In a Holidaze

Product Information

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong. I also found it absolutely ludicrous that Maisie’s parents let her sleep completely unsupervised in the basement with their friends’ sons. Maisie remarks that her mom is usually very concerned with safety and propriety for her daughter, and is apparently a big Catholic too, but isn’t concerned about anything to happen to her daughter when she sleeps in the same room with two teenage boys “because they’re family.” O-kay. I found this completely unbelievable, and not just because Maisie has been in love with Andrew since she was thirteen, which clearly highlights that she does not see him as a brother, but because bad things happen to kids even among blood families all the time. A steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn... That’s the question Maelyn Jones asked....and the answer she got was more than she ever dreamed. Come to think of it, maybe it was all just a beautiful dream. You’ll just have to read the book to find out!

In a Holidaze | Christina Lauren | 9781982123949 | NetGalley In a Holidaze | Christina Lauren | 9781982123949 | NetGalley

While this sauce is best served fresh, you do have the option of reheating it. But keep in mind that there could be a chance where your eggs will cook up a bit. So here are two options for reheating – just be cautious! So what happens when you have been in love with Andrew since the age of thirteen but make a mistake and kiss his brother, Theo on December 25th instead? Naturally, you wish for a chance to find some happiness and erase the last few days, right? Wishful thinking...maybe for us plain humans but for Maelyn Jones this exactly what happens. She revisits the beginning of her Christmas holiday to find out what makes her happy. A Christmas full of family and friends. Maelyn's parents and her college friends have been meeting for Christmas since she can remember. It's a tradition that everyone makes time for. 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. This is a Christmas Romance with a little time travel (I guess). I am so happy that I got approved from a Netgalley e-book of this book, and I cannot wait to read it. I love Christina Lauren's book, so I requested this book without even seeing what is was about. I normally do not like book with time travel, but this book was so great. This is one of my favorite Christmas books. The main character is Maelyn. Her family and her mother's best friend's family was staying in a cabin for Christmas like they always do. Everything was going wrong and Mae makes a wish that ends up making her keep repeat the start of the trip until she gets it right. I found this book very cute and funny at parts and enough drama to keep me wanting to read it. Great book. I love a great Christmas story. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I can see this being the new hot Christmas story. At one point, I snort laughed. Another time, I felt my eyeballs getting wet with unshed tears. This story brings the feels, y'all, and in the best possible way.The romance in this story was slow and addictive. And I found myself falling in love right along with them. Well technically Mae already had loved Andrew forever, but you’ll see what I mean. Andrew had been friends with Mae practically his whole life. He always saw her as a friend, but with magic or was it fate intervening, I kept my fingers crossed he’d start to see her in another light. You guys, Andrew was most definitely book boyfriend material! He was sexy, patient, thoughtful, sweet and kind. And I loved how he always paid attention to Mae. His eyes sparkle, and sensation zips up my spine. I swear he’s never looked at me like this, like he’s seeing me for the first time. I was also really confused by how upset Andrew became over things that didn’t even happen in his timeline and when the two weren’t even together as a couple. Honestly, I really could’ve done without this whole unnecessary drama plot point In a Holidaze where Maisie tells Andrew about her time traveling. Their fight just felt like drama for the sake of drama and made Andrew look like a jerk who wasn’t any better than his brother. I wished instead that In a Holidaze had just played up the slow-burn and will-they-won’t-they because the novel is truly at its most fun when Andrew and Maisie are flirting. I laughed at a lot of their banter and really loved their nerdy jokes. Though I didn’t really get that the two were actually nerdy beyond these few jokes, and would’ve loved to see more of that demonstrated. I also would have liked to learn more about their lives beyond the yearly visits in the cabin besides what is glimpsed in a single conversation about their jobs. This is a playful, romantic, and occasionally hysterical story, but the family dynamics, the great memories, and the touching conclusion give the story just the right touch of warmth and holiday cheer! Blend 1-2 tablespoons of boiling hot water: As you’re blending, slowly add in the hot water and blend until the consistency is right.

In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren | Waterstones

Leave it to Christina Lauren to come up with a lovely, sweet, romantic Christmas Story that is somewhat fresh and new in “In a Holidaze.” While there were a few parts of this novel that I think were extraneous, all in all, I truly enjoyed this story and loved the characters of Benny, Mae and Andrew. If you’re looking for a magical read that will be sure to make you smile, this is it! This year, however things are different. Mae is different and she wishes for what she wants most in this world. Unfortunately for her, she makes a mistake that has major ramifications. Mae, of course, is crushed. An outstanding story from the talented Christina Lauren, and a book I will reread often in the coming years. It made me feel happy, and I bet it will make you happy too. Yes. The dynamic writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (aka Christina Lauren) has written a fun and romantic tale filled with lovable characters that is sure to melt the Scroogiest of hearts.But no matter how much I adored In a Holidaze, I must admit that the novel noticeably stumbles in one regard – and that is, the characterization of Andrew. I always felt like I was struggling to get an accurate read on him because his personality and actions are a little flip floppy. There are times he comes across as Mr. Dream Guy, but then there are other times where he seems like he’s only out to get a little somethin’-somethin’. It’s a bit confusing. A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match. Microwave: Place the hollandaise sauce in a glass bowl, and microwave it in 15 second increments. Repeat this process until your sauce is fully warmed up. Putting my disbelief at how hard In a Holidaze was pushing the found family agenda, I also struggled with the characterization of the two brothers Andrew and Theo. Theo, who Maisie was closest to growing up, is a womanizer and a playboy, who runs on compliments. He is also a complete jerk to Maisie in the original timeline where she makes out with him for half a second, only to reject his further advances. Meanwhile, Andrew is characterized as “the good one” or “the perfect one,” who doesn’t date casually, is patient, kind, and nerdy. But in all actuality, he wasn’t that great either beyond their cute flirting. I really didn’t care for the fact that when Maisie confessed her feelings to him, he basically responded that he never considered it because she was “supposed” to be for Theo. But it doesn’t take much time at all for him to get adjusted to the idea and the two are making out in closets in no time. I just didn’t find this romantic or special, because it made me wonder if he would’ve accepted any confession like this, not just Maisie’s.