This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Published by Gallery Books
Released on October 6, 2020
Pages: 334
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
A new book by Christina Lauren is something to look forward to; if you throw in a Christmas book by them? I was so up for it! Then when I realized that it’s a sort of Christmas Ground Hog Day I jumped in as soon as I received it from Net Galley. So, yes that was the delight for me.
Review
When Maelynn Jones travels with her family to a cabin for Christmas, little does she know what a roller coaster her life is going to turn into. Every year her family and two other families spend the holidays together. One family has two adult sons, one(Theo)that everyone thinks she will end up with although nothing’s ever happened between them, and one(Andrew)that Maelynn has wanted ever since she can remember, but who also treats her like a little sister. The families all have certain fun activities that they do for the days they are there. It’s pretty much the same every year and they all love it. Of course, things have changed over the years, her mom and dad have divorced and her mom has remarried for one thing. She keeps coming by herself every year though, while her new husband spends time with his adult children. This is how close these people are to each other. When something goes wrong romantically for Maelynn at the cabin and she also finds out that it’s going to be the last Christmas there, she makes a silent wish for someone to show her what will make her happy. Immediately, she is thrust back into the trip to the Cabin to live it all over again. And although I’ve told a lot, I haven’t gone past the first few chapters so I am going to leave it at that.
I absolutely loved the characters and since it’s an ensemble cast mostly, it made it that much more enjoyable. Over the course of the book, we get to know a lot about most of them. I particularly liked Benny, one of her Dad’s old roommates. He is Maelynn’s person to confess to and full of wisdom and love for Maelynn. I did really enjoy Maelynn as well, but I’m not going to get into anything about the two guys so it will be a mystery to discover if you decide to read this.
The Ground Hog Day premise was really fun for a change. I happen to be a fan of the movie so I knew going in that each version of the story would be different in certain aspects and since Maelynn knew what was going to happen before it happened, I enjoyed seeing her amaze everyone with her predictions of small things. Of course, she freaks out about it initially, but what can she do but go with it unless she wants everyone to think she is crazy.
The romance ended up being pretty wonderful. You aren’t really sure who she will end up with for a while, so that was something that kept me turning pages too. It didn’t hurt that this writer duo usually doesn’t disappoint and certainly didn’t this time.
All in all, I ended up being very happy with this read. It’s an adult read and I highly recommend it to romance readers, especially ones that are fans of Ground Hog Day.
About the Book
IN A HOLIDAZE BY CHRISTINA LAUREN
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.
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Awe I’m so ready for those feel good Christmas reads. Great review Lorna
This was so good! I love these authors books.
christmas ground hog…sounds like a lot of fun. glad you enjoyed it so much
sherry @ <a href=”http://www.fundinmental.com/”> fundinmental</a>
Yes, I loved the premise and thought it was very well done. And fun!
Ground Hog Day????? Fun!
Really fun! I loved it.
I’m getting this on audio so I had to skim. I won’t read / review until after Thanksgiving
Hope you enjoy as much as I did!
CLo never fail to assemble a great ensemble and this one was so strong. I adored them all! But it was traditions and warm fuzzy holiday feelings I was left with that I loved the most
Oh, I loved the established traditions they all shared. I just really enjoyed the whole thing!
I’m so interested in reading it! It indeed sounds like an amazing plot, and addictive you say?
I thought it was pretty addictive! I just enjoyed the whole thing.