This book is an unexpected gem.
A heartwarming and fun story of three sisters navigating life's ups and downs, all the while trying to rediscover the summer magic of their childhood.
This is going to be a cosy summer/beach read for 2025!

'What Not to Do on Vacation' begins with the three Prestley sister's fulfilling their mothers final wish for the girls to spend one last summer holiday together, like they used to as kids.
Savannah has orchestrated the whole thing, right down to the same activities they used to love and ensuring quality sister time is shared. She has a secret, but she won't let that ruin her summer.

Cora knew this trip was doomed from the start, and that's not just because the airline lost her luggage. Her memories of the beach house are linked to happier times when their family was whole, and isn't interested in playing along with Savannah's trip down memory lane.

Bianca, the baby of the family and has always been treated as such. She can't wait to tell her sisters the good news; she's engaged and moving away to <i>finally</i> start her own life. Savannah and Cora think she's impulsive, Bianca thinks it's true love. But can you really love someone you have never met?

After an argument on their first night, the sisters set out to prove each other wrong - what's a little bet to make things interesting?
Their summer of sisterly fun is now overshadowed by scheming, plotting and an unexpected romance. But maybe a bit of "serendipitous" meddling is just what the sisters need...

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks Netgalley!

This one was cute and I enjoyed the balance of humor and romance. I would have loved for this book to only have two POV’s instead of four. It was just a lot to keep up with and honestly I was most invested in relationship between Cora and Jake. They had great chemistry and I liked their banter.

3.5 stars

This is a great summer read. It was giving me that vibes of The Summer I Turned Pretty but without all the teenage angst and love triangles. Just good summer beach house vibes.

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

A wonderful retreat, What Not to Do on Vacation is the ideal light read that will both warm and entertain you. Especially when you're in the mood for something feel-good and amusing, Rachel Magee's lovely romantic comedy is easy to lose in.

The book stands out mostly for its well-written characters. They exude personality, believability and interest. The hectic vacation antics of the main character are funny and realistic and the developing romance is pleasant without being unduly formulaic. The natural chemistry among the lead characters develops in a pleasing manner.

For me, though, the interaction between the sisters really made the narrative sparkle. Their relationship seemed very real, full of love, jokes and the kind of honesty only sisters can share. It gave the narrative emotional depth beyond only the love theme and a significant layer.

If you're looking for something light, short and fun generally, this book is a fantastic choice. This kind of narrative makes you smile and features people you wouldn't mind spending some more time with. Perfect vacations (or staycations) read here!

A perfect Summer read!

I loved this book. I won't lie, I knew how it was going to end, but I still loved every minute of it. This book tugged on the heartstrings because I also have two sisters, and one of them had a heart issue. I'm pretty sure the first few pages had me crying because I realized I can't relive childhood memories or take a trip with them. I enjoyed how these sisters were different, and all had things to figure out. I like the "fighting" and rivalry because that's what sisters do. I enjoyed that this took place at a beach house. It was also told from different points of view and wasn't confusing at all. In fact, it helped understand each character more. I wouldn't be opposed to a sequel....

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.

Do you love happy books?
Do you love clean books?
Do you love to have fun?

Then this is your next read! Come hang out with the Prestly sisters for a month on their (re-reunion?) month vacation, in hopes of recreating their happy childhood memories. Ten or more years have passed and their lives have gone in different directions: motherhood, careers (or lack there of), and relationships.
The. biggest surprise of all is that the youngest, Bianca has decided to marry a guy she has met on an APP a few weeks ago and move to Idaho. Cora and Savannah cannot sit and watch their younger sister do something so impulsive. So the sisters have a bet. If Cora finds love on the same APP Bianca will rethink her quick nuptials.
Meanwhile, a local heartbreaker needs to fall in love so he can become the SVP of his family's business (Of course!!) I know it sounds like another shallow hallmark, but this story is engaging, fun and flirty!!

I loved how this book took us on the hilarious and fun dates. Starting off with the "meet cute" in the CVS oral hygiene aisle. As much as Cora tried to put up her walls again love, our heartbreak heart throb was determined to tear them down.
. If I could marry a book character, he would be the one! These characters were the most "real" characters I have seen in a rom com recently. There was a sweetness and charm to the characters. There was no cheese or formulaic plot like all Hallmark movies. There were many humorous moments but none cringey.
If anything you will read the book hungry books the food in this book was chefs kiss delicious---made me want a blueberry pie.
I had read one book by Rachel Magee which was decent, but wow her writing has grown and she has found her lane . I am already excited to see what she puts out next.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing and Rachel Magee for allowing me to review this advanced copy of What Not To Do On Vacation. I was not paid in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to a netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own. While I agree with some other reviewers that it was fairly predictable, I feel like that’s because I had The Taming the Shrew and 10 Thungs I Hate about You playing in the background of my mind the entire time. And you know what? I didn’t hate that. I like that play and love that movie, so I was here for it and requested the book for those reasons. Cora and Bianca’s story closely follow those tales while Savannah’s secret kept me guessing for a good bit. I felt like it was humor, likable characters, and a clean and fun romance. Sometimes i found myself getting annoyed with Cora, but I kept reminding myself this was going to end well and just go along for the ride. Are we talking deep and intellectual writing? Heck no. But it was an enjoyable and light story and just what I needed in my book rotation. FYI some profanity but not much and pretty clean overall and a quick, fun read

Thank you net galley for the opportunity to review this story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars. The premise was there, there were parts that just weren't. One thing that threw me off was the "ya'lls" that kept happening after I was already introduced to the characters and 40% through the book, I was just distracted by it.

Genre: Rom Com
Descriptors: Sisterly dynamics, beach setting, dating app
Least favorite character: Cora, she just never grew on me. I didn't really LOVE any of them TBH.
Point of view: multiple characters
Would I recommend: I think so 😬 maybe?

This book tells the story of three sisters reliving their childhood summers at a beach house. A little more damaged by life, the story unravels to explore friendships, family relationships, and various significant others. Solidly good!

📚 BookTok Review: What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee 🌊💕​

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee is a delightful blend of sisterly bonds, self-discovery, and unexpected romance, making it a perfect addition to your summer reading list.​

Synopsis:
Determined to reconnect, Savannah Prestly organizes a month-long beach vacation to relive cherished childhood memories with her sisters, Cora and Bianca. However, the trip takes unforeseen turns when Bianca announces her engagement and challenges Cora to find love through a dating app, leading to a high-stakes bet that could change their lives. ​

What to Expect:
-Sisterly Dynamics: The novel delves into the complexities of sibling relationships, highlighting the love, tension, and growth that come with family ties. ​
-Fake Dating Fun: Cora's reluctant participation in the dating app bet introduces humorous and heartfelt moments, especially when she crosses paths with Jax, a charming yet enigmatic local. ​
-Self-Discovery Journeys: Each sister confronts personal challenges and secrets, leading to transformative experiences that resonate with readers. ​

If you're in the mood for a heartwarming rom-com that explores family bonds and unexpected love, What Not to Do on Vacation is a must-read.​
#WhatNotToDoOnVacation #RachelMagee #BeachReads #FakeDating #SisterGoals #RomCom #BookTokRecs

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #WhatNottoDoonVacation

This book is everything I love in a feel-good, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy—with bonus sisterly banter, beach vibes, and an online fake dating setup that totally stole my heart.

This story gave me all the nostalgic rom-com feels—think "10 Things I Hate About You" meets "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" with a splash of "Failure to Launch". Savannah is the oldest, and acts as the mother of the group. Her over-the-top mission to reconnect her sisters is both hilarious and heartwarming, but she's hiding a pretty big secret. Cora, the middle sister, is sassy, cynical, and afraid of love. She is a tough-as-nails skeptic who "accidentally" gets tangled in her own fake dating web (and she is now one of my favorite rom-com leads). Bianca is the baby sister, and lives and loves freely. Bianca's wild matchmaking bet between her and her sisters? Absolute gold. And don’t even get me started on her love interest, Zander aka Lord Farquaad. Cora's love interest on the other hand. M-MMM-MMM! Jax is swoony, charming, and totally unexpected in the best way.

This book nails that slow-burn tension while keeping things sweet and clean (a true low-spice rom-com win!). The humor is witty, the sisterly banter is on point, and the beach-town setting makes you want to pack a bag and escape to Sunnyside immediately.

Fast good summer read. Likeable sisters in a easy to read and love story. Siblings move apart and live separate lives but revert to childhood habits. Love how the author brought them together. Recommend.

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee

Sisters Cora, Bianca and Savannah are spending a month at the beach at their family’s traditional vacation spot to honor their mother’s last wish. Oldest sister Savannah has planned lots of summer bucket list activities, but the one activity not listed is to prevent youngest sister Bianca out of her plan to marry her fiancé whom she met online but has never met in person. Of course, the plot becomes knottier, but I don’t want to spoil the story.

This story has lots of witty banter, some family and relationship drama, and lots of laughs plus a great setting. Never mind that it isn’t unpredictable. It is a great beach read and has a happy ending with an important lesson that all the sisters learn.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend who enjoys a clean and witty romcom. I am grateful to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

What Not to Do on Vacation is a cute summer/vacation read and truly is the perfect blend of romance and women's fiction. On the one hand, we get not just one, but two really sweet love stories. Cora's story in some ways reminded me a little bit of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days... two people entering into opposing bets to prove a point and things not quite going as planned. (But this definitely is a completely unique story all on its own)... I loved seeing her and Jax's connection and chemistry... despite neither one of them really looking to fall in love. And Bianca, well... I can't give too much away, but it was a really cute story too. Savannah doesn't get a love story (she's already married after all), but she added so much heart to the story... I loved seeing these sisters coming together and growing throughout the story. I'm honestly not super familiar with The Taming of the Shrew, so I can't say much about how closely this modern reimagining mirrors it. Though, I HAVE seen 10 Things I Hate About You, another reimagining... and yes, I could definitely see some similarities there too... while again being completely its own story too. If you like romantic comedies with a lot of heart and/or women's fiction with a focus on sisterhood and family, this is absolutely one worth checking out.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I tried SO hard to give this book a chance. Then I read "with the upmost respect" and I knew there's no way this book was edited!! I'll start with what I liked. I like the overall plot, I thought it was interesting and somewhat unique with the AI dating app. I liked that the sisters had fleshed out characters, although I did feel like everyone talked and acted the exact same way.
I don't think that a 320 paged book needed 4 different POVs. There's just not enough time to fully develop all the characters, and that was clearly the case here.
What really bugged me was Magee's sentence structures. There were sentences that were repeated far too many times. It felt like she used an emphatic modifier in every paragraph. Sentences like "she liked [activity], she did," made too many appearances and to me it felt like the author was trying really hard at keeping the voice casual. I'm a firm believer that writing is a skill you can get better at and I think Magee should keep trying! However, I would not recommend this book at all.

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

This was a great story about families and even though we’re apart we come together when we’re needed. Along the way there’s a bet, a dating app and lots of summer memories.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher ThomasNelson.com. Sweet love story. Fun even if predictable. Great characters and fun BEACHY storyline. Although Cora was trying to teach her sister dating app without ever meeting someone in person aren’t good grounds for an engagement she did rather opposite. Spent all her free time with the person she was paired with online and he happened to be right there not cross country as Bianca’s fiancée. All worked out. And it shows I. Person dating is the way to go.

This was a fun read, I highly recommend it and I rated it a 4.5. I would definitely check it out, it was really good.

I was able to read an arc of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishing. I was delighted to be able to read it. I don't think I have read anything by this author. The book has some fun and witty conversations. It was interesting in that all 3 of the sisters were the main female characters. Each of them had a story and a background. Could I predict what was going happen? Yes. Did I enjoy the journey anyway? Yes. This is a clean read and a fun summer beach read. I hope you will pick this one up when you get the chance. I enjoyed it.

omg what a fun read! i was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. I wish I could reread the book for the first time again! i received a complimentary copy for this book & all opinions are my own.