This was my first book by Hannah Orenstein, and it won’t be my last! The beautiful cover and the "adult Parent Trap" premise (one of my favorite movies) immediately drew me in. While I didn’t love either main character, I understood them and found their dynamic compelling. A book that keeps me hooked despite flawed characters is always a win.

The setting—a charming lake town in Maine—completely won me over, especially with the sisters' deep connections to their home. The complicated family dynamics were well done, leaving me torn about who to root for. I appreciated that the sisters’ relationship was the focus, with romance taking a backseat.

There was great character development, and by the end, I found myself warming up to both main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it’ll be a big hit this summer!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Based on the cover I thought this was going to be a light rom com. It had some romance but it had a lot more depth too. This is a story of family - namely sisters. Alternating between Lucy and Vivian’s perspective to tell their own stories of their complex relationship with their recently deceased dad, their failed romantic relationships, and their thoughts and feelings concerning each other.

Billed as a “Parent strap for Adults” set on a lake which sounded like a fun premise. Vivian and Lucy are half siblings who have spent time over the years with their dad at his home on the lake. They discover each other after the death of their dad and chaos and big emotions ensue. Personally, I didn’t find the characters very likeable and the one mother was basically intolerable. But I always think it’s a great skill of the author to evoke strong emotions, even if they’re not warm and fuzzy ones. Temper your expectations and take this book for what it is, a story of 2 over dramatic women in their 20s working through some shit and finding their way to a better relationship. 3.5 stars overall

was an easy read! liked the sisters aspect and felt different than most summer romcoms… kept finding myself looking for something more but overall liked! will be a great summer read for yall!

The main characters are intolerable, and I think that’s a skill for an author. Vivian’s mother’s histrionics are so intense that it was difficult to read. I almost DNF’d this novel at 25%. I’m glad I pushed through because I love Maine and the atmosphere was spot on. I don’t think the Parent Trap description was accurate, but fine. Chick-lit isn’t my genre but this one worked its self out in the end, even if predictable.

Parent Trap-inspired?! In a gorgeous Maine setting?! Sign me up!!
I quickly found myself enjoying this heartwarming and playful rom-com by Hannah Orenstein, despite the fortuitous plot set up. Two vastly different half-sisters find their worlds turned upside down when their secret-keeping father's unexpected death uncovers all the family's history and skeletons in the closet. I had so much fun predicting the story as it unfolded, and loved reading a story about strong, bold women.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

I loved this book! The premise was so interesting — sort of a modern spin on The Parent Trap, although no twins and the women are adults — and something I haven’t seen covered before. In a nutshell, two women unexpectedly meet at their family house in Maine after their dad dies, only vaguely knowing that the other exists and that they are half sisters… but without any context nor having met at all growing up. There’s enough drama to keep it interesting but not over the top (for what are some sensitive topics covered, the author does a great job keeping things light and engaging — it’s an easy, fun read — but also realistic); the drama feels authentic and not over the top. This book also made me want to book a trip to Portland, Maine immediately! Definitely recommend!!

As someone who loves vacationing in Maine during the summer, Maine Characters gave me some serious Parent Trap vibes — in the best way possible! The story of Vivian and Lucy, two half-sisters who’ve never met but are brought together by their father’s passing, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Vivian, a driven sommelier with a secret, and Lucy, a small-town high school teacher dealing with a crumbling marriage, could not be more different. Yet, their shared grief and complicated family history draw them into a summer of unexpected connection and tension.

Set in a picturesque Maine lake house, the setting alone made me long for a summer getaway, and the layered family drama kept me hooked. The way the two women navigate their grief, their differences, and the messy truths about their parents' past made for an emotionally charged read. As their bond slowly unfolds over the course of the summer, I found myself rooting for them to heal and find a way to be a family after all these years apart. This book also left me craving a glass of wine, especially with Vivian’s sommelier expertise woven into the story!

This book was such a fantastic read, and now I’m so eager to dive into the author’s backlist. I can’t wait to see what other stories she’s written that will make me feel just as connected to the characters and setting as I did here. If you love family dramas with a beautiful setting, Maine Characters is a must-read!

I’ve been a fan of Hannah Orenstein’s for years! I’m calling it now Maine Characters will be one of the books of the summer! I loved sister dynamics at play in this book and setting in the family cabin was perfect!

This is a belated review but I absolutely loved Maine Characters. Hannah Orenstein is such an underrated talent and this might be her best work yet. I loved the nod to an Elin Hilderbrand-esque scandal, set in Maine rather than Nantucket. This is juicy, immersive, and a must read. A perfect beach read!

This book was cute! The setting was adorable. The characters were a bit hard to connect to. Overall I would still recommend it to friends.

When I first started reading the book, I was ready to give it a low rating because the pacing was slow and the characters were so unlikeable. However, the plot gradually drew me in, and I couldn’t stop reading. Both of the main female characters undergo significant growth, which ultimately made the ending worth it. If you enjoy family drama, like Keeping Up with the Kardashians or The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, you might enjoy this book. With all the love triangles, I honestly needed a chart to keep track of them all!

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This was my first book by Hannah Orenstein, and I really enjoyed it. I liked the unique plot, and the character growth throughout the book. I loved the location and setting. I would rate this book 3.5 stars. I wasn’t a huge fan of the 3rd person point of view, which sometimes made it confusing.

This book was such a delightful read! It’s perfect for summer and will undoubtedly be a hit. It made me long to be out on the lake, watching the sunset with my favorite drink, just like Lucy and Vivian. Although it was challenging to connect with the main characters initially, they truly grew on me as the story progressed. The character development was impressive, and I found myself proud of the choices they made by the end. Having read a few of Hannah Orenstein’s novels, I’d say this one is my favorite so far!

Wow - a perfect beach/summer read! I loved so many things about this book - sisterhood being the central plot, the descriptions of Maine and food, complete character development. This was such a fun and beautiful take on "The Parent Trap". My only critique is that it was a little too long. Some of the side plots with the romantic interests felt drawn out but overall I really enjoyed the book!

I liked this book more than I expected to! Both Lucy and Vivian are incredibly flawed and complex characters and it was hard to fully relate to either of them but seeing the growth of their relationship was so special.

I thought this book was just okay. While I enjoyed the setting of the Maine cabin, the characters and plot did not stick out to me. Regardless, I would recommend this book to those looking for a sisterhood story.

This book would be the perfect summer read. I was literally drawn in right away when in the first few pages you find out the two main characters are related.

When two women’s worlds are turned upside down they begin to analyse their own lives for what is working for them - and more importantly, what’s not - while coming to terms with a new reality: being intrinsically linked to a stranger and uncovering hidden truths.
Young adults will enjoy the pop culture and NYC references in this ‘you couldn’t make it up’ plot that delves into the loneliness that often accompanies the gruelling work of figuring out who you are.
Fans of the author should not expect the same fizzy romances of previous works but instead a rapidly moving story that demonstrates how life can change drastically over the course of a summer.
This book tackles heavy subjects with a light touch. For the best reading experience, pair with a glass of your favourite wine, and enjoy Maine Characters lakeside this summer.

I loved the concept of this story, but the execution fell flat for me. This is a long book but I still feel the characters felt one-dimensional and I found it hard to root for anyone or feel satisfied at their growth. This felt pretty slow and I think a lot could have been cut. A bit of a bummer overall.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.