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A review by tearexanne
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I wanted to read In a Holidaze back when it was released and even more so when I learned it had a friends to lovers romance. Sadly the romance was lackluster and was pretty rushed. There was a section where it was mostly romantic scenes and I never got to breathe. The time loop was completely forgotten about and didn't seem to have a purpose, it was only shown in the beginning.
My main gripe with this book is the romance. Andrew is the main love interest but in the first few chapters were introduce to a character called Theo where he and Maelyn share a drunken kiss. Throughout the entire novel I was waiting for this plot point to come ahead and it felt like a bomb waiting to burst but it was shoved to end for an ending conflict. The moments between Maelyn and Andrew felt forced. She and Andrew are childhood friends which should have been a plus but we are not given details about their interactions in the past unlike with Theo. With Theo, passing conversations and in Maelyn's mind, we are given context clues behind their relationship in the past. We are given more moments with Theo then with Andrew. Maelyn and Theo seem more like friends then with Andrew. I even teared up because of Maelyn and Theo's friendship. In the past Maelyn and Theo spend a lot of time together but in the novel they barely spend any time together and I could understand Theo's loneliness but it was never used as an actual plot point.
Nearing the end of the novel its reveal that Theo is in love with Maelyn and he is jealous about Maelyn spending more time with Andrew. Theo explains to Maelyn that she has been "leading him on" which isn't explain but you can take it as because they spend a lot time together in the past but it is never explicitly stated. And it was not executed well. And then after a bonding moment Theo and Maelyn never interact again, not even in the Epilogue, like their relationship wasn't actually important. When they hugged I started to cry okay! And that is their last interaction.
Okay since we got that out of the way, other problems I had with the book is too many family members to keep track of and they weren't important. The time loop is only used at the beginning and becomes a problem in the ending. The only reason why I am giving it 2 stars because the atmosphere was the best part. The Christmas Vibes are off the charts.
In a Holidaze was not for me, the first half I was taking my time and then the second half I was speeding through because I wasn't enjoying it anymore.
My main gripe with this book is the romance. Andrew is the main love interest but in the first few chapters were introduce to a character called Theo where he and Maelyn share a drunken kiss. Throughout the entire novel I was waiting for this plot point to come ahead and it felt like a bomb waiting to burst but it was shoved to end for an ending conflict. The moments between Maelyn and Andrew felt forced. She and Andrew are childhood friends which should have been a plus but we are not given details about their interactions in the past unlike with Theo. With Theo, passing conversations and in Maelyn's mind, we are given context clues behind their relationship in the past. We are given more moments with Theo then with Andrew. Maelyn and Theo seem more like friends then with Andrew. I even teared up because of Maelyn and Theo's friendship. In the past Maelyn and Theo spend a lot of time together but in the novel they barely spend any time together and I could understand Theo's loneliness but it was never used as an actual plot point.
Okay since we got that out of the way, other problems I had with the book is too many family members to keep track of and they weren't important. The time loop is only used at the beginning and becomes a problem in the ending. The only reason why I am giving it 2 stars because the atmosphere was the best part. The Christmas Vibes are off the charts.
In a Holidaze was not for me, the first half I was taking my time and then the second half I was speeding through because I wasn't enjoying it anymore.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol and Injury/Injury detail