This was a surprising delight of a book. Four siblings, Gemma, Jude, Roddy, and Connor, haven't spoken in years. Jude is an Oscar nominated actress, Roddy a professional soccer player, Connor an award-winning writer, and Gemma, the oldest one who took care of them over the years.
They live all across the country living their own lives. Until Jude sends a text out of the blue asking each of them to join her in North Dakota. They had a challenging childhood with their parents. Their mother would show up every summer and take them on a vacation to different places around the country and they dutifully marked off their adventures on a map. But then a terrifying incident split them apart from their mother, and later, apart from each other. This reunion is designed to bring them back together as a family and acknowledge the secrets of the past.

Interspersed with the present day storyline were chapters of their travels with their mother over the years. As someone who loves to travel, I enjoyed those snippets in the book. But the main storyline kept me intrigued. Each character had sufficient development and attention in the story while the author still built tension within their relationships because of the secrets being kept.

If you are looking for a good family story with strong character development, multiple points of view, multiple timelines, then this book is for you. It's full of emotion, tension, secrets, yet at the heart of it all, love.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review.

United States Publication: April 8, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

The Extraordinary Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—grew up bound together by an emotionally and physically absent father and a mother who only showed up in their lives for three weeks out of each year to road trip with them around the USA in a quest to visit all 50 states. But one summer, a near-death accident put a stop to their summer road trips with their Mom, and that was the last time any of them ever saw or talked to her. Fast forward to the present day, and it's been three years since the Endicott siblings saw each other or even spoke to one another. What happened to this tight-knit group of siblings to fracture the bond they have always had? When each of the siblings gets an invite/plea to join the others for a weekend of, hopefully, reconciliation from Jude - they all agree, recognizing too much time has passed, and if any more time passes, the regrets will only cause a deeper fissure. Jude has a meticulously planned itinerary, but North Dakota has a mind of its own, and a snowstorm derails Jude's plans. Well, almost all of her plans. Before reconciliation can happen, Jude has a few last secrets to tell her siblings, hoping these secrets won't end the Extraordinary Endicotts.

Smith switches back and forth between past and present to tell the story of the Endicott siblings. As the book progresses, we discover what happened all those years ago that ended the summer road trips and their relationship with their mom. We also learn what fractured them three years from the present day in the book and how each sibling is processing the attempt at present-day reconciliation. The quest to visit all 50 states started strong but ended up underdeveloped. I would have liked more about that part of the Endicott story. The one *complaint* I have isn't new or specific to this title. Family units comprised of brilliant, uber-talented people with success coming out of their ears. Can we just get a story about a family of ordinary people who have an extraordinary way of connecting with each other? I enjoyed this title; it was my first experience with this author, and I'm open to trying her other titles.

** spoiler alert ** I was incredibly excited to read this book and mostly did enjoy it! That being said, what I think was supposed to be a plot twist I saw coming a mile away and the ending was a huge bummer. I am someone who is usually okay with sad endings, but I actually didn’t feel like this one added very much to the plot or the emotional experience of the book. It felt like it was there just for shock value, in the last ten pages. I would still probably recommend this book to a friend, but with pretty big disclaimers.

Thank you Random House- Ballantine and Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 ☆

Fun for the Whole Family is a book deeply rooted in family, forgiveness, old wounds, and healing. Four estranged siblings in vastly different situations come together when Jude summons them to North Dakota. A dual timeline gives glimpses into the past to shed light on the present and this boils over to make an emotional reunion.

I overall enjoyed the book. There was a depth to each character and a realness that leaps from the page. The heavier topics in the book were handled with grace, but trying to reach the climax of this book was slow journey. There were times I felt it dragged a bit or I was a bit disconnected. I’ve read numerous sibling based stories, and a lot of them have started to blend together a bit. This is still a very well crafted book. So whether it’s just this book met me at a time too close to another sibling saga story I’ve read or I just didn’t emotionally connect as deeply as I was anticipating, I still believe in the right hands this book will be deeply loved and cherished.

ARC REVIEW
Fun for the Whole Family
By Jennifer E Smith

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded to 4/5

Publishing date: 4/8/2025

This turned out to be much different than I anticipated! I went into this with different expectations based off the cover, and didn't really read the summary. Turns out, I really enjoyed it and I think a lot of people will.

The book is based on 4 estranged siblings who haven't spoken in years following their mother's death. They come together in the middle of nowhere, North Dakota. To reconcile? To point blame? Drop some heavy news? You will have to read and find out 😉 But the book does bounce back and forth between the present and past year's so the reader can learn why the family is the way they are with their current dynamics.

It wasn't too heavy overall, but does touch on some heavier topics. It was slow for me to get going, but about mid way it really picked up. The ending was beautiful and that's what bumped my rating to a 3.5 rounded to 4.

Very thankful for @netgalley and @ballantinebooks for the early read opportunity!
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Oh, I am so glad that Jen E. Smith is back with more adult fiction! I loved this family drama, filled with complex characters and unexpected emotional twists and turns. Smith's writing feels at once nostalgic and modern to me; she writes the sort of books you can gobble up in an afternoon, sitting in the sun, sipping a cold drink...but she also explores the complicated dynamics between loved ones (and between our current and past selves) thoroughly and thought-provokingly. A real treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballentine for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've been a fan of Jennifer E. Smith for a long time. Her YA books really are great and I was excited when she decided to take a dive into the adult world. I really enjoyed the Unsinkable Gretta James and was excited when I was approved to read this new title early!
This book is about family and it's ups and downs. The crises family goes through together and apart. The rifts that are made and then healed through time and space. It's an emotional journey of a family finding itself again and realizing how much they all need each other despite the secrets they've kept and the mistakes they made. Despite the title and fun cover, there are some very heavy subjects addressed in this book. Smith does so with care, honesty, and, above all, kindness.
Smith presents us with four siblings who follow completely different life paths from soccer star, to movie star, to well known author, to every day marketing strategist. Three years ago they stopped speaking to one another, despite having been close all their lives. Despite having been raised more or less by their oldest sister because their parents were physically and emotionally unavailable. There's so much trauma they have all endured over the years dealing with parents who just were not there. The bond they share truly is unbreakable, despite the distance they put between them.
Each character has a very unique story and Smith does a wonderful job developing them and showing who they are.
Gemma, the oldest, who is trying for a baby at 43 and not sure she would ever really make a good mother. Connor, the author who shot to stardom telling a tale that rather closely resembles the story of his family's life. Roddy, the star soccer player who is aging out of the sport and trying for one last time to be known, despite the rift it puts between him and his partner. And, finally, Jude, Roddy's twin and the famous movie start who has always been rather closed off with what is going on in her life but who organizes a trip to bring the family back together and put all her cards on the table. Smith uses each character to tell us not only about themselves, but about their family and the ups and downs that have been the Endicott's. I enjoyed hearing from each unique character; seeing the story from these different points of view made it whole.
What begins as a trip to bring the family back together, quickly devolves into a weekend of drama when they are snowed in at a cabin with no electricity. The story unravels showing us both the present and the past. Smith builds on their relationships through the flashbacks. And also gives us insight into the secrets all the siblings are holding close to their hearts.
The story is an emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. It started off a bit slow for me as Smith built the world and showed us who each character was but it picked up once all the siblings were finally together and their stories started to unfold. I had moments where I was laughing out loud and moments were the tears flowed freely. It was definitely a trip worth taking. And the ending was done nicely. I love that Smith didn't tie everything up into a neat little package, That there was still trauma for the siblings to process and an understanding that they always needed to be there for each other no matter what. Smith creates believable characters who drive a poignant and touching story through a nostalgic journey, steal your heart, and make you trust in the power of the family bond.

I have been on a family drama kick, and this book was next in line. The siblings and the story are heartwarming. I really felt for these characters are all the hardships they endured, especially with an unreliable mother.

It was a quick read, full of drama, ups and downs. The flashbacks and alternating points of view added to the story! It kept me intrigued and wanting more.

Life for the Endicott siblings Gemma, Connor, Roddy and Jude has had its ups and downs. Despite having an absentee father and a free-wheeling mother who took them on road trips all over the country every summer, they managed to stick together. But their once-strong family bond, weakened from disappointment, feelings of betrayal, and loss, seems on the verge of breaking altogether. Relationships are strained in a disaster that ends the summer trips and their relationship with their mother; Connor's award-winning book hits a little too close to home, and finally, their father passes away from a heart attack. The siblings have never been farther apart. So when they get a message from Jude to meet in North Dakota (of all places), they drop plans to make it work.
What follows is a weekend in a snowstorm that pushes the siblings towards reconciliation, even if they're kicking and screaming all the way.

This is a narrative about the present and the past; Smith weaves the story together delicately to preserve character and plot. I found myself rooting for all the Endicotts as they attempted to be honest and forgive themselves and each other. This is a tearjerker, so be prepared.

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for access to the ARC. Opinions stated herein are my own, and I don't get compensation for my reviews.

This was really cute! I really enjoyed the sibling dynamic of this novel. I was a bit confused by the multiple timelines but once I got that under control, I really enjoyed the novel. I think all of the characters were written incredibly well which doesn't happen often.

Fun for the Whole Family is a poignant exploration of family, loss, and the enduring power of sibling bonds. The narrative revolves around the Endicott siblings Jude, Roddy, Gemma and Connor who are brought together after 3 years of estrangement.

Reminders of the past, triggered by shared experiences and childhood traditions of Jude, Roddy, Gemma and Connor add layers of depth to the characters' interactions. The dynamic between the siblings is particularly well-developed. Each character is distinct, with their own strengths, weaknesses, and unresolved issues. Their reunion in South Dakota, spurred by Jude's initiative after three years of estrangement, sets the stage for a journey of reconciliation.

What truly resonated with me was the author's ability to capture the complex emotions of sibling relationships. Jennifer E. Smith has masterfully navigated the shifting perspectives of childhood versus adulthood as explored with past & present chapters.
The intense emotions each of them felt and how it mirrors my own. Even though my experiences are very different than the Endicotts’ one thing remains the same, and that is as a child we think differently and we see things differently versus as adults with mature, clear minds. This universal experience of re-evaluating our past through a mature lens is central to the story's emotional impact.

The author beautifully portrays the enduring bonds of siblinghood and the importance of best friends, illustrating that even after periods of separation, these relationships can be rekindled.

*Very Well Written
*Relatable Themes
*Character-Driven Narrative
*Emotional Depth

A captivating book with rich themes perfect for a book club discussion!

I loved Fun for the Whole Family!

The storytelling was phenomenal, the characters, family dynamics, the secrets, and reunion. The novel follows four siblings- Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude who reconnect. I felt connected and invested in the characters. This story uses multiple timelines to build the characters and their stories. I also really enjoyed the premise of visiting new states every summer with the goal of visiting all 50 states.

I had never read a book by Jennifer E. Smith, but now, I want to devour her other novels. This will probably be in my top five books for the year! Run to pick up this novel on April 8.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the arc.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC of Fun for the Whole Family - this is a five star read!

Jennifer E. Smith delivers lovable family chaos, dysfunction, and heartfelt moments in Fun for the Whole Family, a novel that beautifully explores sibling bonds, secrets, and second chances. Told through multiple POVs and timelines, the story is so easy to follow and completely immersive.

The Endicott siblings haven’t spoken in years—until a surprise invitation pulls them back together for a reunion filled with old wounds, tough conversations, and unexpected revelations. As they navigate their complicated past and uncertain futures, their messy, imperfect love for one another shines through.

I laughed, cried, and felt all the emotions, which, to me, makes for the best kind of book. I loved everything about this one—the rich character development, the emotional depth, and the nostalgia of road trips and family traditions.

This is a book that lingers long after the final page. Don’t miss it! Add this to your TBR now—it comes out April 8!

“Fun for the Whole Family” by Jennifer E. Smith is the story of four adult siblings (a famous movie star, an aging professional soccer player, a novelist, and a sister with an ordinary job), meeting after a three-year period of not speaking to each other. Growing up, their lives were disrupted every summer when their mother would return home and take them on a road trip with the goal of seeing every state in the country.

I really wanted to like this book because the story seemed so fun. But, to be honest, I found the book jumped back and forth in time too much and I became disinterested in the story. I found my mind wandering while reading and unable to get into the story. I feel like this book could’ve been so much more than what it was. I was kind of disappointed in it.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

I loved this story of the four Endicott siblings - it was moving (definitely have some tissues handy), heartwarming and very real. I felt like I really knew each of the siblings - the author did a great job of developing each of their characters and making you connect to them. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Jennifer E. Smith wrote from her heart while capturing the messy love that it means to be a sibling in Fun for the Whole Family. The story captures the lives of the Endicott siblings coming together after an incident kept them apart and during their tumultuous childhood. It explores what it means to survive a broken home, sacrifices we make for those we love, what it means to be extraordinary, and the power of coming back together with forgiveness.

Smith's writing reminds me of a more modern Nicholas Sparks- it evokes emotion while exploring the beauty of humanity. It's timeless and will touch everyone who reads it.

As a woman who grew up with 3 sisters and one bathroom, I can say that the relationships between the siblings are perfectly complex. They all have stories about squabbles they had in their childhood, memories of antics, the heartbreak of moving far away from each other as we age and go to college and work, and how complicated it feels to maintain those relationships at a distance.

The story was simply beautiful and well paced. Out of all of the extraordinary Enidcotts, I think Gemma is the most extraordinary of them all. I would recommend this to anyone who is missing a sibling, feels lost in life, or simply wants to feel that sense of family.

4.25 stars

I absolutely adore this book!

A heartwarming family drama filled with banter and emotions! Fun for the Whole Family was such an amazing read, the characters were great - real, raw, and relatable. You don't get to choose your family and sibling relationships can often times be hard yet love always wins. You will fall in love with this family through all their ups and downs, definitely worth a read!

“Fun for the Whole Family” by Jennifer E. Smith
Secrets, Memories, and Forgiveness
For myself this was a ‘keep the tissue box handy’ reading adventure. This is a very well told story that kept me turning the pages well after it was time to be getting a good night’s sleep. If the story’s description caught your attention; then you will most likely enjoy your time within this story, too. Happy Reading ! !

Wow, what a book. I’ll be thinking about this book for some time. This was such a good story, so original. Really enjoyed hearing from all the siblings and at different years. Really enjoyed it.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

The Extraordinary Endicotts have all achieved greatness in their own right:

Gemma... the oldest sibling, she provided stability and love for her younger siblings while their parents struggled in their own ways. However, she and her husband have officially taken the leap into parenthood and Gemma isn't sure she's ready to be a mother again.

Connor... still chasing the high of his latest novel's success, he's starting to face the mess his success has left his life. Divorced, alone in a new city, and no new story to tell; he's still not quite ready to admit his actions may be what finally tore the family apart.

Roddy... a retired professional soccer player, he's given the chance to play again. However, the chance to extend his dream for one more season may mean the end of his relationship with his beloved fiancé.

Jude... in the height of the Oscar season, and as an Oscar nominee, she has (for some unknown reason) called the estranged siblings together in the backwoods of North Dakota. And while she keeps insisting she doesn't have ulterior motives, Jude does have a few secrets she's decided she's done keeping from the family.

Messy and emotional, FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is an examination of the fractured family and what it means to decide to heal together. While predictable (and perhaps even anticlimactic) at times, this story was still beautifully written and executed. I loved each of these siblings (and each of the people in all their lives), and how messy they all were.