Friday, December 18, 2020

Book Review: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Pages: 336
Genre: Adult Fiction
Pub. Date: October 6, 2020
Publisher: Gallery
Source: Publisher for review
Other Books By Author: Love and Other Words,
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 
 
 

Goodreads says, "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."

 

Maelyn Jones is twenty six and she's not living the life she imagined.  She doesn't love her job, she has no boyfriend, and she lives at home with her parents.  Every year she looks forward to spending the holidays at a cabin in Park City along with her family and a group family friends.  While in Utah, she makes out with family friend, Theo, despite having a crush on his brother, Andrew, for years. Cue the drama.  To complicate matters further, Maelyn finds out that Andrew's family is going to sell the cabin. This is devastating to Maelyn, but she looks forward to this every year and its the one time her divorced parents are together without bickering. While heading to the airport with her family, they get into a horrific car accident.  Maelyn wakes up, but not in the hospital. She's back on the plane en route to Park City. It's a do-over in the most Groundhog Day of ways.  What will she do differently this time? Christina Lauren's In a Holidaze is a fun holiday tale that has it all: holiday touches, romance, and a major romantic comedy vibe.

Maelyn is pretty much all of us at twenty-six just trying to find her way and dealing with the pressures of the holiday season.  Every year, she looks forward to her family escaping to Utah with her parents' college friends and their families. She has harbored a secret crush on Andrew for years, but hasn't said anything to him and things get even more complicated when she drunkenly makes out with his brother, Theo.  Once Maelyn gets her Groundhog Day re-do in In a Holidaze, she tries to figure out what will make her happy. Can she finally tell Andrew how she feels? Will that make everything in her life better? More importantly, how does she get out of re-living the same day over and over again?

One reason I really enjoy Christina Lauren's novels is for the snarky humor. The brilliant writing duo can make me laugh out loud like no other author(s) out there.  The witty banter feels authentic in In a Holidaze and it feels like you are watching your favorite romantic comedy.  Plus, the romance between her characters is always smoldering. Who doesn't need a holiday pick-me-up at this point?

So, if you are looking for a laugh-out-loud and swoon-worthy holiday romance, look no further. Christina Lauren never disappoints! 


3 comments:

  1. Loved this one - it was so sweet and perfect for this time of year!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was just what I needed this Christmas! Thanks for visiting, Angela. I'm glad you liked the book, too.

    ReplyDelete

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