Make Nice: A Novel

by Ryan Effgen

Sandwich 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.

"Engaging and charming, perfect for your own summer vacation."
—Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hotel Nantucket

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.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Summer, Family Drama, Literary Fiction, Drama, Comedy

Audible Audio

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Brandon Copley · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jessica Haile · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Matt Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Haley Sparks · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Stephanie Peterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 Viv opens up to her brothers Corey and Pete about ending her marriage and they ask if it has to do with her husband's sexuality, and when she relents and neither of them seem surprised, Corey explains: "well, there was this one time i saw him open a bag of chips with a pair of scissors..." and it just had me laughing uncontrollably for several minutes.

thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!

[Kimberly (Bookblurbist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Hope Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Celia Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emmie Mere · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ashley Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ryan Brandenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good messy family drama, so I was intrigued by the premise of this book. Plus, since it was the author’s debut, I was thrilled to have the chance to read it.

The novel revolves around three adult siblings who reunite with their elderly father for a week-long stay on an island off Michigan. Each character is burdened by past, unresolved trauma, which sets the stage for a compelling storyline.

While author Ryan Effgen’s writing was excellent, I never truly connected with the characters or the story. Each character was somewhat intriguing, but I felt that Effgen didn’t fully develop them, or at least not enough for me to really invest in the novel.

The plot is not very engaging, and the subpar character development made the overall reading experience mediocre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the privilege of reading this book before its release on July 14, 2025. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite resonate with me as much as I’d hoped.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I was skeptical when I started this book: it's hard not to be weary (and wary) of the family story trope. BUT--about 20 or so pages in, I realized that this was not at all a formulaic broken-family-on-an-island piece. The plot itself isn't that complicated, just one or two surprises that weren't that surprising. What captured--and kept--my interest were the characters themselves. It would have been easy to fall into clichés here, but Effgen has a knack for imbuing his characters with inner lives that shine through onto the pages and serve to propel the story forward. There are no overly flamboyant or grandiose characters here; instead each one inhabits their place in the book with ease--and just enough tension to keep the story moving.
I gave this one 4 stars: so far it's my sleeper book of the year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Alfred A. Knopf for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
(Edit to fix typo)

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

* thanks to Knopf for the NetGalley review copy (pub date: July 14, 2026)

A family with multiple generations of people exhibiting varying degrees of dysfunctional behavior meet up at a fancy Michigan resort hotel and things go off the rails.

Comparing Make Nice to Sandwich and The Wedding People is a real stretch and sets readers up to be disappointed in a perfectly good book that is an ideal summer/beach/pool read. Vacation setting, lightly funny, lightly emotional, and very easy to dip in and out of between trips back and forth from the house to the beach/wrangling children/reapplying sunscreen/getting another drink. Another reviewer said this is a perfect book to leave behind at your beach house AirBnB for the next guests to enjoy, and I couldn't agree more.

(3.5 rounded up)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun beach read, particularly on a Great Lake beach. Loved this so much - the scientist brother, the troubled brother, and the overwhelmed sister and her daughter, plus their father, reunite for a family vacation near their former vacation home. In light of their mother's recent passing, it's also meant to serve as a gathering to honor her as well. As someone who lives in Michigan and visits Mackinac Island every spring, I must warn the reader that while this is based on Mackinac Island, liberties are taken with the description of the island and it's activities. Totally understand that. However, it really reads as someone who didn't do their homework, because Mackinac Island is NOT located in Lake Michigan, it is in Lake Huron.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.

[Roxana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong debut from author Ryan Effgen, Make Nice tells the story of a few days in the life of a family on vacation, trying to get along, trying to get by, trying to, well, make nice.

The characters drive the book, and they're appealingly well-sketched as they muddle through their interactions with one another. It all clips along at a brisk, steady pace, keeping me eager to return to read a few more pages, and comes to a satisfying conclusion just this side of overly sweet.

A charming, touching comedy of manners perfect for reading poolside on holiday - perhaps to avoid your family, or to share it with them.

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

[Aleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family sagas can sometimes be hit or miss for me, depending on the pacing and depth. As they’re primarily character-driven novels, I prefer to be extremely engaged and/or connected to them if I’m going to be spending so much time in their minds.

This was comped to The Wedding People and The Vacationers, which are big shoes to fill. While I don’t quite think it is to the level of those two books, this was a nice classic family drama that will make a good beach/vacation read. I liked the setting and found the Michigan beach town unique.

*many thanks to the published and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

[Lisa Revord · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the request of his recently deceased wife, a widower invites his three children to spend a week with him on the island where they used to spend they spend their summers at their vacation house which has since been sold. The adult children are a daughter who just discovered her husband is gay, a son who is a malacologist, and a son who never really got his life together. The book follows the family over the course of the week and we discover more about each person and the memories they have of summers spent on this idyllic island. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend. It comes out in July.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a first novel, I thought Ryan Effgen did a wonderful job!!! I'm sorry about some of the more critical reviews and do not understand their expectations for a "beach read". I thought the story moved along, had lots of intrigue and different avenues. Were they all believable, perhaps not, but hey this is fiction. It kept me reading and wanting to know what happened next. The ending certainly left some questions, but I am assuming (and hoping) there will be a sequel. Good job Mr Effgen, for a first novel, I think you did great!!!

[Andy Krahling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this messy family drama, set on a thinly-disguised Mackinac Island in Michigan. It took me a little while to follow the author's rhythm, but once it clicked, it clicked. As a matter of fact, I didn't want the book to end, and I hope the author will consider a sequel.

The ending felt a little rushed, but overall, was satisfactory.

For a first novel, this is pretty good.

Would I read more from the author? Heck, yea.

I received a complimentary e-copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

[Jovdb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at family dynamics.

After their mother died, Pete and Viv, and her teenage daughter Ash were summoned, by their father, to meet up at The Grand Hotel.

This hotel was on an island where the family had owned a home some years ago. Not sure why the father had requested this from them, they arrived. Imagine their surprise when Corey, their brother and black sheep of the family, also turned up.

Being on the island brought back memories for all three children. It also brought surprises they weren’t prepared for.

[Lydia Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of Make Nice. I appreciate the writing style—very accessible with great pacing. Anything with a sibling dynamic I find interesting, and the family distinction is well portrayed here. I especially liked the scenes with Pete and Ollie, would love a sequel to that one. That said, I wished for more closure overall as the ending was too abrupt for me. Still, it’s promising for a debut and I hope the next book takes things a bit further.

[SABINA POSTAL · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a fractured family that comes together to honor their mother by visiting the island they went to as kids during summer vacations. Stuff happens but then nothing really happens and then its over. A fine quick read if you enjoy poking your head into other people's lives with extremely low stakes. Would be fun to revisit the family in a couple years and see what transpired after the events of this book

Thank you to Knopf and Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this family drama! It's the story of three siblings--all very different--who are on a "reunion" to Lake Michigan after their mother dies. But each has problems of their own and it all comes to a head here as their parents owned a home on the beach and there are so many memories of their times together. We see each of their backgrounds, growing up differently and choosing paths that suit them. It's a great thriller that I raced through!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Lindsay K. J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️💫

A family reunion on a lake in Michigan has the Pickford siblings each dealing and confronting some diet of existential crisis, while trying to make a good week for their dad and the memory of their mom.

I thought the premise was good, but I never really connected with the characters.

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[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. It starts off slowly and no one feels particularly relatable or likeable but it picks up as you get to know the characters. It's quirky and the comparison to Wedding People feels accurate. Good for people who enjoy family dramas with a strong sense of place.

[Carissa]

Just not my kind of book/characters. Found it difficult to want to pick up. Life's too short to read books you're not super into.

Also, any Michigander would know Mackinac Island is not in Lake Michigan. Feels easy to look up to get that right.