"What Not to Do on Vacation" offers a heartwarming and engaging escape for your summer reading list! Follow three sisters, including the hesitant Cora, as they embark on a journey to recapture the spirit of idyllic family vacations. However, the attempt to recreate the past unearths complex emotional baggage, miscommunications, and the weight of unfulfilled hopes. The initial nostalgia gives way to the reality beneath the 'rose-tinted glasses'. A delightful twist emerges right from the start when Cora encounters the intriguing Jax at a drugstore after her luggage goes missing. Their initial exchange, filled with clever wit, offers glimpses of Cora's vulnerability, a refreshing contrast to her usual business-like approach and the fun banter continues in future exchanges. Savannah's meticulous planning and desire for control clash with the realities of the situation, embodying the classic older sibling dynamic. Bianca, the youngest, brings a different perspective, having experienced the family dynamic uniquely after her sisters' departures into adulthood and independence. Her search for her own identity adds another layer to the narrative. The beach setting becomes a backdrop for the sisters' journey of rediscovery, as they learn to navigate their relationships as individuals and find solace in extending grace to themselves and others to preserve important relationships.

I really enjoyed this book and appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and Thorndike Press. All opinions are my own.

This is the perfect light summer read. You get the sister dynamic and two romance storylines. Well, one and a half - the main one and a side one that you root for as well!

The characters were relatable and flawed but you couldn't help but love them. This is a sweet, clean, funny and fun book to take with you to the beach this summer.

I also highly recommend the audio, as Karissa Vacker is superb!

Rachel Magee delivers a delightful summer read that combines family dynamics, romantic comedy, and beach house nostalgia in a modern reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew!

The three Prestly sisters agree to meet up in their childhood beach house rental for a month-long vacation complete with a carefully crafted bucket list of coastal activities. Their reconnection in such a tight space full of nostalgia ends up forcing the sister to face past resentments and old wounds. Each of the three sisters gets their own POV, and they were very distinct and their conflict was incredibly relatable. There is also fun romance sub-plots (including by favorite, fake dating) that I very much enjoyed, but I was happy those threads didn't overshadow the sisters' relationships.

Magee's writing is fantastic, and she delivers on high humor, an escapist beach setting/fun adventures, and low-spice romance. While there are some heavier topics explored, the tone maintained levity/humor that I appreciate in a rom-com beach read. I did a tandem read, listening to the audiobook while reading my physical copy, and I *adored* narrator Karissa Vacker's performance! I love her work on thriller audiobooks, and this was my first rom-com by her and she did a fantastic job with distinguishing between the sisters' POVs, and I loved her portrayal of Jax (reformed playboy with a heart of gold) and Bianca's (the sister who has sworn off love/romance) adventures.

Comparable authors: Melissa Ferguson, Emma St. Claire, and Katherine Center
Recommend for: Readers who love low-spice rom-coms with humor, family drama, and beachside settings.

I enjoyed the story and the characters in What Not to Do on Vacation. The only thing I didn’t love was the title, because they certainly do quite a bit of good on their break! Three sisters are brought together to have one last summer at the beach to fulfill their mom’s dying wish. What they don’t know is this trip will change all of their lives. Each character is vastly different, and with multiple points of view throughout the story, you get a good idea of what makes them great (and their flaws). It is a fun quick read for your beach vacation.

Did you love How to lose a guy in 10 days? Then this is the book for you!

We follow the stories of 3 sisters who are in a seaside town to recreate their childhood memories as per their mothers last wish.
The eldest Savannah wants to tick off every item on the memory bucket list but has a deeper reason to do so.
Bianca the youngest has just gotten engaged to a man she hasn’t met through a dating site and to convince them of the sites merit she makes a bet that the middle sister Cora, who doesn’t beleive in love, will also find her soul mate.

This story is sweet and heartwarming and shows the importance of family

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

I loved this book! It's described as 10 Things I Hate About You meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and it absolutely is.

This book is emotional, fun, romantic, realistic, and the banter is the best. If you have sisters, you will understand the family dynamics and relationships. The author created a world within this book where you feel like you are one of the cast and they're your friends. I was laughing throughout and really appreciated how each relationship came together and ended up. I also love that this was a clean romance novel - refreshing change.

This is the prefect beach read if you love:
⛱️ Sister stories
⛱️ Satisfying character arcs
⛱️ A well-rounded ensemble cast
⛱️ Beach house setting
⛱️ How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

This was one of those books that had a little bit of everything. The multiple POVs are easy to follow even with three sisters experiencing their own trials and life stages. There is one that takes more of a primary focus, which made it feel very well balanced.

Rating: 4.5⭐️
Format: 🎧 Great on audio!
Language: None
Spice: Kisses only

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audio!

Great summer read! I loved this book about 3 sisters (being one of three sisters myself!) This book reminded me so much of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. And I love a good 90’s-2000’s rom-com! This story is told from the point of view of 3 sisters and 1 guy. Savannah, Cora and Bianca are visiting the beach town their family used to vacation when they were growing up and when their parents were together and happy. Savannah wants to recreate everything (down to the chore chart) that they did as kids because “it’s tradition”! She’s also is trying to make everything seem normal and nostalgic because some medical things that are happening in her life (that she isn’t ready to tell her sisters about yet) will make life seem not normal anymore. Cora, the middle, is reluctant to be there, and has not been close to her sisters in a while. She’s had her heart broken in so many ways (parents, ex-fiancé, etc) that she has closed herself off from everyone which means this vacation is not where she wants to be. Bianca, the youngest, is trying to prove to her sisters she has grown up and has plans for the future and drops the bombshell that she is getting married… to a guy she met on a dating app… run by AI that guarantees to make the perfect love match. When her sisters tell her how ridiculous her engagement is, they make a bet that if Bianca can make a profile for Cora and she can find love on the app then they won’t bother her with her engagement. Let the dating and summer at the beach begin!

This book is funny, sweet, and I enjoyed it as a light summer read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I listened to this gem via NetGalley and absolutely loved it. This book is everything I want in a summer read—sweet, cozy, and full of heart. The sisterhood dynamics were so well done, capturing the complexities of love, rivalry, and support that come with family.

The beach setting was perfect for a summer read, and I really appreciated how the story explored the different life stages and experiences through each sister’s perspective. Add in some hilarious fake dating, witty banter, and unexpected romance, and it’s a total home run.

If you’re looking for a feel-good story with heart, humor, and a sun-soaked backdrop, definitely add this one to your summer TBR.

So, Savannah is trying to relive her childhood summers with her sisters, which sounds super sweet, right? But then there's Bianca, the youngest, who's like, secretly dating this total playboy (seriously, major red flag!) and everyone's just kinda losing it. And Cora, the oldest, is supposedly the sensible one but even *she's* got her own reasons for letting Bianca do whatever. It's just a whole messy, adorable family thing.

The whole book is just such a fun escape. Like, if you're stuck at home and dreaming of beaches and cute guys, this is totally it. It's got all the summer fun stuff, but also a ton of heart. You'll seriously be laughing and cringing and rooting for them all at the same time.

Honestly, the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because some parts felt a *little* bit like, "duh, obviously that's gonna happen." But honestly, it's such a tiny thing compared to how much fun I had reading it. If you're looking for a super cute, heartwarming, and just totally fun read, grab this one! You won't regret it!

This one was super cute—a great way to kick off my summer reading! 🌞🏖️

One of my favorite lines toward the end of the book really sums it all up:
“Family… can’t live with them, but life isn’t worth living without them.”
And isn’t that the truth? Whether it’s the meddling one, the secretive one, or the one who just wants to be seen—we love them all. This book reminded me to appreciate my own family and even inspired me to reach out to a few folks I haven’t talked to in a while.

The storyline followed the three Prestly sisters with humor and heart. While there were a few moments where I found myself thinking, Okay, let’s get to the point already! 😅 the pacing overall worked for what it was meant to be: a sweet, funny, light beach read.

Karissa Vacker did a great job narrating—each sister had her own voice, and the dialogue came to life in a way that kept me listening. 🎧

✨ Final Thoughts:
A solid 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfect for fans of low-spice romance, sisterhood drama, and heartwarming laughs. A nice, funny palette-cleanser read with just enough real-life feels sprinkled in.

Unfortunately this book was so boring/predictable, especially given how long it was. I didn’t mind the narration though

I enjoyed the theme of this book- the beach, sisters reconnecting, a few light secrets, matchmaking, competitive spirit and the men all seemed great. The only thing I did t love was that the end seemed a bit rushed. Like all the sudden they were love. But if you are looking for a good beach read, this one will work!

"What Not to Do on Vacation" is a delightful, four-star dive into the often-messy, always-loving world of sisterhood, wrapped in a sun-soaked, laugh-out-loud vacation package. What begins as Savannah's earnest attempt to recreate carefree childhood summers quickly devolves into a hilarious maelstrom of well-intentioned meddling, secret agendas, and unexpected romance.
The chaos kicks off with Bianca's bombshell engagement announcement and her audacious plan to find perpetually single Cora love on a dating app—a scheme born from a desire to prove her maturity and shed her "mess" reputation. Bianca's unwavering conviction and conniving antics are both endearing and uproarious, driving much of the comedic energy.
Cora, the cynical middle sister, serves as the perfect foil. Her eye-rolling disbelief at the prospect of finding love, especially through an app, is entirely relatable. Yet, the introduction of Jax—"Hemsworth-brother hot" and surprisingly charming—immediately throws a wrench into Cora's carefully constructed cynical worldview, promising a delightful dynamic as she grudgingly enters the dating arena.
Magee excels at crafting authentic sisterly dynamics, showcasing the unique blend of love, exasperation, and unwavering support that only siblings understand. The witty banter between the Prestly sisters is a constant highlight, feeling genuinely organic and often laugh-out-loud funny. While the "nothing is under control" spoiler hints at the impending chaos, the journey to get there is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making for an excellent pace.
"What Not to Do on Vacation" is a perfect escape for anyone looking for a lighthearted, funny, and heartwarming story about the enduring bonds of family and the unpredictable nature of love. It's a testament to Rachel Magee's talent that she can turn a potential disaster of a vacation into such a delightful and ultimately satisfying read.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ALC in exchange for my honest review. A heartwarming story about three sisters reconnecting after their mom’s death, filled with beachy vibes and emotional moments. It had the makings of a great summer read, but the plot was pretty predictable—I saw most of the twists coming from a mile away. We got POVs from all three sisters plus a love interest, but honestly, his chapters didn’t add much. While the story wrapped up neatly (maybe too neatly), it still had its cozy charm. Overall, a decent read—just not one that’ll stick with me.

i absolutely adored this one! The multiple POV’s were so interesting and i loved seeing various aspects from the characters! The plot felt like an early 2000s romcom and it was so entertaining! i loved the MMC’s so much! this one also had a beautiful message about sibling love and forgiveness! 10/10!!
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: clean!

“𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒’𝓈 𝒷𝒾𝑔𝑔𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑜𝒾𝓃𝓉𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝒾𝑔𝑔𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝑔𝒾𝒻𝓉𝓈.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨ (4.25 stars)

I adored this beachy, Taming of The Shrew/Ten Things I Hate About You glow up! It was heartwarming and predictable, but also fresh. I loved the beautiful sisterly bond between Savannah, Cora, and Bianca, and how the summer in Sunnyside not only strengthened their relationship, but allowed them to all grow and flourish individually, too.

The romances between Cora and Jax, and Bianca and Luke, were sweet too. Seeing how devoted and adoring Chris and the little girls were to Savannah also tugged at my heartstrings and made me happy.

My thought, was watching Cora’s walks come down as she fell in love with Jax. Their banter was fun, and I loved their dates too!

If you have the chance to listen to this one, do it!! Narrator @karissavacker is phenomenal and truly brings this entire story and its characters to life in such a beautiful way!! She is one of my favorite narrators dnd I can’t wait to listen to more of her work 😍 Great job, Karissa!!

This. Was. Adorable!
And… sweet. And… sad. And… enlightening. And… heartfelt!

Meet the sisters…
Savannah…married with kids and a husband. And…Happy!
Cora…the perpetually single sister who loves life, but never plans to be tied down… not again.
And Bianca… the baby. Who met a guy on line. Fell in love. And…plans to marry him and move away. She’s engaged to him, but has never actually met him!!!!! Wait! What??????

So, when Bianca decides that the best thing for Cora is to ‘sign up’ on a dating match site to meet her ‘forever’ guy, well, Cora just laughs. Like…that’s never gonna happen!

And I’ll just 🛑🛑STOP. RIGHT. HERE!! 🛑🛑

That’s all I’m giving!

If you want to laugh, cry, smile, shed happy (and sappy) tears…don’t miss this one!
Although there are some rocky parts, this is a keeper!

And I absolutely love how the sisters just always come together when times are good… or bad. And that’s what friends (and family) are for! Through thick and thin!

4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!!!!!

#WhatNotToDoOnVacation by #RachelMagee and narrated beautifully by #KarissaVacker.

THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN RELEASED, SO LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson #ZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee is a fun summer beach read! When three adult sisters reunite for a month at their beloved childhood vacation spot, no one expects just how much will unfold. What begins with chaos, secrets, and drama slowly transforms into a heartwarming journey of reconnection, love, and self-discovery.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Karissa Vacker, who did a great job bringing the story to life. The narrative is told from multiple points of view—something that can sometimes be tricky to follow in audio format—but this one was very easy to keep up with and thoroughly enjoyable.

I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, light-hearted story—perfect for vacation or summer reading. You’ll find yourself cheering on each sister as they navigate personal challenges and grow in unexpected ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advance audio copy!

Hmm a romantic comedy but centered around the complicated relationship between sisters, sign me up! Did definitely have the vibes the blurb pointed to for 90/aughts movie nostalgia but at a sleepy Florida beach tourist town. There is a lot going on with multiple POVs and plot points, which I don’t necessarily mind but just good to be aware of it when you’re going in that there is a tad bit of chaos in the structure of the book, I think many authors may have broken up into a series but I like it when everything is wrapped up at the end so that was a perk for me. Overall I found it to be a fun and light summer read with just enough substance to not float away.

The audiobook aspect was also solid, I’ve heard a few from the narrator before (When in Rome and Savor It) and she’s got a good tone and isn’t annoying when she switches POV which is always a challenge for female narrators with male POV but she also did really well with separating out the sisters’ voices too.

My one complaint: damn my boy Luke deserved a few POV chapters too. I mean we know basically what he’s thinking cause he’s a genuine guy but still!!

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.