

Quick take
A woman in the pursuit of happiness is caught in a time loop in this holiday rom-com brimming with yuletide cheer.
Good to know
Happy
Light read
Family drama
Magical
Synopsis
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.
Free sample
In a Holidaze
Chapter One
December 26
Call me harlot. Call me impulsive. Call me hungover.
No one ever has before, but someone absolutely should this morning. Last night was a disaster.
As quietly as I can, I slip out of the bottom bunk and tip-toe across the freezing floor to the stairs. My heart is beating so hard I wonder if it’s audible outside of my body. The last thing I want is to wake Theo and have to look him in the eye before my brain is warmed up and my thoughts are cohesive.
The second step from the bottom always creaks like something out of a haunted house; it’s been victimized by nearly three decades of us “kids” run-stomping our way up for meals and down for games and bed in the basement. I stretch to carefully put my foot on the one just above it, exhaling when I land with no sound. Not everyone is so lucky; that loose board has busted Theo sneaking in late—or early, depending on how you look at it—more times than I can count.
Once I’m in the kitchen, I worry less about stealth and go for speed. It’s still dark; the house is quiet, but Uncle Ricky will be up soon. This cabin is full of early risers. My window of opportunity to figure out how to fix this is narrowing quickly.
Why I love it

Emily Henry
Author, Beach Read
I have two favorite kinds of books: the sort that demand to be read in one day, and the ones that move into your heart and build a little nest there—books I know I will happily reread a dozen times. For me, Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze is both. The powerhouse writing-duo behind the pen name have become known for their signature humor and wit as well as their incredible knack for writing characters with chemistry. You’ll find that their many talents are on full display in this latest holiday-themed outing.
In a Groundhog Day-esque turn of events, our narrator Mae Jones finds herself reliving the same semi-disastrous annual holiday trip with her family and friends, over and over again. Why does the universe keep sending her back in time? Mae has no idea, but she tries to make the most of the do-overs by trying to fix the cracks in her found family and shoot her shot with lifelong crush Andrew. She also encounters plenty of hilarious opportunities to make things a whole lot worse.
If this sounds like a zany plot, it is, but I think you’ll settle into Mae’s strange new reality quickly enough (even if she won’t). In a Holidaze is funny, sexy, big-hearted, and absolutely brimming with wintry charm. This is the romance-lover’s perfect December read.
Member ratings (31,550)
Elizabeth G.
Monroe, NC
A quick read, a happy romantic tale and just what we needed to end a crazy year like 2020! Highly recommend reading this boon to anyone who loves romance & a feel good story - Five Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Remi B.
Cheyenne , WY
I am so sad that it’s over! Sometimes I know right away when I will love a book, other times I do not. With this one I couldn’t tell how much I’d love it, but I couldn’t put the thing down. Heavenly!
Emily N.
Davie, FL
I finished this in 14 hours....I don’t think I’ve ever finished a novel so quickly. At first, I didn’t like how the main character idolized him. But half way through, I was in love with Andrew too! ????
Samm L.
Weston, WI
This book made my heart happy. I’m praying they make this a made for TV movie that I’ll watch over and over every holiday. Think Hallmark channel chick flick. Fun, light hearted & even a little steamy
Alicia H.
American Fork, UT
Another home run from Christina Lauren! Such an adorable holiday romance read with a “Groundhog Day” twist to the plot. I had so much fun reading it, it reminded me of a great Hallmark Christmas movie