Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is a heartwarming and delightful novel that perfectly captures the joys and complexities of family life. With its witty dialogue, relatable characters, and rich emotional depth, the story brings to life a family’s journey of reconnection through unexpected summer adventures. Smith’s writing effortlessly blends humor, tenderness, and insightful moments that resonate with readers of all ages. From the lighthearted fun to the more touching moments of growth and understanding, this book is a reminder of the importance of family bonds and the little things that make life special. It's an uplifting, feel-good read that will make you smile, laugh, and perhaps even shed a tear, making it perfect for anyone looking for a story filled with warmth and joy.

Jennifer E. Smith has always been an auto buy for her YA books, so I was excited to read an adult novel by her. I really enjoyed the portrayal of family in this and how each member had their own POV. While messy and slightly dysfunctional, as families tend to be, each sibling felt real and important. They were written in a heartwarming way that only Jennifer E. Smith can portray characters.

Loved that the story was told by the four siblings, and their POV. Dynamic characters, who provide some laughs, some tears and some thought.I loved that they got together after years apart in North Dakota! Definitely not your beach or mountain getaway common in so many stories.

I really enjoyed this one. It was fun getting the sibling perspectives, but really enjoyed it once they were all together in North Dakota. Which, I’ve never read a book about there so it was neat! Definitely had touching moment with a splash of humor to keep it a little lighter.

I really enjoyed this book. If you liked The Unsinkable Gretta James you will probably enjoy this book even more! I really enjoyed the family dynamic and the additional characters.

I really love her books, but I was never able to get into this one. I'm not sure if it was my mood or the writing, but not for me.

Thank you for the ARC!

“No Endicott left behind!”

Three years after their father’s death, the once inseparable Endicott siblings are now all estranged, living their separate lives. As children, their eccentric mom would take them on random roadtrips across the country, almost endangering them in the process. Now, the eldest and most responsible Gemma (who basically raised them all) is living in Chicago with her husband faced living the most ‘ordinary’ life with a big decision, Connor is a divorced dad but an award winning author after publishing a fictionalized version of their childhood, and from the younger twins, Jude is an Oscar-nominated actress who is known all over the world and Robby is an out and proud soccer player on the verge of retirement.

Out of the blue, Jude reaches out and invites all the siblings for a weekend in middle of nowhere North Dakota and that’s when the fun for the whole family starts. Stuck with Jude’s (assistant’s) itinerary and her secrets, the Endicott siblings unite once more for an unforgettable weekend.

Even though it took me a bit to get settled with the book at first with the jumps in characters and timelines, once they got to North Dakota, I couldn’t put it down. I love each and every one of the siblings, they are all my children. The family and sibling dynamics were great. They all also get their own romantic storylines (though Connor and Annie have my heart because we get to see it as it happens). The humor is blended perfectly with sadness, I just loved it so much and didn’t want to part with the Endicotts.

Definitely recommended and I will be on the lookout for a signed copy.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

I tried to give this one a good college try & I typically adore Jennifer E. Smith books but this one sadly just did not hold my attention. I think lots of others would really enjoy this one but sadly just not for me.

Thank you @ballantinebooks @randomhouse for the complimentary DRC

3.5 stars

This was a tough one for me to rate and review, so I’ll keep it brief. For the first 80% of the book, I thought it was just okay. The story is told through each sibling’s POV, across dual timelines, which made it hard for me to really connect with any of the characters. The narrative jumped around quite a bit, and I found the plot fairly predictable. I had a strong sense early on about where it was heading, and I turned out to be right.

There was a point where I considered not finishing it. But it’s a quick, easy read, and I wasn’t actively disliking it, so I stuck with it. I’m so glad I did. The last few chapters really hit me, and by the end, I had a lump in my throat.

If you’re looking for a family drama that’s emotional but not completely devastating, I’d say give this one a try.

I love stories like this. The intertwined past and present that help you to make sense of the characters. Honestly I love the human elements of this book and the raw emotion. It is wonderful!

A group of siblings who haven't talked in three years get together at their youngest sister's request. While reconnecting, they learn that some things aren't what they have always seemed. Love, loss, and tragedy bring these siblings together once again.

I liked this book. I laughed, I cried.

So so good!! I loved the family drama aspect and the flashes of the past. I loved learning each siblings story and all about their childhood. The ending was heartbreaking, but I loved this book so so much.

4.5 stars. This was a fantastic family story. We follow four siblings, Gemma, Connor, and twins Roddy and Jude. The story shifts back and forth between their childhood, when they went on yearly road trips with their otherwise absent mother, and their adulthood, when they've all but lost contact with one another. Their mother had a goal to visit all 50 states, and the kids enjoyed the challenge. However, their mother was unreliable and easily sidetracked. When a near-tragedy occurs on one of their roadtrips, their father forbids them from seeing her. With the loss of that tradition and their own natural separation as they each left home, they don't see their mother before she dies and rarely see or talk to each other. Many years later, Jude summons them all to North Dakota, which puzzles the other three, but off they go. Their time together is filled with hilarious, poignant, and meaningful moments, and they both fall right back into their old relationships and have difficulty relating to one another after so much time apart. Lots of secrets emerge and hard conversations take place.

It's not a light and fluffy book but it was soul-filling, to be sure. I felt like I really got to know each of the four siblings - Connor's kids were a great part of the story, too - and understood how their childhood experiences affected their adult lives. I appreciate when an author can nestle you into the fabric of a family as though you're a part of it with all its imperfections and issues. It was emotional and difficult at times but every word was worth it.

This book is the perfect book for you if you like a character driven story. Ugh, I just loved spending my time with the Endicott family. The story follows four siblings as they get back together after a falling out. Gemma is the oldest who ended up mothering her siblings most of her life and is now struggling with her own fertility. Connor is the award winning novelist, whose book that mirrors growing up with his siblings tore the siblings apart. Then we have the twins Roddy, a professional soccer player who is trying to restart his career, and Jude, who is an Oscar nominated actress. The story is told through each different sibling's point of view as they come together in North Dakota to reconcile. What follows is chaotic and heartfelt, and all the secrets of being in the Endicott family are revealed as their relationships are tested as hijinks ensue. The reader also gets a glimpse into past road trips that the Endicotts took with their mother before the fateful night of the fire that changed everything.

I absolutely devoured this book. I love a character driven story, and I loved all the different points of view. I love how the author weaved all their stories together. It was a bit obvious how the ending was going to go down, but it still brought a tear to my eye and kept me up too late reading it. As a reader, I went through loving, hating, and appreciating each of the characters throughout the book, which is a credit to the author for creating characters who are so real and nuanced. I had such a good time with this family that I miss them now. Highly recommend if you enjoy a deep character study and family relationship and drama type books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

I sobbed on a plane while reading this book. I also read it in one sitting. It was very unexpected but I loved every moment of being in this story and with this family. The complicated relationships felt real and the vulnerability was emotional.

Great beach read. A family reunited in North Dakota and finally got closure. The four siblings had a whirlwind childhood and now resolve issues as healthy adults.

Family drama, at its best.

4 estranged siblings going on an impromptu weekend trip to North Dakota after 3 years of little to no contacts and no meet ups.

they were inseparable when they're young, bonded over their parents’ absence. but as they grew older life took them into different paths, they’re not so close anymore. something happened after their father’s funeral that became their breaking point.

the plot was going back and forth between past (when they're road-tripping with their mom) and present. the flashback scenes were non-linear, it includes several scenes from different years so it was a bit disorienting to follow. IDK how the author managed to pack their childhood baggage, present individual problems, multiple romantic plotlines all in one go but somehow it all still work together. i was totally invested, couldn't make myself stop reading once I started and finished the whole thing in a day.

it was wholesome and reflective with a generous dose of family drama. every character was very compelling, but my favorite was Rosie. she’s soooo real🥹 the ending was bittersweet but i wouldn’t change anything. it’s not ideal, but totally realistic. i loved this book!

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is a tender, emotionally rich novel that beautifully explores the complexities of sibling bonds, fractured pasts, and the quiet strength of forgiveness.

The Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—once inseparable in the wake of a glamorous, unreliable mother and an often-absent father, have drifted apart. When Jude, now a famous actress, summons them to a wintery weekend reunion in North Dakota, old wounds resurface—alongside three secrets that could bring them closer or push them apart forever.

Jennifer E. Smith delivers characters you can’t help but root for, each carrying the weight of who they were and who they’ve become. I was fully invested in their journeys—poignant, raw, and real.

As the eldest of four myself (two sisters and a brother), and now the mom of four (two sons and two daughters), I felt a double resonance with this story. It reminded me how fragile, but deeply powerful, sibling connections can be—and how much they matter, especially when tested by time.

A heartfelt, hopeful story that lingers long after the last page.

Short synopsis: The Endicott siblings were always inseparable, due to the absence of their parents, now the haven’t spoken in years until Jude invites them to a small town in North Dakota.

My thoughts: After reading and loving the Unsinkable Greta James, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Jennifer’s newest book.

I adored each of the siblings, and liked how successful and different they all were. Each character was so well developed and cultivated that they felt so lifelike and real.

The flashback chapters really created some great depth to their relationship and helped the reader understand where the strain between them developed.

The ending had me all sorts of emotional, I loved watching the siblings as they let each other in and let go of past secrets and resentments.

Read if you love:
* Road trips
* Family drama
* Flashback chapters