Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein was at the top of my “most anticipated reads of 2025.” I follow the author on instagram and feel like I’ve been watching her write this novel for years. I also grew up going to a lake, so a novel in the style of The Parent Trap that takes place at a silky, cozy lakefront cabin sounded right up my alley.

The premise of this book is two half-sisters who have never met end up at their father’s lake house the summer after he died. Vivian, NYC-based sommelier, is, grew up with her mom and dad going to private schools and enjoying the finer things in life. Lucy, a high school English teacher, was kept a secret and spent the month of July with her father. When they crash into each other, both grieving and trying to make sense of their dad’s choices, a heartfelt story of sisterhood, grief, trauma, and family emerges. Set against the dreamy serenity of a Maine summer, this book is equal parts a warm hug and a dip in refreshing lake water.

“Likeable characters” come up a lot when talking about why someone did or did not like a book. I will say — Vivian is not a “likeable” character when you first meet her on the page, but I found her to be an empathetic one and she grew on me as the book progressed. I really appreciated the side characters and their roles in Vivian and Lucy’s story. I felt fully engrossed in their story and was eager to see how it developed. This was a “I need to go bed, but I want to keep reading as soon as I can” kind of book.

This is a great choice if you’re reading lake-side (or near another body of water) or if you want a mental vacation of Maine. It transports you to a boat traveling at Wine Speed, swimsuit damp from a swim, wine in a mason jar, listening to the rhythmic sound of waves. I really loved it and will be recommending it to almost everyone I know (would skip if infidelity is a no-go topic for you).

This is Orenstein’s best yet.

Thank you, NetGalley for this eARC! I requested this book without ever reading the author’s other work, but I will definitely be checking out more of her books. The title and cover of this book along with the log line that it’s an “adult parent trap” really intrigued me.

“Maine Characters” is a family drama, heavy on the drama. Lucy and Vivian have never met, but they share a father and a summer home on a lake in Maine. After their dad Hank dies suddenly, the two women discover each other and spend the summer hashing out the past and learning how to move forward.

I did enjoy this story a lot. I think the concept was good, the character development was great and even had hints of romance in the side stories. My biggest complaint is the length. I do think it was just too long and slowed down the pacing. Also some of the timeline is odd. They say it’s been weeks but then refer to something as “the other night”. Some of the descriptions were repetitive and lengthy. What the author chose to tell vs show was odd. I have one specific example, but I think it’s a spoiler so I’ll leave it off my review. The romances were cute, not central, but still a nice part of the characters development. Overall, I really wanted to see how the story ended and was satisfied with the ending for Lucy and Vivian.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

The clever name and gorgeous cover of the book initially drew me in, but it was the story that kept me returning for more. Vivian and Lucy, two half-sisters, connect after their father’s passing. Their summer spent at the lake house becomes an opportunity for them to confront family and personal dramas, as well as long-buried secrets. I was impressed by the dynamic and growth of these two characters throughout the book. I highly recommend picking this book up! Added bonus-the setting on the lake in Maine adds to the charm and makes it an ideal choice for a summer read. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
Pub Date: May 13, 2025
Rating: 🌟🌟 🌟 🌟💫(4.5/5)
Spice: 🌶️(1/5)

Summary:
Vivian Levys heads to Maine from the city to empty out her recently deceased father’s lake house. Little does she know, when she arrives at the house her half sister (who she doesn’t know exist) shows up. Lucy Webster comes from across town and is looking for her father because they usually spend July together at the lake house. When Vivian arrives emotions take over. These two sisters learn to respect and care for the house and each other while fighting their own emotional battles.

Review:
Hannah Orenstein books ALWAYS get me. She so flawlessly writes compelling stories. I really enjoyed the unexpected romances along the way. The growth of both Vivian and Lucy make my heart happy. I love a story where characters start and end as themselves, but we really truly see them grow along the way.

If you like:
- Rich vs poor
- Found Friends
- Lake Houses
- Unexpected romance

QOTD: How do you like your lobster roll?

Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton/PRH for proving me with an eARC of this novel.

This was such a great novel. I loved the setting and I felt like I was there. This was such a complex story and handled some very heavy topics. I didn't like the characters at first and the character development helped change that. I wasn't expecting this to be such an emotional and heartwarming read. I really enjoyed my first Hannah Orenstein book and I will definitely read more of her work.

I was immediately drawn to this book by the cover and the title if I am being honest. I loved the setting. I feel like Hannah did such a wonderful job at truly taking us to the cozy, familiar, lakeside home. I really appreciate that in the acknowledgments she talked about her own personal experiences. I did enjoy this, I just feel like it was hard to differentiate between Lucy's voice and Vivian's voice. I almost would have preferred maybe if it was told in one POV.

This one. Oof.

I kinda sorta low key hated Vivian. I felt bad for Lucy for the entire book. She is treated like garbage. I couldn't root for Vivian.

The writing isn't bad. I flew the book pretty quickly, just wasn't my fav story.

3.5 stars.

Wow I’m really between 4-4.5 ⭐️

I’m not going to lie, I went into this book not knowing what to expect and I left absolutely blown away by the beauty of this novel! This was my first book by Hannah + will not be my last. Vivian and Lucy were the perfect painting of what it means to simply be, human. This was SO raw and emotional. The character development and story narrating between so many people, was insane. This book is so well written and I easily read it in two days. I cried reading some of their soft and tender sister moments.. as they slowly stopped resenting one another from finding out about their late father’s deep betrayals and mistakes. The family secrets, relationship drama and unexpected twists really keep you engaged with this book. I’m left feeling so satisfied and I REALLY adore both of the main FMCs by the end. I don’t know how Hannah’s writing got me there, because I did not at all like Vivian at first, but it did. I reallllyyyy recommend this one!

3.5⭐️ rounded up
I mostly chose to read Maine Characters for the title and cover. I’ve always felt drawn to Maine and was excited to read a book centered around a small lake town but I do mostly read romance so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The book far exceeded my expectations with a deeply moving story about two grieving half-sisters with a complicated relationship with their father (who doesn’t relate to dad issues?).

I will say there was a lot of side plot to follow in this book. I enjoyed it for the drama and romance but it was sometimes just a lot.

Overall, I think readers will really resonate with these characters and find the beauty of Maine in every page. It made me want to read the authors other books!

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital advanced copy of this book!

I requested this book primarily based on the cover and the description of "The Parent Trap for Adults," and hadn't read any of Orenstein's previous work. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. The complex family dynamics and beautiful scenery make the book feel so *real.* I have a few patrons in mind to recommend this to the second it comes out.

This was an enjoyable read, but shy of excellent. What I liked: the picturesque and vivid setting, complex dynamics, family drama, and character-driven story. It has lots of heavy themes (grief, infidelity, divorce, identity, forgiveness), juxtaposed with lighter moments, some romance subplots, and humor. The characters really jumped off the page, although flawed and often unlikeable.

Overall, I do recommend for contemporary fiction fans. However, it’s really not a romance, even though it’s categorized as such - if that’s what you are expecting, the romance elements are much more a subplot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing an advance copy. It’s out May 13th. Opinions are my own!

A fun, emotional, drama-filled time! The setting was fabulous, and the author masterfully depicted the intricate bonds of sisterhood and grief's multifaceted journey. A perfect beach read for fans of Carley Fortune and Emily Henry, Maine Characters is not one to miss.

I love a lake house setting and forced reflection on messy emotions and past hurts. Maine Characters nailed this for me, bringing together Vivian and Lucy through their dad's cabin. It's a slow(er) start but I really appreciated the way their relationship grew throughout the story.

I still remember watching the Parent Trap for the first time as a kid, and I think I'll feel the same way about this book. That descriptor hooked me and I was stoked to be selected for an e-ARC - thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

I love Hannah Orenstein, but I was immediately drawn to the description as "the Parent Trap for adults. And I happen to know a few people...(Kirsten and Cassie) who love Maine.

Vivian heads to her lake house in Maine to spread her father’s ashes and finds Lucy in the cabin. She realizes  Lucy is her half-sister, whom her father had hidden from her for her entire life, despite the inkling that her father had a secret.

Now the two women are in the lake house. Lucy’s marriage has fallen apart, and she needs to stay in the cabin. She has wonderful memories of being there with her father every July and wants to keep the cabin. Vivian wants to sell it for the money to start a new business with her boyfriend, who happens to be married. This book is like a modern-day parent trap, but the stakes are a little higher. Can these two get over the past to have a future together as a family?

This book is the perfect pick for the summer. The characters grow and change, and the small romance within the pages adds just the right touch.

3.5 stars
Slow and steady was the name of the game for this book. I wasn’t immediately drawn in, and I can’t say that I was enraptured by the story, but I was interested and wanted to know how the sisters would tie up their loose ends and what the conclusion would be. Could have used a little more action and plot points, but overall a good, scenic, and heartfelt story with complex characters and growth.

In Maine Characters, Hannah Orenstein introduces us to two stepsisters, Vivian and Lucy, who are thrown together for the summer in the lakeside town of Fox Hill after the unexpected death of their father. The twist? They’ve never met before—and now they’re sharing a house and a complicated legacy neither was prepared for.

Vivian, a bold, polished New Yorker, grew up with both parents and every advantage. Lucy, raised by a single mother, only got one month a year with their shared father—and she spent her childhood as a well-kept secret from Vivian and his wife. Naturally, tensions are high, and expectations low, when they first arrive at the cabin.

Lucy is open-hearted and hopeful about forming a sisterly bond, while Vivian is ready to pack up, sell the property, and move on. But over the course of the summer, their relationship starts to shift. Alongside small-town drama, romantic entanglements, and some serious family baggage, the two begin to uncover long-held secrets—and a connection neither of them expected.

I’ll admit, I was first pulled in by the stunning cover, but I stayed for the heartfelt writing and the slow-burn emotional growth. Orenstein has a knack for creating characters who feel real and relatable. Watching Lucy and Vivian discover themselves—and each other—was both touching and satisfying. And Fox Hill itself? It practically breathes off the page. I’d pack a bag and head there in a heartbeat if I could.

This is a cozy, emotionally rich novel about grief, growth, and the messy beauty of found family. If you're into stories that balance charm and depth with a splash of summer escape, this one's for you.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein has a dreamy cover! The idillyic setting made me instantly want to read the book.

This story is intended for fans of The Parent Trap, or anyone that enjoys a family drama. The story begins when Vivian heads to her dad's lake house after his death and runs into her sister whom she has never met. The reader finds out that both sisters are quite different due to the ways they were raised. Each daughter is also dealing with their own grief from the loss of a parent. Lucy wants to keep the lake house- a place where she has great memories with her dad- while Vivian wants to sell it immediately. When both women end up spending the summer together, the truth will be discovered.

This book deals with grief but also has moments of laughter. It would be perfect to read in a lake house setting!

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I did not enjoy the story, unfortunately, and could not continue. Thank you for the opportunity and consideration.

Family Secrets, Small Town Drama, and Sisterhood Surprises

Wow—what a rollercoaster of a read! If you love family drama, complicated sister dynamics, and a picturesque small-town setting, this book needs to be on your TBR.

The story follows Vivian and Lucy, two half-sisters who have never met—until their father dies, and they’re suddenly thrown into each other’s lives. Vivian heads to her dad’s lake house in Maine to clean things out, only to find Lucy already living there, expecting to stay for the month. What follows is a messy, emotional deep-dive into their childhoods, their very different upbringings, and the man who shaped them both in totally different (and sometimes toxic) ways.

I went in pretty blind on this one—I'm a fan of the author and honestly, the cover totally sold me. At first, I had a hard time with Lucy’s character. She leans hard into the “forgotten daughter” role and takes out a lot of her anger on Vivian, which got under my skin. Like—don’t blame Vivian for their dad’s mistakes! But as the story went on, both women revealed so many layers, and their growth felt really real. Maybe I just related more to Vivian—more reserved, kind of high-maintenance, and definitely carrying some deep-rooted resentment—but either way, the back-and-forth between the sisters gave me emotional whiplash in the best (and most frustrating) way.

On top of all the family stuff, there’s plenty of romantic drama too. Lucy is separated from her husband but not ready to let go, so she’s testing the dating waters. Meanwhile, Vivian is tangled up with a man who still has a wife (yikes), while also rekindling a spark with a local bartender she met years ago. It’s messy, heartfelt, and keeps you flipping pages.

Read this if you love: Messy family dynamics, small-town Maine vibes, complicated sister relationships, a splash of romance (okay, more than a splash), stories that explore grief, identity, and second chances

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. This one drops on May 13, so mark your calendars!

I thoroughly enjoy this book - my first Hannah Orenstein! The author captured Maine beautifully, and I loved how the plot was more than your average romance. The family drama and love triangles kept me turning the pages. I can’t believe this almost didn’t get published!!! I’m so happy it did. The cover is absolutely gorgeous.