Book Review: In a Holidaze

book review in a holidaze christina lauren seasoned with sydney blog

Childhood friends Mae and Theo were made for each other - or, so say their parents, all college friends themselves who have been rooting for the union since the kids were in diapers. There are just two problems: 1. Mae sees Theo as more of a brother than a potential lover and 2. Mae’s been in love with Andrew, Theo’s brother, for almost two decades. Ever since the kids were born, the families have been meeting up for Christmas in Park City, Utah where Theo’s parents own a cabin. One night, after far too much eggnog and a journey to rock bottom, Mae gives in to Theo’s flirty overtures, and the two share a sloppy kiss that Mae immediately regrets. The next morning, Theo, usually warm and open, gives her the cold shoulder reserved only for his many conquests, and Andrew, the love of her life, congratulates her on finally making things official with his brother. To top it all off (as if things couldn’t be any more dire), an announcement is made that the decades-old cabin, a safe-haven for Mae and the rest of the gang, is in need of a laundry list of repairs - the only option is to sell. Mae is devastated. Though she knows the relationships formed there over the years are rock solid on their own, the yearly tradition of going to the cabin is the only thing that ensures they all have a reason to come together.

On her last day in Park City, quite possibly for good, Mae is left with her thoughts, forced to confront the ramifications of a romantic mistake, the prospect of life changing forever, and no escape from the dead-end job waiting for her when she gets home. In a moment of desperation, Mae implores the universe to show her what will make her happy. A moment later, she finds herself thrown back in time - before Christmas, before the kiss, and before her life officially went up in flames. Mae realizes she’s been given the gift of a do-over - a second chance to keep a friendship alive, save the cabin, and maybe, just maybe, get the relationship she was meant for all along. But is what she wants to make her happy the same as what she needs?

In a Holidaze by the writing duo Christina Lauren is the hilarious, sometimes bittersweet story of a young woman’s fervent pursuit of happiness over the holidays, and the family - both biological and chosen - who help her get there…with a few twists, turns, and false-starts along the way!

The Good: I loved the way the authors were able to inject all the warmth and coziness of a holiday rom-com into this novel without the shallow cheesiness you sometimes get with books in this genre. As the reader, you really get a sense that the characters all really know and love each other, and that this chosen family is very close. I also appreciated that everyone included in the story has a purpose in some way, they aren’t just throwaway background characters you see mentioned a couple of times and then never again. The romantic scenes between the two main characters felt really realistic, and Christina Lauren did a great job of swiftly pulling you into the most intimate moments to make you feel like you’re actually there.

The Bad: While I appreciated the “groundhog day” aspect of this novel, I felt like it didn’t have the effect that the authors intended. In my opinion, either Mae should’ve been taken back in time more often, or only once. She felt a lot of anxiety about making the wrong choice and getting “reset” in a way, but I felt like there was so much build-up around it that ultimately wasn’t necessary. I also wish there were more scenes with Theo, perhaps a scene leading up to their kiss or maybe a few scenes from Christmases past to demonstrate more of Theo’s flirty personality. The story begins right after their kiss, but it would’ve been nice to see what sparked the moment; maybe then the reader would understand why that time, of all times, Mae would choose to cross that line with a person she’s never looked at romantically.

Bottom Line: This was a perfect and fast read to get me into the holiday mood (and also get me out of the reading funk I’ve been in lately). Sure, it’s got an ending that you can predict, and it’s not the deepest novel on the shelves at the moment, but it made me laugh, it made me smile, and I truly couldn’t put it down until I reached the very last page. If you’re looking for a super fun, festive read this holiday season that comes with a twist, I highly recommend this one!

Find In a Holidaze HERE!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #10

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

  • #Shelfie! - What can be learned from snooping through the bookshelves of friends, family, romantic flames, and strangers? Perhaps they have a few dozen of their favorite novels, some cherished childhood picture books, a couple of cookbooks, or old textbooks from classes taken a decade ago. Maybe they’ve got a room with multiple stacks of yellowing books in every corner, or a neat desk with only a few curated titles on it. Much like a music library, Netflix queue, or online grocery order, a book collection can be a great way to get to know a person better. But is what you find in someone’s personal library always an accurate representation of who they are? In this article, Alex Luppens-Dale ponders why we’re all so obsessed with other people’s bookshelves. (Book Riot)

  • When the human race wants a cookie… - If you’ve ever worried that one day your favorite chocolate and cream sandwich cookies would disappear from this Earth, worry no more! Oreo recently announced that the Global Oreo Vault, conveniently located right down the way from the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, is fully built and ready to take on any global catastrophe that may befall humankind. Though perhaps not even one-tenth as useful as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault - a secure structure containing one million seed samples meant to be planted in the event that all other attempts at growing crops fail - the Global Oreo Vault does contain the official recipe for Oreos and a giant stockpile of cookies to ensure no disruptions in the snack food chain. So if the world is somehow all on fire one day and you’ve still got a sweet tooth, you can rest easy knowing you’re totally covered. Yay? (Food & Wine)

  • Oh, for the love of dogs! - The domestication of dogs may have begun far longer than previously thought - several thousand years longer to be exact! In a recent study published by the journal Science, by the end of the Ice Age, at least five types of dogs with distinct genetic ancestries were already in existence. Most interesting of all, even after 11,000 years, some of the same lineages can be traced to the dog breeds we know and love today like Chihuahuas and some types of spaniels! (CNN)

  • Inside Ina’s pantry. - On every episode of Barefoot Contessa hosted by Ina Garten, you’ll find a parade of her fabulously wealthy Hamptons friends, a glimpse at her massive stockpile of fine dining sets, and even a brief appearance by her sweet husband Jeffery. Die-hard fans of the show and occasional viewers alike will be familiar with her regular suggestion while breaking down a recipe to use the “good” version of a pantry staple without ever actually making any specific recommendations. It’s become somewhat of a running joke and a bit of a head-scratcher at the same time (what does “good” even mean??). Well, if you’ve ever wanted a peek inside Ina’s pantry to settle the matter once and for all, here's your chance! (Bon Appetit)

  • A delicious moment of zen. - This week in the US is going to be big, and it’s probably going to be stressful, so here’s a calming, ASMR-tastic video of Youtuber 꿀키honeykki cooking up the ultimate Julia Child classic, Boeuf Bourguignon:

What are YOU reading and watching today? Let me know in the comments below!

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