Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is the story of the Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude. Each member of the family has their story and their challenges and of course it all starts to unfold as they gather for the first time in years. I enjoyed the journey with this dysfunctional family.
4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Fun for the Whole Family is available now.

I LOVED The Unsinkable Greta James, so I had really high expectations for Fun for the Whole Family. It didn't quite live up to Greta, but it was a heartfelt (and sometimes heart-wrenching) novel about family and, most importantly, the bond between siblings!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was an absolute delight - the author writes families so well. She wrote such incredible complexity and makes each family member feel like one of my own!

I really loved this whole story and find it to be a hard one to really promote. It's for sure one to read!

Fun for the Whole Family is a great read about family drama. The book follows 4 siblings, Gemma, Connor, Roddy and Jude. Their bond was brought on by their absent mother, who would only pop up to take them in vacation during the summer months.

Decades later, a text out of the blue from now movie star Jude brings them to North Dakota, one of the states they didn't visit on their roadtrips as kids. Each sibling is battling something internally. Gemma, who was a pseudo mother to the others, isn't sure she wants to be one. Connor is fresh off his divorce and is suffering writers block. Roddy is debating one more season of soccer or spending time with his fiancé. Jude is holding onto a secret that could change their lives forever.

I really enjoyed this novel and was able to finish it within a few days. This is a must read for anyone that likes family dramas.

This book completely exceeded my expectations! I looove a good family story, and this delivered in every possible way. I finished this book around 2am and sat in bed silently crying as my fiancé slept next to me. A MILLION TIMES YES to this one. I’m definitely checking out more of this author’s books!

My absolute favorite kind of book. Truly an emotional journey that also had me laughing out loud.
Jennifer writes families in a way that leaves me wanting a sequel. I felt the same with Field Notes on Love. I also love how much she incorporates Geography into her stories. I genuine mix of all my favorites. This is a tear-jerker though, you have been warned.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 [sniffle].75 Stars

This is a perfect example of not judging a book by the cover. This could be an excellent, star-studded cast movie! I did NOT expect this plot and the way it unfolded. I went in blind. This is the 2nd or 3rd book this year with almost a comical cartoon cover that lends itself to a less-serious feel for a novel.

This story is about complications, missed moments, dynamics and above all, FAMILY… the good, the bad and the glue.

Once again, I’m so thankful that NetGalley allowed me to read something that I otherwise would NOT have picked up on my own.

Were scenes corny at times? Yes. But it made this book feel genuine. I think my age helped here, bc I’ve seen these varied “characters” throughout my lifetime. Each of them have had to be either nurtured
or let go. This book felt like that. Loved it.

I enjoyed reading this and thinking about my own family--the love, surprises, dysfunction, healing, unmet expectations, misunderstandings, inside jokes, and peace in each other's company. Well done.

2.5 stars

The Endicott siblings, once inseparable, reunite after years of estrangement when Jude, a famous actress, calls them to come to North Dakota. Each sibling faces some personal challenges and there are secrets held that could alter their lives forever.

I thought this would be a lighthearted road-trip book, but the road-trip sections are small, organized by state, and try too hard to provide relevant details to the characters in the present day, but very quickly began to feel like filler. The present day timeline(s) felt like a collision course for a set of characters coming together, only to be underdeveloped and flattened out. And, once again in my reading, the present tense here drove me a little nuts. It's hard to feel connected to characters written in present tense because the golf commentary bend lends itself to an automatic step back from the narrative...more space between the reader and the story, which I think is the opposite intention in this book about a family returning to each other.

This was a beautiful family story. I loved the character development and how nuanced our familial relationships can be. I highly recommend this for people who enjoy reading about sibling relationships, and if you are a fan of Blue Sisters I think you would really like this one. Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this eARC!

3.75 stars for a solid family drama focusing on closely on sibling relationships. I really enjoyed the character development, their individual personalties, and how their stories intertwined with each other. The dual timelines worked well in building the full story and I liked the different perspectives. There is an overall plot with the siblings and their relationship with their parents and each other, while each character had their own subplot as well. There is plenty of dysfunction and struggle as years old secrets are unveiled throughout the story, but I loved seeing the bond between the siblings and how they worked through difficult themes together. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Emotional family reads aren’t normally my thing, but I saw the early buzz about this one and I’m so glad I decided to branch out of my usual reading comfort zone!

The Endicott siblings (Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude) were once inseparable, bound by the absence of their unpredictable mother and the summer road trips she’d sweep them away on. Now, they haven’t spoken in years. When Jude, now a famous actress, sends a mysterious text asking them to meet in North Dakota, they reluctantly show up, each carrying their own baggage.

I loved the slow unraveling of sibling dynamics and the way each character was flawed but so fully drawn. The structure was compelling, with secrets layered in at just the right pace. I also appreciated how the road trip motif came back into play. It’s a story about distance, forgiveness, and the complicated love between siblings...and it delivers.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

Fun For the Whole Family is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant story that captures the joys, tensions, and complexities of modern family life with warmth, wit, and wisdom. From the very first page, I was completely drawn in by Smith’s signature charm and knack for creating characters that feel achingly real.

The novel strikes the perfect balance between humor and heart, offering laugh-out-loud moments alongside deeply moving reflections on love, legacy, and the ties that bind us. Each member of the family is rendered with such nuance that you can’t help but root for them — even when they’re messy or misguided. The dialogue sparkles, the pacing is pitch-perfect, and the themes will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Jennifer E. Smith or new to her work, this book is not to be missed. Fun For the Whole Family is exactly that — a richly layered, thoroughly enjoyable novel that speaks to readers of all ages. A total delight from start to finish!

I loved this heartwarming family story. Smith explores the bonds between siblings and the ups-and-downs of those perennial relationships. I loved the characters and I felt like I knew them. Their inner thoughts and dialogue was so realistic and the love they felt for each other was palpable. The story had its predictable moments but there were turns I didn’t expect. The story had a few holes—my book club wanted more information about the parents in particular. The dad was barely mentioned, their mother was a mystery and the dynamics of their parents’ relationship was not explored at all—I suspect Smith did this on purpose to emphasize the importance of the sibling bond. It didn’t keep me from enjoying this funny and moving story. It would make a fantastic movie!

I'm fairly new to my family drama era, but I had a feeling this would be one that worked for me. I'm happy to say, I was right. This follows four adult siblings, Gemma, Connor, Roddy and Jude, and their tumultuous relationship with each other and their complicated childhood. Jude calls them altogether for a weekend away after three years of not talking, forcing them to reconnect and face their past mistakes. Sometimes, four POVs can seem like to many, but these siblings were all so distinctive and unique. I definitely enjoyed reading from the elder two's perspective the most, but all brought something to the table, and all have their own unique struggles, with marriage, careers, parenthood, and when it comes to Jude, a few secrets she plans on confessing. I have to say that I knew at least one of them from pretty early on, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. If anything, it made the emotional moments hit even harder. I think this is the kind of book that will work for everyone, with all of its heart, humor and tragedy, and I hope to get it for our library. I was really pleasantly surprised by my whole journey with it.

When their mother left to pursue stardom, their family was altered forever. Gemma was pushed into a parental role with her three younger siblings and the others were desperate to gain their elusive mom's attention. Each summer, they would spend time on a road trip with her as she showed them the country. In her absence, the children developed a type of closeness that no one thought would ever break. However, as adults, something has shattered their bonds and isolated them from each other. When the superstar, Jude, reaches out, the siblings must determine whether they are willing to risk love again and reunite in North Dakota. I was hooked right away and eagerly read to see what was going to happen with this family. Five stars!

I loved Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith. This was a five star read for me and will probably be one of my favorite books of 2025. I really enjoy reading about large families and the four main characters in this book were all relatable. This book had me engaged from beginning to end. 100% recommend!

I really enjoyed Jennifer Smith's previous book, The Unsinkable Greta James, and was really excited to receive an advanced copy of this one -- I liked this one even more!

I always love a book with big families and messy dynamics, and this had both. I loved each of the characters and their flaws, and was really rooting for Gemma and Jude especially. I loved Connor's relationship with his kids, as he navigates his new life post-divorce,

This book was very fast paced as it moved between narrators and time periods -- made it very accessible and impossible to put down.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys family sagas and road trip/travel books -- this one was both sweet and sincere, and will make you smile and break your heart. I can't wait to read what Jennifer Smith writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I was expecting Fun for the Whole Family to be a laugh out loud comedy but it’s actually a really heartwarming story about a family of four siblings. They all have unique stories and secrets. There are a few funny moments but mostly it’s the siblings working through past family drama that split them apart years ago. This is beautifully written and the way everything unfolds is executed so well. I had a very hard time putting this down until the end.

Big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to read and review!

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is a poignant and heartfelt novel that explores the complexities of sibling relationships, personal ambitions, and the weight of family secrets.

Jennifer E. Smith masterfully crafts a story centered around the four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—who were once inseparable, bound together by the absence of their enigmatic mother. Their childhood summers were spent on sprawling road trips across the country, but as adults, they’ve drifted apart. When Jude, now a famous actress, unexpectedly summons them to a small town in North Dakota, they are forced to confront their past and the secrets that have shaped their lives.

Smith’s storytelling shines through her ability to balance multiple perspectives, seamlessly weaving between past and present. Each sibling carries their own emotional baggage: Gemma, who sacrificed her own dreams to care for the others, now questions whether she wants to be a mother herself; Connor, a celebrated novelist, struggles with writer’s block and the fallout of his divorce; Roddy, a professional soccer player nearing retirement, faces a difficult choice between his career and his future husband; and Jude, seemingly the most put-together, harbors three life-altering secrets.

The novel is a beautifully written exploration of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the enduring power of family bonds. Smith’s prose is both intimate and expansive, taking readers on a journey through memories, regrets, and second chances. The road trip flashbacks add depth to the narrative, offering insight into the siblings’ shared history and the emotional scars left by their mother’s fleeting presence. With its rich character development and emotional depth, Fun for the Whole Family is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and family dramas.