Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5

When I first started, this, I wasn’t super crazy on how it was written. And by that I mean, it was all third person narrator, even though the point of view and the story was changing from character to character (aka Holly and Ivy). I think personally for me I prefer it when it’s the character themselves narrating what’s happening and not a narrator narrating for them.

But I kept reading, and I have to say I really loved where the whole thing went. Like both of their adventures were just very inspirational. They both found themselves when they didn’t expect it at all and also found love. In Holly‘s case I honestly felt so bad for her, but then ending up meeting her high school academic rival felt very fortuitous. And with Ivy going on the honeymoon that Holly was supposed to have and meeting Oliver who is living the life that she should be living was like destiny because it showed her that she could live a life of art and make money.

A Christmas romance with a big focus on friendship too! Loved the two different settings - Kauai and a wintery small town. Double the romance! Swoony and a little steamy.

When Holly’s soon-to-be fiancé called their wedding off the day before it was supposed to happen, Holly was crushed. She needed to get away but couldn’t bear to go on the honeymoon that she was supposed to be going on with Matt. Lucky for her, her bestie Ivy was willing to help out. They were going to trade vacations. Holly would go to Hudson Valley and Ivy would go to Hawaii.

Ivy got to Hawaii only to find out that Holly’s ex WENT ON THE HONEYMOON WITH THE WOMAN HE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH (aka there was no longer any room reservation for Ivy so she had to take matters into her own hands). Would it be the trip of a lifetime or instant regret?

I adored this book and really enjoyed Holly and Ivy’s friendship. They were always true to each other and valued one another’s feelings. This one is a must read for the holiday season…I would also recommend The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (who I just found out is the same person as Julia McKay) which has similar vibes and a dreamy winter setting.

🎉 Book Review: The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay 🎉

I just finished The Holiday Honeymoon Switch, and I’m giving it a solid 4.5 stars! ⭐️✨ This delightful rom-com is the perfect blend of holiday cheer, romance, and a sprinkle of adventure. Julia McKay has created a charming story that had me laughing and swooning from start to finish! ❤️

The premise of a honeymoon switch was so fun and refreshing, leading to unexpected twists and hilarious situations. The chemistry between the characters was electric, and I loved how their individual journeys of self-discovery intertwined. The festive backdrop added to the warmth of the story, making it a perfect read for the season! 🎄💕

A huge thank you to @PRHAudio and @PutnamBooks for granting me access to this delightful title! If you’re looking for a heartwarming escape filled with laughter and love, The Holiday Honeymoon Switch should definitely be on your TBR! 📚💖

#TheHolidayHoneymoonSwitch #JuliaMcKay #BookReview #4Point5Stars #RomComReads #Bookstagram #HolidayReads #FeelGoodFiction #ThankYou #PRHAudio #PutnamBooks

"The Holiday Honeymoon Switch" by Julia McKay is a delightful romantic comedy that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, each with their own quirks and charm, making it easy to root for them. The plot is engaging, weaving humor with heartfelt moments, though some twists felt a bit predictable. McKay's writing style is witty and fresh, adding to the book's overall appeal. While it has its flaws, it’s an enjoyable read perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted escape. Overall, a solid 4-star experience!

Everyone needs to be friends with someone like Holly and Ivy in their life!
The author did a great job of making them feel so real as I was reading.
Christmas time of year makes the book a perfect one to grab and curl up with to pass a lazy wintry day.
The romance in the book was heartwarming and feel good theme.
This is one that I will read over and over again.
Thank you NetGalley and Julie McKay for the copy of The Holiday Honeymoon Switch. This is my personal review.

Marissa Stapley's debut romance novel, The Holiday Honeymoon Switch, written under the pseudonym Julia McKay, features two intertwined love stories. Told in third-person narrative, the novel follows Holly Beech and Ivy Casey, best friends since the Kolumbia-U Kristmas Kegger of 2016, as they navigate life and romance.

The night before Holly is to wed her college sweetheart, Matt breaks off the wedding, claiming he is in love with his co-worker, Abby. Despite Holly's shock and heartbreak, she manages to hold back her tears.

Twenty-nine-year-old Ivy, a senior graphic designer at Imagenue, has never liked Matt. Each year, Ivy takes a two-week holiday to paint for herself and her loved ones. This year, she plans to escape to Krimbo, a small town in the Hudson Valley. Not wanting to leave her best friend in distress, Ivy offers to forgo her painting retreat to care for Holly. However, Holly has a different idea: they should switch holiday destinations. Holly’s nonrefundable plane ticket and two-week resort stay in Hawaii present an opportunity. Having previously passed as each other’s doppelgängers in college, Holly proposes that Ivy use her ID to take the trip to Hawaii.

Upon arriving in Krimbo at the eco-friendly cabin, Holly discovers that her high school academic rival, Aiden Coleman, is the cabin's owner. Meanwhile, Ivy checks into the honeymoon suite in Hawaii, only to find that Matt and his mistress are also staying there. Enraged and defeated, she heads to the bar, where she meets Oliver, a charming bartender and National Geographic photographer. When Oliver learns of Ivy’s situation, he offers her a place to rent above his apartment, shared with his best friend, Larisa “Larry.” Together, the two best friends embark on a journey of self-discovery and love.

The friendship between Holly and Ivy is heartwarming and beautifully portrayed. They operate on an honor system, pledging to tell each other the truth, no matter how difficult it may be. While Holly’s grief over lost love and her shattered life plan is vivid, the emotional depth is somewhat hindered by the third-person narrative. Although this is Stapley’s romantic debut, it is not her first novel; as an award-nominated journalist, one might expect her to show rather than tell. The writing often reads like a play-by-play, lacking the imagery that could engage readers more deeply. Descriptions fail to utilize the five senses effectively, limiting readers' understanding of the characters' feelings. For instance, when Holly searches for a cat in the snow at night, the narrative misses opportunities to vividly depict her numb fingers and the visible breath in the cold air, leaving readers disconnected from the scene.

Additionally, the characters are not distinctly drawn. Aside from their careers and Aiden’s eco-friendly mission, both men share similar attitudes and personalities. Although Holly and Ivy are initially introduced with contrasting traits—Holly as an introvert and Ivy as an extrovert—their behaviors during the vacation ultimately converge, making it challenging to distinguish between them.

When Holly's fiance leaves her the night before the wedding she realized she needs to get away. She switches vacations with her best friend. Can both of them relax or do they both find love?

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay is the cutest friends-swapping-places romance story.
It’s a sweet, fun, and addictive read that I truly enjoyed.
These characters are brought to life and I love spending every minute with them.
Oh my goodness! I seen that the audiobook is narrated by the best and my absolute favorite narrator ever…. Brittany Pressley!
I might just have to listen to this book also.

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I absolutely loved this book! It's the perfect pick for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a light-hearted and fun literary escape, especially during this season. The story is filled with heartwarming friendships, the excitement of finding love, and thrilling adventures that keep you engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, making their relationships feel genuine, and the narrative strikes the perfect balance between excitement and emotional depth. Whether you're in need of a feel-good read or just looking to have some literary fun, this book delivers in every way. It's a delightful journey you won't want to put down!

Two best friends, Holly and Ivy, swap holiday vacations in this latest Christmas romcom from one of my fav Canadian authors, Marissa Stapley (writing as Julia McKay). I loved the dual POV, completely opposite holiday settings and the new chance at love romance storylines. Perfect for fans of Hallmark Holiday romcoms and anyone who is as big a fan of The holiday movie as I am (it's one I watch EVERY year). Great on audio narrated by my very fav, Brittany Pressley. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book gives all of the holiday vibes, and it the perfect pick for a feel-good read. I absolutely loved the characters, except Matt, no one likes him.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam books for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

2.5⭐️ I really wanted to love this because the premise had so much potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I loved the idea of best friends swapping vacations due to unexpected circumstances, but squeezing two romance stories into a 300-page book felt like too much. I’m not a huge fan of insta-love, and that’s exactly what happens with both Holly and Ivy, which probably made it harder for me to connect with the story. The epilogue also felt a bit off—kind of like the end of a sitcom where they quickly recap everything that just happened. While the premise of swapping Christmas vacations and falling in love is cute, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if Holly and Ivy each had their own books. That way, we could get more character development, plot depth, and a stronger story overall.

This is a very warm fuzzy Hallmark read. Two best friends, both not huge fans of Christmas and yet have a magical season. It felt a bit too long and slow burn. Very cozy.

Thank you Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced reader copy.

I enjoyed reading The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Holly and Ivy are best friends after meeting in college at a holiday party after being introduced by their respective boyfriends. Although their names are festive, they each have less than amazing feelings towards the holidays. Flash forward to years later, Holly's fiance breaks up with her the day before their Holiday wedding that his very rich parents have been planning for. To help cheer Holly up, Ivy offers to swap Christmas vacations with her. Ivy will take Holly's unused Hawaiian honeymoon and Holly will go to the winter cabin Ivy planned on spending time at for an art retreat!

When Ivy arrives in Hawaii she learns that Holly's ex-fiancee is there with the woman he left Holly for. Ivy instead rents a bungalow from a friend of a hot hotel bartender she meets. Ivy and her hot bartender, Oliver spend time together hiking around Hawaii. Ivy doing some pastel landscaping and Oliver taking some photos for his National Geographic articles. When Holly arrives in the middle of nowhere, she has been thrown into an experience she isn't super familiar with. However, Holly is pleasantly surprised to learn that the man whose cabin she's renting is actually someone from high school. Holly is enchanted by the small town life that Aiden is introducing her to and is realizing that she was missing out on a lot with her previous relationship.

This was a cute romance but the ending definitely took away from it. You're only going to get so much when you have two romances that you need to explore in a book and it isn't 400+ pages but I think McKay did a great job at setting up most of the characterization. My main struggles with the ending was how all the solutions to the various problems were kinda shoe-horned into the last final chapters. I wish there was more between the Christmas holiday and the New Year holiday that the reader gets to see on page

Imagine your fiance telling you he’s attracted to someone else calling off your wedding the night before the ceremony. Well, that’s exactly what happens to Holly in Julia McKay’s newest novel, The Holiday Honeymoon Switch. Luckily, Holly has a best friend who is going to help her get through it. Kind of. I say kind of because in my mind if that happened I’d envision the two friends getting through it together, but with both of them already having trips planned: Holly was supposed to be heading to Hawaii on her honeymoon and Ivy had planned a solo trip to the Hudson Valley to recharge and indulge in her love of art, they decide to switch things up. Ivy will take Holly’s Honeymoon trip while Holly seeks refuge in the Hudson Valley. Of course neither of them expected to find romance waiting for them. Sure, I’ve seen a few variations of this kind of trip swapping storylines in the past, but this one is just so much fun. The setup for the eventual swap was great, establishing just how Holly and Ivy met, how alike they are and how much they have in common, and what a tremendous friendship they have. But the magic really starts when they each set off on their solo adventures. This is a wonderful feel good holiday romcom. And sure as I’m reading this we’re really just getting into prime Halloween season, but as a self-professed Hallmark junkie, there’s no wrong time for a Christmas romance. I’d like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Holiday Honeymoon Switch.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1S3MWLGESOA8X/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I loved that this book was not just about romance, but also about the friendships. It had the perfect mix of deeper story and hallmark holiday vibes. Ivy made some interesting choices in her career and friendship with Holly, but I really liked her character. I loved Oliver, the Hawaiian backdrop, and the side character of Larry. Holly came off a little naïve and oblivious at first, but she grew on me. I loved Aiden aka Eco Superman, and the cute Christmas-y town of Krimbo! The town had a lot of side characters that were enjoyable and brought the small town Hallmark-y Christmas feels. While the timeline in the story felt short, the chemistry between the couples did not feel rushed or inauthentic. We saw the characters bond on some deeper levels while talking through their backgrounds and their passions. The friendship between Ivy and Holly was my favorite. I really felt their best friend chemistry and love that while they were so similar, they were also very different in a lot of ways, but they bring out the best in each other. While I loved the main characters, and most of the side characters – I despised Holly’s ex, Matt, and wanted a worse end for him. It felt like him and Abby got off way too easily, and I wanted some form of karma or justice. I could have used a little more about both couples during the epilogue but overall it summed everything up! Such a fun and quick holiday read!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!

3.5 stars. Extra half star for Christmastime setting. I loved Holly and Ivy both and their relationship. This book was so fun! This was a well done dual POV. I loved how the two settings were so opposite. This book was easy and quick to read and I didn't mind the reminder that I should watch The Holiday (switching locations).

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing the ARC.

As someone who loves The Holiday, I was immediately attracted to this premise. However, this story falls fast. The characters are bland and dry - I wasn't able to connect with any of them. SodaThere was no spark of life, no food/drinks/etc..