I have been enjoying getting caught on Christina Lauren books, so when I saw this Christmas Rom-Com, I had to get it. From the blurb, you can see that it is a "Groundhog Day" type of story, where Mae has to relive her Christmas Holiday over and over until she gets it right. It is well worth it as the first time through, there is a terrible accident and the reader has not idea who might have survived. Mae has has a crush on Andrew, the son of her parent's best friends, but everyone is hoping that she will get together with his brother Theo. When it seems like things are going well, something happens and she is back at the beginning of the vacation.

I loved this holiday story. There was so much Christmas Cheer with all their customs from the many years they have spent together. I loved some of the games and activities they participated in over the week. The characters were all wonderful. From the youngest with their wide eyes and toothless grins to the parents, they all participated fully in the week's activities and celebrations. This would make a wonderful Hallmark movies (minus the more intimate scenes) as the magic of Christmas makes not only Maelyn and Andrew have a happily ever after, but all the families involved. If you are looking for a fun Christmas read, then I recommend you pick this one up.

I love Christina Lauren’s style and In A Holidaze did not disappoint! Even reading this Christmas story in early October, I was able to get in the holiday spirit!

In A Holidaze was fun, funny and flirty! I laughed, I cried, I smiled. I think everyone could enjoy this light & lovely read.

Can’t wait to see what Christina Lauren does next!

I love CL’s books!
It’s a great escape at Christmas time. Curl up and suspend belief as Christmas gets a Groundhog Day makeover.
The characters are quirky and it’s fun.
Now, this one wasn’t my favourite CL book. The romance was a bit flat for me. I wanted more from the hero.
But overall, I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

A groundhog day type book, the main character, Mae, makes a wish and then keeps going back in time to right before Christmas and she has to figure out what went wrong and what she is supposed to do. One of the things she tries to figure out is how to gain the attention of the boy she has loved since they were friends as kids. I loved the problem-solving aspect of the book and how the main character has to try to solve the puzzle and fix going back in time.
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I really liked Mae as a character. She was loveable and I liked how she really takes a risk in this book to get what she wants. I didn't love the ending of the book, but that was because I was rooting for something different for Mae, and I can understand that that was not the ending the authors had planned, but I really wanted that different ending! But overall I loved the book and it is a great book to read around Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

In A Holidaze
By: Christina Lauren

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

I love the classic movie Groundhog Day, and anything with a like minded concept always draws my attention. In a Holidaze is the story of Mae, a young woman whose life is kind of stuck. Who is she? What does she want? Where is her life going? Then, something happens, and Mae finds herself on repeat.

This story is good fun and the perfect pick me up when you are stuck at home, which is everyday. With holiday vibes, romcom laughs and all the feels, I thought it was a charming story. I'm delighted to have read In A Holidaze, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you @simonschusterca for a copy of In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren for review. I adored this book, grab it now and save it for when you need some holiday magic.

Maelyn has one bad Christmas, she drunkenly kisses the brother of her long time crush and he catches them in the act, the cabin they all go to for the holidays may be sold, and she is stuck in a go nowhere job. Sad and lonely, she makes a wish to be happy.

When she’s given a second chance at the holidays, she vows to make it all right. And finally telling Andrew her feelings is on the top of her to do list. I don’t know if this one will be for everyone, you do need to just let go of reality and reasoning for a few parts, but I loved it all. The romance made me smile, the joy of traditions around the holidays made me happy, and it was just cute and fun. One sex scene that I would probably rate PG13 but you can easily skip. The rest is safe for romance lovers of all types.

So if you are like me and want to get into a holiday mood, or if you just want to pick this up for when you are ready to deck some halls, this one is my choice to start the season off right.

A fun holiday read!

I always love the family dynamics in CL’s books so this — with an ensemble of TWELVE — was a real treat! The Christmas activities and seeing these meant-to-be-family people spending time together really drew me in! Adored how Mae could always confide in her “Uncle” Benny about her secret crush...

However, while Mae and Andrew’s relationship was both sweet and sexy, I found that I didn’t get as invested as I usually do. I felt it just...happened. I wish I could have seen more build up or learned more about their shared history. I enjoyed their dynamic as friends but, knowing she’s been into him for half of her life, I craved more clarity on his feelings towards her.

Though this wasn’t my favourite, I know a lot of romance readers and Christina Lauren fans will love it — so please check it out!

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren is a fun Christmas rom-com with a Groundhog Day twist. The characters are interesting and the story will have you flipping pages well after bedtime. It is a perfect book for your holiday TBR.

Christina Lauren novels are fast becoming some of my favourite escape reads. The mix of humour and the seriousness in their writing is really special. I don’t usually enjoy the Groundhog Day theme in books and movies, but the way the authors have written this one is not overly repetitive. I really appreciate that the story continues to move forward, instead of a constant trip back in time.

❀ MAE IS EASY TO ROOT FOR

The book centres around Mae, a young adult struggling to figure out who she is and where she is going. She is an intelligent main character that is easy to root for. I also love so many of the side characters, especially her Uncle Benny, as he gives the story quite a few interesting moments.

❀ LOTS OF FEEL-GOOD MOMENTS

Another aspect that is really enjoyable about the story is the romance. Once it is clear where Mae’s story is going, it is so sweet to read about her finally going after what she wants. There are so many feel-good moments in this book that really put you in the Christmas spirit.

❀ A PERFECT PICK-ME-UP

If you love a holiday-themed read, In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren is one to try. It is definitely one of my favourite reads this year and has me excited for the holidays. A perfect pick-me-up to add to your winter reading list, for sure.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I usually thoroughly enjoy most offerings by this author, although admittedly I’ve struggled a bit with some of their most recent books. This one broke that slump for me. The characters were solid, the family dynamic was really well done and the romance was brewed very nicely. Some cute comedic moments made this very enjoyable. Overall a great holiday/family/romance read!

3.5 STARS
A typical Christina Lauren book.

After Christmas week spent with family and friends, Mae finds herself wishing for happiness. As she does, she’s hit by a car, literally. Instead of waking up in the hospital, she wakes up on the plane heading to the start of Christmas week. Is this a do over? Or a lot of do overs until she gets it right?

I really wish that we got to live the first week with Mae, not just the morning of the last night. I think it would of made the book nicer and easier to understand. It would of given more insight into the “regular” world. I felt like I missed a few chapters when I started reading it, like it was near the end instead of the start.

I also think she could of had a few more failed attempts. Given her more chances and more changes so make, or not make. The story was short and easy to read, which is always a nice change and an easy read over the holidays.

I will always read Christina Lauren books.

I love it when the right book finds me at just the right moment. A blend of Christmas cheer, romantic comedy, mixed in with a wonderful cast of characters has created a fun romp in the snow, perfect for escaping the realities of pandemic survival and preparing the reader for the upcoming holiday season.

Maelyn Jones’ life is stalled. She’s moved back in with her parents, she hates her job, and her love life has just hit a major bump. When she finds out that the cabin she has spent every Christmas at in her life is about to be sold, it feels like nothing will ever be good again. She asks the universe for a sign, to be shown what will make her happy. And then there’s a car crash... and Mae starts her week all over again. And again. And again. Is she losing her mind. Or is she being given the opportunity to create her own kind of happy?

This story has a cast of characters you can’t help but like. They are perfectly imperfect, while being very relatable. The idea of giving Groundhog Day a festive twist added to the comedic side of this romance, and kept it all from getting too heavy. There were moments when the story felt a bit YA, particularly with Mae’s character seeming a touch needy in spots, but it came together in the end. Recommend this one for the upcoming holidays, or simply if you feel like escaping into a fun family story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Good
I love all of the characters! Some appear less than others but they each had their own roles to play and they all work well together. They, especially the parents and Benny, have an incredible lifetime bond ( #FRIENDSHIPGOALS ) and will make you want to be a part of them. The female and male leads have undeniable chemistry and were extremely cute.

My favourite part is when Christina Lauren made that overused (and cheesy) dialogue – where character A asks what do you want and character B answers you – work. I can’t believe it made me giggle and made me say yaaaaas you go girl! After that moment, the romance really took off. Also, I believe after that, Mae really made up her mind about making herself happy and not letting fear get in her way.

The ending is also satisfying and made me go awwww.

The Not-So-Good
I don’t really have any complaints but if I really have to point out one thing, it would be that (for me) the conflict wasn’t a believable cause for a break-up (or all that drama).

Overall
This is the perfect book to curl up with when it’s cold outside or if you’re just looking to read something that will make you feel good.
One word to describe this novel? Unputdownable

Happy pub day! I was so excited to get an arc of this and so excited to read a Christmas romance! In a holidaze starts as a Groundhog Day type story where Maelyn repeats her Christmas holiday. I loved the Christmas vibes in this book, and the romance was just so cute! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Christina Lauren’s books that I’ve read and this one was no exception. I highly recommend for you to go pick this up if you’re in the mood for a Christmas romance 😍🎄

***I got this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5*
This story follows around a few families who are tight-knit and get together during Christmas and has this huge tradition. Over time Maelyn has this crush on one of the boys. Fate leads her to 2 of these brothers, and upon a wish she has made, she finds happiness by resetting the days of Christmas.
Other than the unbelievable concept of a day restarting over and over again, I thought this book had a really sweet romance, and just a lovely family concept.
I just thought that the relationships that these people had with each other was just so sweet and something that I will hold dearly with me.

I don’t usually gravitate toward rom coms, particularly holiday ones because the ones that I’ve read tend to lean toward the cheesy, however, I loved this one. Could’ve done with less Groundhog Day cycles, but once you get off that continuous loop and into the meat of the story, that’s when I really started enjoying it. I loved the idea of college friends coming together every year, now with their own families to celebrate the holidays. I cherished the notion of Maelyn harboring a thirteen year long crush on her childhood friend. Will this be the year that she musters up the courage to tell him her true feelings? I sure hope so because if this holiday has taught her anything, the universe is listening.

DNF at 55%. I can't get through this book. It feels very, very juvenile. I love CL, so I'm sad this was a miss for me, but they'll always be an auto buy author for me.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren (Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billing) is a delightful Christmas rom-com with shades of my favourite movie Groundhog Day, favourite childhood Christmas memories of spending time at the chalet, and a friends to lovers storyline. Maelyn Jones has reached a turning point in her life; she’s been living at home with her mom, she hates her job, and she’s just spent the last Christmas at a friends and family cabin that’s going to be sold in the New Year. On the drive to the airport, she asks the universe, “Can you show me what will make me happy?” And seconds later, she wakes up on an airplane on the way to the cabin six days earlier. Every time she takes a wrong step and does something that will make her unhappy … zoom back to the airplane. This gives her the freedom to trust herself and to ask for what she wants, so she tells the boy now man that she’s been in love with since she was thirteen how she feels, she quits her job, and she tries to find a way to save the cabin from being sold. Heartwarming and funny, this book about love, friends and family is a perfect holiday season read. Steam Level: light side of medium. Publishing Date: October 6, 2020
#InAHolidaze #ChristinaLauren #ContemporaryRomance #HolidayRomance #FriendstoLovers #SimonAndSchusterCanada #GalleryBooks #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 stars
Happy pub day to In a Holidaze! This is a great book to kick off the fast approaching holiday season. It’s about a young woman who keeps waking up to the start of her Christmas vacation. She sets out to understand why the universe keeps pressing rewind. It’s silly at first, but has a deeper message about having more agency in the path your life takes and makes you think about the role the universe might play in helping you navigate your dreams. It’s a cute holiday read with some seasonal magic and all the warm cozy feels of a friends and family winter getaway.

Fun enough Groundhog day type holiday romcom.
What I liked? That CLo's books are always 100% readable. The family/found family aspect of this story was the best part. A few families spending every Christmas together in a cabin in the woods. That leads to a good time.
But what has been a running issue(?)/theme(?) since The Unhoneymooners is the romance. CLo has written some of my favourite couples. That has drastically gone downhill. Now, I didn't dislike Andrew. Or dislike Mae and Andrew together. What is missing(again), is the build-up. The believability in their new romance. It literally just happens. And I get they're lifelong friends. But also they're new to the romantic part of their relationship. It's just really hard to cheer on a couple you never really get to know. Also, Andrew(like the past few of CLo's book fellas) really doesn't have much of a personality.
Anyhow, take this for what it is; a fun holiday read from CLo. Light on the romance. Very light on the Groundhog Day concept. But full of Christmas heart.

4.5/5💫

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing me an e-arc via NetGalley

Hohoho Christmas has come early this year and I could not be happier! What is better then a friends to lovers romance set during Christmas in a wintery cabin, featuring a huge loveable family, oh and did I mention time travel? In a Holidaze is the perfect feel good romance book that will leave you laughing, swooning, and maybe even tearing up.

Adult romance contemporaries are normally not my thing but when I heard Christina Lauren was coming out with a Christmas novel with a magic element to it I was all over it! This book just had the perfect balance of what everyone looks for in a romance novel. I felt like Christina Lauren managed to make me fall in love with every character, I was so invested in this book and was so sad when it was over.

I have a list of books I love to read every Christmas and I just found a new one to add to that list. In a Holidaze is a book I know I’ll want to pick up and revisit these characters. For a romance book that isn’t that long we have a large cast of characters and for the first 100 pages I found it hard to keep track of everyone and their relations to each other, which is why I dropped my rating to a 4.5. I honestly think going back to reread this I will bump it up to a 5/5 but the first little bit really took me some time to understand everything.

Once again a huge thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley