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.

Not what I expected, but that isn’t bad! Light hearted and feel good story that has a unique twist and spin to it

Delightful, sweet, fun, clever romance. I stayed up far too late on a work night enjoying this new book from Christina Lauren. (My daughter let me know the authors are a writing team and not an individual.) Friends who met in college at the University of Utah (my alma mater) continue to gather for a Christmas holiday week. Now their kids are in their 20's and have lifelong traditions with their "chosen" family. Maelyn Jones is 26 and has had a crush on Andrew since she was a young teen. This year she makes a wish and somehow starts a Groundhog Day premise that the authors made believable.

I loved Park City being the setting, although it could have been anywhere. The authors got the details of the town and Catholic church correct. (I would guess they have an Utah connection.) The life long friends to lovers is awkward and endearing. I appreciate that Mae has to take action to make her dreams happen and not just wish. The side characters were great additions. I felt I knew each of them and their stories. I could relate to the idea of having people you choose to have as family. My family has spent more Christmas Eves and Nights with friends than with immediate family.

I do not often reread books but I would gladly pull this out during the Holidays and enjoy it again. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to read this after seeing the synopsis - “Love Actually meets Groundhog Day” - and because I've heard so many things about the authors but hadn't yet read any of their books.

It took me a bit to get into the story, partly because there are so many people staying at the cabin that I had a little trouble keeping up with who was who. But once the object of Mae's affection is elevated from supporting character to central, I got swept up very fast. And then it didn't take long for all the other characters to get straightened out in my head.

I have nothing bad to say about this book. I loved Mae, and after she wishes for the universe to show her what would make her happy and jumpstarts the time traveling, I was a little excited everytime she woke up to find herself back on the plane, flying to the cabin for the holidays. Her reaction after one of those times made me laugh out loud. This was just a fun read. Whether Mae was talking one on one with Theo or Andrew, the sons of her parents' best friends, or when everyone was together in a big group. I'm not a cold weather person and do not care for snow at all other than to just look at, but the contest to build the best snow creature seemed like a lot of fun, as did the scavenger hunt.

A couple of themes of the book, in my opinion, are family and tradition. Mae's parents have been friends with Theo and Andrew's parents since college, along with two of the other men at the cabin, one here with his own family, and the other, Benny, who quickly became my favorite. Theo and Andrew's parents own the cabin, and the group have been spending Christmas there together every year as long as Mae can remember. They're not all related by blood, but they are chosen family. But as Mae relives the days, some of the traditions – that snow building contest, for example - get shaken up, with happy results. Learning that this may be the last year they all get to spend at the cabin, however, devastates Mae. Another theme that fit the story was finding yourself. Mae had to do some soul searching to figure out what she was doing wrong each time she got sent back in time, and ultimately what needed chaning in her life.

A wonderful, feel good book, that had me crying happy tears at the end.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
I have never seen the movie Groundhog Day. I think I might have enjoyed this better if I had seen the movie. But it didn't make a lot of sense to me. The characters were okay. But I just didn't feel a real a real investment in any of them except Benny, I loved Benny. I think some more background with the parents might have been nice. The description of the town and mountain was nice.

With a touch of “Groundhog Day” Holidaze is a funny, mostly light read. Fastest book I have read in a while.
I previously had read “Unhoneymooners” and found it to be about the same level of funny, and light-hearted-ness. So if you are a fan of her previous books, give this one a try!