3.6 AVERAGE

Plot or Character Driven: Plot
danileah07's profile picture

danileah07's review

4.0
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
emcroll's profile picture

emcroll's review

4.0

Big thanks to Penguin Group Putnam for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Imagine this: it's almost Christmas, your wedding is off, and your honeymoon is non-refundable. What’s a girl to do? Well, if you’re Holly from "The Holiday Honeymoon Switch," you swap vacations with your bestie, Ivy, and try to shake off the blues in a quaint eco cabin, leaving Ivy to tackle what should have been your Hawaiian honeymoon. This book has all the makings of a classic holiday rom-com—best friends, unexpected love, and a dash of chaos!

Holly and Ivy, yes, their names are as festive as their story, find themselves in swapped scenarios that are ripe for holiday shenanigans. Holly, attempting to mend her broken heart, finds her plans for solitude thrown out the window when her cabin host turns out to be none other than her high school rival. Meanwhile, Ivy’s tropical getaway gets complicated fast when her friend’s ex shows up with a new girlfriend in tow. But not all is lost as a charming bartender steps into her life, making sure her trip isn’t all about dodging awkward encounters. The dynamics and twists feel like they’re straight out of a Hallmark movie, complete with mistletoe moments and heartfelt revelations.

While the story keeps things light and breezy, with plenty of feel-good moments and supportive friendship vibes, it doesn’t delve deep into character complexities. It’s a quick, enjoyable read that doesn’t demand much from the reader, perfect for those cozy nights in. The dual perspectives add a nice touch, giving us a glimpse into both Holly and Ivy’s holiday escapades, though the third person narrative does feel a bit out of place at times.

Overall, "The Holiday Honeymoon Switch" delivers on the holiday cheer with a side of romance. It’s exactly what you’d want for a low-stakes, festive read—just enough warmth and whimsy to keep you entertained without the drama overload. And who doesn't love a story about best friends having each other's backs through thick and thin? 4 stars and a light sprinkle of holiday magic!

Overall rating; 4 stars, .5 chili peppers (mostly fade to black
emotional hopeful medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes

Such a sweet holiday romance with a happy ending and bonus BFF platonic love as the cherry on top.
humblebard's profile picture

humblebard's review

1.0

should’ve been gay. Also there was legitimately no tension and all conflicts were resolved within a single page
mcharlotten's profile picture

mcharlotten's review

3.0
adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny lighthearted

hwill043's review

3.5
lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mkromas's review

5.0
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No