📖 Overview
Mae Saunders finds herself trapped in a time loop during her family's annual Christmas vacation in Utah. After a car accident on the way to the airport, she wakes up back at the cabin on December 20th - and keeps reliving the same holiday week over and over.
During these repeated weeks, Mae attempts to figure out both the purpose of the time loop and her feelings for Andrew, her longtime friend from these family gatherings. She must navigate complex family dynamics and her own desires while trying to break free from the cycle.
The cabin setting and holiday traditions provide a backdrop for Mae's journey of self-discovery. The story explores how small changes in choices and actions can lead to significantly different outcomes.
The novel examines themes of fate versus free will, and questions whether following one's true desires requires courage or simply the right circumstances. Through its unique premise, the book considers how family traditions shape identity and how romance can bloom in familiar places.
👀 Reviews
Readers consider this a light, holiday romance with elements of Groundhog Day. Many found it a cozy winter read with strong chemistry between the main characters. Fans appreciated the nostalgic Christmas traditions and family dynamics at the Utah cabin setting.
Liked:
- Fast-paced, easy reading
- Christmas atmosphere and traditions
- Childhood friends-to-lovers plot
- Humor and banter between characters
Disliked:
- Time loop element feels underdeveloped
- Some found the protagonist frustrating
- Romance progresses too quickly
- Limited character development
As one reader noted: "The time travel aspect seemed like an afterthought rather than a key plot device."
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (197,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (9,800+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings)
Most readers categorize it as an enjoyable but forgettable holiday romance, with one reviewer stating: "Perfect for Christmas vacation reading but don't expect much depth."
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Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon A TV meteorologist and sports reporter team up to reunite their divorced bosses during a series of winter events at their Seattle station.
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey A woman fresh out of prison lands a job creating holiday window displays alongside the department store's stern manager, leading to an unexpected Christmas romance.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🎄 "In a Holidaze" is Christina Lauren's first holiday-themed romance novel, marking a departure from their usual contemporary romance settings.
✏️ Christina Lauren is actually two people - Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings - who write together as a duo and have been best friends since 2009.
⏰ The story uses a "Groundhog Day" time-loop concept, but with a Christmas twist, making it part of a growing sub-genre of romance novels that incorporate time travel elements.
🏠 The book's setting, a cabin in Park City, Utah, was inspired by the authors' own experiences in the area, as Lauren Billings lives in Utah.
💝 The novel pays homage to multiple classic holiday films, including "Love Actually" and "The Holiday," weaving familiar festive tropes into a modern narrative.