There's nothing I love more than a little family drama! A struggling author, a gaggle of famous and famous-adjacent adult siblings, grief over a passed mother who wasn't really a great mother, and the book was beautiful. I cried with Jude at the end, and devoured this like I was the fifth Endicott. Highly recommend for a book club. so so so sooo good. Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC!

I loved this book. Above all, it made me start plotting out my own 50 state plan for my family. I laughed, I cried, and I had a great time reading this book. It was a quick read, had a lot of depth, and I couldn’t put it down!

Multiple POV, family dynamics, fame, a meet cute, and more. This book seriously checked all the boxes and I just know it will be made into a movie someday. It was that kind of story!

Every so often, you come across a book that touches you to the very depths of your soul. Once that lingers far past when the words are finished and the cover is closed. Fun for the Whole Family is one of those books.



The Endicott siblings have been estranged for three years, each living their lives as separately as possible. An out of the blue text from Jude, one of the younger siblings and a movie star, brings all four Endicotts together (along with a few others) for a snowy weekend in North Dakota. Over the course of three days, Jude, Gemma (the oldest), Roddy (star soccer player and Jude’s twin), and Connor (award-winning writer and second oldest) discover what family, love, and loss really mean.



I have always loved Jennifer E. Smith’s book, but I think this one was truly her best work yet. It is not a romance, or even women’s fiction, but an examination of family. Each of the Endicott siblings (and their respective families) were so masterfully crafted that they felt real. So many tears were shed the last few chapters of this book.



Above all, I think this book does a beautiful job of examining what it means to forgive in spite of it all. I could easily see this turned into a movie (wink, wink Hollywood) and despite the emotional roller coaster l went on throughout this book, I cannot wait to read this again when it publishes in 2025.



Thank you, Jennifer, for writing such a beautiful book. I hope you all consider requesting from your library or preordering.



Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for the ARC!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This book had me laughing and crying. The Endicott family felt so real, and each sibling had their own unique personality. Usually, switching between past and present confuses me, but it worked perfectly here. It was so interesting to see how different life experiences shaped each sibling. A wonderful story about family, love, and forgiveness!

This is an absolutely wonderful story!
The secrets of the four Endicott kids are revealed slowly and shockingly throughout the past and present days.
They were once inseparable as children and then things changed as tragedy unfolded. Thus creating anger, chaos and sadness within these sibs.
Life was definitely not all love and light.

Now--- with the chance to see each other again and perhaps right the wrongs,
the question becomes, Will They meet? Will things be shared? Will love and family come back together?
It is emotional, happy, sad and definitely brought me back to my own young days.
I know anyone who opens this story will truly enjoy the Endicotts and their journey.

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Randomhouse Ballentine for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

Jennifer E. Smith's The Unsinkable Greta James is one of my favorite books, so I was excited to receive an advanced digital copy of Fun for the Whole Family. I loved this book and read it in less than a day. I became so invested in the lives of the four Endicott siblings that I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I felt like each character and their story were so relatable. If you love family dramas (or have ever been involved in one), this book is for you. I laughed and cried through the book, and I am certain that this will be one of my top reads of the year. Five stars, only because I can't give it more!!

The first thing that grabbed me about the book was the cover as this is the first thing to make me interested in a book. I was disappointed to know the book was not “fun” as the title implies. I am also one that likes to read a book based off the cover and title as I like to be a surprised about what I am reading so I rarely read what the book is about. The storyline about 4 siblings whom have been out of touch for years and reconnect and of course I don’t want to reveal the “secrets” in the book as that would completely spoil the read for others. I will admit I was surprised the book was engaging and a good family drama read. The book is emotional and you find a few times to chuckle out loud and others where you feel sad for the characters. All and all, I was looking for a “fun” book and although this book was a lot more serious in the end it was a good read!

*Fun for the Whole Family* is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of family bonds, secrets, and personal growth. The Endicott siblings' reunion, prompted by an unexpected text from their estranged sister, reveals deep-seated issues and hidden truths that keep readers hooked from start to finish. I couldn't put it down once I started reading, as the story beautifully blends heartwarming moments with poignant reflections on love and forgiveness.

Jennifer E. Smith is a really lovely writer, and she gives the reader a strong sense of character for the four Endicott siblings (Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude), who reunite on a family trip to North Dakota after three years of estrangement. I had high expectations for this novel, but I didn't like it as much as Smith's adult debut The Unsinkable Greta James. I adored Smith's characterizations, but the plotting was slow on this one — even for a character-drive novel vs. a narrative-driven one. It was also easy to guess the big secrets Jude kept from her siblings. The prose is nice — straightforward but elegant — but I think I wanted to be more surprised by what the novel revealed. The ending had me super emotional, though! It was heartbreaking and really nicely conceived.

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is a heartwarming and enjoyable read that perfectly captures the ups and downs of family life. The story has charming characters and relatable moments that made me smile. Smith does a great job of balancing humor with touching, emotional scenes, making it a well-rounded and engaging book. The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of 5 is that some parts felt a little predictable, but overall, it’s a delightful book that leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. It is an excellent read for anyone looking for a feel-good story about the joys and challenges of family.

Except for the occasional birthday text, the four Endicott siblings have been estranged for the past three years. There was a huge argument at their father’s funeral. Now, Jude, the Oscar nominated actress among them, has mysteriously summoned them all to a weekend in a remote town in North Dakota. Gemma, Roddy, and Connor are all reluctant, but ultimately cannot resist the invitation. During this awkward, unexpected, and revealing weekend, the full story of the Endicotts is slowly uncovered— their unconventional childhood, their extraordinary accomplishments, and the circumstances that tore them apart.

I have loved all of Jennifer E. Smith’s book, both her YA and adult titles. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is a story we can all relate to, because EVERY family is complicated. While the specifics of their story may not be ours, some part of it is. We have all experienced envy, disappointment, success and ambivalence in some respect. The four siblings are all fully drawn characters we have known. And, as is her wont, Smith crafts an incredibly poignant ending that will stay with the reader for a long time.

First book for me from this author and it's one of my favorite types - a family drama. This was so engaging and relatable. As the oldest of a 4 child family Gemma's story and feelings and point of view resonated with me so much.

I was really happy that Jude died at the end, because I didn't feel it would be authentic if she'd made a recovery.

This was so good! I loved the dynamics between the siblings. I do wish the ending was different but I get why the decision was made to end it that way.

I knew going into this book that Jennifer E. Smith was going to provide a story about family that would pull on my heartstrings. This one did not disappoint! I loved the many different points of view from the siblings, both in the past and present timelines. It takes a talented author to write four siblings and make them all so dynamic, so clearly each their own character. This books highlights the power of love and forgiveness in even the most dysfunctional families. It made me laugh, cry, and want to hug my loved ones a little tighter. Highly recommend!

This book unleashed a torrent of emotions from laughing about their childhood trips to tearing up with Gemma naming her son Jude and the one year later. What is important is family and how losing time with each other can never be brought back. Gemma, Jude, Roddy and Connor lost three years due to a book and fire. They missed opportunities to be part of each others lives and create memories. They all were remarkably talented in their own way but it was only their partners and children to celebrate them. They are the Endicotts and this trip to North Dakota made them realize that without each other, the family dissolves. Like Harold the penguin, they were hanging on by a thread. I was so glad that they realized how much they missed and loved each other. This book made me want to celebrate love and true happiness. I will certainly read it again.

I've enjoyed Jennifer E. Smith's young adult books and The Unsinkable Greta James was really good. While I enjoyed this one, I don't think it was my favorite. There's lots of family drama (as can probably be gleaned from the title) and some heavy topics. The ending was bittersweet (which I was kind of expecting, but was still a bit of a downer).

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this was beautiful. It really tugged at my heart strings and showed how complicated family can be. The multiple point of views and the flashbacks just added wonderfully to the story. I was able to better understand the characters and their family dynamic. This is a must read for sure!! Thank you Netgalley for this arc!

I loved this book. I loved how the author uses each of the four siblings unique points of views and goes cheaper by chapter going back and forth from their childhood road trips to their current meetup in North Dakota. I loved how the author uses each of the different POV’s from each distinct adult child to mold the story because coming from a childhood marred by chaos and trauma each person had such a different perspective from the same event and how it shaped them into the adults they are today and how they go through the world navigating their trauma. I loved how they reacted to discovering long held secrets and lies. I found it to be honest and realistic. I thought the author did a great job building character development and story at an engaging pace and the ending was beautiful. Loved the book from start to finish-didn’t find any character annoying or under developed. Well done. Thank you to Jennifer Smith and to Ballantine Books for the advanced copy.

This one really got me. I loved The Unsinkable Greta James and Jennifer E. Smith was back to pull on my heartstrings with this new family drama. I laughed and cried. And it reminded me how valuable those childhood memories shared with my siblings are.

Thank you to NetGalley and  Random House  for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fun for the Whole Family" by Jennifer E. Smith is a deeply moving tale about the intricacies of sibling relationships and the secrets that shape them. The story revolves around the Endicott siblingsGemma, Connor, Roddy, and Judewho, despite their once inseparable bond, have drifted apart over the years. Their distant mother, who would whisk them away on grand road trips, left a mark on their lives that they’re still grappling with. When Jude, now a successful actress, invites them to a remote cabin in North Dakota, they are forced to confront their unresolved issues and the paths their lives have taken.

Smith masterfully weaves together past and present, offering insights into how childhood experiences have left lasting impacts on each sibling. Through alternating perspectives, we get to understand their personal struggles and the reasons behind their estrangement. The depth of each character and their individual journeys make the story both relatable and heartfelt, painting a vivid picture of how family dynamics evolve over time.

While the title might hint at light-heartedness, the novel delves into emotional terrain, exploring forgiveness and the bonds that tie us together. The story’s conclusion is both touching and satisfying, leaving readers with a sense of hope and a renewed appreciation for the complexities of family relationships.