Sisters who have never met, they must work together after their father dies suddenly. With imperfect but appealing characters, and the power of family, this was an enjoyable read. Perfect for the beach this summer, or wherever you go on vacation!

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Dutton for the ARC!

As a fellow evil jewish brunette, love you Viv! No, but for real this was a super well-rounded books with complicated and imperfect characters, a gorgeous setting, and true-to-life relationship dynamics. I loved seeing everyone grow and change.

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

Maine Characters is such a delightful escape! Hannah Orenstein perfectly captures the charm and quirks of a small coastal town, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the setting and the cast of characters. The story centers around a young woman returning to her hometown after years away, and it beautifully balances nostalgia with the awkwardness of reconnecting with people from your past. The writing is witty and heartfelt, with just the right amount of humor to keep things light even when the story digs into more serious themes like family dynamics and personal growth.

One of the best parts of this book is how genuine the relationships feel. Whether it’s the rekindled friendship with an old high school flame or the messy but loving bond with family, every interaction feels authentic. I found myself rooting for the protagonist not just to find love, but to find herself and figure out what truly makes her happy. If you’re looking for a feel-good read with plenty of heart and a bit of small-town drama, this book is a perfect pick for a cozy weekend.

While I do enjoy Orenstein’s writing capabilities, I simply couldn’t get past the handful of reasons why this book didn’t work for me.

This is about two women who discover they are sisters after the passing of their father. They come from very different worlds, with a clear and unbalanced power divide. They also got two very different sides of their father.

This book basically pits these two sisters against each other instead of focusing on the reasons why they were not in one another’s lives: their dad… I mean it gets there eventually, but not soon enough for me to feel like there was any real growth.

One sister was great, while the other was intolerable. I could not get past the poor choices of this woman, a grown person with a considerably intact moral compass… for me to be able to enjoy a book with unlikeable characters, they have to be self aware of how awful they are acting, but self awareness only goes so far.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, but I hope others get something from reading it.

Hannah Orenstein's Maine Characters is a poignant exploration of familial ties, grief, and the delicate art of reconciliation. Set against the tranquil backdrop of a lakeside cabin in Maine, the novel beautifully captures the emotional journey of estranged half-sisters Vivian and Lucy. As they unearth long-buried family secrets and confront their shared loss, the story weaves a tapestry of heartbreak, discovery, and healing. Orenstein excels in painting vivid settings that transport readers straight to the shores of Maine, immersing them in its serene, yet emotionally charged atmosphere. The relationships in the novel are intricate and layered, offering a deep dive into the complexities of family dynamics. Fans of character-driven narratives with emotional depth will find much to love here. However, the story’s broad focus on various aspects of the characters' lives may leave some yearning for a more concentrated exploration of the sisters’ bond. While compelling, this dynamic sometimes feels secondary to the wider narrative threads.

4 stars! I requested the arc because I loved Hannah Orenstein’s other light-hearted, funny books, but Maine Characters hits deeper than anything else I’ve read by her.

Maine Characters is the story of half-sisters Lucy and Vivian who only find out about each other’s existence by showing up at their family’s lake house following the death of their father, uncovering 30 years of secrets and hurting a lot of people in the process. I really like the book. I think both Lucy and Vivian were greatly dislikable for different reasons in the first half, but they did both show a little growth throughout the story. I would have liked to see more growth from both of them. There were also a larger than normal number of supporting characters and more love triangles than I know what to do with. I would have loved to have seen more happen with Harrison and Caleb’s storylines, but I feel like we ran out of time for that in the story.

As a millennial, it was easy to put myself in either girl’s shoes, and I felt for both of them in different ways. It all felt very unfair for both daughters, and it hit me where it hurts. Overall, I’d recommend Maine Characters to any of my friends. I loved the setting, the wine references, and, after growing up on the lake, it reminded me of a bittersweet end of summer sunset with friends.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5/5. This book was too much. The family drama was over the top, the flowery language describing the lake was long and repetitive, there were 4 love triangles, and no one was overly likable.

It has a gorgeous cover but the story itself needed a lot more editing. It is supposed to be a retelling of Parent Trap. Hank, the dad, has a family in New York, but also has a daughter at his summer family home that he kept a secret. He dies and everything comes to light. Everyone’s behavior in the book is atrocious, lots of cheating and love triangles, predictable at points, and again very repetitive.

Thank you to NetGalley, DuttonBooks, and the author for this ARC. Book to be released May 13th, 2025.

This book ending up being so sweet. The main plot about their dad dying and how it affected them personally, in their relationship with each other, and their romantic relationships was done really well. The character development was also done beautifully. The only part I didn’t love was the whiplash in both of their relationship with their guys respectively. Overall a super heartwarming read and a nice book to kick off my summer reading.

This has been, by far, my favorite Hannah Orenstein novel. I really enjoyed her romances, but I would place this in the category of women’s fiction. It’s a beautiful story of two women thrust into an impossible situation. The depth, the growth, the development are all there. The boys of romance were just enough, and the mother/daughter storylines were also captivating. The setting reminded me of my days in key largo, that small beach town feel is intoxicating. This novel is just the perfect summer read.

Not going to lie, I requested this ARC because of the cover 😍 I've never been to Maine, but I feel like I would thrive there...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Maine Characters" by Hannah Orenstein is a captivating read that beautifully intertwines personal growth with the picturesque backdrop of Maine lake life.

The story explores themes of family, love, infidelity, and self-discovery. To be honest the characters started off really unlikeable and I wasn't super into it. The heartfelt moments and character arcs make it a worthwhile journey. There is major growth and the ending ties everything together nicely, leaving readers with a sense of closure.

This is my first book by Hannah. I found it to be Elin Hildebrand-y, just younger, which I liked. Overall, I would rate "Maine Characters" 4 stars. It's an enjoyable and quick read.

Thank you to Hannah Orenstein, NetGalley, and Penguin Books Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I took chance on this due to it being sisters, and I should have known better that it wasn't really gunna be the book for me. All in all, not my favorite, but I enjoyed it in bits and pieces

A wicked good summer read! Set in a quiet lake town in Maine, this emotional and heartfelt novel follows two half-sisters who grew up apart and accidentally meet under strange, unexpected circumstances.

Vivian is your classic, ambitious New Yorker—poised, but a little ruthless. She grew up in the city with her father, Hank, and her mother—a famous novelist. Her childhood was privileged, but not exactly warm or affectionate.

Lucy, on the other hand, grew up in Maine with her loving but financially struggling mother. While she only got to see her father, Hank, for a few weeks each summer at his lake house, she still adores him. Despite his absence, she longed for an intact family and always dreamed of knowing the sister she’d only heard about from afar (unbeknownst to Hank).

The two finally collide when Vivian returns to Fox Hill to settle Hank’s estate. It’s far from the warm sisterly, reunion she Lucy has been fantasizing about her whole life. The sisters couldn’t be more different, and their initial encounter is hostile and awkward—further strained by the fact that both are grieving the same man, but knew completely different versions of him.

The story is fraught and emotional as each daughter tries to reconcile who Hank was to them—and how he managed to live such separate lives. I appreciated how none of the characters were wholly good or bad, that each came off as villainous and admirable in shifting contexts.

Their shared grief draws them together, while the logistics of handling his home—and his legacy—drive them apart. It becomes clear they’ve both been robbed of a childhood filled with sisterly companionship, and that loss is deeply felt.

The imagery of Maine is perfectly portrayed. The author really nails the small town life, as she drew inspiration from her own beloved lake house. She wrote the beautiful descriptions with the intent on sharing the magic and beauty of the place with her readers. I loved the author’s note at the end, describing the arduous process of creating this book because I think many readers will be grateful that she did ultimately share this place and this story with us.

This story is genuinely heartwarming, though there’s plenty of complexity. There are lots of ups and downs—between the sisters, and within the web of colliding families. You really don’t know where Lucy and Vivian will land—reconciled and making up for lost time? Bitter Enemies?
The novel also explores other family dynamics, including mother-daughter relationships and the emotional rollercoaster of marriage—new love, long-term commitment, heartbreak, and moving forward.

It’s an emotionally rich, layered story, and by the end, I honestly felt a bit wrung out (in the best way). The resolution felt thoughtful and earned (being vague to avoid any spoilers). Loved the book for its family drama and escapist lake vibes. It's easy to get lost in Maine Characters, so I think it will be a favorite beach read for this summer!

3.5 stars rounded up. This cover sucked me in ! It is stunning. I loved that the novel is set in Maine ! The descriptions of the lake house in Maine are perfectly written and make me want to rent a cabin in the woods and vacation in Maine this summer. The story line of the two sisters learning about each other while navigating their grief over their father's death was very intriguing and a good story. It was relatable and a good read overall. I suggest giving this one a read !

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Parent Trap this was not....Beautiful cover and interesting premise but the execution lost me a bit!
Found both characters to be unbearable. Clunky writing style. And although the premise was what initially pulled me in, I couldn't get past these truly wildly unlikable characters. Some people would say they were "messy" or "real", but it didn't feel true to life except for the depiction of grief.

I received an ARC via Netgalley.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This book has a beautiful cover. I thought the premise of two sisters meeting and learning to rely on each other in the wake of their father's death interesting. Especially set in a family cabin.

In reality I dnf-ed the book at 25% For me personally the biggest issue was the author's writing style. I found it very jarring.

The main characters of this book are unlikable. Lucy and Vivian have nothing in common except for half of their DNA.

I will leave this book without a rating. I see that numerous other people enjoyed this book, so maybe I'm not the right audience for this book.

I loved the setting in Maine, the idyllic and charming portrayal. This was my first book by Hannah Orenstein and it won’t be my last, I loved everything about this story! From the cover to the words written inside creating this must read novel. The story goes back and forth uncovering details of their father Hank's relationship with each of them, as well as his past with their very different mothers. I enjoyed how the communication issues (letters) of the 80s and the social media presence of the 2020s each played a part, as they should.

Described as a love letter to lake life in Maine and a take on “The Parent Trap” where the sisters meet in their adult life - I 100% agree with this description! I felt like I was there in the boat with Lucy and Vivian enjoying the fading summer nights.

There is romance in this book, but it’s not the main part of the story, so don’t expect a swoony romance if you decide to read this. The central story is about two sisters learning they can lean on each other and developing their new sisterly bond.

Just be aware that there is SO much information in this book that parts of it feel unnecessary. Also, I’m not a fan of the cheating trope and there’s multiple instances where cheating is done (one part may be up for debate, but remember these are my opinions).

I do recommend this as a summer read as it has the perfect summer vibes!

I really enjoyed this book. I really felt as if I was in Maine when reading this book. I could picture the setting so vividly based on the description and the story really drew me in. The underlying themes of family secrets, sisterhood, love, and nature made it a really captivating story. I especially liked the character Vivian and her evolution as the story went on. She really changed as the story progressed, and I felt good about the ending. This story has sat with me and I continue to think about. Shout out also for the amazing cover!

Unfortunately I won’t be finishing MAINE CHARACTERS. Between all the cheating and the obnoxious and immature characters, I just can’t handle it. I’m sorry to say this just isn’t the book for me.

4.5 stars
I've never read anything by this author before but was drawn to a Parent Trap-style plot. Yes, that's certainly part of it, but there's a lot more going on here. I thought both of the main(e) characters were well-written and showed continuous growth throughout the book. More importantly, they seemed like actual people you would meet in real life. The book was funny, and touching, and empowering. The ending was satisfying for all characters. Once I started I could not put it down.
I will not hesitate to recommend this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC!