Excellent book about 2 sisters who meet for the first time after their dad's death. It was beautiful. I cried!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book. I enjoyed the setting and the "Parent Trap"-inspired premise. This book will likely appeal to fans of Carley Fortune and Emily Henry, as it shares a similar tone and setting. While I didn't fully connect with one of the sisters, overall, I found the book to be an enjoyable read.

I read this book as an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley.
What initially jumped at me was the title, anything including Maine I enjoy trying to read as who doesn’t want to read a book set where they live.
While the storyline was good, it was a slow book. There was parts that kept me interested and parts that could have been done without.
You follow two many characters at times and then the end is too few. The two main characters Lucy and Vivian start to foster new relationships romantically but the follow through lacks, we are introduced to both love interests without finding out what happens or in one case nothing happening although wrote like we would follow it.
The much anticipated meeting of the moms also falls under the radar. We are wildly anticipating the meeting, likely hoping for drama (I know I was) and it was flat, boring and basic.
What I’m trying to get out is that while the storyline and idea is great it is flat, and anticlimactic

Two half sisters meet for the first time following their father’s death in a book that is appropriately coined as a grown-up parent trap. Told over the backdrop of a summer cabin on a lake in Maine, this book will be a big hit this summer among fans of Carly Fortune.

This book is very character driven. It explores relationships with romantic partners as well as developing, complex, relationships adult children have with their parents. I particularly loved scenes with the two mothers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

My first read by this author and I’m really happy NetGalley gave me an ARC. Maine Companions was the book I needed to read after a reading slump ; mostly 2-star reads. Vivian and Lucy meet on the steps of their late father’s summer home. They are step-sisters born a few months apart. Different moms, same dad, different lives. Vivian has come to scatter her dad’s ashes and tries to maintain some civility towards Lucy. Then there’s Vivian’s mother, a famous romance novelist and Lucy’s mom Dawn; a down on her luck waitress. Exes appear as do potential male suitors. There is an easy flow to this book and I enjoyed it. My only gripe would be the daily ‘let’s grab a bottle of wine and take the motorboat out’. Not a smart thing to do and probably illegal.

The setting was rhe exact town I was visiting currently, so that was a huge bonus as I knew every location! Some unlikeable characters, but it came together in the end as a heartwarming story about women, grief and strength.

I was drawn to this book for the title, cute cover, and description before I even realized the author was Hannah Orenstein-- I had already read her "Love at First Like" and "Meant to be Mine" and enjoyed both! This one lived up to it's predecessors.

To quote Gen Z -- "It's giving Parent Trap" . This book is about two half sisters who meet for the first time at their dads cabin after he unexpectedly dies. To make matters even messier, one of them didn't know the other even existed until that moment. The story goes through complicated family dynamics, relationships, and small town vs big town life. The character development of both of the sisters was great and relatable to anyone who has dated someone who maybe wasn't the best fit or that they couldn't let go of. It could definitely be a Hallmark movie plot. Would definitely recommend!

A well written family drama. Two adult children meet each other for the first time after the death of their dad. Forced proximity, grief, and maybe some understanding once the two get to know each other. This book an introwas duction to the author for me and I really enjoyed her style of writing. I will be looking for other books by this author. Thank you Dutton for my arc of this book. Can't wait to see how the rest of the world reviews this cute little book.

This is a great summer read! It is a beautiful story between two sisters that do not meet until adulthood. It delves into the complexity of intertwining lives and how one secret can hold so much weight. Both Vivian and Lucy find themselves at a personal crossroad, then their father dies, they are brought together and their lives are forever changed. The author did a great job of showing not only the good, but the bad parts of the characters. She was able to balance it in a way so that the characters are still likable and the reader is able to understand the pain and trauma that has led to more of their less desirable behaviors.

Maine is one of my absolute favorite places and yearn for it in the summer. This embodies the small town Maine life and the authors love for it is apparent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the arc.

3 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this advanced copy of Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein.

This book is complicated in the way I feel about it. I had a very tough time getting attached to the characters. I didn’t really get sucked in until about 47% through. I found the two sisters to both be hard to sympathize for in the beginning.
This book focuses a lot on the idea of marriage, cheating, and the consequences of choices. And while I respected the growth all the characters had I was really dissatisfied by the ending. I felt pinning the final failure on Celeste was a disservice. Hank was the true villain of the story. His decision is the one that ruined the girls childhood and future.
By the end of the story I was really rooting for Vivian and Lucy to find their happiness. I also felt some scenes were a little unnecessary. The story really should be trimmed around the first half.

I feel like fans of Emily Henry would enjoy this book. It’s a complex look at families and marriage.

I could not put this book down I loved it. I have never read a book by this author but after reading this I bought more of her books.

Hannah Orenstein's Maine Characters is a charming summer read that invites you to the serene shores of a Maine lake. The story follows two half-sisters, Vivian and Lucy, who are brought together by their father's passing.

With witty banter and heartfelt moments, Orenstein weaves a tale of family secrets, personal growth, and the beauty of second chances. As the sisters navigate their complicated relationship, readers are treated to a delightful blend of humor, drama, and heartwarming moments.

If you're looking for a light and breezy novel that captures the essence of summer, Maine Characters is the perfect choice.

reading this after a visit to maine in the fall... was so good 😭 peak vibes, peak feels. i had a blast reading this book and loved the writing. the pacing felt a bit slow at times but that just gave me more of a reason to soak it up and take my time. definitely read this one. thank you for the arc netgalley!!

3.5⭐️ the cover drew me in but the story made me stay. This was such a lovely story of Vivian & Lucy becoming the sisters they always wanted. Incredibly sweet and enjoyable book to read. I would definitely read more books by the author.



Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this eARC!

This book features a lot of flawed characters. It is written in third person, which I normally struggle with in a book — it makes me feel more distance from each person and their POV.

Each relationship was also convoluted and to be frank, pretty fucked up. Still, I’m glad I finished the book. I love Maine, my boyfriend is from there, and it was comforting.

The loons at the end were quite fitting. I will say, this is not a romance. It’s more of a contemporary fiction novel.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein is a charming and heartwarming novel that captures the essence of summer, family, and self-discovery in the picturesque backdrop of Maine. The story revolves around a protagonist who returns to her hometown, where she reconnects with her roots and navigates the complexities of her relationships. Orenstein's writing is engaging and filled with warmth, making it easy to get lost in the characters' journeys. I loved how the book beautifully explores themes of love, friendship, and finding one's place in the world. This novel is a delightful escape that perfectly balances nostalgia and personal growth—ideal for anyone looking for a cozy, feel-good read!

What a fun ride! This is unlike anything else I've read and it was a much needed break from my typical go-to books. I have been in awe of Hannah over the past few years and am so excited for everyone else to read!

Half sisters Vivian and Lucy meet for the first time at their father’s lake house after his death, and it’s about as awkward as you can imagine. The secrets come out over glasses of wine (through a lot of whining) and they try to deal with the consequences of three decades of miscommunication as miserable roommates.

A sweet start with aggressive saltiness punctuating the story, disjointed and cobbled together, I really REALLY wanted to like this one but couldn’t. Caught in an identity crisis between being a deep, thought-provoking story about forgiveness, and a comedy, I had a hard time settling into the story. A few lines were startlingly cringey in seriousness, but would’ve been phenomenal in a tongue-in-cheek manner. One hypothetical conversation over a basket of Olive Garden breadsticks made me laugh out loud (if only the author were brave enough to have had it occur outside of Vivian’s imagination).

Tense was a major, distracting issue throughout. At times, it became hard to follow either the order or events or who was talking.

“Sometimes, love isn’t enough,” was a line from the fourth (!) male love interest introduced in this short book, and I think I would add, “sometimes, a vibe for a book isn’t enough.”

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC.

What a beautiful book! I've never read anything by this author before, but I'm eager to read more of their works. likable characters, a compelling story, and a thoughtfully delivered message. excited to reds more by this author!

This book was a very heartwarming and wholesome read. It was a slower read but it picked up towards the end and I enjoyed it. It is a sad book but there are some feel good moments.