If you thought this recipe was simple, you won’t believe how easy it is make these other sauces. So skip the store-bought jars and opt to make fresh, homemade versions. In an Earphones Award-winning performance, narrator Eilidh Beaton delivers Christmas at the Island Hotel (Mure, Book 4) by Jenny Colgan. Imagine the joy and the stress of holidays on a small island somewhere between Scotland and Norway as a disparate group of workers struggle to open a new hotel. Unlikely romance among the staff is just one of the pleasures of this accent-rich gem. Maelyn has been in love with Andrew since she was thirteen but she has never told him how she feels. Everyone has assumed Maelyn and Theo who are both twenty-six will be an item someday. Regardless of what they want, this time she is going to go for it. What does she have to lose since she probably will end up redoing the day anyway? Have I mentioned the cabin yet?? If not, it was a dream of coziness, and told the story of family get-togethers, of roaring fireplaces and game nights. Of baking together and sleeping in bunkbeds. A beloved vacation home that brought all the families together, year in and year out.

A little Sunday pick me up! Have a great day! :) - Reddit

I also fell head-over-heels for both MCs. Mae was extremely relatable, and I loved her comedic, screw-up moments as well as her honest, tender moments. She was just funny and vulnerable. Andrew was sort of the perfect male MC, but I loved him anyway. Sometimes, perfect characters are extremely annoying because real people have flaws, but Andrews's flaws are more subtle so you get to know him as a whole person the longer you read. They were magical together, and I bought the chemistry immediately. The key to getting the consistency right all comes down to the hot melted butter. This recipe emulsifies butter into an egg yolk and lemon juice mixture. So you want to make sure you’re streaming in butter that’s hot enough (just melted won’t do). Yes. The dynamic writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (aka Christina Lauren) has written a fun and romantic tale filled with lovable characters that is sure to melt the Scroogiest of hearts.

By no means, though, should my criticisms stop you from doing whatever it takes to get your hands on In a Holidaze. The novel is so joyful. So heartwarming. So filled with laughter and starry-eyed Christmas romance. Leave it to Christina Lauren to come up with a lovely, sweet, romantic Christmas Story that is somewhat fresh and new in “In a Holidaze.” While there were a few parts of this novel that I think were extraneous, all in all, I truly enjoyed this story and loved the characters of Benny, Mae and Andrew. If you’re looking for a magical read that will be sure to make you smile, this is it! Yes, absolutely! If you have an immersion blender, add all of the ingredients except the hot butter. Turn the blender on (with it firmly planted on the bottom of the cup or jar) and slowly drizzle in the butter. It will start to emulsify and once you’ve poured in all the butter you’re done!

AudioFile Spotlight: 7 New Holiday Romance Audiobooks - BookTrib AudioFile Spotlight: 7 New Holiday Romance Audiobooks - BookTrib

Although it would make sense for the grown-ups to eventually worry that something scandalous would happen between me and one of the Hollis boys down in the secluded basement, no one batted a lash. My mother was normally incredibly strict about boundaries, but we were family, after all.”Maelyn Jones finds herself reliving Christmas over and over again in a groundhog day style narrative. In each version, Mae must make choices that lead to happiness. If she makes the wrong choice, it all begins again. Her choices involve admitting her feelings to her childhood crush, reevaluating her career, and keeping her family’s Christmas traditions alive. I was also really confused by how upset Andrew became over things that didn’t even happen in his timeline and when the two weren’t even together as a couple. Honestly, I really could’ve done without this whole unnecessary drama plot point In a Holidaze where Maisie tells Andrew about her time traveling. Their fight just felt like drama for the sake of drama and made Andrew look like a jerk who wasn’t any better than his brother. I wished instead that In a Holidaze had just played up the slow-burn and will-they-won’t-they because the novel is truly at its most fun when Andrew and Maisie are flirting. I laughed at a lot of their banter and really loved their nerdy jokes. Though I didn’t really get that the two were actually nerdy beyond these few jokes, and would’ve loved to see more of that demonstrated. I also would have liked to learn more about their lives beyond the yearly visits in the cabin besides what is glimpsed in a single conversation about their jobs. I’ve been in a very “bah humbug” mood for the past week or so, and decided maybe a sweet Christmas read would snap me out of it. So I grabbed a copy of In A Holidaze. I still don’t think I have fully come down from the holiday high that is In a Holidaze. My heart is overflowing with yuletide cheer. I cannot seem to wipe the happy smile from my face. And I now have this sudden inexplicable urge to watch cheesy, romantic Christmas movies of the popular Hallmark variety. (Those who know me well will attest to the fact that this is quite the abnormal behavior for me.)

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren | Goodreads In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren | Goodreads

I didn’t mind the groundhog day trope, but what I did mind that there was no explanation provided about the time travel. This part of the plot felt forgotten by the end. I also found it absolutely ludicrous that Maisie’s parents let her sleep completely unsupervised in the basement with their friends’ sons. Maisie remarks that her mom is usually very concerned with safety and propriety for her daughter, and is apparently a big Catholic too, but isn’t concerned about anything to happen to her daughter when she sleeps in the same room with two teenage boys “because they’re family.” O-kay. I found this completely unbelievable, and not just because Maisie has been in love with Andrew since she was thirteen, which clearly highlights that she does not see him as a brother, but because bad things happen to kids even among blood families all the time. A classic plot plus Lauren's trademark snark and steam add up to a winning rom-com full of heart and holiday cheer. Putting my disbelief at how hard In a Holidaze was pushing the found family agenda, I also struggled with the characterization of the two brothers Andrew and Theo. Theo, who Maisie was closest to growing up, is a womanizer and a playboy, who runs on compliments. He is also a complete jerk to Maisie in the original timeline where she makes out with him for half a second, only to reject his further advances. Meanwhile, Andrew is characterized as “the good one” or “the perfect one,” who doesn’t date casually, is patient, kind, and nerdy. But in all actuality, he wasn’t that great either beyond their cute flirting. I really didn’t care for the fact that when Maisie confessed her feelings to him, he basically responded that he never considered it because she was “supposed” to be for Theo. But it doesn’t take much time at all for him to get adjusted to the idea and the two are making out in closets in no time. I just didn’t find this romantic or special, because it made me wonder if he would’ve accepted any confession like this, not just Maisie’s. I loved Maelyn Jones, aka Mae, right away. She was resilient, caring, and followed her heart. It was so easy to feel everything right along with her. So when life got crazy, I more than understood why she lost it. Seriously, what in the world was going on?! How many times would she have to repeat certain moments? And while I felt her anguish and suffering, I couldn’t help but laugh throughout this whole ordeal. They were so many hilarious moments! I want to capture this moment. I want to put it in a snow globe and be able to see it just like this, forever.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. Even though her mother married with another man, she is still dedicated to the tradition and spending the holiday with her father and her 17 years old brother as if they’re still happy family. And of course the best thing about the holiday is seeing Andrew: her 13 years longtime crush. She never dares to confess her feelings. While this sauce is best served fresh, you do have the option of reheating it. But keep in mind that there could be a chance where your eggs will cook up a bit. So here are two options for reheating – just be cautious! O.k. friends, this one did not work for me. I am a huge CL fan, and this book is my least favorite of theirs for several reasons. There is a great cast of characters in the book including Ben who was one of my favorites. Andrew the unrequited love love interest turned out to be a little two dimensional. He was too perfect; the man didn’t have one flaw (hell in a different world I might have gone for him…yikes).

IN A HOLIDAZE | Kirkus Reviews IN A HOLIDAZE | Kirkus Reviews

One of my favorite things about this book was the found family/family traditions of the holiday season. It made me yearn for the days my family had all kinds of holiday traditions when I was a kid. I also found the heroine relatable and loved the hero so much! Andrew was fantastic. There were so many swoony moments and moments that made me laugh. In a Holidaze is a low-angst, cozy, sweet read. There are lots of supporting characters (important friends and family), and instead of the plot feeling cluttered, it all made sense. I really liked the role that everyone played in the story, and I felt like I knew this family intimately. So what happens when you have been in love with Andrew since the age of thirteen but make a mistake and kiss his brother, Theo on December 25th instead? Naturally, you wish for a chance to find some happiness and erase the last few days, right? Wishful thinking...maybe for us plain humans but for Maelyn Jones this exactly what happens. She revisits the beginning of her Christmas holiday to find out what makes her happy. A Christmas full of family and friends. Maelyn's parents and her college friends have been meeting for Christmas since she can remember. It's a tradition that everyone makes time for. But no matter how much I adored In a Holidaze, I must admit that the novel noticeably stumbles in one regard – and that is, the characterization of Andrew. I always felt like I was struggling to get an accurate read on him because his personality and actions are a little flip floppy. There are times he comes across as Mr. Dream Guy, but then there are other times where he seems like he’s only out to get a little somethin’-somethin’. It’s a bit confusing.The story is lovely and atmospheric, and felt like a glass of hot cocoa for my soul. You will want to make out in a closet, make snowmen in snowy weather, and reach for your true dreams after reading this story. It felt Christmas-y and hopeful. I couldn't get enough. The found family aspect of this book was so freaking heartwarming. I loved everything about the cabin, the activities and traditions, the families that came together religiously every year to be together. Their love for one another was palpable. This was a fun, heartwarming story. I love the traditions they had of meeting at the cabin playing games throughout the days. It was quite endearing. Even Maelyn's parents who were now divorced, still continue with the tradition. Kisses, debating about white chocolate vs real chocolate (of course dark chocolate. I'm a chocolate purist), a torn sweater, snowball fights are all reasons why I liked this book, and why Christina Lauren's duo is a success for me. This was a ‘the-right-book-at-the-right-time’ kind of situation. During this pandemic I've been looking for books that would pull me in and I'm always grateful when I do find one. In a Holidaze was like that. Through this book I was able to switch off my worries and disappear into Mae's life.