In a Holidaze

Starred review from August 31, 2020
Pseudonymous writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (The Honey-Don’t List) put a fantastical twist on holiday cheer in this hilarious and heartwarming rom-com. Mae Jones is 26, single, and unhappy with her boring accounting job, but excited for her annual Christmas trip to a cabin in Park City, Utah, with her friends and family. Her vacation is ruined, though, by the announcement of the eminent sale of the cabin, threatening years of tradition. Mae finishes the trip despondent—only to be hit by a car and wake up back at the beginning of the holiday getaway. This Groundhog Day–style time loop repeats until Mae can figure out how to save the season, hold onto the cabin, and finally act on her yearslong crush on Andrew Hollis, the son of family friends. The messy, slow-burn romance between Andrew and Mae is delectable, but just as engrossing are the subplots devoted to Mae’s complex relationships with her vividly rendered friends and family, and her winding path toward self actualization as she realizes which traditions are worth holding onto. The result is a perfect Christmas treat. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary.

Patti Murin's joyful and animated narration will put listeners in the holiday spirit as young professional Mae contemplates the awkward make-out session that ruined her Christmas vacation. But after a plea to the universe, Mae finds herself repeating her vacation over and over until she can discover what makes her happy. Murin's performance embraces the absurdity of the situation with perfect comedic timing that emphasizes Mae's exasperation. Murin's hilariously frantic tone slowly turns merry and bright when Mae decides to pursue a romance with her childhood crush--one of the many family friends Murin brings to life in a combination of loving and compassionate voices. Murin channels the romance, joy, and comedy of a magical holiday romance in this standout audiobook. J.E.C. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine