Book Review: In The Bag

Author: Kate Klise
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

A European vacation. A luggage mix-up. A note from a secret admirer.

Meet two single parents who think they're too busy to date.
And two teenagers who can't stop writing flirty emails.
This is a tale of connections--missed and made--in a universe that seems to have its heart set on reuniting Ms. 6B and Mr. 13C.

Webb
I can't believe I picked up the wrong bag at the airport. My dad is never going to let me hear the end of it.

Coco
I don't understand why Mom told me to pack my worst underwear. And now I've lost my bag? Ack

Andrew
I cannot stop thinking about that woman in seat 6B on the flight to Paris.

Daisy
I don't have time to worry about the creep sitting in 13C who slipped a note in my purse. I have to find my daughter's missing bag before this ruins our vacation.

"In the Bag" is a smart and stylish story that explores the old-fashioned art of romance in a modern world, where falling in love can be as risky as checking a bag on an international flight. Buckle your seat belt--it's going to be a bumpy vacation.

I love to travel so why not pick up a book with the suitcase on the cover? Plus I love red shoes; they just made such a statement when they make up part of an outfit. Ok, I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this one is so simple and subtle yet knocks at the door of spontaneity. The tag line in the upper right hand corner also hooked me immediately: “A tale of two suitcases, three cities, four people, and one big mix-up.”  



 

 

Kate Klise does a fantastic job of changing perspectives and channeling both female and male teenage characters as well as female and male adult characters. Each chapter is titled with the name of the character’s thoughts or actions that you are reading. Everything was kept organized and it was very easy to follow along with this story. Klise had amazing interpretations of how teenagers would react in this scenario and then used a more socially acceptable lingo when speaking as the adults, Andrew and Daisy. I was extremely impressed with her ability to switch characters so frequently and still hold the reader’s attention.

 

This book is somewhat predictable in a sense, but that does not take away from the joy of reading it. It has embarrassing and awkward moments, experienced by the characters, and also the happiest moments that made me smile from ear to ear! I loved getting to individually getting to know each character and trying to predict what they would do next. Daisy and Coco were extremely easy for me to relate with as mother and daughter because I believe that my mother and I behaved the same way when I was a teenager!

 

The whole idea of this book, I can imagine, could be hard to write. Klise incorporates so many minor details that paint one huge masterpiece. We travel to many different settings and locations and Klise does an amazing job of making you feel as if you are really visiting each place she takes you. There are even wonderful graphics and pictures on the pages that say Day 1, Day 2, etc. I loved the entire concept of developing relationships as you send your characters halfway around the world. The idea of travel and adventure was the ribbon that tied the book together.

 

Having never read a book by Kate Klise, I would now say that I will continue to be a devoted fan who patiently awaits her upcoming books!

 

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes.***