It's All Relative

IT’s ALL RELATIVE by RACHEL MAGEE takes us on a delightful and amusing journey with Helena Crosby to the Maddox’s perfect Indigo Island beach house to celebrate her mother, Nora’s, marriage to Steve Maddox. Having only two relations, her mother and great aunt Robyn, she arms herself with her best friend Landon Blake as her plus one for the wedding, not realizing that her sister to be, Amelia, is Landon’s ex girlfriend, Mia. Helena also has a huge crush on Ameia’s fiance Gage. ……
Helena tries desperately to fit in with this perfect family and feels she is losing her mother to the “Perfects”…..
This is a fun read with quite a bit of depth as the author explores family dynamics and relationships and I found it most enjoyable. Will Helena ever realise that she just needs to be herself? I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is a story full of lovable, unforgettable, intriguing characters. Helena’s was raised by her single mother who is getting married to a widower with an adult daughter who is also engage, an adult son, as well as a twelve-year-old daughter. Helena has spent time with her soon to be new family, and refers to them as “The Perfects” since it seems everything, they do is absolutely perfect, especially the oldest daughter Amelia. She is a list maker, extremely organized, and is never late to anything. Helena is rarely on time to anything, and mostly operates on a fly-by-the-seat-of her pants kind of system. She is definitely not one who plans ahead.
Helena is a high school teacher and her very best friend is Landon Blake, also a teacher at the same school as well as the soccer coach. The week leading up to the wedding has many activities planned, by Amelia, of course. The week of activities as well as the wedding will take place at the summer beach house of her mother’s new family. Helena talks Landon into coming as her plus on and after much convincing, he reluctantly agrees. Helena also confesses to Landon that she has a crush on the fiancé of her soon to be step-sister, Amelia.
Upon arrival at the big, beautiful, fabulous house on the beach, Landon and Helena are faced with a most unexpected, shocking situation, and that is only the beginning of the week. As the week progresses, there are many twists and turn, and it seems Helena can’t seem to be on time for anything, not even a family dinner.
This is creative writing at its best as this funny, delightful, heartwarming story of family unfolds. Often, I had to pause reading until I could catch my breath and stop laughing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

This novel by Rachel Magee is a sort of Midsummer Night’s Dream plot centering around the love/friend relationships of Helena Crosby, her best friend Landon, and Gage the fiancée of her soon-to-be sister-in-law Amelia. Helena and Amelia’s. parents are getting married. Helena is a laid-back, perpetually late school teacher and Amelia is a perfect perfectionist architect and unfortunately the long-lost love of Landon. Helena harbors a deep crush on Gage. So, in a modern Shakespearian take all the lovers are with the wrong people and have to somehow get together with the right people.

Rachel handles the lovelorn couples well and with a little bit of magic and a lot of fun, she gets us to the HEA.

I enjoyed the fun twists and turns of the story as well as her terrific characterizations and her compelling writing kept me turning the pages. It’s a fun read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel and this is my honest opinion.

“It’s all Relative” by Rachel Magee is the perfect great rom-com. Full of family drama, vulnerability, funny and beautiful moments. I just wished I had a way to keep reading their story. All characters are amazing, you’ll just fall in love with all!

Helena is the daughter of a single mother, Nora, who finally found the love of her life in Steve, but he doesn’t come alone. Amelia and Peter are Steve’s grownup kids and Emory is the baby of his family being just a teenager and the only one living at home. So, when Nora and Steve decided to take the next level and marry, the two families and their own baggage have to blend.
Going to her Moms’ beautiful wedding destination with not only Steve’s perfect family but also Amelia’s handsome fiancé, Gage, needs an emotional support. Therefore, Helena brings her best friend as her plus-one, Landon Blake. From the moment they arrive to their destination expect family drama, past heartbreaks and funny moments to happen to all. The end result is something you will not want to miss.

I personally love this book! Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for letting me have a complementary copy of this book for an honest review. #ItsAllRelative #NetGalley

"It's All Relative" is an absolute delight! Rachel Magee weaves a tale of family, love, and second chances that had me hooked from the very first page. As someone who adores Shakespearean retellings, I couldn't resist diving into this modern-day twist on family dynamics, and I'm so glad I did!

Helena and Amelia are wonderfully crafted characters, each with their own quirks and struggles that make them feel incredibly real. From Helena's carefree spirit to Amelia's perfectionist tendencies, their journey as stepsisters navigating their parents' wedding is both hilarious and heartwarming.

This book has got all these deep moments too, exploring family dynamics and the messy, complicated stuff that comes with love and relationships. Like, who knew a rom-com could make you feel all the feels?
And don't even get me started on the romance! From Helena's rekindled flame with Landon to Amelia's forbidden feelings, the romantic tension crackles with energy and emotion, keeping me on the edge of my seats until the very end!

If you're into reads that are equal parts funny, heartwarming, and totally swoon-worthy, then "It's All Relative" is your go-to. I wholeheartedly recommend "It's All Relative" without any hesitation!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced Reader Copy.

This was such a sweet and poignant retelling of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. All four main characters were sufficiently flawed without being unlikeable or unrealistic. While knowing that the novel is a retelling of a Shakespearean comedy lets you know that things will end happily, I still found myself engaged and invested in finding out what Happily Ever After would look like for each character and how they would get there.

It's All Relative is the most fun I have read so far this year. I would not classify it as rom-com, but romance is secondary storyline. It is a novel of learning that a family can change, and it will be alright. The new family may be completely opposite of who you are, but that makes life all the better.
Helena’s mother is marrying the for the first time, which means Helena is “losing” her mother to a new family with three children-two adult and one teen. To make it even harder, the new family is perfect, especially the oldest daughter Ameila. When it is time for the wedding week, Helena talks her best friend Landon to go to the family’s beach home with her. They are both shocked with Amelia is Mia, his lost love. To complicate matters even more, Helena is falling for Amelia’s fiancé.
It’s All Relative is a great beach read but has deeper themes. New people in our lives should not be judged by initial meetings and may be just the people we need in our lives. Families may change in appearance, but love can grow to include more people in our lives.
I received a complimentary copy of It’s All Relative thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Talk about a Shakespeare remix! This retelling of Twelfth Night was a riot—I couldn't get enough! The characters were flawed in the best way, and I was totally invested in their quest for happiness. Even though I knew they'd find their happily ever after, the journey had me grinning from ear to ear, eager to see how they'd pull it off!

It’s All Relative by Rachel Magee is a sensational modern retelling of Shakespeare’s famous comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

I loved the multiple POVs interwoven to tell this story:

Nora and Steve are about to get married - which means that their families will become one. Nora has been a single mother to Helena for nearly 30 years, while Steve Maddox is a recent widow with two daughters: Amelia & Emory and a son named Peter.

This story allows us to get into the minds of the quirky unfiltered Helena, her soon to be step-sister Amelia who she dubs “Polly Perfect,” Helena’s best friend and co-worker Landon (who Helena has no idea is also Amelia’s ex-boyfriend!!!), and Amelia’s fiancee Gage (who Helena is crushing on HARD). This story is beautifully told through the eyes of the aforementioned and comes together perfectly. It’s so refreshing to see each of the characters through the eyes of one another and get a full circle big picture of what the reality of the situation is. The wedding is set to take place on the picturesque Indigo Island that belongs to the Maddox family, but not before some shenanigans go down.

I am a huge Billy Shakespeare fan, and I am confident that he would be impressed with this rendition of his classic. I laughed a lot at this one and appreciated each character for what they had to offer. I think pre-teen Emory is my favorite character in the book, and I love the way she gravitates to Helena…there’s even a hilarious scene where the two of them fail to make a viral Tik-Tok while washing dishes.

I highly recommend this book to rom-com lovers, fans of Shakespeare, and anyone who likes being amused while reading. I had a hard time putting this fast-paced story down!

I am so grateful to Thomas Nelson Fiction & NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I look forward to reading more from Rachel Magee!

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

I was a little hesitant to read this after reading about Shakespeare in the description but I'm so glad I read it. The story was easy to follow along with and the characters were really enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed Gage and Emory. There were lots of lessons learned about family and how important they are to everyone. I wish I could keep reading more about them


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the eARC!

This was a fun summer read about a family wedding full of drama, friendships, and romance old and new. I liked the multi-POV narration and found myself laughing out loud while reading. This would be great to read on vacation at the beach!

“It's All Relative” by Rachel Magee is a delightful modern retelling of Shakespeare's famous comedy, “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. Set against the backdrop of a beach wedding, the novel celebrates family, friendship, and the age-old adage that, "the course of true love never did run smooth."

The story revolves around two main characters: Helena Crosby and Amelia Maddox. Helena, an English teacher, finds herself thrust into her mom's wedding festivities. While she's thrilled for her mom, navigating family dynamics isn't exactly her strong suit. She has nothing in common with her soon-to-be stepsister, Amelia, who is an always-put-together, successful architect. Helena, on the other hand, favours messy buns and vending machine snacks while writing lesson plans. As if things weren't complicated enough, Helena develops a crush on Amelia's fiancé, adding an extra layer of tension to the family gathering.

Amelia, the other protagonist, has everything under control—or so she thinks. Her dad is dating again, and the wedding is happening sooner than expected. Amelia's past collides with her present when she discovers that Helena, her stepsister-to-be, is best friends with her ex, Landon. Determined to focus on her bright, shiny, expertly planned future, Amelia faces unexpected twists that challenge her carefully laid-out life.

Magee weaves humour, adventure, and genuine moments of connection throughout the novel. The beach house setting adds to the charm, making readers feel like they're part of the wedding festivities. The characters are relatable, flawed, and endearing, and their interactions create a delightful blend of laughter and heartwarming moments.

“It's All Relative” captures the essence of family bonds, the complexities of relationships, and the unpredictability of love. Magee's writing style is engaging, and her characters come alive on the page. Whether you're lounging on the beach or curled up on your couch, this book is the perfect escape.

This is a fun read that will leave you smiling and believing in the magic of love, even when it takes unexpected turns. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys heartwarming women's fiction with a touch of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a gem! I loved the premise of only child Helena, whose never married mom is marrying a widower with 3 children, including the perfect Amelia. Helena and Amelia couldn't be more different. The family dynamics lead to so many frustrating but also fun moments. The character growth and development was well written in this book. The book takes place on an island with a beachy setting at widower's family island home.

There are laugh out loud and cringy moments all wrapped up in this wonderful book. There are twists and turns along the way including a suspicious fog coming in off the ocean. I couldn't put this book down and highly recommend it to readers of clean rom com books. It's a perfect summer beach read and I wish it was coming out in May or June vs. August but for those looking for a late summer beach read this one is it! I can see myself rereading this book in the future!

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

It's All relative Is a hilarious novel that will have you anxiously reading each page to discover how the families that are to be united will survive the anticipated wedding activities so meticulously planned. I loved the antics both romantically and family oriented that make for a super read

Helen has been dreading her mom's wedding for months. But not because she doesn't like the husband-to-be, Helen doesn't like the rest of the family. The Maddox clan is on time, organized and high achieving - everything Helen is not. To combat her feelings, she has forced her best friend Langdon to come along as her plus one. Who knew he would be Helen's new stepsister's ex?

Magee has a light touch but a gift of creating tension and vivid descriptions. It all comes together in a completely delightful story ensues - one that any Shakespeare lover or romantic will be absolutely enchanted to experience.
.#thomasnelsonfiction #thomasnelson #midsummmersnightdream #itsallrelative #rachelmagee

I would probably rephrase the summary to be “loosely inspired by” instead of a “modern retelling” of A Midsummer night’s dream. Other than that, this book was great. The characters were well thought out and the story was fun to read. If you like this play, you’ll enjoy this book. Just don’t expect an entire retelling of the play.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you netgalley and the publisher.

HELENA IS the only daughter of single mother Nora, Nora finds the love of her life and plans a destination wedding. the groom has children, so the two families have to blend. sweet story.

5-star beach read! Finished this one in less than 48 hours on my beach vacation, which fit so perfectly with this book. Absolutely loved the story and the ending! Such a heartwarming story of love, loss, and being true to yourself.

I loved this book so much. It was a feel good story with the HEA I wanted. I want to be an adopted sister of Amelia, Helena, and Emory by the end, and I would not be sad if the author wrote another story about Helena to revisit these characters. I picked up this book whenever I had a chance and feel like starting it over immediately now that it’s done. Can’t wait to buy it on release day. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Magee's writing is both witty and heartfelt, drawing readers in with her relatable characters and engaging storytelling. From quirky relatives to unexpected romances, the novel is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

But what truly sets "It's All Relative" apart is its exploration of the power of family ties and the impact they have on our lives. Through Lily's journey, Magee reminds us that sometimes the greatest love can come from the most unexpected places.
Thank you for the ARC

Helena and her best friend fly to a small island off the Florida coast for her mom’s wedding. Helena is anything but onboard with her future blended family and things get off to a rocky start. The author is a wonderful storyteller and as the relationships bloom you begin to adore the entire new family. I also wouldn’t mind staying at that family home for a week!


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

Thank you to #NetGalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really good read and retelling. I thought it was written well and the character building was very good. The backdrop of the wedding and family relationships were very good.

More than 5 stars for this book! Oh my word- I laughed, and I cried! The writing is absolutely brilliant! The story tackles the subject of a blended family in which most of the "children" are adults. I liked how the characters made sure that their parent's wedding was perfect. The setting is gorgeous! Gotta love a beach wedding!

Each one of the characters touched my heart. Nora for her bravery. Steve for opening his heart to love again. Helena for her compassion. Amelia for her gift of making sure everyone feels included. Landon, Gage, and Peter are loyal and always ready to lend a hand. Emory for her genuine, loving nature. Aunt Robyn for her quirky and adorable personality!

The unity ceremony brought tears to my eyes. That each person's individual creativity joined together created something beautiful!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s All Relative was absolutely charming. I adored the characters and the unique family dynamics each character brought to the table. This book is a quick read and perfect for summer.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley, and Rachel Magee for a chance to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review o based solely on my own opinions.

My first book by Rachel Magee and I can say that I am excited for more to come out from our author. I loved this book. The storyline was wonderful, the characters were great and I loved them each, the premise behind it was perfect. This was like a light sprinkle of of Midsummer Nights Dream. LOVED IT!

We follow Helena and Amelia. Amelia is Helenas stepsister (soon to be stepsister)…and Helena has the BIGGEST crush on her fiancé. WHOOPS. There are so many layers in this book and it’s such a fun adventure we go on through this book. Lots of POV in here which I enjoy as usual…lots of giggles, banter and great moments throughout this book. Such a fun romcom for anybody who enjoys such books.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my book friends who love not just a great fresh romcom but Shakespeare retelling as well, it was very unique and fun!

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Put this one in your summer beach bag! This is a light and fun novel - perfect for your next beach vacation.

You don't need to be familiar with Shakespeare's play to enjoy it, I promise. But readers who do have that familiarity may get an extra layer of enjoyment.

The four point of view characters have distinct voices and storylines; unlike some readers I did not feel that four POVs were too many to juggle. They're easy to tell apart.

True to the Midsummer Night's Dream influence/inspiration, there is just the right amount of mischief to keep the reader entertained and turning the pages. The author does a wonderful job of injecting both humor and tenderness into the narrative which also deftly explores complex family dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions in this review are entirely my own.

I absolutely loved this one. Helena is the only (adult) child of a single mom who is finally getting married at the age of 48, and while she’s so glad for her mom, she’s apprehensive about fitting in with her new family. She’s nicknamed them “The Perfects,” and she most definitely feels inadequate. For the wedding weekend on the family’s resort-like seaside second home, she brings along her platonic best friend Landon, and when they arrive, there’s an unexpected old connection between Landon and a member of the stepfamily. Lots of laughs, mishaps, and poignant moments in this one, and I highly recommend it for your summer reading list.

**Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! These thoughts are entirely my own.**

I really enjoyed It’s All Relative! All of the characters were unique and faced their own unique problems. I usually don’t love multi-POV books, but It’s All Relative is a great example of multiple POVs done right. I cared a lot about each of the characters, so I didn’t get bored or annoyed when I had to read any specific character’s chapter.

The plot was so funny and interesting! It was a wild ride, and I had such a good time. I was in a reading slump, and this definitely brought me out with all of the witty characters and fun twists.

I will say it is predictable with the relationships, but honestly, it was still such a fun time. Most rom-com books are predictable in some sense, and it did not detract from the story at all because I would have never guessed the chain of events that cause the relationships! It’s All Relative is a great, quick, funny read. I would definitely recommend picking it up if you like clean, contemporary rom-coms!

If you’ve ever heard the term “glowing review” that’s what I want to give this book. I was hooked from the very first page. The characters were so relatable—flawed and funny. It’s a story that the struggles of blending families and personalities.
There are some painful moments, but some hilarious ones too. At the center of it all is at least one sweet romance. You’ll laugh a little, cry a little and love the happy ending! It’s a fun read, perfect for summer.
It’s All Relative is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author in the future.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I read this book with my book club,. I enjoyed the flow of the storyline, the character development, and the characters in general. I would definitely recommend to others for an enjoyable read.

This is the first book I’ve read of Rachel Magee. I really enjoyed it. She did a fantastic job and the book was engaging. I liked it a lot.

Loved it. So glad I did not allow the word Shakespeare to keep me from reading and enjoying this story. Many heartwarming moments. A variety of romances and relationships. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This book was light and fun! It’s All Relative made for the perfect pool read. Just enough conflict and just enough cheesiness!

It's All Relative is a fun beach read about a family wedding full of drama, friendships, and romance (old and new). I found myself laughing out loud while reading. Helena’s mother has been a single mom and is getting married for the first time, Helena is afraid she is“losing” her mother to "The Perfects" a family with two adult children and one pre-teen. When it is time for wedding week, Helena talks her best friend Landon into going to the family’s beach home/wedding week with her as a support. They are both shocked to find out that Amelia, the oldest daughter, is Mia, Landon's old college love that he is never got over. To make matters even more crazy, Helena is falling for Amelia’s fiancé. Helena is afraid her new family will never accept her. One of the best books I have read in a long time, and actually reached out to Rachel to let her know! Looking forward to reading more of her stories in the future!
Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for letting me have a complementary copy of this book for an honest review. #ItsAllRelative #NetGalley

I LOVED 'Its All Relative'. It was such a fun read, I enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't set it down. I was obsessed. Its a retelling of A Midsommers Night Dream, and it was such a creative rendition of the classic story. I related so much with Amelia as an oldest child that it was making me physically uncomfortable, and I was crying while reading about Helena and Amelia all throughout it. Loved this story and can't recommend it enough.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley, and Rachel Magee for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!