I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this one. So original and The depictions of grief, sisterhood, and love, were so important. The characters were so well out and multi layered I loved it.

This was my first book by Hannah Orenstein and I enjoyed it overall. It didn't quite suck me in. I was drawn in by the cover and the Maine reference.

Every summer, Vivian Levy and Lucy Webster spend a month with their father at his lake house — separately. Raised in New York City, Vivian is an ambitious sommelier with a secret that could derail her future. Lucy grew up in a tiny Maine town, where she now teaches high school English while watching her marriage unravel. They’ve never met. While Lucy envied her half-sister from afar, their father kept Vivian in the dark.

When Vivian arrives at the lake to spread his ashes and sell his cabin, she's shocked to find Lucy there, awaiting his return. In an ideal world, they’d help each other through their grief. Instead, forced to spend the summer together, they fight through a storm of suspicion and hostility to untangle the messy truth about their parents’ pasts. While Lucy is desperate to hold onto the house, Vivian is scrambling after a betrayal. After thirty years apart, is it too late for them to be a family?

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Group for the ARC!

Talk about a book with a ton of substance, wow! But in an extremely good way. I was intimidated at first by the long chapters and equally as long paragraphs, but despite that, I flew through Maine Characters.

Viviane and Lucy are two characters with a ton of baggage, and it was an honor to read about them and watching them grow. As stated, there’s a ton of substance. But it was really, really good.

Kind of insufferable at first (attitudes, childish behavior, etc.), both Vivian and Lucy get off on a horribly wrong foot. That only made their reconciliation so much more wholesome, in my opinion. I was able to see the exact moment Vivian grew into her character, and I was able to see the exact moment Lucy learned to love herself.

I thoroughly enjoyed Maine Characters. It’s an all around wholesome novel with relatable characters that kept me wanting to continue their story.

Overall rating: 4/5
Spice: —

This was a good read! The characters were interesting and complex and I enjoyed the writing. So glad I got to read it early!

Thank you NetGalley and Hannah Orenstein!

I desperately wanted to love this book and at times I did, I even found myself crying multiple times. however, half the characters were so insufferable I had the hardest time wanting to continue reading. Every time Vivian opened her mouth and said something rude and then turned around and thought something hypocritical I wanted to throw my Kindle, every time she thought about Oscar but had the audacity to judge her father made me want to throw my Kindle, every time she got mad at Oscar for being condescending about Fox Hill, but she herself was condescending about Fox Hill and her excuse was “well it’s mine so I can be condescending towards it.” That’s not an excuse Bestie. And her personality shift is like a flip was switched instead of a gradual changing of her mind. One moment she’s completely fine with a man leaving his pregnant wife for her and the next she is kicking him out and offering to give her half sister (who she hated up until literally moments ago), half the money from the sale And also offering to not even sell it in the first place, so I felt like her character shift wasn’t earned. Don’t even get me started on her mother. That’s a different story. I generally don’t mind characters that are unlikable, but we are meant to like her by the end of it and I do like her by the end of it, but it was such a tonal shift at 75%. I hated her for 75% of the book and then bam, we’re supposed to like her in the final 25%. meanwhile Lucy is likable the entire book Vivian is just so dislikable in contrast. Dawn, Lucy’s mom, is an angel and I did cry reading the letters from Hank but so much of the emotional moments I felt were undeserved on Vivian’s end.

In general, I felt like it was a very precious story or could’ve been a precious story…If the character growth was earned instead of simply placed and the same goes for Lucy because half the book she spends it pining after her ex-husband, she then goes on two dates, gets back with her ex-husband who she’s been pining over and then immediately leaves him again. which I understand why she left him, but it felt out of character and unearned. Why have her even go back to her husband when she was just going to leave him again when she could’ve been building herself up the whole time they were separated and realize she didn’t need him through their separation and finding strength in herself instead of realizing it when they’re back together and she’s just not wanting him. “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else” except Lucy never feels like she loves herself. She spends the whole complaining about her curves, being jealous of Vivian’s thin shape, etc etc etc. the author even focuses on Lucy taking extra servings MULTIPLE TIMES. I don’t know, I thought it was weird.

I really wanted to love this book but found the character development to be weak and most of the characters to be unlikable.

2.5 stars out of 5.

After reading the description for the book, I was excited to crack it open but honestly, this book was not for me. From the beginning I could not stand either of the sisters, especially Lucy. She sounded like a whiny brat and Vivian seemed to have a flat personality. Their back and forth arguments were annoying and really took away from the story of the book. I did like the ending, how everyone came together and put their differences aside. The setting of the book seemed so beautiful too. Overall, not my favorite.

In Maine Characters, we meet Vivian and Lucy. 2 half sisters that didn't know about each other until their father died. Vivian lived life in New York with her father and mother, who is a best selling romance novelist. Lucy lived with her mother in Maine only seeing their father for the month of July at the lake house. Vivian and Lucy bump into each other and meet for the first time at the lake house. They discover their father never told each other about the other. Vivian is dead set on selling the lake house but Lucy doesn't want to sell. The rest of the book explores their relationship and what will happen to the house at the end of the summer.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my goodness! When I got the notification for this book, I was so excited. I had heard about this author and the cover gives off a lake house vibe and you know it is going to be good. Well honestly, this book was an emotional rollercoaster. Trigger warning: dad grief. I have dad grief. The emotions between Lucy and Vivian in the aftermath of their dad's passing was so real. It made my chest hurt sometimes. At times, Lucy drove me crazy but as I imagined missing out on things about my dad's passing and life due to a sibling that I didn't know about and being brushed aside, I cried. Then I thought of Vivian and how it must have felt for your dad to have a second family and all the turmoil you are in, regardless of what you acknowledge, after his passing. Then throwing them together and their complicated love lives. WOW! Rollercoaster. Vivian was sometimes a harder character to enjoy. She was just so cold sometimes that I feel I didn't like her until almost the end of the book. I really enjoyed Lucy though. I think I could have done without the affair relationship that Vivian was having. It was just not my favorite. Patrick bugged me sometimes too. But in the end, this was an amazing story about grief, heartache, coming together in a time of need and honoring our loved ones in the way they would have wanted. I really loved the ending and I look forward to more books from this author. Thank you SO much for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book gave me all the feels!

It was an interesting concept for a book about two half-sisters meeting at a cabin after their dad dies, but I would’ve loved for the characters to feel more dynamic, interesting, and real. I also wanted to see the Maine setting come through a bit more. I still love the cover!

I couldn’t get into this book for whatever reason. The bickering between the “sisters,” was difficult to get through as I couldn’t keep each others story line straight.

I love Maine and books set at summer cottages so this one seemed right up my alley! I finished and did enjoy it overall....but man did it move slooow. Interesting premise with a little twist at the end but I think it could have been edited down.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book!

I had mixed feelings about this book the entire way though. It’s slightly different than what I normally read but I did enjoy. The characters in this book are very human and flawed but also trying their best. In the end I was happy with how everything turned out even if it wasn’t a perfect happily ever after. Lots of interesting commentary on grief and family dynamics.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Every summer, Vivian Levy and Lucy Webster spend a month with their father at his lake house — separately. Raised in New York City, Vivian is an ambitious sommelier with a secret that could derail her future. Lucy grew up in a tiny Maine town, where she now teaches high school English while watching her marriage unravel. They’ve never met. While Lucy envied her half-sister from afar, their father kept Vivian in the dark.

When Vivian arrives at the lake to spread his ashes and sell his cabin, she's shocked to find Lucy there, awaiting his return. In an ideal world, they’d help each other through their grief. Instead, forced to spend the summer together, they fight through a storm of suspicion and hostility to untangle the messy truth about their parents’ pasts. While Lucy is desperate to hold onto the house, Vivian is scrambling after a betrayal. After thirty years apart, is it too late for them to be a family?

I liked the dynamic between the sisters Vivuan and Lucy. Interesting storyline.

I’ve followed Hannah Orenstein on Instagram for years and every summer she spends several months at her family’s home on a lake in southern Maine — in fact, the lake and cabin are featured in the stunning cover of her latest book (out next May 13) so reading this book had me picturing everything she posts during the summer.

Maine Characters follows the story of two 30-year-old sisters, Lucy and Vivian, who have never met until their father dies and they find themselves in the Maine cabin where they each spent time with him every summer but separately. Vivian isn’t at all receptive to keeping the house or getting to know Lucy and Lucy is crushed because she always pictured them having a better relationship when they finally met and absolutely loves the cabin she spent every July with her father. This was listed as a romance but it’s really not — both characters are working through things with their respective significant others and figuring out whether those relationships work for where they are in their lives but it’s really about two sisters getting to know each other and establishing a relationship that is extremely rocky initially as well as working out where they’re at in their own lives. Both are at a crossroads personally and professionally and have to figure out what’s next while also reconciling the house they’re sharing and the deceased father that connects them.

This was a really lovely story about sisters, and found family and I’m almost sad I read it now and it won’t be new to me when it comes out next summer. I’ve read and enjoyed all of Hannah’s books and I really felt like this took her writing and story development to a whole new level! Definitely worth the read and preorder!

*Maine Characters* by Hannah Orenstein is a charming, introspective novel that delves into the complexities of relationships, identity, and self-discovery. Set against the picturesque backdrop of coastal Maine, the book follows the lives of its characters as they navigate personal challenges and the nuances of family dynamics. Orenstein’s writing is vivid and emotionally resonant, capturing both the beauty of the landscape and the intricacies of human connections. Her characters are richly developed, making it easy for readers to relate to their struggles and growth. It's a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the process of finding one's place in the world.

Thank you for the ARC! This was a touching story of connecting and re-evaluating what we learn as children.
Definitely will seek more by this author.

This cover. It got me! So beautiful. Reading a story about half sisters I thought would be hard to relate to as I don't have one myself but if you've ever been involved in family drama then you can relate to this book. I found the story engaging and at times extremely sad and frustrating. But overall I enjoyed the ride and would recommend.

Two half-sisters meet later in life, and they struggle to reconcile their relationship and their ties to their father. For about 2/3 of the book, I struggled to find either character likable. I couldn’t see where the story might go without adding in a cliche ending. I appreciate that each character had their own personal growth journey that resulted in room for them to grow their sister relationship.

As I turned the pages of ‘Maine Characters’, I found myself completely immersed in the world that Hannah Orenstein has crafted. The story revolves around half-sisters Vivian and Lucky, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways after the death of their father.

From the very beginning, I was drawn to Vivian’s character. She’s a sommelier from New York, meticulously organized and a bit of a control freak. I could relate to her desire for stability and her struggle with vulnerability. On the other hand, Lucky, with her carefree spirit and adventurous nature, felt like a breath of fresh air. Their contrasting personalities created a dynamic that was both entertaining and thought-provoking.

What struck me most was how Orenstein skillfully delves into the complexities of sisterhood. As Vivian and Lucky navigate their grief, they also confront their past and the secrets that have kept them apart for so long. The dialogue between them felt authentic, capturing the awkwardness, humor, and tenderness that often characterize sibling relationships. I found myself laughing out loud at some moments while tearing up at others—a testament to Orenstein’s ability to balance humor with poignant emotion.

The themes of identity and personal growth are woven throughout the narrative. Vivian’s journey toward embracing spontaneity and Lucky’s struggle with commitment made me reflect on my own life choices and relationships. The book encourages readers to confront their fears and embrace change, reminding us that growth often comes from unexpected places.

In conclusion, Maine Characters is more than just a story about two sisters; it’s a heartfelt exploration of family, love, and self-discovery. By the end, I felt a sense of fulfillment as if I had not only witnessed Vivian and Lucky’s journey but had also embarked on my own. I highly recommend diving into ‘Maine Characters’.

The story of two half-sisters who meet for the first time at their late father’s cabin in Maine following his sudden passing. Being one of four sisters I loved that the story was primarily centered on the sisters' evolving relationship with one another and that, over the course of the book, they learn to understand, love and support one another. Also, I have to add, I really enjoyed the romance storylines and am kind of hoping the author considers a second book so I can find out what happens with each sister’s prospective love interest.

The perfect summer read! The writing and character development are exceptional. I loved everything about this book (including the beautiful cover)!

A huge huge thanks to Dutton for an advanced copy of Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein. I've loved Hannah's prior books and was so excited about Maine Characters I read it the weekend I got it in September. I absolutely adored this book and I now need to go find a lake in Maine to spend my summer. This is going to be a hit for Summer 2025!

I've followed Hannah on social media for a while and love that this book is a love letter to her summers spent at her family's cabin in Maine. I feel like so much of her experience at the lake is beautifully written into this book and if you follow her you'll see some of the parts of her life in the book. And honestly from seeing the sunset photos and hearing her share about her days on the lake, I could so clearly picture this scenery and it made me love this book so much!

This has the Parent Trap vibes when two half-sisters meet for the first time at their father's cabin in Maine after he dies. At first, I didn't really like either sister (but I loved all of the sommelier talk from Vivian) but they slowly grew on me and each other as they untangled the messy truth of their father's life.

The book came together in the most perfect way and I just want everyone to read it. It is going as one of my I'll keep talking about this book all 2025 because of how much I loved it.