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!

This was everything I love about a Christina Lauren book plus a fun Christmas setting! I was worried I would be frustrated by the time loop setup but I actually enjoyed it a lot, I think because the characters were so compelling and I was so invested in how their romance would turn out. This fell somewhere between The Unhoneymooners and Twice in a Blue Moon for me in terms of light comedy vs. deep and emotional, which was a nice middle ground. Looking forward, as ever, to whatever they write next!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of "In a Holidaze" by Christina Lauren. I will basically pick up anything these women come out with at this point. They never fail. I was a little weirded out by the touch of fantasy in this one, the "Groundhog Day" vibe that just felt overdone. I think that made it a little harder for me to get into it at first, but once I kind of got past that part and really into the good old romance, I was loving it. It ended up being a really lovely story about a woman finding herself and finding out how to go for what she wants in her life, and I'm here for it. I already can't wait for the next one!

If I had to rely solely on character development and expression for my review I would give this more enthusiastic stars. As it was the plot was confusing and shifted between wanting the reader to believe in the whimsy to abandoning the premise to brutal reality. I just don't think it was sold well enough. That being said, the characters were delightful in their quirkiness. I am not a fan of the language and 'steaminess' of the book, but the humor is off the charts. All in all, just not my favorite.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

3.5 Christmas stars.

I am a fan of Christina Lauren; their books are the perfect, quick escape and this one is no different. A very interesting "Groundhog Day" premise that leads 26 year-old Mae to finally discover who she truly is and to go after what she wants in life. The romance took a bit too long to develop in my opinion; but once it got going it was sugary sweet and appropriately steamy for a Christian Lauren rom-com. The hero, Andrew, was as close to perfect as they come.

I love the setting of this book (Park City, Utah) and this will be ideal to read in the winter time with snow falling outside and a cup of hot cocoa beside you.

Fans of contemporary romance will not be disappointed.

This is my new favorite Christina Lauren book! I love their writing as is, but I really love the concept of the mc, Maelyn, making a wish to the universe to show her how to be happy. And then Groundhog Day: Christmas Style ensues! It was a sweet, light-hearted tale about long time friends growing and changing. Absolutely loved it.

It’s not winter yet but save this one for cold weather reading and the fun flirty heat will melt the snow off your drive.

Cozy sexy time traveling romcom. If it isn’t on the Hallmark channel next year I’ll be surprised 😂 It’s light and fluffy, like a Christmas morning snowfall so don’t sit down to read if you’ve got your serious pants on.

Maelyn Jones is dying to get through the family holidays… literally. For some cosmic reason Maelyn can’t seem to get further in life than December 26th without getting hit by a truck, falling down the stairs or meting an untimely end and waking up a week earlier - living the same days over and over again.
Why is this happening? The last thing she remembers from her first trip through this week is asking the universe to show her what makes her happy… as they say be careful what you wish for!

Feeling freed by a “no real tomorrow” attitude Maelyn starts living a more honest life and figuring out what really does make her happy - but she will she lose it all in a wayward sledding incident or when the clock strikes 12? Time travel doesn’t come with a manual.

I read it in one sitting, I thought it’d be easier to put down but the “Groundhog Day” hook pulled me in - and it could be because I love the sci-fi timey wimey sort of stories but I wanted to see a bit more of this aspect. Perhaps a few more “attempts” before she “got it right”; the character growth was good but felt a bit rapid for having had only a few spin cycles thru the death machine.

This was my first Christina Lauren book but probably won’t be my last, seems like she’ll be a perfect buffer between my cozy mystery and sci-fi binges.

Thank you to @gallerybooks for sharing an eARC via @netgalley for review.

Maelyn Jones just wants to be happy. Every Christmas, her family spends the week at their friends’ cabin. On the last day of their visit, Mae learns that this year is their final holiday at the cabin—Mae’s favorite place in the world. The broken tradition along with a romantic misstep have Mae reeling as her family heads back to the airport. She makes a wish for the universe to show her what will make her happy right as a car crashes into theirs. She wakes up in the past, en route to the cabin once again and finds herself stuck in a time loop, unsure of how to proceed.

I picked up In a Holidaze right before bed, thinking that I might read a few chapters before going to sleep but then ended up reading the whole book. In a few words, this was a charming and cozy read with just the right amount of holiday magic. Mae is a people-pleasing peacekeeper who struggles with change, but getting thrown into a time loop teaches her to speak up, let down her guard, and find her happiness. Mae isn’t perfect, but her character growth over the course of the book was believable. I felt like I could learn a thing or two from her as she repeatedly navigates her holiday week.

Each and every character and relationship in this book felt so real. From Mae’s lifelong crush Andrew and the rest of the kid-ups to the little twins to the parental group, it felt like stepping into a big, close knit family. They tease and fight, perfectly capturing the stress and the cheer of the holidays, and through it all, you can feel the history and love tying the group together.

Not only were the characters wonderful (everyone needs a Benny in their life!), but the pacing, pop culture references and swoonworthy romance made for an unputdownable read.

This was my first Christina Lauren book, but it absolutely will not be the last! This writing duo has officially captured my heart with Maelyn’s holidaze.

I love this author and her latest book did not disappoint! Light-hearted, fun, romantic, with a holiday twist thrown in. Would definitely recommend!

I continue to have a love / hate relationship with Christina Lauren books. They either completely turn me into a shoutcaps fangirl, or I can't get into them at all.

Unfortunately - In a Holidaze was the latter.

I think from the start - it felt confusing. There were a lot of characters and a lot going on. What works in a movie, where you have visual cues to set people apart from each other, doesn't translate as well into a story. Add to that the Groundhog Day situation where parts of the story are repeated over and over again - without my having grown any attachment to any of the characters.

I lost patience around 40% and it was ultimately a DNF for me.

I have loved other works by this author and so I will be back to try again. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

This book was... okay. It wasn't my favorite Christina Lauren book but it was a cute holiday book. I think I would've enjoyed it more around the holidays.

It was definitely an interesting premise. It was one of those magical realism contemporaries and that is way different from their typical romances! I do love the sexual chemistry in their books and I just... didn't feel it as strong. I wonder if it's because I read this in print and not audiobook, which is how I usually read their books.

I would recommend this title as I recommend all their titles, this was just not my favorite out of all the books that I've read by this pair!

It was a simple wish, heartfelt and made in a desperate attempt to find happiness when all she has known seems to be crumbling apart and the man she has loved for half of her life will probably be just a memory. Christmas time, the most magical time of year…but did Mae really expect to relive her last visit to the little cabin over and over again. Ala “Ground Hog Day?” Could it be she will finally get things right in her life if she pays attention to each repeat performance of that holiday week?

Hang on for a few Ho-Ho-Ho’s a couple of Fa la la la la’s and some uh-ohs along the way as Mae takes life by the horns in a bumbling attempt to find what the world (and Mae) needs now, love, sweet love!

Funny, quirky, heart-warming, definitely a feel good read, Christina Lauren’s IN A HOLIDAZE will tickle your funny bone, warm you like a cup of hot chocolate and get you ready for the most wonderful time of read, holiday reading!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Gallery Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am Christmas story addict. Life and love seem so much better from Thanksgiving to New Year. Imagine reliving Christmas until you got it right. Loved the story. Found it a little confusing trying to keep all the characters straight during first few Christmases. I couldn't keep it in my head that they were in their 20s not teens. I enjoyed the book. Thanks Netgalley!

Christmas meets Groundhogs Day. Mae loves spending Christmas with her family and her parents' best friends from college families as well. Christmas at the cabin is the best, except when you keep having to relive it over and over again. Each time loop something different happens and Mae can’t figure out what to do to make it stop.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about a time loop book, I didn’t know if it would work as well as it does in movies, but it did. I sped through the book because I enjoyed it so much and wanted to know what was going to happen to Mae. The writing was great and there was not anything I would change about it.

Overall, I recommend this book if you like romantic comedy type books. It’s cute and light-hearted. Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing an ARC with me and letting me experience this fun book! This book will be available to purchase on October 6th!

Picture this- a family gathers at a dreamy cabin in the snowy wonderland of Park City for their annual Christmas reunion with several other families. They’ve sung Christmas carols, drunk festive cocktails and egg nog, had a snowman competition, a Christmas scavenger hunt, a big tree decorating party and they’ve done all this for 30 years. You are thinking, well this could go either way- either they have a big tearful, screamy melt-down this year or they achieve even greater heights of joy and comfort and peace. Right?

But I would bet a big candy cane you wouldn’t guess that one of the family members travels back in time, in fact experiences several different time loops, during the holiday reunion. Well that’s what happened to twenty-six-year-old Maelyn Jones. She has to repeat the holiday week three times just because she asked the universe, Please. Show me what will make me happy.

Author Christin Lauren (actually two writers) is popular in the romantic comedy genre and for good reason. This author team knows how to create fresh characters, great settings, witty dialogue and the passion and heat is just right. In addition to heroine Maelyn, there are two handsome brothers, a variety of adult figures, and a picturesque setting.

Did the opportunity or challenge to relive her holiday over and over help Maelyn achieve her dreams? Well, you will have fun reading this book and finding out. Happy Holidaze!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

A cute take on "Groundhog Day", with lots of family dynamics and a number of humorous situations.

This book was so good! I couldn’t stop reading. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, but I just had to find out. It’s a cute, romance that is perfect for getting in the holiday mood.