In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

|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.

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|Review|

If you’re only looking to read just one Christmas story this holiday season then pick up In a Holidaze! It was such a cute holiday romance that gave me all the heartwarming, cozy feels while still having an actual plot with depth to it. It’s got more to it than just romance though, it’s also about family and not being afraid to go after what you want, no matter how hard it may seem.

Mae feels like life as she knows it is imploding.  She’s messed up her love life beyond repair after a drunken mistake with the wrong brother, is going back home to a job she hates, and it turns out that was her family’s last Christmas doing the Christmas cabin tradition. Mae throws a wish out into the universe, to show her what will make her happy. Sometimes wishes come true and Mae wakes up to find herself headed back to the Christmas vacation she just lived through, but this time she’s going to shake things up and find happiness.

Mae was super relatable and hilarious as heck. She’s afraid to put herself out there, even with people who have known her for years. Tradition comes first and she’s definitely a creature of habit, wanting to be comfortable instead of branching out and trying new things. After her like third repetitions he finally throws caution to the wind and starts acting a bit crazy. I found her absolutely hilarious and really enjoyed watching her grow into herself. Sometimes you have to do things that make you *uncomfy* to change things up.

The romance was the ultimate holiday romance full of mistakes, misunderstandings second-guessing and of course holiday cheer. Mae has been in love with Andrew for years but has never told him or really made it obvious. Everyone just assumed she’s going to end up with his younger brother Theo. I really enjoyed watching Mae get a bit crazier with each new cycle of the vacation until she finally cracks and throws caution to the wind. The romance was so sweet, the perfect childhood friends to lovers transition. We also get some steamy scenes which was a nice change of pace from the typical “sweet” storyline Christmas books tend to stick with.

I had a hard time putting this one down and ended up finishing it in one sitting. From the relationships and family-dynamics to the romance, beautiful setting and Mae herself, In a Holidaze really delivers the perfect holiday rom-com.