Vacationland

A Novel

By: Meg Mitchell Moore

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

From the USA Today best-selling author of Two Truths and a Lie and The Islanders, a delicious summer listen set in midcoast Maine, tackling family secrets, marriage, motherhood, and privilege. 

Louisa has come to her parents’ house in Maine this summer with all three of her kids, a barely-written book, and a trunkful of resentment. Left behind in Brooklyn is her husband, who has promised that after this final round of fundraising at his startup he will once again pick up his share of the household responsibilities. Louisa is hoping that the crisp breeze off Penobscot Bay will blow away the irritation she is feeling with her life choices and replace it with enthusiasm for both her family and her work. 

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 one small suitcase, $761, and a lot of baggage. She’s got 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. But she can’t keep her various lives from colliding forever.

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. A delicious summer listen and an exploration of family, responsibility, ambition and loss, Vacationland is Meg Mitchell Moore at her best.

©2022 Meg Mitchell Moore (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Surprising

I don’t even know where I saw this book or title that caused me to buy it. It is nothing like any of the books or genre I usually enjoy or attempt.

That being said, I loved it. I loved every part of it. I walked away feeling like part of the family on both ends. I understood the marriage dance, because it was something that happened to me. I found the hope and the honesty to be amazing. I found the surrender and the acceptance to be believable.

I was disappointed as I realized it was almost over. I want to know the next part. I want to meet these people. I genuinely wanted to be their friend or at
The very least acquaintance.

I am truly shocked and pleasantly surprised at how much I actually really really enjoyed this book. Never heard of the author and isn’t my genre.

Highly recommended. I don’t give 5 stars. But this one. This one was worth it.

Vacationland captured midcoast Maine perfectly!

I was born in Massachusetts but I grew up in the great state of Maine. I have four older brothers, one of whom moved to Arizona in 1990. I moved to California in 1989. My three other brothers all still live in midcoast Maine. One of them lives in Owl's Head! Meg Mitchell Moore got the look, the feel, the sound, the taste (the food!) and the smell of that idyllic stretch of rocky coastline absolutely right. The story was rich and the characters were very well fleshed out. Mitchell Moore is a fabulous storyteller as well as a technically gifted writer. I finished this listen on my way home from work today and was sad that it was over. My favorite character (and story arc) was Mattie, but Claire was a very close second.Ship's View's story was fascinating as well. I will read or listen to everything by Meg Mitchell Moore now and I am so happy my first listen was Vacationland! 10/10 would recommend!

Not worth the credit

Sappy, poorly edited, treacle. Narrator made the women all whine and the author made them brats. Ugh.

sappy beach read

I didn't even finish it. I thought I had mistakenly bought a young adult book but it's really a topical soap opera beach read.

Overall a a good book!

While listening to this book I envisioned a large home overlooking the Main coast and fell in love with this place. Full of memorial and family along with some surprises as well. The book moved along too slowly in the beginning but luckily it picked up and turned out to be a solid read.

How was this even published?

This book was horrible. The story was boring and lacked any depth. I truly don’t know how this was even published.

Incredible!!!!

Don’t think twice…get this book! Terrific story and stellar narration! One of my favorites, for sure!

Vacaationland

I enjoyed listening to this book. Although I found it hard to follow at times.. it was still very interesting. Louisa was a spoiled brat but still likable. Most memorable part was Mattie's first summer love (it was adorable).

Great story & message

Loved this book and didn’t want it to end! I would love a sequel! The narrator was wonderful.

Wow!

5 stars is not enough!
Such an incredible story!
I never want it to end.