Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren Narrator: Patti Murin
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on October 6, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 7 hours, 40 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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.
Christina Lauren is one of my favorite romance authors. I am enjoying the current string of standalone books which are very well-developed contemporary romance. In a Holidaze had the added benefit of being a holiday story.
Families with parents who had been best friends in college meet every year at Christmas. The years pass and they have children. There are divorces and marriages but the holiday week is well loved tradition. Until this year, when so many things go wrong. Mae ends up in a time loop until she gets it right, until she is happy.
I love all the great characters and the huge support circle of friends and family who care about each other. They know each other well. There is sledding and snow sculptures, decorating, board games, cards and great food. The “kids” of the college friends are now in their 20s and they need to take more responsibility for things.
Mae has been going along with the flow where everything is ok but it’s not really making her happy. Now she is pushed into having the courage to make some changes and tell some truth, and finds out how happy being her true self can be. I love her bravery in being honest and even with mistakes, fighting for what she wants.
Narration:
I have enjoyed Patti Murin on another audiobook by this author. It was set in a different region so it was interesting to hear her use different voices. The story is all from Mae’s point of view and stream of thought so it feels right. The emotional tone fit well and made the performance more enjoyable. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed which was just a little fast.
Listen to a clip:
About Christina Lauren
Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right).
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced fourteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, O Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in September, followed by a contemporary romance, Roomies in December, and their first Women’s Fiction, Love and Other Words in April.
Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.
Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you can find her at her desk, writing or watching BTS videos. She grew up in Utah and is absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 17 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed this one so much. I know many readers just love this author duo’s work in storytelling.
Yes the emotional journey was awesome as well as the character’s honesty with herself and others.
When you say stuck in a loop, do you mean groundhog day type loop? I’ve read one other book that did that (A week of Mondays) and it was so good (as is groundhog day). That, coupled with the basic concept of college friends at the holidays over the years, has me very interested.
Yes a loop which was weird, then funny, then heartwarming. I liked how the character was honest with herself and others. It takes such courage to be vulnerable.
I loved this one but had the book arc instead of listening. I loved it as well. I really enjoyed how each individual character was so well developed. Of course, I also loved the romance! And Christina Lauren rarely disappoints me.
I really enjoyed it so much. I generally do enjoy this author on audio.