Member Reviews

This story is a modern retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was an interesting idea. I wanted to like the characters more than I did…

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I was drawn in by this gorgeous, fun cover and stayed for the antics of two families coming together for a drama-filled wedding weekend! This is meant to be a retelling of Midsummer Night's Dream but honestly it's been so long since I read that, so I wasn't really able to draw any strong comparisons. Now I'll start with the not so great- some of the characters weren't exactly likeable. I think we were supposed to be rooting for Helena? But she just kept making one cringe worthy decision after another that just led to very predictable chaos and conflict. She did have some redeeming moments when she tried to patch things up with her new step-family, at least. And the story did drag for me a bit, just one mishap after another. Now for the good: the guys in this book were fun- I really liked the chapters that focused on Landon and Gage's perspectives, and I think it had something to do with them being more mellow and less accident-prone or dramatic. The epilogue, told in first person, was the cutest part of the book and it made me glad that I stuck around, even if some other parts of the book had me trudging along.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I liked the idea of this book but found myself struggling with the repetition at times. I wanted a little more of some characters and a little less of others. Above all, cute but not a standout for me.

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I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

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It's All Relative by Rachel Magee is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's been a while since I have read any of Shakespeare's works, but if you can recall the synopsis of AMND, then I'm sure you can guess that this love story will revolve around four people who are in relationships with the wrong people.

Steve and Nora are about to be married and will become a blended family with Nora's daughter Helena and Steve's daughter Amelia. Helena decideds to bring her best friend Landon to the wedding as her plus one for support. Little does she know that Amelia is Landon's ex girlfriend. Amelia has moved on and is now engaged to Gage. Little does *she* know that Helena has developed the biggest of crushes on Gage.

This was more a family drama than a romance and the plot revolved mostly around the relationship between Helena and Amelia as their families begin to blend together. Their POVs were my favorite. While reading, I felt like I could take or leave the POVs of the male characters - they didn't really bring as much enjoyment as the female storylines.

Overall, this was a quick and easy read and everyone ended up with the "right" person at the end. There were a handful of funny scenes that brought a smile to my face. If you enjoy family dynamics, happy endings, and light (no spice) romance then you'll enjoy It's All Relative by Rachel Magee.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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This was such a fun and lighthearted read! I enjoyed this incredible rom-com from start to finish. I recommend this to anyone who wishes to enjoy a sweet, swoony and summer-themed beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Thomas Nelson for an early-access copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I can't recommend it enough! I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a couple of days!

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It’s All Relative by Rachel Magee is a delightful and charming rom-com that takes Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and gives it a modern twist, exploring love, family dynamics, and the chaos that often comes with blending them. The story follows Helena, a free-spirited 27-year-old, and Amelia, her uptight and meticulously planned stepsister-to-be, as they navigate the whirlwind of their parents' upcoming wedding.

Helena, who's dreading the wedding and the impending merger of their two very different worlds, is thrown into the mix with her perfect new family, including Amelia, who's been the picture of perfection. The tension is palpable, especially when the situation is complicated further by Helena's severe shellfish allergy, her brother's rebellious antics, and the unexpected reappearance of Amelia's ex, Landon, who just so happens to be Helena's emotional support date. As the wedding festivities unfold, both women are forced to confront their preconceived notions about family, love, and the role they each play in the chaos.

Magee brilliantly captures the essence of the modern family, filled with imperfections, surprises, and second chances. With witty dialogue, well-developed characters, and plenty of heart, It’s All Relative will have readers laughing, swooning, and reflecting on what truly makes a family. For fans of Jenny Proctor and Courtney Walsh, this lighthearted romantic comedy is a perfect escape into a world of love, mishaps, and the realization that sometimes, the best relationships are the ones we build ourselves.

A sweet, funny, and heartwarming read, It’s All Relative is the perfect romantic escape for anyone who loves a good family story filled with humor, love, and the promise of second chances.

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Just ok. A little predictable. The storyline was good and easy to see this happening in blended families. Glad it all worked out

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<b>It’s All Relative</b> is a modern retelling of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Having never read Shakespeare’s AMND, I can’t really make a comparison of the two.

Helena’s mom is marrying into a wealthy family she jokingly refers to as “The Perfects” because they all seem to have their lives impeccably together. Dreading the idea of attending the wedding alone, Helena convinces her co-worker and friend, Landon, to be her plus-one. But things get messy when they discover her soon-to-be stepsister, Amelia, is Landon’s ex—the one he’s still hung up on and compares everyone to. To complicate matters further, Helena herself can’t help but nurse a serious crush on Amelia’s fiancé, Gage. What could go wrong with that scenario?

The story was okay overall, but the female characters were frustrating. Helena came across as petulant and immature—it was hard to believe she was supposed to be 27 because she acted much younger. Amelia, on the other hand, was overly mature but lacked personality for most of the book, making it difficult to connect with her. Gage felt underdeveloped; he stayed in the background for most of the story and only became more prominent toward the end. My favorite characters were actually Landon and Amelia’s brother Peter.

While I liked the ending, the road to get there was too long and a bit repetitive in parts and I just never felt the urgency to get back to this book. The wrap-up also felt a little rushed and without any real discussion between the characters of how things ended up. No one seemed to talk about it which was a little strange. 3 stars.

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It's all Relative is a fun and lighthearted family drama with plenty of humorous moments and charming characters. The dynamics between the family members feel realistic, and the author does a great job capturing the chaos and warmth of familial relationships. However, the plot feels a bit predictable at times, and some of the character developments seemed rushed and underexplored. While the story is enjoyable, it doesn’t delve as deeply into the emotional complexities as I had hoped.

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It’s All Relative by Rachel Magee is a heartwarming and witty exploration of family dynamics and unexpected connections. When Helena, a free-spirited woman, is thrust into the world of her perfectionist stepsister Amelia during their parents’ wedding, the two clash in every possible way. Amid wedding chaos and unanticipated emotional confrontations, both women are forced to reconsider their notions of family, love, and what it means to belong. With charming characters, sharp humor, and a relatable message about embracing the messiness of life, this book is a delightful read for fans of family drama and romantic comedy.

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This book was such a fun and chaotic ride! I loved the blend of family drama, mismatched couples, and wedding week disasters—it kept me turning the pages. Helena and Amelia are total opposites, and watching them clash (and eventually find common ground) was so satisfying. The Shakespeare-inspired twist was a nice touch, too!

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted rom-com with heart and humor, this one’s a great pick. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read it!

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From the first page with Helena, I knew I would love her. I mean, a high school English teacher with a mountain of a TBR pile?! Absolutely! And the "..but first, coffee" mug? Yeh, have that too.

And then, there's the captivating family drama (which I don't have - thus my absolute joy in reading a book that is positively brimming with it!)

Did I mention this is a retelling (of sorts) of Midsummer Night's Dream? Oh yes, Shakespeare fans, this is the read you're looking for.

Possibly, Landon is my favorite. (Don't tell Helena.) "My point is, you don't get to pick your family. You love your friends because of who they are. You live your family because they're your people."

Couldn't put this down!

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I have always loved any modern retelling of Shakespeare and when I saw this book was available I grabbed it immediately. I want to start by thanking netgalley for the arc of this book.

This book has everything that one could love from a family retelling to finding love again later in life, two step sisters who could not be more different, forbidden love, and second chance love. The characters are so well thought out and different that makes you feel like you have known them your entire life.

I really enjoyed this book and will be coming back to this author whenever I need a feel good light read.

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This was such a good story! I really enjoyed the multiple points of view that told a fascinating tale. The characters were really well-done, and I absolutely loved the ending! My first book from the author, and it won't be my last! Highly recommend!

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

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First of all! Love the cover a lot. Would buy for my bookshelf. This was intriguing in the best way. I thoroughly enjoyed.

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High school English teacher Helena Crosby needs a plus-one for her mother’s wedding, so invites workmate and best friend Landon Blake to go with her. She needs someone to introduce to The Perfects, as she has dubbed the family her mother is marrying into.

Amelia is a successful architect who singlehandedly kept her family together after the death of their mother three years ago, and who has planned the entire wedding and all associated activities.

Helena and Amelia are polar opposites–Helena is always late, and Amelia is always early. Amelia has lists for everything, while Helena can barely read a list (which did leave me wondering how she could possibly teach high school). Anyway, the two have little to no relationship because they have so little in common. Well, except for the small problem of Helena having a giant secret crush on Gage, Amelia’s fiance.

That could have been slightly eww-ish, but McGee made it work. They arrive on Indigo Island, off the coast of Florida, where they immediately discover Amelia is none other than Mia, Landon’s college ex, the girl he never got over.

That sets the scene for some relationship puzzles. Some romances give the game away by having only two point of view characters. It’s All Relative had four: Helena, Amelia, Landon, and Gage, which meant it was less clear who would end up with whom.

While there is a romance subplot, the main plot was more about family relationships and the relationship between Helena and Amelia. the story started with Helena so it felt like she was the one we were supposed to want to succeed, even when she did things that seemed a little silly (mostly because they didn’t fit Amelia’s timetable or lists).

The publisher is pitching It’s All Relative as A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets 27 Dresses, but I wouldn’t have picked that if they hadn’t said so. It’s more a meeting of opposites and the ensuing complexities.

It’s a rom-com with a little more emphasis on the com than the rom, but it’s really a story of family relationships and the expectations we place on ourselves and others. It’s a fun read. The one fault is that there were no faith elements–it was a clean read, but not a Christian romance.

Recommended for readers looking for a feel-good clean read with comedic elements.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

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Holly Smokes! I thoroughly consumed this book in three days, which is a record for me. Solid 4 out of 5

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This was a cute book about a set of parents remarking and their families becoming blended. I really enjoyed this book. 3.5-4 stars

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