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tsauxghiegh's review
4.0
I like that nothing major or intense happened in this novel and it was really just about people trying, and succeeding, on getting through a rough patch. A book about things working out.
nolamanns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
mbkarapcik's review
4.0
The McLeans embark on their annual summer trip to Maine in Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore, but things are different this year. Stephen McLean must stay in Brooklyn to work on his start-up podcast while Louisa McLean, wife of Stephen, must work on her book while tending to their three kids. Since childhood, Louisa and her parents have been making the pilgrimage each summer to the bucolic and soothing "Vacationland" they've found at Ship's View, their home away from home.
Things are different with her parents, too, as Louisa's father, former Maine Supreme Court judge, struggles with the increasing needs that stem from a dementia diagnosis. His wife Annie knows he has good and bad days, but what will she do with him in the future? And a mysterious guest, Kristie Turner, may upend the whole summer with her own personal agenda.
I really am starting to love Meg Mitchell Moore's books. She's truly in the vein of Elin Hilderbrand with her summer getaway books. Characters feel fully realized and the scenery, foods, and fun associated with the summer feel so authentic.
I especially like how the author depicts the children. The oldest child Matty even shares his own perspectives in chapters that come from most of the main characters. The stories involving Matty and his younger sisters Abigail and Claire ring true and react so much like real kids. This, of course, must come from the author being a mom of three herself, but they're the most accurate portrayals I've seen in a while.
And the way Louisa reacts to her children mixes good humor with exasperation. She reacts like a real mom does and not one fashioned for a novel. She's not always ready to tackle their problems and continuously reflects on whether she handled the situation in the right manner. Same goes with her dealings with her mother and father.
I didn't think the relationship between Louisa and Stephen felt that believable. Stephen appeared to be the least fully-formed character. I couldn't get a good read on him, so I couldn't really tell if he was a good or not-so-good husband and father. They didn't seem that strong of a couple to me, especially since they were apart most of the summer.
Also, I could not believe that they were Brooklynites at all. I am not totally familiar with living in Brooklyn although I know I've been there as a child. Their life there read much more like they lived in a suburb near Westchester, North Jersey, Connecticut, or Long Island. Would you really have a minivan in Brooklyn? Feel free to chime in if you live with your kids in Brooklyn. I didn't buy it.
Kristie's story interested me, and I liked her story trajectory. Much of it seemed accurate and well-depicted as well. The ending for her tale seemed somewhat unbelievable in some ways and not so in others, but I liked it all the same. It is fiction after all.
Anyway, this book and The Islanders have made me a fan of Meg Mitchell Moore. I look forward to reading her next book, Summer Stage, due out in May, and the rest on her list.
Things are different with her parents, too, as Louisa's father, former Maine Supreme Court judge, struggles with the increasing needs that stem from a dementia diagnosis. His wife Annie knows he has good and bad days, but what will she do with him in the future? And a mysterious guest, Kristie Turner, may upend the whole summer with her own personal agenda.
I really am starting to love Meg Mitchell Moore's books. She's truly in the vein of Elin Hilderbrand with her summer getaway books. Characters feel fully realized and the scenery, foods, and fun associated with the summer feel so authentic.
I especially like how the author depicts the children. The oldest child Matty even shares his own perspectives in chapters that come from most of the main characters. The stories involving Matty and his younger sisters Abigail and Claire ring true and react so much like real kids. This, of course, must come from the author being a mom of three herself, but they're the most accurate portrayals I've seen in a while.
And the way Louisa reacts to her children mixes good humor with exasperation. She reacts like a real mom does and not one fashioned for a novel. She's not always ready to tackle their problems and continuously reflects on whether she handled the situation in the right manner. Same goes with her dealings with her mother and father.
I didn't think the relationship between Louisa and Stephen felt that believable. Stephen appeared to be the least fully-formed character. I couldn't get a good read on him, so I couldn't really tell if he was a good or not-so-good husband and father. They didn't seem that strong of a couple to me, especially since they were apart most of the summer.
Also, I could not believe that they were Brooklynites at all. I am not totally familiar with living in Brooklyn although I know I've been there as a child. Their life there read much more like they lived in a suburb near Westchester, North Jersey, Connecticut, or Long Island. Would you really have a minivan in Brooklyn? Feel free to chime in if you live with your kids in Brooklyn. I didn't buy it.
Kristie's story interested me, and I liked her story trajectory. Much of it seemed accurate and well-depicted as well. The ending for her tale seemed somewhat unbelievable in some ways and not so in others, but I liked it all the same. It is fiction after all.
Anyway, this book and The Islanders have made me a fan of Meg Mitchell Moore. I look forward to reading her next book, Summer Stage, due out in May, and the rest on her list.
nahyee's review against another edition
4.0
See my full review of this title on my blog: Books Under the Blanket (with a flashlight): https://booksundertheblanket.com/wheres-your-happy-place/
Live on June 26, 2022
Live on June 26, 2022
novelvisits's review
4.0
A special thank you to @williammorrowbooks for a #gifted copy of #Vacationland.
The cover and title of
The cover and title of
gwalt118's review
4.0
This novel was an unexpected treat. It's a beach read with family drama, and there is a touch of academia that felt just right. I absolutely loved the multiple viewpoints, some of which are quite unique. They include:
- Louisa, the professor and mom who is trying to write a book during her sabbatical year, take care of three children, and deal with some of her own marital strife
- Pauline, the long-time housekeeper who knows all of the secrets and is distraught over her beloved cousin's cancer and failing health
- Kristie, whose relationship to the other characters is not divulged at the beginning of the novel but we come to understand as the novel progresses
- Louisa's children, who inhabit three very different personalities and perspectives
I absolutely loved the viewpoint of the children. We saw tween angst and teenage heartbreak, and all of it was extremely well-written and honest.
The novel and many of its complexities center around Louisa's father who has Alzheimer's. He is an important character and the focal point of much of the action, although we rarely hear him speak or see him as an active participant in the novel's plot. Within and around his character, Moore explores the theme of "haves and have-nots" in sometimes nuanced ways and other times very explicitly.
The ending of this novel is fantastic. I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil it. I found it to be kind, gentle, heartfelt, beautiful, and bittersweet. And yes - I cried a little bit. I definitely did not intend to love this book as much as I did. What a wonderfully pleasant surprise.
- Louisa, the professor and mom who is trying to write a book during her sabbatical year, take care of three children, and deal with some of her own marital strife
- Pauline, the long-time housekeeper who knows all of the secrets and is distraught over her beloved cousin's cancer and failing health
- Kristie, whose relationship to the other characters is not divulged at the beginning of the novel but we come to understand as the novel progresses
- Louisa's children, who inhabit three very different personalities and perspectives
I absolutely loved the viewpoint of the children. We saw tween angst and teenage heartbreak, and all of it was extremely well-written and honest.
The novel and many of its complexities center around Louisa's father who has Alzheimer's. He is an important character and the focal point of much of the action, although we rarely hear him speak or see him as an active participant in the novel's plot. Within and around his character, Moore explores the theme of "haves and have-nots" in sometimes nuanced ways and other times very explicitly.
The ending of this novel is fantastic. I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil it. I found it to be kind, gentle, heartfelt, beautiful, and bittersweet. And yes - I cried a little bit. I definitely did not intend to love this book as much as I did. What a wonderfully pleasant surprise.
genxreadee's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
amerika282's review
5.0
This novel took me away and placed me beside the ocean. Beautifully detailed with a realistic but still happy ending.
hdickson2016's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Felt very anti feminist, especially when the author pointed out that moments were not very feminist. And there were storylines in here that had no connection to the overall book. And the writing felt discombobulated. Overall, not a favorite.