Book Summary and Reviews of Make Nice by Ryan Effgen

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Janine_S

Family vacation reveals a family
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.

jillg

An Imperfect Family Reunion
MAKE NICE
By Ryan Effgen

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.