In a Holidaze

By: Christina Lauren

5/5 Snow Monkeys Named Thea

Maelyn Jones is a twenty-six year old who feels her life is headed nowhere ever since she had to move back home. She's not exactly fond of her job, and living with her mother isn't exactly romance material, but Mae knows there's one thing that can lift her spirits: Christmas week at her "aunt and uncle's" Utah cabin. Mae has been going to the cabin for as long as she can remember. Her mother and father are best friends with Lisa and Ricky, the cabin's owners. Benny, Kyle, and Aaron, three more college friends, tag along with their families for a big, festive holiday.

Mae loves being around this chosen family, but tensions are a little high with Ricky and Lisa's two sons: Theo and Andrew. Mae has been in love with Andrew for as long as she could remember, but on Christmas Eve, she makes a mistake with Theo. To make matters worse, the next morning, Ricky and Lisa announce they're selling the cabin and this will be the last Christmas there. On the drive home, Mae feels as though her life is shattering around her. Her regrets with Theo, topped by the situation with the cabin, has her in a self-pity hole. As she drives to the airport she pleas to the universe show me what will make me happy. A sudden car crash may just be the answer to this weird wish. Will Mae be happy, or should she have been careful what she wished for?

Recently, someone told me I give out too many five star reviews, but I don't even care - this book was GOOOOOOD! It's been hyped on bookstagram for about a month now, so I was actually hesitant to read it. The last #bookstagrammademedoit book I chose was A Cruel Prince and that was disappointing to say the least... But this book, this book did not disappoint me! This is my first Christina Lauren novel, but from what I understand, her wit and writing is this masterful in them all.

I'll admit, Mae annoyed me from time to time; however, I'm starting to like when protagonists have flaws. It makes the book more relatable and the story more... feeling wothy. Plus, I'm a sucker for steamy romances that also have a Groundhog Day feel. The romance in this book is one that I will think about long after, up there with Red, White, and Royal Blue and Get a Life, Chloe Brown. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned - what more could you ask for in a Christmas read?

I don't want to reveal too much in this review, which is why I can't gush a ton because I'm afraid it'll give the book away. I guess all I can say is - READ THIS BOOK!