This was fine. I didn't enjoy the premise as much I expected. A holiday romcom with a Groundhog Day twist sounded great, but I became impatient with it. I wanted to focus on the two characters in the romance instead of the time loop and the repetition. The extended family members got on my nerves, and I think this would have worked better for me if it had a tighter focus on the romance and showed me this great romance instead of telling me about it.

I loved this book so much! It combined two of my favorite things: rom-coms and Christmas.

When I heard that Christina and Lauren were publishing a Christmas story, I couldn’t wait to read it, and it was even better than I expected! I loved all of the quirky characters, and throughout the entire story I felt like I was right there at the cabin with them. The story was fun and heartwarming and might be my new favorite from Christina and Lauren. I will definitely be recommending it to others!

Every year as long as Maelyn can remember her family has spent the Christmas holiday with a group of her parents' close friends and their kids at an idyllic, snowy cabin in Utah. It's become a cornerstone of her life. These people, and this place. Until she learns that this Christmas is the last they'll all spend at the cabin. As she and her family drive away on their last day. Maelyn is in despair. She asks the universe to show her what will make her happy. The next thing she knows, tires are screeching, metal is crunching, and everything goes black.

Then, Maelyn wakes up on an airplane. Not just any airplane, the plane she took to Christmas festivities five days ago. Yep, apparently Maelyn is reliving the holidays. Is this the universe giving her the wish? How is she supposed to be happy when she knows what going to happen? Determined to get out of this time loop, Mae will take a look at tradition and expectation, and start taking chances on life, especially when it comes to her years-long crush on childhood friend Andrew.

I really loved the tone of this story. The holiday vibes are out in full force and I just wanted to wrap myself up in it like cozy blanket and sip hot cocoa while reading.

The whole Groundhog's Day thing (which let's be honest has been done before) works really well in this scenario, but I kinda wish is was more utilized. I don't know if it's because people already really get the idea of the Groundhog's Day thing so the authors didn't want to inundate us with going back to the beginning too many times, but for me, I wanted to see Mae's growth as she continued to add on to each experience through what she's already lived. While this does happen, I could have used maybe a couple more trips to really solidify the idea that there were still things for Mae to learn.

I did like commentary on breaking tradition which also have a way of being things people blindly do over and over again. Taking a look at those things you love to do (like having a snowman building contest, or decorating the tree a certain way), but have kind of become mechanical, you realize you've lost that spark for these things. Seeing them in a new way or taking the time to get a fresh perspective can not only provide other alternatives to tradition, but also give you the resources to get back to that original loving feeling. This crosses over into our everyday lives as well in how we have the same routines day after day, going to the same job that doesn't excite us anymore (speaking in generalities here). It's a lovely commentary on living the life you want, not the life you think you're expected to have.

Andrew and Mae's romance is sweet and like the perfect childhood friends to lovers story. I did feel like Andrew's younger brother Theo's character was not done justice. Everyone had set up Mae and Theo for eventually getting together since they are the same age. No one ever thought that she had feelings for Andrew, including Andrew. So when Mae starts reliving the holidays, she takes the opportunity to tell Andrew how she feels, which is great. But I felt like it was at the cost of her friendship with Theo. All the children have been friends for ages. Theo and Mae especially because, as I said, they are the same age. So for her to nearly cut him out felt very harsh. And I didn't feel like we get any good kind of closure on that either. It's the reason I took away a star in my rating.

Besides that, though, In A Holidaze is filled with the comforts of the holidays, friends, family, love. It's a great reminder about the time of year bursting with tradition and memories, and reminds you to maybe make a few new ones this year.

This book is a rom-con version of Groundhog Day. It was a good book, just hard for me to get into.

This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an e-arc, and I was also lucky enough to get to purchase a signed paperback as well!

I always enjoy Christina Lauren novels, and this one was no different! It felt special and a little diverse from their other novels because it was set during the holidays, and the amidst the setting was a time loop that Mae was living in for the first quarter or so of the book.

I don't normally enjoy time loop books; they often feel too repetitive and confusing for me to follow. But this one had a clear indicator each of the three times that Mae repeated a portion of the holiday at the cabin, and I found myself actually able to enjoy her learning from her past trials in order to make the next repeat better.

I don't know if I was rooting for Theo or Andrew, but the love story between her and Andrew was enjoyable, and the chemistry was there for me. I like how it wasn't the sole relationship shown in the novel though. Her relationship with her brother, Miles, reminded me of my relationship with my younger brother. I also really loved her relationship with Benny as well as Andrew's parents. I love that Benny saved the cabin in the end, and the legacy of holidays got to move on.

Overall, 4/5 stars! I can't wait to see what my auto-buy duo writes next.

I never read blubs, especially from authors that I love, because I trust them to tell me a good story. In the case of Christina Lauren, I trust them to give me an excellent story, and this is exactly what I got with In a Holidaze!

Since I don't read blurbs, I had no idea what I was getting into with In a Holidaze, but it ended up being precisely my cup of tea. It starts off with a normal holiday gathering, and all of a sudden, there's time travel involved! This is also the story of two people who have known each other as friends their entire lives, and I love a couple with a complicated history! There is a big, wonderful cast of characters in addition to Maelyn and Andrew. Sometimes it's difficult for me to keep track of who's who in books like this, but these characters were so delightful. It was so fun getting to know them, and they were very easy to distinguish from one another.

Since the main character, Maelyn, bounces back in time and repeats the Christmas holidays over and over again, there is an element of suspense throughout the last half of the book, as you wait to find out if she's going to lose everything she's gained in the current go-round by ending back on the plane. I kept thinking "Don't go back! Don't go back!" and I will definitely not spoil it for you. But if you've read a Christina Lauren book before, you know that they can put you through a lot of heartache and drama and angst, but they don't leave you there! I loved this book so much that I'm going to buy it on audio. I don't always have time to reread a book, but there's always time to listen to one!

Thanks to the Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

In this latest novel from the remarkable Christina Lauren writing duo, we are offered the story of a woman who is given her own "Groundhog Day" opportunity to change her life for the better -- and the lives of her loved ones. Once past its jarring, confusing, and somewhat off-putting start, IN A HOLIDAZE takes off into the accomplished, funny, upbeat, wonderful story that I've grown to expect from their previous novels. Highest praise? I finished the book in one long, pleasurable read, staying up way past my bedtime to enjoy the time spent in another world with terrific, believable characters and the well-wrought story. Highly recommended for light, upbeat, and life-enhancing read. I received an advance copy of this novel courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

3.5 stars
Another fun read by Christina Lauren in which Christmas meets Groundhog's Day! Maelyn Jones has just made a big mistake she regrets and learns that the cabin her family goes to every year is being sold. Truly unhappy with herself, she wishes she could see what would make her happy. This throws her back 5 days to the beginning of Christmas vacation where she gets a second chance...and a third...and a fourth.
This was entertaining and an adorable holiday read that made me smile throughout. Maelyn has had a crush on Andrew for as long as she can remember. I love the way her infatuation is written about him because it feels tangible. It's like she gets hearts in her eyes whenever he walks into a room. He clearly cares about her from the start, even when they're only friends. There's something so great about stories where the two main characters have known each other since they were kids because there's so much established already. They have a history and a unique kind of closeness that can only be improved by them getting together. This book as a whole gives us such a cozy vibe that I wish I could actually go to the cabin! The other character I love is Uncle Benny because he and Mae have a very close bond that never changed, even when she was going through the craziness of starting everything over. I do think it was hard for me to keep track of the other characters because they weren't developed enough and I didn't connect with them. Andrew was definitely written on a pedestal because I preferred to read about him more than Theo.
This was a fun Christmas read that is perfect for anybody looking for something with that cozy, holiday feel!

This was adorable!! The perfect holiday read. My favorite Christina Lauren yet.

There was so much to love about this story. Cabin in the woods, packed with close friends and family, yearly Christmas traditions, a lifelong crush that grew into love.

The relationship between Mae and Mandrew was adorable. I loved every minute of it.

I wasn't super sure about how the "groundhog day" situation worked in this story. Was their a clear point where she knew it had ended? I was still waiting for her to start again, even towards the end.

I will be recommending /buying this for everyone this holiday season. 4.5 stars.

One of the best books from this author duo that I have ever read! I loved it so much!!! Highly recommend this! I loved the family vibes, the romance, the atmosphere! Everything! I laughed, I cried! I just had the best time reading this book!

At the beginning of this book I found myself thinking “not another groundhog’s day time travel trope” but by the end I couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear. I think I found my new favorite book boyfriend— Andrew, a man who listens! I loved the balance of sweet, tender, cozy moments and a bit of steam! If I waited half my life to be with my one true love I’d find the draw irresistible too! This is the perfect feel good romance for anyone who need a winter fairytale.

Maelyn Jones spends every Christmas at her favorite place in the world: a cabin owned by her parents' friends in Utah. She joins her (divorced) parents, younger brother Miles, and two other families for a magical Christmas experience--cookie baking, snow creature making contests, holiday scavenger hunts, and more. She's been sleeping in the basement in the "kid bunk beds" with Miles and family friends Theo and Andrew for years, despite the fact that they are adults now. But this year, it's all ruined: their friends are selling the cabin and Mae is humiliated after an embarrassing encounter with Theo. As her family drives away from the cabin one last time, she makes a desperate plea for happiness. Then she sees a car headed straight toward theirs, and it all goes black. When she awakes, she's back on a plane headed to Utah, headed to the same holiday trip. As various disasters return Mae to the plane over and over, she realizes she's in a time loop--she needs to break free, and figure out to find true love and happiness, once and for all.

"So I ask the universe, simply: Can you show me what will make me happy?"

I know I must have read this synopsis when I requested this book, but I didn't reread it before starting, because hello, CLo, enough said. So I was slightly surprised by the Groundhog Day-esque story to this one, but I went with the flow. Luckily Mae is funny and charming enough to make just about anything fly, even a crazy time loop plot where you're not exactly sure how or why she's in it or quite what she's supposed to do to get out of it.

"'I think it's possible I'm in the past, repeating the same holiday, and I'm the only one who knows it.'"

It took a little while for the romance to heat up here, but once it did, the book was off and running. And boom! It's a sweet read, but flirty and romantic too. I loved Mae and her crush--they crackled and simmered. Honestly, the time loop piece was secondary to their joyful love. Seeing Mae come into her own made everything else less important, including Mae's reliving of her holiday. (And I enjoyed how she took to it so quickly--don't eat that, you're going to need this, tell me a secret so I can prove this to you next time--you go girl, embrace the loop!).

So, yes, while this book is a little crazy, it's also sweet and happy, too. It's a perfect Christmas read for a snowy day (or a fall day when you feel like the world is falling apart). 4 stars.

Ahhhhh Christina Lauren!! I always expect their books to be funny and warm and make me smile but this was reminiscent of love and other words. I think it may be one of their best. EVER. I loved Mandrew and Maisie. Maisie was a particularly likable character because her flaws were also her strengths and I loved how she changes and developed from letting life happen to her to taking charge of her feelings and being proactive about her dreams. And I may be a teensy bit biased about the setting because I live in Salt Lake but it was perfect for Christmas.I can’t wait to promote this book!

In a Holidaze by the fabulous duo Christina Lauren was exactly what I wanted from a fun romantic Christmas story! I sped through this book and laughed and rolled my eyes (in a good way!) at so much of it.

Mae’s life isn’t exactly what she pictured for herself. She is currently living with her parents, hates her job, and may have just made an epic romantic mistake. The one thing she can count on in life however, is the annual family Christmas trip to a Utah cabin with two other families that have spent Christmas together for as long as she can remember. One wish later, Mae finds herself caught in a Groundhog Day type Christmas time loop that has her scrambling to figure out what she must do to break free and maybe even end up with the right guy. Full of hilarious antics, vulnerable moments, and mistletoe, this Christmas tale was a hit for me!

I just loved this book. It is such a sweet story with a wonderful winter/Christmas setting.

I grew so attached to all of the characters in this beautiful, loving extended family. This is a book where all of the characters have such an important part in the story and they are so well written. I would LOVE some sort of sequel or follow up because I'm not ready to say goodbye. Honestly, I would read a book about any of these characters. They were unique and had such strong personalities. They were so loving and supportive of each other while also having their family squabbles. The beauty of friendships that last a lifetime and friends who become family was really touching.

The love story is adorable with the added time travel twist. I adored both main characters and they were so relatable. The relationship felt so natural and believable and, while there is some tension and a misunderstanding to work through, that also felt organic to the story. There are some parts where I literally laughed out loud and some parts that made me so emotional. In a Holidaze has a Hallmark movie vibe to it with a little extra chemistry between Maelyn and her love interest. I would definitely recommend adding this charming, funny, heartwarming romance to your TBR list! I will definitely be gifting this to friends this holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Let's start by saying that one of my favorite movies is Groundhog day. (Bill Murray dying many times until becoming a selfless version of himself is too much fun to forget). It's a movie I can rewatch over and over and still enjoy. I didn’t read the blurb so I didn’t know that In A Holidaze was loosely based on it.

So what happens when you have been in love with Andrew since the age of thirteen but make a mistake and kiss his brother, Theo on December 25th instead? Naturally, you wish for a chance to find some happiness and erase the last few days, right? Wishful thinking...maybe for us plain humans but for Maelyn Jones this exactly what happens. She revisits the beginning of her Christmas holiday to find out what makes her happy. A Christmas full of family and friends. Maelyn's parents and her college friends have been meeting for Christmas since she can remember. It's a tradition that everyone makes time for.

Maelyn has been in love with Andrew since she was thirteen but she has never told him how she feels. Everyone has assumed Maelyn and Theo who are both twenty-six will be an item someday. Regardless of what they want, this time she is going to go for it. What does she have to lose since she probably will end up redoing the day anyway?

This was a fun, heartwarming story. I love the traditions they had of meeting at the cabin playing games throughout the days. It was quite endearing. Even Maelyn's parents who were now divorced, still continue with the tradition.

I didn't like Theo on the first version and thought Andrew took things too lightly. I love Benny in all the versions and the pet names with Mae were all too cute.

Kisses, debating about white chocolate vs real chocolate (of course dark chocolate. I'm a chocolate purist), a torn sweater, snowball fights are all reasons why I liked this book, and why Christina Lauren's duo is a success for me.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Gallery Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun, heartwarming story about friendship, family & the importance of them both. It was cute, sappy, and funny, with wonderful & quirky characters. I loved how the parent's long-term friendship stayed the test of time (30 + years). It had tender moments, plenty of laughter & a sense of togetherness that I wish for everyone to feel in their lifetime.

From the very beginning I was hooked. The elements of writing was used very cleverly in this book. Starting the story with suspense was absolutely amazing. Also the humor was great. I was laughing my butt off. An absolute great read.

BOOK REVIEW:

I was gifted a copy of “In a Holidaze” by Christen Lauren from Netgalley for my honest review.

We meet Maelyn Jones who is a 26 year old women who hates her dead end graphic designer job, has tried to deal with her parents divorce after 24 years of marriage, now lives back home in her childhood bedroom with her mother who cooks and does her laundry for her, and no romance worth talking about. Maelyn makes a wish that “she finds happiness”and thus begins the story.

Christmas is a special time of year for most people and so it is for Maelyn Jones. Her entire family and Hollis family as well as close friend Benny who is a college buddy of both families and Kyle who married into the family have come together for the past 13 years to a cabin in Park City, Utah that is owned by the Hollis family. This is a place that has been magical and filled with beautiful traditions. Maelyn lives to go to the cabin for a week in December. Especially since she is head over heels for Andrew Hollis and is best friends with his brother Theo Hollis. Which brings with it a litany of issues as they grow older. She also finds out that the Hollis’ are planning on selling the cabin and this might be her last chance to say what she needs to say to those around her.

Now if you recall Maelyn has made a wish to find out what will make her happy and this leads to some crazy and unexplainable occurrences. First, Maelyn remembers being in a car accident after leaving to go home with her family after Christmas. Next she wakes up back on the airplane to Utah and back to the beginning of her Christmas at the cabin. This takes place several more times after some sort of crazy accident which besides the car accident includes falling down a flight of attics steps and being hit in the head with a heavy falling icicle/branch. Can she stop the fourth time from ending up with her back on the airplane?

Now at this point in our novel Maelyn is at her wits end and trying to figure out how to break this vicious cycle. Benny is the only one she is able to convince and talk about what is happening to her. As Maelyn goes on she tries to make slight changes and attempts to avoid catastrophe by the third and fourth time. She becomes more true to who she is and instead of holding things in she opens up to those around her. She finally tells Andrew and Theo her feelings for each of them. She quits her dead end job.

So what will happen dear friends is for you to find out. Ms. Lauren did not originally grab me with the waking up on the airplane sequences but as the book went on I found that I truly wanted to know what would happen to Maelyn and all the characters. I also enjoyed the family bonds described and some of the Christmas activities. It’s not your typical Christmas book so if you are looking for that then this is not for you. I give this book 4/5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you aren't familiar with Christina Lauren, their (author duo) books are delightful. They have a certain style that all their books seem to follow, which is not always a bad thing. With "Holidaze" you see some of that, but the book did feel a little clunky. While overall it is a fun holiday read, there were parts that could have been explored more and other parts that didn't need to be that long.