I have read several books by Ms Lauren. Having said that about 2 chapters in I was not feeling this book. However, I kept reading and about Chapter 5 I was hooked. This book is told in first person and I like dual POV but Ms Lauren has a way of writing her characters you dont need the dual POV. I completely loved all the characters. This a romance but it also has a suspense but the good kind. I have never read a book like this. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

This was a happy RomCom that made me long for Christmas music and hot chocolate. The best part of this story was the family. I loved that a group of people could meet in college and form these lifelong bonds that pass down to their children as well. In a Holidaze focused on the fact that family doesn’t always mean blood and that warms my heart.

After a disastrous ending to their holiday gathering, Maelyn makes a wish, asking the universe to show her what would make her happy. A Groundhog’s Day-esque situation follows, as Maelyn next wakes up back on the plane on her way to the cabin…six days prior.

Thinking that she may just be repeating these few days over and over again with no end, Mae shoots her shot and finally tells her long time crush Andrew how she feels. They both grew up together in this friend-family and for over a decade Mae has been hiding her feelings. What happens next is the quickest and yet sweetest relationship.

There are a few flaws, of course. Their fight felt contrived, and honestly a bit ridiculous. What Andrew was angry about was similar to being mad at someone for how they acted in a dream. Plus I wish there was a better resolution with Theo, it felt rushed and glossed over.

Regardless, In a Holidaze was a wonderful read that got me ready for the holidays!

The writing due of Christina Lauren never fail to present a fun easy-going romantic comedy that is a great distraction any time of year. In a Holidaze is no exception to this rule.

Maelyn is a twenty-something who loves to celebrate Christmas every year at a cabin in the mountains with her mom, dad, and brother along with their adopted family of her parents' college friends and their families. This tradition has been going on longer than Maelyn has been alive and she doesn't know Christmas without it.

Add in Maelyn's lifelong crush, some time travel, and some self discovery along with Christmas and you have yourself In a Holidaze. This is a light quick story that readers will love any time of year. It is all about family and friendships.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars only because in the beginning of the story there are so many characters thrown at the reader that I had trouble at first keeping everyone straight. Once I got several chapters in then it wasn't an issue.

Christina Lauren hit it out of the park with this festive gem. In this time of Covid and failure to focus; I picked this up and couldn't put it back down until completion. I smiled, I laughed, I felt weepy... this book had everything I needed.

Maelyn Jones has a job that's going nowhere, lives at home, and has been in love with Andrew Hollis for forever. At Christmas time, the tradition is alive and well, as her family and long family friends converge to a cabin in Utah.A little too much eggnog on the last night there has Mae making out with Theo - the wrong brother. They both know it's a mistake by the next morning but things become worse as Andrew and Theo's parents will be selling the lodge, ending their yearly tradition.

As Mae's family heads to the airport to go home, she makes a wish to the universe to show her what would make her happy. Then there is a terrible accident and as Mae comes to, she realizes she is back on the plane, at the start of the week, heading to Utah. This week at the lodge becomes her Groundhogs Day as she navigates what will make her happy... she repeats the week a few times.

I loved this book. The cast of characters is vast but not overwhelming. They all play integral parts in the moving cog. This story is about letting go of ideals on how things are supposed to be and learning to embrace spontaneity.

So will Mae discover what makes her happy and get out of her time loop? Definitely one-click now to find out!

I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. Although the heroine kept repeating her holiday over and over, each day had something different both for her and the readers. The chaos of Christmas along with the traditions and nostalgia had her wondering what she needed to do to make an important change and get back to her life. Were there things that bothered me? Absolutely. But the character, her doubts, confusion, and her arc, kept her very real. Loved the setting, the cabin like its own character. A must-read Christmas story.

🎄Seasonal togetherness with a side of romance💕

While the concept of the plot was interesting and the author drew me to the book, I found it slow going at the beginning and just never got invested in the characters. I guess I was looking for a romance and this book packs so many characters and the details of so many holiday activities into the story, I found the whole thing too long and disjointed. It improved towards the end but, on the whole, it missed the mark for me.

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

If you read/hear this once, you’ll hear it a hundred times I’m sure...This is like a Christmas edition of Groundhog Day. Except Bill Murray’s got nothing on Maisie!

Maisie’s got quite a bit of drama and angst on her plate as the Christmas holiday comes to an end. I have to admit, I didn’t expect this to go the direction it did and watching it all through Maisie’s point of view was like a wacky sleigh ride over some treacherous hills. I enjoyed her so much as she is a heroine seemingly created from my perfect heroine list. With her quirky ways, a bit scatterbrained when in an awkward position, suffering from unrequited love, and beyond committed to her family both from blood and by choice, she won my heart almost from the very start and burrowed herself deep in there where she’ll reside as one of my top favorite heroines.

Actually, I fell in love with every character in this story. There isn't one of them that didn’t make me smile, laugh, tear up or experience another emotion somewhere along the way. This chaotic group of characters reminded me so much of my own family even as they were experiencing growing pains just as we all do when it’s time for change.

I don’t want to spoiler anything here but I will say that I was engaged from the first page and read this in one sitting. It’s a fast paced book with enough steam to cause my hot cocoa to boil, if I weren’t drinking iced tea. Add a perfect epilogue and I’ve just finished my first seasonal read. Anything following this is going to have some pretty big boots to fill.

What a cute little Christmas story! I could totally see this as a Hallmark Christmas movie!
Poor Maisie has a disastrous moment with a lifelong friend, Theo, at the annual Christmas trip she takes with her family each year. On the way to the airport, the family is in a horrible accident, but Maisie wakes up on the plane six days earlier. Cue the Groundhog Day like story!
The story ended a little differently than I originally thought it would so that was a very pleasant surprise!

Rating: 4 stars
Recommend? Yes!

[Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review]

The book follows 26-year-old Mae during a week at her family friends' cabin during the Christmas holidays, a decades-long tradition amongst her parents college friends that eventually turned them into one big chosen family. The authors did a fantastic job of creating a sense of place. I got so nostalgic for my family's cabin in the woods, and strongly identified with Mae's love for the cabin.

I always enjoy Christina Lauren's books, but this is the first one that really hooked me. There's a "Groundhogs Day" plot, but it doesn't take over the book. After the week at the cabin ends in disaster, Mae is given the chance to relive her time at the cabin again and again, and this repetition gives her the opportunity to ask herself what really makes her happy. I really loved the characters in this book; they didn't self-sacrifice like so many characters in romance novels.

And obviously the best part of the book is the love story. I won't go into detail because no spoilers, but it's a slow, sexy, emotional burn and I stayed up wayyyy past my bedtime to find out what happened.

This year has sucked, but this story has helped. It was such a feel good holiday love story, and it was everything I needed. So I'm glad I got to read it now, and I'll read it again in December. And next December. You guys, I highlighted the crap out of this book.

I have never read a Groundhog Day inspired Christmas Story! What a fun twist! It was funny, with some great lines, filled with unique characters that make you feel like you know them. I smiled throughout most of it, ya know? Just couldn't help it. And I cried some.

Oh the main characters, Mae and Andrew. SO SWEET. I myself am a bit in love with Andrew. Ugh he's just so considerate and gentle and playful. But his serious, behind closed doors side is super hot as well. And Mae. I really felt for her, what a crazy experience. And I love when she finally is just like, fine I'll do whatever the heck I want and see what happens!

You need to believe in a bit of the wonder of the holidays, the magic of the season, to really fully enjoy this. And if you don't, maybe this story will just pick you up a little bit and make you smile. Who couldn't use a bit of that right now?

OMG this was SO GOOD!! CHRISTINA & LAUREN HAVE DONE IT AGAIN. This actually might be my favorite Christina Lauren book ever. The setting was perfect - a cabin in Park City during the holidays and it made me incredibly nostalgic for holidays I had growing up with those family friends who will always hold a place in your heart. Mae goes to the same cabin annually with her family and family friends for Christmas, and when she finds out on the final day of her trip that the beloved cabin will be sold, she finds herself reliving the trip over and over until she can get it right...and BOY DOES SHE in the end. To add to this, Mae is desperately in love with Andrew, one of the boys that is part of this family tribe. Mae is desperate to tell him what she thinks of him and for them to be together - but of course there are obstacles. Time travel being one of them. This had such perfect holiday vibes, and I highly recommend waiting to read this one until Christmas and soaking it all with eggnog and a fire going by the Christmas tree.

This is the holiday feel good rom-com of the year. Full of personality, characters and a longing so intense you can feel it from the pages. Another hit from Christina Lauren.

In a Holidaze uses Mae to explore the relationships among lifelong friends and their families. Never a straight path, Christina Lauren takes us through the trials and tribulations of those relationships at a time when expectations and nerves can be at fever pitch. How she weaves such dramatic twists and turns can only be ascribed to a true artist and storyteller. My only regret is that this is the first of her books that I've read - what took me so long?? :) But not to fear, it is a great introduction to future reading explorations and enjoyment.

If I could give it 10 stars, I would!

Christina Lauren does it YET AGAIN with In A Holidaze - I devoured this book. The cast of characters was so lovable, and Maisie and Andrew were the perfect goofy yet sexy duo. Christina Lauren blew the groundhog day trope out of the water with humor, chemistry, and the cozy backdrop of a family cabin for the holidays. I absolutely adored this book and am continually impressed with what Christina Lauren brings to the table! Thank you so much for the chance to early review. I will be posting a review on my Instagram page @the_infiniteTBR_list before pub day as well,

I could not put this down! I'm not always up for a holiday book but I'm definitely in for Christina Lauren. This duo always finds a way to write an HEA in a completely different way and I love it. When the book begins, Mae is in UT at the end of her extended family and friends annual Christmas getaway. The same group go to the same cabin every single year and enjoy the same traditions. However, the last 12 or so hours of the trip didn't end as Mae had expected or hoped for and she finds herself wishing for happiness on the way to the airport to fly home. The next things she knows she's back on the plan on the way to UT 5 days earlier.

This book has that Groundhog Day feel. I struggled a bit at the beginning with Mae repeatedly returning to the start of the trip but knew that this writing duo wouldn't let me down and boy was I right. Before I knew it, I was sucked into the story and all the characters and found myself reading way too late at night and waking up early to finish. There was that great found family vibe I love, all the warm holiday cheer that just puts you in a good mood, and an HEA you don't really see coming but are desperately hoping for right along with Mae.

Another win for Christina Lauren! I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun and different holiday read. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

A new Christina Lauren book with a CHRISTMAS theme?!? Yes, please!!! I'm a sucker for Christmas stories, and this one totally satisfies. Plus Christina (+) Lauren keep improving their co-writing with each book that releases. Loved.

WARNING: This review contains spoilers.

“In A Holidaze” is a romance book centered around Maelyn Jones, who is preparing to spend the holidays at a cabin in Utah that her family has stayed at every Christmas for many years. As she’s traveling home from her and her family’s last stay at that cabin, she blacks out, and ends up stuck in a time loop, time-traveling back to the moment that their vacation starts, which gives her many chances to find romance, particularly with her longtime crush.

I thought that the time-traveling aspect of this book made the plot a lot more interesting and made it stand out amongst other romance books I’ve read because it’s something that I don’t see very often in a lot of books in this genre. In addition, I loved the romance that happened throughout the book and I loved watching Mae find love over the course of the story. This was my first Christina Lauren book, it definitely did not disappoint, and I would highly recommend it to any fellow romance readers.

In a Holidaze is Christmas Groundhog Day style! Mae and her family spend every Christmas in a cabin in Utah with family friends. This is their last Christmas in the cabin. Mae makes a wish for the universe to show her what will make her happy, She is in a car accident and when she wakes up she is on her way to Utah again. She relives the day over and over again every time something goes wrong. I loved the characters in this book and the descriptions had me right there with them. This was a wonderful Christmas book! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Looking for an engaging holiday romance that is fresh and funny? Christina Lauren's "In a Holidaze" is the perfect gift to give yourself. Despite numerous laugh-out-loud moments, this is a tender book about family, enduring infatuations, and finding yourself before you can find love.

Quick synopsis: As the yearly family-and-friends holiday at a vacation cabin comes to an end, Maelyn has too much eggnog and finds herself making out with Theo, the friend-like-a-brother who is a man whore. Worse yet, the makeout session is witnessed by Theo's brother Andrew, the friend-who-is-the-unrequited-love-of-her-life. Maelyn confesses in horror to Benny, Ye Olde Wise Uncle, who advises it's a sign from the universe to get over Andrew and move on to maturity. But after leaving the cabin and on the way to the airport with her family, there is a car accident, and Maelyn wakes to find herself Living the Vacation Over Again. In this comedic variation on "Groundhog Day," Maelyn is given numerous opportunities to recover and redo the Christmas holiday.

Characters are richly drawn, the plot is snappy, and there's just enough uncertainty to keep readers guessing about the final resolution. For those searching for fun and frolic during the Christmas season, treat yo' self -- this one is a winner.

Happiness was the key in “In a Holidaze.” This story was holly, jolly, merry and oh so bright. My heart was so cozy, warm and full of joy reading this sweet holiday story by the queens of romance Christina Lauren. I think I smiled the whole time.⁣
⁣
Mae’s family returns to this cabin in the snow filled woods with her parents best friends families since they were all kids. This year, many unexpected things happen that causes Mae to question herself and their family; which leads Mae to time traveling and reliving the week of Christmas at the cabin until she finds her true happiness.⁣
⁣
This story made me want to cozy up to a fire under a blanket and sip hot cocoa watching snowfall and just binge this magical story. It was perfection. ⁣
⁣
Every single character in this story was so wonderful. Andrew was the sweetest and most observant man. Mae was kind and creative and loved this family they created to pieces. Her parents supported her. Her little brother always had her back. Benny was an incredible uncle. Andrew and Theo’s parents were so wonderful. Even Theo had a great heart. ⁣
⁣
This was the perfect story in general and an even more perfect holiday story! 🎄 ⁣
⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣
Thank you @netgalley and @gallerybooks for an ARC for my honest review.⁣
⁣
#bookstagram #romance #books #bookcommunity #holidays #christmas #inaholidaze