I had the opportunity to listen to this book. the audio was great. Karissa Vacker is easy to listen to and makes the story interesting. She also does a great voice for Jax. I would highly recommend the audio.

This book was exactly what I needed. It was funny, light-hearted and had multiple point of views. Usually with multiple point of views, I can get confused or I lose attention fast because I am invested in one character. I loved all the characters. The story was easy follow story which was really nice. The plot was well thought out and although is a little predictable I really enjoyed it. The author does a great job of following multiple stories and keeping it simple, but also making it interesting. I wish there was more because I really became invested in the characters.

What Not to Do on Vacation, Rachel Magee’s latest release, is more than simple romance. It’s a heartwarming family tale of three sisters who gather together in their childhood vacation spot to reconnect. Savannah is dealing with a health issue she hasn’t told her sisters about. Bianca surprises her sisters by announcing she is getting married to a man she met via an app and has been talking with for months but has never met in IRL. Cora, who has pretty much given up on trusting men and finding love, makes a bet with Bianca that the app is flawed and can’t be used to find a soulmate by agreeing to test it out on herself. Each of the sisters is looking for something, even if they don’t realize it, and over this magical summer they all find what they need. Part romantic comedy and part family drama, I loved ever minute of it, and absolutely loved when Bianca’s fiance showed up. He only had a small part but was unforgettable. Karissa Vacker does a fabulous job narrating the book was a absolute pleasure to listen to. I really need to check out more of Magee’s work. I’d like to thank Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of the audio version of What Not to Do on Vacation.

“Those are strong words, coming from a guy who’s never made a crust before.”

WhatNotToDoOnVacation by RachelMagee is a 4 ⭐️ read.

The Audiobook is Out On the 20th MAY 2025

Savannah is on a mission to reconnect the Prestly sisters the best way she knows how: reliving their carefree childhood summers at the beach.

Bianca, the baby of the family, with a huge announcement… 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.

Cora believes that Love is a fairy tale for other people, not her. As she's filling out her dating profile, she knows nothing will come of it.

—:—:—:—:—

What Not to Do on Vacation is a charming and lighthearted rom-com that promises low spice but high laughter.

I have to say the tears were real while listening to the story of the Prestly sisters. They are all so different, however it is love for one another that kept me going, hoping the sad times will teach them a well deserved lesson in what really matters in life.

I had such a great time in this world, and I was a little sorry when it ended and I needed to say good bye to them all.


Favourite Quote: “Do you have a script you want me to read from, or are you just going to keep feeding me lines?”

Spicy Level - 0

Note: Please read and review all trigger warnings before reading any recommended book. We love to read for our pleasure, so keep your mind, and emotions safe!

Audio Book Available
Publisher: Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio
Imprint: Thomas Nelson Fiction
Narrator: KarissaVacker
Publication date: 20th MAY 2025

Before their mom died, the three Prestly sisters promised they would return to their childhood vacation spot. Now, over a decade has gone by, and eldest daughter, Savannah has decided now is the time. Savannah is a type-A total mom. She has plans and schedules and she is in charge. She mothers everyone. But she has a reason for having her sisters gather now. Middle daughter, Cora, is jaded. She lives far from the rest of the family and is estranged from their father. She is fiercely independent and not interested in love. Too easy to be disappointed. Youngest, Bianca, is flighty and changes course often. She quit her job- and is moving to Idaho after the month to marry a man she met on the internet just a couple of months ago. A man she has never met in person.
As the sisters settle into the beach house, there is plenty of drama. No one follows Savannah's plans. They bicker over everything. It is kind of going terribly. But as the summer moves on, they all start to find themselves. Savannah comes to terms with her current forced trajectory. Cora starts to realize that not everyone disappoints you, and Bianca begins to discover her calling in life.

I loved the story of the three sisters. They all had personal growth. It was entertaining and they were real. They didn't always get along. They bickered, but at the end of the day, they love each other.

I read this straight through and there is only one reason I couldn't rate it five stars- the stupid "dating for a bet" trope. I hate that trope. You are guaranteed a terrible third act breakup. And I hate those, so I anticipate it the whole book.

Karissa Vacker narrates the audiobook. She is one of my absolute favorite narrators. So much so that I'm not even complaining about using one narrator for multiple POVs!

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖~ 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎 𝐎𝐍 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ~ by Rachel Magee ~ Thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio, Audible Audio and Netgalley for an ALC of this book due 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡.I was ready for this one to add to the beginning of a spring/summer seasonal reading list. Alas, and disappointingly, this one did not work for me at all. TBH, I am never happy when I have to write this kind of review. My dislike of this story began almost immediately with my absolute disdain for these characters. I found them annoying upon first meeting each of them and kept hoping for some heartwarming moments to change my mind… alas.. That was not the case. I never even bought into any genuine feelings or connection between them. Savannah especially… O…M…G shut up… with your unrealistic and dumb expectations and living in the past and with the negative thoughts… ummm no.. at no point in this novel was your (prepare for her over hyperbolic thoughts), “entire world crashing down”. Dramatic much??? Because they wouldn't build the sand castle the way you wanted?? WTH?? According to these characters (except maybe Bianca… maybe) everything was sooo negative… but “it could get better.. right?” (insert annoying internal necktie monologue here). Bianca was ridiculous in her own right with the marriage thing and the stupid “plan”. Then, you are on vacation but you are working?? What?? And the insta-connection with perfect, witty banter between Cora and Jax was so disingenuous… I think my feelings are clear. I am happy for those readers that enjoy this upon its release, but it is a no for me. Zero character connection and a predictable and shallow story. Nope. I am sorry… but I need to keep it authentic.
⭐
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 (𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝) 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥! 📚♥️🏖️

I really enjoyed this book. Kept me interested the whole time.

Follows three sisters who are wanting to reconnect. We have banter, romance, bets, sisterly love and summer fun. This was such a cozy fun book to listen to. It has multiple POV and diverse characters. The sisters were all different, but all had fun personalities. We have the typical big sister who acts motherly, a closed off middle sister and then a sister who is still growing into her adult self.
Enjoyed the narration, Karissa Vacker did an amazing job bringing this book to life.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for this early audible. A very heart whelming book.

This was such a fun read! It had romance, family secrets, sisterly love, vacation, traditions, fun, banter, character development, it felt cozy and sweet. I can recommend to anyone looking for a light and good read.

The narration was very good also, with interesting and engaging voices that made the story come to life.

I am so glad to have received this ALC from netgalley!

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee is the story of three sisters – Savannah, Cora, and Bianca – and their journey to repair their relationship by revisiting the beach house they went to as children. The book is told from each of the sisters point of view as well as Jax, a local businessman/playboy/maybe spy. While I typically do not enjoy books told from so many perspectives, I really did enjoy this read! Each character had different insight and background, and I enjoyed hearing their point of view. Narration was performed by Karissa Vacker and she did a fantastic job! The author did a great job of building the story during their stay at the beach to keep me listening and engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Audio, and the author for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re craving a nostalgic summer escape with all the charm of a ‘90s rom-com, What Not To Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee delivers exactly that—and then some. Set in a breezy beach town, this light, feel-good story is the perfect companion for sunny days and sandy toes.

The novel introduces a cast of likable characters you’ll find yourself rooting for from the very beginning. There are multiple romantic plotlines to keep things interesting, including one that brings all the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days energy, and another friends-to-lovers arc that complicates things with a long-distance fiancé who isn’t quite what he seemed. These dynamics add depth without ever weighing the story down.

The audiobook is fast-paced and easy to follow, with a narrator whose pleasant voice makes it an enjoyable listen. Add in the gorgeous, colorful cover and you’ve got the full summer package.

In short, What Not To Do on Vacation is a charming, airy read filled with warmth, laughter, and all the happy feels—perfect for fans of heartwarming stories and romantic escapism. A true beach bag essential!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this audiobook.

This was a cute rom com with interesting sister dynamics. At first I found the sister dynamics to be annoying but that could be because I have brothers. Closed door romance, humor, etc. definitely lives up to 10 things I hate about you and how to lose a guy in ten days.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of which got confusing at times. I wonder if having more narrators would have helped with this. Love Karissa as a narrator though!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC!

The story itself is cute. It’s a story about sisterly love with romance mixed in. A nice summer/beach read that his cozy and romantic.

My issue is that this is an audiobook and there are multiple POV’s. This book doesn’t translate well into an audiobook with a narrator using the same voice for everyone. It was hard to follow whose POV you were in. Since this is an ALC my review and rating is being heavily impacted by this.

Thank you @tnzfiction for my early copy of @rachelmageauthor ‘s new novel, WHAT NOT TO DO ON VACATION, out May 20, 2025.

This is the perfect book to kick start your summer beach reads! Rachel Magee manages to write a great novel with sisters (often at odds) with secrets, and beach town locals. Each sister fulfills the typical role of first born, middle child and baby of the family, all while trying to keep it “together” on this last hurrah to their family’s beloved beach (before their family went through a divorce).

The novel has some thought-provoking moments about reflectively thinking about our perspective and how far from the truth it can possibly be. Along with this there are deep themes about the secrets we keep from each other, and why (plus whether these secrets are good, or whether we should let it all out there).

Definitely read this if you like Courtney Walsh’s novels and low spice, 30-something women’s literature!

This is a very cute and fun story about three sisters reuniting for a beach vacation. It is a very light and quick read and would be perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool. There is a lot of banter and a plot line that makes the comparison to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days spot on!

I did find the plot fairly predictable and formulaic, and the sisters weren't different enough for me to always be able to orient myself in their chapters. Karissa Vacker is always a fantastic narrator and I thought she did a great job with this story, but there were just too many POVs to keep straight.

If you can only pick up one book to read on the beach this summer, this one should be in your bag, on your kindle or listening device. I thoroughly enjoyed all three of the sisters. The clean romance was fun and a little funny. The setting ( the beach ) is always a hit with me.

The multiple points of view keeps each of their stories moving along at a perfect pace. It is a predictable story, but the journey is worth every flip of each page ( or in my case each hour of listening ).

I am now interested in what Rachel Magee is going to write next and I want to go back and catch up her other books.

Rachel Magee is a new author for me. I am so glad I took a chance on her! This was a great contemporary women's fiction full of sister dynamics. It reminded me of me and my 2 sisters, even down to the young and free spirited youngest sister and the bossy older sister trying to hold it all together. Set in a beach town, the 3 sisters go on a sister trip. Free spirited youngest, Bianca, thinks she is in live and engages herself to a man after only 4 weeks and have never met. Cora, the middle sister refuses to date. So, they make a bet. Cora will go on dates for 3 weeks matched by the dating app. If she doesn't find love, Bianca will wait to move to Idaho and marry her mystery man. The adventure begins! and what a ride it is. Reminiscent of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. There are no swears or alcohol and level 1 kisses only. Multiple POV from all main characters.

The Priestly sisters have grown apart in adult life and are going back to the same beach house they used to for the mom’s last wish. Savannah is determined for them to have all the summer fun they used to when Bianca announces that she is married to a guy she met online and has never met before. Cora, the always single sister, refuses to date but does let Bianca set her up on the same app that she found her fiancé and if she can’t find her person, Bianca will call off her wedding. Savannah is trying to hide her sickness from her siblings and find the perfect time to tell them but the time never seems right.

This light hearted romance had me invested in each of the sisters stories! Bianca seemed a little immature but I like the she reconnected with a friend form her childhood. Savannah realized that she could depend on her sisters and share her situation with them. Cora was probably my favorite because even though she was trying to get Jax to not like her, she fell for him anyway. Either way, this was a sweet beach read!

Book- What Not to Do on Vacation
Author- Rachel Magee
Release Date- May 20th 2025

Another day, another ALC.
3.50⭐️
No spice 💖

My favourite part of this book was the sister dynamic! I loved that it focused on their relationship and fixing it. It would switch POV’s with the sisters, which was fun! It also had one of the love interests POV but I feel like she could have just focused on the sister’s POV and it would have been better.

I found that it was very predictable and the writing felt a little young at times, especially when the FMC’s were supposed to be older but it was sweet. It was a cute, light romance and of course ended up HEA for all the main characters. Keep in mind, it was a fast-paced romance so of course things move fast by the end.

The narrator did a good job! I would give her 3.5⭐️ for this book. I found that when she would do the voices for the sisters she would make them sound like they were 12 instead of in their 30’s (and almost 30’s) so all I had a hard time envisioning the characters.

I would recommend this book to a romance reader who doesn’t like spice and wants a quick cute read (or listen)!

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

This book pulled me in from the first chapter to the last. It is such a perfect feel good light beach read with a little bit of family drama, secrets, and some romance sprinkled in!

This story follows three sisters: Bianca, Cora, and Savannah. They are all grown and busy with their current lives which leads them to have lost touch. Their mother had a dying wish that they would continue their family beach trips to the Panhandle of Florida. Savannah is determined to reconnect with her sisters and her plan is to recreate their childhood summer vacations. She has booked their vacation beach house for a month and has planned a nostalgic beach trip with a fun bucket list.

The audiobook was phenomenal and perfect for a beach listen. The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker. Her voice was perfect for telling this story. She did a great job giving voices for the sisters and even the male character’s point of view.

4.5 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

this was so enjoyable and exactly what i needed out of a little vacation romance omg.

this book felt like a 90’s rom-com, it definitely has the charm of 10 things i hate about you and how to lose a guy in ten days, book wise it almost reminds me of an emily henry novel. the book follows multiple points and view and has everything you’d need in a book like this, sisterhood, romance, comedy and the perfect summer setting. It light and fluffy while also tackling some darker themes from our characters past and present.

genuinely all of our characters in this book are so charming and likeable. i feel like everyone could definitely see themself in at one of these sisters. this was the perfect cozy beach read i was looking for.

the narrator Karissa Vacker did such a beautiful job on bringing this lovely novel to life.

A fun and engaging audiobook experience! Karissa Vacker's narration truly brought Rachel Magee's rom-com, What Not to Do on Vacation, to life with well-defined character voices. It's a delightful listen and a perfect companion for your next getaway.