I LOVED THIS. Sibling/ family drama when done right is so good and this was done right! I was completely engaged the entire book, keeping up with the drama and the emotional toll. Absolutely fantastic book.

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E Smith is an absolute masterpiece! I smiled, laughed, cried, and sobbed my way through this book in the best way possible. Told from the POVs of the four estranged Endicott siblings, Gemma, Connor, Rodney, and Jude, the story jumps between the present day reunion in North Dakota and past summer road trips around the USA to unravel the moments that molded, broke, and pieced this family together. 🗺📍 Simply superb! If you were a fan of the show "This is Us," you will thoroughly enjoy this read. I will be thinking about this book for weeks and months to come, no doubt! 😭

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC.

I adored The Unsinkable Greta James, so when I found out Jennifer E. Smith had a new book out, I was beyond excited—and she absolutely delivered. Honestly, I might love this one even more.

This book wrecked me in the best way. It’s about family—the complicated, broken, beautiful kind. Gemma, Roddy, Jude, and Connor come together after years of silence, and what starts as a reunion quickly becomes something much deeper. A reckoning. A journey through memory, forgiveness, and the ties that never really break, even when we try.

It’s a road trip. It’s a forced proximity story. It’s laughter and long-buried tension and emotional landmines. But at the center of all that is love—messy, painful, stubborn love. I cried so many times reading this. Not because it was all sad, but because it was so real—raw, tender, and deeply human.

Five stars. No hesitation. This one stays with you.

For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, this book was badly titled but really wonderful. I'm sure the publishers debated calling it the "Exceptional Endicotts" and it would make more sense if they had. The family drama is relatable, the characters are endearing, and the story leads to all the emotions (even if the "secrets" are not so hard to figure out). I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it for a summer read and for book clubs!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC #sponsored

I love a good family drama and this one did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and alternating timelines. The story line felt very relatable. The characters were so well developed and unique. This was such a lovely, family drama that I highly recommend.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From what I’ve read so far, I really like the dual timeline storytelling. I like the multiple POVs and the mystery surrounding each one.

I had to put the book down for the time being. I originally wanted to read it because it tackles the difficult topic of estrangement. Unfortunately, it’s hitting a little too close to home in some regards right now but I hope to pick it back up again in the future.

I have been a fan of Jennifer E. Smith for some time, and I adored this new addition to her collection. Fun for the Whole Family is a story of family, connection, and the cost of secrets. It's one that's made for bookclubs and beaches.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This book had me sobbing and choking on my tears. Really loved these characters, this family. It’s a sad story that periodically lets you come up for air. Call it “slow-burn” or “character-driven,” it lulled for me a bit in the middle. But, oh, those final chapters. My heart hurts.

So I have to admit, the reason I got this book at all (I think I was offered a widget?), is because the town I live in is Endicott, New York! It made me laugh and I obviously accepted, and enjoyed the read immensely. I really like that each sibling got to tell different events from their own perspectives, and we got to see each person as a whole, rather than having the same outside view of them all. I also liked how well written and engaging the story was overall, but I'm knocking it down to four stars because the cover does not match the vibe of the story. Don't go into it expecting sweetness and light, but if you want depth and love, go for it!

Just delightful. She is the queen of complicated family dynamics told with love and humor. Didn’t want it to end.

Whew did this one get me in my feels - in the best of ways.

Fun for the Whole Family is the story of the Exceptional Edicott siblings- Gemma, the oldest who took on the role of matriarch when their mother left them at a young age; Connor - a writer whose success came from his novel about their family; Jude- an actress who was just nominated for an Oscar; and her twin brother Roddy, a professional soccer player whose coming out only elevated his status. Growing up they would go on roadtrips around the country with their mother. They were inseparable - until they weren't.

When we meet them they haven't spoken in 3 years - and each are at their own crossroads. Jude summits them individually, and out of the blue, to a tiny town in North Dakota. An epic snowstorm forces them to have the conversations they hae been avoiding for years and to dig into some deep truths they have long buried.

The story is told from the perspectives of all four Endicotts with flashbacks of their various roadtrips sprinkled throughout to give us more context. It is a beautifully written story of family, love and remembering you can come home again. It reminds us that life and family are messy but beautiful, complicated and nuanced but transcendent.

It wasn't until I finished that I realized author Jennifer E. Smith wrote one of my favorite books from last year - The Unsinkable Greta James. But it makes so much sense, as both novels are beautiful explorations of the bonds of family. I couldn't put this one down. Big thanks to my friends at NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC - this one just came out on Tuesday, so add it to your TBRS immediately !

The cover and title gave me a very different impression than how this book actually felt. But that aside, I enjoyed this complex family drama and all the siblings' journeys.

Enjoyed reading this book. Nice format with different points of view and locations. Being from North Dakota I was really interested in how this book portrayed ND. Some issues with it but really enjoyed the story and hope to read more books by Jennifer E. Smith. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ready this book.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good family drama. Was it as good as This Is Where I Leave You or Malibu Rising or Hello, Beautiful? The jury is still out, but this book follows in the same vein. Smith does a good job weaving the stories of the 4 siblings together and making you care about each of them. A little predictable, but I cared more about the characters than the "who dun it".

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC!

This was a fantastic book. A family of siblings that hadn't experienced the love of parents the way you or I might have. The nurturing and the protection was provided by the eldest sister, Gemma. They had been close until things both spoken and unspoken destroyed their close relationship. Contact dwindled down to occasional texts until they receive a message from Jude, their youngest sister. She wants them to drop everything and come to North Dakota. Everything was paid for, it was time to talk to each other. As the siblings gathertogether, bringing their mates and children with them, we learn what happened to break them up. Told in the current time line and the past with multiple points of view this narrative is easy to follow. The story grabbed me and did not let me go. Happy, sad, and beautiful. I am grateful to have been able to read a complementary digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Ballantine. This review is my own words and thoughts and not coerced in any way.

3.5 stars. Contrary to the title, this book is not fun for the whole family. Or, at least, it’s not fun all of the time. Those Endicotts have been THROUGH SOME THINGS.

This was a really enjoyable character study, with estranged siblings who all reunite for a weekend in the middle of nowhere North Dakota in some desperate attempt to reunite before everything changes. The siblings themselves were all interesting, and it was very cool to experience the whole thing through their eyes. It’s a universal feeling to have someone that, no matter how long time had passed, you can pick up where you left off no matter what.

I do think that some of the plot could be tidied up, especially towards the end. There was so much of a focus on the characters and their growth (which was great), but then we basically get a fade to black and a “One Year Later”. Which was frustrating because we had enjoyed so much time with them that we wanted to some follow through.

Overall I had a great time with the Endicotts on their trip and definitely never want to be snowbound in North Dakota.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer E. Smith, and Ballentine Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This will also be shared via podcast (Ms. Smith was interviewed) and on instagram when the podcast airs. I will email the links to Ms. Smith before the podcast airs.


Reconnecting With Estranged Siblings and FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY by Jennifer E. Smith

Cover of the book FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY used to describe Reconnecting With Estranged Siblings.
The Endicott siblings, Gemma, Connor, Roddy and Jude, were once inseparable. Childhood wasn’t easy—their mother left to chase her acting dreams, and their father stayed behind, but working long hours. The children were largely to their own devices, and Gemma, the oldest stepped into the role of a parent far too soon.

And somehow, she pulled it off. Her siblings flourished: Jude became a celebrated actress, Roddy a professional soccer star, and Connor an award-winning author. They consistently leaned on each other—until one argument shattered the bond they thought was unbreakable.

What started as a disagreement spiraled into years of silence. Then, Jude took a risk—extendin an olive branch in the form of an invitation to spend a weekend together in a North Dakota town.

Sibling estrangement occurs when siblings intentionally cut off contact for an extended period. Often, it’s a painful ripple effect following parent-child estrangement, and it tends to become more common as people grow older and life becomes more complex.

The emotional toll of sibling estrangement can be profound. Those who experience it face an increased risk of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, low self-esteem, substance use, and sleep disturbances. The pain is especially deep when the estranged siblings were once close—even enmeshed—making the loss feel like a fracture in one’s identity.

But just as relationships can unravel, they can also be mended—with time, intention, and care. Here are tools for reconnecting with estranged siblings.

Decide If Reconciliation Is Right for You: Not all relationships are meant to be repaired. If the dynamic was harmful, abusive, or persistently boundary-violating, estrangement is a valid decision. If the relationship was supportive, and you miss your sibling, reconciliation makes sense.

Move at Your Own Pace: Timing matters. Give yourself space to reflect on what caused the estrangement, what has changed since, and how reconnecting might affect your current emotional landscape. Don’t rush the process; wait until you’re ready.

Prepare for Big Emotions: Reconnecting will likely stir up old wounds. That’s normal. Have healthy coping strategies in place. Emotional regulation is key to staying grounded as you navigate this delicate process.

Set Boundaries: Reconciliation doesn’t mean picking up exactly where you left off. Trust takes time to rebuild, and healthy boundaries are essential—especially if enmeshment or blurred roles contributed to the original fallout. Take small steps, communicate openly, and honor your emotional limits.

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith

Love Jennifer E. Smith? Me too. Check out my post on All-or-Nothing Thinking and THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES by Jennifer E. Smith.

The Endicott siblings – Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude – were bound together by a tumultuous childhood, a mostly absent father and a charismatic, flaky, selfish mother who left to pursue her ultimately unrealized dreams of stardom. Each summer, their mother would return to whisk them off on road trips, each time crossing more states off the bucket list. As adults, the siblings have been estranged for a few years, but when Jude asks the other three to meet her in North Dakota, they all drop everything to go.

I loved this book! Don’t let the bright, cheery cover fool you – this emotional story had my heart in its grip the entire time. We meet the siblings as adults one by one, and they feel so real that I connected with each of them immediately. The character development is superb; each character is messy, flawed, but ultimately a good, special human who loves their people fiercely. Even though this book is absolutely character driven, the plot flows along nicely, alternating between perspectives and timelines, and I flew through the audiobook in two days. Tackling themes of family, loss, and healing, the author treats heavy topics with care, tenderness, and a touch of humor. You will definitely want to have your Kleenex nearby for this one!

Highly recommended for fans of Tracey Lange, Ann Napolitano, and Steven Rowley. Big thanks to Ballantine Books for the ARC and finished copy!

4 siblings Gemma, Connor, Roddy and Jude were once inseparable due the trauma from growing up in their family. Years later they have lost touch after a family incident when one of the siblings reaches out to them out of the blue and requests a family get together for a weekend reunion. Each have their own secrets and are currently through something. This was a great family drama about family dynamics, trauma, and forgiveness.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.

The endearing, enduring Endicott’s: Four siblings in their late 30’s and early 40’s, who virtually raised themselves under the oldest sister’s guidance, gather after a three year estrangement. Connor is an award-winning novelist, Roddy is a soccer star, and Jude, his twin sister, has just been nominated for an Oscar. Gemma, the eldest, happily married and working in a responsible but not spectacular job, is trying to decide whether she wants children, having spent so much of her early life parenting her younger siblings.

When Gemma was 12, Connor 10, and the twins seven-years-old, their mother, Frankie, left their Michigan home to pursue her dreams of an acting career. She re-appeared every summer for a month-long trip to different states, with the goal of covering all 50. Frankie never sees success as an actress, and after seven years of summer traveling, a car fire on a trip to Texas causes the children’s father to sever Frankie’s access to them. He, however, is also largely absent from their lives, working long hours and leaving them to look after themselves.

As adults, the four children continued to be very close with each other, despite living in different parts of the country, until their anger at Connor’s novel, based on their childhood, leads to bitterness and resentment. After three years of silence among them, the youngest, Jude arranges for them to come to a state none has yet visited, North Dakota, for a reconciliation.

This trip is filled with revelations of long-held secrets, as well as decisions about other important relationships in their lives.

The writing is smooth and clear, and the book’s structure is interesting, moving back and forth through time, occasionally with just snippets of what each one is feeling after an important moment. There is much sadness, some trauma and tragedy, but the story manages to be somehow comforting and uplifting, as these four loving people find their way past old hurts and new challenges.

This would be a good read for the summer beach or winter cabin.