Member Reviews

Christina Lauren never fails to make me giggle and swoon and believe that silly, exquisite, endearing love with the greatest guy ever exists.

I laughed out loud every time Mae woke up on the plane and smacked her brother in the face. I swooned at every encounter with Andrew. Christina Lauren's writing is delicious. Mae and Andrew's transition from friendship into tentative romance is dead on. I found myself rooting for Theo at one point, but then my head went through its own time travel and I was so happy with the ending. Overall, this is a fun, funny, heartfelt, loveable, FANTASTIC book for the Christmas season!

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I am not always interested in rom-coms but I previously enjoyed Christina Lauren’s book, The Unhoneymooners and I was curious about this new holiday themed story. Although it was hard to get in the spirit reading this book in August, I knew I would connect with the main character’s struggles and enjoy the Groundhog’s Day setup. Even though Mae repeats the same days multiple times, it did not feel redundant and repetitive. I found it comical the various ways Mae was warped back to the beginning and was growing more and more frustrated with each trip. It was a cute story, but the romance developed quickly and everything wrapped up too perfectly.

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Super cute and funny book. I was loving it from the first part all the way to the end. It will make you laugh out loud and just feel good. Definitely one to check out.

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I made the mistake of starting this book before bedtime and now I have 4 hours before I have to get up. You know what though, it was totally worth the sleep loss. I wasn't sure what to expect with the 'groundhog day' premise, honestly I didn’t even like the movie, but it worked out beautifully, even though there was a moment where I was like “oh no.” Also because of this story, I now want to spend the holidays at the cabin in this story! I was sad that it ended but it’s also a story I can re-read over and over again.

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I’m not a fan of time loop things, actually hate Groundhog Day (I know, I think I’m the only person who will say that) but...I really did enjoy this story! I like the banter, the idea of how a new relationship would disrupt the family, the “uncle Benny” character....just really enjoyed it. Now it didn’t pull me in for some all emotional rollercoaster as some of Christina Lauren’s books have....but this was a fun read :)

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I love Christina Lauren and when I saw this described as a cross between The Family Stone and Groundhog Day I could not have been more excited! I knew a holiday book from this prolific duo would be a warm, cozy treat and indeed it was. I devoured this in a couple of days, and I love how they captured family dynamics and holiday nostalgia so perfectly. This is a book you’ll want to sink into in front of a fire place with a festive holiday drink. My small quibble is that I don’t think it actually needed the time loop plot line. It didn’t really add to the story, which is at its heart about the relationships, and about Mae figuring out who she is and what she wants. The authors are so good at drawing characters, it’s one of the reasons I always come back to them. And I think a little more of that and less of making the plot device work would have taken this up to five stars for me. But it was fun and delightful and the Christina Lauren holiday book we all need in 2020!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

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Devoured this cover to cover in one sitting! Wasn't sure what to expect with the 'groundhog day' premise, but it really delivered. It's a fun spin on the usual rom-com formula.

I want to spend the holidays at the cabin in this story! The setting was super cozy and made me want to curl up and hang Christmas lights.

I'm sad I finished it so fast, will definitely read again!

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What happens when you have the worst Christmas ever and ask the universe to show you happiness, a do-over. In a Holidaze, the newest book by Christina Lauren explores this idea.

I've read all of Christina Lauren and while this book provides what I expect, a light hearted quick read, it wasn't my favorite of theirs, however I read the whole book in one sitting and it provided a Christmas themed escape.

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Why do I start a Christina Lauren book before bed? Why? I know better. But sure enough, I couldn’t put it down. Hello 3am. Wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.

The best advice I can give about this book for maximum enjoyment: plan to suspend your disbelief from the start and don’t expect science. Just sit back and enjoy it. This is a holiday romance. Expect the magic. And the humor. And the great dialog and the great characters, setting and...well, everything you’ve come to expect from CL’s books. Super fun and very satisfying read. Loved it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I just reviewed In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren. #NetGalley

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If anyone is going to write a Groundhog’s Day meets It’s a Wonderful Life I’m so happy it was this duo. Anyone that loves rom coms knows they are the best!!! This book did not disappoint.

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The best way to describe this book is Groundhog's Day the movie meets It's a Wonderful Life. This is another hit by Christina Lauren. I really enjoyed the quirky characters, the setting and the story-line. I am always eager to dive into anything Lauren writes, but this book really shined. What would you do if given a chance to right a wrong, to change your path, to take a chance missed? How would your life change if one thing was missed or switched? The main character in this novel gets a chance to do just that, change the outcome of her life. Maelyn has been thrust back to the beginning of Christmas vacation with her family, does the choices she makes the second, or even third time change her life for the better, that is the question. This book was an easy read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes chick lit, contemporary fiction or romance.

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In a Holidaze is a Christmas rom-com set in Utah, in a cabin where every year friends and family gather to celebrate. Traditions at the cabin within the group is carried the same, year after the other. Until the main character's fate twists with time traveling, living the same holiday over and over again.

Maelyn (Mae) Jones is a twenty seven year old women who still lives at home even after her parents divorce. Her life is nothing special, her job bores her to death and her love life is lacking. Mae is a people pleaser, putting everyone's needs first, always before hers. The one time a year she looks forward to, is the time she gets to spend with friends and family, the time she get to spend with the boy/man she's had a crush on since she was thirteen years old.

With a little Christmas magic, and a wish Mae asks of the universe, her fate starts to change. She becomes bolder, more open and excepting that in order to be fully happy, she needed to pursue happiness on all account.

In a Holidaze was hilarious to read. It gave all the cozy feels of a holiday story. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my ARC. All thought where my own!

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This pair has knocked it out of the park again!
What did I love about this one? Oh, I don’t know.... ALL OF IT!
I needed something a little lighter and brighter, and honestly, what could be better than a Christmas story at not Christmas time?
Mae’s happiness, the family ties, the tradition soaked holidays, the sheer bravery, it all pieced together so intricately. Toss in a little time travel, some bad jokes, and it more than earned these 5 stars!

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Have you ever done something embarrassing at a family function and wished you could take it back? Has that happened and you got stuck in a “Groundhog Day” style loop until you fixed it?

Maisie has done just that. After kissing family friend Theo at their annual Christmas gathering, Maisie wishes she could undo it and find what makes her happy. This leads her to live the same vacation over and over until she gets it right.

There are a few steamy scenes in this book, but they all lend to the plot of the story of these families who have chosen each other. Definitely recommend and think I would consider re-reading it during the holidays! I read this as a @netgalley early read. Book comes out on October 6th!

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This is the first Book I have read by Christina Lauren. I originally picked this because, I wanted to be one of the first 100 people to be able to read this right away from Netgalley. I am glad i did because I have nothing negative to say about this book. Even though it is a holiday romance book, I think everyone should read this now. There is so much going on in this world, I think this would be a great distraction.

It was funny, heartwarming, romantic, and an easy read. It had an Back to the Future feel to it. I loved how it ended. I think Benny is my favorite character. He is like hippie protective father to Mae, and understands her well. I am so grateful that Netgalley let read this in exchange for an honest review. I can definitely see myself reading more of Christina Lauren's books in the future

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I loved this. I love all Christina Lauren novels, honestly, but this one seemed extra special.

The premise is darling, and I really enjoyed the large and extended family involved in this book. There's something about a family like that that just warms my heart, I guess it's my longing to be a part of one?

The characters were well developed, you rooted for them to succeed in their lives, and I just didn't want the book to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Make no mistake, this Is indeed one of those sappy Christmas romances that come out in droves before the holiday season reflecting what everyone wishes Christmas was like, as opposed to reality. The difference? It’s written by Christina Lauren. Meaning you get their by now expected great characters, laugh out loud situations and bit of life wisdom all wrapped up in a very enjoyable, romantic story. Read it and be happy!

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Quirky, cute and utterly enjoyable. I laughed out loud. Adored all of the characters. Just a fun, light story with a happy ending. Definitely reading more from Ms Lauren.

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This is a cute romance but, having read other things by the duo, I feel like it could have been so much more. I loved the concept of a found family doing an annual trip, and the notes of family that Christina Lauren do were good and enjoyable, but the romance itself was just kind of... meh. I've always been fond of the 'fall in love with their childhood friend' trope, but in this case, it didn't really feel earned? The pacing jumped from way too slow to way too fast, and the Groundhog Day element was abandoned pretty early on. To be honest, it would be a great Hallmark Christmas Movie, but in terms of a great romance novel, I found it to be just mediocre.

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It was when I saw The Unhoneymooners being advertised heavily that I was first introduced to Christina Lauren. I shared that book with all of my friends and slowly, but surely, we devoured as many books as we could get our hands on. When In a Holidaze appeared on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. All I can say is it doesn't disappoint!

Maeyln Jones and her extended family spend every Christmas celebrating the holidays at the cabin, a beautiful, but older, home her crush's parents own. Every person that comes to the cabin each Christmas is connected in some way. Lisa, her mother's best friend in college is mother to Theo and Andrew. This Christmas is a little different. When her and Theo kiss (and then Theo ignores her the next morning), she finds out Andrew caught them. Which is embarrassing. Her years long crush on Andrew seems pushed aside in a matter of seconds because of a minor make out session with Theo. The news comes out that Lisa and Ricky are selling the cabin and this was the last Christmas the gang would spend together. Devastated by the news, everyone begrudgingly leaves at the end of the holiday to go home. The Jones family is hit by a car and Mae wakes up on a plane, reliving the events of the week all over again. Seeking the universe to show her how to be happy, she arrives at the cabin again, determined to get things right this time. But how long will it take her? And is she sure that what she thinks will make her happy truly will?

While the beginning was a bit of an info dump with the large cast of characters, the story quickly begins to pick up when Maelyn, albeit unconventionally, starts getting things right. It takes her multiple resets of the same week, but the time comes when she may have gotten it just right and she'll do anything to hold on to the version of the week that seems almost too perfect. It's that version of the week that is everything Christina Lauren does well. It's simultaneously sexy, moving, and upbeat as it can get. I definitely look forward to anything else Christina Lauren writes and this early Christmas novel falls right under the list of great romantic comedy reads.

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