I’m sure some readers will like this book, but I’m not the target audience. The pace is to slow, and at 30% in, I’m not sure what the book is really about. I think this is probably a slice-of-life book, and those don’t appeal to me.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I loved this romcom! I fell for the little town of Krimbo and how helpful all of its citizens were. I loved how Ivy was able to find her artistic love. This book had me with heart eyes at all the right moments and wanting to throw chocolate in the heartbreaking ones. Not a fan of Matt but that was the point. 🤣💙

While I fundamentally do not believe that an annual “Art honeymoon” is not a REAL type of honeymoon, I understand that we’re calling it that for the sake of the title.

This book was really good. I was not sure how I was going to like having two separate romances come together, but this book did it well. I think it took some time to set up the premise of the book but once it started rolling, I was all in. I think the beginning could have been a bit different in a way that hooked the reader more, but the main storylines here were solid and the characters each had their own development arcs. I really enjoyed my time with this book and can’t wait to recommend it to people looking for a holiday romance this year!

4⭐️s. Available October 8th! This was a cute read. I enjoyed the two friends supporting each other as they are on separate vacations. Holiday romance in a New York eco-cabin and in tropical Hawaii.

Holly is a day away from getting married until her fiancé comes by and tells her the wedding is off. Someone has to go on the honeymoon. So, Holly lets her best friend, Ivy, go instead. While Holly goes on Ivy’s trip to an eco-cabin in New York for some alone time. Imagine Holly’s surprise when the AirBNB host shows up and it’s her old high school rival who is way more attractive than she remembers. Sometimes finding the right person can show you just how wrong someone else was for you.

Ivy has made it to Hawaii only to find out the hotel room is already spoken for. Shortly after, she finds Holly’s ex on the beach with the woman he was having an affair with. Angry over even more betrayal to her friend and a huge loss on the place to stay, Ivy finds an unexpected friend in the very handsome bartender. Over the next two weeks, Ivy finds her artistic inspiration not only in nature but in Oliver too.

Thank you @netgalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Julia McKay for the advanced reader copy. #netgalley #juliamckay #marissastapley #theholidayhoneymoonswitch #advancedreaderscopy #bookstagram

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is a feel good rom com about two best friends, Holly and Ivy, who switch trips after a disastrous life update 🤯 The best friends relationship is so relatable and supportive, I immediately felt connected to Holly and Ivy.

If you ignore some of the unbelievable in this romance (like getting over a breakup in a day lol) this novel is about forgiveness, healing and finding what makes you happy.

This is an open door romance with median spice (🔥🔥🔥/5) and both of the male main characters are swoon worthy.

If you are looking for a light holiday rom com that will make you laugh out loud and fall in love, add this book to your TBR list ASAP!

Thank you Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a little slow starting off but once each girl got to their destination I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed seeing Holly grow as an individual and step out of her comfort zone and Ivy to fully dive into her art. Their friendship strengthened and was great to see them come full circle. Aiden and Oliver were perfect compliments to the girls and helping them reach their potential. I love Christmas so to have all the fun adventures during the wintertime with Aiden’s family hit close to home. Oliver and his tour guiding skills of Hawaii make me excited for my trip this winter. Recommend everyone reads this book over the holidays for that feel good romance.

This is such a fun holiday rom com and you get the best of wanderlust romance and cozy small town romance!

Holly and Ivy, two best friends whose whole existence seems to center around the holidays (and how much they dislike it), have been thick as thieves since a fateful college party. On the eve of her wedding Hollys fiancé leaves her, and she insists her BFF takes the bougie Hawaiian honeymoon (everyone’s rich in this book too). Holly goes to rough it in an eco-cabin while Ivy hets off to paradise. We watch as these two fall for the hunky men they run in to, seemingly your average Joe’s, but JK once’s a rich genius and the other is a rich photographer who moonlights as a bartender. There’s Christmas tree lightings and parades, adorable dances, and all the insta love you could ever want.

This book was an easy and fast read, the Holiday element was fun and it will be a great December read! I wanted more from Holly and Ivy emotionally, there wasn’t as much depth to them.Holly is basically left at the altar and we get zero emotional response and an immediate pivot to a new love in less than two weeks. Ivy felt more believable, but I also found myself less interested in her and Oliver overall.

Overall I’d recommend this for my fellow romance lovers who want an easy and fun Christmas oriented read this Holiday season! Thank you NetGalley and GP Putnam and Sons for the eARC!

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is the perfect book to get you in the holiday mood! Holly and Ivy are best friends and they so close they even look alike. Holly gets left before her wedding and stuck with a honeymoon then she convinces Ivy to switch vacations with her. Ivy will go to Hawaii and Holly will go on Ivy's Hudson's valley trip. What could go wrong? Seriously, this was so cute! Two besties who fall in love on Christmas vacation! Adorable!!

ARC Review ✨️

☆Holly and Ivy♡

I loved the dual storylines! I felt like that was a really interesting take, but the author did an amazing job on it! This is a new to me author, and I'm looking forward to reading more! Holly and Ivy are true best friends. I loved how close they were! The ending was my favorite part for sure. I can't express how much I recommend this book!

Thanks so much to the author, Putnam Books, and Netgalley for the ARC!

Omg holly and ivy are great. So different but stil the bestest friends. This was sooo much fun. This gives alllll of the holiday vibes and is prefect for the holiday season!

Loved this book! It gave the perfect holiday vibes. The best friends were great and made this book what it was. Love the vacation switch story line and finding love. The end felt a bit rushed but it still didn’t take away from the overall story. The dual storylines were executed well!

What a unique concept! Two best friends, two different love stories + Christmas vibes & Hawaii = sign me up! In this story, inseparable best friends Holly and Ivy decide to swap lives for Christmas. After Holly's fiancé dumps her right before their wedding, Ivy heads to Hawaii for Holly's honeymoon, while Holly retreats to Ivy’s remote art retreat. In true holiday rom-com spirit, both women find unexpected romances along the way.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the dual storylines, but the author executed it perfectly. Holly and Ivy’s friendship was the true definition of how women should support one another. As much as this is a romance novel, the heart of it is truly friendship. It’s a cute, fast read that’ll definitely put you in the holiday spirit!

You'll love this book if you enjoy:
-best friends
-dual POV
-third person writing
-holiday romance
-vacation romance
-insta love

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I want to thank Penguin Group Putnam and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had a hard time connecting with this one for both the characters and the writing style. There was a lot of telling instead of showing and repeatedly starting a sentence with the character's name. The characters were fine. I just couldn't find a reason to care about them. The insta love in both cases bugged me. How are both women going on vacations for 9 days and coming back with the love of their life? I understood it more in Holly's case, but still, I was not a fan.

Looking for a fun holiday romance with travel, best friends and second chances? This book was such an enjoyable Christmas romance! It follows two friends after one of them has their wedding called off the day before she is supposed to get married. They switch "holidays" and Ivy goes on Holly's honeymoon and Holly goes to a secluded cabin that Ivy had rented for an art vacation.

The travel and the romance for both of these characters was so fun to read and follow their stories. On one hand you get a tropical Christmas romance with found family and on the other you get a second chance small town Christmas romance. What more could you ask for? Highly recommend if you are looking for a seasonal read that will leave you smiling!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

This holiday romance was a cute palate cleanser after a series of emotionally heavy novels. I enjoyed getting to know the 2 central characters, best friends Holly and Ivy. I liked the respective locations where they took their separate 2 week “honeymoons” - the Hudson Valley and Kauai. I also enjoyed their conveniently placed single, handsome, and successful soulmates in those locations. Admittedly the reader does need to suspend disbelief and put aside some unnecessary drama at times. But overall this book was fast paced and predictable, in a sweet way. 3/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Two fast burn holiday romances, this was a quick and wholesome read! I also loved the friendship between Holly and Ivy, they were the best 💚

TWs - cheating, wedding being called off on the day before due to aforementioned cheating

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this novel.

This was such a sweet holiday rom-com. I you like the movie The Holiday then you will love this book too. I loved Holly and Ivy and their friendship. I think this was the best part of this book. Showing how you have a friend who you can depend on for everything.

I also think the vacation swap was great, the holiday elements made it a great cozy Christmas read and the romances were sweet.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a holiday romance this season.

4.25/5 stars

“Some things are meant to be together, especially at Christmastime - like popcorn and cranberries threaded through the boughs of a Douglas Fir, or clementines studded with fragrant cloves. ”
Here are reasons to read the Holiday Contemporary book:

Left at the Altar - When Holly is left at the altar
Trip Switch - she decides to switch her “honeymoon plans”
Cabin in Woods - She takes her best friend Ivy’s cabin in the woods that comes with a surprising blast from the past
Beach Vacation - while Ivy goes on Holly’s beach vacation, which comes with a few surprises of it’s own

This is the kind of holiday book I love! The characters are interesting, the writing is fluid and fun, and you just aren’t bored! While the holidays are not the main focus of this book, I really liked the 2 environments of snowy vs tropical. It reminded me a lot of the movie The Holiday, but there was a lot of really good character choices as well. This one is definitely going on my list to be read again during another holiday.

Julia McKay’s The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is a delightful, feel-good romantic comedy that brings together friendship, mistaken identities, and a bit of holiday magic in the most charming way. With its lovable characters, witty banter, and cozy settings, this novel is the perfect holiday escape.

The story revolves around Holly Beech and Ivy Casey, two best friends so close that they’re practically sisters. After Holly is unceremoniously jilted by her fiancé just before their wedding, she can’t bring herself to take the nonrefundable honeymoon to Hawaii. Instead, she convinces Ivy to switch places: Ivy will go to Hawaii in Holly’s place, while Holly takes refuge in a cozy Hudson Valley cabin, intending to binge-watch holiday movies and nurse her heartbreak. It’s a clever setup that immediately hooks readers with the potential for both comedy and romance.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its characters. Holly and Ivy’s friendship feels authentic and heartwarming, giving the story a solid emotional foundation. Holly’s journey of healing is both funny and relatable, especially when her plan for solitude is interrupted by the arrival of her high school academic rival—who has now transformed into a rugged, swoon-worthy Airbnb host. The chemistry between Holly and her unexpected cabin companion adds just the right amount of tension and sparks, creating a satisfying enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

Meanwhile, Ivy’s Hawaiian adventure offers a different kind of romantic comedy chaos. Her annual solo art retreat is thrown into disarray when she discovers that Holly’s ex-fiancé has checked into the same hotel with a new woman. Ivy’s frustration and anger over the situation are both hilarious and justified, but things take a surprising turn when a charming hotel bartender steps in to save the day. Ivy’s romance unfolds with a mix of humor and sweetness, and readers will be rooting for her to find happiness, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

McKay does a wonderful job of balancing the two parallel storylines. Both Holly and Ivy’s narratives are engaging, and the alternating perspectives keep the plot moving at a lively pace. The contrast between the snowy Hudson Valley and sunny Hawaii adds to the novel’s cozy holiday atmosphere, and McKay’s vivid descriptions make it easy for readers to imagine themselves in both settings.

The romantic subplots are equally satisfying. Holly’s romance with her former rival feels natural, with plenty of witty banter and heartfelt moments that make their growing connection believable. Ivy’s flirtation with the hotel bartender is a fun, slightly more adventurous storyline that brings out her bold, confident side. Both women’s romantic journeys are well-paced and full of chemistry, making for an enjoyable, page-turning read.

While the novel is lighthearted and fun, McKay also touches on deeper themes of friendship, heartbreak, and personal growth. Holly and Ivy’s bond is the emotional core of the story, and their loyalty to each other is touching. The way they navigate their respective challenges—Holly’s heartbreak and Ivy’s unexpected role in a romantic triangle—adds depth to their characters and makes the novel more than just a fluffy rom-com.

Final Thoughts:
The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is a heartwarming and entertaining holiday romance that delivers all the charm, wit, and romance you could hope for. Julia McKay crafts a delightful story about friendship, love, and second chances, with engaging characters and just the right amount of holiday spirit. Perfect for fans of cozy, feel-good rom-coms, this novel is a 4-star read that will leave you smiling and feeling the magic of the season.

I enjoyed this one! A cute christmasy romance. If you need a pallet cleanser this is it. The perfect holiday vibes