ARC Review: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Title: In a Holidaze
Author: Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Paperback, 336 Pages
Published October 2020

Summary: It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but thirty-year-old Maelyn Jones is in the midst of a major crisis. She’s living with her mom, hates her boring job, and has yet to make any romantic progress with Andrew, the friend she’s been in love with for the last thirteen years. But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born. Devastated as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple wish to the universe: show me what will make me happy. The next thing she knows there’s a screech of tires and metal, followed by Mae gasping awake…on an airplane bound for Utah. Now Mae has the chance to live the holidays all over again but with one disaster after another sending her repeatedly back in time, she has to figure out how to end this strange holiday loop and get Andrew under the mistletoe. Otherwise, she’s going to need a miracle.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and as soon as the package arrived on my doorstep and I opened it, I could barely keep myself from happy-dancing all over the place. I've loved so many of Christina Lauren's novels in the past (especially THE UNHONEYMOONERS), so I couldn't wait to dive into this one. So without further ado, let's get into my review!

As the summary explains, Mae is devastated to find out that her family tradition of trekking to a cabin with her parents and all of their friends' families each Christmas was going to be coming to an end. On the drive home, she wishes for the universe to show her what would make her happy, and then they get into a car accident and she wakes up on the plane there again -- given a chance to relieve the trip all over again. And every time she seems to make a misstep that won't lead to where the universe wants her to go, she founds herself sent back into time again. And through having a Groundhog Day-situation over and over again, Mae eventually has to figure out what the universe is trying to show her will really make her happy.

You guys, I absolutely ADORED this book. I tore through it so quickly, and it was such a treat to finish while I was quarantining when my dad had COVID, because it really took my mind off of the situation and kept me distracted and happy and swooning from start to finish. Mae's antics were both hilarious and interesting, and I loved seeing them play out. I also recommended this book to a friend who read it at the same that I did, and she finished the whole thing even quicker than I did because she just loved it that much and couldn't get enough of it! This is really such a sweet, hilarious, touching, swoon-worthy holiday read that will keep you smiling from start to finish. I really recommend it to any rom-com reader out there!

My favorite character in this book was definitely Benny. Even though he was older than Mae, he really acted as such a great best friend, always being there for her and bestowing wisdom. It was clear that she could always count on him, no matter what situation she was in, or how chaotic the situation seemed. I had my own Benny once upon a time, so this book reminded me a lot of him and made me miss him lots. But regardless of that nostalgic feeling I got, I still loved seeing Mae's relationship with him, and how he seemed to be more of a fatherly figure to her than her own father at times. Every time Benny was on the page, he was so sweet and warm and hilarious and kind! 

(MAJOR SPOILERS IN THIS PARAGRAPH -- skip to the next paragraph to avoid them!) That epilogue...oh my gosh. I know that the proposal was kind of super fast, but my hopeless romantic heart immediately fell in love with it and was so happy and fulfilled. The actual proposal scene had me gasping out loud and a few tears definitely came to my eyes. It's safe to say that I really didn't see it coming. I suspected something was up, but since they hadn't even been dating for a full year at that point, I wasn't expecting it. And once it happened, I definitely pointed it out to my boyfriend, who I've been dating for much longer, asking where my proposal was, LOL! And even though we never really get an explanation on how Mae was forced to relive the same trip over and over until she got it right, I didn't really find myself upset that we don't find out. The universe showed her what would make her happy, and as a reader, I finished the book feeling fulfilled. 

Overall, I absolutely loved IN A HOLIDAZE. It was the perfect, sweet holiday read to kick off the season for me, and it made me wish that my family and our friends all had a cabin that we gathered at every year with each other for the holidays. If you're looking for a Christmas read to boost your spirits and leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy, then I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!