Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

In Maine Characters, two half-sisters—Vivian, a sommelier from New York, and Lucy, a high school teacher in Maine—meet for the first time after their father’s sudden death. Brought together at the family’s lake cabin to sort through his estate, they’re forced to deal with grief, family secrets, and a whole lot of emotional baggage they didn’t sign up for.

I expected a lighter, beachy kind of read, but this had way more emotional depth than I anticipated—in the best way. Yes, there’s humor, but it’s also about loss, strained relationships, and figuring out how to connect with someone who’s technically family but feels like a stranger.

I really liked how the relationship between Vivian and Lucy evolved. Their personalities couldn’t be more different, and that made their dynamic feel real and, at times, pretty touching. It did move a little slowly in spots, but I was fully invested in how everything played out.

A little heavier than I was expecting, but a really satisfying, heartfelt read.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one had so much potential to be a great summer read, but was SO SLOW for me. I don’t know if it’s just that May kicked my butt (I’m on the struggle bus!!!) or if it was just not my thing, but whatever it was - I didn’t fall in love. Set at a lake house in Maine, we meet half-sisters who have never known about each other after their stories collide when their father dies and they both wind up at his lake house at the same time. Both are also nursing their wounds as they recover from heartbreak. As they piece their stories together and learn about each other and how they fit together. It DOES give me Carley Fortune vibes (and I LOVE her). If you’re looking for a slower-paced, found family, dual POV, and small-town charm, this is a good one!

Firstly, the cover art of this book is beautiful, and is quintessential Northeastern summer. It drew me in immediately. The setting is further emphasized through vivid descriptive writing that captures both the nostalgia of summertime, and the beauty that is Maine. Readers that enjoy Carley Fortune’s waterside stories and lake homes, will likely also enjoy the cabin on Fox Hill Lake.

I wish I connected with the characters as much as I did with the setting. I didn’t warm to them right away, and the parent-trap style antics contributed to a general feeling of immaturity. There are a lot of poor decisions made in the story that are never really explained properly or justified. The many love triangles contributed to my general feeling that most of the characters were only acting in their own self-interests and frankly, just not good or considerate people. The extremely long chapter sizes were another miss for me, and made the pacing of the book slow.

Something that the author really excels at in the story is the Jewish representation. It is expertly crafted, subtle enough to feel organic and natural, but prevalent enough to feel authentic. This stands out as a stronger aspect of the characterization.

The transportive summer setting made this worth the read, but I wanted more from the characters and found the pacing slow and disjointed in some areas.

When I’m looking for a lighthearted, easy read, I generally gravitate to a typical “beach read”, but I may have to explore more “New England lake reads”.

This was such a sweet story that explored the both/and parts of human nature, as opposed to either/or. Hank’s character, told through the experiences of his daughters, is such a great example of this, as is Vivian’s character arc throughout the book. While there are romantic themes throughout this book, I really feel it focused more on relationships between sisters and mothers.

A book’s conclusion can really make or break the entire book for me, and the ending of this book was just right, although I would love a continued peek into the romantic relationships that were developing if this ever became a series!

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this parent trap escape book. I only wish I could have read it on the east coast!! Although I wasn’t a fan of either character all too much, I really enjoyed the storyline. This is a perfect read to take with you on vacation, camping, or just lounging by a pool!!

Thank you first and foremost net galley and Hannah Orinstein for allowing me to read this book early in advance in exchange for an honest review!

I couldn't wait to dive into Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein. Taking place at a lake house in Maine, two half-sisters meet for the first time after their father’s unexpected passing. They spent the summer together, getting to know each other and to make decisions about the family lake house.

I LOVED it!!! I might be biased as a New Englander, I love any books taking place in New England. This book also was referred as “The Parent Trap”, but with adults. I was intrigued as that is one of my favorite movies. Sure enough, I could see why! While both sisters could be flawed at times, the complicated family drama was entertaining. The author did excellent job of describing the lake too. I understood the special bond of having a lake house as I grew up on a lake as a kid too. Brought back a lot of memories for me! I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Alright. So. This book started out slow and was a bit hard to get into, but once it hooked me, I loved it. I love the town setting, I liked both main characters, and felt a sense of nostalgia throughout the book.
I have read a few books by Hannah, and they are all just perfect for that summer reading

Two half-sisters who meet for the first time following their father's death form an unlikely friendship and build a family relationship from the ground up. Full of compelling characters with a beautiful setting in Maine, readers who enjoy thoughtful fiction will enjoy this title.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein is a moving novel about two half-sisters, Vivian and Lucy, who meet for the first time after their father dies unexpectedly. Vivian is a sophisticated sommelier from New York City, while Lucy is a small-town English teacher in Maine. Though they’ve both spent summers at their father’s Maine lake house, they’ve never been there at the same time—until now. Forced to share the house and confront the truth about their complicated family history, the sisters begin a tense, emotional journey of discovery, grief, and possible connection.

The story’s biggest strengths lie in its heartfelt character development and vivid setting. Orenstein brings the Maine lake house to life, creating a quiet, reflective backdrop for the sisters’ emotional growth. Both Vivian and Lucy are well-drawn characters with believable flaws and struggles, and their evolving relationship feels authentic and deeply human. The book deals with themes like loss, identity, resentment, and forgiveness in a way that feels honest and relatable.

While the novel may feel slow in parts and some plot points are predictable, Maine Characters shines as a quiet, emotionally resonant story about what it means to be family. It doesn’t rely on twists or drama but instead focuses on the smaller, more meaningful moments of healing and connection. Readers who enjoy thoughtful, character-driven stories—especially ones set in atmospheric locations—will find much to love here.

I couldn't get past the first few pages and the present tense. Seemed basic and boring and not my cup of tea.

3.5 stars. I have yet to read Hannah Orenstein yet I have a great interest in some of her titles. I will for sure be reading more soon. I loved her style of writing, writing scenery, emotions, the motions of the story. I couldn't give this book four stars like I really wished I could because I thought sometimes the pacing and the perspective shift were a little clunky, hard to keep up with. There was jumping back and forth in time in ways that were not always so definitive and clear. I also had a hard time finding Vivian likable and her shift was more due to needing to move the story along than there was visible character change. I found the base of the story very touching and intriguing. Maybe Vivian wasn't so likable but I did appreciate all of the women being portrayed realistically, allowing ugliness and grace in the personal relationships. The storyline with Harrison seemed missable, Lucy could have had all of her change without having this other man. Caleb too maybe was unnecessary too but as a more prominent figure compared to Harrison, Caleb fit better.

Loved the concept of the parent trap throughout this book. Really enjoyed seeing how Lucy and Vivian develop throughout the story. I loved how both women took back their lives from relationships that weren’t serving them anymore. Also loved seeing how the boundaries were set and relationship dynamics were changing. Plus it felt like a really good depiction of Maine.

4⭐️

Brief overview:

When Vivian's father dies and she inherits his lake house in Maine, she reluctantly leaves New York City to clean out the house and put it on the market. What she doesn't plan on is finding out she has a secret sister.

Lucy had headed up to the lake house to spend July with her dad, like she does every year. The only time she actually gets to see her father. Instead of her father waiting for her, she finds a very surprised and less than friendly woman telling her that her father is dead and her summer house is going to be sold.

My thoughts:

At first, I didn't like either of the main characters and it took me a bit of time to warm up. As the story progresses, the characters grow and evolved into much more relatable people. The town of Fox Hill felt realistic, I love a story than can transport me to a new place! As much as I don't want to be surrounded by trust fund babies, I would love a fresh lobster dinner on the lake!

Came for the cover, stayed for the story. I fell in love with the cover and title of this book. Having read it, I absolutely adore Hannah Orenstein‘s writing style which is evocative and engaging.

Thank you Dutton and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I had high hopes for this because I love books that deal with grief, but I really did not like the writing style of this book and had to DNF

This emotionally charged story centers on two half-sisters, Lucy and Vivian, who are brought together by the sudden death of their father, Hank. Raised apart—with Lucy living a stagnant life in Maine and Vivian enjoying an upscale New York lifestyle—they meet at their father’s lakeside cabin, where secrets and past trauma surface, changing everything.

I was hooked from the start and deeply moved by the family dynamics, grief, and self-reinvention explored here. The writing beautifully weaves together the sisters’ intertwined stories and their complicated relationships, making it a heartfelt read. The Maine setting was vivid and added charm, especially for a New Englander like me.

That said, the multiple flashbacks and the use of present tense in third person made it tricky at times to differentiate past from present. I also struggled to relate to Vivian, particularly around her choices, though I understood her motivations. The romance subplot wasn’t the main draw for me, but the emotional family drama carried the story.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, tearjerking book about sisterhood, loss, and new beginnings—perfect for readers who enjoy complex family stories. While it may not fully deliver on the lighter “summer read” vibe its cover suggests, it offers a meaningful and engaging experience for fans of emotional dramas and layered character studies.

This book was a really cool twist on the concept of the movie “The Parent Trap”, and I really liked that aspect of it! Two sisters, Vivian and Lucy, meet for the first time after their father’s death, and a lot of drama unfolds and secrets are revealed about their father’s life and relationships with his two daughters. Overall, the book’s concept intrigued me immediately, but I felt like it disappointed me a little bit.

Personally, I did not connect with or even find the two main characters very likable for the first half of the book, and I almost put the book down multiple times because of it. They both are incredibly, and hastily, judgmental at times, but I am all for complex characters. So, I pushed through, and I did end up liking the characters more toward the end. It just took a while for me to get to that point sadly, and I feel like there were not enough initial redeemable qualities in one of the characters for me to root for them for most of the book.

I am so thankful for this ARC, I enjoyed the book in totality, and I am glad I got to read about these complex characters and their transformations!

First of all! The gorgeous cover. If you liked the parent trap you might like this beautiful read. We follow our two FMCs Vivian and Lucy, two half sisters who lost their dad. The book deals with sister relationships, secrets and family drama. The story was good and kept me engaged, the writing was beautiful. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Maine Characters by @hannahorens

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @duttonbooks and Hannah for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book — it’s a little different than most books I read but it was super refreshing and was an easy read.

This book wasn’t really about romantic relationships, there were elements of this, but more about relationships with family and navigating grief and forgiveness.

I listened to this on audiobook as well and the narrator did a great job of getting both FMC’s points across and delving into their emotions so well.

This book was real life messy — wasn’t wrapped up in a cute bow but really delved into the layers of grief and strained relationships.

If you like:
💞The Parent Trap (but for adults)
🌷Strangers to sisters
🩵Found family and reconciliation
🤫Secrets and Unraveled Pasts
⏰Wrong timing
😔Navigating Grief

Give this one a read!

I wish I read this in September when I typically go to Maine — they even mentioned a mountain in the town that my family stays. (These pink hydrangeas are actually from that town on a lake by that mountain) I even think this would be a good book for my mom to read haha — I’ll have to get her the physical copy to read when we go together 🥰

#bookreview #bookreviewer #mainecharacters #netgally #netgalleyreviewer #advancereaderscopy #summerreading