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.

Realistic

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

Well Written - expertly narrated

Not sure I’d have enjoyed this book as much had I read it. Despite being well crafted with semi-interesting characters and catchy enough dialogue, the story is as old as time and not all that riveting. That said, Stacey Glemboski, whom I’ve never heard before, did such a wonderful job bringing the characters, the town, the home and the situation to life that I found myself enjoying it all much more than I ought have.

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.

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.

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.