Vacationland

A Novel

By: Meg Mitchell Moore

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

A Sarah Selects Book Club Pick!

“As sophisticated and delicious as lobster bisque.” —Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author

A shimmering summer read set in Maine about family secrets, marriage, motherhood, and privilege, from the bestselling author of Two Truths and a Lie and The Islanders.

Louisa has come to her parents’ house in Maine this summer with her three kids, a barely written book that has a looming deadline, and a trunkful of resentment. Louisa is hoping the crisp breeze will blow away her irritation for her life choices and replace it with enthusiasm for both her family and her writing.

But all isn’t well in Maine. Louisa’s father, a retired judge and pillar of the community, is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Louisa’s mother is alternately pretending everything is fine and not pretending at all. And one of Louisa’s children happens upon a very confusing and heartfelt letter referring to something Louisa doesn’t think her father could possibly have done.

Louisa’s not the only one searching for something in Maine this summer. Kristie took the Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania with the $761 left in her bank account and a whole lot of emotional baggage. She has a past she’s trying to outrun, a secret she’s trying to unpack, and a new boyfriend who’s so impossibly kind she can’t figure out what she did to deserve him.

As June turns to July turns to August, secrets will be unearthed, betrayals will come to light, and both Louisa and Kristie will ask themselves what they are owed and what they owe others. Both a delicious summer read and a compelling portrayal of family, responsibility, ambition, and loss, Vacationland is Meg Mitchell Moore at her best.

©2022 Meg Mitchell Moore (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Realistic

Good story of people working through their emotions and resolving problems. Very realistic, the narrator kept the story moving.

Whiner kid literally ruins story.

Geez…the kid in the story is such an irritating whiner that it actually ruins the story. Way, way overdone in the spoiled brat department.

Easily one of my top 10 titles of all time!

There’s something about this book… Maybe it’s because my husband and I, as native Floridians, have discovered the beauty and appeal of Maine and travel to the Midcoast area every year… Maybe because we have been to many of the places mentioned in this book - Rockland, Rockport, Penobscot, Camden (where we stay at the River House with a bedroom window that looks straight at River Ducks ice cream shack and it’s never ending line of customers), Peter Otts, Cafe Miranda, Claws… etc. Although I was a tad disappointed there was no mention of Natalie’s restaurant in Camden or Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast. Oh well 🤷‍♀️ you can’t have everything… Or maybe it was the living and thoughtful way the characters were developed that actually made you care for them and care about their story. I loved every minute… Even the end where Louisa and Steve’s decision about the EF was satisfying, if not a stretch in the believability department. I mean, WHY NOT… You can do these things inside fiction.

Really well written, lots of beautiful imagery and emotion. Relatable. And the narrator was excellent and switched voices with ease, each one unique and believable and authentic - even the ones with the Maine downeast dialect. Just a great interesting feel good book that I will probably turn around and reread because I liked it THAT much. Will be reading more from this author too. Thanks for the great read!!

An unrealistic summer read

The narrator was good, the story mediocre. It all seemed unrealistic and improbable, to many moments of convenient interaction. Three children that appeared precocious at times, bratty at others, and a mother that went from loving and protective to ignoring and uncaring. Fiction is fiction, but I prefer it to be a reflection of reality. If it’s meant to be a fairy tale, advise the reader before they begin.

Pretty Good

This was a fairly good story told by an excellent narrator. A pretty good summer read, but no more than that.

I love when stories are set in Maine

I live in Midcoast Maine and this story does the area justice. I spent magical summers at my grandparents’ home on the water.
I loved hearing all the familiar place names.
The kids experiences were genuine for “the way life should be.”
The overall story was, for me, just okay.

Good narration/Annoying lead character

Narration for this book was really well done and enjoyed listening. Also liked the story overall. It was interesting and engaging and sweet. However, I found the character of Louisa to be unbearable and I didn't much care for her at all. I couldn't tell if the reader is supposed to feel sympathy for her, but I didn't. She was very whiny and annoying. This took the story down for me but otherwise I liked all the other characters and the story as a whole.

Good summer read

A refreshing story with sufficient twists to keep me interested, without the darkness found so often. Human story that many families can relate to. I felt relaxed at the end..,a good thing.

review

here we go again...for the love of God, could you just let me rate the book without writing a review

Loved the Story

I was drawn into this story right from the start and my interest never wavered. It was a sweet tale and I recommend this audio book to anyone who enjoys a nice escape in Maine.