A Love Triangle That Wasn't Really...

 

TITLE: In a Holidaze

AUTHOR: Christina Lauren

PUBLISHER: Gallery Books

PUBLISHING DATE: October 6, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

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.

MY THOUGHTS: I HATED Geometry class.  I mean I seriously struggled with proofs.  They were my enemy and I knew they were out to destroy me.  I even recall demanding my teacher explain to me how proofs would help me in law school (my goal at that point - thank Heavens it changed) because I highly doubted I would ever have a client stuck in a triangle I would have to prove was a triangle.  She didn't see the humor.  Anyway, what does that have to do with this book?  Well I'll tell ya!  It reminded me of trying to prove something was a triangle.

Maelyn Jones and her family and friends spend each Christmas in a country cabin.  Her parents, who have been divorced for several years, both still attend.  This Christmas though things change.  Not only does she kiss one brother after some drinking games instead of the brother she has secretly had a crush on since she was a kids,  their parents have decided to sell the cabin.  On the way to the airport to leave, Maelyn and her parents are in a wreck.  But instead of winding up in the hospital, she winds up back on the airplane on the trip TO the cabin.  So basically, time loop premise.  Mae wants nothing more to be happy but will making some serious life decisions change the outcome or is she destined to be stuck in Christmas forever?

This was a cute premise and while I liked Mae and she was rather comical at times, I didn't enjoy the whole brother triangle thing.  And seriously if you've read the book, did it really seem like a love triangle to you?  And come on, why am I so hung up on this, I HATE love triangles anyway.  The holiday aspect was cute and I liked the outcome.  I could really get on board spending Christmas at that cabin every year as long as it promised to end after the holidays and not get stuck on repeat.  

Basically, I've seen some mixed reviews of this book and while I didn't love it, I didn't hate it.  It was a pleasant enough read but it just didn't wow me.  My favorite character was Mae's hippie Uncle who was trying to help Mae end her time loop.  I think I'd really enjoy a book about him.  If you love Christmas reads or this author, then you might as well pick this up.  It does seem to be one of the "it" books this Christmas season.

RATING: 3 PAWS