Initially, I thought The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish was going to be like The Parent Trap. I was wrong and that’s fine. This book is an LGBTQIA featuring story with a premise similar to the movie the Holiday. When the book opens, Greta has been volunteered for a date auction against her will. Pissed off, she flees the island that she lives on in Maine for sunny New Orleans. Truman opens his story by dropping off a gift at his boyfriend’s house, where he discovers that his boyfriend actually has a whole secret family and Truman has been the other man. So, Truman ends up trading his New Orleans home with Greta to go to Maine for the holiday season. There, Truman finds connection with a florist named Ash. And in New Orleans, Greta falls into instalove with Carys. 

Honestly, I wasn’t totally in love with this book. Part of it felt a little slow paced. Also, I thought that Carys was kind of rude to Greta. I get that Carys is supposed to be evolved and having been through therapy and such — but her approach was something I perceived as rude. Truman, however, was the true feature of this book. I loved him and his love of this fantasy book series that he finds comfort in — could totally relate. Also, Truman is vulnerable and real. He is also so kind and what he gets in return from Ash is also kindness — with maybe one miscommunication/argument. I loved those two. 

On A Scale Of One To Buddy The Elf, How Much Holiday Spirit Does The Holiday Trap Have?

So, although this is titled The Holiday Trap and there is a holiday party as well as Hanukkah, I just wasn’t feeling the spirit. If you want something with a vibe similar to The Holiday movie, pick this one up.