Cute easy read rom com. I loved the characters. The storyline worked for both main characters and their new romance. The friendship was sweet. It was a simple entertaining read.

This book was okay. If you're in the mood for a Hallmark-esque romance that celebrates friendship, this may do it for you. Normally, that's my comfort go-to. This one missed the mark for me.

Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the characters. Holly and Ivy are both sort of bland, and don't do much over the course of the story that made me go, "Wow, I understand why they're the main characters!"

(Is that too lit-snob of me?)

From a technical perspective, the writing is great, particularly in regards to the settings. If Krimbo were real, I'd live there! A snowy forest of Christmas trees? It sounds magical. However, I found the choice of third-person present a little weird. I haven't read a ton of books written in that tense with dual perspectives, and after reading this, I kind of get why. It sounds good in theory; you're right alongside the character as they make their crucial decisions, rather than lagging behind them in an awkward, borderline voyeuristic way. However, shifting the perspective to present makes every emotional decision a little too rational, a little too quickly.

And for the record, I can't believe I'm saying this because I enjoy characters acting like adults and talking through their problems, but Holly and Ivy are too... level. There's little emotion and very little drama, and though that can be realistic, most people's emotions are messy when they've been jilted, or when they find out their best friend's ex-fiancé was having a full-blown affair.

So anyway, the main characters are a bit flat, but ironically the love interests are pretty well done. You can how they would be charming. Although... I admit that the celebrity comparisons were pretty weird. (Describing your main characters as resembling Rachel Bilson or Eva Mendes feels more suited to a Wattpad story than a romance novel to me.)

The dialogue comes off very robotic, too. Dialogue is a tricky thing to nail down, and I'm not sure McKay quite gets it right.

In a few months, I'll see this on my Goodreads and I'll go, "Wait, which book was that again?" I hate to be that blunt because I know how much love and care probably went into this, but unfortunately, it's true.

A charming read about two best friends finding love when they least expect it.

Holly has just been dumped the night before her wedding. Ivy is devastated for her and agrees to swap vacation plans to comfort Holly. Ivy will enjoy Holly’s honeymoon suite in Kauai and Holly will enjoy Ivy’s cabin in the Hudson Valley before they meet up for New Year’s Eve. While trying to find peace and relaxation, both Holly and Ivy are pleasantly surprised by their new surroundings and the people they meet.

This was an enjoyable easy, breezy read with holiday vibes. Conveniently, there are incredibly handsome, accomplished, and single men for Holly and Ivy to meet. There are a lot of feel-good moments and it was sweet to see both Holly and Ivy meet their matches. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. While some of the story line was predictable, I found myself very easily invested in the characters and each of their stories. An adorable story of both love with a partner and love in friendship. I highly recommend this book!!

This was a really sweet story. I enjoyed the vivid nature descriptions of Kauai as well as the cute woodsy town. The holiday vibes were delightful even though I read in February.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books Putnam for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch was a cute book that brought me back to the Christmas season (even in March). We see the friends meet cute between Holly and Ivy when they are in college and then jump forward to current day, at Holly’s rehearsal dinner. Things quickly go wrong for Holly, with her finance leaving her for another woman, kicking off the holiday honeymoon switch.

This was a very easy read and I enjoyed the premise. Past that it was a bit simplistic be twee (very much a hallmark or lifetime movie in book format), but I see that appealing to many younger adult readers. I say younger adult but I don’t meant teenagers, as this book has some light spice, rather those in early 20’s. Definitely very feel good and heartwarming, though nothing really stood out for me. I’m giving this a 2.8, rounded up to 3, for being so well written and for having a well contained plot.