"What Not to Do on Vacation" is a heartfelt blend of romance and family drama that delivers both emotional depth and lighthearted charm. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the sisters through their unique points of view. Each one bringing a fresh perspective and adding richness to the story. The supporting characters were equally compelling, perfectly complementing the main cast and bringing warmth and humor to the narrative.

What begins as a simple vacation meant for bonding soon turns into a transformative journey. The sisters not only reconnect with each other, but also confront the pain of their shared past, offering forgiveness, rediscovering themselves, and, for some, even finding unexpected love. The story kept me fully engaged from start to finish and I found myself eagerly turning the pages, not wanting to put it down.

This is a touching, well-crafted novel about family, healing, and second chances and is an absolute joy to read.

What Not to Do on Vacation is the perfect summer beach read - a charming small town, sweet romances, and sisters who love each other but have lost some of their connection.

These kind of books always make me want to abandon my life and move to some tiny beach town. 😂

I loved the relationship between the sisters. It’s beautiful when real relationships are portrayed, relationships that have so much love but also have some issues. Watching their growth throughout the story, with each other, with romantic partners, and as individual people, was so rewarding and I couldn’t help but fall in love with all three of them.

Add in some charming romantic interests and what more can you ask for?

“We’re all stronger when surrounded by our loved ones.”

I was so excited to read this book. Not only is it the first book I’ve read from this author, I thought it would be the perfect “start to summer book” and I was right. I loved the beach vibe of the cover too.

The story is full of humor and heart and I really enjoyed these three sisters. Savannah, Cora, and Bianca are fantastic characters. The development of these women is well done. Their healing and mending of past hurts was expressed well. The bargain the sisters make was a great lead to the story. The idea of the dating app for Cora and Jax was fun.

The multiple POVs was done well. The author does a great job of showing each sister and their needs. Savannah wants the perfect reunion, to relive all the fun things the sisters did in their youth, but her motives are for other reasons. I loved Bianca and her positivity and how she improves her situation, and hatches a plan for Cora. My favorites were Jax and Cora. They had the perfect meet-cute toothbrush argument. The two had amazing chemistry.

The audio narrator was fantastic. Karissa Vickers does a great job with all the voices. Her tone and expression brings the story to life.

Thank you to @uplitreads for including me in the tour. Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley links for the audio/ebook and the paperback!

This is the second book I have read by Rachel Magee and since I liked the first one I thought I would give her another try. I'm a sucker for rom-coms.

Description:
Savannah is on a mission to reconnect the Prestly sisters the best way she knows reliving their carefree childhood summers at the beach. She's booked the same beach house, convinced her sisters to take the month off, and even made a bucket list to fit in all their favorite coastal fun. It's going to be perfect . . . or else. (And if planning this trip has anything to do with a certain secret she's hiding . . . well, let's not dwell on that.) Sun, sand, and some sisterly bonding--what could possibly go wrong?

Enter Bianca, the baby of the family, with a huge she's getting married! And her sisters' reactions are . . . not exactly what she hoped for. But Bianca is on a mission to prove that she's not the mess they think she is. Her grand plan? To find love for Cora, her perpetually single sister, on the same dating app where she found her fiancé. The stakes? A bet that if Cora can't find her 'One' on the app, Bianca will call off her engagement. A challenge Bianca is all too ready to tackle head-on, even if it means a little conniving. Cora's about to get swept off her feet, whether she likes it or not!

Meanwhile, Cora is rolling her eyes so hard they might get stuck. Love is a fairy tale for other people, not her. As she's filling out her dating profile, she thinks--nope, she knows--it'll be easy to show her sisters just how absurd this whole love thing is. So what if this Jax guy Cora just matched with is Hemsworth-brother hot? And, if his messages could be believed, maybe even slightly charming? None of this is real, anyway--love just doesn't come easily Cora. And she's getting ready to prove it. She's got this under control.

My Thoughts:
These sisters sure have a lot going on. What can go wrong with a fun trip to the beach they used to vacation at as children? The trip got off to a bad start - but it got really interesting fast. Lots of sister drama, and not one but two romances. These sisters each had their own agenda and they all conflicted. Lots of fun to read and loved the characters. There is a lot happening that kept my interest high throughout the book. Anyone who likes a good rom-com will enjoy this.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Funny and amusing story about 3 sisters who try to recreate the summers of their youth, but now that they're all grown, things don't necessarily go as planned!

Cute story. It really does illustrate how much people change over time, and how hard it can be to mesh as adults. Cora is independent, strong and is easily frustrated with her sisters. Particularly when Bianca announces that she is engaged to someone she met online and has never met in person. All Savannah wanted was a summer for the 3 of them, she's more the peacekeeper who just wants everyone happy.

This is a great beach read, especially if you have sisters!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

What Not to Do on Vacation is such a fun, lighthearted summer read that is perfect for the beach! I finished it in one day!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing with this ALC in exchange for honest thoughts.

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee is a delightful rom-com, just perfect for summer down days. Three sisters find themselves at the beach, just like when they were little. Except, nothing is like when they are little. Not them as people, not their expectations, not even their memories of their time there. There are stories within the story and still, they all blend together seamlessly and create an excitement for when the point of view switches again. I adored each of the sisters and their reasons for being there as well as their reason for staying, because let’s face it, nothing ever goes as planned. The messes, and chaos, and drama, and familial love are all wrapped up nicely with well-timed humor and poignant life lessons. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This book is described as being like Ten Things I Hate About You meets How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days - that should pretty much give you all the info you need to get you started, but let me go one step further:
Savannah: the oldest of the three sisters and the typical type A overachiever. There's actually a moment in the book where she panics when her husband has not braided their daughter's hair as she would have so the whole esthetic for her planned IG photos are ruined. I understand that everyone has flaws but this just made me roll my eyes, and as she has also planned every single moment of the sister's time together, it was just too over the top.

Cora: second/ middle daughter. The rebel. Definitely Kat Stratford/Andie Anderson. Always does as she pleases regardless of anyone else. Despite the whole 'fake dating' trope, the mind games she to playing do not paint women in the best light.

Bianca: youngest/typical baby of the family. Always flighty, always making the wrong decisions so everyone has to 'rescue' her all the time.

I didn't really care for any of these characters, nor their love interests. It was pretty predictable. If you are looking for a incredibly basic vacation read, this would be for you.

This book was like packing your bags and hitting the beach for a fun afternoon with your friends. The wit and banter was great, and the relationship between the sisters came across as authentic and relatable.

Sunnyside sounds like the most idyllic beach town, and, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to pack the cooler and hit the road!

My favorite aspects of the story were Zander's storyline and, of course, the repartee between Cora and Jax. This is definitely a closed door romance, and that's honestly my favorite kind.

If you're looking for a story as fluffy and sweet as a cloud on a beach day, check this one out!

Will it be sisters before misters?

Or, will one sister take advantage of sister time to advance her own life plans?

Three sisters. A beach cottage. Their late mother wished for them to reconnect there, but are there too many years and hurts to overcome?

Here is what I loved about this clean rom-com from Rachel Magee:

🌴A beach vacation has so many possibilities -- beach days, sand castles, boogie boarding, ice cream, and more. The chore wheel -- not quite so fun, but necessary.
👭The sister relationships are given their share of pages. Savannah is a perfectionist. Cora is the middle child who specializes in leaving. Bianca is the baby and wants to be taken seriously.
🍻A trivia contest early on is key to the plot and sets up plot elements of The Taming of the Shrew. Such a fun modern twist on the classic. We officially meet Jax at the pub -- hubba hubba.
🥒There is an epic pickleball matchup between Jax and Cora that is so entertaining to view. Later references in conversations increase the fun.
🥂A fledgling business in special event planning takes up a good amount of Bianca's time. Her childhood friend Luke is an adorable business partner.

Happy Publication Day to this heartwarming rom-com. I will be looking for more reads from Rachel Magee. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

Three sisters, a nostalgic beach house, and a bet that has the power to alter one or both lives of these three sisters.
Reunited at their childhood beach house, Savannah, Cora & Bianca have arrived to the beach house that holds their most precious childhood memories for one more summer vacation, a final wish from their mother that they are (begrudgingly) fulfilling.

The beach house holds some of the best and hardest memories from these three sisters. The thing they weren't expecting, that an announcement from the youngest of the three would set the course for their summer at the beach.

It's the best of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, with the volatile yet loving interaction of three sisters who while all wildly different have agreed to spend the summer taking a trip down memory lane, summer bucket list and all.

This is my second read of Racel Magee and from the first chapter I was reminded why I love her work. Multiple story arcs and character perspectives written seamlessly together. The writing is clear, the characters well developed and the banter hilariously enticing.

It may be spring for me, but I'm already longing for a summer at the beach thanks to Rachel and her wonderful cast of characters.

✨Review - What Not To Do On Vacation by @rachelmageeauthor

This retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew brings all the beachy vibes as three sisters meet at a vacation home in Florida to fulfil their mother’s dying wish of them reconnecting to relive childhood memories.

This one was so sweet. Lots of sisterly drama that ultimately ends in reconciliation and healing. Each sister’s character was very well developed, and I loved that you got to read from each of their POV. And then of course there was some romance too. Each of our love interests came into the relationship with a secret agenda, and I loved seeing their defences wear down as they became more vulnerable with each other.

A huge thanks to @uplitreads for allowing me to be part of this campaign. All thoughts are my own.

In hopes of reconnecting with her sisters, Savannah rents their childhood beach house, and invites Bianca and Cora for a month-long vacation. Bianca is newly engaged to a man she met online, and when Cora and Savannah doubt her relationship, she challenges perpetually single Cora to try the same matchmaking site. In order to prove herself right, Bianca enlists the town playboy, who needs to prove he can be in a relationship, to sign up for the site as well with her help, ensuring he’ll match with her sister.

Reminiscent of “10 Things I Hate About You”, I was loving the nostalgia of one of my favorite movies from my teenage years! Additionally, with a summer bucket list and plenty of vacation activities, it makes for a perfect beach read. The three sisters are each so different, and I liked seeing each of their personalities through the book’s multiple POVs. Grab this book for your beach bag this summer!

Thank you to UpLit Reads, Thomas Nelson Books, and NetGalley for my gifted physical + e-copy!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and ALC of this one!

This is such a light / easy summer read. There is romance behind it but consider it a slow / PG burn. Usually with family dynamic books I tend to dislike 1-2 characters, but somehow with these three sisters and the side characters, I really liked them all. There's drama sure, but there's also humor and witty banter. What a fun read, and one that has made me want to check out more of Rachel's work.

I tandem read/listened and thought the narrator did a great job mixing up the voices to ensure each sisters personality shined through.

One of my all-time favorite movies growing up was "10 Things I Hate About You" and still, to this day, I will watch it as a middle-aged woman :) This book had all of those angsty-vibes and lovable characters. It centers on sister bonds and is an excellent (and clean!) "beach read." I had the absolute delight of getting both the e-ARC and the audio version. The audio version was absolutely delightful!!! The narrator added an extra element with the voice acting of the different characters--I absolutely loved listening to it on my drives to/from work! I definitely recommend this book!! A solid 4 star read! **I received a complimentary audio ARC and e-ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

☀️ What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel McGee — Book Review

Told through multiple POVs, What Not to Do on Vacation is a heartwarming and often humorous story centered on three sisters navigating life, relationships, and complicated family dynamics during a much-needed vacation. While I’m not usually drawn to books with several narrators, this one kept me engaged.

The sisterly bond stood out most—equal parts chaotic, caring, and deeply relatable. Their banter, old grudges, and moments of unexpected vulnerability made their interactions feel authentic and emotionally grounded. Each sister brought a different layer to the story, and I appreciated seeing how their struggles and personalities wove into the larger family dynamic.

That said, I found myself especially drawn to Savannah’s character. Her arc felt like it had more to uncover, and I would have loved a deeper dive into her backstory and inner world. Still, the blend of laughter, heartache, and self-discovery made this a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for fans of character-driven stories about family, healing, and the beautiful messiness of sibling relationships. It's a 3.5-star for me.

Favorite Quote:
“Family. We couldn’t live without them, but sometimes they make it hard to live with them.”

This book is the perfect summer beach read! Rachel Magee promises a rom-com with a happily-ever-after and she delivers. With multiple points of view, the characters become compelling and draw you in to see how everything unfolds. On a vacation that was supposed to be a nostalgic bonding experience for three sisters, one mishap after another happens and this threatens their chance to reconnect.

Savannah, Bianca and Cora meet up for a beach vacation at a beach house the sisters used to go to every summer with their parents.

Savannah, the oldest sister, booked the vacation as a way for the sisters to reconnect and fulfil their mother’s last wish. She also has a secret that she wants to share with them and hopes that by bonding over the activities she has planned Savannah can then open up with them.

Bianca, the youngest, also has a secret. She just got engaged with her “soulmate” that she met online through a dating app. Bianca has never met her fiance in person, but fully trusts that the app has connected her with the man she was meant to marry.

Cora right from the start did not think this vacation was a good idea. The sisters hadn’t had a close relationship in years, and Cora did not want to take time off from her job. Cora loses her luggage on the flight, pulls into town late at night and tries to pick up some last minute supplies, and finally gets to the beach house to meet her sisters. Bianca drops the bomb that she’s getting married to a man she’s met only through an online dating app and Savannah and Cora are shocked and concerned. The fix? Cora is going to prove to Bianca that the dating app does not work by signing up herself and proving that whoever she is matched with will not last past the second date.

What Not to Do on Vacation is all about family, deep connection, romance, love, and of course a happily-ever-after. This book is the perfect summer read, and I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I love how this author does contemporary versions of Shakespeare. The romance is secondary to the story about the relationship among sisters. I loved the sister’ growth and the side characters. This was a perfect beach read.

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

This novel is told via third person from their perspectives of the three sisters, with a few chapters from the perspective of one of the love interests. The relationship between the sisters was realistic in the ways it flourished and in its flaws, as well. Bianca, the youngest sister, makes a bet with her older two sisters, middle sibling Cora and eldest Savannah, around Cora's successful use of a dating app. With clear influences from films How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and 10 Things I Hate About You, the ensuing plot is comfortingly predictable.
This selection ultimately wasn't a good fit for me, but fans of second-chance romance are sure to be pleased.

Savannah wants to have a nostalgic summer with her two sisters, Bianca and Cora back at the beach house they used to go to when they were younger, and at the end of the summer she will share her secret with her sisters. But nothing is going according to plan, and then Bianca announces that she is marrying a man chosen for her by a dating app (and has only met him through video calls). Cora doesn’t believe in love after her past, but she really doesn’t believe in Bianca’s new relationship so they make a bet. If the app can choose the right guy for Cora, she’ll relent and bless Bianca's wedding, but if the app chooses someone who dumps her, then Bianca has to reassess. Bianca tries to fix the challenge by choosing the guy for Cora - Jax, who needs a girlfriend to get a promotion, but it turns out she picked a playboy who never gets past a second date. Except he and Cora start to actually to forge a bond after a few dates and sparks begin to fly.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this one but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a super cute and fast read which was made even more enjoyable by the audiobook (narrated by wonderful Karissa Vacker) and I ended up listening to a lot of it as I made dinner for 9 people (most of them very hungry boys). Each sister had her own story and I actually became invested in each’s story arc, their choices and their growth. This had a Carley Fortune feel with the childhood vacation town, small town feel of the book (maybe my feeling was enhanced by the fact that it bookended two Carley Fortune books that I read). This would make a great beach read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC to review