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Fun for the Whole Family
A breathtaking, joy-filled novel about the people we love, the secrets we keep, and the enduring power of family, from the bestselling author of The Unsinkable Greta James.
The four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—were once inseparable, a bond created by the absence of their dazzling, mercurial mother, who would return for a few weeks each summer to whisk them off on sprawling road trips around the country.
Decades later, the unthinkable has the Endicotts haven’t spoken in years . . . until an out-of-the-blue text arrives from Jude, now a famous actress, summoning them to a small town in North Dakota. They’re each at a Gemma, who put her own ambitions aside to raise the others, now isn’t sure if she wants to be a mother herself; Connor, a celebrated novelist, is floundering after his recent divorce and suffering from an epic case of writer’s block; and Roddy, at the tail end of a professional soccer career, is dangerously close to losing his future husband for the chance at one last season.
Jude is the only Endicott who seems to have it all together—but appearances can be deceiving. As the weekend unfolds, and the siblings wrestle with their shared past and uncertain futures, they’ll discover that Jude has been keeping three secrets . . . each of which could change everything.
A captivating journey and an ode to forgiveness that takes readers across all fifty states, Fun for the Whole Family brims with heart and resonates long after the final page.
The four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—were once inseparable, a bond created by the absence of their dazzling, mercurial mother, who would return for a few weeks each summer to whisk them off on sprawling road trips around the country.
Decades later, the unthinkable has the Endicotts haven’t spoken in years . . . until an out-of-the-blue text arrives from Jude, now a famous actress, summoning them to a small town in North Dakota. They’re each at a Gemma, who put her own ambitions aside to raise the others, now isn’t sure if she wants to be a mother herself; Connor, a celebrated novelist, is floundering after his recent divorce and suffering from an epic case of writer’s block; and Roddy, at the tail end of a professional soccer career, is dangerously close to losing his future husband for the chance at one last season.
Jude is the only Endicott who seems to have it all together—but appearances can be deceiving. As the weekend unfolds, and the siblings wrestle with their shared past and uncertain futures, they’ll discover that Jude has been keeping three secrets . . . each of which could change everything.
A captivating journey and an ode to forgiveness that takes readers across all fifty states, Fun for the Whole Family brims with heart and resonates long after the final page.
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First published April 8, 2025
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About the author
Jennifer E. Smith
25 books7,716 followersJennifer E. Smith is the author of nine books for young adults, including The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between, both of which were recently adapted for film. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and her writing has been translated into 33 languages. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,684 reviews
July 14, 2025
my name is emma and my secret talent is tracking down books about siblings.
it was a truly bold choice to, in 368 pages, attempt to render on-page 4 siblings reconciling, the 40 years of their lives leading up to the falling out, 4 separate romantic plotlines, two offspring, a terminal illness diagnosis, a potentially unwanted pregnancy or potentially unwanted lack thereof, writer's block, an oscars campaign, the exploration of north dakota, a major power outage, 2-3 huge secrets, and a small stuffed penguin who must be photographed for class.
some of it worked better than others.
i really liked the four siblings and i thought their complicated relationships felt real and layered, but everything else just felt like an annoying use of page-time. in particular, each of the four siblings' romantic partners was a distraction from the actual story. there was no way they could all be full characters, and they very much weren't. it led to their use as a strange manic pixie dream way to kill time between plot points.
but this is a book about siblings so i like it.
bottom line: more of the stuff i like, less of the stuff i don't!
(3.5 / thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
it was a truly bold choice to, in 368 pages, attempt to render on-page 4 siblings reconciling, the 40 years of their lives leading up to the falling out, 4 separate romantic plotlines, two offspring, a terminal illness diagnosis, a potentially unwanted pregnancy or potentially unwanted lack thereof, writer's block, an oscars campaign, the exploration of north dakota, a major power outage, 2-3 huge secrets, and a small stuffed penguin who must be photographed for class.
some of it worked better than others.
i really liked the four siblings and i thought their complicated relationships felt real and layered, but everything else just felt like an annoying use of page-time. in particular, each of the four siblings' romantic partners was a distraction from the actual story. there was no way they could all be full characters, and they very much weren't. it led to their use as a strange manic pixie dream way to kill time between plot points.
but this is a book about siblings so i like it.
bottom line: more of the stuff i like, less of the stuff i don't!
(3.5 / thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
November 7, 2024
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There’s no such thing as fun for the whole family. —Jerry Seinfeld
I loved this book, it was so realistic regarding family dynamics and even though the siblings are extraordinary I think everyone will see a bit of their family in this one. There's lots of strife and we get to see every side of every family member. I loved the format of the book each character has a chapter in the past while travelling the different states they went to with their mother on their summer trips and then we get that character’s chapter in the present.
After not seeing each other for three years the four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude, plus Conner’s two kids and Roddy’s future spouse all go to Colorado for a weekend reunion. While they’re at a cabin they get stuck inside because of a snowstorm and they have no power. There are a couple of surprises sprung on the siblings while they are there and as much as I loved this book I figured out the surprises rather quickly and I found it rather anticlimatic and predictable. This was a five-star read for me until that happened. In my head, I kept thinking I bet Jude did this or Jude says that.
I love a good family drama and this was a wonderfully written story of family dynamics, following your dreams and forgiving the past. The way the characters related to each other and their issues really got to my emotions. Who can't relate to being the eldest, the middle child or the baby of the family? Throughout the entire book, I kept changing who was my favourite and who I didn't like. What didn’t change for me while reading was the fact that I thought both parents (for lack of a better word) were assholes. The parents were both absent. The mother was so stuck on following her dream of being an actress that she left her children and the father was a workaholic who left the rearing of the other three to the oldest daughter and I know what that's like. Overall this was an enjoyable, entertaining read about a bunch of siblings who really love each other, flaws and all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
There’s no such thing as fun for the whole family. —Jerry Seinfeld
I loved this book, it was so realistic regarding family dynamics and even though the siblings are extraordinary I think everyone will see a bit of their family in this one. There's lots of strife and we get to see every side of every family member. I loved the format of the book each character has a chapter in the past while travelling the different states they went to with their mother on their summer trips and then we get that character’s chapter in the present.
After not seeing each other for three years the four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude, plus Conner’s two kids and Roddy’s future spouse all go to Colorado for a weekend reunion. While they’re at a cabin they get stuck inside because of a snowstorm and they have no power. There are a couple of surprises sprung on the siblings while they are there and as much as I loved this book I figured out the surprises rather quickly and I found it rather anticlimatic and predictable. This was a five-star read for me until that happened. In my head, I kept thinking I bet Jude did this or Jude says that.
I love a good family drama and this was a wonderfully written story of family dynamics, following your dreams and forgiving the past. The way the characters related to each other and their issues really got to my emotions. Who can't relate to being the eldest, the middle child or the baby of the family? Throughout the entire book, I kept changing who was my favourite and who I didn't like. What didn’t change for me while reading was the fact that I thought both parents (for lack of a better word) were assholes. The parents were both absent. The mother was so stuck on following her dream of being an actress that she left her children and the father was a workaholic who left the rearing of the other three to the oldest daughter and I know what that's like. Overall this was an enjoyable, entertaining read about a bunch of siblings who really love each other, flaws and all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
September 3, 2025
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.
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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.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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August 26, 2025
I have been a fan of this author since seeing the movie based on her book (and reading the book, too), “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.” And, I wasn’t disappointed by her book, “The Unsinkable Greta James.” So, when this book came out, I was interested.
The author seems to be fascinated with families. Her books revolve around families. There are flaws or mysteries attached to them, quirky characters amongst them, and undoubtedly complicated relationships. This one is no different. Afterall, look at the title of the book! Still, how many families can boast a pro-athlete, famous actress and award-winning author in the same tumultuous mix of relatives? Believable?
So, why not have a family of estranged siblings being brought back together in hopes of reconciliation. What could possibly go wrong? Or right?
What the author wants readers to experience is hope and forgiveness amongst family through short chapters and changing points of view. And, even if it seemed a bit exaggerated and out-there, who doesn’t love a family filled with hope? I’m just not sure it was fun. For the whole family. Or readers. But please read other reviews, because I am undoubtedly an outlier here.
The author seems to be fascinated with families. Her books revolve around families. There are flaws or mysteries attached to them, quirky characters amongst them, and undoubtedly complicated relationships. This one is no different. Afterall, look at the title of the book! Still, how many families can boast a pro-athlete, famous actress and award-winning author in the same tumultuous mix of relatives? Believable?
So, why not have a family of estranged siblings being brought back together in hopes of reconciliation. What could possibly go wrong? Or right?
What the author wants readers to experience is hope and forgiveness amongst family through short chapters and changing points of view. And, even if it seemed a bit exaggerated and out-there, who doesn’t love a family filled with hope? I’m just not sure it was fun. For the whole family. Or readers. But please read other reviews, because I am undoubtedly an outlier here.
July 15, 2025
Meet the Extraordinary Endicotts . . . .
I’m a sucker for family stories to begin with and this one was so good it even made me blurb this little blurb to hopefully encourage some of you to add it to your mountain of to-reads as well.
The story here is of the Endicott siblings who have been pretty much estranged for the past three years ever since Connor won the National Book Award for spilling the family’s story via a “metaphorical interpretation” of their lives. Now Connor is a divorced dad with writer’s block. There’s Roddy – scheduled to be married to Winston in a week, but with an offer to relocate to Orlando for a swan song of one final season as a professional soccer player that might derail the impending nuptials. Gemma might come off as the “boring” one in a family of such overachievers, but truly she’s the glue who has always held things together as the mother hen figure . . . and now she’s anxiously awaiting news if she and her husband Mateo are finally going to have a baby of their own. And then there’s Jude the Oscar nominee who has brought the family together for this reunion to middle-of-nowhere North Dakota to hopefully reconcile and to come clean about some things she’s been keeping secret.
Man did I fall in love with all of these people. I even may have squirted a little tear. I’ll sure miss them. Every Star.
I’m a sucker for family stories to begin with and this one was so good it even made me blurb this little blurb to hopefully encourage some of you to add it to your mountain of to-reads as well.
The story here is of the Endicott siblings who have been pretty much estranged for the past three years ever since Connor won the National Book Award for spilling the family’s story via a “metaphorical interpretation” of their lives. Now Connor is a divorced dad with writer’s block. There’s Roddy – scheduled to be married to Winston in a week, but with an offer to relocate to Orlando for a swan song of one final season as a professional soccer player that might derail the impending nuptials. Gemma might come off as the “boring” one in a family of such overachievers, but truly she’s the glue who has always held things together as the mother hen figure . . . and now she’s anxiously awaiting news if she and her husband Mateo are finally going to have a baby of their own. And then there’s Jude the Oscar nominee who has brought the family together for this reunion to middle-of-nowhere North Dakota to hopefully reconcile and to come clean about some things she’s been keeping secret.
Man did I fall in love with all of these people. I even may have squirted a little tear. I’ll sure miss them. Every Star.
April 8, 2025
Families are complicated.
In this contemporary adult fiction novel, the Endicotts are more complicated than most. This story overflows with family drama, but it is told with warmth and sensitivity. I enjoyed this author's book, The Unsinkable Greta James, but I liked this book even more. Do not be fooled or deterred by the cartoonish appearance of the cover on this book. Though there are several lighthearted moments in the story, this is not a comedy.
I got a warm fuzzy feeling when I started reading this book because one of my favorite genres is family dramas. Be they historical or modern, I love to read about family relationships and their dynamics. This story highlights the past and present lives of four extraordinary siblings:
*Connor - a divorced, award-winning novelist with two children and writer's block,
*Roddy - a soon to be married successful soccer player nearing the end of his career,
*Jude - a famous Oscar nominated actress and Roddy's twin,
*Gemma - the older sister and glue that held the siblings together, until she couldn't anymore.
As children, the four siblings were abandoned by their irresponsible mother who only showed up once a year to take them on a road trip. As adults, after a three-year hiatus from each other, the siblings are joined together again to relive the joys and pains of their childhood, as well as share their current hopes, dreams, and secrets. Will it be possible for all of them to achieve forgiveness and acceptance?
This story is very well done. It is so well done that I quickly became invested in each of these character's individual lives and also their combined history. I was sorry to have to say goodbye to them at the end of this book.
Trust me, you will want to keep tissues nearby and by the time you finish this book you will want to find a map, a bunch of thumbtacks, and call your siblings or closest friends.
I would recommend this book to fans of Jojo Moyes, Colleen Hoover, or Taylor Jenkins Reid, as well as readers who love contemporary fiction novels with an emphasis on family relationships.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
In this contemporary adult fiction novel, the Endicotts are more complicated than most. This story overflows with family drama, but it is told with warmth and sensitivity. I enjoyed this author's book, The Unsinkable Greta James, but I liked this book even more. Do not be fooled or deterred by the cartoonish appearance of the cover on this book. Though there are several lighthearted moments in the story, this is not a comedy.
I got a warm fuzzy feeling when I started reading this book because one of my favorite genres is family dramas. Be they historical or modern, I love to read about family relationships and their dynamics. This story highlights the past and present lives of four extraordinary siblings:
*Connor - a divorced, award-winning novelist with two children and writer's block,
*Roddy - a soon to be married successful soccer player nearing the end of his career,
*Jude - a famous Oscar nominated actress and Roddy's twin,
*Gemma - the older sister and glue that held the siblings together, until she couldn't anymore.
As children, the four siblings were abandoned by their irresponsible mother who only showed up once a year to take them on a road trip. As adults, after a three-year hiatus from each other, the siblings are joined together again to relive the joys and pains of their childhood, as well as share their current hopes, dreams, and secrets. Will it be possible for all of them to achieve forgiveness and acceptance?
This story is very well done. It is so well done that I quickly became invested in each of these character's individual lives and also their combined history. I was sorry to have to say goodbye to them at the end of this book.
Trust me, you will want to keep tissues nearby and by the time you finish this book you will want to find a map, a bunch of thumbtacks, and call your siblings or closest friends.
I would recommend this book to fans of Jojo Moyes, Colleen Hoover, or Taylor Jenkins Reid, as well as readers who love contemporary fiction novels with an emphasis on family relationships.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 23, 2025
I’m really trying to hold onto the story here because the audiobook experience was painful. Lauren Graham babe, narrating is not your strength.
The sibling story was very relatable and tender. So much heart and love in this story. I could relate to a bunch of it with my own siblings and hope nothing catastrophic happens in order for us to find each other again and prioritize our relationships.
The sibling story was very relatable and tender. So much heart and love in this story. I could relate to a bunch of it with my own siblings and hope nothing catastrophic happens in order for us to find each other again and prioritize our relationships.
December 4, 2025
▹TL;DR Review: Despite me never having heard of this before I read it, I ended up loving this sneakily wonderful read about family dynamics, secrets, and the emotions behind them all. I hope more people pick it up!
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: A multi-layered family drama about four siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—who grew up together but drifted apart, reuniting as adults when Jude unexpectedly invites them to a small town in North Dakota. During their reunion, buried secrets and childhood memories resurface, forcing them to confront the painful truths of their past, the fracturing caused by their absent parents, and whether their sibling bonds can survive forgiveness and honesty.
– Location: Several states, but primarily North Dakota
– POV: Multiple third-person (each of the four siblings), multiple timelines
– Spice: No-to-low spice (closed-door at most, but not descriptive); this is not a romance, but there are relationship elements
– Tropes: estranged siblings reunite, childhood trauma, secrets and revelations, road-trips, forced proximity
– Content warning: dysfunctional family dynamics, IVF/IUI, pains of partial custody, absent parents, traumatic fire incident (no fatalities), ovarian cancer, grief (death of parent), having to “parent” your siblings while you’re still a child yourself
– Representation: LGBTQ+ main character, divorced main character, character going through IVF/IUI, twins
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Hallelujah by HAIM
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ The best way I can describe this is that this story is like if The Haunting of Hill House wasn’t at all scary, and instead of a house being the main setting, it’s road-tripping across the US
➼ Books with complex family dynamics, like The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff, and The Guncle by Steven Rowley
➼ Meeting up in random locations to hash out family drama
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Light/Fluffy————————✧———Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I will be honest: I went into this book not expecting much. I had never heard of it or the author before, the synopsis was interesting, but what drew me in is that I was looking for a book set in North Dakota that wasn’t an old Louis L ’Amour or non-fiction.
While the North Dakota part of it is pretty generic and could be about nearly any midwestern state, it still captured the “middle-of-nowhere” vibes while not making fun of a specific location. The town they set up in is entirely fictional, but guys—it could have literally been written about the town I grew up in, so that’s pretty accurate! (minus the town walking tour, because idk any small towns in ND that offer those…or a zoo, but it’s ok)
For the story itself, it was heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s mostly realistic (albeit three of the four siblings end up being somewhat famous), and perfectly captures four siblings who are simultaneously nothing alike but also everything alike and how that caused them to fall out, but also come back together. I related to Connor the most, but could see bits of myself and my brother in all four characters, which honestly makes me tear up a bit just thinking about it…
…which brings me to the fact that…
…this book also made me ugly cry. Which—as someone who is mostly numb—I love. Bring me to tears and I’ll increase the star rating hahaha (unless the tears are from boredom or anger). Note: the crying happened only once, so it’s not like it’s a tearjerker through and through
Would I Recommend?: Yes—1000%. I don’t know why this book doesn’t have more “airtime”. I hope to see it recommended more on BookTok or Bookstagram or whatever the kids are using these days. I believe it deserves it.
But...the one thing that some readers might not like is all of the back and forth in the timelines. It can be kind of hard to follow at times.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: A multi-layered family drama about four siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—who grew up together but drifted apart, reuniting as adults when Jude unexpectedly invites them to a small town in North Dakota. During their reunion, buried secrets and childhood memories resurface, forcing them to confront the painful truths of their past, the fracturing caused by their absent parents, and whether their sibling bonds can survive forgiveness and honesty.
– Location: Several states, but primarily North Dakota
– POV: Multiple third-person (each of the four siblings), multiple timelines
– Spice: No-to-low spice (closed-door at most, but not descriptive); this is not a romance, but there are relationship elements
– Tropes: estranged siblings reunite, childhood trauma, secrets and revelations, road-trips, forced proximity
– Content warning: dysfunctional family dynamics, IVF/IUI, pains of partial custody, absent parents, traumatic fire incident (no fatalities), ovarian cancer, grief (death of parent), having to “parent” your siblings while you’re still a child yourself
– Representation: LGBTQ+ main character, divorced main character, character going through IVF/IUI, twins
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Hallelujah by HAIM
╰┈➤ ❝Laughing together like our thoughts are harmonized, been that way since ’95; Give me direction when it is hard to fight, three roads, one light…❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ The best way I can describe this is that this story is like if The Haunting of Hill House wasn’t at all scary, and instead of a house being the main setting, it’s road-tripping across the US
➼ Books with complex family dynamics, like The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff, and The Guncle by Steven Rowley
➼ Meeting up in random locations to hash out family drama
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Light/Fluffy————————✧———Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I will be honest: I went into this book not expecting much. I had never heard of it or the author before, the synopsis was interesting, but what drew me in is that I was looking for a book set in North Dakota that wasn’t an old Louis L ’Amour or non-fiction.
While the North Dakota part of it is pretty generic and could be about nearly any midwestern state, it still captured the “middle-of-nowhere” vibes while not making fun of a specific location. The town they set up in is entirely fictional, but guys—it could have literally been written about the town I grew up in, so that’s pretty accurate! (minus the town walking tour, because idk any small towns in ND that offer those…or a zoo, but it’s ok)
For the story itself, it was heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s mostly realistic (albeit three of the four siblings end up being somewhat famous), and perfectly captures four siblings who are simultaneously nothing alike but also everything alike and how that caused them to fall out, but also come back together. I related to Connor the most, but could see bits of myself and my brother in all four characters, which honestly makes me tear up a bit just thinking about it…
…which brings me to the fact that…
…this book also made me ugly cry. Which—
Would I Recommend?: Yes—1000%. I don’t know why this book doesn’t have more “airtime”. I hope to see it recommended more on BookTok or Bookstagram or whatever the kids are using these days. I believe it deserves it.
But...the one thing that some readers might not like is all of the back and forth in the timelines. It can be kind of hard to follow at times.
April 13, 2025
Wow this book took me by surprise! As someone who comes from a big family this storyline was deeply relatable— I love a sibling dynamic focused book. I thought the pacing was perfect and found myself sobbing at the end. This would make for a wonderful adaptation! I feel like fans of the show Parenthood or Gilmore Girls would love this read— speaking of- Lauren Graham narrates the audiobook and does a fantastic job! I highly highly recommend this read! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)
April 1, 2025
Jennifer E. Smith's upcoming novel, FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, is getting lots of buzz right now, and for good measure. This author's last book, The Unsinkable Greta James, was a very popular novel a few years back and readers are hungry for something new. Thank you to @prhaudio for providing me with a gifted ALC as I chose to take my journey with this book via audiobook route.
Once inseparable, the four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—drifted apart after a childhood shaped by their absent, free-spirited mother. Years later, an unexpected message from Jude, now a famous actress, reunites them in North Dakota, where long-buried tensions, life-altering decisions, and Jude’s three shocking secrets threaten to change everything.
This genre typically isn't my sort of read, but I enjoyed listening to it while working. This heartfelt, character-driven novel follows four estranged siblings reuniting after years apart, weaving together past and present timelines to explore their complex bond. Smith masterfully develops each sibling’s unique voice, making them feel authentic and easy to connect with, while balancing humor, heartbreak, and plenty of family drama. A beautifully narrated, slow-burn story filled with emotion, this is a must-read for fans of rich, character-driven family sagas. I immediately texted my family chat after wrapping this one up!
Once inseparable, the four Endicott siblings—Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude—drifted apart after a childhood shaped by their absent, free-spirited mother. Years later, an unexpected message from Jude, now a famous actress, reunites them in North Dakota, where long-buried tensions, life-altering decisions, and Jude’s three shocking secrets threaten to change everything.
This genre typically isn't my sort of read, but I enjoyed listening to it while working. This heartfelt, character-driven novel follows four estranged siblings reuniting after years apart, weaving together past and present timelines to explore their complex bond. Smith masterfully develops each sibling’s unique voice, making them feel authentic and easy to connect with, while balancing humor, heartbreak, and plenty of family drama. A beautifully narrated, slow-burn story filled with emotion, this is a must-read for fans of rich, character-driven family sagas. I immediately texted my family chat after wrapping this one up!
September 25, 2024
Have the tissues ready! 😭
I think this might be the book that brings Jennifer E. Smith to the top of the echelon.
I gave The Unsinkable Greta James only three stars when I initially read it, didn't leave a review, so I can't recall why I didn't care for it too much.
Fun for the Whole Family, which comes out in 2025, and takes place in 2025 (I felt like it seems like way in the future, though it's only a few months away), but also flashes back to the four Endicott siblings - Gemma, Conner, and Roddy & Jude who are twins, who share an unbreakable bond.
The four, who grew up with a non-existent father, and a mother who only came around during the summers and took them on endless road trips, are brought back together by an abrupt text from Jude to come to North Dakota for a weekend. It’s been nearly three years of barely talking after a mysterious disentanglement of sorts.
Each sibling is well defined:
Gemma - married, figuring out whether she wants to be a mother after raising her three siblings her entire life. The "least" successful of the four.
Conner - a famous and successful writer who also brings his charming kids to North Dakota.
Roddy - a famous soccer player who is poised for retirement, and brings his fiance Winston to the trip.
Jude - a very famous actress who was just nominated for an Oscar and has a few secrets of her own to share during the weekend.
I found this dive into a family broken apart, though you can tell from the beginning that no love has truly been lost, such a fun take on the binds that bring families together. The characters and relationships were touching and believable. By the end, I was literally in tears, and you will find yourself grabbing a tissue or two.
This is a very character driven book, never boring, so if this is your cup of tea, you will love it.
My only caveat is there are a few secrets that need to be discussed, but I found them to be a bit anticlimactic, when it comes to their past. I wish there was more descriptions of their parents, who left such a lasting impression on each of them.
But all in all, I can see this being a Reese book of the month!
I think this might be the book that brings Jennifer E. Smith to the top of the echelon.
I gave The Unsinkable Greta James only three stars when I initially read it, didn't leave a review, so I can't recall why I didn't care for it too much.
Fun for the Whole Family, which comes out in 2025, and takes place in 2025 (I felt like it seems like way in the future, though it's only a few months away), but also flashes back to the four Endicott siblings - Gemma, Conner, and Roddy & Jude who are twins, who share an unbreakable bond.
The four, who grew up with a non-existent father, and a mother who only came around during the summers and took them on endless road trips, are brought back together by an abrupt text from Jude to come to North Dakota for a weekend. It’s been nearly three years of barely talking after a mysterious disentanglement of sorts.
Each sibling is well defined:
Gemma - married, figuring out whether she wants to be a mother after raising her three siblings her entire life. The "least" successful of the four.
Conner - a famous and successful writer who also brings his charming kids to North Dakota.
Roddy - a famous soccer player who is poised for retirement, and brings his fiance Winston to the trip.
Jude - a very famous actress who was just nominated for an Oscar and has a few secrets of her own to share during the weekend.
I found this dive into a family broken apart, though you can tell from the beginning that no love has truly been lost, such a fun take on the binds that bring families together. The characters and relationships were touching and believable. By the end, I was literally in tears, and you will find yourself grabbing a tissue or two.
This is a very character driven book, never boring, so if this is your cup of tea, you will love it.
My only caveat is there are a few secrets that need to be discussed, but I found them to be a bit anticlimactic, when it comes to their past. I wish there was more descriptions of their parents, who left such a lasting impression on each of them.
But all in all, I can see this being a Reese book of the month!
April 20, 2025
Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude haven't spoken or been close for a long time.
When Jude sends a text asking each one of her siblings to meet her in North Dakota, they all balk at the idea at first, but are curious what it's about.
Sooooo - they all head to Portree, North Dakota, to see what's happening.
It's a bit awkward for everyone, but at least they are together and perhaps can mend all the broken pieces.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is written in two timelines in alternating chapters.
The past is about their absent mother who always returned at the end of summer and took them on trips across the United States to different states.
The present is getting to know each other again.
Will they mend what became broken?
Will they become close again?
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is a light read, but also a heartbreaking read. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
When Jude sends a text asking each one of her siblings to meet her in North Dakota, they all balk at the idea at first, but are curious what it's about.
Sooooo - they all head to Portree, North Dakota, to see what's happening.
It's a bit awkward for everyone, but at least they are together and perhaps can mend all the broken pieces.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is written in two timelines in alternating chapters.
The past is about their absent mother who always returned at the end of summer and took them on trips across the United States to different states.
The present is getting to know each other again.
Will they mend what became broken?
Will they become close again?
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is a light read, but also a heartbreaking read. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 30, 2025
This was a really solid family drama with lots of lovable and endearing characters and plenty of relatable moments. Each sibling was well developed and had a distinct and strong voice and their personalities were all authentic feeling. Parts were funny, parts were heartbreaking but overall a really good family story. Plus the narration was SO good
February 28, 2025
Fun for the Whole Family was a heartfelt, nostalgia-laced journey through sibling bonds, old wounds, and the messy, complicated love that holds a family together—even when they’ve fallen apart. Jennifer E. Smith crafted a story that was equal parts poignant and hopeful, weaving together the lives of the four Endicott siblings with warmth and honesty.
The fractured dynamics between Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude felt raw and real, shaped by their unconventional upbringing and the absence of a mother who was more myth than parent. Their reunion was tense, layered, and deeply emotional, each of them grappling with past resentments and present uncertainties.
The writing was tender and introspective, filled with quiet but powerful moments of reconciliation, self-discovery, and second chances. This was a story about growing up, growing apart, and ultimately finding your way back to the people who know you best. It was full of love at its core.
A touching, reflective read—perfect for fans of sibling dramas, road trip nostalgia, and stories that remind you that family, no matter how broken, is worth fighting for.
The fractured dynamics between Gemma, Connor, Roddy, and Jude felt raw and real, shaped by their unconventional upbringing and the absence of a mother who was more myth than parent. Their reunion was tense, layered, and deeply emotional, each of them grappling with past resentments and present uncertainties.
The writing was tender and introspective, filled with quiet but powerful moments of reconciliation, self-discovery, and second chances. This was a story about growing up, growing apart, and ultimately finding your way back to the people who know you best. It was full of love at its core.
A touching, reflective read—perfect for fans of sibling dramas, road trip nostalgia, and stories that remind you that family, no matter how broken, is worth fighting for.
September 9, 2025
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
A mantra that probably defines what it feels like when you're pushing through a read that doesn't seem to be all that, but when your mindset is that you have to reach the finish line, even if it is not fun. Well, truly, the only way out is through. 🙍🏻♀️
I did not have fun reading this. 🙅🏻♀️
The story was overflowing with too much content and not enough context. Like an overstuffed turkey, it felt like the author had a checklist which had to be incorporated for each of the characters' arcs - sorry, for the lame baseball analogy - so that it could cover all the bases, without the reader ever touching home plate with any of the characters. That's one way to put it. ����🏻♀️ Oh, I don't mean that all the characters didn't get their due Hollywood ending.
“Time, after all, is not an infinite resource. And they’ve lost too much of it already.”
Because that is what it felt like I was reading. A Made for Hollywood script that cues and ensues on the family drama, angst, health scares and lies and secrets abounding galore, only for the members to hurdle their way through an obstacle course, before coming out not un-scatched - emotionally or physically - but stronger mentally and familial-wise so. 🙄
Predictable and forgettable, without truly leaving a lasting impression.
Tackling four unique perspectives into just another day in the life of the Extraordinary Endicotts and then some, reminds me how okay it is to be just ordinary. 🥺 Each of them has their burden of truth weighing on them that really just felt so cliche of life. Yes, some will argue that is life, but it brought no feeling in me, for how scripted everything felt concerning their anger or resentment—or maybe, if she’s very lucky, forgiveness.
From the homely wholesomeness, to their lashing out, to the obvious heartbreak and heartache, to the effort of covering fifty states of a road trip, which then gave me a headache in order to portray how distance is not a factor when it comes to missing someone. 😣 We get these quick brief snippets of timestamps that illustrate how their own willful stubbornness prevents them from reaching out, regardless of how much they want to. 😞
“If you haven’t made at least a few big mistakes, you haven’t really lived.”
I have some choice words I'd like to say about Frankie, but I'm neither a mother nor an expert on motherhood, so heaves a heavy heavy heavy sigh... Let's just leave it at that. I did not like her version of motherhood, regardless of what was revealed. Well, then one will argue in her favor that the absentee father also played a part, so oh well, definitely not the best example of parenting, but to each their own... 😒
A three day weekend in an effort to salvage their sibling relationship that went off the fritz after an explosive fallout where their families' life was exposed for all to dissect and tear apart. In all fairness, I do think their anger was justified. 'Yeah. Life is really unfair sometimes, isn’t it?' But, I just did not find myself caring about something that the youngest sibling, Jude, hoped would be Fun for the Whole Family where they could reconcile and forget about your worries and your strife, because time heals all wounds. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
As heartless a grouchy-puss as I do feel upon reading my own words back at me, there were a few meaningful messages that one could walk away from. Time finds a way to forgive past grievances, but shedding light on truths untold. 😢 Not secrets buried, but truths that change what the heart feels and thinks. Don't hide things from your family.
Nothing is infinite, most of all time and life, so make the most of what opportunity provides. Learn to forgive and --- not forget, but grieve and heal together, because we're all in this together. 🫂 Family ties are the strongest bonds ever - severing them never helps anyone. Love and learn and grow in the process for the sake of your own happiness, and for your loved ones, too. 🫶🏻
“It won’t be fun,” she said. “But the only way out is through.”
A mantra that probably defines what it feels like when you're pushing through a read that doesn't seem to be all that, but when your mindset is that you have to reach the finish line, even if it is not fun. Well, truly, the only way out is through. 🙍🏻♀️
I did not have fun reading this. 🙅🏻♀️
The story was overflowing with too much content and not enough context. Like an overstuffed turkey, it felt like the author had a checklist which had to be incorporated for each of the characters' arcs - sorry, for the lame baseball analogy - so that it could cover all the bases, without the reader ever touching home plate with any of the characters. That's one way to put it. ����🏻♀️ Oh, I don't mean that all the characters didn't get their due Hollywood ending.
“Time, after all, is not an infinite resource. And they’ve lost too much of it already.”
Because that is what it felt like I was reading. A Made for Hollywood script that cues and ensues on the family drama, angst, health scares and lies and secrets abounding galore, only for the members to hurdle their way through an obstacle course, before coming out not un-scatched - emotionally or physically - but stronger mentally and familial-wise so. 🙄
Predictable and forgettable, without truly leaving a lasting impression.
Tackling four unique perspectives into just another day in the life of the Extraordinary Endicotts and then some, reminds me how okay it is to be just ordinary. 🥺 Each of them has their burden of truth weighing on them that really just felt so cliche of life. Yes, some will argue that is life, but it brought no feeling in me, for how scripted everything felt concerning their anger or resentment—or maybe, if she’s very lucky, forgiveness.
From the homely wholesomeness, to their lashing out, to the obvious heartbreak and heartache, to the effort of covering fifty states of a road trip, which then gave me a headache in order to portray how distance is not a factor when it comes to missing someone. 😣 We get these quick brief snippets of timestamps that illustrate how their own willful stubbornness prevents them from reaching out, regardless of how much they want to. 😞
“If you haven’t made at least a few big mistakes, you haven’t really lived.”
I have some choice words I'd like to say about Frankie, but I'm neither a mother nor an expert on motherhood, so heaves a heavy heavy heavy sigh... Let's just leave it at that. I did not like her version of motherhood, regardless of what was revealed. Well, then one will argue in her favor that the absentee father also played a part, so oh well, definitely not the best example of parenting, but to each their own... 😒
A three day weekend in an effort to salvage their sibling relationship that went off the fritz after an explosive fallout where their families' life was exposed for all to dissect and tear apart. In all fairness, I do think their anger was justified. 'Yeah. Life is really unfair sometimes, isn’t it?' But, I just did not find myself caring about something that the youngest sibling, Jude, hoped would be Fun for the Whole Family where they could reconcile and forget about your worries and your strife, because time heals all wounds. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
As heartless a grouchy-puss as I do feel upon reading my own words back at me, there were a few meaningful messages that one could walk away from. Time finds a way to forgive past grievances, but shedding light on truths untold. 😢 Not secrets buried, but truths that change what the heart feels and thinks. Don't hide things from your family.
Nothing is infinite, most of all time and life, so make the most of what opportunity provides. Learn to forgive and --- not forget, but grieve and heal together, because we're all in this together. 🫂 Family ties are the strongest bonds ever - severing them never helps anyone. Love and learn and grow in the process for the sake of your own happiness, and for your loved ones, too. 🫶🏻
February 18, 2025
This is a story of siblings, and the lives that they lived during their younger years, as well as when they grew to be adults, and how their lives were shaped, somewhat, by their mother. Once upon a time, they were very close, but as their lives diverged over the years, they haven’t spent much time together. And so, eventually, they gather together for a weekend where secrets are revealed, some wisdom found, and their bond a bit stronger.
Pub Date: 08 Apr 2025
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Ballantine Books
May 8, 2025
I wish I had liked this more! It did not work for me at all unfortunately. Characters felt very flat and plot felt extremely predictable. Had to push to get through it. Premise was cute. Maybe I was just not in the right mood to enjoy this one.
June 3, 2025
The extraordinary Endicotts - Gemma is the eldest, Connor is second in line, and the fraternal twins, Jude and Roddy. They used to be a close-knit foursome most of their lives, but a big fight three years prior meant they stopped talking to each other.
Now in their late thirties and early forties, they are all at crossroads in their respective lives. When the famous Oscar-nominated actress, Jude, beckons them to meet her in a small town in North Dakota, they all go. Will they mend their broken relationship?
Read to find out.
Childhood trauma, secrets, memories and family roles are some of the prevalent themes. The characters were well drawn, the foreshadowing didn't drag, and the crisp writing style made for an excellent novel.
If you enjoy reading family sagas, this novel should appeal. The title and the cover make this novel seem fluffy (not that there's anything wrong with that), it's much better than that.
Now in their late thirties and early forties, they are all at crossroads in their respective lives. When the famous Oscar-nominated actress, Jude, beckons them to meet her in a small town in North Dakota, they all go. Will they mend their broken relationship?
Read to find out.
Childhood trauma, secrets, memories and family roles are some of the prevalent themes. The characters were well drawn, the foreshadowing didn't drag, and the crisp writing style made for an excellent novel.
If you enjoy reading family sagas, this novel should appeal. The title and the cover make this novel seem fluffy (not that there's anything wrong with that), it's much better than that.
November 29, 2024
I was desperately needing a palate cleanser and thought this would be a light, fluffy feel good book but it was anything but.
Fun for the Whole Family is told through the perspectives of siblings: Jude, Gemma, Roddy and Connor as they reunite after not speaking for years. We get flash backs of their roadtrips throughout their childhood spliced between chapters.
I loved the road trip chapters as we got little glimpses into their lives with their wild artist mother. I loved Gemma and Jude but Roddy and Connor seemed like bland characters. I just ended up not feeling connected to the story half way through. And the ending was just upsetting to me. I enjoyed the writing though so I will be reading something else from Jennifer E. Smith.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
Fun for the Whole Family is told through the perspectives of siblings: Jude, Gemma, Roddy and Connor as they reunite after not speaking for years. We get flash backs of their roadtrips throughout their childhood spliced between chapters.
I loved the road trip chapters as we got little glimpses into their lives with their wild artist mother. I loved Gemma and Jude but Roddy and Connor seemed like bland characters. I just ended up not feeling connected to the story half way through. And the ending was just upsetting to me. I enjoyed the writing though so I will be reading something else from Jennifer E. Smith.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
April 3, 2025
Ballantine eARC
Oh my heart. I just adored this book of adult siblings reconnecting after being estranged for three years. Told from all four of their POVs and childhood memories, she created such complex and real characters here. I could relate to Gemma’s oldest daughter parentification so much. I had so much empathy for all of them because there was so much going on here. This book was tender and vulnerable. It was thought provoking and heart warming. I love this author’s writing and will continue to read her.
Oh my heart. I just adored this book of adult siblings reconnecting after being estranged for three years. Told from all four of their POVs and childhood memories, she created such complex and real characters here. I could relate to Gemma’s oldest daughter parentification so much. I had so much empathy for all of them because there was so much going on here. This book was tender and vulnerable. It was thought provoking and heart warming. I love this author’s writing and will continue to read her.
May 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️📖
April 11, 2025
What a pleasant surprise! 🤩
Thank you, Random House & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Fun for the Whole Family {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 4.8.2025
Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
I started this one on a whim — the cover caught my eye, and I was in the mood for something family-focused… wow, did this story deliver?
What I found was a book packed with heart, love, and layers. You know those books where you tell yourself, "Just one more chapter," and suddenly it's 2 a.m.? Yeah, that kind.
The story weaves through a non-linear timeline, bouncing from state to state, past to present — but every road trip memory ties beautifully into the siblings' current journey. As a reader, you're let into their inner worlds, and you know one of them is carrying three secrets.
It wasn't until I was about 60% that the third secret hit me… and hit hard. It was the kind of quiet emotional reveal that lingers. This character had been holding so much for so long, and when that weight started to show, I truly felt it.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
I hit play on Fun for the Whole Family without realizing it was narrated by none other than my fave: Lauren Graham. As someone who rewatches Gilmore Girls to relax (basically daily at this point 😅), I didn't even need to ease into the listening speed. I just jumped right in and let Lauren work her magic — and, of course, she nailed it. She brought so much warmth and charm to the narration, and honestly? I can't imagine anyone else telling this story.
Read if you enjoy:
🚗 Road Trips
📖 Character Driven Books
😆 Witty Humor
🎭 Family Drama
If you're craving a family-centered story with emotional depth and beautifully written relationships, this one's worth the journey.
______
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Thank you, Random House & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Fun for the Whole Family {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 4.8.2025
Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
I started this one on a whim — the cover caught my eye, and I was in the mood for something family-focused… wow, did this story deliver?
What I found was a book packed with heart, love, and layers. You know those books where you tell yourself, "Just one more chapter," and suddenly it's 2 a.m.? Yeah, that kind.
The story weaves through a non-linear timeline, bouncing from state to state, past to present — but every road trip memory ties beautifully into the siblings' current journey. As a reader, you're let into their inner worlds, and you know one of them is carrying three secrets.
It wasn't until I was about 60% that the third secret hit me… and hit hard. It was the kind of quiet emotional reveal that lingers. This character had been holding so much for so long, and when that weight started to show, I truly felt it.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
I hit play on Fun for the Whole Family without realizing it was narrated by none other than my fave: Lauren Graham. As someone who rewatches Gilmore Girls to relax (basically daily at this point 😅), I didn't even need to ease into the listening speed. I just jumped right in and let Lauren work her magic — and, of course, she nailed it. She brought so much warmth and charm to the narration, and honestly? I can't imagine anyone else telling this story.
Read if you enjoy:
🚗 Road Trips
📖 Character Driven Books
😆 Witty Humor
🎭 Family Drama
If you're craving a family-centered story with emotional depth and beautifully written relationships, this one's worth the journey.
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofc...
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November 1, 2025
"Fun for the Whole Family" is a quirky yet heartfelt novel about the people we’re bound to by blood, and the ways those bonds stretch, strain, and ultimately hold strong. The four Endicott siblings were once bound tightly but have drifted apart, speaking little in the past few years. An unexpected text from one of them calls the group together in a seemingly random small town. There, they must see if they can find their way back to each other and reconcile with a shared trauma in their past.
What makes the novel shine is its characters, each of which carries a complicated history to unfold. The careful attention to humanizing quirky characters gave me strong Kevin Wilson vibes (especially "The Family Fang"), with a dash of old-school John Irving plots and the observational charm Fredrik Backman brings to books like "My Friends."
It’s a poignant story about siblings who can wind each other up while simultaneously loving one another like no one else. Read this if you have a brother or sister you’d walk to the end of the world for — and keep your tissues nearby.
What makes the novel shine is its characters, each of which carries a complicated history to unfold. The careful attention to humanizing quirky characters gave me strong Kevin Wilson vibes (especially "The Family Fang"), with a dash of old-school John Irving plots and the observational charm Fredrik Backman brings to books like "My Friends."
It’s a poignant story about siblings who can wind each other up while simultaneously loving one another like no one else. Read this if you have a brother or sister you’d walk to the end of the world for — and keep your tissues nearby.
August 28, 2024
A multiple POV family drama surrounding 4 siblings by @jenniferesmith
Gemma, the oldest, who took care of her younger siblings,
Roddy, the professional soccer player, his twin
Jude, an Oscar nominated actress, and
Connor, an author and divorced father of two.
Chapters are time jumps from the past to current time. In our current timeline, the siblings no longer speak after the death of their father three years ago. Each gets a text out of the blue from Jude, who asks them to meet for the weekend in North Dakota, of all places.
Jude has just been nominated for an academy award and is dating a hot new actor, Spencer. Roddy is engaged to his boyfriend Winston, and their Valentines Day wedding is upset by him getting the call from a team that wants him to join their roster at the end of his career. Gemma and her husband Mateo contemplate starting a family. And Connor only gets to see his kids, Rosie and Hugh, once a month.
As the story unfolds we learn how extraordinary the family is, what secrets they have buried and how they have come to terms with their childhoods. Their mother, Frankie, while a very seemingly minor character in the book, overall made a huge impact on them. Frankie is a non character with all the influence.
I found the story to be engaging and thoughtful. Good character development. If you like family drama and the relationship between large groups of may be the book for you.
Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse Ballantine for the ARC. Book to be published April 15, 2025.
#netgalley #bookreviews #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booktok #funforthewholefamily
Gemma, the oldest, who took care of her younger siblings,
Roddy, the professional soccer player, his twin
Jude, an Oscar nominated actress, and
Connor, an author and divorced father of two.
Chapters are time jumps from the past to current time. In our current timeline, the siblings no longer speak after the death of their father three years ago. Each gets a text out of the blue from Jude, who asks them to meet for the weekend in North Dakota, of all places.
Jude has just been nominated for an academy award and is dating a hot new actor, Spencer. Roddy is engaged to his boyfriend Winston, and their Valentines Day wedding is upset by him getting the call from a team that wants him to join their roster at the end of his career. Gemma and her husband Mateo contemplate starting a family. And Connor only gets to see his kids, Rosie and Hugh, once a month.
As the story unfolds we learn how extraordinary the family is, what secrets they have buried and how they have come to terms with their childhoods. Their mother, Frankie, while a very seemingly minor character in the book, overall made a huge impact on them. Frankie is a non character with all the influence.
I found the story to be engaging and thoughtful. Good character development. If you like family drama and the relationship between large groups of may be the book for you.
Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse Ballantine for the ARC. Book to be published April 15, 2025.
#netgalley #bookreviews #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booktok #funforthewholefamily
October 26, 2024
This was an interesting look at four siblings. They had a mother who wanted to see every state so that led to an interesting upbringing. The novel is actually set in North Dakota as the siblings reunite for the first time in four years. Each one of them has drifted apart. Three of the siblings have had incredible success, one a popular soccer player, another an Oscar nominated actress, and another a best selling author. The fourth and oldest however is trying to get pregnant but not sure if that is what she really wants. She did not achieve the great success that the other siblings have but feels more like their mother. The book alternates from present day to each sibling's past.
The book had a lot of great parts to it. Each time a chapter flashed to the past, it takes place in a different state. This book was filled with lots of drama and family dynamics. I felt engaged with the characters and their different point of views. There were definitely parts of their family I could relate to yet I was entertained at the same time. Overall, I thought it was a great reminder of what is important in life. After reading this book, I do feel the need to call both of my brothers that I haven't talked to in a while. If you enjoy family drama novels you will really enjoy this book.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
The book had a lot of great parts to it. Each time a chapter flashed to the past, it takes place in a different state. This book was filled with lots of drama and family dynamics. I felt engaged with the characters and their different point of views. There were definitely parts of their family I could relate to yet I was entertained at the same time. Overall, I thought it was a great reminder of what is important in life. After reading this book, I do feel the need to call both of my brothers that I haven't talked to in a while. If you enjoy family drama novels you will really enjoy this book.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 4, 2025
This had the makings of a good book - family drama, travel, flashbacks and reunifications. It felt a bit like it dragged to me though. It seemed to not propel forward, as it was mostly character heavy with minimal plot. Slow. I liked the concept of the travel to 50 states and would have loved more about the culture/sights of those, but they weren’t described as much as I would have liked.
A solid, “it was okay” type of book. Best for those who prefer character development over a moving plot.
Heavy representation of a gay couple.
A solid, “it was okay” type of book. Best for those who prefer character development over a moving plot.
Heavy representation of a gay couple.
December 2, 2025
as the oldest of four siblings, i felt this book so deeply. i don’t even have anything negative to say—the story might’ve been outlandish or characters not fully fleshed out, but i’m choosing to ignore it all. this felt like it perfectly encapsulated the dynamic of four siblings, the ways we team up, the loving & the hating, the craziness. truly loved this & even shed a few tears at the end!!!
April 13, 2025
Finally a book that is partially set in my state of North Dakota!! Although the author does make this place sound so quaint and cozy when that isn’t the case at all. Especially since the characters are in North Dakota during the winter and she left out how freakishly cold it is here during that time. Seriously…No one is out hiking and/or strolling around town without the risk of frostbite or death (we get windchills in the -60s).😂
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
I really enjoyed how the story dives into family bonds and how resilient those bonds are even when they have been frayed to the point of snapping.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Family Drama
Healing
Multiple POV
Flashbacks
Diverse Characters
Character Driven
Family Reunion
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Graham (Yup…THE LORELEI GILMORE) and she does a phenomenal job giving a unique voice to each character in this story…and there are a lot!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Steady
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
This is a book for readers who enjoy character-driven stories full of drama, love, and healing.
Thank you PRH Audio and Ballantine Books for this gifted copy.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
I really enjoyed how the story dives into family bonds and how resilient those bonds are even when they have been frayed to the point of snapping.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Family Drama
Healing
Multiple POV
Flashbacks
Diverse Characters
Character Driven
Family Reunion
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Graham (Yup…THE LORELEI GILMORE) and she does a phenomenal job giving a unique voice to each character in this story…and there are a lot!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Steady
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
This is a book for readers who enjoy character-driven stories full of drama, love, and healing.
Thank you PRH Audio and Ballantine Books for this gifted copy.
June 1, 2025
4+ stars. Family-is-complicated contemporary fiction.
What I liked:
I really liked the four siblings dynamic. It's fascinating to me, both how similar and how different siblings can be. And how differently siblings can experience something.
I liked the fifty states piece. I have a big map with pins in it, too, marking where I've traveled. Heck, I even track which states the books I read are set in.
What I liked less:
It's not perfect - I'm a lifelong northern Minnesotan. I know upper North Dakota fairly well, have spent extended periods of time there, one of my kids was a Minot resident for a few years, etc.. and I know northern winters very well.
I didn't feel that the author nailed February in North Dakota. A lake three hours north of Bismarck in early February? It shouldn't have churning gray waters. It should be frozen. And while it's possible, there shouldn't be ducks landing on it. They migrate.
A cabin with a fireplace and firewood should be warm, not freezing cold, if the inhabitants know anything about making a fire.
I didn't believe someone in Gemma's situation would voluntarily snowshoe four miles through northern post-blizzard snow nor would a six year old on vacation keep up with adults for four miles in deep snow.
February snowstorms that knock out power and phone lines and bury cars don't "burn off" the next day.
I could go on, but these things probably won't be an issue for most readers.
I checked, and the author lives in Los Angeles. Enough said.
Cold weather qualms aside, I found it easily readable from the start. I had an early feeling what the third secret was going to be, and I didn't love that I was right or the outcome the author chose, but the way she executed it tweaked my emotions.
__________
On being an expert on relationships:
"There's no such thing as an expert. There's only people who try and people who don't. And I promise you the first one is better."
What I liked:
I really liked the four siblings dynamic. It's fascinating to me, both how similar and how different siblings can be. And how differently siblings can experience something.
I liked the fifty states piece. I have a big map with pins in it, too, marking where I've traveled. Heck, I even track which states the books I read are set in.
What I liked less:
It's not perfect - I'm a lifelong northern Minnesotan. I know upper North Dakota fairly well, have spent extended periods of time there, one of my kids was a Minot resident for a few years, etc.. and I know northern winters very well.
I didn't feel that the author nailed February in North Dakota. A lake three hours north of Bismarck in early February? It shouldn't have churning gray waters. It should be frozen. And while it's possible, there shouldn't be ducks landing on it. They migrate.
A cabin with a fireplace and firewood should be warm, not freezing cold, if the inhabitants know anything about making a fire.
I didn't believe someone in Gemma's situation would voluntarily snowshoe four miles through northern post-blizzard snow nor would a six year old on vacation keep up with adults for four miles in deep snow.
February snowstorms that knock out power and phone lines and bury cars don't "burn off" the next day.
I could go on, but these things probably won't be an issue for most readers.
I checked, and the author lives in Los Angeles. Enough said.
Cold weather qualms aside, I found it easily readable from the start. I had an early feeling what the third secret was going to be, and I didn't love that I was right or the outcome the author chose, but the way she executed it tweaked my emotions.
__________
On being an expert on relationships:
"There's no such thing as an expert. There's only people who try and people who don't. And I promise you the first one is better."
December 27, 2025
This book might have been the biggggest surprise of the year. I remember rebelling against reading this because no one was going to tell me to have “fun” with a book! How. Dare. You! But alas…everyone was reading it and it was truly FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. Soooo…I picked up the book and here we are!
This is a book about siblings. And everyone that knows me knows that I’m a sucker for a sibling book. This book looks like one thing on the surface, but as you dig deeper- it’s oh so much more! I adored and was enthralled with all of the sibling’s stories and loved how they all evolved throughout the story. The story was raw and honest AND it was exactly how siblings behave. By the end I was in tears and so deep in my feels.
This book was an A+ and I beg you to please read it. Like now.
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