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

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch offers a cozy, lighthearted escape with all the ingredients for a fun holiday rom-com: mistaken identities, a bestie switcheroo, and two romance plots simmering on both sides of the globe. While the premise is undeniably charming, the execution left me feeling a bit mixed.
Holly and Ivy's friendship is the heart of the story, and their close bond shines through. Their decision to swap vacations—a Hawaiian honeymoon for a cozy cabin retreat—sets up plenty of hijinks, misunderstandings, and romantic entanglements. Holly’s surprise run-in with her former high school rival, now a dreamy Airbnb host, had me rooting for her from the start. Meanwhile, Ivy’s accidental adventure in paradise, coupled with an unexpected encounter with a swoon-worthy bartender, brings a fun energy to the Hawaiian backdrop.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. Ivy’s storyline, especially her run-ins with Holly’s ex-fiancé, had some frustrating moments that bordered on far-fetched. Holly’s journey of self-discovery, while sweet, could have used a bit more emotional depth, especially given the weight of her recent heartbreak. I wish I had felt more connected to the characters.
The author delivers on the holiday magic and feel-good vibes, and if you’re in the mood for something festive and fluffy, this book is a solid choice. But while The Holiday Honeymoon Switch hits many of the rom-com beats, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other holiday romances. It’s enjoyable and easy overall.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Holly and Ivy have been best friends since they met at a college party, in part because they look like twins. So of course maid-of-honor Ivy is there to help pick up the pieces when Holly's fiancé calls of the wedding the night before the wedding. One of the pieces being what to do about the non-refundable honeymoon in Hawaii. The trope of switching places is predictable, but author Julia McKay then does an excellent job using setting (Hawaii, and Hudson Valley, NY) and secondary characters to tell a wonderful story of how to recover when your story takes an unexpected turn. Themes of friendship, and small town romances are explored with nuance and humor.

I absolutely loved reading this book! It was so captivating that I couldn’t stop until I finished it. The book was charming and unique, especially the friendship between Holly and Ivy. I also enjoyed following their separate love stories and the journey of finding their Christmas spirit again. Aiden and Oliver were wonderful MMC’s, and I adored them. The author did a fantastic job of weaving together romance, humor, and heartwarming moments. So cuddle up next to a fire and read this book when it comes out, it will not disappoint! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

“𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 2016, 𝙄𝙫𝙮? 𝙐𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜.” 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙫𝙮 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮.

Holly and Ivy are best friends, and when Holly’s fiancé breaks up with her the night before their wedding, they decide to switch plans for the next two weeks; Holly will go on Ivy’s artist retreat in the Hudson Valley, and Ivy will go on Holly’s Hawaiian Honeymoon.

Ok, so this was super cute, but also got me kind of emotional?

It was very reminiscent of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺, which is just a fun premise, but I really loved how the two main characters were best friends here. Their friendship was definitely the backbone of this book, and it was great seeing them both experience their separate love stories.

Holly’s story was probably my favorite, as there were definitely some second chance/ yearning/unrequited high school love aspects to it, and those are some of my favorite romance tropes. But Ivy was in Hawaii, so of course that was also a good time.

Another thing I loved about the story were all the small town holiday traditions from both New York, and Hawaii; this definitely had me feeling the holiday spirit.

Overall, a cute, two-for-one holiday romance with two very swoony love interests. Definitely a great light read for the holiday season.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnum and @netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Holiday Romance
✅ 2 Separate Romance Stories
✅ Best Friends
✅ 2 Different Small Towns
✅ Christmas vibes

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️ / 5

Holly and Ivy are the best of friends and have been for some time. On the night before Holly's wedding, she finds out her fiancé has been cheating on her and decides to call off the wedding. With Holly down on her luck days before Christmas and needing a pick me up, Ivy offers for Holly to take her "art vacation" to Hudson Valley and Ivy will go in her place to her would be honeymoon to Hawaii. Find out what happens when they both meet people they didn't expect and things soon get tricky in this story. Be prepared to laugh, cry, swoon, and potentially fall in love and heal.

As someone who experiences a tropical Christmas, but loves the idea of a white Christmas, I greatly enjoyed getting the best of both worlds in this story. I was intrigued by both storylines, and I wasn't annoyed when I had to leave one perspective for the other. I was glad that the friends continued to talk to each other when they were in two separate locations as it made their friendship seem more believable.

Thank you SO much for this ARC copy!

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. When I saw that this gave off the same vibes as The Holiday, I immediately knew I had to get my hands on this book! I loved the dual POVs of a White Christmas and a Green Christmas, even better that the two switching up locations are friends who go on their own journeys. This felt very hallmark and cozy, which is what you need in a good holiday book.

I am so ready for the holidays after reading The Holiday Honeymoon Switch!!
This book is full of female friendship that never waivers, drama and two romances?! This book is so cute. I felt like I was in Hawaii and having a winter wonderland Christmas all at once. This would be the perfect book to curl up and read in one sitting while it's snowing outside. Definitely should be apart of your holiday TBR! I would recommend for any romance lover!

This is one of those cute good feels kind of reads. It was easy to follow and so easy to become lost (in a good way). Broken hearts, swapped vacations... and a story of friendship and love. A double kind of holiday love story.
My favorite of the two are Holly and Aiden. Why? Because the cuteness of Christmas. Their story was one I wish I could also have. I felt the most connected to this one. I love cabins, I love good neighbors and I love christmas.

Really cute book. I did think Holly was a very selfish friend but in the end she came around. Matt was a huge butt and Hollys mom was rude and very self centered. I’m glad the girls stayed friend through it all.

THE HOLIDAY HONEYMOON SWITCH ⭐️⭐️💫/5. Holly and Ivy are best friends, and almost the same person. When Holly gets left at the alter, her best friend goes on her honeymoon and Holly goes to a secluded cabin in upstate NY. Enter love interests for them both. This book was just heavy on hallmark insta love and cheese for me. I wanted more and felt things almost ended to abruptly. A easy holiday romance to read in a few sittings though. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much. I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it's released so I can read it again!

This was a perfectly cute holiday romance. Everything I wanted in a hallmark movie wrapped up in a book. Some classic tropes were well used and others felt a little forced but it is what it is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for thr ARC in exchange for my review. Don’t love reading Christmas books in September but this is releasing October 8th, so I had to do it! I will say, since this takes place half in Hawaii, it didn’t feel like a traditional Christmas rom-com. I loved that there were 2 female MC and each got their own love story. I mean, oddly insta-love and at the same time for both, but hey, it’s a holiday rom-com! I also loved how much it focused on their relationship with each other, love a good strong female friendship! The love interests were also wonderful, as were all the side characters! I didn’t realize until later that Julia McKay is a pen name for @marissastapley who is one half of Maggie Knox, whose holiday rom-coms I also enjoy. If you want a fun, Hallmark holiday read, add this to your list!

A cozy, quaint little holiday romance for a pair of best friends whose friendship is just as important to the story as their romances. I loved Holly and Ivy's relationship, it felt so natural and genuine right from the moment they met. Their individual romantic journeys were also very well done, if a little fast. Love that Julia McKay embraces the book community's obsession with saying every book boyfriend looks like Henry Cavill with the girls calling Aiden Eco-Superman.

I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend for anyone looking for a quick holiday read with low angst and strong friendships and found family.

I rarely meet a holiday book I dislike. Being a Maggie Knox fan, I knew this book would be no exception! The premise of best friends going on each others trips felt like a unique twist that made this holiday book fun. It may just be September, but this book had me ready for more of the "-Ber" months!

Holly and Ivy decide to switch vacations after Holly gets dumped by her fiancé the night before there wedding. Ivy goes to Hawaii (what was suppose to Holly's honeymoon) and Holly goes to a secluded cabin in the woods in New York. Ivy falls for the hot bartender Oliver, while kindles a relationship with a Aiden (her old high school classmate). With this being a holiday book insta love is kind of a given its going to happen. But it makes it almost unbelievable both them find it within a 2 week time frame. Regardless, I still enjoyed reading it. 3.75 stars.

If you are looking for an enjoyable story full of friendship, holidays and love- look no further!!

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch tells the story of Holly and Ivy, best friends since college, who ironically are not huge fans of the holidays. When Holly’s fiance’ calls off their wedding last minute, Ivy is there for her. Holly convinces Ivy to take her nonrefundable honeymoon trip to beautiful Hawaii while she spends the holidays at the rustic cabin Ivy had rented in the Hudson Valley.

I knew I would enjoy this story- but I loved it even much more than expected! Between Holly and Ivy’s true friendship, their delightful romances, amazing locales and Christmas thrown into the misled- this book is a delight! I can only imagine what a wonderful Hallmark movie this would make!!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to review an advanced reader copy.