*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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book through its emotional roller-coaster ride where four siblings are brought back together after spending three years apart. The title adds to the location and adventure within the boon while also reminding readers of road trips and vacations spent with their own families as well as the quarrels that come along with these trips. The interspersed chapters focused on the past and present were a nice added touch that helped keep the plot moving while also keeping the reader in the know. While I did not expect the text to be this emotional, I loved every second of this book and was sad to see it end.

Jennifer E. Smith has not disappointed me with her books, and while this is not a YA - her normal genre - it has kept the trend alive. I enjoyed it from the very first page, and I had no trouble keeping characters separate and following the flow from past to present and POV to POV. I also delayed reading it, because I really, really didn't want it to end. I've had so few books that have been a really solid and enjoyable read - a 5 star rating if you will - that when I find one, I tend to delay reaching the finish line to drag it out. Which is really funny, because I also want to find out the ending. Jude's surprises were not unexpected, but that didn't matter to me because I liked the story that got us to her big reveal.

Each character is well developed. The four siblings come across as distinct people and their celebrity status isn't really the focus of who they are. Sure, it's part of them and got them to this place, as is their abandonment as children, but it's not their entire being. Even though Annie, the various partners, and the two kids have less page time, they also emerge as characters and are highly likeable.

For me, this was a definite hit. If you have read Smith, I'm pretty sure you'll like this one. But it's not really focused on young adults or romance, so if you are picking it up for that, you'll probably be disappointed. Oh, and I bawled for the epilogue. My kids were worried about me because I don't normally cry over anything.

A multiple POV family drama surrounding 4 siblings by @jenniferesmith
Gemma, the oldest, who took care of her younger siblings,
Roddy, the professional soccer player, his twin
Jude, an Oscar nominated actress, and
Connor, an author and divorced father of two.

Chapters are time jumps from the past to current time. In our current timeline, the siblings no longer speak after the death of their father three years ago. Each gets a text out of the blue from Jude, who asks them to meet for the weekend in North Dakota, of all places.

Jude has just been nominated for an academy award and is dating a hot new actor, Spencer. Roddy is engaged to his boyfriend Winston, and their Valentines Day wedding is upset by him getting the call from a team that wants him to join their roster at the end of his career. Gemma and her husband Mateo contemplate starting a family. And Connor only gets to see his kids, Rosie and Hugh, once a month.

As the story unfolds we learn how extraordinary the family is, what secrets they have buried and how they have come to terms with their childhoods. Their mother, Frankie, while a very seemingly minor character in the book, overall made a huge impact on them. Frankie is a non character with all the influence.

I found the story to be engaging and thoughtful. Good character development. If you like family drama and the relationship between large groups of may be the book for you.

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse Ballantine for the ARC. Book to be published April 15, 2025.

#netgalley #bookreviews #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booktok #funforthewholefamily

I love a good family drama, and this one did not disappoint! I liked the flashback chapters and how the author told the current chapters from different characters’ points of view. I would’ve liked a little more of Gemma’s story, but overall I felt like I got to know the siblings and I was rooting for them the whole time!

Such a deceiving title. This book is good, but I wouldn’t describe it as fun in any sense of the word. This book was heavy. The story is following 4 previously close adult siblings who had a falling out years prior over some unresolved childhood trauma. Fun, right? In an effort to reconnect and confess some secrets, Jude convinces her two brothers and sister to join her in BFE North Dakota. The family used to take road trips with their mom when they were kids and Jude is trying to recapture some of that. A major snowstorm and stress of their own secrets causes blow ups and break downs. This story was interesting in that you are trying to guess the secrets. Once everything comes to light though, it’s a little meh. The epilogue was fantastic and really brought emotion that was needed throughout the story. I shouldn’t have read on my lunch break because I was crying during the epilogue. This is a 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for me.

Thank you Random House Publishing - Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Every family is complicated. This book tells the riveting story of the Endicott family.

Each of the 4 children bring so much heart and brazen honesty to their characters. I could feel their happiness. I could feel their pain. I could feel their conflictedness. The author, clearly, wrote from a place of great depth.

It's always humbling to read a story and to be able to relate so deeply to parts of it. I haven't felt that from a book in a while. This one will stick with me.

I highly recommend this book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is an adult novel of four siblings and their unbreakable bond. Told in lots of flashbacks, we learn of the things that have forged them and tried to pull them apart. A distant father, a mother who came back once a year to take them on road trips, and the pressures of their own careers and life choices. They meet up in North Dakota, each carrying their own roller coaster of emotions – wanting to be close again but still angry over things that have happened in the past. As secrets are revealed, will it bring them closer, or push them farther apart?
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this DRC.
#FunfortheWholeFamily #NetGalley