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Make Nice
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26Sandwich meets The Wedding People in this irresistible comedy of manners as three generations of a family—a snail scientist, a soon-to-be divorcée, her teenage daughter, a hapless con man, and their feckless patriarch—descend on a ritzy Lake Michigan vacation island.
When the Pickford siblings arrive at The Grand Hotel—a nostalgic tourist paradise of horse-drawn carriages, muddled cocktails, and white sweaters on the tennis court—they have every intention of spending the long weekend making nice. Pete, the nation’s foremost expert on gastropods (mollusks), is keen to wade around the lake in search of a rare and exciting Carthusian snail. Viv, reeling from the secret revelation that her husband is gay, is determined to put on a brave face for her daughter. And Corey, a charming, handsome grifter, has lucked into five pounds of cocaine he plans to sell to the first dumb rich guy he can find.
But when Pete falls for the alluring mother of a local kid, when Viv’s daughter gets up to teenage trouble, and when Corey finds the wealthy guests less interested in party drugs than golf clubs and waffle cones, the long weekend of family bonding veers into disaster. Why did their father bring them to this cushy island resort in the first place? And why does Corey, the biggest screw-up of them all, seem to be the only one who knows the truth? As secrets spill, old flames are fanned, and an innocent snail is crushed beneath the unrelenting heel of a hiking boot. In a story that is as sneakily wise as it is absurdly funny, Ryan Effgen’s debut shows how sometimes the people who bring out your worst—your family—can also be the ones to bring you out of your shell.
When the Pickford siblings arrive at The Grand Hotel—a nostalgic tourist paradise of horse-drawn carriages, muddled cocktails, and white sweaters on the tennis court—they have every intention of spending the long weekend making nice. Pete, the nation’s foremost expert on gastropods (mollusks), is keen to wade around the lake in search of a rare and exciting Carthusian snail. Viv, reeling from the secret revelation that her husband is gay, is determined to put on a brave face for her daughter. And Corey, a charming, handsome grifter, has lucked into five pounds of cocaine he plans to sell to the first dumb rich guy he can find.
But when Pete falls for the alluring mother of a local kid, when Viv’s daughter gets up to teenage trouble, and when Corey finds the wealthy guests less interested in party drugs than golf clubs and waffle cones, the long weekend of family bonding veers into disaster. Why did their father bring them to this cushy island resort in the first place? And why does Corey, the biggest screw-up of them all, seem to be the only one who knows the truth? As secrets spill, old flames are fanned, and an innocent snail is crushed beneath the unrelenting heel of a hiking boot. In a story that is as sneakily wise as it is absurdly funny, Ryan Effgen’s debut shows how sometimes the people who bring out your worst—your family—can also be the ones to bring you out of your shell.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 1, 2026
Not necessarily bad in story, characters, or pacing but unfortunately forgettable.
July 2, 2026
MAKE NICE
By Ryan Effgen
An Imperfect Family Reunion
2.5 stars rounded up
Three months after the death of their wife and mother, the three adult Pickford siblings are puzzled when their father asks them to reunite on Mackinac Island, Michigan. The family once owned a summer cottage on the island but hasn’t returned since the siblings were children.
Upon arriving at the historic Grand Hotel, each sibling—and their father—brings emotional baggage. Over the course of the week, the story offers glimpses into each sibling’s childhood while following them in the present, revealing family secrets, unresolved tensions, and the complicated dynamics of this imperfect family.
This is a character-driven novel set on historic Mackinac Island. The setting is what initially drew me to the book, as it’s a place I’m very familiar with, having visited and stayed on the island for many years. The descriptions of the Grand Hotel and the surrounding area were vivid and easy to picture. One particular horse-and-carriage scene is a bit far-fetched.
Overall, this was just an okay read that never fully engaged me. Although there were a few touching moments, I struggled to connect with the characters. Their personalities often felt exaggerated and some of the quirky storylines didn’t have the impact I was hoping for.
Ryan Effgen’s writing is easy to read, with a light touch of humor while exploring themes of grief, forgiveness, and family. The pacing was steady, but it occasionally wandered, making it difficult for me to stay engaged.
While Make Nice had its enjoyable moments—especially its nostalgic setting and exploration of family relationships—the characters and humor ultimately fell flat for me. This is Ryan Effgen’s debut novel, and I’ll be interested to see what he writes next. I encourage you to read other reviews, as many readers connected with this story more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the ARC.
By Ryan Effgen
An Imperfect Family Reunion
2.5 stars rounded up
Three months after the death of their wife and mother, the three adult Pickford siblings are puzzled when their father asks them to reunite on Mackinac Island, Michigan. The family once owned a summer cottage on the island but hasn’t returned since the siblings were children.
Upon arriving at the historic Grand Hotel, each sibling—and their father—brings emotional baggage. Over the course of the week, the story offers glimpses into each sibling’s childhood while following them in the present, revealing family secrets, unresolved tensions, and the complicated dynamics of this imperfect family.
This is a character-driven novel set on historic Mackinac Island. The setting is what initially drew me to the book, as it’s a place I’m very familiar with, having visited and stayed on the island for many years. The descriptions of the Grand Hotel and the surrounding area were vivid and easy to picture. One particular horse-and-carriage scene is a bit far-fetched.
Overall, this was just an okay read that never fully engaged me. Although there were a few touching moments, I struggled to connect with the characters. Their personalities often felt exaggerated and some of the quirky storylines didn’t have the impact I was hoping for.
Ryan Effgen’s writing is easy to read, with a light touch of humor while exploring themes of grief, forgiveness, and family. The pacing was steady, but it occasionally wandered, making it difficult for me to stay engaged.
While Make Nice had its enjoyable moments—especially its nostalgic setting and exploration of family relationships—the characters and humor ultimately fell flat for me. This is Ryan Effgen’s debut novel, and I’ll be interested to see what he writes next. I encourage you to read other reviews, as many readers connected with this story more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the ARC.
May 28, 2026
Maybe I just need a break from familial dramas but I was not that impressed with this one.
The cast of characters was quirky (aren’t they always), the melodrama was flowing like a morning cup of joe but that unique and unputdownable quality was missing for me.
Not a bad read and I would be down to try others from this author but for me, this was not it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The cast of characters was quirky (aren’t they always), the melodrama was flowing like a morning cup of joe but that unique and unputdownable quality was missing for me.
Not a bad read and I would be down to try others from this author but for me, this was not it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2026
Make Nice is being marketed as “Sandwich meets The Wedding People,” and I went in with sky‑high expectations because I loved both of those novels. This isn’t in the same caliber. Instead of the sharp, funny, emotionally precise mix I was expecting, this is a quieter, messier family drama about people stuck in their own patterns, making small, halting attempts at change. There isn’t much in the way of real resolution; the book leaves its characters mid‑stream, determined to keep figuring things out and oddly at peace with the fact that the ride is bumpy rather than transformative. It’s not that funny or sharp the way it’s sold, but I still liked it for what it is: a solid, character‑driven story about family messes and the slow work of learning to live with them. 3.5 stars, worth reading—but don’t go in expecting another Sandwich or The Wedding People.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dysfunction, thy name is Pickford. Or in the words of Robin, “Holy messed up family, Batman!”
The Pickfords are a mess. None of them—not one—is emotionally healthy. When they are summoned to a grand resort on beautiful Mackinac Island to officially end the grieving period one hundred days after their mom’s death, it is guaranteed to be a disaster of epic magnitude. Determining a limit on grief should tell you all you need to know about the control freak patriarch calling the shots. Is it any wonder his offspring are seriously screwed up?
Ryan Effgen has delivered a book with outstanding character development. By showing, not telling, he lets each sibling’s actions, behaviors, and decisions slowly reveal who they are and how they got there. I appreciated each Pickford’s journey, but it was Pete’s story and his unlikely connection with a struggling child that stole my heart. Honestly, an entire book devoted to those two would have been just fine with me.
With comparisons to Sandwich (I didn’t see it) and The Wedding People (maybe if I squint my eyes and look sideways), the bar was set pretty darn high. MAKE NICE didn’t quite reach that level of emotional impact or tight storytelling for me though it did have me wondering where the plot was going.
As with most highly character driven novels, my enjoyment is amplified by analyzing the characters and their actions as part of a buddy read. For this one, I was fortunate to share my thoughts with the most prolific mood reader I know, the very insightful Angie. I certainly forced her to slow her pace so I could catch up, but the resulting conversation was fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
The Pickfords are a mess. None of them—not one—is emotionally healthy. When they are summoned to a grand resort on beautiful Mackinac Island to officially end the grieving period one hundred days after their mom’s death, it is guaranteed to be a disaster of epic magnitude. Determining a limit on grief should tell you all you need to know about the control freak patriarch calling the shots. Is it any wonder his offspring are seriously screwed up?
Ryan Effgen has delivered a book with outstanding character development. By showing, not telling, he lets each sibling’s actions, behaviors, and decisions slowly reveal who they are and how they got there. I appreciated each Pickford’s journey, but it was Pete’s story and his unlikely connection with a struggling child that stole my heart. Honestly, an entire book devoted to those two would have been just fine with me.
With comparisons to Sandwich (I didn’t see it) and The Wedding People (maybe if I squint my eyes and look sideways), the bar was set pretty darn high. MAKE NICE didn’t quite reach that level of emotional impact or tight storytelling for me though it did have me wondering where the plot was going.
As with most highly character driven novels, my enjoyment is amplified by analyzing the characters and their actions as part of a buddy read. For this one, I was fortunate to share my thoughts with the most prolific mood reader I know, the very insightful Angie. I certainly forced her to slow her pace so I could catch up, but the resulting conversation was fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
June 10, 2026
Make Nice by Ryan Effgen took me a bit to get into, but I ended up enjoying it. The writing style is easy and natural, and the characters feel funny, relatable, and authentic. There isn’t a clear “point” or big payoff, but that seems intentional and fits the slice-of-life feel. Overall, it’s a solid character-driven read if you enjoy realism over plot-heavy stories.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If there’s one thing I’ll always pick up, it’s a messy family drama. Give me siblings carrying old resentments, parents with impossible expectations, and adults who still haven’t quite figured life out, and I’m usually all in. Make Nice has all of those ingredients, but for me it never quite reached the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
Set on Michigan’s beautiful Mackinac Island, this debut novel follows three adult siblings who are summoned home by their controlling father 100 days after their mother’s death. Each of them is grieving in a different way, but their father seems determined to dictate not only how the family should mourn, but how quickly they should move on. As the siblings reconnect, old wounds resurface and each must confront the direction their own life has taken.
The setting was easily one of my favorite aspects of the novel. Ryan Effgen captures the unique atmosphere of Mackinac Island so vividly that I felt transported there. The island’s car-free streets, slower pace of life, and distinctive charm become almost another character in the story.
The characterization is another strength. Each sibling has a distinct voice and set of struggles. Pete, the overlooked middle child whose career studying snails adds a wonderfully quirky touch, was my favorite of the three. I also really enjoyed Viv’s teenage daughter, Ash, and especially Oliver, the precocious young boy who steals nearly every scene he’s appears in. The supporting cast often brought the warmth and humor that kept me turning the pages.
Where the novel fell a little short for me was the plot itself. The family dynamics are compelling, but I kept waiting for the emotional tension to build into something messier and more transformative. Instead, the story remains fairly quiet and introspective throughout. I appreciated the thoughtful writing and the authentic portrait of people floundering through midlife, but I wanted a bit more momentum and emotional payoff.
The publisher compares this novel to Sandwich and The Wedding People. While I understand the comparison in terms of genre and tone, those are exceptionally high bars to clear. For me, Make Nice didn’t quite deliver the same emotional depth or memorable storytelling, and I wonder if those comparisons unintentionally set expectations that were difficult for a debut to meet.
Even so, I think Ryan Effgen is a writer worth watching. His prose is confident, his characters feel lived in, and he has a clear gift for creating a strong sense of place. While this particular story didn’t fully come together for me, I’d happily pick up whatever he writes next.
I would especially recommend Make Nice to readers who enjoy quieter, character-driven literary fiction, multigenerational family stories, and novels that prioritize atmosphere and relationships over plot twists or high drama.
Rating: ★★★¼☆ (3.25/5)
Make Nice publishes July 14, 2026.
Thank you to Ryan Effgen, Knopf and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. And thank you to my friend Anna for buddy reading this with me and sharing your thoughtful insights along the way. I hope we have many more buddy reads in our future!
Set on Michigan’s beautiful Mackinac Island, this debut novel follows three adult siblings who are summoned home by their controlling father 100 days after their mother’s death. Each of them is grieving in a different way, but their father seems determined to dictate not only how the family should mourn, but how quickly they should move on. As the siblings reconnect, old wounds resurface and each must confront the direction their own life has taken.
The setting was easily one of my favorite aspects of the novel. Ryan Effgen captures the unique atmosphere of Mackinac Island so vividly that I felt transported there. The island’s car-free streets, slower pace of life, and distinctive charm become almost another character in the story.
The characterization is another strength. Each sibling has a distinct voice and set of struggles. Pete, the overlooked middle child whose career studying snails adds a wonderfully quirky touch, was my favorite of the three. I also really enjoyed Viv’s teenage daughter, Ash, and especially Oliver, the precocious young boy who steals nearly every scene he’s appears in. The supporting cast often brought the warmth and humor that kept me turning the pages.
Where the novel fell a little short for me was the plot itself. The family dynamics are compelling, but I kept waiting for the emotional tension to build into something messier and more transformative. Instead, the story remains fairly quiet and introspective throughout. I appreciated the thoughtful writing and the authentic portrait of people floundering through midlife, but I wanted a bit more momentum and emotional payoff.
The publisher compares this novel to Sandwich and The Wedding People. While I understand the comparison in terms of genre and tone, those are exceptionally high bars to clear. For me, Make Nice didn’t quite deliver the same emotional depth or memorable storytelling, and I wonder if those comparisons unintentionally set expectations that were difficult for a debut to meet.
Even so, I think Ryan Effgen is a writer worth watching. His prose is confident, his characters feel lived in, and he has a clear gift for creating a strong sense of place. While this particular story didn’t fully come together for me, I’d happily pick up whatever he writes next.
I would especially recommend Make Nice to readers who enjoy quieter, character-driven literary fiction, multigenerational family stories, and novels that prioritize atmosphere and relationships over plot twists or high drama.
Rating: ★★★¼☆ (3.25/5)
Make Nice publishes July 14, 2026.
Thank you to Ryan Effgen, Knopf and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. And thank you to my friend Anna for buddy reading this with me and sharing your thoughtful insights along the way. I hope we have many more buddy reads in our future!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ryan Effgan’s debut reminded me that art should be careful in the comparisons it invokes, because it might just make you fall flat on your face. Thankfully, Make Nice came out fine.
The jacket copy for Make Nice compared itself to two heavyweights. Sandwich by Catherine Newman, which was the funniest book (and about a tough subject) I read in 2025. A home run. It also mentioned The Wedding People by Alison Espach, a runaway hit in 2024 and almost my favorite book of that entire year. An absolute fireball of a novel. And okay, I get why you would want to compare yourself to two wonderful reads for the buzz (and, to be fair, those comparisons are exactly why I read this), but man, are you setting up a debut author for a massive let down if he can’t deliver.
While I can’t say I enjoyed Make Nice nearly as much as those two stellar works, I can say that it definitely doesn’t embarrass itself. Effgen can write and this is a good book.
I didn’t think that for the first ten percent though. There’s some heavy exposition and character building to lead this one off, and it starts slow. There’s really no question there. But once its cast starts to mingle, it’s in these character interactions where Make Nice most resembles the two books it hopes to stand alongside.
The characters are familiar and relatable and funny and Effgan does a great job in having them collide in a way that is both hilarious and heart wrenching. Make Nice never quite gets out of its habit of taking time to fall back into that block-text narrative where the characters are thinking and thinking and thinking, but the writing’s good even the pace is slow.
But as you’re reading, you’re always excited to see the characters start heading toward each other again, because the fireworks are entertaining and delightful to behold. Make Nice makes you laugh and feel and that’s exactly what this type of story wants to do. Effgen succeeds quite well. I’m very impressed in this first effort and very interested to see what he’ll do next. The world needs more books like Sandwich and The Wedding People, and that’s what Make Nice has attempted to do. And we’re all the better for it.
Recommended for readers of those comparison reads (even if you may not like this one as much) and readers who love to read great dialogue and character pieces that hit all over the emotional spectrum.
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage for providing an uncorrected DRC via NetGalley.
The jacket copy for Make Nice compared itself to two heavyweights. Sandwich by Catherine Newman, which was the funniest book (and about a tough subject) I read in 2025. A home run. It also mentioned The Wedding People by Alison Espach, a runaway hit in 2024 and almost my favorite book of that entire year. An absolute fireball of a novel. And okay, I get why you would want to compare yourself to two wonderful reads for the buzz (and, to be fair, those comparisons are exactly why I read this), but man, are you setting up a debut author for a massive let down if he can’t deliver.
While I can’t say I enjoyed Make Nice nearly as much as those two stellar works, I can say that it definitely doesn’t embarrass itself. Effgen can write and this is a good book.
I didn’t think that for the first ten percent though. There’s some heavy exposition and character building to lead this one off, and it starts slow. There’s really no question there. But once its cast starts to mingle, it’s in these character interactions where Make Nice most resembles the two books it hopes to stand alongside.
The characters are familiar and relatable and funny and Effgan does a great job in having them collide in a way that is both hilarious and heart wrenching. Make Nice never quite gets out of its habit of taking time to fall back into that block-text narrative where the characters are thinking and thinking and thinking, but the writing’s good even the pace is slow.
But as you’re reading, you’re always excited to see the characters start heading toward each other again, because the fireworks are entertaining and delightful to behold. Make Nice makes you laugh and feel and that’s exactly what this type of story wants to do. Effgen succeeds quite well. I’m very impressed in this first effort and very interested to see what he’ll do next. The world needs more books like Sandwich and The Wedding People, and that’s what Make Nice has attempted to do. And we’re all the better for it.
Recommended for readers of those comparison reads (even if you may not like this one as much) and readers who love to read great dialogue and character pieces that hit all over the emotional spectrum.
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage for providing an uncorrected DRC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I love dysfunctional families. (Fictional dysfunctional families.) There’s just so much fodder for drama and confrontation. Ryan Effgen’s debut novel takes one such family on vacation—what could go wrong? Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy!
The Pickford family is gathering at The Grand Hotel, a ritzy resort on an island in Lake Michigan. It’s been three months since their mother died, and their father has decided that they all should vacation together. No one is exactly sure why.
Viv is fairly sure her marriage is over, what with the recent discovery that her husband is gay. But she’s determined to pretend everything is fine, especially to her teenage daughter, Ash (don’t call her Ashley). Pete is a scientist, recently referred to as the nation’s foremost expert on gastropods.
And then there’s Corey, the black sheep of the family. Corey didn’t attend their mother’s funeral, and in fact, Pete and Viv didn’t even know their father invited him. But Corey isn’t the type of person to shrink under scrutiny—he almost seems to relish his role as family outcast. However, he’s ready to take control of his life—and he has five pounds of cocaine he plans to sell to the rich tourists, which should give him a good start.
Of course, you bring a family together, and there are always secrets to be revealed, old wounds to be reopened, and lots of emotions. Why did their father summon them to the island? Can peace and love be found amidst the fudge and ice cream shops and the horse-drawn carriages?
The book is billed as a cross between Sandwich and The Wedding People . There are certainly similarities but I didn’t feel as connected to the characters in this book as I did in those others. This was enjoyable but not necessarily unique in any way.
The book publishes 7/14.
Check out my best reads of 2025 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2025.html .
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
I love dysfunctional families. (Fictional dysfunctional families.) There’s just so much fodder for drama and confrontation. Ryan Effgen’s debut novel takes one such family on vacation—what could go wrong? Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy!
The Pickford family is gathering at The Grand Hotel, a ritzy resort on an island in Lake Michigan. It’s been three months since their mother died, and their father has decided that they all should vacation together. No one is exactly sure why.
Viv is fairly sure her marriage is over, what with the recent discovery that her husband is gay. But she’s determined to pretend everything is fine, especially to her teenage daughter, Ash (don’t call her Ashley). Pete is a scientist, recently referred to as the nation’s foremost expert on gastropods.
And then there’s Corey, the black sheep of the family. Corey didn’t attend their mother’s funeral, and in fact, Pete and Viv didn’t even know their father invited him. But Corey isn’t the type of person to shrink under scrutiny—he almost seems to relish his role as family outcast. However, he’s ready to take control of his life—and he has five pounds of cocaine he plans to sell to the rich tourists, which should give him a good start.
Of course, you bring a family together, and there are always secrets to be revealed, old wounds to be reopened, and lots of emotions. Why did their father summon them to the island? Can peace and love be found amidst the fudge and ice cream shops and the horse-drawn carriages?
The book is billed as a cross between Sandwich and The Wedding People . There are certainly similarities but I didn’t feel as connected to the characters in this book as I did in those others. This was enjoyable but not necessarily unique in any way.
The book publishes 7/14.
Check out my best reads of 2025 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2025.html .
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s been 3 months since Lydia Pickford’s passing, and out of duty to his wife’s wishes (certainly not sentimentality), H F (Harold - the “self made” man) has called his kids together for a reunion on the island where they vacationed until their early-mid teens. Three kids and one granddaughter arrive with some expectation of a grand announcement from the patriarch, except, as was the case during most of their growing years, he spends little time with any of them. All are left to their own devices.
The varied cast of characters include: oldest brother, Pete 30ish, still single, a snail scientist still hoping to win some parental recognition – the “nice” peacemaker; Vivian, in the midst of a mid-life struggle in her marriage and still hoping to catch a glimpse of those “glory days” as an early teen; Corey, the youngest man-child who still can’t keep focus long enough to hold steady employment, who has been secretly subsidized by his mother’s monthly checks, and who has always tried to prove his creativity by making money the easiest way possible (think undiagnosed ADHD); and then there is Ashley/Ash the daughter of Vivian who comes across as the most mature of the entire clan – a little snarky (think cartoon Daria) but having a fairly balanced head on her shoulders.
The reader is along for this weeklong vacation/reunion on an un-named bougie island somewhere on the coast of Lake Michigan, where the sand is imported, and the horses lead un-manned carriages around the island (think Mackinac, but not Mackinac). Of course, let to their own devices, each character is faced with the person he/she has become as they take a stab at recapturing the last time they were a “happy” family.
For me this was an acceptable read. The writing is certainly engaging, colorful, and has the potential as a Hallmark-ish type movie. The pace is quick; there are a few mysteries that are solved. I appreciated the day-to-day narrative which served as an incentive for me to continue reading, however with the exception of Pete, none of the characters left me with a burning desire to follow him or her into the future. I believe this is Mr. Effgen’s first novel, and it will be interesting to witness his progress as a writer. 4 Stars
Thank you to #NetGalley, # RyanEffgen and #KnopfPublishing for the opportunity to read and review this debut novel. All opinions are my own.
The varied cast of characters include: oldest brother, Pete 30ish, still single, a snail scientist still hoping to win some parental recognition – the “nice” peacemaker; Vivian, in the midst of a mid-life struggle in her marriage and still hoping to catch a glimpse of those “glory days” as an early teen; Corey, the youngest man-child who still can’t keep focus long enough to hold steady employment, who has been secretly subsidized by his mother’s monthly checks, and who has always tried to prove his creativity by making money the easiest way possible (think undiagnosed ADHD); and then there is Ashley/Ash the daughter of Vivian who comes across as the most mature of the entire clan – a little snarky (think cartoon Daria) but having a fairly balanced head on her shoulders.
The reader is along for this weeklong vacation/reunion on an un-named bougie island somewhere on the coast of Lake Michigan, where the sand is imported, and the horses lead un-manned carriages around the island (think Mackinac, but not Mackinac). Of course, let to their own devices, each character is faced with the person he/she has become as they take a stab at recapturing the last time they were a “happy” family.
For me this was an acceptable read. The writing is certainly engaging, colorful, and has the potential as a Hallmark-ish type movie. The pace is quick; there are a few mysteries that are solved. I appreciated the day-to-day narrative which served as an incentive for me to continue reading, however with the exception of Pete, none of the characters left me with a burning desire to follow him or her into the future. I believe this is Mr. Effgen’s first novel, and it will be interesting to witness his progress as a writer. 4 Stars
Thank you to #NetGalley, # RyanEffgen and #KnopfPublishing for the opportunity to read and review this debut novel. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I finished Make Nice a couple of days ago and I've gone back and forth on how to rate it. For starters I will say that overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It had a few parts where I skimmed, but for the most part it held my attention. At times it felt a little too chuckle funny, and too aware of it's sense of humor, but when the story got into more of the deeper thoughts and feelings of the characters it was so engaging. However for me, the characters almost felt more like caricatures than relatable people, and I understood them more from the general idea of what they represented than from anything they actually said or did on the page. Pete, the snail guy, was surprisingly the one I found the most interesting, and the most endearing character. Corey was frustrating but also felt the most real to me, and I feel we get the most depth out of his story overall. His dad deserved a little more comeuppance than he received in my opinion. Viv and Ash were funny, but I did find myself skimming their parts the most.
My main con is, while I don't mind stories that have an open ending in general, when all the characters are left without any resolution to their storylines, it leaves me feeling a little like what was the point of the story? I get it, this was also about this family's dynamics, but an open ending needs to feel earned, like you've been on this journey with the characters and now you can just sit there with them in the uncertainty. This did not do that for me. The family has a couple of good 'hashing it out' moments, but otherwise it felt a little shallow to me, and I was actually startled when I turned the last page and thought "wait, what?" I can appreciate that the author was going for, but for me personally it just left me feeling a little bummed.
Despite that, I would rate this as a 3.75 and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light family drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My main con is, while I don't mind stories that have an open ending in general, when all the characters are left without any resolution to their storylines, it leaves me feeling a little like what was the point of the story? I get it, this was also about this family's dynamics, but an open ending needs to feel earned, like you've been on this journey with the characters and now you can just sit there with them in the uncertainty. This did not do that for me. The family has a couple of good 'hashing it out' moments, but otherwise it felt a little shallow to me, and I was actually startled when I turned the last page and thought "wait, what?" I can appreciate that the author was going for, but for me personally it just left me feeling a little bummed.
Despite that, I would rate this as a 3.75 and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light family drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of my favorite Michigan vacations is Mackinac Island - my children have treated me to these visits and I come away more enchanted each time. While I’ve never stayed at the Grand Hotel (I have paid admission to sit on their magnificent veranda and enjoy the view), Make Nice was such a sweet and rare find (thank you NetGalley and Knopf for granting me access to this ARC) to recapture that wonderful island.
The Pickford siblings are on a weekend vacation at the Grand Hotel on nostalgic Mackinac Island to “make nice” to one another. Their mother had just died and their father had brought them together. Pete, an expert on mollusks, is looking forward to seeing if a rare mollusk may be found on the shores of either Lake Michigan or Lake Huron. Viv is trying to pretend the shocking news her husband is gay is not affecting her for the sake of her daughter. Corey, the charmer and vagabond, has snared five lbs of coke that he plans to sell to the first dumb rich guy he finds. But “making nice” goes out the window when unforeseen events take over upsetting the apple cart - Pete finds himself attracted to the mother of a local boy making up for some crushing professional news; Viv meets her former boyfriend and feelings emerge; Corey finds the rich are more interested in golf and tennis. But why were they brought to Mackinac by their father - of course: secrets.
I really enjoyed the book. It’s funny but filled with realistic family drama. I enjoyed the descriptions of Mackinac - though I’d have enjoyed more about Grand Hotel decor. This is a character driven novel and I enjoyed them, especially Pete. What emerges from this delightful read is that no matter how crazy your family is, they are there for you.
Great read especially for lovers of family vacation scenarios. And a great summer beach read - visit Mackinac and spend the day reading it.
The Pickford siblings are on a weekend vacation at the Grand Hotel on nostalgic Mackinac Island to “make nice” to one another. Their mother had just died and their father had brought them together. Pete, an expert on mollusks, is looking forward to seeing if a rare mollusk may be found on the shores of either Lake Michigan or Lake Huron. Viv is trying to pretend the shocking news her husband is gay is not affecting her for the sake of her daughter. Corey, the charmer and vagabond, has snared five lbs of coke that he plans to sell to the first dumb rich guy he finds. But “making nice” goes out the window when unforeseen events take over upsetting the apple cart - Pete finds himself attracted to the mother of a local boy making up for some crushing professional news; Viv meets her former boyfriend and feelings emerge; Corey finds the rich are more interested in golf and tennis. But why were they brought to Mackinac by their father - of course: secrets.
I really enjoyed the book. It’s funny but filled with realistic family drama. I enjoyed the descriptions of Mackinac - though I’d have enjoyed more about Grand Hotel decor. This is a character driven novel and I enjoyed them, especially Pete. What emerges from this delightful read is that no matter how crazy your family is, they are there for you.
Great read especially for lovers of family vacation scenarios. And a great summer beach read - visit Mackinac and spend the day reading it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Make Nice is the type of family drama that I really love. The Pickfords are on a bougie Michigan island for one last family vacation after their mother's death. The story is told from the third-person perspective of each adult child: Viv, Peter, and Corey, with Ash, Viv's daughter and their father in supporting roles.
Viv is fun, bubbly, and bright. But she is holding on to the secret that her husband is gay and what that means for their marriage. Peter is a malacologist (never heard of it? Me neither. It's someone who studies mollusks). Peter is the country's foremost expert on snails and oh-so-likable. And Corey is a mess: he is always in some sort of trouble. He's unreliable; Corey didn't even show up to their mother's funeral. The Pickfords are surprised and not exactly happy that he has decided to show up on vacation.
In turn, we learn a bit more about each Pickford's relationship with the island. It all feels very summery and nostalgic and sweet--even the sad points. And we learn about their complicated, but not in a terribly deep way, relationships with each other and the island now.
This is a great summer read and a total delight. I can't say enough about how much I liked Peter and the Pickfords overall. Just the right amount of snark, sweetness, money, and summer fun to really get a kick out of this one. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quote:
“It’s the whole confession business I could never get behind,” his father went on. “Right out of the mafia playbook. Offering protection against a threat they invented.”
Viv is fun, bubbly, and bright. But she is holding on to the secret that her husband is gay and what that means for their marriage. Peter is a malacologist (never heard of it? Me neither. It's someone who studies mollusks). Peter is the country's foremost expert on snails and oh-so-likable. And Corey is a mess: he is always in some sort of trouble. He's unreliable; Corey didn't even show up to their mother's funeral. The Pickfords are surprised and not exactly happy that he has decided to show up on vacation.
In turn, we learn a bit more about each Pickford's relationship with the island. It all feels very summery and nostalgic and sweet--even the sad points. And we learn about their complicated, but not in a terribly deep way, relationships with each other and the island now.
This is a great summer read and a total delight. I can't say enough about how much I liked Peter and the Pickfords overall. Just the right amount of snark, sweetness, money, and summer fun to really get a kick out of this one. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quote:
“It’s the whole confession business I could never get behind,” his father went on. “Right out of the mafia playbook. Offering protection against a threat they invented.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was actually my first summer read of the year and it kicked off the season relatively strong! It was an easy, fun, and frothy read. The family is drama-ing and the vibes are pure beach book-esque. I have NO unearthly idea why the publisher’s blurb is comping it to both Sandwich and the Wedding People and think it does the story a bit of a disservice, given how beloved both those books are—I mean, this takes place in the summer and at a hotel, but otherwise I definitely don’t see a strong comparison to either story. So don’t go into this expecting it to be a replica of either of those. Just expect it to be funny and enjoyable, albeit somewhat forgettable.
Re: somewhat forgettable. I’d honestly rate this book higher, expect that I read it over a week ago and I already forget a good amount of it. That said, in a beach book, that is definitely not a bad thing. Read it next to the water, be entertained, and then move on! I don’t expect it to be the standout of my summer, but it was fun enough to escape into and is very light so I think could appeal to a wide variety of readers. It’s the kind of book you devour at your air bnb for the weekend trip away, but then you leave it there, for the next group so someone else can read and enjoy it too. It’s not the kind of story you feel the need to pack in your suitcase and bring back home. That being said, I’m intrigued that it’s a debut and I think with a little more “bite” to it, Effgen’s writing could be even more memorable for me personally.
This was actually my first summer read of the year and it kicked off the season relatively strong! It was an easy, fun, and frothy read. The family is drama-ing and the vibes are pure beach book-esque. I have NO unearthly idea why the publisher’s blurb is comping it to both Sandwich and the Wedding People and think it does the story a bit of a disservice, given how beloved both those books are—I mean, this takes place in the summer and at a hotel, but otherwise I definitely don’t see a strong comparison to either story. So don’t go into this expecting it to be a replica of either of those. Just expect it to be funny and enjoyable, albeit somewhat forgettable.
Re: somewhat forgettable. I’d honestly rate this book higher, expect that I read it over a week ago and I already forget a good amount of it. That said, in a beach book, that is definitely not a bad thing. Read it next to the water, be entertained, and then move on! I don’t expect it to be the standout of my summer, but it was fun enough to escape into and is very light so I think could appeal to a wide variety of readers. It’s the kind of book you devour at your air bnb for the weekend trip away, but then you leave it there, for the next group so someone else can read and enjoy it too. It’s not the kind of story you feel the need to pack in your suitcase and bring back home. That being said, I’m intrigued that it’s a debut and I think with a little more “bite” to it, Effgen’s writing could be even more memorable for me personally.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5
I enjoy that this novel felt realistic and didn't fall into the trap of the family solving every issue and renewing all of their relationships in a few day vacation, especially considering the family doesn't spend much time together. There are characters I could read about forever (Pete) and characters I don't feel pained to leave behind (Corey), but every story feels real.
The Pickford family used to spend every summer on the same island in a small summer house before their parents sold it off. Now, after the death of their mother, a return to the island is on the agenda. The three siblings all arrive at The Grand Hotel with positive intentions, hoping to reconcile in the good weather and come out the other side better for it. Pete, a scientist and the nation's mollusk expert, is up for a big promotion at work and ready to search for rare snails on the beach. Vivian is trying to keep the facade of her life together after learning her husband is gay, so he stayed at home while she and her teenaged daughter Ash came to the island. Corey, the youngest, has been a troublemaker since childhood, and is arriving with a five-pound bag of heroin he's hoping to offload for serious cash.
But as Pete's snail hunting gains interest from a local kid (and the mother gains interest in Pete), Ash gets up to teenage hijinks, Viv meets and old flame, and Corey has trouble finding a guest interested in his stash, it becomes clear none of them really came for family bonding. Why did their father want them to come to the island? And will they be the same when they leave?
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
I enjoy that this novel felt realistic and didn't fall into the trap of the family solving every issue and renewing all of their relationships in a few day vacation, especially considering the family doesn't spend much time together. There are characters I could read about forever (Pete) and characters I don't feel pained to leave behind (Corey), but every story feels real.
The Pickford family used to spend every summer on the same island in a small summer house before their parents sold it off. Now, after the death of their mother, a return to the island is on the agenda. The three siblings all arrive at The Grand Hotel with positive intentions, hoping to reconcile in the good weather and come out the other side better for it. Pete, a scientist and the nation's mollusk expert, is up for a big promotion at work and ready to search for rare snails on the beach. Vivian is trying to keep the facade of her life together after learning her husband is gay, so he stayed at home while she and her teenaged daughter Ash came to the island. Corey, the youngest, has been a troublemaker since childhood, and is arriving with a five-pound bag of heroin he's hoping to offload for serious cash.
But as Pete's snail hunting gains interest from a local kid (and the mother gains interest in Pete), Ash gets up to teenage hijinks, Viv meets and old flame, and Corey has trouble finding a guest interested in his stash, it becomes clear none of them really came for family bonding. Why did their father want them to come to the island? And will they be the same when they leave?
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Make Nice is definitely my kind of messy, funny, quietly emotional family novel! comparing this one to Sandwich feels more apt than The Wedding People, but either way, it just clicks. set over a long weekend on Michigan's Mackinac Island, this book follows the Pickford siblings in their various states of unrest as they reunite to mourn their mother, per her last wishes. it's chaotic but entertaining, and has enough heart to ground all the dysfunction. the characters aren't instantly likeable, but they feel real and flawed and complicated, and as the story picks up, Effgen does a great job balancing humor with emotional depth. i'm not gonna call this one a beach read, but it's easy and quick and it ends very naturally, with purpose. and, not for nothing, but it's rare that a book makes me audibly laugh out loud.
there's a conversation near the end of the book where and it just had me laughing uncontrollably for several minutes.
thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!
there's a conversation near the end of the book where and it just had me laughing uncontrollably for several minutes.
thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Vibes:
➤ Vacation Read
➤ Sibling/Family Drama
➤ Alternating POVs
➤ Amateur Drug Dealing
➤ Her Husband is Gay
➤ Snail Educational Material
Thoughts:
This was such a fun and easy read! Effgen’s dialogue and character interactions are so fluid and comedic. This story rotates through 4 different POVs and each has its own unique voice since all of the characters are so different. My favorite character was Corey, the family screw up. Effgen does such a great job writing his character in a way that it’s easy to laugh at what an idiot he is, but also still empathize with the hurt he’s dealing with. Overall this was funny and enjoyable — a great summer/vacation vibe.
4 stars mostly for the plot being so light — it felt a little boring in parts (Pete’s POV imo, haha). Although I’m sure the interest in the various POVs will vary. I also think it does the book a bit of a disservice to compare it to The Wedding People. Aside from taking place in a hotel, the similarities stop there. Make Nice stands well on its own and I worry that such a bold comparison will only hurt its potential success.
Recommended To:
Anyone who loves family drama, sibling dynamics and is looking for something light, funny and refreshing to read while on vacation or summer holiday! Readers who enjoyed books like Malibu Rising and The Nest would likely find themselves enjoying this book too!
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
➤ Vacation Read
➤ Sibling/Family Drama
➤ Alternating POVs
➤ Amateur Drug Dealing
➤ Her Husband is Gay
➤ Snail Educational Material
Thoughts:
This was such a fun and easy read! Effgen’s dialogue and character interactions are so fluid and comedic. This story rotates through 4 different POVs and each has its own unique voice since all of the characters are so different. My favorite character was Corey, the family screw up. Effgen does such a great job writing his character in a way that it’s easy to laugh at what an idiot he is, but also still empathize with the hurt he’s dealing with. Overall this was funny and enjoyable — a great summer/vacation vibe.
4 stars mostly for the plot being so light — it felt a little boring in parts (Pete’s POV imo, haha). Although I’m sure the interest in the various POVs will vary. I also think it does the book a bit of a disservice to compare it to The Wedding People. Aside from taking place in a hotel, the similarities stop there. Make Nice stands well on its own and I worry that such a bold comparison will only hurt its potential success.
Recommended To:
Anyone who loves family drama, sibling dynamics and is looking for something light, funny and refreshing to read while on vacation or summer holiday! Readers who enjoyed books like Malibu Rising and The Nest would likely find themselves enjoying this book too!
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into Make Nice with pretty high expectations. The comparisons to The Wedding People and Sandwich immediately caught my attention, and while I can see why those books are mentioned, this one never quite reached the same level for me.
That's not to say it's a bad book. In fact, it's a solid debut with plenty to admire. Ryan Effgen writes family dynamics exceptionally well, and the relationships between the characters felt authentic, messy, and relatable. When the various storylines begin to intersect, the novel finds its footing. The character interactions are often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and easily the strongest part of the book.
My biggest struggle was with the pacing. The opening felt weighed down by exposition and character setup, and even later in the story there were stretches where the narrative became overly reflective. I found myself wanting less time spent in the characters' heads and more time watching them interact with one another. Those moments of connection, conflict, and humor were where the book truly shined.
While Make Nice didn't leave a lasting impression on me the way some of its comparison titles did, it still delivered an engaging cast and thoughtful exploration of family, change, and connection. It may not have wowed me, but it certainly didn't disappoint me either. Effgen shows a lot of promise here, and I'd be interested to see what he writes next.
If you enjoy character-driven family dramas with sharp dialogue, emotional moments, and a healthy dose of dysfunction, this one is worth picking up. Maybe just go in with expectations of a good read rather than a great one.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
That's not to say it's a bad book. In fact, it's a solid debut with plenty to admire. Ryan Effgen writes family dynamics exceptionally well, and the relationships between the characters felt authentic, messy, and relatable. When the various storylines begin to intersect, the novel finds its footing. The character interactions are often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and easily the strongest part of the book.
My biggest struggle was with the pacing. The opening felt weighed down by exposition and character setup, and even later in the story there were stretches where the narrative became overly reflective. I found myself wanting less time spent in the characters' heads and more time watching them interact with one another. Those moments of connection, conflict, and humor were where the book truly shined.
While Make Nice didn't leave a lasting impression on me the way some of its comparison titles did, it still delivered an engaging cast and thoughtful exploration of family, change, and connection. It may not have wowed me, but it certainly didn't disappoint me either. Effgen shows a lot of promise here, and I'd be interested to see what he writes next.
If you enjoy character-driven family dramas with sharp dialogue, emotional moments, and a healthy dose of dysfunction, this one is worth picking up. Maybe just go in with expectations of a good read rather than a great one.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I chose to read this book because it is being promoted as "Sandwich meets The Wedding People," two extremely successful and entertaining books, and I like giving debut authors a read. I don't think I agree with whoever decided that mashup comparison: I adored both of those books, and while this is indeed a beach read about family (true or found), it is simply not of the same caliber as the other two summery books. It is good, but not great. I think that fans of family dramas with quirky characters will enjoy it on its own merits without the unnecessary comparison to two blockbusters.
This is a character-driven book with minimal plot development, but the good thing is that the characters in this family are all quite interesting. I think I liked Pete and his snail research the best, and I learned more about molluscs than I expected, which was great. The teenage Ash was also fun to spend time with, and her angst was well developed and often funny. The rest of the family has their own strengths and weaknesses that make them feel like real people.
The pace is quick and the pages fly by, but I found myself tripping over strange turns of phrase and sentence fragments that would have been better had they been complete sentences. I get the desire to sound breezy, but this can be accomplished in a less clunky way.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a character-driven book with minimal plot development, but the good thing is that the characters in this family are all quite interesting. I think I liked Pete and his snail research the best, and I learned more about molluscs than I expected, which was great. The teenage Ash was also fun to spend time with, and her angst was well developed and often funny. The rest of the family has their own strengths and weaknesses that make them feel like real people.
The pace is quick and the pages fly by, but I found myself tripping over strange turns of phrase and sentence fragments that would have been better had they been complete sentences. I get the desire to sound breezy, but this can be accomplished in a less clunky way.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Pickfords put on their happy faces and agreed to a long weekend reunion on the Lake Michigan island where they spent childhood summers until the summer their house was quickly and mysteriously sold. As adults, the three siblings each bring specific memories from these past summers and must come to terms with how the sale has affected their adult lives. Viv is reeling from a sudden revelation in her marriage and her loss at how to respond. Her teenage daughter, Ash, who knows more than her parents realize, is struggling with the changes she knows will be coming in her future in addition to other teen-era challenges. Scientist Pete is hoping for a promotion that he isn't sure he wants, but realizes at this stage in his career, may not be a bad thing. As he searches for an invasive snail species, he falls in love with a woman and her son, and begins to understand there is more to life than his career. Corey, the estranged brother, who never recovered from his mother's death and the burden of his father's secrets, shows up without warning and kicks off a series of events that unearths a long-held family secret and the real reason behind the sale of the family vacation home.
Great beach or weekend-binge read title. This is a great read alike for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Jennifer Weiner.
Great beach or weekend-binge read title. This is a great read alike for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Jennifer Weiner.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Make Nice by Ryan Effgen is a tense and immersive look at a deeply dysfunctional family forced into close quarters, and it does not hold back. The premise alone is compelling, but what really stands out is how vividly the story pulls you in. At times, it feels less like reading and more like being trapped in the room with the characters, absorbing every accusation, every uncomfortable silence, and every emotional outburst.
Effgen does an excellent job capturing the chaos of family dynamics, especially the kind filled with unresolved tension and constant finger-pointing. The experience closely mirrors the feeling of an especially heated holiday gathering, where old grievances resurface and no one leaves unscathed. That realism is both a strength and, at times, a challenge; my anxiety rose alongside the characters, and there were moments I found myself eager to escape the situation.
While the concept is strong and the execution largely effective, the intensity and sheer volume of conflict can feel overwhelming. Still, that may very well be the point. Make Nice succeeds in creating an emotionally charged, claustrophobic atmosphere that lingers well after you’ve put the book down.
A gripping, if sometimes exhausting, read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of family conflict.
Effgen does an excellent job capturing the chaos of family dynamics, especially the kind filled with unresolved tension and constant finger-pointing. The experience closely mirrors the feeling of an especially heated holiday gathering, where old grievances resurface and no one leaves unscathed. That realism is both a strength and, at times, a challenge; my anxiety rose alongside the characters, and there were moments I found myself eager to escape the situation.
While the concept is strong and the execution largely effective, the intensity and sheer volume of conflict can feel overwhelming. Still, that may very well be the point. Make Nice succeeds in creating an emotionally charged, claustrophobic atmosphere that lingers well after you’ve put the book down.
A gripping, if sometimes exhausting, read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of family conflict.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐️ This book is being marketed as Sandwich meets The Wedding People. I haven’t read Sandwich, but Make Nice is everything I wanted The Wedding People to actually be. Make Nice follows a quirky family on their summer vacation to Mackinac Island, Michigan to honor their late mother. Viv, with her daughter Ash, is trying to keep it cool in the after shock of finding out her husband is gay. Pete, the snail expert, just wants to relive his childhood memories and ignore his work drama. Finally, Corey, the black sheep sibling, brings a little bit of trouble to the island. Along the way, we find out why the family abruptly left Mackinac Island when they were kids after one Fourth of July holiday.
There are so many laugh out loud moments here. These characters are so quirky and unique. I think people who enjoy Midwest summers and lighthearted family dramas will really enjoy this book. There were some parts of the book where I found myself wishing that we got even more of the story, like the part where we relive Warren and Viv’s first date.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy: quirky, well developed characters, summer themed family dramas, stories set on Mackinac Island, and bingeable and laugh out loud stories for your summer vacay.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many laugh out loud moments here. These characters are so quirky and unique. I think people who enjoy Midwest summers and lighthearted family dramas will really enjoy this book. There were some parts of the book where I found myself wishing that we got even more of the story, like the part where we relive Warren and Viv’s first date.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy: quirky, well developed characters, summer themed family dramas, stories set on Mackinac Island, and bingeable and laugh out loud stories for your summer vacay.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Being a Michigander, knowing Mackinac Island, and interested in a summer read, Effgen's novel filled that desire. Unlike "Sandwich," the novel that is compared to this book, there is a lot more action in "Make Nice" and a lot less depth between the characters. The family reunites at the island, where they once had a cottage, partly because the father felt he owed this visit to his deceased wife, and his adult children and teen granddaughter, oblige for this visit, yet no one really seems to know what to do with their time at the island that reconnects them with their mother. Readers don't even see how the island was important to the mother. Interestingly, one son, the scientist, and the daughter, whose marriage is ending because her husband is now gay, both take advantage to pursue romance, so we are introduced to two more characters that we don't really get to know, and the son who didn't show up for the mother's funeral, Corey, surprises everyone by showing up for the reunion, and bis roommate from New York pops in to liven up the plot, but when the week at the island ends, the characters seem to go their own ways, and we don't really know much more about where some are heading, nor how this week changed their relationships with each other. It's a novel where you don't think deeply but just ride out on the waves.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Pickford family is meeting on Michigan's Mackinac Island for a family reunion and an opportunity to remember their mother who died three months ago. The three Pickford siblings arrive with a lot of extra baggage to unpack. Viv is accompanied by her teenage daughter but she has just discovered that her husband is gay so he has stayed home while she grapples with what this means for her future. Pete, the nerdy scientist, is up for a prestigious promotion at his university, but learns during the trip that he will be passed over, and Corey, the youngest and black sheep, arrives with a brick of cocaine he hopes to sell to one of the rich guests at the Grand Hotel. Their father is a background character with secrets of his own that will be revealed during the trip.
The book starts slowly and I found it difficult to relate to the characters but the pace picked up and I found myself eager to learn how the characters would resolve their conflicts and move forward. Mackinac Island is accurately portrayed and it's a fun read for anyone who has been there. This would be a great beach read.
The Pickford family is meeting on Michigan's Mackinac Island for a family reunion and an opportunity to remember their mother who died three months ago. The three Pickford siblings arrive with a lot of extra baggage to unpack. Viv is accompanied by her teenage daughter but she has just discovered that her husband is gay so he has stayed home while she grapples with what this means for her future. Pete, the nerdy scientist, is up for a prestigious promotion at his university, but learns during the trip that he will be passed over, and Corey, the youngest and black sheep, arrives with a brick of cocaine he hopes to sell to one of the rich guests at the Grand Hotel. Their father is a background character with secrets of his own that will be revealed during the trip.
The book starts slowly and I found it difficult to relate to the characters but the pace picked up and I found myself eager to learn how the characters would resolve their conflicts and move forward. Mackinac Island is accurately portrayed and it's a fun read for anyone who has been there. This would be a great beach read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Make Nice was a fun, light, semi-emotional, fully dysfunctional story of the Pickford siblings as they meet up with their dad at their childhood vacation spot of Michigan's Mackinac Island to honor their recently passed mom.
Scientist Pete is trying to get ahead at work, and here finds himself making friends with a young (likely autistic) child and his not-yet single mom. Sister Viv is hiding the recent revelation that her husband is gay and now reliving a significant event from her teens. Third sibling, hapless and undependable Corey, is involved in a drug-selling scheme on the island.
I had a good time with the three siblings - grown adults but each in some sort of crisis amidst ridiculous vacation escapades. Their stories connect only in that the three are related but the novel has an easy flow. With lovely imagery, the author wrote a beautiful setting on Lake Michigan that will make you want to go there for your next trip.
Ryan Effgen perfectly depicts sibling rivalries, family secrets and the inevitable cluster of family vacations. I read it over a few gray, rainy days but this would be a great beach read when it comes out in July.
TY Knopf and NetGalley for the advanced digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
Scientist Pete is trying to get ahead at work, and here finds himself making friends with a young (likely autistic) child and his not-yet single mom. Sister Viv is hiding the recent revelation that her husband is gay and now reliving a significant event from her teens. Third sibling, hapless and undependable Corey, is involved in a drug-selling scheme on the island.
I had a good time with the three siblings - grown adults but each in some sort of crisis amidst ridiculous vacation escapades. Their stories connect only in that the three are related but the novel has an easy flow. With lovely imagery, the author wrote a beautiful setting on Lake Michigan that will make you want to go there for your next trip.
Ryan Effgen perfectly depicts sibling rivalries, family secrets and the inevitable cluster of family vacations. I read it over a few gray, rainy days but this would be a great beach read when it comes out in July.
TY Knopf and NetGalley for the advanced digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2026
The way I jumped on this ARC when I saw “𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨…”
The Pickford family is gathering at The Grand Hotel to honor their recently deceased matriarch’s wishes, but nothing about the family dynamic is functional. Viv is pretending her marriage is fine, “science uncle” (as Viv’s daughter Ash - not Ashley - calls him) is confident in his upcoming promotion, “bad uncle” shows up, even though his missed his own mother’s funeral, and the Pickford patriarch has a pretty big secret of his own. The place is almost a character itself: the hotel and island are comically vacation-oriented. There’s also a lot of (interesting!) snail information and a large quantity of illegal drugs.
This was the perfect spring break read! When I’m home doing nothing, I want to vacation vicariously through dysfunctional (but very likable) characters! It’s more Wedding People than Sandwich for me, but it truly stands on its own accord. The balance between serious conflict and comedy is so well done. I couldn’t wait to see how everything worked out for the Pickfords! Highly recommend for your summer reading!
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!
The Pickford family is gathering at The Grand Hotel to honor their recently deceased matriarch’s wishes, but nothing about the family dynamic is functional. Viv is pretending her marriage is fine, “science uncle” (as Viv’s daughter Ash - not Ashley - calls him) is confident in his upcoming promotion, “bad uncle” shows up, even though his missed his own mother’s funeral, and the Pickford patriarch has a pretty big secret of his own. The place is almost a character itself: the hotel and island are comically vacation-oriented. There’s also a lot of (interesting!) snail information and a large quantity of illegal drugs.
This was the perfect spring break read! When I’m home doing nothing, I want to vacation vicariously through dysfunctional (but very likable) characters! It’s more Wedding People than Sandwich for me, but it truly stands on its own accord. The balance between serious conflict and comedy is so well done. I couldn’t wait to see how everything worked out for the Pickfords! Highly recommend for your summer reading!
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some minor spoilers ahead...
I genuinely found Make Nice to be a fast paced, fun read, and I loved the setting of Mackinac Island. The characters are flawed and mostly unlikable (Pete being the only exception--he was a good man), but I felt connected to them anyways, which I find to be rather rare in a lot a books these days (however, Ash/Ashley/whatever almost ruined the book for me) that feature the not so virtuous.
Unfortunately something also felt a little off with the narrative as a whole. I didn't see much closure to anyone's storyline; rather, their threads felt glossed over. Mom, on whom this entire book is based, is merely an afterthought. Viv's husband is quite easily let off the hook for imploding their marriage because he's secretly gay (?) and let's be serious--in 2026 progressive Chicago, this idea is laughable. What happens about Pete's promotion? Ash hides the crack...in...golfballs? And Corey's troubles are thus tied up with a bow? I just wished, for all the tangents this went on in almost 350 pages, that things weren't left as hanging as they were.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley.
I genuinely found Make Nice to be a fast paced, fun read, and I loved the setting of Mackinac Island. The characters are flawed and mostly unlikable (Pete being the only exception--he was a good man), but I felt connected to them anyways, which I find to be rather rare in a lot a books these days (however, Ash/Ashley/whatever almost ruined the book for me) that feature the not so virtuous.
Unfortunately something also felt a little off with the narrative as a whole. I didn't see much closure to anyone's storyline; rather, their threads felt glossed over. Mom, on whom this entire book is based, is merely an afterthought. Viv's husband is quite easily let off the hook for imploding their marriage because he's secretly gay (?) and let's be serious--in 2026 progressive Chicago, this idea is laughable. What happens about Pete's promotion? Ash hides the crack...in...golfballs? And Corey's troubles are thus tied up with a bow? I just wished, for all the tangents this went on in almost 350 pages, that things weren't left as hanging as they were.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought Make Nice was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't a book that completely grabbed me. The story follows several members of the same family as they come together after their mother's death, and there are plenty of funny, touching, and awkward moments along the way.
What I liked most was the way the book explored family dynamics. The characters felt realistic, and many of their struggles and interactions were relatable. There were moments that made me laugh and others that made me feel for the characters.
That said, I found it a little difficult to connect deeply with the story because there were so many different characters and perspectives. Just as I started to become invested in one person's storyline, the book would shift to someone else. As a result, I felt like we never got quite far enough into any one character's experience to fully understand them or become truly attached to their journey.
Overall, I liked Make Nice well enough and enjoyed spending time with the Pickford family, but I think I would have connected with it more if the story had focused on fewer characters and explored their individual stories in greater depth.
What I liked most was the way the book explored family dynamics. The characters felt realistic, and many of their struggles and interactions were relatable. There were moments that made me laugh and others that made me feel for the characters.
That said, I found it a little difficult to connect deeply with the story because there were so many different characters and perspectives. Just as I started to become invested in one person's storyline, the book would shift to someone else. As a result, I felt like we never got quite far enough into any one character's experience to fully understand them or become truly attached to their journey.
Overall, I liked Make Nice well enough and enjoyed spending time with the Pickford family, but I think I would have connected with it more if the story had focused on fewer characters and explored their individual stories in greater depth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Anyone who has read my reviews knows how much I love a multigenerational family drama. Toss in the fact that this family is meeting up on Mackinac Island? This one was going on my summer read list. (For those unaware, Mackinac Island is an island in Northern Michigan, at the base of the Upper Peninsula in Lake Huron, famous as a summer resort area and for no motorized vehicle traffic.)
Ryan Effgen’s debut introduces the reader to a very dysfunctional family in the Pickfords. And the Mackinac Island setting is lovely. I found the plot turns interesting, but it was challenging for me to connect with the characters. Through most of it, Pete, Viv, and Corey’s stories read to me more like those of individuals than of siblings. By the time their stories converged, I found myself less invested.
I love delving into families, personalities, and their interconnected dramas, so I certainly enjoyed the novel, especially as a debut. If you’re looking for a resort-setting summer read with drama and flawed characters, you may enjoy this one. 3 stars. Thanks to Knopf, the author, and NetGalley for providing this copy of Make Nice for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Ryan Effgen’s debut introduces the reader to a very dysfunctional family in the Pickfords. And the Mackinac Island setting is lovely. I found the plot turns interesting, but it was challenging for me to connect with the characters. Through most of it, Pete, Viv, and Corey’s stories read to me more like those of individuals than of siblings. By the time their stories converged, I found myself less invested.
I love delving into families, personalities, and their interconnected dramas, so I certainly enjoyed the novel, especially as a debut. If you’re looking for a resort-setting summer read with drama and flawed characters, you may enjoy this one. 3 stars. Thanks to Knopf, the author, and NetGalley for providing this copy of Make Nice for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story follows the Pickford family during a long weekend at the beautiful Grand Hotel.
It seems like the perfect getaway with horse drawn carriages, lake views, and fancy cocktails. But behind the picture perfect setting there is plenty of family drama, secrets, awkward moments, and a lot of humor.
Pete is a scientist searching for a rare snail in the lake. Viv is trying to stay strong after learning a difficult truth about her marriage. Her teenage daughter is getting into the kind of trouble teenagers do. Then there is Corey, a grifter who somehow becomes one of the most entertaining parts of the story.
This book made me laugh and also reminded me how complicated family relationships can be. It is funny, messy, and full of heart. It also feels like the perfect summer setting.
If you enjoy stories about families, secrets, and a little bit of chaos, this is a great one to pick up.
It seems like the perfect getaway with horse drawn carriages, lake views, and fancy cocktails. But behind the picture perfect setting there is plenty of family drama, secrets, awkward moments, and a lot of humor.
Pete is a scientist searching for a rare snail in the lake. Viv is trying to stay strong after learning a difficult truth about her marriage. Her teenage daughter is getting into the kind of trouble teenagers do. Then there is Corey, a grifter who somehow becomes one of the most entertaining parts of the story.
This book made me laugh and also reminded me how complicated family relationships can be. It is funny, messy, and full of heart. It also feels like the perfect summer setting.
If you enjoy stories about families, secrets, and a little bit of chaos, this is a great one to pick up.
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