I thought this book was extremely cute! Both Holly and Ivy’s characters were very likable, and I enjoyed reading both of their stories. I think this is going to be a perfect read for the upcoming holiday season.

Really fun and overall had a great time reading! The beginning was a little slow to get into but I had a wonderful time reading this newest book by Julia!

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay is a fun holiday story. It’s about two best friends, Holly and Ivy, who as expected from the title, end up swapping holiday trips one December. The characters were fun and it was enjoyable to read the story from the perspective of both women. There are definitely some Hallmark movie vibes. This is definitely a great story to read to help you relax during the hectic holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The plot of this book was so unique and amazing and I loved following both Holly and Ivy's POV's. These two had such an amazing friendship with each other! I also really enjoyed the romance in this book. I absolutely recommend this as a quick, cute, and fluffy read!

This book had no business being THIS good! The dual POV and happily ever afters were what got me. I was truly addicted to this book, it kept me engaged the entire time! Not only that, but I felt like Holly and Ivy’s stories were realistic enough that all of this actually could have happened. Both main male characters were extremely likable as well. A very cute, upbeat read for any time of year, but the holiday vibes were on point! Absolutely recommend and will be looking for more from this author.

I loved reading Holly and Ivy's point of view. They were both relatable but it reminds me of The Holiday Switch- it’s cute and definitely Christmas- ish.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the arc. I enjoyed reading this story about friendship, with romance weaved in for both heroines. This is my first book from Julia McKay, the pen name of Marissa Stapley, who is also one-half of the writing duo, Maggie Knox.

The book begins with the "meet cute" of Holly Beech and Ivy Casey, two women who meet in college through their boyfriends, who quickly form a bond through favorite holidays and beverages. Flash to ten years later, and Ivy is the maid of honor at Holly's wedding, and they're both getting ready to attend the rehearsal dinner. It's after the dinner when Matt, Holly's fiance, informs Holly that he's realized that he does not love Holly, and that he doesn't want to marry her. After that bombshell, the story takes off: Holly convinces Ivy to go on the Kauai honeymoon that was bought, by her parents, for her and Matt, while Holly goes to a remote cabin in a tiny town in Hudson Valley that Ivy was intending to go for her art escape. Oh by the way, this is all taking place a week before Christmas. Shenanigans ensue.

Holly and Ivy make the best of their travels: Holly finds love in the tiny town in the Hudson Valley in the form of a former high school classmate named Aiden. The tiny town of Krimbo has also won her heart, with its charming inhabitants who love celebrating Christmas, and the concern for preserving the natural surroundings of the town; and Ivy finds love in Kauai, in the form of a bartender/photographer named Oliver, and is entranced by the natural wonders of the island. The descriptions of the various landscapes and wonders of Kauai is so detailed, it was easy to imagine the beauty Ivy was viewing.

I loved the friendship between Holly and Ivy, and the new relationships they each formed in their travels. Their individual romances were sweet, and hot, but their friendship was the primary relationship of the book. This is a fun and sweet book for Christmas, and for any time of the year.

This book was wonderfully written! The characters are so realistic and relatable, and the plot is one you can get lost in. I would definitely recommend!

I was on board with most of Ivy story I enjoyed her romance, but Hollys was throwing me off. I felt like it was so quick and I just needed it to be timed out a bit more.

I don't give this 3 star lightly. I love a good holiday book, and I love even more when a book is based on the movie The Holiday. However, I struggled with this book when I wanted to love it so much. The third person present tense was a headspin of a choice. It made it difficult to like the MC's, who ended up feeling a little flat in comparison to their LIs. The setting was done beautifully, though! Overall, the story was okay but unmemorable.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch tells the story of two best friends Holly and Ivy who, due to unfortunate circumstances, come up with the idea to swap places on each other's vacations. Of course, things don't go as planned!
I really enjoyed this story! It is such a cute holiday romance that also focuses on Holly and Ivy's unwavering friendship. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
#TheHolidayHoneymoonSwitch

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an arc of this book! I enjoyed it so much.

The plot of this book was so unique and amazing and I loved following both Holly and Ivy's POV's. These two had such an amazing friendship with each other! I also really enjoyed the romance in this book. I absolutely recommend this as a quick, cute, and fluffy read! Gave me all the holiday vibes. This book will be released October 8th, 2024!

I feel like there was a lot of potential here with the narrative's premise, but the style of writing and surface level storytelling gets in the way of its full development. Unfortunately, the dialogue isn't as natural as it could be and the description could definitely be more fluid and purposeful with the chosen details to focus on. The cover is cute and appropriate for the story, though.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch was the perfect and lighthearted read I needed. I loved Holly and Ivy's friendship. It was the perfect mix of love, friendship and drama. If you love Hallmark movies you will love this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

Big thanks to Penguin Group Putnam for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Imagine this: it's almost Christmas, your wedding is off, and your honeymoon is non-refundable. What’s a girl to do? Well, if you’re Holly from "The Holiday Honeymoon Switch," you swap vacations with your bestie, Ivy, and try to shake off the blues in a quaint eco cabin, leaving Ivy to tackle what should have been your Hawaiian honeymoon. This book has all the makings of a classic holiday rom-com—best friends, unexpected love, and a dash of chaos!

Holly and Ivy, yes, their names are as festive as their story, find themselves in swapped scenarios that are ripe for holiday shenanigans. Holly, attempting to mend her broken heart, finds her plans for solitude thrown out the window when her cabin host turns out to be none other than her high school rival. Meanwhile, Ivy’s tropical getaway gets complicated fast when her friend’s ex shows up with a new girlfriend in tow. But not all is lost as a charming bartender steps into her life, making sure her trip isn’t all about dodging awkward encounters. The dynamics and twists feel like they’re straight out of a Hallmark movie, complete with mistletoe moments and heartfelt revelations.

While the story keeps things light and breezy, with plenty of feel-good moments and supportive friendship vibes, it doesn’t delve deep into character complexities. It’s a quick, enjoyable read that doesn’t demand much from the reader, perfect for those cozy nights in. The dual perspectives add a nice touch, giving us a glimpse into both Holly and Ivy’s holiday escapades, though the third person narrative does feel a bit out of place at times.

Overall, "The Holiday Honeymoon Switch" delivers on the holiday cheer with a side of romance. It’s exactly what you’d want for a low-stakes, festive read—just enough warmth and whimsy to keep you entertained without the drama overload. And who doesn't love a story about best friends having each other's backs through thick and thin? 4 stars and a light sprinkle of holiday magic!

Overall rating; 4 stars, .5 chili peppers (mostly fade to black)

It was ok. Kind of juvenile writing and storyline. I guess all the holiday books like this just run together. I skimmed it more than anything. Everyone ends up happy-nothing surprising in the book.

I wasn't a big fan of the alternating perspective 3rd person narrative but the conceit of the story was fun. The pacing was a bit slower than my preference but overall it was a nice examination of strong female friendships amid romance.

Besties switching vacations. Holiday hallmark vibes. I love Ivy and hollys bestie friendship and can totally relate with that love for one another with my bestie. These characters were extremely likable, I hope there’s a sequel

Thanks for letting me read an advanced copy, I appreciated the opportunity! I have found a new author to love! What a joy of a book, think Hallmark, but not corny and a little added spice! I enjoyed the dual plots of Holly and Ivy, best friends who each pursue love in unlikely circumstances. I enjoyed both of their journeys durning a 2 week Christmas holiday. Highly recommend!

This book was bad. I mean, written by a high-school-kid-bad. The dialogue was stilted, the entire book was one big TELL rather than SHOW. All of the emotions and plot points were just summarized instead of narrated, and when the characters were having sex? OMG. It was painfully bad. Like it was written by someone who had not had sex. I made it 3/4 of the way through and when Ivy started yelling at the ex-boyfriend at the lodge I just stopped. It was so, so bad, and so unrealistic. Just, no. Hard, hard pass.