4.5 ⭐️Family & Love !

🌷Audio part:
I really loved how the narrator portrayed each sister and each love interest. It was clear to see who was who and to fall in love with each character easily. Also huge props to being able to create male voices that seemed genuine and didn't feel like a woman trying to fake a voice.

🌷Book in general:

🌷Will you get romance? Yes! But you will also get 3 sisters working each through their life and their relationship together.

🌷You get a view of every character in a natural way and get to see them grow and learn what it that they really want out of life, the things that truly matter, and how to forgive the past.

🌷All of it through quick dialogues, funny and endearing moments.

🌷Spice:0

🌷Language:0

Three sisters Savannah, Cora and Bianca are to spend a month together on the beach in Florida on vacation in the vacation home they shared with their family as children. Only this time it's just them as their family split up after the last visit and then their mother passed away from cancer. It is supposed to be a time of reconnecting as sisters but when Bianca announces that she is engaged to a man she's never met in person, only through the internet on an online dating site the vacation vibe definitely goes south. Enter family drama, handsome single men and romance and you have yourself a lovely romantic comedy with clever banter and sparks a plenty. This was a very fun and lovely read with a great message as well. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was great. Recommended. 4 stars.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson Fiction for a chance to listen/read an ARC version of this audio book.

If you’re looking for a great summery beach read that is romantic but also explores the complicated relationship of sisters, look no further. Written from the perspective of 3 sisters, this book hit all the notes. It was romantic, funny, and heartfelt. My only critique was being pulled from on perspective to another when I was really getting into a specific characters story. I liked the How to Lose a Guy in 10 days scenario in Cora’s character juxtaposed with the seriousness of Savannah’s serious secret. The characters were complex and relatable. There often felt like a lot of going on but it was easy to follow. The audiobook narrator was good and I appreciated that she didn't attempt a different voice for every character. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a rom com with a deeper vibe.

3.5 Stars

I was loaned an audio version of this book through Net Galley to listen to and review.

This was a fun lighthearted summer read. There was a lot of the typical romance tropes, fake dating, dating bets, bad boy turned prince charming. However, my favorite part of the story was the sisters. If Rachel Magee had spent a little more time exploring the dynamics between the sisters and how their roles in the family shaped them and their life choices, I would have enjoyed this story so much more.

This book was cute, it follows three sisters and their journey to fix their relationships after their mother dies. I thought It was a good take for each other their povs, plus an added one. It was an overall 3 star as it didn't blow me out of the water and captivate me as much as I like with my books. I did love that it was filled with sisterly love.

The narration as very well done. Karissa Vacker did a very good job bringing the story to life.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Savannah is determined to reconnect with her sister so she uses her mother’s dying wish to spend a summer at the beach to just that. Bianca is the youngest who is getting married to a man she has only met online. Cora has built a wall around her heart. Bianca and Cora made a deal that if Cora tried out Bianca’s dating app and fell in love then Cora would back off and let Bianca get married without being negative in this Taming of the Shrew re-telling.

Since it was a Taming of the Shrew retelling it was giving all the 10 Things I Hate About You and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes but make it summer at the beach. It was a lot of fun. This book made me want sisters. I laughed, it gave me all the feels, and made me want to go to the beach. This would be a wonderful book to take to the pool and enjoy.

Add this one to your summer reading list!! It was a perfect blend of lighthearted laughs and sweet romance. I loved the dynamics between the sisters, the wagers, and the banter. It all made for a very enjoyable read!

The narrator was fabulous at bringing these characters to life and making me laugh with her perfect delivery!

Overall a very delightful book!

What an absolutely heart warming read!! Perfect to bring with you on a beach vacation. All about family, finding yourself, sisters, love and more! The banter between the sisters was hilarious and also just such a great story. Absolutely loved it !

This was a great story of three sisters and their history colliding at a forced family vacation. I kept thinking about family and how everyone has a different perspective on their childhood. It was a fun read and would be great for the beach. Grab this one, it's an easy read that will leave you feeling satisfied.

Word to the wise, tell your family when you are in trouble. It saves so much time and heartache.


Thank you to NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson Fiction publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy and audio copy of this book is exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a cute book. I loved the family dynamics mixed in with romantic moments. The relationships were so sweet. I liked how the author handled family trauma, life changes, and how unexpected life can be. This is a great little summer book.

This book stole my heart and left me with a big smile on my face! I absolutely adored it.

Three sisters, one summer vacation, and a whole lot of meddling and mischievousness. This romcom/family drama has a little of everything. Sisters Savannah, Cora, and Bianca have come to the beach house, which holds childhood memories for them. Savannah, the oldest, hopes this will help reconnect them.

The summer is quickly filled up with meet-cutes, big announcements, a not-so-friendly wager, dating apps, and a secret or two. From matchmaking and fake dating to surprise romances and a concerned husband, I loved these sisters and the men in their lives.

The story cleverly pays homage to Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, adding a unique and intriguing twist to the narrative. The sisters, each with their distinct personalities and attitudes, bring a refreshing mix to the story, adding humor, engaging dialogue, and sassy banter. While this book may not have the spice, it's certainly oozing with heart, humor, and sweet romance. A perfect vacation or beach read; I didn’t want this one to end.




🎧One of my favorite narrators, Karissa Vacker, does an amazing job with all the characters—a great complement to the physical book.


Thank you @uplitreads @rachelmageeauthor and @tnzfiction for the gifted book.
Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

Okay, this was super cute. Perfect for sitting by the pool or sunning on the beach.

The narrator did such a good job with the different POV’s.

This is a happy, feel-good, family oriented rom-com.

Rachel Magee's What Not to Do on Vacation serves up a delightful blend of sisterly chaos, secret missions, and unexpected romance, all set against the backdrop of a summer beach getaway. Savannah, the determined older sister, is on a mission to rekindle the Prestly sisters' bond by reliving their idyllic childhood summers. She's meticulously planned everything: the same beach house, convincing her sisters to take a month off, and even crafting a bucket list of their favorite coastal activities. This trip simply has to be perfect, especially given a certain secret she's harboring.

Then comes Bianca, the youngest, with a bombshell announcement: she's engaged! Her sisters' less-than-enthusiastic reaction fuels Bianca's own mission—to prove she's not the "mess" they perceive. Her grand plan? To find love for their perpetually single sister, Cora, using the very dating app where Bianca found her fiancé. The stakes are high: if Cora doesn't find "the One" on the app, Bianca vows to call off her engagement. Bianca is ready for the challenge, even if it requires a little conniving.

Cora, however, is not convinced. Love, to her, is a fairy tale for others. As she begrudgingly creates her dating profile, she's convinced she can easily prove the absurdity of the whole "love thing" to her sisters. But then she matches with Jax, who's "Hemsworth-brother hot" and, astonishingly, charming in his messages. Cora still insists "none of this is real," believing love just doesn't come easily to her. She's sure she has the situation "under control."

Magee crafts a charming narrative about family dynamics, the surprising paths to love, and the hilarious mishaps that ensue when sisters meddle. This is a perfect summer read for anyone looking for sunshine, laughs, and heartwarming connections.

Perfect beach read, especially if you have sisters.

Overall: 4
Spice: 1 - kissing only
Narration: 5

Three sisters gather for a month in the same cottage they rented every summer as kids. They each have different memories of those past summers and are each at different points of life currently. Can they rediscover the magic of the summers of their childhood or can you never go back?

First, this book made me realize how much I love narrator Karissa Vacker. I think I love her male character voices even over male narrators. She adds a lot to this story with so many voices to portray. As the oldest of three sisters with the normal complicated relationships, I get a bit hesitant about reading books with sisters. I went into this with that worry that it was going to dredge up too many emotions, but I found it to be a delightful read that made me think without making me a mess. This story had a strong start that pulled me right in. I liked getting the perspective of each of the sisters. With so many character, you avoid the repetitive inner dialog that is present in so many romance books. The premise is interesting and giving How to Lose a Guy and Elin Hildebrand vibes. Overall this is a great story that would be perfect as a beach read. Highly recommend.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of What Not to Do on Vacation! This was such a fun, light, and breezy summer read—perfect for lounging by the pool or beach. The story strikes a great balance between humor and heart, with 3 relatable sisters at the center navigating messy family dynamics and personal growth in a totally believable way.

The audiobook especially stood out—the narrator brought the characters to life with warmth and personality, making the experience even more enjoyable. Every character felt likable and real, and I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys. If you're looking for a witty, feel-good escape with charm and emotional depth, this is one not to miss!

The main issue I had with this book was how predictable it was. Nothing surprised me. By the time I hit the quarter mark, I had a pretty good idea of where it was going. That really took the excitement out of it, and I found myself losing interest fast.
The story follows three sisters trying to rebuild their relationship after their mother’s passing. While I liked the idea of exploring each sister’s perspective, adding a POV from one of the love interests felt like an odd choice.
The book was okay but most of the characters felt like tropes I’ve seen too many times before, which made it hard to care about their outcomes. And of course, everything ends perfectly... neat resolutions and happy endings all around.
This was my introduction to the author, but I'm not sure I would be interested in exploring her other work given what I've seen.
I would love listening to more audiobooks narrated by this narrator though !

This was a good audiobook. Cute rom com story filled with sibling arguments, falling in love and working things out over a month long vacation at the family beach house. I enjoyed how the characters evolved with time and learned new things about themselves and each other in the process!

What Not to Do on Vacation… apparently, listen to this. Felt a bit misled by the premise—expected funny chaos, got lukewarm confusion. Not terrible, just not very good. Finished it at 2.5x speed, mostly out of stubbornness.

This is such a great book for anyone who loves a story about sisters.

Three sisters brought together on a month long beach vacation by the request of their late mother. This was her hope to get them close once again.

This book has an interesting storyline filled with emotion and laughter. 4 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a good audiobook! I just finished and was in tears. The growth within the characters was amazing! I can’t wait to snag a copy of this for my shelf!