The States by Norah Woodsey ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Tildy Sullivan is the middle child in an elite yet fading Manhattan family. Her quiet practicality hides her deep, profound longing for childhood summers in western Ireland. She also carries a secret regret. After her mother’s death, she’s persuaded to abandon Ireland and the love of the local boy, Aiden.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

February 2024; Indie; 979-8988445708
ebook, print (436 pages); women's fiction

Last year I read Norah Woodsey's The Control Problem (read my review) and really enjoyed it. I was expecting something along the same lines as the science fiction novel. The States is women's fiction and while there is some advanced technology with the lucid dreaming cap and an advanced AI system, these aren't the focus of the story. They are just a necessity to tell the story.

I read this book on the weekends when I was lounging in the swimming pool and it was the perfect book for that. There is no intense drama for at the core of the story is a young women trying to find herself and the path she wants to be on instead of the one that her father has dictated. It was easy to remember where I left off each week and I could consume large chunks of the book in relatively little time - it was an easy, low-key read.

I liked Tildy, except I didn't understand why she let her father and sisters treat her the way they did - I would have walked away much sooner.

There was a lot of build-up around her and Aiden and the thing she regretted. I thought it was going to be some big, dark secret. but it wasn't really anything. The decision she made - I think it would have been a decision that any young woman her age would have made given the circumstances. 

I loved the journey. I think we would all like to experience the possibility of taking a different path. As a non-risk taker, I would love to have an idea of how a choice might play out (particularly big decisions like changing careers or relocating). When Tildy began to prefer the dream world to her real life, I worried about her. 

I thought the ending was a bit rushed and some of the things were kind of out of the blue. I was disappointed with how the book ended (though I was happy with the story's conclusion). It was so abrupt that it felt like the author realized she reached the word limit and had to wrap it up. There was one thread that didn't get explained and I was really disappointed in that (unless there is a sequel where we get the explanation).

If you are looking for a book to while away an afternoon or weekend, this is a pleasant read perfect for pairing with a glass of iced tea and a rocking chair on the porch.

Buy The States at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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