Synopsis:

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

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.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

Five festive, romantic, and unputdownable stars! I was prepared to be disappointed with this one. It seems to be the way I start all Christina Lauren books, despite the fact that I always seem to enjoy them. I should just stop reading other’s reviews. Clearly, I am just the hopeless romantic audience they are writing for. Was it perfect? No, but I was so immersed in the story, I didn’t care about the little imperfections.

“His breath comes out warm against my neck, voice shaking: ‘It never occurred to me that you might be mine.'”

Christina Lauren, In a Holidaze

I’ve mentioned before that I used to work in a video rental store when I was a teen (yes, I’m old), and I would often play certain movies on a loop. Groundhog Day with Bill Murray was one of them. That movie still makes me smile. So I don’t mind the Groundhog Day trope—when it’s done well. And I think In a Holidaze has done it well. 

Speaking of films, for some reason the first part of this book was giving me major Untamed Heart feels. Most of you won’t even know what that movie is (bonus points if you do!), but it’s a heart-wrenching early 90’s film staring Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei set around Christmastime. Maybe sweet and simple Andrew from the book reminded me of sweet and simple Adam from the film?? I don’t know, there really isn’t much that is similar, but it brought back some nostalgic feelings.