Narrators was great. Very light listening especially before holidays. Not bad book but not my favorite one.

Hmm...I love to read LGBTQIA+ books. Truman was the easiest for me to relate to. However, I feel that Greta and Cary's story lack something or I felt something was overboard I just can't pinpoint what. I think the book would've been better if it focused to only one couple. Then make another book with the other couple.

The Holiday Trap i a heartwarming dual narrative that intertwines the stories of Truman and Greta, each seeking solace from failed relationships through a house swap. The male/male pairing, with its hurt/comfort dynamic, resonates deeply, showcasing characters who are endearing yet flawed. Truman's meticulous bullet journaling and his passion for a beloved fantasy book add layers to his character, making his journey both relatable and compelling. However, some elements, like his past relationship, feel underdeveloped, leaving readers wanting more from his backstory.

On the other hand, the female/female storyline featuring Greta and Carys struggles to achieve the same level of investment. Their romance felt less engaging. Their story is also bogged down by side characters and family issues, diluting the emotional impact of their relationship.

The holiday aspect of the story often takes a backseat, which might confuse readers expecting a more festive backdrop. Ultimately, while both narratives offer sweet moments, the m/m pairing shines brighter, leaving readers wishing for more from the f/f

The Holiday Trap is a charming and hopeful read, perfect for those who enjoy contemporary LGBTQ+ romance light on the holiday.

3.5 stars

So holly jolly— the perfect book to kick off Christmas reading. This was such a charming, feel-good read.

Greta loves her family and tiny Maine hometown, even if it’s hard for a lesbian in such a small town. Truman is devastated when he finds out that his boyfriend has a husband and a daughter. Mutual friend, Ramona, suggests a month-long house swap. Over the winter holidays, they will have a chance to try on a new life...and maybe fall in love.

I enjoyed this audiobook. If you liked the movie The Holiday, you’ll enjoy this spin of the house swap trope. Because of the dual plot lines, it felt like getting two for the price of one!

The perfect book to get you in the mood for the holidays! I’m a bit biased towards queer holiday books, though. 😂

Sweet house-swap romance (to paraphrase a character in the book, how very early-2000s!) with fun, relatable characters that aren't OTT. Exceptional audiobook narrators.

As a fan of feel-good romances, I was excited to dive into "The Holiday Trap" by Roan Parrish, and I must say, it didn't disappoint. The audiobook format added an extra layer of charm to this delightful story, making it a perfect companion for my daily commutes.

Narrated with warmth and a touch of humor, the story unfolds in a small, picturesque town, setting the stage for a classic holiday romance. What sets this book apart is the depth of its characters. Greta and Truman, the protagonists, are beautifully fleshed out with their quirks, insecurities, and dreams. Their journey from strangers to something more is paced just right, striking a balance between heartwarming moments and realistic challenges.

Parrish's writing shines in the dialogue, witty and natural, bringing the characters to life. The narrators of the audiobook do a fantastic job of capturing the essence of each character, adding distinct voices and emotions that enhance the listening experience.

The setting is another highlight. The vivid descriptions of the town, with its festive decorations and snow-covered streets, make you feel like you're walking alongside the characters. It's a backdrop that's both cozy and vibrant, perfect for a holiday romance.

However, it's not just a simple love story. The book touches on themes of family expectations, self-discovery, and the courage to pursue what truly makes one happy, giving it a layer of depth that resonates with the listener.

In conclusion, "The Holiday Trap" is a heartwarming, engaging listen that's perfect for fans of the genre. Whether you're looking to get into the holiday spirit or just enjoy a well-crafted romance, this audiobook is a delightful choice. The engaging narration, relatable characters, and charming setting make it a memorable experience. Highly recommended for a cozy night in!

The Holiday is my all time favorite holiday movie so I was all in on this book. It was okay. The characters were good. The love stories were sweet. I guess i just wasn’t in the mood maybe bc there was zero wrong with this book. I just wasn’t in love.

#TheHolidayTrap:⁣
⁣
Thank you so much @sourcebookscasa for my gifted copy!⁣
⁣
If your favorite holiday movie is The Holiday, here’s your book recommendation. That’s it, that’s the review. I love The Holiday (Jasper is trash bye) so I equally adored The Holiday Trap!⁣
⁣
I was really into Truman and Ash’s story. It was more of a slow burn, which I now realize is my fave. Their characters were so lovable, and I just wanted them to be together and have a cozy fireplace where there were beautiful arrangements on the mantle and Truman got to read by the fire. Loved that for them. I loved the little bit of history we received about New Orleans. I could picture all the places and it was such a wonderful nod to the beautiful city. ⁣
⁣
The audio was wonderful. Natalie Duke, Pete Cross, & Hillary Huber did such a wonderful job on their respective POV. I found myself switching between audio and my kindle during sick time for the kid, but really preferred the audio. ⁣
⁣
Pick this up if you like:⁣
❄️ The Holiday (but Queer)⁣
❄️ Found family⁣
❄️ Rich history for location⁣
❄️ Christmas & Hanukkah rep⁣
❄️ Steamy romcom ⁣
⁣
Out now! ⁣
⁣
QOTD: Favorite holiday movie?

The Holiday (movie), but with queer characters... say no more! This was so wholesome and so much fun, I'm smiling just thinking about it. It gave me Becky Albertalli vibes (if Albertalli wrote non-YA fiction).

A cutesy, low stakes romance that was sweet but could have used more humor. The plot is fairly straight forward and the leads are both fine, though nothing about this has any staying power in a packed genre that is ever more weaving in more powerful narratives and emotional arcs for its leads.

I've never seen The Holiday, but Roan Parrish's sweet queer take on the holiday swap romance was a delight!

Greta needs an escape from the claustrophobia of her large, opinionated family in her small, Maine town. Truman has been, once again, too quick to trust, and needs an escape from the site of his latest heartbreak in New Orleans. A few nosy and connected friends later, they find themselves house-swapped for the holiday. Buoyed by fresh views and new people, they find that maybe a little space was all they needed to become more themselves than ever before (& find love, ofc). This was sweet and I like Parrish best when she's writing characters with a bit of an edge; but still a great entry into the holiday romcom oeuvre.

Note unrelated to the book: this was the last audiobook I requested from Netgalley because for whatever reason, the app/interface warps the audio track when I up my audiobook speed every. single. time. I'm a huge audiobook listener and love the accessibility of early listening copies, so hope this programming glitch eventually gets cleared up!

literally so so cute! I l couldn't get enough of this cozy book. I read it slowly because I never wanted it to end. I highly recommend.

Roan Parrish draws inspiration from the cinematic masterpiece The Holiday in this romance following Greta and Truman, who swap houses for the holiday season and find love along the way.

The Holiday is one of my all-time favorite movies and Roan Parrish is one of my all-time favorite authors—so what a joy to have them both together! I think it's an incredible feat for an author to pull off two storylines woven together in this way, and I really enjoyed seeing the nods Parrish gave to the original while still crafting a wholly unique story.

Truman and his love interest Ash have a great slow burn build-up to their romance, which includes them being brought together by searching for a reclusive local author. I loved this added mini-mystery in the story! We also were able to see the ways that Truman feels pigeonholed into viewing himself as an uncreative person compared to his family, and how Ash is struggling to run the family business and care for his mother. The way they learn to support and rely on each other was really beautiful.

Meanwhile, Greta is breaking free from her too tightly knit family and learning what it means to be in a place where she can be herself without holding anything back. I really loved her journey of learning to set boundaries and carve out a space for herself in the world. Her romance with Carys has a faster pace with instant chemistry that completely draws Greta into Carys' world, thereby opening Greta's eyes to the power of queer community. Of the two plotlines, it did feel as though Greta's might benefit the most from a bit more room to explore some of the themes—especially given how important setting boundaries in all kinds of relationships can be and the exploration of finding your home in a queer space.

This book had multiple narrators (Natalie Duke; Pete Cross; Hillary Huber) who did a really fantastic job of bringing the characters and their stories to life. I'd definitely be interested in listening to more books narrated by them, and of course reading more from Parrish!

Perfect Queer Update of The Holiday!

I loved both story lines so much! They were fully developed without making you feel like you were missing something from the other story.

This was a quick fun little Christmas read that I am glad I got to sample. It wasn't like amazing but it was just what I wanted for this season

I loved the premise of this book. When I heard it was similar to the movie: The Holiday, I was so excited to read it! Also, I love how it takes place in New England! I don’t feel like I read many books that take place around here. I did not feel like it was a holiday book though. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it.

The Holiday Trap is a holiday adventure for sure. It all begins in New Orleans when Greta has been volunteered to participate in a dating auction which is an old holiday tradition from her hometown. At the same time in Maine, Truman is dropping off a gift at his boyfriends house only to discover that his boyfriend his actually a cheating louse with a family. Both characters are upset and vulnerable when a mutual friend suggests that they trade places until the new year.

New Orleans and Maine are completely different worlds for these characters. When they arrive each is definitely outside of their comfort zones yet this escape from actual reality is actually what each of them needs. Each characters finds themselves connecting with their new location in unexpected ways. Plus, there is unexpected romance for each of them.

Greta's romance felt very insta-love to me and I honestly didn't care for Carys. Her approach to her relationship with Greta was very off putting. She also had this presence of being super evolved because of therapy and self care but, she was very abrasive and rude about it. I understood that she was a woman with boundaries but, there could have been a way to present it to the world.

In contrast, I adored Truman. He was so sweet and relatable. Especially with his love for fantasy stories and how he used them to cope with his every day life. He was vulnerable and the kindness he was giving out into the world was reciprocated with Ash. Not to say that there are not bumps in the rad but their dynamic seemed much more solid to me than Greta relationship with Carys.

The Holiday Trap only took me on day to read but, it did not capture my attention the way I thought it would. I kept feeling myself coming in and out of the story as I was reading it. I think alot of this had to do with the character of Cary and her role in the storyline. This was difficult for me because I wanted to know what was going to happen with Greta and Truman especially once the new year struck. Unfortunately that also meant that I would have to know what was happening with Carys as well.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

i DNFed this audiobook after listening to the first 50% because i was having a difficult time keeping up with the main characters and their storylines. i was intrigued with the idea of two strangers swapping lives and moving into each other’s homes - especially with maine being so different from new orleans! but with the constant jumping between these places, i found it hard to connect with either of the MCs because once i felt like everything was flowing, the chapter would end and switch to greta/truman. however, i will say that i was touched at how quickly the two of them were able to fit in with their new homes and how they were welcomed into town by the locals.