Three books immediately spring to mind! First, 'The Vacationers' by Emma Straub—a family reunion story with humor and heart, set in Mallorca instead of Maine. Straub’s got Sullivan’s knack for balancing laugh-out-loud moments with real emotional punches. Then there’s 'Firefly Lane' by Kristin Hannah, if you want lifelong female friendship with family drama woven in. It’s more tearjerker territory, but the decades-spanning bonds hit hard. Lastly, 'The Summer Wives' by Beatriz Williams blends family secrets with a glamorous historical setting (think Martha’s Vineyard in the 1950s). It’s like 'Maine' with a side of mystery and old-money scandal.
You know that feeling when you finish a book and just want to live in its world a little longer? For 'Maine' fans, I’d chase that with 'The Islanders' by Meg Mitchell Moore. It’s set on Block Island instead of Cape Cod, but the small-town seaside vibes and interwoven family dramas are chef’s kiss. There’s a struggling mom, a rebellious teen, and a mysterious newcomer—all with secrets that unravel under the summer sun. Moore’s pacing is breezier than Sullivan’s, but she nails the 'family as both anchor and storm' dynamic.
For something darker but equally gripping, try 'The Nest' by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney. It’s a dysfunctional-family treasure hunt with siblings fighting over an inheritance, packed with sharp humor and messy, flawed characters. The New York setting swaps oceans for brownstones, but the emotional currents feel just as deep. Bonus: if you liked how 'Maine' explored class tensions (remember Alice’s snobbery?), 'The Nest' dives into money dramas with even more bite.
If you loved 'Maine' for its family drama and multi-generational storytelling, you might enjoy 'The Most Fun We Ever Had' by Claire Lombardo. It’s this sprawling, beautifully messy novel about a Chicago family over decades, with all the secrets, tensions, and love that come with it. Lombardo’s writing has that same rich, character-driven depth Sullivan delivers, where you feel like you’re peeking into real lives. The way she juggles perspectives—especially the four sisters—reminds me of how 'Maine' shifts between the Kelleher women. Plus, the Midwest setting gives it a cozy yet bittersweet vibe, perfect for fans of Sullivan’s coastal family saga.
Another gem is 'The Dutch House' by Ann Patchett. It’s more focused on sibling bonds than a whole clan, but the emotional weight and time jumps hit similarly. The audiobook, narrated by Tom Hanks (!!), adds this warm, nostalgic layer. Patchett’s prose is quieter than Sullivan’s, but the way she digs into how places shape families—that grand, cursed house—feels like a literary cousin to 'Maine’s' beach cottage. If you’re after more complicated mothers and daughters, throw 'Commonwealth' by Patchett into the mix too.
2026-03-23 13:31:51
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You think I care about titles?” he asked, stepping even closer until I could feel the heat radiating from him. “Do you think that matters to me?”
“It should,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “It matters to me.”
He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Why? Why does it matter so much to you?"
“Because,” I said quickly, searching for the right words. “Because people like me... we don’t belong with people like you. You’re... you’re powerful, and I’m—”
“Beautiful,” he cut me off, his voice firm.
I froze, my words dying on my lips. “What?” I whispered.
“You’re beautiful, Sophia,” he said again, his tone softer this time. “And I’m tired of pretending I don’t notice it. You think being a maid defines you, but it doesn’t. Not to me.”
"After a messy break-up, police officer Matthew Haldon is fine living in his cabin out in the woods all by himself. He has his dogs to keep him company and his job to keep him busy.
He never expects to find love again, especially not with the woman he finds stranded on the side of the road during a blizzard. When Matt realizes that Holly Cook has nowhere to go, he invites her to stay at his cabin for the night.
Holly is dangerous, though: with her fiery red hair and her bubbly personality, she tempts Matt like no woman ever has. As the snowstorm rages outside, Matt and Holly share a night that neither will forget.
Yet Holly’s past isn’t about to let her go—and now, neither is Matt.
This title was previously published as Adore Me Ardently. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content."
Ten years ago, Eli Voss left Cedarwood Falls without a word — without an explanation, without looking back. Now he's back to restore a crumbling Victorian inn, and the only contractor available is the one person he never stopped thinking about.
Noah Callahan spent ten years building walls under his easy smile. He's fine. He's moved on. He just needs to get through six weeks of working side by side with the man who shattered him at eighteen — without letting it happen again.
The problem is, Cedarwood Falls is a small town. The inn needs both of them. And the distance Eli keeps trying to maintain keeps shrinking.
Some things don't stay buried. Some feelings don't care how many years you put between them.
And some men fall harder the second time.
Morgan is just trying to survive her cousin’s destination wedding in Bermuda. She didn’t come prepared for emotional damage, and she certainly didn't expect the biggest drama of the weekend to involve a head injury, a blocked tunnel, and a very confusing run-in with three dudes dressed like they raided a Pirates of the Caribbean casting call.
Turns out they’re not LARPing. They aren't actors. It's not a fun sunset cruise. No. They’re privateers. Like, real ones. From the actual year 1725. And Morgan? She’s stuck.
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Rhett Whitmere- the man who owns the town, built an empire himself, and never forgave her for leaving without goodbye.
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Reading 'Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine' reminded me of how deeply character-driven novels can pull you into their world. If you loved the introspective, almost lyrical exploration of relationships and personal growth, you might enjoy 'The Shore' by Sara Taylor. It’s another multi-generational story with a strong sense of place, though it leans a bit darker.
Another gem is 'The Seas' by Samantha Hunt, which blends magical realism with raw emotional depth—perfect if you appreciated the dreamy, melancholic tone of 'Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine.' For something more grounded but equally poignant, Ann Patchett’s 'Commonwealth' captures the messy, beautiful ties between families over decades, just with a sharper wit.