’”I’ve loved you since I knew what love was, and I can’t undo that. I would never wish to take that away. Loving you is all the proof I needed that love can last decades. Maybe even a lifetime, who knows.”’


I was very pleasantly surprised by this story! Christina Lauren have just been authors that have let me down in the past, and I’ve only rated 1 book from them higher than 3 stars. So for their Christmas book of all things to be the second one that made that list was actually quite surprising to me.


I think the two core elements I enjoyed most about the story were the MC’s development and also how easy this was to get through. In a Holidaze at it’s core is almost a mimick of a Hallmark movie, following a large family who spends every Christmas vacationing at a cabin. But it divulges when Mae gets stuck in a Ground-Hog Day-like situation, where she repeats the same day over and over again because she wishes the universe to show her where she’s happiest.


As Mae relives the days over-and-over again, I was worried that I would get bored of reading a character going through the same experiences again-and-again. But Christina Lauren writes this in a way so that each day is reminiscent of the other, but different at its core. The story didn’t get boring either because each day relived, Mae heavily develops as a character and learns from her mistakes—which was quite enjoyable. While I do admit most of these characters are pretty one-dimensional, I still think seeing Mae learn from her mistakes, and become better made this story a really enjoyable experience to me.


Combined with the fast-pasting, I really enjoyed this. I was turning page-after-page because this was just so easy and fun. I think I enjoyed this so much because it was a Christmas romance, so I’m lighter on my ratings, and how seriously I will really take a book. And I really do think that helped my enjoyment most of all.


The romance was pretty good too, I must admit. Andrew and Mae (Andrew is one of the kids from one of the families Mae always vacations with) had really undeniable and fun chemistry, and their banter was really sweet. I really enjoy seeing childhood best friends to lovers, especially with the unrequited crush trope, and it was done quite well in here.


Overall, a very fun and bingeable Christmas romance, with heavy cozy holiday vibes and just the right amount of fluff and angst.


➸ 4 stars