The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo | Audiobook Review

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The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo | Audiobook ReviewThe Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo
Narrator: Leiana Bertrand
Length: 7 Hours 46 Minutes
Published by Random House Children's Books on October 1, 2021
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Holidays & Celebrations, Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Dating & Sex
Pages: 272
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
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three-stars

Two rival coworkers with two very big secrets . . . What could possibly go wrong? Cozy up with this charming holiday romance by USA Today bestselling author Tif Marcelo.

Lila Santos is ready for her last winter break of high school. The snow in her small town of Holly, New York, is plentiful, the mood is as cozy as a fuzzy Christmas sweater, and she's earning extra cash working at the local inn--AKA the setting of the greatest film of all time, Holiday by the Lake--while moonlighting as an anonymous book blogger.

But her perfect holiday plans crash to a halt when her boss's frustratingly cute nephew, Teddy Rivera, becomes her coworker. Lila is type A; Teddy is type "Anything but Lila's Way," and the two of them can't stop butting heads over tangled icicle lights and messy gift shop merch. But when they accidentally switch phones one afternoon, they realize they've both been hiding things from each other. Will their secrets--and an unexpected snowstorm--bring these rivals together?

"I swooned for the romance "--Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of The Proposal, on Tif Marcelo's The Key to Happily Ever After

Why Did I Listen To The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo?

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo has such a cute cover. Also! I am just obsessed with the fact that the lead characters are not white. This is the first ever holiday book I’ve read featuring main characters who are Filipina and Filipino American. The unique factor absolutely grabbed my attention.

What’s The Story Here?

Tif Marcelo’s The Holiday Switch follows Lila Castro who works at an inn located in the Finger Lakes that was used as a setting of a famous romantic movie. As the book opens, Lila is about to start her last winter break of her high school years. She is hoping to work a ton of extra hours to save money toward her upcoming school year at Syracuse University. Unfortunately her boss’s nephew Teddy Veracruz is her coworker and he’s getting the hours she was hoping for.

To make matters worse, Lila has to train Teddy and he just isn’t as into the work as she is. One day they happen to accidentally switch phones. Lila seems some notifications on his lock screen and he happens to see hers too. There’s some secrets that both are carrying. Lila’s secret- FYI – is that she runs a book blog about holiday reads. Her parents are very anti-social media so that is why she’s hiding it.

How Did I Like The Holiday Switch?

I thought The Holiday Switch was really adorable. I will admit I was rooting like a parent for Lila and Teddy. Given that my own kid’s name is Teddy and I am old, it just seemed an appropriate way to root for them. The town of Holly, NY gives off Seneca Falls vibes a little bit — as Holly is where a movie is based and Seneca Falls which is on the Finger Lakes is what It’s A Wonderful Life is based at.

Also, I loved that a big part of this book is about Lila eventually going to Syracuse University. I work a few miles from SU and where I live, we all bleed orange. There was so much that was familiar in the setting of this book and that felt like a comfort. Also, I loved that Lila was a book blogger. Always fun to see things you love and hobbies you love show up — even if now the kids are more into BookTok and Bookstagram, it makes sense that Lila is a book blogger because she can keep her identity secret.

I actually would totally read her blog – Tinsel and Tropes – if it was real.

How’s The Narration?

The Holiday Switch is narrated by Leiana Bertrand who is a new to me narrator. It is 7 hours and 46 minutes unabridged. Bertrand has a youthful voice which works for Lila’s character. The production values, however, were not it. I listened to this at 1x speed and there was still a weird kind of echo. I thought that was distracting and it took me out of focus several times.

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

Tif Marcelo’s YA contemporary Christmas story has a lot of spirit. There’s a bucket list with different activities. Also, tourism. And presents. You also just cannot beat the setting. Overall, The Holiday Switch is a joy to read even if it does feel a little young (which is SO awesome that exists — more youthful YA for actual young adults please).


three-stars
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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.