Just ok. A little predictable. The storyline was good and easy to see this happening in blended families. Glad it all worked out

<b>It’s All Relative</b> is a modern retelling of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Having never read Shakespeare’s AMND, I can’t really make a comparison of the two.

Helena’s mom is marrying into a wealthy family she jokingly refers to as “The Perfects” because they all seem to have their lives impeccably together. Dreading the idea of attending the wedding alone, Helena convinces her co-worker and friend, Landon, to be her plus-one. But things get messy when they discover her soon-to-be stepsister, Amelia, is Landon’s ex—the one he’s still hung up on and compares everyone to. To complicate matters further, Helena herself can’t help but nurse a serious crush on Amelia’s fiancé, Gage. What could go wrong with that scenario?

The story was okay overall, but the female characters were frustrating. Helena came across as petulant and immature—it was hard to believe she was supposed to be 27 because she acted much younger. Amelia, on the other hand, was overly mature but lacked personality for most of the book, making it difficult to connect with her. Gage felt underdeveloped; he stayed in the background for most of the story and only became more prominent toward the end. My favorite characters were actually Landon and Amelia’s brother Peter.

While I liked the ending, the road to get there was too long and a bit repetitive in parts and I just never felt the urgency to get back to this book. The wrap-up also felt a little rushed and without any real discussion between the characters of how things ended up. No one seemed to talk about it which was a little strange. 3 stars.

It's all Relative is a fun and lighthearted family drama with plenty of humorous moments and charming characters. The dynamics between the family members feel realistic, and the author does a great job capturing the chaos and warmth of familial relationships. However, the plot feels a bit predictable at times, and some of the character developments seemed rushed and underexplored. While the story is enjoyable, it doesn’t delve as deeply into the emotional complexities as I had hoped.

It’s All Relative by Rachel Magee is a heartwarming and witty exploration of family dynamics and unexpected connections. When Helena, a free-spirited woman, is thrust into the world of her perfectionist stepsister Amelia during their parents’ wedding, the two clash in every possible way. Amid wedding chaos and unanticipated emotional confrontations, both women are forced to reconsider their notions of family, love, and what it means to belong. With charming characters, sharp humor, and a relatable message about embracing the messiness of life, this book is a delightful read for fans of family drama and romantic comedy.

This book was such a fun and chaotic ride! I loved the blend of family drama, mismatched couples, and wedding week disasters—it kept me turning the pages. Helena and Amelia are total opposites, and watching them clash (and eventually find common ground) was so satisfying. The Shakespeare-inspired twist was a nice touch, too!

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted rom-com with heart and humor, this one’s a great pick. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read it!

From the first page with Helena, I knew I would love her. I mean, a high school English teacher with a mountain of a TBR pile?! Absolutely! And the "..but first, coffee" mug? Yeh, have that too.

And then, there's the captivating family drama (which I don't have - thus my absolute joy in reading a book that is positively brimming with it!)

Did I mention this is a retelling (of sorts) of Midsummer Night's Dream? Oh yes, Shakespeare fans, this is the read you're looking for.

Possibly, Landon is my favorite. (Don't tell Helena.) "My point is, you don't get to pick your family. You love your friends because of who they are. You live your family because they're your people."

Couldn't put this down!

I have always loved any modern retelling of Shakespeare and when I saw this book was available I grabbed it immediately. I want to start by thanking netgalley for the arc of this book.

This book has everything that one could love from a family retelling to finding love again later in life, two step sisters who could not be more different, forbidden love, and second chance love. The characters are so well thought out and different that makes you feel like you have known them your entire life.

I really enjoyed this book and will be coming back to this author whenever I need a feel good light read.

This was such a good story! I really enjoyed the multiple points of view that told a fascinating tale. The characters were really well-done, and I absolutely loved the ending! My first book from the author, and it won't be my last! Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First of all! Love the cover a lot. Would buy for my bookshelf. This was intriguing in the best way. I thoroughly enjoyed.

High school English teacher Helena Crosby needs a plus-one for her mother’s wedding, so invites workmate and best friend Landon Blake to go with her. She needs someone to introduce to The Perfects, as she has dubbed the family her mother is marrying into.

Amelia is a successful architect who singlehandedly kept her family together after the death of their mother three years ago, and who has planned the entire wedding and all associated activities.

Helena and Amelia are polar opposites–Helena is always late, and Amelia is always early. Amelia has lists for everything, while Helena can barely read a list (which did leave me wondering how she could possibly teach high school). Anyway, the two have little to no relationship because they have so little in common. Well, except for the small problem of Helena having a giant secret crush on Gage, Amelia’s fiance.

That could have been slightly eww-ish, but McGee made it work. They arrive on Indigo Island, off the coast of Florida, where they immediately discover Amelia is none other than Mia, Landon’s college ex, the girl he never got over.

That sets the scene for some relationship puzzles. Some romances give the game away by having only two point of view characters. It’s All Relative had four: Helena, Amelia, Landon, and Gage, which meant it was less clear who would end up with whom.

While there is a romance subplot, the main plot was more about family relationships and the relationship between Helena and Amelia. the story started with Helena so it felt like she was the one we were supposed to want to succeed, even when she did things that seemed a little silly (mostly because they didn’t fit Amelia’s timetable or lists).

The publisher is pitching It’s All Relative as A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets 27 Dresses, but I wouldn’t have picked that if they hadn’t said so. It’s more a meeting of opposites and the ensuing complexities.

It’s a rom-com with a little more emphasis on the com than the rom, but it’s really a story of family relationships and the expectations we place on ourselves and others. It’s a fun read. The one fault is that there were no faith elements–it was a clean read, but not a Christian romance.

Recommended for readers looking for a feel-good clean read with comedic elements.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Holly Smokes! I thoroughly consumed this book in three days, which is a record for me. Solid 4 out of 5

This was a cute book about a set of parents remarking and their families becoming blended. I really enjoyed this book. 3.5-4 stars

This book was one that I personally did not gel with as much as I thought I would. A midsummer nights dream is my favourite shakespeare play but unfortunately I couldn’t connect to the characters and the romances did not convince me. I don’t think it is the book or authors fault, just my personal preference. There are a lot of people who would really enjoy this book.

This is a great novel that feels lighthearted while still having characters with depth and complexity. I loved the setting and the unfolding of complex family dynamics. I would definitely recommend this on audio!

I love how the characters are so relatable and easy to connect with. It’s one of those books where you get sucked into the drama and end up laughing, crying, and cringing at all the awkward moments. Perfect for a weekend read when you want something light but still heartwarming. If you’re in the mood for a cute, funny book with a little bit of everything, this one’s a winner.

Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Well written and easily digested this is a retelling of a love story for the ages. Amelia helping plan her father’s second wedding which she is attending with her fiancee Gage. Her sister in law to be Helena ends up bringing a plus one her good friend Landon. Turns out Landon is Amelias ex and Helena has a crush on Gabe: lots of silly antics ensue and everyone lives happily ever after. Four stars

I thoroughly enjoyed It's All Relative! It was exactly what I was in the mood for. Rachel Magee weaves a wonderful story of a newly blended family, with all the complicated feelings and history that come along with them. The strong bonds of family, finding love, purpose, and second chances made this a wonderful read. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this fun romantic comedy!

“It was the right thing to do. And doing the right thing always trumps doing the easy thing.”

I enjoyed the characters, bubbly, spontaneous Helena Crosby is on her way to be in her mom's wedding. The daughter of the groom, Amelia Maddox tries her hardest to keep her family and everything under control since her mom died. Landon accompanies his best friend Helena to the wedding, and Gage is engaged to Amelia. Amelia's siblings add a lot of personality to the story too!

I highly recommend this sweet story that hit all the right notes for me! It was the perfect escape reading for me, I enjoyed every moment!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an ecopy. All opinions are my own.

Helena is spontaneous and always up for an adventure, while Amelia, her soon-to-be stepsister, always has a plan.

Helena isn’t exactly looking forward to her mother’s wedding, since it will mean that she and her mother will then be part of The Perfects, otherwise known as the Maddox family. Helena feels that Amelia has her future all planned out, while Helena feels like she’ll never fit in. For the wedding festivities, Helena’s best friend Landon is going to accompany her to make it more bearable.

Amelia has spent a great deal of time ensuring her father and his bride-to-be Nora have the perfect wedding. She’s planned everything well, or so she thought. Forgetting about Helena’s shellfish allergy was a huge faux pas. She’s been the glue that has held the Maddox family together since her mother’s passing, but she wasn’t prepared to be reunited with her ex-Landon.

The week of wedding festivities show both Helena and Amelia that they’re only human and that family doesn’t only have to be blood relatives.

A great rom com filled with laughs from the beginning to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #ItsAllRelative

A delightful and humorous story. Could Amelia and Helena be more opposite? I loved the alternating perspectives and thought it was a fun and entertaining read. A perfect blend of romance, comedy, and family drama.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a great story to escape reality for a bit! Love, family and second chances are always things that hook me from the beginning and this book accomplishes that.