Loved this book. A big family drama that really pulled me in. Well written and compelling

The only thing I didn't like was the title. It doesn't capture the feel of this book in my opinion

I could not put this book down. The story of this family was extremely compelling and well-written. Each character had depth and felt very real, as did their journeys.

Though fast-paced, this family saga packs an emotional punch. It's been three years since a family rift tore the four Endicott siblings apart, but a summons from youngest sister Jude brings them--along with children and significant others--together for a weekend of forced family fun. As children, their erratic mother and workaholic father left most of the child rearing up to eldest sibling Gemma, the only one who did not go on to become an "extraordinary" talent. But actress Jude, professional athlete Roddy, and novelist Connor are all floundering--if not in their professional lives, then in their personal lives. And the secrets Jude's keeping--the reason she's called her siblings together after years apart--threaten to upend everything again.

Chapters that alternate between present day and the past shed a light on the siblings' upbringing and the turmoil their largely absent mother wrought during their childhood, including the fallout from one memorable night that changed everything. Told in shifting perspectives (each Endicott sibling gets their due), nobody's story feels shortchanged and each siblings' motivations are clear. It was easy to guess Jude's secrets, but that didn't make the ending any less emotional after spending time with the Endicotts.

I couldn't put this book down, and stayed up way too late to finish it. The plot follows four siblings as they navigate adulthood, weaving in and processing their upbringing over a snowy, reunion trip. I loved the character development and learning about their relationships as each chapter progressed. Secrets, forgiveness, and imperfect humans doing the best they can. This novel hit several heart strings, and it will stay with me awhile. A must read for 2025! Thank you to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the ARC.

Follows for adult siblings in present day while flashing back to their childhood road trips with their mom. Each character is well defined and there’s something to like about each of them. Great story about family dynamics, even if some of the plot lines are a little predictable.

4.5 ⭐️ wow this one has been sitting on my TBR for far too long and im kicking myself for waiting so long to read this. The saga of the Endicotts is bravely human, often hilarious, and occasionally dangerous. I laughed, I cried, and even felt a bit of intrigued at the mysteries set up and revealed through the book. Utterly captivating!

Such a lovely novel about siblings! I am grateful I got this book from NetGalley and have already started recommending it to my friends

This family drama was surprisingly sweet and poignant, I loved the deep dives into the imperfect siblings, their relationships, and the things often left unsaid. In their own ways, they were all equal parts endearing and beyond frustrating! Overall the writing felt medium paced with character development really pushing the narrative. Great read!

I had not read any of Jennifer E. Smith's previous works so I was not sure what to expect. I know that this is minor but I think the publishing company did a disservice to this book by the cover. The cover made me think that this was a lighthearted book and it is anything but. '

This is a story of four siblings that did not grow up in a traditional way. A disconnected workaholic father and an absent. mother who would show up every summer to take her kids on a road trip.

The book alternates between each sibling and the past and the present.

This is a story showing how misunderstandings and lack of communication can have such an impact on a family. This is not a lighthearted story but did make me chuckle a few times. It is a story that will make you think about your relationships with other, it will rip out your heart and then it will stitch it back together. Get a box of tissues ready.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Four siblings that grew up in the most dysfunctional manner. A father that was physically present, but emotionally unavailable. A mother that came around once a year to sweep them away on a road trip across the country before taking them back home and disappearing again.

They’re now adults with full lives and plenty of baggage. Also, they're attempting to reconnect after not speaking to each other for three years.

For the first half of this novel I felt as if I was having a conversation with a friend that only wanted me to know the pretty version of their problems. I desperately needed to hear the ugly truth. The author moved us back and forth through time as we learned about their past and their attempt at reconnecting in the present day.

While I did enjoy my time with these characters and in the end felt as if the author wrapped the story up perfectly. I wish we hadn’t stayed in the shallow end of the pool for most of it.

⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Fun for the Whole Family follows the mostly estranged Endicott siblings as they come together for a weekend in an attempt to repair their fractured relationship after spending years apart. When they were children, their mother left to follow her dreams of becoming an actress but would return every summer to take them on an epic road trip. Told through multiple POVs and weaving back and forth from the past and the present, we learn how the Endicott siblings became virtual strangers and navigate the truths that unfold leading them to reexamine the way they see each other, their mother, and their future.

This was my introduction to Jennifer E. Smith and will not be my last. I was impressed with how full the characters felt and how excellently she told their story through multiple POVs. I would recommend this to any of my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful read! Jennifer E. Smith's Fun for the Whole Family is like a warm hug in book form. This charming story follows the Johnsons, a family that's a little bit quirky and a whole lot lovable. As they stumble through life's crazy moments together, you'll find yourself laughing, cringing, and rooting for them every step of the way. If you're looking for a book that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, grab yourself a copy of Fun for the Whole Family!

Fun for the Whole Family is a heartwarming, sometime heartbreaking story about the four Endicott siblings. Although they could not really count on their parents, they could always count on each other…..until a horrible fight reduces their interactions to a couple of yearly texts.

Told from multiple points of view, we get to know each sibling through their triumphs, struggles, fears and regrets. The characters are well developed, vulnerable and very likable.

I look forward to reading more by Jennifer E Smith.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Having read The Unsinkable Greta James, I was excited for this one and it did not disappoint! I love a good family drama and the Endicotts certainly deliver. Each character remained distinct and were so real. The sibling bickering was very realistic, and I loved the scenes where they're all together (meeting at the Inn, having dinner their first night in Portree, etc.) Recommend this one for people who also love a good family drama!

This was a fun family drama with interesting characters. The story was also heart-wrenching at times. I did enjoy most of the book. However, I found the fact that 3/4 siblings became famous and some of the dialogue seemed contrite. This book has value, but is not one of the best I’ve read.Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

🗺️ Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith 🗺️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

What a way to start a year of reading. I used to read Jennifer E. Smith’s romance novels as a teenager, & I am blown away with her new voice. This novel feels like Malibu Rising set in the present with snow instead of sand. Four siblings finding their way back to each other in the most beautiful way.

I’m always impressed with authors that can write multiple POVs & timelines & have them all fleshed out well. From childhood through adulthood, I felt connected to all four of the main characters. The emotions of the siblings were palpable, & I loved all of them deeply. I would have liked to have a bit more knowledge about the side characters, who also seemed extremely lovable.

I highly recommend everyone pick this book up when it comes out on April 15. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me such a special read.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. I am also from a big family like in this book so reading about some of the family dynamics was interesting. I liked the roadtrip aspect trying to get to all 50 states. There is a lot of grief wrapped up in this book, but also a lot of love and adventure. It made me tear up and smile at times so it's a good feelings book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Fun for the Whole Family centers on the four, mostly estranged, Endicott siblings as they gather for a weekend in the middle of nowhere North Dakota and attempt to reconnect after 3 years apart. Jude is a famous actress; Roddy, her twin, is professional soccer player; Conner wrote an award winning book; and eldest sibling and de facto mom, Gemma lives a quiet life in Chicago. When they were children their mom, Frankie, left to chase her own acting dreams but would return each summer for an epic road trip.

Told through the siblings POVs and alternating between present day and the past, we learn how the Endicott kids find themselves virtual strangers and watch as secrets are revealed and truths are told changing the way the four look at each other, their mom, and their future as a family.

I loved this book so much. The siblings felt fleshed out and real while the family dynamics felt grounded even though 3 of the 4 were “exceptional”. Having the story told by all of the siblings made them feel more relatable and stepping into their past made what was happening in the present understandable. Secondary characters Rosie, Hugh, Annie, Winston, and Spencer were wonderful additions that added depth, angst, and comic relief.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy.

This was a great book about four siblings who had a mother who wanted to see every state this brought for a very interesting upbringing. The book alternates between Present and past and the author does this nicely. this book was filled with a lot of family, drama and family dynamics. I love that I could relate to certain characters, but still find entertainment in others. if you eat up family drama like me, you will love this book.

This book was so good and I can’t pinpoint why. The writing style, the story line, the characters, all of it was amazing. This was one of my few 5-star books of 2024.

Four siblings reconnect on a trip to South Dakota after being estranged for several years. Each chapter gives a little insight into the characters, eventually leading up to the estrangement.

This book was quirky, funny, heartbreaking and a little shocking. I absolutely loved it and I’ve been recommending it to anyone that will listen!

Thank you to Jennifer E. Smith and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.