Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Some of us are planning to read In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren in December. We will decide on a start date when it gets closer. Everyone is welcome to join, just leave a comment below to let us know you'll be reading with us. Please remember to use spoiler tags when discussing.



One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

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.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

Are we already talking about December 2021?

Yay! Can't wait for this!

Misha wrote: "Are we already talking about December 2021?"

Yes

Misha wrote: "Are we already talking about December 2021?"

lol, yes. We are planning just a little in advance for this one. ;)

I'm in!

I’m already have it on my self waiting for the wintertime ❄️

YellowBookmark wrote: "I’m already have it on my self waiting for the wintertime ❄️"

Excellent! Glad you'll be joining us! :)

Just commenting to remind everyone that this will be coming up in December. We planned it so long ago, I figured some people may have forgotten.

If anyone has a start date in December they'd like to propose, go ahead and suggest it.

I love a good holiday read. can't wait!

December is creeping up on us! What do you all think about a start date of the 6th or so? Or would you prefer to do it closer to the holiday - Maybe the 17th?

This is a really fun book, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

6th is fine!

It just popped up from my Libby holds - yay! I love these authors!

Great, Kristine!

I just put a hold on it from my library. It was available last month, but of course with December just around the corner everyone is putting holds on it now. I let one of my others go to make space for it and the library says it should be available in about 3 weeks, so just in time! :)

Kirsten - Feel free to join in the discussion when we start reading.

Savanes - I'll add it to the calendar for the 6th. We can change it later if that doesn't end up being the best date. At least we'll have a plan.

I would love to join in! I have this one sitting in my TBR pile for December. Can't wait to discuss this with you all!! :)

Excellent! Welcome, Sara!

The 6th works for me too! My Libby app has it available to borrow now. I'm wondering if I should borrow it now and hoard it until I'm ready to actually read it lol

That's not a bad idea as long as you won't have to give it back before the buddy read! lol

i have this on my to read list too! will try to join in because i have been wanting read it for a while now.

Is everyone about ready to begin? I am planning to finish my current read today and hopefully start this one this evening. I need to read it before I have to give it back to the library! (Time limits, ugh ;)

Welcome, Robin!

I'm about to start istening to it in 10 minutes (commute to my kid's school ;) )

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Can't believe she made-out with her crush's brother! Talk about bad decisions. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3: Well, I wasn't expecting that!

Chapter 4 & 5: (view spoiler)[ Oh! It never happened! Oh geez. So, she went back in time when she asked the universe for vision. (hide spoiler)]

So far, I really enjoy the writing style. The story isn't at all what I was expecting.

Chapter 8 or so (view spoiler)[ Ok... this is a bit like Groundhog Day. lol I'm hoping it doesn't get too repetitive like Life After Life. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not as far along as you are but I love the writing style too. Chapter 1 made me laugh, literally (view spoiler)[ When she goes to benny and he realises it's only 5:30... "Is somedy dead? bleeding profusely?" (hide spoiler)]
Totally agree with your chapter 2 spoiler.

Kristie wrote: "Welcome, Robin!"

thank you, Kristie! =)

i am almost done with the book i am currently reading so i will be able to start it hopefully today and looking forward to discussing it with all of you!

I should start tomorrow. Super excited to discuss with you guys! :)

Savanes wrote: "I'm not as far along as you are but I love the writing style too. Chapter 1 made me laugh, literally [spoilers removed]
Totally agree with your chapter 2 spoiler."

Too funny, Savanes! There have been a few giggle worthy moments. :)

I'm up to chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ It seems like Theo really does have a thing for Mae. My guess is that he acted all weird when she came down the day after making out with him because she turned him down and clearly looked like she felt it was a mistake. Plus, I think he keeps telling her about his sex life and other things because he's trying to impress her. He's just really going about it the wrong way.

He seemed pretty hurt when she didn't want to spend much time with him. I get the impression that they used to spend a lot of time together and even though he acts more like a teenager, I think she probably did up to this point too. She's just being kind of judgy about his behavior now that she's relived this time period.

I'm curious to see where this goes. Will she continue to want to be with Andrew or is he going to turn out to be not what she imagined all these years? I'm wondering if she'll end up back in her original timeline with Theo instead.

Also, I'm really glad she hasn't kept bouncing backwards and starting over 100 times. I like that the story is progressing forward at this point. (hide spoiler)]

Omg I loved this book, the minute I picked it up I could not put it down. I finished this in one sitting and I think it took me like four hours to finish. Haha

I need to finish it today or the library is going to take it back.

I got little sleep last night, but it was totally worth it to finish this book. The main character made me literally laugh out loud, the story was so great, and I really enjoyed the writing style. I absolutely loved it.

Happy to hear that, M!

Up to chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ Mae & Andrew are ridiculously adorable together. I don't want this jump back in time to end for them. I could stop reading now and just be happy for them and their blossoming relationship, but there is still about 40% left to the book! (hide spoiler)]

I finished today. Is anyone else still reading it or planning to?

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. (view spoiler)[ I was really concerned about the repeated trips back in time becoming repetitive, but there were only a couple and they stopped early on. In some ways, that was the only part I didn't like about the book. It was mostly realistic, with just that one weird twist.

I was glad that the story didn't take us in a weird direction with Theo. She sort of toed the line with him having a crush on Mae, but I liked that it was explained as Theo more wanting what he can't have than actually being in love with her. I do feel that he had a teenager feel to his character at times, which made it difficult for me to remember he was Mae's age. Although, Mae was a little immature in her own way too.

I loved the romance between Mae and Andrew. It was so sweet. Andrew seemed a bit too 'all in' right away to me at first, but it is mentioned that he was actually interested in her previously and just didn't think it would ever happen. Their personalities did seem like a good match in many ways.

(hide spoiler)]

4.5 stars. This was just what I needed right now. It was a very sweet Christmas story with a touch of magic.

Definitely agree with your Kristie, it was just what I needed to get in the holiday spirit.

I'm at the beginning of chapter eleven and I couldn't help laughing when she's (view spoiler)[ in the plane again and screams "I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON". I could totally picture the stunned faces of people around. Hilarious! (hide spoiler)]

Savanes wrote: "I'm at the beginning of chapter eleven and I couldn't help laughing when she's [spoilers removed]"

Yes! lol (view spoiler)[ She does not give a care what anyone else thinks at that point. (hide spoiler)]

i didnt have much time to read this weekend so i guess i am a lil behind everyone but i am enjoying this a lot so far. will try to catch up more tonight so i can read the rest of the comments :)

i am almost done now but still have a couple chapters left. i wanted to keep reading but unfortunately my lunch hour was over before i knew it! can't wait until i am done with work so i can finish. here are some of my thoughts that may or may not be spoilery depending on where everyone is (i only have a couple chapters to go)...

(view spoiler)[ i was so happy when Mae and Andrew got together, and everything seemed so perfect but of course you had to know that meant something would happen to mess that up. i am really hoping things get better soon because it definitely feels like they are falling apart now. (hide spoiler)]

Robin wrote: "i am almost done now but still have a couple chapters left. i wanted to keep reading but unfortunately my lunch hour was over before i knew it! can't wait until i am done with work so i can finish...."

(view spoiler)[ Yes, they really seemed perfect together! It also seems like he had a secret crush on her just as much as she did on him. (hide spoiler)]

I read the book and I really liked it