Hannah Orenstein’s fifth novel, Maine Characters, delivers a poignant exploration of family secrets, sisterhood, and second chances against the serene backdrop of Fox Hill Lake in Maine. This emotionally rich story follows two half-sisters—New York sommelier Vivian Levy and small-town English teacher Lucy Webster—who meet for the first time following their father’s sudden death. What unfolds is a beautifully complex narrative about confronting the past, navigating grief, and finding connection in unlikely places.
The novel’s premise feels deliciously familiar yet entirely fresh: two women who share a father but have never met, forced together in the aftermath of loss. Orenstein cleverly plays with the “strangers to sisters” trope while avoiding predictable territory, giving readers a relationship that evolves with authentic hesitation, tension, and eventually, genuine warmth.
Sisters Divided by Design
Orenstein’s character work shines brightest in her creation of protagonists with distinctly different lives yet surprisingly complementary personalities. Vivian, raised in Manhattan’s fast-paced world of fine dining and luxury, initially appears cold and disconnected from the lakeside community. Her rapid-fire dialogue and urban sensibilities contrast sharply with Lucy’s gentler, more introspective nature. Lucy, having grown up with limited time with their father and longing for more, represents the road not taken—a life steeped in the beauty of Maine’s lakeside culture.
What makes these characters compelling is how Orenstein peels back their layers. Vivian’s sophistication masks deep insecurities and a complicated relationship with her famous novelist mother Celeste, while Lucy’s seemingly perfect small-town life hides relationship struggles and professional disappointment. Their alternating perspectives offer readers intimate access to their innermost thoughts, creating a nuanced portrait of sisterhood that develops organically throughout the novel.
Setting as Character: The Maine Magic
The true triumph of Maine Characters lies in Hannah Orenstein’s evocative portrayal of Fox Hill Lake. Drawing from her personal experience summering in Maine, she transforms the setting into much more than a backdrop—it becomes a living, breathing presence that shapes every relationship in the book:
“The first glimpse of this technicolor view catches her off guard every summer. New York City’s concrete sidewalks, gray skyscrapers, and grime make it easy to forget Maine’s vivid colors.”
Readers will feel transported to the lakeside community through sensory details that capture everything from the rhythmic lapping of waves against wooden docks to the golden glow of sunset reflecting off calm waters. The lake house itself—with its history, imperfections, and treasured memories—becomes a powerful metaphor for family legacy and the complex emotions of inheritance.
Romantic Subplots: Complementing the Sisterhood Story
While the sister relationship forms the emotional core of the novel, Orenstein weaves in romantic storylines that enhance rather than distract from the main narrative. Both women navigate complicated romantic entanglements:
- Vivian’s secret affair with her married boss Oscar initially seems like a subplot, but ultimately catalyzes significant character growth
- Lucy’s journey from clinging to her failing marriage to exploring new connections demonstrates her evolving identity
- Caleb’s history with both sisters creates tension that feels organic rather than manufactured
These romantic elements never overshadow the central sister relationship, instead providing additional dimensions to understand the characters’ vulnerabilities and strengths.
Unpacking Generational Patterns
One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is how Orenstein explores the ripple effects of choices across generations. The story delves into how Hank Levy’s divided life between two families created patterns his daughters unwittingly repeat. Vivian’s affair with a married man echoes her father’s choices, while Lucy’s tendency to idealize relationships mirrors her mother Dawn’s lingering attachment to Hank.
The introduction of Celeste’s secret—intercepting Dawn’s letter before Hank could read it—provides a masterful plot twist that reconfigures our understanding of all the characters’ histories. This revelation underscores the novel’s central theme: how easily lives can diverge based on seemingly small decisions, and how truth, however painful, offers the only path to healing.
Prose Style: Accessible Yet Affecting
Orenstein’s writing strikes an admirable balance between accessibility and emotional depth. Her prose moves effortlessly between moments of sharp humor and genuine pathos:
“Lucy is stunned. A fresh start. She lets herself imagine it all—more money than she’s ever fathomed having: She could help out her mom. If she lands the Portland job, she could afford to live somewhere nice there—maybe even buy a place.
The novel’s pacing occasionally falters in the middle sections, with some scenes between the sisters feeling repetitive rather than progressive. However, Orenstein excels at crafting memorable emotional set pieces—especially the final ashes-scattering ceremony that brings together all four women connected to Hank in a moment of beautifully rendered closure.
Emotional Intelligence in Literary Fiction
What elevates Maine Characters above standard women’s fiction is Hannah Orenstein’s emotional intelligence. She demonstrates remarkable insight into how people process grief, betrayal, and surprising connection. The novel never offers simplistic resolutions to complex emotional situations, instead showing how healing comes gradually through countless small moments of understanding.
While some readers might find the eventual reconciliations come slightly too neatly, the emotional work required to reach these moments feels earned through carefully constructed character development.
Cultural Contrasts: City Mouse, Country Mouse
A particularly effective element is how Orenstein contrasts urban and rural perspectives. Rather than relying on tired stereotypes, she shows both the appeal and limitations of each lifestyle:
- Vivian’s wine expertise initially seems frivolous in rural Maine but gradually reveals deeper passion and knowledge
- Lucy’s local connections provide emotional roots that Vivian lacks
- Each sister envies aspects of the other’s life without fully understanding its challenges
This cultural contrast creates comedic moments (Vivian’s horrified reaction to a dead rat in the toilet) while deepening the thematic exploration of what truly makes a satisfying life.
Minor Critiques: Where the Waters Get Choppy
Despite its strengths, Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein occasionally stumbles. Some secondary characters, particularly the men, feel less fully realized than the women. Harrison, Lucy’s potential new love interest, serves more as a plot device than a fully dimensional character. The novel’s resolution regarding the house and the sisters’ future comes together somewhat conveniently, potentially undercutting some of the story’s earned complexity.
Additionally, while the alternating perspectives between Lucy and Vivian mostly work beautifully, there are moments when their voices sound too similar, briefly disrupting the distinct personalities Orenstein has otherwise crafted with care.
In the Tradition of Lake Fiction
Orenstein’s work fits comfortably alongside other beloved “lake fiction” by authors like Elin Hilderbrand and Carley Fortune, but she carves her own distinct niche by focusing so intently on sisterhood rather than primarily on romance. Fans of her previous novels (Playing with Matches, Love at First Like, Head Over Heels, and Meant to Be Mine) will recognize her talent for creating flawed, relatable women navigating complex relationships, though Maine Characters represents her most emotionally mature work to date.
Final Verdict: A Sisterhood Story That Resonates
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein succeeds as both an engaging summer read and a thoughtful exploration of family dynamics. Orenstein has crafted a story about sisterhood that avoids sentimentality while embracing genuine emotion. The novel reminds us that families—whether born from blood, choice, or circumstance—are as complex and ever-changing as the lake waters that frame this compelling narrative.
For readers who appreciate women’s fiction with emotional depth, authentic character growth, and a strong sense of place, Maine Characters offers a rewarding journey into the tangled bonds of sisterhood and the healing power of truth, however belatedly it arrives.
Maine Characters shines brightest in its portrayal of sisterhood, vivid Maine setting, and emotional intelligence. While some plot resolutions feel too neat and certain characters could use more development, the novel’s strengths far outweigh its flaws. Hannah Orenstein has delivered her most emotionally resonant work yet—a perfect choice for book clubs, beach bags, or curling up beside your own favorite body of water.