Maine Characters, out May 13, 2025 from Dutton, is a family drama set on a glorious Maine lake, about two half-sisters who have never met but find themselves forced together for the summer after their father suddenly dies, leaving them to deal with the family cabin that holds a lifetime of complicated memories for them both.

Maine Characters Hannah Orenstein writing boat

Hannah Orenstein is a writer and editor.

She’s the author of five novels, including Meant to Be Mine, Playing with Matches, and the forthcoming Maine Characters (out May 13, 2025).

At Bustle, she’s the Deputy Editor of Lifestyle & Wellness. She splits her time between Brooklyn and Maine.

About Hannah Orenstein

Maine Characters, out May 13, 2025 from Dutton, is a family drama set on a glorious Maine lake about two half-sisters who have never met but find themselves forced together for the summer after their father suddenly dies, leaving them to deal with the family cabin that holds a lifetime of complicated memories for them both.

Hannah’s most recent novel, Meant to Be Mine, is available now. It’s about a New York City stylist named Edie whose beloved grandmother Gloria has predicted the date on which every member of her family would meet their soulmate. She’s forced to question whether Theo, the musician she meets on her prophesied date, is actually The One — especially after a shocking revelation rocks her carefully constructed world.

She’s also the author of Head Over Heels, Love at First Like, and Playing with Matches. Her books have been featured on several “Best Of” lists by Vogue, O, the Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Goodreads, and many more.

At Bustle, she leads coverage of lifestyle, wellness, relationships, and how we live online today. 

Hannah’s writing can be found in the The Cut, Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, and beyond.

Previously, she held editorial roles at Elite Daily and Seventeen. At 21, she worked as a matchmaker at a luxury dating service, the inspiration for her debut novel.

She splits her time between Brooklyn and Maine.

Photography by Quinn Trott.

When Sasha’s dream career falls through, she uses her family’s darkest secret to land a job as a matchmaker for New York City’s elite at the dating service Bliss.

After training her entire life to make the Olympic gymnastics team, a disastrous performance ended her athletic career. Avery returns to her hometown where coach Ryan asks her to train a new Olympic hopeful.

What if you knew exactly when you’d meet the love of your life? Edie Meyer knows. But fate comes with more complications than Edie expected and she can’t fight the nagging suspicion that her perfect guy doesn’t have perfect timing.

Eliza accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing a diamond ring on that finger to her Instagram account beloved by 100,000 followers. Sales skyrocket, press rolls in, and Eliza learns that her personal life is good for business.