𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁: Loved this one. It’s the perfect Christmas romance, it gives major “The Holiday” vibes, so I promise if you like that movie - you’ll like this. How can you go wrong with dual holiday romances: 2 sets of MCs and HEAs guaranteed. Add this one to your TBR now!

Holly gets left the night before her wedding and her best friend Ivy has always been there for her. But right now Holly just needs to escape, and process what just happened. But Holly could not go on her planned honeymoon to Hawaii alone.

Ivy would do anything for her bestie even if that meant giving up her planned 2 week art vacay in the mountain at an eco cabin in the Hudson Valley. Her love for Holly, along with the fact the girls could pass for each other made Holly’s plan easy.

Holly will escape to the mountains for the next two weeks and Ivy would go on Holly’s honeymoon to Hawaii. That way Ivy could paint her water landscapes which were her speciality. It was the perfect swap.

What neither Ivy or Holly accounted for were the men they would meet and how it would change everything this holiday season.

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Two Best Friends w/ 2 HEAs
* Nat Geo Photographer x Artist
* Lawyer x Eco Clark Kent
* Vacation Swap (Beach vs Snowy Mts)
* Fated Encounters
* Holiday Timeline
* Dual POV ( FMCs Only)
* Spice 🌶️

💙🌴❄️💙🌴❄️💙🌴❄️💙🌴❄️💙🌴❄️💙

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

This one was a cute holiday romance read that would be a perfect cozy romance to binge over the holidays while cozying up in comfy clothes with hot chocolate.

This story was not only a romance but a story about true “best friendship” and friends that feel like family. Some of it was cheesy, but if you know what you are getting into it won’t bother you.

My only qualm with the story was that both characters experienced “insta-love” which is just not a trope I vibe with. However, I like the way both the love stories panned out.

Check this one out during the holidays!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for a review.

My review will be posted on my instagram account @readitwithtay

(3.5/5) would round up to a (4/5)

This one was a lot of fun! The classic vacation-that's-out-of-your-zone to help find yourself will always get me. While I loved the love interests and the stories (need to know if this author is a 9-1-1 fan because a bartender named Oliver who is also a photographer???? I could only picture Oliver Stark in this role and it made my experience 100x better, I have to admit.

And while visualizing Oliver Stark did make me appreciate it more, I couldn't help but think, especially at the beginning, that Holly and Ivy were going to realize they were in love with each other. There was just something about the way Ivy spoke about Holly that made me believe she was harboring secret love for her best friend, and I was a little sad that wasn't the case </3

Having said that, I loved this entire ensemble (even if it wasn't entirely gay, again, I'm mourning but that's completely MY fault xo).

The perfect holiday romance I read while on a small road trip in the now crisping Idaho air.

Such a good and fun holiday romance! Perfect vibes for the holiday. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Another fun take on a holiday romcom where two best friends switch Christmas vacations when one is left at the alter. Their journeys to find new love were fun and fresh and polar opposites. I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed it. The dual POV was very well done and it made for a quick read.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is another one of this year’s holiday themed romances. It features a pair of best friends - one perennially single, the other dumped by her long-time boyfriend the night before their wedding. They decide to pull a Holiday - they each take the other’s holiday vacation/honeymoon, before coming back to NYC to celebrate New Year’s Eve together. Holly takes Ivy’s Hudson Valley eco-cabin solo art retreat and Ivy goes on Holly’s Hawaiian vacation. But neither are expecting what happens next - Holly’s Airbnb host turns out to be her high school academic rival, and Ivy arrives at the Hawaiian hotel to find out that Holly’s ex-fiance already checked in with his new girlfriend! Holly finds herself not spending her solo vacation alone, instead spending all her free time getting reacquainted with Aiden. Ivy finds herself not spending all her time alone either - she meets bartender Oliver at the hotel, who not only helps her find lodging for her vacation, but also shows her around the island, opening herself up to her art in new ways. But for each of them, these are just vacation flings, right? This book is like a Hallmark Movie Channel holiday movie in book form. Nothing too serious or heavy, light and fluffy, with a saccharine sweet ending.

This light and sweet romance feels like a refreshing palate cleanser, focusing more on the deep bond between best friends than on the romance itself. Holly and Ivy's friendship is heartwarming and fun to explore, with their connection being the highlight of the story. Though the dual storylines—Holly retreating to Ivy’s art getaway and Ivy heading to Hawaii in Holly’s place—weren’t my favorite, they worked well enough to keep the plot moving.

What truly shines here is the emphasis on friendship and the lengths we go to for those we love. While the romance is there, it plays a secondary role, allowing the friendship to take center stage. The holiday spirit is present but not overwhelming, offering a nice festive touch without feeling overly themed.

If you're in the mood for a holiday read that focuses more on friendship with a light dash of romance, this is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy. Julia McKay is the pen name of Marissa Stapely, who has co-authored other Christmas novels under Maggie Knox. The Holiday Honeymoon Switch follows two best friends, Holly and Ivy, as they navigate a difficult Christmas season. Holly was supposed to marry the love of her life and go on her honeymoon to Kaui, but her fiancé had a different idea. Ivy had a trip planned to upstate New York to paint. They decide to switch vacations and they may end up getting their happily ever after. The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is a feel good Christmas story. It’s a nice easy read with a happy ending.

If you are looking for a super cute, fun and fast paced holiday read- this is the perfect book To pick up!

This was my first by the author and look forward to more of her work.

Thank you to @netgalley for the eARC in return for my review

A cozy holiday read, a great supportive friendship between Ivy and Holly. Enjoyed their vacation/getaway swaps and each finding/reconnecting with a hot man. It was a fun read and entertaining.

Julia McKay wrote an epically cute winter romance. The story revolves around Holly and Ivy, best friends more like friend soulmates. They meet at a college party and become inseparable. One of their bonds is the fact they are 100% honest with each other all the time; everything but how much Ivy hates Holly’s fiancée. The night before the wedding, it is called off setting into motion a chain reaction of events. Holly obviously can’t go on her honeymoon, but doesn’t want to join Ivy on her art in the mountain getaway. So, they switch! By doing so, they not only fix what’s broken in themselves, but they also learn things about themselves they never knew.

They of course both meet two, very handsome golden retriever men. They try hard to fight their feelings, but it just doesn't work. I loved that the settings were polar opposites of each other. Ivy was beaching it up in Hawaii, while Holly was getting snowed in in New York. Even though they are thousands of miles apart, their lives are still mirroring each other. Their invisible string is just as strong as ever. I love that these two are so strong together, but there are still individual pieces they have to strengthen to be the best versions of themselves, to heal, and to grow. It is coming of age in a way, mixed with the holidays, and romance. Great read!

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is a fun and lighthearted holiday read that I enjoyed.

The premise of best friends Holly and Ivy switching places after Holly’s fiancé leaves her at the altar is clever and sets the stage for some entertaining escapades. I liked the dynamics between the two characters and how their friendship shines through the chaos. The contrasting settings—Holly’s retreat to a Hudson Valley cabin and Ivy’s Hawaiian getaway—add a nice touch of festive charm.

Overall, The Holiday Honeymoon Switch is an entertaining holiday escape, perfect for readers looking for a light read. It’s not a standout in the genre for me, but I appreciated the fun premise and the warmth of friendship at its core. If you enjoy holiday romances with a twist, this book might just brighten your season!

I finally managed to finish reading The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay(too early for holiday reads?😂) and it was quite cute and fluffy! I felt like we got two stories in one - and I liked both!⁣
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Holly and Ivy have been best friends since meeting at a Christmas party many years ago - and they're like peas in a pod with matching festive names too. So, when Holly's fiance dumps her right before their wedding, she asks Ivy to go on the honeymoon to Hawaii that was gifted by Holly's parents - and Holly decides to go to the Hudson Valley cabin that Ivy had rented for an art retreat. After landing in Hawaii, Ivy is shocked to find Holly's ex fiance - Matt with his new girlfriend and she's left without a place to stay until a hot bartender comes to her rescue. At the same time, Holly meets her ecocabin host - an old highschool classmate of hers.⁣
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This was a cute read and it had a premise that was a bit different from the usual holiday reads - with the vacation switch😂 I loved the friendship between Holly and Ivy in this one - definitely a highlight! I feel like both of them got what they needed in unexpected ways. The romance (Holly+Aiden and Ivy+Oliver) was pretty sweet too - but also very insta-lovey. I feel like Holly jumped into another relationship a bit too quickly but it wasn't completely unbelievable 🤔 What I didn't understand was Ivy's desire to hide from Matt at first? Like she hasn't done anything wrong lol and it took her so long to just confront him on behalf of her bff😂 That was so weird. But I did like the holiday vibes in this one - and the different storylines too!⁣
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Overall it was a cute and easy holiday read with an entertaining plot!

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch was a good cleansing palate book for me in between reading spooky reads for October!

Best friends who switch places and fall in love on vacation? Yes, please.
I felt like the dual story views could have been paced a little better. At times the writing felt slow. However, I did enjoy reading this. It felt like a hallmark movie. I even ditched my pumpkin spice latte for some Hot Chocolate to set the mood.

If your ready for Christmas and want to skip spooky October reads this one is for you! The book was a level 1 spice, and the story focuses more on friendship than love. Every one in life needs a friendship like Ivy and Holly. It was a sweet, fluffy, light read.
I recommend waiting to read this in December to get all the vibes!

Thank you NetGalley!

This was such a cute book! I really enjoyed it. The dual storyline and locations are so fun! Two best friends, Holy and Ivy, switch vacations after life took a u-turn.

Read if you like:
🌊Vacation reads
❄️Dual storyline
🌊Best friends
❄️Holiday
🌊Secret past love
❄️He falls first

I highly recommend this quick and sweet read for the holiday!

Thank you to NetGalley and Julia McKay for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story about best friends Holly Beech and Ivy Casey. The night before Holly's wedding , Matt breaks it off. Then he ask if she is going to use the honeymoon in Hawaii. She says no. She gives the honeymoon to Ivy and she takes Ivy's 2 week art trip in a cabin in the woods in upper state new York. When Ivy gets to Hawaii she finds that Matt has brought his girlfriend Abbey with him but Ivy finds a place to stay and makes some new friends. Holly actually meets the owner of the cabin who Holly knows from high school See how the Honeymoon works out for them. A GREAT CHRISTMAS READ.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch was a great read. It was two romance stories in one. Holly and Ivy are the best of friends having met in college at a frat party. Holly is now getting married to her college boyfriend but the wedding is cancelled when her groom decides they are not right for each other. Holly insists that Ivy go on her honeymoon while Holly goes to Ivy's snowy retreat. There are twists and turns that follow.

This book reminded me of The Holiday with the exception of the female characters being best friends and not strangers. I loved both Ivy and Holly. They really support each other and it was heartwarming to read. The love interests, Oliver and Aiden, were the perfect matches for the ladies. I enjoyed that there were other characters who fleshed out the stories but it really focused on the romance and the growth of both Holly and Ivy.


Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

This book was such a fun read. Yes, it's totally predictable, but that's OK. Even knowing what was going to happen, I still smiled throughout the story, and chuckled a few times too.

Holly & Ivy are the kind of friends we'd all be lucky up have. They're there for each other, no matter what. You can't ask for more. This book is more about their friendship, in my eyes, which I love.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3⭐️ I normally rate my Christmas reads very easy and while I liked this one it just wasn’t my favorite.

While this book is about friendship, it was also about 2 friends falling in love and therefore 2 romances that felt very insta-love, and rushed. A very easy read and definitely will get you into the holiday spirit

This was an advanced read copy I received through Netgalley so it’s not going to be officially published until October 8, 2024! But this is my honest review!

Add this book to your to read list, I promise you won’t regret it! & then let me know what you thought!

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The Holiday Honeymoon Switch was a cute holiday romance story. You get viewpoints from both of the friends on their vacations. While I enjoyed the story, I will say that I'm not a huge fan of the insta-love in Contemporary Romance books, although I understand it needed to fit in the timeline of the girls' vacations. Overall, the story gave me Hallmark movie vibes (especially with the Holidays), so if you like to cuddle up with a blanket and watch Hallmark movies, I think you'd enjoy this!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.