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.

4 ⭐️

I received this as an ARC by NetGalley!

Vivian and Lucy have nothing in common except for their dad. For example, Lucy knew she had a half sister in NYC named Vivian who lived with their father and Vivian’s mother. Vivian had no clue she had a half sister living in the small vacation town they visited every summer. This one was so fun to read as the two sisters uncover the truth about their dad, each other, and figure out what to do with Vivian’s inheritance- the lake house. There’s romance, sister relationships, and a small town Maine summer setting. Loved it!

Thank you NetGalley, Hannah Orenstein & Dutton for allowing me to have an advanced read of this book!

I was definitely drawn to this book first by the cover. It’s very summer aesthetic and reminds me of Abby Jimenez’s style. The book itself was not what I was expecting! The plot with the 2 sisters and watching them grow plus the parallels with their mothers was very well thought out. I could not for the life of me though sympathize with Lucy. She was very naive for the first half of the book and took out all of her anger on Vivian (when literally it should be Hank). But once she grew out of that and they bonded more, it was definitely easier to like her. I would definitely read an entire book about Vivian and her life in New York and with Oscar before she went to Fox Hill. Vivian was definitely my favorite and I hope she gets her happy ending :’)

I did think this was a tad longer than I expected, I feel like there was a bit of fluff, and the chapters were sooo long even broken up into the different “POVs.” The extra bit of very short romantic parts (where it just immediately dissolves) just felt like adding something that didn’t need to be added.

Maine Characters follows two half sisters, Lucy & Vivian, who grow to love each other even though through bonding over their memories of their Dad, their relationships with their moms, and repairing/getting their Dad’s house ready to sell after he dies. While Lucy grew up hearing about Vivian, Vivian had no confirmation that she had a sister.

Overall I would give this story a 3/5. This book was not quite what I thought it would be. It focused mainly on the sister’s relationship growth and how they grew up with very differing relationships with both their shared Dad and their mothers.

While there was a subtle subplot of romance, it was not the main aspect of the story in any way. I did not read the summary prior to starting this book and was going in thinking it would be more of a romance book. It was not. I don’t think that makes it a bad story, but readers should be aware that the sisters are the main focus. I still enjoyed reading this book.

I love watching these characters, Lucy & Vivian, grow and ultimately come to love and root for one another. Celeste’s character broke my heart in many ways of how she treated Vivian but also how she carried herself around Dawn and Lucy.

The setting was lovely and I loved how the author created this world in Maine. While the town is fictional, it definitely made me want to travel there!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

You don’t have to be a Mainer to fall in love with this story - but it sure adds to the charm! I absolutely loved this book.

A love story that soars past the typically boy meets girl trope. It’s a love story that encapsulates all the messy, ups and downs, complicated relationships in a woman’s life. This lives outside of the fairy tale romance story, yet seems even more magical as it’s so relatable to real life.

Thank you to #netgalley and #HannanOrenstein for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. PLEASE WRITE THE SEQUEL 😍

My first book by Hannah Orenstein, and it won't be my last! I was initially drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover and reference to it being "an adult parent trap" (forever one of my favorite movies). I was easily able to sink into this book and while I didn't particularly like either main character, I understood them and found their dynamic fascinating. A book that can keep me reading despite majorly flawed main characters is always a win. The setting was what really won me over, I loved reading about the small lake town in Maine and each of the girls' special ties to the home. The complicated family dynamics were well executed and left me struggling to figure out who to root for. I liked that the sisters' relationship took the center stage, and the romantic relationships were a secondary storyline. There was some great character development over the course of the story, and by the end I found myself coming around to both the main characters. I really enjoyed this book and I have a feeling this will be a BIG summer read!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the advanced copy for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this. I think this book would have worked better if it were written in a closer POV. I didn't feel like I knew either main character well.

Easily this authors best book yet. I found the character so incredibly layered. At times I was so infuriated with them and then I would want to hug them. A beautiful book about messy families.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me a free advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.

This cover is absolutely gorgeous and it's the first thing that drew me to this book. Kudos to the artist!

The Plot:
Vivian and Lucy spend a month with their father, Hank, every summer. After receiving the devastating call that her father had passed away, Vivian goes to their cabin in Maine. Here she meets her half-sister Lucy where she tells her the news. The siblings had an inkling that the other existed, but they had never met prior to this unfortunate interaction.

I'll give you this; I did enjoy the last 100 pages of the book as the sisters finally started to bond and we saw conflicts resolving. In saying that, this was a very hard read for me. I couldn't stand either sister at the beginning and I really didn't like Vivian's choice in a boyfriend. Lucy complained too much and thought she was owed the house just because she was there every July.

I think I would have liked this book a lot more if we got some of the resolution happening earlier. Honestly, I was tempted to mark this one as "DNF," but trucked through since it was so nicely provided for free through NetGalley.

This may be some readers' cups of tea. The plot was well written, the characters had depth, and the location was an absolute dream. In the end, it just wasn't the right book for me.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a solid read from start to finish. I felt like Hannah really set up an interesting story (with a gorgeous cover) that had compelling characters. With the different points of view, you were really able to see both sides of the story and sympathize with the sisters. Lots of "fun" drama in this one (crazy moms, love affairs, secret children, etc) so plenty to engage with. This will be a good summer read.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein ⭐⭐⭐⭐

PENGUIN GROUP Dutton
Pub Date: 5-13-25

Thank you @netgalley, @duttonbooks, and @hannahorens for this eARC.

"Spending time with Lucy isn’t comfortable, but it might be the most meaningful interaction she’s had with— family?— in a long time."

What if you had a secret sister you didn't know about until after your father's death? Vivian and Lucy meet each other at the lakeside home in Maine where they each spent summers with their father - different months, of course!

Such a strong sense of place that had me visualizing time I've spent at lakeside camps in Maine and New Hampshire.

The unfolding and changing relationships had me hooked: sister-sister, daughter-mother, girlfriend-boyfriend, wife-husband . . . and most fraught/interesting, mother-mother!

Request the eARC from NetGalley or add to your TBR for 2025!