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.

4.5 stars rounded up. This book was so well done and was a great start to the year as the first book I finished in 2025. Smith crafted a beautiful story about the lasting bond between siblings and executed it excellently.

I love a multi-POV story centered around a family and I'd recommend this one as a must-read. That said, if you want to read something light and fluffy, still buy the book, but save it for another day. Before I started reading the book, I was skeptical of other reviews that said 'get the tissues' because the book was described as 'joyful' but this book wrecked me with so many tears. The story was very touching and had more depth than I ever would've expected.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I'll definitely be picking up anything that Jennifer Smith releases in the future.

Smith’s previous book was my first book of 2022, so it’s only fitting this is my first official book of 2025. It’s impressive how fleshed out all the characters felt and how I found myself rooting for all of them. I did feel like some of the flashback chapters were redundant (namely some of the ones about how they all missed one another during their fight), but it wasn’t enough to cut into my solid 4.5 (rounded up) review. I do wish the title was more along the lines of “The Amazing Endicotts” as I think that would be more fitting - the current title feels too impersonal/doesn’t capture the book. Makes me wonder if they noticed using a name in Smith’s previous novel’s title didn’t work the way they hoped so they went generic here?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fun For the Whole Family tells the story of four siblings who have barely stayed in touch over the years but come together for a weekend reunion. Their shared past is complicated by memories of their mother, who drifted in and out of their lives until a tragic event cut off their relationship with her completely. As they spend time together as adults, they must figure out how to deal with both their difficult history and their future as a family.
This engaging story will appeal to readers who enjoy books about complicated family relationships. Anyone who likes reading about family drama and healing old wounds will find themselves drawn into this emotional story about the power of forgiveness and second chances. I am recommending to Book Clubs as a summer 2025 choice.

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is a heartfelt story about the complexities of sibling bonds and the power of reconciliation. This novel stands out for so many reasons, and one of them for me was that the siblings were not in their younger years, but we could see them as adults - with all their problems, life experiences and regrets.
When the estranged Endicott siblings reunite in a small North Dakota town, they confront old wounds, secrets, and the ties that still hold them together.
With humor and warmth, the author captures the messy beauty of family and the hope that even fractured connections can heal. It is extremely relatable and worth chewing on its gorgeous and steeped in truth sentences. The style of the writing is both tender and insightful, capturing the nuances of familial relationships with authenticity and warmth.

Perfect for fans of emotional, character-driven stories!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. Four adult siblings in their late 30s and early 40s have drifted apart over the last 3 years. Jude, who is a Hollywood star, asks her three siblings to meet her in North Dakota for a weekend in February. They all agree, despite having a lot going on.

Gemma and her husband are going through IVF, and she's waiting to take a pregnancy test. She isn't sure she even wants to be a mom, having done the majority of parenting of her siblings. Connor is a divorced dad living in Nashville trying to write a book suffering writer's block. He brings his young kids with him. Roddy (Jude's twin) and his fiancé, Winston, are supposed to get married the following weekend while Roddy, an MLS player, has committed to moving to Orlando two days before the wedding. Jude brings three secrets and a plan to reveal them.

The book goes back and forth between current day and trips the siblings took with their mother each summer—a new state every year. Until a tragedy take her out of their lives. The siblings grew closer, until Connor's first book caused the current rift.

Fun for the Whole Family is heartwarming, funny, and well written.

**Book Review:**

*Fun for the Whole Family* by Jennifer E. Smith is an emotionally charged, character-driven novel that captures the complexities of family dynamics with sharp, realistic insight. The story revolves around the Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—who reunite for a weekend getaway in Colorado after three years apart. What starts as a fun family reunion quickly turns into a weekend of revelations, secrets, and a rekindling of old emotional wounds, all set against the backdrop of a snowstorm that traps them in a cabin with no power.

The novel is structured in a way that offers glimpses into the past and present of each sibling. The chapters alternate between their childhood summers spent on the road with their mother, and their adult lives as they navigate the complications of their own relationships and careers. This structure is incredibly effective in fleshing out each character, giving readers insight into their individual experiences growing up and how these experiences shaped who they are today.

At its core, *Fun for the Whole Family* is a story about love, forgiveness, and the weight of familial expectations. Each sibling is distinctly defined, making it easy for readers to connect with their struggles. Gemma, the eldest, carries the weight of having raised her siblings while also wrestling with her own doubts about motherhood. Connor, the successful writer, has a charming exterior but is hiding his own insecurities. Roddy, the soccer star poised to retire, is full of bravado but vulnerable in ways he doesn't often show. And Jude, the famous actress with a secret, is grappling with the pressures of fame and her fractured family ties.

The exploration of the siblings' relationships is heartwarming and often heartbreaking. The author does an excellent job of showing the unique dynamics at play—the bonds formed from shared history, the tension between old grudges, and the deep love that exists despite years of estrangement. The family feels real, with all the flaws and imperfections that come with it. As someone who has experienced sibling dynamics, I found myself relating to different aspects of each character's role within the family structure.

That said, while I adored the family drama and the depth of character development, the plot did fall a bit short in terms of surprises. The twists and secrets that were hinted at throughout the book felt somewhat anticlimactic and predictable. Once I had an inkling of who might have been behind certain actions, the rest of the story seemed to unfold too easily. This didn't detract from my enjoyment of the characters and their emotional journeys, but it did leave me longing for a bit more suspense.

The book’s emotional payoff is undeniable. By the end, I was deeply moved, even shedding a few tears as the siblings reconciled and confronted their past. The love they have for one another, despite everything, was both beautiful and cathartic. The only aspect I wish had been explored further was the parents' impact on the siblings. Their absence and the effect it had on each of them was palpable, but I wanted to know more about their motivations and the reasons behind their abandonment.

Overall, *Fun for the Whole Family* is an enjoyable, heartfelt read. If you love character-driven stories about family, forgiveness, and self-discovery, this book will resonate with you. Despite the predictable twists, the emotional depth and the journey of the Endicott siblings make it a rewarding read that will stay with you long after you finish.

A wonderful read. I laughed. I cried. I came to pretty much love all of the characters, even the kids!

Thanks so much to the great folk at NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC of this excellent book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Endicott siblings have had an eclectic life. And now as adults, they are living in separate cities and are not as close as they used to be. All are fighting their own battles, but one day they all receive a text from their Hollywood actress sister, Jude, telling them to meet up in North Dakota. Roddy, the famous soccer player, Connor, the award-winning author and Gemma, the oldest sister who feels that she is nothing compared to her siblings.

The story jumps back and forth between present day and the tales of their childhood and more recent past. The reader really gets a feel for the siblings back story.

This was a beautiful family drama, that is filled with all the emotions.
I recommend this book. 4 stars.

This sibling story will be an enormous hit this year and undoubtedly be on my favorite books of the year for 2025.

From the bestselling author of The Unsinkable Greta James, Smith weaves together the story of four siblings- Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude who were abandoned at a young age by their mother and now have grown up and gone their separate ways as adults.

It's a large cast of characters, but Smith fleshes each out so well that it's easy to follow. Readers are introduced to Gemma, the eldest, who questions her role as a caretaker and her own desires for motherhood; Connor, a celebrated novelist who uses their family story in sometimes damaging ways; Jude, an Oscar-nominated actress who is navigating big secrets and love in the spotlight; and Roddy, an aging professional athlete on the brink of losing everything.

The siblings are all brought together when Jude sends an unexpected group text calling them to the middle of nowhere in North Dakota. There, the siblings are forced to confront their past and reflect on their many family road trips with their mom, slowly revealing secrets they have kept from one another and new layers to their relationships. Flashbacks and present timelines offer readers an incredible road trip experience through its pages as they travel throughout the U.S. as kids.

Smith undoubtedly has a knack for writing characters that feel like they've been plucked straight from real life in this story—messy, complicated, and utterly relatable despite the many glamorous professions she has created for them. While mess is present in each of their lives, it's filled with endearing blemishes and layered with heartfelt humor on every page infused with familial warmth.

This novel is an absolute page-turner with beautiful layers as the siblings discover more about themselves and each other.

Fun for the Whole Family is a fun story that needed a little extra time developing the story. Overall Jennifer E. Smith developed a good story that I feel needed extra time because of so many characters needing development throughout.

I usually like family dramas and this one did not disappoint. We follow the 4 estranged Endicott siblings as they gather for a weekend together in 2025, but also go back in time on various trips with their mother who abandoned them to follow her own ambitions. I appreciate that each chapter gave the location, year, and narrator so it was easy to follow along where you were in the story and whose perspective you were getting... all leading up to reveal why they were estranged, why they hadn't seen their mother for years before she died, and why they have been summoned together by one of the siblings. Definitely recommend.

Note: Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heart warming book about the complicated relationships between four siblings. we get to know the characters very well over th ecourse of the book, which is told in all their voices over multiple timelines. I would suggest it to my students but not sure how many of them would want to read it, maybe when they are older.

I laughed, I cried, I felt as if I went on a truly dysfunctional weekend with the Endicott family.
They haven’t spoken in 3 years and the Endicott siblings, Jude, Conner, Roddy, and Gemma are together for the first time because their sister Jude has asked them all to come to middle of nowhere North Dakota.
Jude is a Hollywood actress, on the precipice of her first Oscar nod. Roddy her twin, is a professional football (soccer) star, on his last potential season and on the verge of marrying his fiancé. Conner is a newly divorced dad and national book award winner for his “fictional” story of a family of siblings and their transient mother who takes them on an annual road trip and the disastrous end to their relationships, the scars of this fiction digging a little too real and a little too close. And finally Gemma, a midwestern executive who’s about to find out if her years of fertility treatment have finally been successful.
After some awkward moments, and arrival at a cabin in the middle of nowhere in the midst of a snow storm and power out, the clues about why they are all here and why they need each other in their lives are coming forward. Every one of their particular situations and dramas all come to a head during this weekend.
“Just another day in the lives of the Extraordinary Endicott’s” is a statement in the book and it really does bring you wholeheartedly inside this family drama, leaving you with the idea that at the end of the day it’s your family that really can be there for you and knows you best.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my review of this book.

If you like sibling fiction, this novel is IT! There were so many elements of that story that worked for me. This story has POVs from all of their own perspectives which I think was very well done. This really helps you understand so many different parts of the story and who these characters are. They are all at such different stages of life doing different things. We have Gemma, our typical eldest daughter who has taken on the weight of being a parent while still a child herself. The most extraordinary thing about her is her capacity to love and care. She has a seemingly stable life, but deep down is grappling with the idea of motherhood and if she really wants it all for herself again. We have Connor, a dad of 2 and recent divorcee. He had a hit novel that was based off of the traumatic events of their family, which caused rift amping all of the siblings. While he runs from place to place to try spark inspiration, he realizes he’s running from the truth of what his life is. Then we have Roddy and Jude, twins and two peas in a pod. Roddy is a professional soccer player and fiancé trying to balance his career and his relationship. Jude is an Oscar nominated actress who has always had the rest of her siblings looking out for her. After years of not speaking, they all come together in North Dakota for reasons to be discovered.

I thought the raw emotions in this book were outstanding. I loved the parts about grief being confusing, especially for Gemma. I felt so seen with her character. I think a lot of authors struggle to make the oldest parentified daughter into someone lovable instead of the villian but that wasn’t the case here. Really loved the healing Gemma had done on her own and how she was so full of love and gratitude.

I loved the exploration of different relationship dynamics after being a part of a dysfunctional family and really loved all of the chapters about all of the small moments of sibling connectedness. Overall I think this book was thoughtful, well written and all of the characters had their fair share of development and attention. Loved this!