Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore
Summary
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 read and an exploration of family, responsibility, ambition and loss, Vacationland is Meg Mitchell Moore at her best.
Book Setting: Owls Head, Rockport, and Camden, Maine
Atlantic Baking Company: The local bakery Kristie, Louisa and Danny frequent.
Linden Street: Kristie’s apartment is here.
Samesot Resort: Martin and Annie got married here.
Archer’s on the Pier: Where Kristie first waitresses and where she first sees Louisa and family.
Wasses: Matty’s favorite place to eat in Maine.
Aldermere Farm: Abigail wants to pet one of the Oreo cows here this summer.
River Ducks: Kristie and Danny have their first date here.
Owls Head Lobster Company: Louisa bought lobsters here for dinner.
Owls Head Lighthouse: Annie works on a cross-stitch of this over the summer.
Fansworth Art Museum: Annie, Lousia and Abigail go on their annual day trip to here.
Rockland Harbor Trail: Kristie walks the trail before going to get a pregnancy test.
Fog Bar: One of Kristie and Danny’s date spots and where Louisa and Steven go after their dinner date.
Rockland Public Library: Louisa choses to work on her book here so she’s not distracted.
Main Street Market: Louisa grabs lunch here while working on her book.
Renys: Where Kirstie’s gets her second job.
King Eider’s Pub: Louisa and Annie grab lunch here after their pottery trip.
Ash Point Preserve: Louisa runs into Mark while taking a hike.
Lermond Cove: One of Kirstie and Danny’s date spots.
McLoons: Louisa and Martin grab lobster rolls here.
Inn at Ocean’s Edge: Aggie is staying here with her husband.
Peter Ott’s: Aggie and Louisa grab a drink here while Aggie’s husband shops.
Myrtle Street Tavern: Louisa and Nicole have a girl’s night out here.
Primo: Louisa and Steven have a dinner date here after being separated all summer.
Reviews
"Captures the breezy feel of a summer in Maine while addressing a variety of problems, from work/life balance to paternity, that will resonate with readers."
— Booklist
"Full of breathtaking Maine sunsets and family drama writ large and small, Vacationland is both an escapist summer read and a thoughtful examination of motherhood, privilege and what makes a family."
— Shelf Awareness
"What a pleasure to open Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore and be invited for the summer to midcoast Maine. A novel full of rich, complex characters, deep blue-gray ocean views, and simmering secrets, Vacationland is as sophisticated and delicious as lobster bisque."
— Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters and The Lifeguards