I went back and forth trying to decide if I wanted to write a book review of In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren and in the end here I am. I guess you can say the whole, groundhog day trope was far too distracting for me. Unfortunately, I can only give In a Holidaze 3 STARS.
I’m going to keep this review for the most part pretty, pretty.
First, the publisher’s description. . .
Synopsis
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.
But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.
The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.
In a Holidaze Book Review
I tried, I really did. I’m so sorry to say folks, but In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren was not it. It took me a whole ass week just to get through the first 25% and then a whole extra week to finish. I was so bored.
I read so many of the Goodreads reviews, other book bloggers reviews and had high hopes. It was 5 STARS after 5 STARS and 4 STARS after 4 STARS. I’m thinking, “Yes, this is about to bring me some romance joy.” However, nope, that is not what happened.
I could not have been more disinterested. It hurt my feelings to even write these words because I really like Christina Lauren. Never in a million years did I think I would give them anything less than 4 STARS.
Our leading lady Maelyn Jones is on a mission to reconnect with herself and her family. Every year since she was a child, her family joins her parent’s college friends to a cabin and they celebrate Christmas together. Even though her parents are no longer married they put their differences aside for the sake of family and to spend the holidays together.
Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas in a cozy cabin, surrounded by trees and snow?!
Little Miss Jones happens to have a not-so-secret crush on her childhood friend Andrew who happens to be quite stunning. Too bad she ends up kissing his brother. That’s where things attempt to be interesting, but even then it’s still a struggle.
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After waking up the next morning filled with regrets, a series of events (which I’m not telling you), gives Maelyn a chance to change the past to ensure the kiss with Andrew’s brother doesn’t happen. Andrew is Maelyn’s love interest in the book.
The fact that the entire novel hinges on the kiss between Maelyn and Andrew’s brother prevented the story from developing to its full potential. A huge portion of the story is just explaining that she is reliving the same days over and over again. For me, it was a little off-putting and distracting.
I did end up loving Maelyn and Andrew’s relationship once they got together. Even if it took them a million and one years to finally get together. There could have been more relationship development in my mind but that could just be me. There were however some really great moments with them that I loved and yet I also felt like there could have been more.
One thing I loved about Maelyn was her growth. She starts out very insecure and unsure of herself, but over time learns that she is strong, beautiful, and has so much to offer the world. There is nothing more attractive about a woman than her confidence.
Overall, it was unique and something different from what Christina Lauren has given us before. Even though it didn’t work for me. Is it my favorite of theirs, no, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It felt a little bit too flat.
Let’s get into the important questions. . .
Do I recommend this book? Not overly. It took me 2 whole weeks to get finish this book which is a bad sign for me. I should have been done in 1-2 days max to finish but I felt invested in the story.
Will I read another book by Christina Lauren? Of course, I normally love their books and I’m 100% positive I will again in the future.
I promised I wouldn’t get too messy and I didn’t. I kept it pretty!
Thank for taking your time and reading In a Holidaze book review.
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