This was a fun and humorous read that kind of took me by surprise. I love a book exploring family dynamics and this one had a lot of conflict, twists and turns. I did feel like the first 30% or so really dragged, but then it picked up for me and I became invested in the characters. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but I appreciate the journey that each of the Endicott siblings went through over the course of the story.

I would have actually liked more of a focus on the mother and her story- the flashback chapters were some of my favorite despite how short they were.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy for my honest review!

In this book we meet four estranged siblings. We get the back and forth timelines to fill in the who, what, where and why!

It has been years since these four were in the same room, so when Jude sends everybody a cryptic text to meet her in North Dakota for the weekend their curiosity gets the better of them and they all attend.

Each one has secrets, each one is on the cusp of life changing decisions.

I absolutely loved this book, I wanted more!!!
This is my first book by this author, and it won’t be my last!!

It’s hard for me to choose what rating to give this one. The mystery of the premise captured my attention early on, but the follow through wasn’t as fully fledged as I’d expected from the set up.

The siblings work so well together as characters, but I would have liked to see a stronger connection between the flashbacks and current day. It felt like this story was often just shy of becoming a deeply profound narrative.

I’m still chewing on this one- hopefully will have a more complete thought on it soon! For now, three stars.

This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

Fun for the Whole Family equals fun for me. Ok, well not exactly fun but definitely an enjoyable, engaging book. I didn't expect to like this, or possibly even finish! Four siblings, famous siblings, road trips. Maybe too cliche? Nope. The way the author connected each character with each other was so easy to follow and become invested in. And the periphery characters were just right. And this was perfect reading for my January snowed in days. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Fun for the Whole Family had a lot of potential, but it ran into many of the same plot holes as other novels with a Big Traumatic Event (TM) that forces a group into years of silence. The cross country road trips were a surprising element, and I liked the structure that seeing all 50 states provided the story. I also appreciated the queer representation in Roddy. Overall, though, I thought some parts were underdeveloped (the mom, her leaving their family, the dad's role in it all) and others overdeveloped (the siblings roles in their family, everyone's distaste for Jude, Gemma's chronic oldest sibling woes).

Loved this book. A big family drama that really pulled me in. Well written and compelling

The only thing I didn't like was the title. It doesn't capture the feel of this book in my opinion

I could not put this book down. The story of this family was extremely compelling and well-written. Each character had depth and felt very real, as did their journeys.

Though fast-paced, this family saga packs an emotional punch. It's been three years since a family rift tore the four Endicott siblings apart, but a summons from youngest sister Jude brings them--along with children and significant others--together for a weekend of forced family fun. As children, their erratic mother and workaholic father left most of the child rearing up to eldest sibling Gemma, the only one who did not go on to become an "extraordinary" talent. But actress Jude, professional athlete Roddy, and novelist Connor are all floundering--if not in their professional lives, then in their personal lives. And the secrets Jude's keeping--the reason she's called her siblings together after years apart--threaten to upend everything again.

Chapters that alternate between present day and the past shed a light on the siblings' upbringing and the turmoil their largely absent mother wrought during their childhood, including the fallout from one memorable night that changed everything. Told in shifting perspectives (each Endicott sibling gets their due), nobody's story feels shortchanged and each siblings' motivations are clear. It was easy to guess Jude's secrets, but that didn't make the ending any less emotional after spending time with the Endicotts.

I couldn't put this book down, and stayed up way too late to finish it. The plot follows four siblings as they navigate adulthood, weaving in and processing their upbringing over a snowy, reunion trip. I loved the character development and learning about their relationships as each chapter progressed. Secrets, forgiveness, and imperfect humans doing the best they can. This novel hit several heart strings, and it will stay with me awhile. A must read for 2025! Thank you to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the ARC.

Follows for adult siblings in present day while flashing back to their childhood road trips with their mom. Each character is well defined and there’s something to like about each of them. Great story about family dynamics, even if some of the plot lines are a little predictable.

4.5 ⭐️ wow this one has been sitting on my TBR for far too long and im kicking myself for waiting so long to read this. The saga of the Endicotts is bravely human, often hilarious, and occasionally dangerous. I laughed, I cried, and even felt a bit of intrigued at the mysteries set up and revealed through the book. Utterly captivating!

Such a lovely novel about siblings! I am grateful I got this book from NetGalley and have already started recommending it to my friends

This family drama was surprisingly sweet and poignant, I loved the deep dives into the imperfect siblings, their relationships, and the things often left unsaid. In their own ways, they were all equal parts endearing and beyond frustrating! Overall the writing felt medium paced with character development really pushing the narrative. Great read!

I had not read any of Jennifer E. Smith's previous works so I was not sure what to expect. I know that this is minor but I think the publishing company did a disservice to this book by the cover. The cover made me think that this was a lighthearted book and it is anything but. '

This is a story of four siblings that did not grow up in a traditional way. A disconnected workaholic father and an absent. mother who would show up every summer to take her kids on a road trip.

The book alternates between each sibling and the past and the present.

This is a story showing how misunderstandings and lack of communication can have such an impact on a family. This is not a lighthearted story but did make me chuckle a few times. It is a story that will make you think about your relationships with other, it will rip out your heart and then it will stitch it back together. Get a box of tissues ready.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Four siblings that grew up in the most dysfunctional manner. A father that was physically present, but emotionally unavailable. A mother that came around once a year to sweep them away on a road trip across the country before taking them back home and disappearing again.

They’re now adults with full lives and plenty of baggage. Also, they're attempting to reconnect after not speaking to each other for three years.

For the first half of this novel I felt as if I was having a conversation with a friend that only wanted me to know the pretty version of their problems. I desperately needed to hear the ugly truth. The author moved us back and forth through time as we learned about their past and their attempt at reconnecting in the present day.

While I did enjoy my time with these characters and in the end felt as if the author wrapped the story up perfectly. I wish we hadn’t stayed in the shallow end of the pool for most of it.

⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Fun for the Whole Family follows the mostly estranged Endicott siblings as they come together for a weekend in an attempt to repair their fractured relationship after spending years apart. When they were children, their mother left to follow her dreams of becoming an actress but would return every summer to take them on an epic road trip. Told through multiple POVs and weaving back and forth from the past and the present, we learn how the Endicott siblings became virtual strangers and navigate the truths that unfold leading them to reexamine the way they see each other, their mother, and their future.

This was my introduction to Jennifer E. Smith and will not be my last. I was impressed with how full the characters felt and how excellently she told their story through multiple POVs. I would recommend this to any of my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful read! Jennifer E. Smith's Fun for the Whole Family is like a warm hug in book form. This charming story follows the Johnsons, a family that's a little bit quirky and a whole lot lovable. As they stumble through life's crazy moments together, you'll find yourself laughing, cringing, and rooting for them every step of the way. If you're looking for a book that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, grab yourself a copy of Fun for the Whole Family!

Fun for the Whole Family is a heartwarming, sometime heartbreaking story about the four Endicott siblings. Although they could not really count on their parents, they could always count on each other…..until a horrible fight reduces their interactions to a couple of yearly texts.

Told from multiple points of view, we get to know each sibling through their triumphs, struggles, fears and regrets. The characters are well developed, vulnerable and very likable.

I look forward to reading more by Jennifer E Smith.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Having read The Unsinkable Greta James, I was excited for this one and it did not disappoint! I love a good family drama and the Endicotts certainly deliver. Each character remained distinct and were so real. The sibling bickering was very realistic, and I loved the scenes where they're all together (meeting at the Inn, having dinner their first night in Portree, etc.) Recommend this one for people who also love a good family drama!