read about.

man.. i really did not like mae her passion for art/graphic design was pulled out of the air nothing about her pointed in that direction, she only wanted to make things right with people when she felt like she was the elephant in the room.. she didn't want to do the adult thing & talk to theo about her & andrew.

there were so many characters that could've thrived in this story, but none of them had enough substance & there were too many to remember, i had moments where i was like 'wait, who is this again?'

i really wanted to like this, i was so excited for it too, but it was a mess & literally the only thing i liked was the holiday atmosphere & environment that surrounded the story.

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