So, I am just going to be upfront, and say, I am not a fan of romantic comedies, nor romances with warm cozy feels. It’s just not my thing, and that’s okay. I understand for some that is totally their jam, and that’s cool. Earlier in the year I bought a copy of Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. The book had the right amount of sweet, sexy, and drama for me. I really liked it. Granted there wasn’t gun play, or super high-stakes that would pull the love interests apart but it still kept me glued to the story.
I subscribe to the Smart Bitches Read Read Trashy Books newsletter, where they reviewed Christina Lauren’s newest book In a Holdaze. I was intrigued by the glowing review, and I remembered how much I’d enjoyed reading Love and Other Words so I decided to give the new one a chance. A time-traveling, holiday themed romance, why not.
Oh man this book had all of the holiday feels-in a good way! 2020 has been one hell of a year for some many reasons, and the holidays were the perfect topping on a crap year. It was lovely to escape to a holiday season where Covid was non-exsistant. We are swept away to Mae’s close friend’s and family cabin in Park City, UT. There is a unique ensemble cast in this book- fellow cabin mates that Mae has spent every Christmas with each year of her life.
Mae has the biggest crush on Andrew who is a few years older than her. She’s had a crush on him since her teen years, and secretly pines for him. (SPOILER ALERT!!) In a uniquely inventive twist to the plot, Mae gets the chance to be bold, and gets to see what life would be like, if she stopped being so afraid, and made big changes to her life, job, and telling Andrew the truth.
Guys, this is one steamy book! The chemistry between Mae and Andrew is almost electric, while sweet and cozy at the same time. Get this, the love scenes in this book are incredible in their intensity without ever describing a body part, movement, etc! It is a masterclass in writing sex. This fact speaks to the talent of the writing duo Christina Lauren. I was so invested in the characters, that I didn’t need descriptive sex scenes.
Normally, a book that has that cozy vibe is so not my thing but I found, particularly this holiday season it was exactly what I needed. It was wonderful to read a book where friends and family could come together and celebrate in a non-Covid world. It was a great reminder of “normal” holidays and a glimmer of hope for the future.
I could not put this book down. I read it in two days in the week before Christmas. I loved Mae’s bravery, and the excitement and sweetness of the relationship between Andrew and Mae. This is a great book, and the time travel in it is great! I found it a little jarring at first, but I felt that it was intentionally written that way, so we feel just like Mae. I highly recommend this book, it’s a fun, easy read with well-rounded characters.
I liked this book so much that when my husband gifted me a copy of the Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren for Christmas this year, I dug into it right away. This one is more of a traditional romantic comedy so far (I’m six chapters in) but I’m enjoying it so far.
