This is a beautiful story. I love that the book is told from all three sisters’ perspectives. It truly adds to the story and each sister is unique and their voices and personalities truly shine. Cora’s character is relatable. Her transformation from wanting to avoid love at all costs, to starting to open up to someone is not rushed which helps with the believability. Savanah’s struggle with health issues and worrying about telling her sisters, while trying to recreate the memories of their childhood and fake like nothing is wrong for just a moment also is perfection. Bianca truly comes into herself in this story. Figuring out what brings her joy in real life and then being faced with what she thought was bringing her joy is everything. The growth that all three of these sisters have will leave the readers enchanted. This is the perfect summer read.
Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

In this charming, sister-centered romance, Savannah plans a month-long beach getaway to reconnect with her estranged sisters by recreating their childhood summers. She hopes sun, sand, and nostalgia will heal old wounds—while hiding a secret of her own. Meanwhile, Bianca drops a surprise: she’s getting married, and she’s determined to prove she has her life together by matchmaking her reluctant sister Cora using a fool-proof dating app. Cora, skeptical of love and her sisters' meddling, agrees to one disastrous date to prove them wrong. But when sparks fly with the town playboy, everything unravels. Family, love, and chaos collide in this heartfelt, hilarious summer escape.

4 stars!

This story gave me all the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes! A bet between sisters results in one agreeing to date this summer but with the intent to drive whoever she meets away. Meanwhile, the guy she falls for is up for an important role in his family's company but they want to see him settled down before they will consider him for the job. It's the perfect recipe for disaster.

Pie baking, pickleball, sandcastle contests and more fill this story with beachy vacation entertainment and the stories of each sister build this story into the ideal summer read. Author Rachel asked which sister I related to the most and I would say Savannah. Her secret is a big one, but she's desperate to create fun-filled family memories with her sisters before life gets real and unavoidable.

What Not to Do on Vacation is chock full of sweet sister chaos and getaway activities, and should be on any beach bag reads list this year!

Savannah is on a mission to reconnect the Prestly sisters the best way she knows how: reliving their carefree childhood summers at the beach. She's booked the same beach house and convinced the sisters to take a month off. What could possibly go wrong?

This had a healthy dose of drama. The youngest sister Bianca was engaged to a guy she didn't know well. The middle sister Cora was being set up via a dating app and wanted to prove that all men are unreliable. Savannah was keeping a secret from them both.

I loved the romances that bloomed even as the sisters squabbled and made up. There was only one narrator for multiple POVs and though there was no change in tone, she did a good job.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5⭐
Steam level: 1🌶️ Kissing only

Three sisters, needing to reconnect their sisterhood go to a vacation town. Stories of falling in and out of love, finding new passions, baking classes, secrets and more!

I LOVED this one. Truly going to be a top favorite read I think for this year. Very quick, easy read, makes you engaged into the story of each of the sisters and how the stories will end up.

I also love when the author at the end does a look into the future at the end of the book.

One of my favorite quotes:

“If death by hotdogs is how I go down, so be it”

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

In this book we have:
Sisters
multiple POV
summer trip
small town
banter
Closed-door

I picked this one up because I have two sisters (and a brother), and I'm pretty sure I would love a month-long trip with just the three of us!

We have:
Cora: oldest, cynical sister, that doesn't believe in soulmates, especially those found online but agrees to try an app for the summer
Savannah: middle sister, who has a secret and is worried about the trip being just perfect
Bianca: youngest sister who met her (surprise to her sisters) fiance on an app that promised AI would find the users' soulmates. She convinces Cora to try the app and if it DOESN'T work for her, she'll break off the engagement that her sisters are so apprehensive of.

I think the beauty of books like this is that you can see a little of yourself in each sister. The CYNICISM of the oldest sister, the anxieties of the middle sister and the "just believe me" of the youngest sister...

The setting was perfect for a beach read, as the sisters are at a beach house, in a small town with nostalgic locations, shops & activities which are keys to any great family vacation. I'd describe this book as "cute," despite some deeper themes (loss of a parent, health concerns) and relatable but a bit slow at times.

TL;DR: this summer read with closed-door romance would be a great addition to your beach bag, especially if you have sisters!

Rachel Magee’s What Not To Do On Vacation is the feel-good read you need on your summer stack. With multiple points of view and a trio of sisters that are loveable and complicated, this novel offers family drama, witty banter, and slow-burn romance.

I admire how Magee captures the messy, heartfelt dynamic between the Prestly sisters. There's laughter, bickering, and those verbal zingers that remind you no one knows you like family. The fake dating trope is well-written and the sisters’ character arcs, especially learning to reframe disappointments as unexpected gifts, adds remarkable depth to the story.

This book is as wholesome as it is fun, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with a nice amount of vulnerability. If you love stories about sisters, small-town beach vibes, and romance you’ll want to pack this one for your next getaway. Highly recommend for fans of slow-burn, low-spice, high-banter reads!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

This was the perfect easy beachy read. It's about 3 sisters vacationing for a month where they had vacationed as kids. It was a heartwarming read. Likeable characters, lots of good banter. Loved how they quoted Jane Austen and Toy Story in the book it made me smile. Overall a very good read. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction via Netgally for this ebook. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Three sisters-Savannah, Cora, and Bianca-gather at their childhood cottage in Sunnyside, Florida, to honor their late mother’s wish: one last summer together in their beloved vacation spot.
But when Bianca reveals she's getting married and moving to Idaho to be with a man she’s never met (someone she connected with on a dating app) the reunion takes an unexpected turn. The sisters strike a deal: if Cora, the skeptic who doesn’t believe in love, can find “the one” using the same app, they’ll give Bianca their approval.
As Cora dives into the world of online dating, Savannah tries to recreate their childhood traditions, while hiding a secret of her own, waiting for just the right moment to tell her sisters…

This novel is the perfect summer read, it truly has it all: a charming seaside setting, heartfelt romance, and just the right dose of family drama. I really enjoyed it!
The slow-burn, no-spice romance was really well done - refreshing and beautifully paced, adding depth without overshadowing the story's emotional core. What stood out most to me was the realistic portrayal of sibling dynamics. The way the sisters' relationships evolved throughout the book felt authentic and relatable, making their journey all the more impactful.
I honestly have no complaints. It’s a well written, thoughtful, and engaging novel. If you enjoy summer stories centered around family bonds and clean romance, I definitely recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC!!

I thought What Not To Do On Vacation was a cute read. I really liked all of the povs (there were 4) and I think that definitely helped get the full story because there was a lot going on. This book had some meddling sisters, secrets, and a cautionary tail about online dating. 🤪 It was both funny and heartwarming with some character growth sprinkled in. A fun book to read while on a vacation.

I was given an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

"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.