Fun for the Whole Family is a feel-good story about a dysfunctional family trying to reconnect. It's like a road trip movie, but without the annoying kids in the backseat. The book is full of humor and heart, and the characters are easy to root for. There are a few surprises along the way, but I won't spoil anything. If you're looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read, Fun for the Whole Family is definitely worth checking out.

This is a story that will marinate in my mind for a while, about the bonds and secrets of family; how we can perpetuate myths and memories and experiences tied to the mutual existences of individuals within a family unit. I love the characters in this book, I love how Smith tied memories to a literal sense of place on the U.S. map. The older I get, the more I contemplate how my family experience formed by identity and beliefs, and then again how my own family has been impacted by those ingrained memories. This is a wonderful read; not always FUN, but delivered in a mostly upbeat and honest way.

This was a fun story. I enjoyed the read! :) I always love a good family drama! This was an enjoyable read!

Thank you for the ARC!

Fun for the Whole Family follows 4 siblings, Gemma, Conner, Roddy, and Jude in their adult life as they unpack their childhood and find reconnection in their adult life. Gemma, the oldest, is a 40 year old marketing specialist living in Chicago with her husband Matteo. Conner is a divorced father of 2 and best selling author going through a mid-life crisis. Roddy(twins with Jude) is a professional soccer player living in DC with his fiance, Winston. Jude, (twins with Jude) is a world famous actress currently living in California. After a conflict divides the close siblings for several years, they must figure out how to overcome and reconnect. I don't have enough good things to say about 'Fun for the Whole Family', it was truly one of my very favorite books of the year so far. Would be the perfect book club pick.

The biggest thanks to Jennifer Smith, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I always enjoy a good family drama, and Fun for the Whole Family certainly delivered! I can confidently say that each sibling felt well fleshed out- and that characterization even extended to the children, spouses, and girlfriends present. I think the choice of one sibling out of the four being "normal", and her loving that part of her life, was really smart, especially seeing as Gemma was able to ground her siblings. On the topic of Gemma in particular, I also appreciate how much she grappled with the bitterness of being parentified in her youth- and how that complicates her relationships with Connor, Jude, and Roddy. I think the sibling I found the most interesting was Connor, though, mostly because I liked his children (the dynamic between Rosie and superstar aunt Jude was so sweet), and also that his Famous role was being an author. His choices regarding his family history were also very interesting- and I feel like his siblings responded to what he did appropriately. One small gripe I experienced was that although Gemma, Connor, Jude, and Roddy are in their late thirties/early forties, I didn't feel that come out very much. The challenges they faced were age-based, in some cases, such as Gemma navigating IVF (assuming that was due to her age, and not an underlying condition,) Roddy and his injury/aging out of professional soccer, and Connor's midlife crisis arc. But in their heads, they all felt at least ten years younger. This is especially true to me with Jude and Roddy- I kept imagining them in their late twenties. However, this wasn't much of an issue for me in the end. I loved the "one year later" ending- which is where I teared up, of course, The snippets of their childhoods spent on summer roadtrips with their mostly absent mother also helped me feel more connected to who the siblings are, and the build up to the secrets (mostly held by Jude), had me very engaged. The ending was devastating and hopeful, which to me is the perfect combination.

Thank you for the ARC!

I'm very close with my family and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It made me laugh and cry and warmed my heart! After I finished it, I immediately reached out to my parents and my brother. I'd recommend this book to anyone!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a review. I loved this story about four adult siblings after a falling-out. The way Jennifer E. Smith told the backstory was beautiful, unique, and authentic. I can't wait to read more from this author, 5 stars, more if I could.

fun for the whole family is a multiple pov family drama that comes out next year and I lovedddd it. it reminded me a lot of the show this is us (too much so?) and I could list the reasons and you’d be like “that IS this is us”…but I love this is us, so no real complaints over here

the concept is four siblings who had a really chaotic mother / childhood and went through a lot together. it’s 2025 and they have barely spoken in last three years because of ~something that happened~. they all live in different places, have different problems, and have very different lives: one is a famous actress, one a famous author, one a professional soccer player, and the other a “normal” marketing executive

the older three get texts out of the blue from the youngest asking them to come to North Dakota, and so they do. we flip back and forth in time between their childhood, a few years ago, and present day; we see things from each of the four siblings’ perspectives; and there are a few mysteries / secrets that give the plot some momentum but it’s largely character-driven

my thoughts:
oh.. my gosh. this WRECKED ME. like I had tears streaming down my face while reading the last chapter

maybe I should not have read a book about four siblings who have drifted apart as adults when I’m the youngest of four and my sister is about to get married… so that’s on me for sure

BUT genuinely loved this book so much. rich characters that felt real to me, a little mystery, and lot of heart

very fun to get a copy early (thank you, netgalley) and I genuinely recommend this!!!

What a heart warming story of the four Endicott siblings and their crazy road trips with their Mom every summer. Life happens, and they lose contact due to conflict. I enjoyed how the author explained their road trips by naming chapters of the state they were in on the map.
Truly enjoyed this story, and highly recommend. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

This is a great read that I look forward to recommending. The four Endicott siblings were raised by an unconventional, sort of Auntie Mame-ish mother who would arrive each summer and take them on exciting adventures. As the book opens, they've drifted apart, but must reunite, and they are all in difficult, challenging places in their lives. We root for them as they try to figure out how to be a family again, and how to overcome their problems together.

There was nothing I didn’t like about this book. Four siblings torn apart, and brought together to repair their relationship, without knowing what had been the real reason for the rift. Beautifully written, leading me to cry through the very believable ending. This is a book of an imperfect family, struggling to deal with being called back together to get back what they used to love of each other.

The story centers on a family's chaotic summer vacation, where misadventures abound and unexpected moments lead to deeper connections among its members. Smith’s writing is both witty and poignant, capturing the nuances of family life with a light touch that resonates with readers of all ages.

The characters are vividly drawn and authentically flawed, each facing their own personal challenges while navigating the complexities of family relationships. Smith masterfully weaves their individual journeys together, showcasing the joys and struggles of parenting, sibling rivalry, and the importance of communication. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, filled with moments of laughter that balance the more serious themes of growth and understanding.

What sets Fun for the Whole Family apart is its ability to convey a heartfelt message about the value of spending time together and embracing the messiness of life. The story is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that will leave readers grinning, yet it doesn’t shy away from touching on deeper emotional truths that many families can relate to.

Overall, Fun for the Whole Family is a delightful read that is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good story that celebrates the beauty of family life. Jennifer E. Smith has crafted a wonderful tale that reminds us that, despite the chaos, it’s the love and laughter we share that truly make every moment worthwhile.

Four siblings have had a dispute four years ago but now the youngest, a successful actress, has asked them all to meet for a weekend in North Dakota. The remaining three are a gay professional soccer player, a writer, and an administrator who served as their mother figure after their own mother left them with their dad. Every summer their mom would return and take them on a roadtrip with the goal of visiting all fifty states. The chapters jump from present day to events that took place during and after those roadtrips. Smith does an excellent job of filling in the backstories for all of the siblings. Once very close, their family has fallen apart. Can this weekend bring them back together?? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well-developed and the story was woven together very successfully. I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This took me a while to really get into, but I’m here glad I stuck with it. The Endicott family dynamics will be relatable to many readers. One important takeaway for me was that you can’t get time back so say what needs to be said or you’ll end up with regret. The ending was sadder than I would have liked, but it was well-written & fit the story.

This book was excellent with multiple POVs - chapters jump to flashbacks and the present. As I read this book, the word that kept coming to mind was "delicious" - the siblings had such rich inner and outer lives, and I was hugely entertained. Really great character development, and I also got to know North Dakota. I highly recommend it to all who want a big literary hug.

If you're a People Magazine reader this one is right up your alley... If you believe that "celebrities, they're just like us" then you will find this book a delightful look into the lives of famous people and how they deal with being recognized by their public. Jennifer E. Smith's novel is about a family of four siblings each of whom is extraordinary. Gemma, the eldest, has pretty much raised Connor now a National Book Award winning author, twins Jude and Roddy, she an (almost) Academy Award Winner and he a (gay) well-known soccer player.

Jude is harboring secrets that have separated the siblings from being in contact for three years The cute and clever theme is the summer trips the four kids have taken with their mostly absentee mother, as they attempt to visit all 50 states. The insider peeks at the private lives of famous people
will tickle the fancies of those who have wondered what it's really like. You know, lots of money, clothes, assistants, travel agents, private jets and stuff like that.

But Smith knows her target audience and provides a fast-moving and fun-packed story with cute kids and freezing cold snow. If you are so moved, you may find yourself teary. If not, it's a fast page turner of a read. Thank you for an early copy to Net Galley and Random House/Ballentine.

This book was so messy. The writing style was so hard to get used to. I read the author’s previous published book and I enjoyed it. But I had really hard time with this one.

This was my first time reading a book by this author and it won't be the last!
I really, really liked how the author balanced family drama, some delicate topics, and sense of humour altogether.
Also loved the alternate chapters between the present (with multiple POVs) and the past when the siblings were much younger and going on car trips with their parents.
I pretty much enjoyed every single character and did not mind the - sometimes - longer chapters.
It was a delightful reading experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who is into contemporary fiction with character-driven stories about families.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for providing me with a free eARC of this adorable novel.

Fun for the Whole Family tells the story of the 4 Endicott siblings who grew up in a somewhat dysfunctional family. They haven’t spoken for nearly 3 years, and this is the story of their sudden reunion, as well as many flash backs to their childhood. 

Was a bit busy with the flashbacks and somewhat predictable in the end. Still an enjoyable story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In my opinion, the book’s title could be changed to "The Road Trips of the Amazing Endicotts", as it presents four siblings who follow completely different life paths, finding happiness, success, and passion in their own ways. After an emotional breakdown three years ago—coinciding with the death of their father—the siblings grew estranged. Resentments boiled over into words that couldn’t be taken back, leading to tears, screams, anger, sadness, and hurt that tore their relationships apart.

Three years later, Jude, one of the youngest siblings and a movie star recently nominated for an Academy Award, sends her siblings a cryptic message, summoning them to North Dakota. This brings back memories of their troubled mother, who used to take them on road trips full of promises for adventure and fun, which sadly ended in tragedy.

Gemma, the eldest sister in her early forties, lives in Chicago with her loving husband, Mateo, and works a mundane marketing job her siblings secretly belittle. She receives Jude's message in the middle of the night, feeling emotionally fragile after several miscarriages and a recent embryo transfer that may be her last chance to become a mother. For years, Gemma has taken on the role of caregiver for her siblings, replacing their troubled mother, who only visited once a year to take them on road trips while their father was constantly away for work. Now, Gemma fears turning into their emotionally unstable mother and questions whether she’s ready to raise a family of her own.

Connor, an aspiring author gaining success with a novel based on his family’s past, finds himself alienated from his siblings due to his portrayal of their memories. Recently divorced and missing his two children, Rosie and Hugh, Connor spends his days in Nashville bars, drowning his sorrows as he battles a creative block. Initially hesitant to attend Jude's family meeting, his emotional turmoil eventually drives him to confront his siblings.

Roddy, Jude’s twin, is engaged to his nerdy scientist boyfriend, Winston, and is on the verge of signing a new contract to play soccer with an Orlando team. However, his knee pain after several surgeries and the physical toll of aging weigh heavily on him. When his agent insists he head to Orlando earlier than planned, complicating his wedding date, Roddy grapples with how to break the news to Winston. Upon receiving Jude’s message, he realizes it's time to reconcile with his siblings and confront their differences.

Though Jude appears to have a perfect life—an Oscar nomination, a movie star boyfriend named Spencer, and a bright future—she harbors many secrets that have been eating away at her. After three years of self-imposed exile from her siblings, she knows it’s time to come clean, even if it risks alienating them further.

What begins as a meticulously planned reunion soon devolves into a locked-room drama when the siblings find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with no electricity or phone service. Forced to face long-buried issues, old resentments, and devastating secrets, their relationship is on the verge of being changed forever.

Oh boy! This book hit me hard on so many levels! Your emotions will be all over the place by the time you finish, and if you have siblings, you’ll probably want to call them as soon as you read the last page. Get ready to cry like a baby—keep plenty of tissues nearby! This heartwarming, engaging, and emotional family saga will resonate with you more than you can imagine. It’s realistic, heartfelt, powerful, and undoubtedly one of the best fiction novels of 2025—I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for sharing this heartwarming family drama’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.