i got about halfway through this before i put it down and since have not felt the urge to pick it back up. following the pov’s of all the siblings in the family, this was already a compelling tale of their bond and relationships, but something in me is not fully connected- at no fault of the author, writing, etc, i fully believe it’s more of a mood read situation!

All the stars for this book! I truly loved it and every character in it. I knew I would cry when I read this and I did in fact cray at least 2x. This is a sorry about 4 siblings and their relationships with each other, and their mother. It was a story of birth order and the vastly different experiences these four siblings have had growing up in the same household. There were many back and forth between the past and present day but because each character was written with such clarity and purpose it was never confusing or felt unnecessary. I can’t say enough good things except to say but it when it becomes available in 2025!

This was an easy but deep read. Loved the family and how they all managed to fool themselves. Made me miss my siblings. Very well written!

I think this might be the book that brings Jennifer E. Smith to the top of the echelon.
I gave The Unsinkable Greta James only three stars when I initially read it, didn't leave a review, so I can't recall why I didn't care for it too much.

Fun for the Whole Family, which comes out in 2025, and takes place in 2025 (I felt like it seems like way in the future, though it's only a few months away), but flashes back to the four Endicott siblings - Gemma, Conner, and Roddy & Jude who are twins.

The four, who grew up with a non-existent father, and a mother who only came around during the summers and took them on endless road trips, are brought back together by an abrupt text from Jude to come to North Dakota for a weekend, after three years of barely talking after a mysterious disentanglement of sorts.

Each character is well defined:
Gemma - married, figuring out whether she wants to be a mother after raising her three siblings her entire life. The "least" successful of the four.
Conner - a famous and successful writer who also brings his charming kids to North Dakota.
Roddy - a famous soccer player who is poised for retirement, and brings his fiance Winston to the trip as well.
Jude - a very famous actress who was just nominated for an Oscar and has a few secrets of her own to share during the weekend.

I found this dive into a family broken apart, though you can tell from the beginning that no love has truly been lost, such a fun take on the binds that bring families together. The characters and relationships were touching and believable. By the end, I was literally in tears, and you will find yourself grabbing a tissue or two.

This is a very character driven book, never boring, so if this is your cup of tea, you will love it.

My only caveat is there are a few secrets that need to be discussed, but I found them to be a bit anticlimactic, when it comes to their past. I wish there was more descriptions of their parents, who left such a lasting impression on each of them and it is well depicted.

But all in all, I can see this being a Reese book of the month!

I really loved this book, not sure I would call it Fun, but from start to finish I was so invested in the characters and story line. This story is about 4 siblings whose mom leaves them to pursue her acting career, but comes back every Summer to take them on a road trip. They decide they are going to visit all 50 states together... until they grow up, life happens and they have a falling out and don't speak for 3 years. When they get back together for a last minute trip to North Dakota, everything changes. This book had me crying at the end!!

This book has it all!
Family secrets? Check!
Characters who are both loveable and make mistakes? Check!
And a strong storyline to hold bouncing back and forth between different times in the family's history. I enjoyed Jennifer's writing and the way the story played out.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book I have read by this author and I have enjoyed them all. For this book, I enjoyed the sibling relationships. I enjoyed that each character felt unique and I especially appreciated the dialogue. It felt true to each character. I would recommend this book.

Stop it! This book felt like a giant hug for the two days I spent devouring it—I just couldn't put it down! If you're stuck in a reading slump, this is it. It’s the kind of heartfelt, creative, and charming family saga that makes you want to pick up the phone and call your siblings. A gentle reminder that time is precious.

The characters are beautifully written, and the story had me hooked from start to finish. Jennifer E. Smith has done it again, delivering another gem after *The Unsinkable Greta James*.

If you're a fan of cozy, emotional reads, this one’s for you. Here’s my advice:
1. Pay attention to the chapter titles.
2. Extraordinary is the word
3. Call the people you care about—don’t just text, actually call them!

I am one of 4 kids in my family. I know how easy it is to go our separate ways. The children have varied memories of trips with their mother. She had abandoned the family when the kids were still relatively young. But those once a year trips were memories for all 4. The youngest child has called them all together to spend a weekend together. She has secrets to share. How will the others accept the secrets? An entertaining story but a bit of a sad ending.

What a book! I will always have a soft spot for stories that follow siblings. I love the multi-POV chapters and I'm actually surprised to find that the flashback chapters were easy to follow. I'm not typically a fan of those so well done to Jennifer E. Smith for executing it well. Being a very character driven book, you connect and feel for the characters often. You would think this book would be light hearted given the title, but the depth of drama especially within familial dynamics was the lock and key for me. As an only child I often crave that kind of love only siblings understand so this book was very touching. Overall a fantastic read and I'd definitely check out more of Smith's works. 4.5/5 stars rounded up :D Thanks again to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for sending over an ARC!

A truly powerful, emotional family drama! The Endicott children, Gemma, Connor, Roddy and Jude, prove that once strong family ties can be rebuilt and relationships mended. They learned that in many cases, secrets become less terrible and frightening once shared with those who love us. Their tumultuous childhood could have resulted in four down-on-your luck adults, but had quite the opposite affect - four creative and successful adults who become even better people after healing from a family fracture.

Jennifer E. Smith shared their stories in short chapters comprised of present day and memories of key events through the eyes of each of the Endicott's. Their stories tug at the reader's heart strings and creates the feeling of hope for each of the children while showing that good relationships take a lot of dedication and hard work. It was fun to read even though it brought forth a few tears. One of the best scenes is between sisters Gemma and Jude in the bathroom with a pregnancy test - truly a tear-jerking scene that sets the tone for the remainder of their story.

What a wry title, and it perfectly represents this author's deftness in describing a family of four grown siblings who are virtually estranged from each other, and whether/if they can find their way back. Their father was distant (a workaholic) and their mother was a flake who abandoned them, only to show up every summer to take them on a roadtrip, visiting various states. Now, Mom and Dad are both deceased, the kids are grown, and three of the four are commercial successes. However, one of the girls, Jude, has several secrets she needs to get off her chest. For the first time in three years, the siblings gather together at a nice big cabin, inexplicably in North Dakota in the dead of winter. As the secrets unfold, each of the children struggles with a relationship issue. Of course, it comes to a head...and then another head...and then another. By the time this story was finished, I was well satisfied. I can't say more without spoilers, but I really enjoyed it, and would read other books by this author.

Because of the title I expected this story to be filled with fun and laughter. It wasn’t. But it was still a good read. Four once close siblings who grew up in a dysfunctional family haven’t spoken to each other for three years when Jude contacts the other three and requests they meet her in a remote North Dakota town for the weekend. While each carries wounds from things that happened years earlier, they all reluctantly agree. Told in multiple points of view covering past as well as current events in their lives we learn what shaped each character and what eventually tore them apart. 3.75 stars rounded to 4 because although not excessive the use of inappropriate and vulgar language detracted from the overall writing. Thanks to Penguin/Random House and Netgalley for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 star read alert 🙌🏼

I’m going to be honest, it takes a special kind of book to get a 5 star from me, and this did it.

The story is from 4 POV, and past/present which normally I don’t love, but this was so wonderfully executed.

A long history of family drama, pain, love, and most of all: forgiveness. 💕

Highly suggest you read this, you won’t regret it.

Thanks to @netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book!

Fun for the Whole Family tells the story of 4 siblings who grew up in a dysfunctional family, with largely absent parents, yet most of them turned out extraordinary. They haven’t spoken for 3 years, and this is the story of their sudden reunion, as well as many flashes back to their childhood.

I loved the idea of this book, but the flashbacks were a bit messy to me (too much time hopping) and ultimately it was super predictable, and the ending a little too perfect for me.

I did find the character development to be strong, and the characters were overall very lovable.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. What a wonderful fun read! I just loved this book. The multiple POVs really kept this book moving forward and it was an easy read. The characters were well done and I rooted for each one even though they weren't very likable. If you enjoy family drama and character driven stories grab this book! Now!! Highly recommend

This is a compelling and easy read about 4 siblings who grew up with an unconventional mother. They mostly spent time with their father but their mother would drop in each summer and take them on long road trips all over the country. I loved the descriptions of the old school family road trips, from the shotgun calling for one lucky sibling and the rest riding in back to their mother blasting The Rolling Stones on the radio as they cruised from one highway to the next. Jennifer Smith writes sharp and witty dialogue, and I found myself rooting for the siblings even though none of them were particularly likable. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I loved this. I especially loved the different point of views of the family members just to see the dynamic of one.

I think readers who enjoy character driven novels may like this book. The plot was too slow for me to get in to, and I was not able to finish it.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I had the pleasure of receiving an advance copy of Fun for the Whole Family from NetGalley, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read this compelling novel ahead of its release on April 25, 2025. This book is an absolute must-read!

Told from the perspectives of multiple family members, the story dives deep into the complexities of family dynamics, packed with drama, heartache, and moments that feel incredibly real. Each character brings their unique voice, allowing readers to see the intricacies of their relationships unfold, with secrets and past wounds bubbling to the surface. The emotions are raw, and the situations these characters face feel both relatable and intense.

What I loved most about Fun for the Whole Family is how it portrays the reality of how fragile family bonds can be, yet how resilient they are in the face of heartbreak. This book is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven stories full of drama, love, and healing.

I highly recommend adding this to your reading list!