Fun for the Whole Family

By Jennifer E. Smith
​** Publication Date 8 April 2025 **
4 stars


Sometimes you need something other than a mystery or thriller to give you chills. This novel does all that, and even shed a tear or two along the way. 


Four siblings, raised almost parentless, become estranged over one sibling’s violation of their privacy. So when a message comes from one of the four, to the other, asking them to join her in North Dakota for a weekend, of course they all agree. It is with trepidation that the family reunites, now with extended family members, to try to pick up the pieces and become one group again.
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This book was amazing. I am an only child, so I cannot imagine what it’s like for a group of siblings, mostly raised by the oldest, to stop speaking to one another. To me, it would have to be mighty big to cause such a rift. Jennifer E. Smith unwinds this spool of thread inch by inch. Gives us current bits and old bits to marinate before unspooling more. It kept me so engaged and looking forward to the hopeful time where these four would no longer feel like strangers. 


I did shed a tear or two several times throughout. Really good.