Title: The State We’re In
Author: Adele Parks
First published July 4, 2013
436 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780755371396 (ISBN10: 0755371399)
Rating: 3.58
Overview
In Adele Parks’ latest novel, The State We’re In, two strangers with seemingly opposite personalities find themselves seated next to each other on a plane. One is a hopeful romantic, always searching for the one true love, while the other is a jaded skeptic, having lost faith in humanity.
Despite their differences, the two discover unexpected connections during their flight from New York to Los Angeles. However, as they part ways, they realize their pasts make them incompatible for a future together.
Their journey continues outside the plane, as they navigate their own lives and reflect on the impact of their chance encounter. Parks’ emotionally charged novel explores the unpredictability of fate and the transformative power of human connection.
About the Author
Adele Parks MBE is a highly regarded women’s fiction author in the UK, with a large and loyal following. Her books have been translated into 30 languages and she has sold over 4 million copies.
Adele has published 21 novels, all of which have been bestsellers in The Times of London.
Her work covers a range of genres, including contemporary and historical fiction. Two of her novels, Spare Brides and If You Go Away, are set during and after World War I.
Her latest books, including Both of You, Just My Luck, Lies Lies Lies, I Invited Her In, The Image of You, and The Stranger in My Home, are twisty, domestic thrillers that explore our notions of family, love, and fidelity.
Adele has lived in a variety of locations throughout her career, including Italy, Botswana, and London. She now resides in Surrey with her husband, son, and cat.
To keep in touch with Adele and stay up-to-date on her latest news, you can follow her on Twitter @AdeleParks, Instagram @Adele_Parks, or Facebook @OfficialAdeleParks. You can also sign up for her newsletter on her website, where you can find more information about her and her books.
Editoral Review
In her novel The State We’re In, bestselling author Adele Parks explores the complexities of love and family, drawing readers in with her compelling characters and emotionally charged plot. Parks, who has written numerous bestsellers in the women’s fiction genre, infuses her pages with unique insights into the human experience, creating a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The novel centers around a chance encounter between two strangers on a plane, Honor and Jon. As they sit together, they reveal their deepest fears and desires, sparking a connection that could change the course of their lives.
Meanwhile, back in England, their loved ones deal with their own struggles and hardships, leading to unexpected consequences for all involved.
Parks excels at character development, imbuing each of her protagonists with unique personalities and backstories that make them feel fully realized.
Honor is a single mother struggling to provide for her son, while Jon is a wealthy businessman with a personal tragedy in his past. Their chemistry is palpable, and readers will find themselves rooting for them to overcome the obstacles in their path.
The author also tackles important themes related to class, race, and gender, exploring how societal norms impact our relationships and sense of self. The novel offers a window into contemporary British culture, revealing both its strengths and its challenges.
However, while the novel is engaging and well-crafted, it occasionally relies on implausible plot twists to create drama. Some readers may find themselves struggling to suspend their disbelief, particularly as the story reaches its conclusion.
Additionally, Parks occasionally falls into stereotypical portrayals of certain characters, undermining the nuance and complexity of her overall narrative.
Despite these flaws, The State We’re In is a worthy addition to Parks’ canon, and will appeal to fans of contemporary women’s fiction.
It is a story that asks important questions about love, family, and identity, and one that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.