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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.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is ironic to me that a key element in one character’s storyline involves snails because this novel moves at a snail’s pace. The complexity of family relationships is explored with sensitivity and compassion as three siblings and their father convene at the Grand Hotel on an island off the coast of Michigan (sounds a lot like Mackinac Island). This quirky locale is a throwback to a time with horse-drawn carriages, no automobiles and quaint, but charming, businesses.
The purpose of the gathering is to honor their recently deceased matriarch who planned the trip before her demise. As they gather around the table with a gruff and distant father, the fractures in the siblings’ lives come to light. Pete is a professor renowned for his expertise in gastropods but has no social life. Accompanied by her teenage daughter, Viv is facing the dissolution of her marriage following her husband’s disclosure that he is gay. Lastly, Corey, who gained some notoriety and wealth as a child star in commercials, has coasted through life on his charisma and questionable ethics.
The story unfolds as each sibling revisits their memories of the summers spent on the island when the family owned a second home there – idyllic times that ended abruptly for reasons that are uncovered by the end of the book. To some extent this is a redemption story as the flaws of each character are acknowledged and become springboards for much needed change and open communication.
The story was refreshingly unique and the characters relatable, but as mentioned above, the pacing and minimal action make for a slow read.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
The purpose of the gathering is to honor their recently deceased matriarch who planned the trip before her demise. As they gather around the table with a gruff and distant father, the fractures in the siblings’ lives come to light. Pete is a professor renowned for his expertise in gastropods but has no social life. Accompanied by her teenage daughter, Viv is facing the dissolution of her marriage following her husband’s disclosure that he is gay. Lastly, Corey, who gained some notoriety and wealth as a child star in commercials, has coasted through life on his charisma and questionable ethics.
The story unfolds as each sibling revisits their memories of the summers spent on the island when the family owned a second home there – idyllic times that ended abruptly for reasons that are uncovered by the end of the book. To some extent this is a redemption story as the flaws of each character are acknowledged and become springboards for much needed change and open communication.
The story was refreshingly unique and the characters relatable, but as mentioned above, the pacing and minimal action make for a slow read.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25
setting: Michigan
rep: n/a
This was a really fun book! I totally understand the comp to the wedding people and I enjoyed following these disparate siblings over their five day break. I did have a standout fave and that was Pete the snail scientist - I happily would read an entire book just about him (plus Rebecca and Oliver please!).
setting: Michigan
rep: n/a
This was a really fun book! I totally understand the comp to the wedding people and I enjoyed following these disparate siblings over their five day break. I did have a standout fave and that was Pete the snail scientist - I happily would read an entire book just about him (plus Rebecca and Oliver please!).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
fun book with a variety of unique characters and effective subplots ranging from invasive snails all the way to selling drugs. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Loved this wonderful book!!!
January 18, 2026
Wow, what a debut! Early glimpses at Pete, Viv and Corey are gripping, and then MAKE NICE becomes a masterpiece of pacing. I can't wait for others to read so I can finally talk about this book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews