Maelyn Jones is stuck living with her parents and working at a dead-end job. Luckily, it's the holiday season which means a break from her not-so-perfect life. For as long as she can remember, she and her family have spent Christmas with two other families in snowy Utah. Rich with tradition, the annual trek to the cabin has been the highlight of the year. Mae's looking forward to putting all her worries aside and enjoying the annual festivities with the people she loves. 

When she learns it will be their last holiday together, Mae is absolutely crushed, especially since she's had a romantic mishap during the recent stay. On the car ride back to the airport, she makes a wish for the universe to show her what will make her happy. All of a sudden, tires screech and metal collides. Mae's world goes dark and what unfolds is a groundhog day do-over stuck on repeat. It's up to Mae to figure out how to break free in order to make her holiday dreams with a special someone finally come true. 

In a Holidaze is a Christmas rom-com with a new twist combining family traditions, festive memories, and holiday magic. The likable cast of characters draws the reader in as does Mae and her hilarious capers. The romantic element is by far the highlight of the story. The reader can't help but cheer on Mae as she tries her hardest to get her one true love under the mistletoe. A delightful read to get you in the holiday spirit, this unforgettable story will make you believe in the power of Christmas wishes.

What happens when you take the movie Groundhog Day and combine it with Christmas? When it's written by Christina Lauren, you get pure magic. Every year, Mae and her family spend the holidays in a rustic Park City, Utah cabin with the same family friends. This year, Mae made a big, drunken mistake- she made out with the wrong brother. On her way to the airport, she makes a wish, "Please show me what will make me happy." in the next second, there is a major accident and Mae wakes up on a plane. The same plane she was on at the beginning of the vacation. In a fun nod to Groundhog Day, Mae finds herself repeating the day, always trying to figure out how to make it better. Although I was a little nervous about the whole "time travel" aspect, it really works well. This could become an annual Christmas read for me. I highly recommend it!

IN A HOLIDAZE was quick and fun, frothy and sweet. Exactly what I want from Christina Lauren!

What I liked:
- The found family characters! Everyone was so lovely and full of life. I enjoyed Mae’s relationship with Benny especially.
- The setting. It was so nice for the entire book to take place over a few days (well, sort of) and all in a mountain cabin. It felt intimate and perfect for a Christmas romance.

What I didn’t like:
- I didn’t feel like the magical element was necessary at all. It felt forced, like our authors just wanted to mix it up by throwing this in. And that’s what they did. I feel like the same story could’ve happened around the decision to sell the cabin, without the need for Mae to be living this weird magical reality while everyone else was oblivious.
- I felt very bad for Theo! It was never resolved, whether or not he had feelings for Mae. I was happy for Mae and Andrew but didn’t love how Theo was treated.
- I know they technically had sex in the guest house and everything but eeeeeeeee I just didn’t love the sex happening right next to their entire family. I know, they’re adults, everyone is adults. But it just felt weird! And normally I love their steamy scenes!

This was a fantastic and original story. This book definitely broke the mold of the romance books I typically come across. The story was based in a family celebration of Christmas. As you begin reading, it is already the day after Christmas, but then Mae is sent back in time to relive her favorite week of the year with the extended family she loves in order to find out how to be happy.

The premise of the story is unique and fun. It is entertaining as she returns to the same day, knowing what will happen, and reacting differently each time. Because the setting is during a week-long family gathering, there are a lot of personalities and interactions that move the story along. Also helping to keep a fast pace is the dialogue in the story. Although some inner thoughts and reflection are necessary, most of the story is moved along with conversations not only between the couple, Mae and Andrew, but among all of the family and friends. It made me as a reader feel as though I was part of the story and watching it happen.

This was a fun, well-written story with an incredible cast of characters. Having a couple single people left in the group, I am hoping that we will get to revisit this family of heart again. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, funny, and original fast-paced story.

While this book is probably too steamy to compare it to a Hallmark Christmas movie, ‘In A Holidaze’ has just the right amount of that same holiday magic that holds audiences captive every October-January.

This story started out a bit slowly for me. By 45%, was still unsure whether it was a romance novel or not, but then I turned the page and things started getting really good. I found myself staying up way past my bedtime because I was hooked. I needed to know how it ended.

This book is full of some of the best holiday traditions: snowball fights, tree hunting, decking the halls, family meals, and game nights. Mixed in is a friends-to-lovers romance that is worth the wait.

I love books that have elements of time hopping/time travel/any kind of time distortion type things. In a Holidaze takes a page from Groundhog Day and the same day is repeated several different times. I am also obessesed with books set during Christmas and this one is the week of Christmas on repeat (hello movie adaptation, PLEASE happen!). I enjoyed the unraveling of Maelyn's crush on her childhood best friend's brother. There is tons of great juicy tension and tons of wonderful romantic comedy holiday vibes. If you enjoy cute romantic comedies you will love In a Holidaze!

One of my favorite Christina Lauren books ever, In a Holidaze was the super-sweet, friends-to-lovers Christmastime romance that my heart and mind needed right now. I adored it, and stayed up until 5 am to finish.

I have a guilty pleasure confession: I love Groundhog's Day.

Yeah, I know, some people hate it, but it always strikes me as extremely romantic, and I'm a sucker for Bill Murray. So when I read the description for In a Holidaze, I knew I needed it. And it was everything I had hoped it would be.

In a Holidaze is a low-angst, cozy, sweet read. There are lots of supporting characters (important friends and family), and instead of the plot feeling cluttered, it all made sense. I really liked the role that everyone played in the story, and I felt like I knew this family intimately.

I also fell head-over-heels for both MCs. Mae was extremely relatable, and I loved her comedic, screw-up moments as well as her honest, tender moments. She was just funny and vulnerable. Andrew was sort of the perfect male MC, but I loved him anyway. Sometimes, perfect characters are extremely annoying because real people have flaws, but Andrews's flaws are more subtle so you get to know him as a whole person the longer you read. They were magical together, and I bought the chemistry immediately.

The story is lovely and atmospheric, and felt like a glass of hot cocoa for my soul. You will want to make out in a closet, make snowmen in snowy weather, and reach for your true dreams after reading this story. It felt Christmas-y and hopeful. I couldn't get enough.

The epilogue was the perfect icing on the cake, and I had tears in my eyes through the final pages. It was worth not sleeping all night to finish the story.

An outstanding story from the talented Christina Lauren, and a book I will reread often in the coming years. It made me feel happy, and I bet it will make you happy too.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Maelyn has lost her job, is living with her parents and is feeling dejected. But with the holiday coming she is looking forward to their annual stay with family and friends at a cabin. Things don't go as well as she wanted and wishes for the universe to help her. On the way to the airport they have an accident and she wakes up on the plane going back to the cabin for the holiday! Maelyn is baffled, but quickly figures it out, and sets about to make a change in her life. This restart happens a couple of times. Will she get it right and take advantage of the gift of this time-travel? A fun, quick read.

3.5 stars. This was a fun one, and the characters were vibrant. It was a slight slow start, and the whole book I was scared for what I thought the plot would be, but it never happened. I think I’ll have to reread this and will enjoy it far more the second time around, when I’m not dreading my own imaginary plot points.

The couple is cute, the friendships are adorable, and I love a good holiday tradition, even in September.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christina Lauren does it again with a magical holiday hit.

This book was the perfect blend of a Hallmark Christmas movie and Ground Hog Day. Something tragic happens and Mae ends up in a time loop trying to fix what was broken. The time loop is only undone when she decides to be completely true to herself and go for what she wants. This produces some unexpected consequences and the sweetest rom-com Christmas story. You won't want to miss this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC to read and review.

The perfect holiday season read. The setting and scenery was perfect, however the story fell a little flat for me. I didn’t believe the love story and it felt rushed. It was a light and easy read though and I know many people love Christina Lauren’s books.

It takes a massive leap of faith and an abundance of confidence to tackle the perfection of Groundhog Day and pair it with Christmas romance.

However, while the premise is fantastic and promising, In a Holidaze has some hits and misses. Mae is incredibly immature, and throughout the novel, I had to continuously check to see that I wasn't reading a YA novel and not contemporary romance. Andrew and Mae's relationship doesn't have any kind of chemistry that felt convincing; Andrew should have needed/wanted her more than was ever shown. Mae convinced herself that the only path to happiness is through a guy who'd previously never given her the time of day. On top of that, the love triangle aspect should have been more robust.

Highlights of the book for me included Benny, who was a treasure. The book could have easily fit more scenes with him. I adore Groundhog Day, and when fans understand that in the film, it takes Phil TEN YEARS to get things right. Of course, there's no expectation for Mae to have to experience the loop as long, but so many endearing aspects of the concept were glossed over.

All in all, In a Holidaze is an excellent way to get into the holiday mood.

For Maelyn Jones, her family Christmas holiday becomes more than she bargained for when it plays in repeat, similar in spirit to that of the less festive--but very familiar--Groundhog day. An interesting concept for a holiday romance, for sure, but sadly, the story just felt flat, and I had a difficult time staying engaged.

As much as I love Christina Lauren’s novels, “In a Holidaze” failed to live up to my expectations. While I have no problem suspending disbelief or enjoying a fun “Hallmark-style” Christmas story, Maelyn and Andrew’s luke-warm, mediocre romance just didn’t do it for me. So, as much as I would love to jump on the “4 & 5 star” bandwagon, I simply wasn’t feeling it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who was excited to see a holiday book from Christina Lauren. They couldn't have picked a better year to publish this because it's just the delightful escape we all need right now.

Maelyn always spends Christmas with her parents and an extended group of family friends in her favorite place, a cabin in Utah. It's a delightful week filled with fun traditions and thanks to a Groundhog Day like twist she gets to relive the vacation over again and again. As Maelyn revisits the holiday, she eventually throws caution to the wind and attempts to find happiness by being true to her feelings. Not surprisingly, the story was a bit repetitive to begin with but it's worth sticking around until the end. This book is the perfect mix of funny banter and sweet romance that I've come to expect from Christina Lauren. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

Very cute and fun holiday read. Love Christina Lauren’s books and love the way they weave romance and story. If you liked Groundhog Day and A Christmas Carol you will like this book!

I was drawn into this book almost from the start and couldn’t put it down. It’s sweet, poignant and bewildering all in one. The depth of feeling and love between all the characters is palpable and the normalcy of their shared history makes this story come to life. The crazy stuff that happens only heightens the joy in the outcome.

Best Book Ever! It is entertaining, funny often, excellently written with engaging and great characters. Another definite hit!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I think Christina Lauren has done it again. Such a fun new take on a Christmas book. Groundhogs day meets Christmas that Maelyn wants to be perfect. Things are confusing at first. The duo seamlessly get you caught up and understanding right away. It made me smile and laugh out loud a couple of times. It has that warm feeling you think about with Christmas. I would have liked a couple more wake up on a plane moments but really it was so sweet and you easily love Andrew. The writing is funny and touching for this group. Sweet romance that just left me happy inside. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

These two authors really know how to pull you in and keep you there. This book was so good, I had a hard time putting it down. I can't say much without giving the whole plot away, but you just have to read it and find out how wonderful this book is..

I think this book is a solid 4 for me since there are still some unanswered questions but the holiday feels were there.

In a Holidaze follows Maelyn (Mae), a 26 year old woman who spends the holiday season with family friends in a cabin up in Utah. Her family have been going there since before she was born and even after her parent's divorce. Mae is close to the son's of her mom's best friend but has been in love with one of them since she was 13. After a disastrous last day, Mae wishes she could be shown what makes me happy. Immediately, her family is involved in a car accident and Mae wakes up screaming on the plane going to the cabin. The time traveling aspects happen a few times until Mae finally decides that she is taking charge and making the most of what she has.

I actively like time travel even if I think myself into a time continuum hole. I think that it was nicely done and it didn't fry my brain cells like other time travel books. There is one aspect that I didn't like but that's me being picky and we all need a happily ever after in 2020. I have read many Christina Lauren books and I think they have found their sweet spot. They are amazing at writing the soft female and male leads. Mae is adorable and I would be friends with her. She knows she isn't happy and wants to tell her crush but can't because they might ruin the family dynamics they have. I was convinced that the romance was going on a whole other direction but I am happy with the way things turned out. I adored the family members and wish I could have been in the cabin with them.

The romance was achingly cute and it had me smiling down to my ipad like a fool. I absolutely adored the banter between Mae and her crush and loved, loved, loved how he would tell her to talk to him when she was mentally struggling with something. The consent was top notch and I could read about these two forever. It is the perfect holiday book for romance book lovers and Hallmark movie watches.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.