This was the first Rachel Magee novel I’ve read and it gave me all the warm summer vibes. I adored this cute and tender hearted contemporary tale. It was authentic, relatable and had the perfect balance of romance, humor, and summer fun.

What Not To Do On Vacation followed Savannah, one of three sisters. She wanted to desperately reconnect with her two other sisters after having been estranged. So she developed a plan to get the three of them together for a vacation at the same beach house where they spent their childhood every summer. Bianca, the oldest of the sisters, surprised them with an announcement that she was getting married to a guy she met online. The sisters were apprehensive, and as a result, Bianca was determined to show her sisters just how together her life was. And she thought the only way to do that was to find a soulmate for her closed-off-sister, Cora who was still single, to prove that the dating site she used to meet her future husband was legit.

When I read the book’s synopsis, I was immediately intrigued by the plot- sisters reunited, nostalgic memories, summer vacation, and unexpected romance. Magee did a thorough job of exploring several themes in an authentic and relatable way. Being a sister myself, the theme that most resonated with me was sisterhood. But I also found the family relationships and the challenges of navigating life's transitions themes equally identifiable. Above all, I most appreciated the theme that focused on the complexities of sisterly bonds. Having a sister myself I found each of the sister perspectives authentic and showcased the challenges sisters face growing up and in adulthood as well. In this story, I liked how the sisters reconnected after a period of estrangement and tried to rediscover their childhood summer memories. Those particular moments in the story brought up a lot of personal emotions and memories. However, despite my deep feelings, I found the banter between the sisters light and playful which made this an overall delightful read.

Collectively, What Not To Do On Vacation was filled with sisterly love and unexpected romance making this fun, light hearted story a quintessential summer read. I looking forward to reading more by Rachel Magee.

Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

What a perfect summer read! Or in my case, a perfect summer listen. 🥰

I want to thank UpLit reads for selecting me to receive a finished copy of this book and the audiobook! I listened to this one over the last two days and really enjoyed it!

The cover immediately drew me in but hearing it has 10 Things I Hate About You vibes PLUS How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days…I had to go for it lol.

This one has beachy vibes, all the banter, sassy sisters and mysterious love interests! I loved all the characters in this and really how much they all grew throughout the story. It was sweet, fun, wild and heartwarming!

Get your copy May 20th!!

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. Narrating was top notch.

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

This book was a breath of fresh air that had happy moments, melancolic moments and made you think about family above all else. If you love romance but also love books that explore family ties and dinamics among siblings this is the book for you. For myself, I can only say I liked it very much and that the characters felt so real I could relate to them.

I was immediately caught up in the sisterly shenanigans of Savannah, Cora, and Bianca as they vacation in a childhood spot and reconnect. Savannah has a big secret, Cora finally gives in to one date on a match and “has everything under control,” and Bianca announces a big surprise–she’s getting married to a man she’s never met.

This dating app idea is actually intriguing and the way it plays a part in these sisters’ lives is so much fun and also so hilarious. And I loved the way each sister wanted something different out of this trip. All the beachy rom-com vibes are present and this story slows at a steady and pleasing pace.

Told in multiple points-of-view, the narration was fantastic and the sisters’ voices were easy to keep track of. I loved the events of their time together and found myself feeling all the feels–many laughs, heartwarming and tender moments, mild angst, and so many feel-good vibes. These are delightful characters and this story truly does have a “10 Things I Hate About You” pulse, which proved to be so entertaining.

I flew through this one, enjoying every moment.

Content: talk of cancer; mild romance

*I received a complimentary audio copy through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given*

This is the perfect summer beach read. The setting (panhandle of Florida), the theme (sisters reconnecting at a former family vacation spot) and the story itself tick all my summer read boxes.

The story is about three sisters, Cora, Savannah, and Bianca. The story is narrated alternating between the sisters and occasionally their love interests. The sisters have drifted apart in the ten years since their mother's death, but are honoring one of her last wishes by coming together at their favorite family vacation spot for a month at the beach.

I enjoyed the different storylines of each sister and loved watching Bianca, the youngest, come into her own and find something she loves to do.

I thought that some of the story was fairly predictable, but also on par for other summer reads. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

I loved everything about this book. Multiple story lines and yet easy to keep track of each. a healthy dose of family drama, but nothing too traumatic or that took away from the main plot. #rachelmagee wove together a fun summer beach read just in time to do just that!

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 ALC to review

This was a cute little story about sisters getting close after time. Throwing in some romance on multiple ends, family tragedy, and bickering- call me happy! I like that each of the girls were so very different but all melt together to create the perfect family dynamic.

This was a fun one! Growing up in a three sister household gave this extra special meaning. I really enjoyed all of the sister’s stories and personalities. I was happy that the story remained focused more on the sisters than on their romances, although I had no problem with the romances themselves (just didn’t want it to overtake the plot).

This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author, and I really like her writing style. I look forward to what she comes up with next.

I have not read any of this authors previous works so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found the story of sisters reconnecting moving and heartfelt even if it took them some time to get to a place of reconnecting. There are times when the youngest sisters actions are below the intellect of what I would consider for her age and the narrator made her sound so young that it lowered the tone of the book to young adult verses woman’s fiction.
There’s a side story trying to deny a love connection and there’s some hidden health concerns but overall it’s lighthearted and cute.

What Not to Do on Vacation is one of those sweet and charming beachy stories that will put a smile on your face!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

I’m always a huge fan of a book that has a cast of characters that are likable and in this story, I felt like I wanted to not only be friends with a group of sisters but have them adopt me.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Beach Vibes
Sisterhood
Family Drama
Banter
Fake Dating
Laugh out loud moments

🔥Steam level: Clean

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

Karissa Vacker did a wonderful job bringing each one of the characters to life with their own unique personalities.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Slow Burn

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

If you are looking for some light summer reading, then check this fun romcom out!

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this gifted copy.

I absolutely loved this book! From the sisterly relationship between Cora, Savannah, and Bianca, to the new connection between Jax and Cora, this book kept me fully engulfed in the story. The multiple points of view worked really well for this book as well.

The sisters are spending the summer together at the beach and Savannah desperately wants to recapture some of their childhood memories. However, Cora and Bianca don't always have the same priorities. Despite that, can they still have a great time together?


I recommend this for a fun summer read. My only complaint is that I wasn't on a beach reading this book, because it would be the perfect beach read. 🏖️

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of the audiobook, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is a fun and engaging read. Savannah, Cora, and Bianca are sisters who are meeting at their favorite beach house they visited as children in order to fulfill a wish their dead mother had. Bianca comes with the news that she is getting married to a man she met online but not in real life. Savannah has her own secrets that she's bringing to the sisters' vacation. Cora isn't bringing a secret but she's not totally buying what Bianca is selling. It is through Bianca's machinations that Cora meets Jax and eventually they become an item. Cora never really wanted the relationship to work to prove a point to Bianca. The story also follows Jax who is in town to land a job in his family’s business he’s had his eye on. His uncle who is in charge of appointing the position tells Jax he needs to prove he’s serious by committing to a relationship. Enter Cora. Cora doesn’t trust men and is firm in her belief that all men leave, but especially her. So of course they end up dating. While she’s trying to get him to leave, he’s trying to get her to commit. They catch feelings and I loved how it all unraveled. I enjoyed the banter between Jax and Cora, the way the found each other. While this story was lighthearted and cute, it also addressed real issues in relationships. The characters are relatable and enjoyed the story. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Rachel Magee for the opportunity.

LOVED IT!

This was a beautiful, fun, yet emotionally stirring experience…. I think most of us can relate to at least one of the Prestley sisters…. And their summer shenanigans not only kept me interested, but they made me laugh out loud, clench my jaw, roll my eyes, and reach for tissues. Anytime you get all that in one book, it’s a keeper.

The author did a fantastic job developing her cast! This book is a hit, because the characters are so unforgettable (& the story is good)!!!!

If you’re craving a clean, sun-drenched escape with just the right amount of chaos, chemistry, and charm, Rachel Magee’s What Not to Do on Vacation is your next perfect beach read. This delightful small-town romcom blends sisterly antics, fake dating mishaps, and reluctant romance into a breezy, feel-good story that goes down smoother than an iced lemonade on a hot summer day.

The story follows a classic summer tradition—a family vacation filled with sandy toes, sea breeze… and schemes. When a matchmaking setup goes wildly awry, two seemingly opposite characters—a guarded, down-to-earth heroine and a charming playboy with hidden depths—are roped into a fake relationship. But beneath the sun-kissed surface lies a story of emotional growth, revisiting the past, and learning to trust in love again.

Magee plays with romcom tropes in all the best ways: the fake dating setup is fun and flirty without crossing into cliché, and the reluctant romance simmers with just enough tension to keep you turning pages. There’s family drama (because what’s a vacation without it?), sisterly shenanigans that will make you laugh out loud, and just the right touch of heart. And through it all, the alternating points of view give readers deeper insight into both leads, making their journey toward happily ever after feel authentic and well-earned.

One of the book’s most poignant lines captures the emotional core:
“She’d forgotten what it was like to let go and let herself fall in love. To let herself be loved.”
That moment hits especially hard as the story reminds us that sometimes, love finds us when we stop trying to control the outcome.

In short, What Not to Do on Vacation is the literary equivalent of a seaside escape: light, sweet, and soul-soothing. Perfect for fans of wholesome romance, witty banter, and second chances in the summer sun.

Three sisters return to a summer beach home for four weeks one summer to reconnect. Savannah is the organizer and she has health information she needs to share with her sisters. Bianca is planning on meeting a guy she met online five weeks ago and move her whole life to Idaho from Atlanta. She's not met him in person but they were matched by an AI app. And Cora can't believe she's agreed to go and her luggage didn't make the flight.

Bianca bets Cora the app works. If Cora wins, Bianca has to wait 6 months to marry . Cora gets matched with a guy who never has more than a second date. This is a cute story and was pretty funny in places. I enjoyed it! The narrator does a great job.

I listened to this book and loved the narrator. If you’re an audiobook fan, you know how a bad reader can ruin a book!

I loved the sister/family dynamic and my favorite summer plot of returning to your childhood vacation spot.

Such a cute book and I recommend listening!

Three sisters take a vacation together to relive their childhood and their lives end up going in different directions. It's a sweet romance and has no smut.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book about sisters and their relationships with each other. They all have their own lives, but when they come you can see the bond they have. It is intertwined with romance and friendships. I love that it follows 10 ways to lose a guy but it's own take on it. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good beach read.