Cute holiday love story, Groundhog Day theme. New author to me. Fast, easy romance read. Story comes together nicely, perfect ending. Characters are mainly likable, but can be semi annoying (Mae). Close knit group of college friends that become family and spends every Christmas together. Enjoyed the tradition of the group...sledding, snowman building, scavenger hunt. I was looking for more out of the story, fairly predictable, just an ok read for me.

Will try the author again as I enjoyed the way she unfolds a story. Thanks to Ms. Lauren, Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

I was ridiculously excited for this - it checks so many of my boxes - holiday romance, friends to lovers, Groundhog Day time loop, and Christina Lauren. What could be better, really? I made myself hold off until closer to publication date, but when I realized I only needed one more book to hit my Goodreads goal this year, I knew that it had to be this one! And it didn’t disappoint! It was sweet, fun, and just enough heart wrenching sprinkled in.

4.5 stars.
Overall I have to say I enjoyed this book a lot. Everything from the cozy Christmas atmosphere, holiday traditions, family, and romance. I also enjoyed the Groundhog Day spin on things and found it super unique. I find this book gets better as you read and at times in the first half or so I wanted a little more romance from it but all in all I think the authors did a great job and this will appeal to many readers especially those who love the holidays and winter!

What a great holiday themed romance! It made me want to go to a cabin too! The time travel element threw me a bit but I ended up really liking the book.

Terrific holiday romance from an author duo whose books never let me down! Perfect book for the holiday season, with cozy romance and awesome holiday traditions.

Only Christina Lauren could make a holiday repeat a hit. This was better than 24 hours of a Christmas Story!

Channeling a Bill Murray classic, my favorite romance duo gives us Maelyn, set to repeat the same trip till she gets it right. Stuck in a rut, she has to come clean with what she truly wants in life. It’s kind of like practice makes perfect but with Christina Lauren’s comedic humor and heart. In a Holidaze is the perfect read as we slide into the holiday season. You may pick this one up for the author duo but you will soon fall in love with the story and it’s characters.

I loved this time-travel / Groundhog's Day story and have been counting down the days until I could read it. I will say, I was slightly lost at the beginning. I felt like I had missed something, but by the end of the first chapter I was fine. I read the book in one sitting. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most was, while the books focus was on Mae and Andrew, we got to know everyone else and they didn't feel like side characters. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of Hallmark or Lifetime holiday movies, it gave me those kind of vibes.

She asked the Universe to show her happiness. So it did, but the problem is, she doesn't know how to get the happiness she asked for.



Maelyn has a wish. She wants to be happy. To catch her own happiness when she doesn't feel right in the world she's living in.

She doesn't like the job she has, or about her parents divorce. And she really doesn't like how her love life is tangled. The only thing that can truly make her smile is spending time in the cabin when it's her Christmas holiday, along with her other loved families in Utah. She's always spent her winter time in that cabin, feeling all of the childhood she had.

But when she's in a car accident, she is seriously confused when she's on an airplane, back to Utah. But the thing is, she's already been to Utah and the last thing she remembers is riding a car to go to the airport with her family then going home. But instead, she's in her holiday all over again.

So when she sees that the Universe is trying to show her happiness by being in the holidays she had all over again, she's determined to do it right. And maybe even get her true love under the mistletoe.

To be honest, I didn't get the 10% of this book because it didn't really make sense, but when I kept reading, I was like, SO INTO IT. I think the most confusing thing was that Maelyn was time-travelling and going back over and over to when she was on the plane. I didn't quite understand why her family was acting around her like she's just grown another eye on her forehead, that they were NOT in a car accident and that it's Christmas time.

But when I finished the book, I was thinking that it made PERFECT SENSE since the whole story line I was missing clicked into place. It was like, my head just lighted up a light-ball and I was just in awe that Christina Lauren thought of this amazing story. It was heartwarming, cute and definitely romantic. And I was laughing my head off at conversations between characters because oh boy, this author has a talent to write a rom-com.

And just after finishing this book, I felt that 'In a Holidaze' showed happiness will be earned but there still will be mistakes that wouldn't be rubbed off. Because everyone deserves some happy things in their life.

Thank you so much to Gallery Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it so much and I am very grateful that I read it.

I think this is a year that no one can argue with anyone when they say they need Christmas joy a little early, and Christina Lauren’s IN A HOLIDAZE did that for me.

Maelyn is 26 and stuck. She lives at home, her love life is zero, and she hates her job. I think anyone who has lived through their 20s can relate to her in some way.

Her family has spent the holidays at a family friend’s’ cabin in Utah for decades, but at the end of their most recent trip, and following an embarrassing make out session with her friend, Theo, they find out the cabin will be sold and Christmas at the cabin will be no more. On their way out of town, Maelyn’s family gets into a car crash and she wakes up on the plane to Utah 6 days earlier. For some reason, she is traveling back in time. She sees this as the universe telling her to go after what she wants—a job, saving the cabin, maybe her secret love for her friend Andrew (who just so happens to be Theo’s brother), but she had to figure it out in her own.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a very character-driven book, which I enjoyed because the characters were so well developed. Maelyn was a relatable narrator, and I could see 20-something me in her. It has all the things we love in a good romance, with the added bonus of being centered on the holidays!

In a Holidaze is a cute time-travel romance that’ll get you geared up for the Christmas season. I enjoyed the extended family aspect of the plot and found the characters genuine. I wish Mae and Andrew’s romance would have been a bit more fleshed out and I did think the love triangle aspect was a bit clunky. If you’re looking for a quick holiday romance, this one checks the boxes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 rounded up. I fell in love with the setting and with the roundup of characters in this book. With so many names, it would’ve been easy to get lost but I felt everyone was well developed and distinct. I sincerely hope Netflix buys the rights to this because I’d love to see this play out in a movie.

My one minor issue: the time travel/groundhog day storyline didn’t seem resolved, or really fleshed out. I didn’t need a supernatural reasoning as to why it happened, but I don’t feel the resolution was satisfying or believable enough.

I also wish holiday books came out a little closer to Christmas. I kept putting this off to try and wait until I felt more christmas-y but the pub date approached much too quickly.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Looking forward to the next Christina Lauren title!

I usually love this writing duo, but In A Holidaze just didn't work for me. I don't mind suspending belief a bit in my romance books, but the whole "time travel-Groundhog Day movie" experience just didn't work. I found Maelyn to be a bit insipid and her whole "woe is me life" boring when she absolutely had the power to change her situation. I liked Andrew but honestly didn't feel we got to know him well enough. I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters, the whole implosion of their romance was a bit ridiculous considering the situation, and while I enjoyed all the characters at times it just seemed too busy and therefore the romance was lost. It pains me to write a low star review for these ladies as I enjoy their work very much, but this one was lost on me.

In a Holidaze is definitely one of my top Christina Lauren books of all time! Super sweet and fun holiday-themed friends-to-lovers romance to get you in the holiday mood. But also, who doesn't love Groundhogs Day? Because, Bill Murray. Amiright? (My friends and I were pretty much obsessed with that movie when it came out back in the day. I know, I'm old. We'll all live through it)

Mae is living her worst life. She wakes up after the most ill-advised night of her life. Add that on top of her already not so stellar job, having to move back home and life with her parents, and well, last night's HUGE error in egg-nog laced judgment. Then, as her family is getting ready to leave their traditional multi-family holiday vacation, they get word that this will be the last year everyone will be celebrating at the majestic cabin in the woods. Mae was praying to the universe to "Show me what will make me happy" when suddenly a Christmas tree truck is making their way straight for her family's car and the world goes topsy-turvy. She wakes to find herself back on the airplane TO the Utah cabin 5 days earlier with no one else the wiser...

Although In a Holidaze isn't set to publish until October, I couldn't help myself on reading this holiday-themed book any longer. (I think I've waited at least 3 months!) The world is in such a yuk place right now, I NEEDED the sweet, sweet pick me up more than I can say.

The dynamic of Mae and Andrew from the very clear 'we're just friends' at the beginning to the eyes-wide-open "Oh, I never knew this could even be mine" was intoxicating. As always, Christina Lauren have a way of writing that just draws you in. And, I also have to gush that, their characters are believable in such a way that little Ms. perfect with their perfect, perfect meet Mr. I'm-so-aweome-and-caring, blah, blah, blah. We have all (well most of us) lived some of these gigantic (if not) egg-nog-fueled ill-thought-out happenings and struggled with the after-effects. Mae is not perfect but her ability to want and try to change if not just the circumstances but also herself and her mindset surrounding how she has penned her own life is refreshing.

I was *involved* throughout the whole book. I loved the continued Groundhogs Day theme and rooted for Mae throughout. I wish (maybe) that we maybe had one more time round the bend -but- maybe not. I like messy. Life is messy and this last time 'round the bend was SO not perfect.

In a Holidaze is definitely a book you should pick up. It's fun and sweet with a bit of steam and will warm the cockles of even the most deadened *cough, cough* of hearts.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Maelyn is celebrating Christmas with family and friends who are like family in the cabin they've been going to since she can remember. She's also been in love with Andrew, son of her parents best friends, for just as long. After a mistake filled drunken night, she finds herself in a time loop where she keeps waking up on the plane headed to the cabin and reliving the days leading up to Christmas. Why is this happening? Is it because of the wish she sent out to the universe? When will the groundhog day like time loop end? Or will it?

I'm sorry, but I was unable to get into this story. I think the idea and plot is fun and will draw numerous readers. I wasn't able to connect with the characters. I, unfortunately, wasn't among them. I wish the author and publisher much success upon it's release.

4.5 Yes, Feeling All Of It Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
There have been many books that have used the "Groundhog" element in their plot. If there is anyone who may not know what that means, it is a story where the main character is locked in a time loop of some kind, re-living the same set of days, being in the same set of circumstances until they do or figure out what must change in order to fix it.

The joke is there are so many experiences we all wish we could "Do-Over", right...The ones where we want the floor to swallow us up whole so we don't have to look at those looking at us when we have done what we are not happy with...

But for me, yes, I have had those...But I have also had the type of experiences I wish I could do over because I loved them so much. Reading Christina Lauren's entire Bastard series with a dear friend from goodreads was one of those times.

It is the memories of our moments. There are so many times we have these joyous memories...remembering the big life moments from childhood, thinking about all the firsts, and then remembering the times when you were held and felt safe.

This story approaches families, memories, different perspectives, owning up to mistakes, and of course, the holidays.

Christina Lauren has now has added new memories and joy in my reading them.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Maelyn is in Groundhog Day scenario. End of her Christmas vacation, she has an car accident and dies. And she wakes up in the airplane on her way to vacation. Like in Groundhog days it repeats over and over. She tries to figure out what she needs to do for not stuck in this time loop. One thing she does is she open her heart to her childhood love that where romance starts. Like every romance there will be ups and downs @christinalauren writes juicy romance that will capture you right away. Reason it didn’t get 5 is down part did not made sense to me. It felt like there had to be a fight and here it is. Even it is over a stupid reason.

I always like to rant and rave about my love of Christina Lauren first thing I’m a review. I’ve been a fan since 2013. Go read all their books after this one.
Now on to In a Holidaze. I had to read this book twice. It’s a bit confusing to get into at first. It took me a few chapters to “aHah” and realize it’s a Groundhog Day type story. Then I had to go back and re-read to enjoy. Mae Jones is the main character. She makes a wish on the last day of vacation. “To catch her own happiness”
She didn’t realize then she would get the chance to do it over (and over)
Mae and her family spend every Christmas holiday with her parents friends in Utah. Its a large family gathering and each day is holiday activity themed (which I really love and would enjoy participating in.)
She grows up with two brothers. One is her best friend, one she’s been crushin on since she was 13. I won’t give away who’s who, but it wouldn’t be a CLo novel without the Happily Ever After. I love the banter between Mae and mystery man. It’s low on the steam level, but I expect it in a holiday book. It was intense and sweet which makes up for it. The other characters were a bit one dimensional but enjoyable. I would have loved for it to be longer to get more character development.
It’s a sweet, funny holiday book that gave me joy, laughs and a couple tears. Really all I require in a Christmas book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Thank you NetGalley, Gallery Books and Christina Lauren for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
When I saw a Christina Lauren book available on NetGalley I immediately had to request it! I was over the moon when I was sent the book and I’ve been DYING to read it! If you loved ANY of their other books, you’ll love this one! I’ll be honest... a holiday themed, time travel book is normally something I’d pass on but how can you pass on a Christina Lauren book?! Thank Goodness I didn’t because I fell in love with this family!
Maelyn Jones loves tradition. Every year her family and friends get together to spend the Christmas holiday together. Every year since they were children, the families have stuck to a routine. A day for a snow sculpture contest, another for sledding a massive hill, the next for a across town scavenger hunt. After ending a deadbeat relationship and struggling to love her job, she is especially looking forward to escaping to the cabin.It doesn’t hurt that she’ll get to spend a week with her family friend, Andrew. Mae has been in love with Andrew since they were kids. After ending their trip on a bad note, Mae makes a simple wish to the universe: Show me what will make me happy. Suddenly she’s starting the trip all over again, and again, each time getting a little closer to her happy ever after.
As someone with a MASSIVE family and seven siblings myself, I loved the family dynamic in this! Christmas in my house is major and I’m a sucker for traditions like Mae. My parents recently talked about wintering in the south for winters and my first thought was...but what about Christmas at your house??? I’m in the middle of transitioning from new adult to... actual adult, and I think the changing family traditions hit me the hardest! I could completely relate to Mae throughout.
I was nervous about the time jumping, something I usually just can’t get into in book form, but as always, this was written smoothly! You’re sucked in from the beginning and the story keeps a quick pace throughout! Honestly the only complaint I’d have is I read these characters as young adults... 18-25. The fact that they were almost 30 kept throwing me off because there really was nothing to indicate their age throughout.
It’s safe to say I would read a grocery list written by Crisitina Lauren at this point! They nail contemporary romance perfectly.

Wow, okay.

In a Holidaze is an adorable Christmastime romance focusing on our main character Maelyn as she finds herself in a time loop the week before the holiday. Mae struggles with her emotions as she is rightfully confused and keeps getting thrust back in time before she can get a handle on what is happening. Mae has to navigate her way through maintaining a balance between tradition, new memories, family dynamics, along with her long-time crush on her childhood friend Andrew.

This book isn't going to be for everyone. I went into this super excited (I love both Groundhog Day AND Christmas) and I was not disappointed. Time travel in contemporary is a huge risk in my opinion, and the way In a Holidaze did it definitely did not make total sense for me. However, I was captivated by the family dynamic (found family = another A++ trope for me) and the romance that I overlooked that.

The time loops that Mae has to go through before she makes it out really showcase her character growth throughout the story. She has to learn that holding back who she really is and what she wants is the ultimate thing holding her back. Mae's monologue in which she reveals her thoughts/emotions/fears towards the end of the book really sealed the deal for me. She really grows on you as a character throughout the story, and you will find yourself really rooting for her happiness.

I would very much recommend this to anyone who is craving a sweet Christmastime romance.