Books set in Maine
34 books to help you read local
I love nothing more than a curated display table at an independent bookstore. Give me a theme or a setting and I’m in—especially in the summer. If there’s a table dedicated to beach reads or books set in a particular place, you can bet I’m perusing it. And I especially love seeing what deep cuts the booksellers have to share.
So today, I’m bringing you my own version of that: a list of 34 books set in Maine. Some I’ve read and loved; others are on my ever-growing TBR. Maine has such a rich literary tradition—it’s long been a haven and inspiration for writers—and you can feel that when you walk into the local indie bookstores and see how big the “Maine Fiction” section is. It always makes me happy.
This list spans the full spectrum: summery, beachy reads about vacationers; deeper stories about people who live here or return home; and books that explore the wilderness beyond the coastline.
Whether you’re local, visiting, or just want a little armchair travel, I hope you find something here to add to your stack this summer.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes. Oh, how I adore this book. A hunky baseball player lands in a sleepy Maine town, where Evvie is trying to figure out what’s next after a complicated relationship. With Linda Holmes’s signature warmth and witty dialogue, this one’s a total delight.
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark. This one beautifully captures Maine’s wild, natural landscape and the importance of protecting it. Agnes, a celebrated children’s author, has spent her life summering in Maine and hopes to donate her family’s land to a trust. But things, of course, get complicated. A quiet, powerful novel about legacy, land, and lifelong friendship.
Evening by Susan Minot. This quiet, dreamy novel opens on a July weekend wedding off the coast of Maine, where Ann meets Harris. From there, the story drifts between that pivotal summer and the final days of her life, capturing the way certain moments echo across decades.
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. Set between Maine and Nova Scotia, this novel follows a Mi’kmaq family whose young daughter goes missing while they’re working as berry pickers in Maine. It’s tender, heartbreaking, and unflinchingly honest as it explores family, identity, and the ache of not knowing. A fantastic debut.
The House by the Sea by May Sarton. I’d recommend reading this one in the summer so you can immerse yourself in Sarton’s world. This is her diary of her years living in a house on the Maine coast and it’s full of charm, quiet joy, and beauty. Even when she writes about the mundane day-to-day.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Olive is an unforgettable character. She’s prickly and complicated. Set in a small coastal town in Maine, this interconnected collection of stories paints a portrait of both the town and the people in it, with Olive connecting everyone (whether she likes it or not).
Happy Place by Emily Henry. Emily Henry spent time in Boothbay Harbor while she was researching this book and she infused this book with the charm of that village by the sea. It’s about an ex-couple pretending to still be together for one last summer getaway with their friends to a family home in Maine. And it makes you want to quit all responsibilities for the summer and go to Maine.
Effie Olsen’s Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow. This rom-com totally delighted me last year. Set on an island off the coast of Maine, Effie returns home as a burnt out professional chef. She quickly reconnects with Ernie, her childhood best friend, and they end up working in the island’s restaurant together. What ensues is a summer of fun, food, and love. It’s a joy from start to finish!
See these plus 26 more books set in Maine on this list!
I’d love to hear what books you add to your TBR or if you recommend any other books set in Maine!
Until next time,
That evvie drake book is so good 🩷
It’s where I learned about *the yips*
This is a great list! I love books set in Maine. I'll be adding several of these to my list but first I need to prioritize Evvie Drake because I've had that one on my list for so long and I don't know why I keep putting it off. Thanks for the reminder!