Title: IN A HOLIDAZE
Author: Christina Lauren
Read: December 2020
Expected publication: out now
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book Description:
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.
My musings:
I don’t normally read romance. Not ever. But hey,
who can’t do with a little bit of Christmas magic? Somehow Christina Lauren
managed to channel my inner 26-year-old hungry for some love, and push aside
the grumpy old me who craves murder and suspense and scoffs at any hint of
romance. This book was a perfect escape from reality: sweet, hopeful and
innocent, where bad things may happen but good always wins out and everyone
finds love in the end. It comes as a surprise to me, too, when I say that I
really enjoyed it. And was that a little tear running down my face when Mae
....? nope, no spoilers!
I think everyone who believes in
Christmas magic will enjoy time in this snowy little cabin with a bunch of
friends and family who may have had their share of tragedy and drama but just
like hanging out together. I loved the descriptions of the Christmas traditions
that have kept this group of people united for years, and I would have loved to
sit in their midst near the fire sipping hot cocoa and listen to their happy bickering.
It was all so very wholesome! Perhaps it channelled some deeply buried memories
of Christmases past when our extended family came together for a feast and gift
giving, and there was still magic in the season for little innocent me. Or
maybe it was the longing for such carefree happy days that instantly drew me to
the story. Whatever it was, it worked for me, and the lasting happy glow after
the last page had been turned renewed my faith in the magic of Christmas, and
the love of family and friends as the true meaning of the season. Does that
sound soppy?
I have heard some readers complain
that the time travel / groundhog day element was not sufficiently explained in
the story, and thought that the petty, absolutely-can’t-suspend-disbelief me
would surely stumble over that hurdle as well. But-surprise! It didn’t bother
me. To be honest, who can really pull off time travel in a way that makes sense?
Apart from Stephen King’s novel 11/22/63, I have never read any story that
explained that element well enough that it was believable, so I didn’t even
try. And it all worked, in a weird, Christmas-magicy sort of way.
Summary:
Long story short, I really enjoyed this story,
loose plot ends and all, and the atmospheric, snowy cabin setting really made
for the perfect Christmassy read. And whilst I don’t think romance will ever be
my go-to genre, it made for a lovely escape. Merry Christmas!
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