Dear Reader,
If you’re like us, you’ve spent most of December rewatching Nancy Meyers’ masterpiece, The Holiday. Just like Amanda, you’ve filled your cart with wine and cheese to get you through the cold evenings, and just like Iris you’ve leaned into spending time with dear ones. Now on Christmas Eve as you snuggle near a fire place (or radiator or space heater–you get the picture) you’re looking for something just like The Holiday to read.
Well, we’ve got you covered with a delightfully queer take on our favorite classic. In The Holiday Trap by Roan Parris, lets us visit the cozy east coast in a tiny Maine island, and feel the delightful warmth of a New Orleans winter (cue all of our recipe boxes being stuffed with cards for chowder, beignets, gumbo, and more)
Greta Russakoff comes from a big family in a small meddling town. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t find her place as a lesbian in such a small town, especially when her overbearing family forces her to join a hetero date auction, that’s the last straw.
Down south, Truman Belvedere going through one of his lowest moments. His long-term boyfriend of over a year has been living a secret life: he has a whole husband and daughter! Truman wants to run away, unable to handle all of the festive cheer of his Louisiana city.
Divine intervention comes for them – rather a witchy mastermind of a friend named Ramona. She has the brilliant idea for the two to swap places for a month. Greta packs up and leaves for New Orleans, Louisiana, leaving her high-maintenance carnivorous plants in the care of Truman. While he kisses beignets and gumbo goodbye and heads to Maine for an authentic twist on the holiday season.
Holiday Swap in NOLA | Juniper Sling by Penhalligon’s
Notes: orange brandy, juniper berries, leather, and baked goods in New Orleans’ garden district
And Truman heads to Owl Island, Maine, leaving behind his Great Dane named Horse for Greta to watch. The two leave each other clear instructions, trusting the other broken-hearted house guest to abide by their rules.
Seaside Holiday on Owl Island | Maine by MCMC Fragrances
Notes: beach plum rose, clary sage, a southern transplant meeting the hard-headed florist
Immediately Greta falls in love with the life in New Orleans - the plants, the smells, and the people. She quickly meets Carys, a math nerd grad student who gives ghost tours for extra cash. Carys is so different from life back home. She makes Greta feel something she hasn’t felt in a long time and she begins to question whether Owl Island is the place where she can truly thrive.
Greta & Carys | New Orleans Love Spell by Alkemia Perfumes
Notes: jasmine and fiery spices with red sandalwood and light musks.
At the risk of potentially killing one of Greta’s carnivorous plants, Truman rushes to the only flower shop in Owl Island. Behind the counter, he finds a gorgeous floral-loving man that assured him the plant was fine. Ash turns out to be one of the few outqueer people on the island and Greta’s best friend. Ash’s business is struggling, and he seems reluctant to make any changes. But Truman is patient (and crushing hard) so he brings his well-organized-bullet-journal-loving self to the shop–ready to save it.
Truman & Ash | Kafka on the Shore by Folie a Plushieurs
Notes: lavender, birch tar, freshly organized binders, and Ash’s plant shop
Ups and downs for both couples test them, but ultimately as with our favorite stories, we get our happily ever after. Parrish gives the audience a nice glimpse six months after the swap, too. Overall if you’re looking for a light-hearted semi-holiday read, pick this one up. This is also great for fans of the film Love, Actually–each character has a number of subplots that are interesting to follow.
Until next year, find us on Instagram & TikTok.
Scent-cerely,
Cassie & Taylor
I imagine the Holiday Trap smells like communal
bathroom in the punk group house.