State of Hollow

"Think of Jerry Maguire and The American President having a child . . . that's what State of Hollow is like!" State of Hollow is the debut novel by first time author M.A. Rodriguez, who wrote the initial draft as a Valentine's gift for his wife. The story follows Mike Betancourt, an environmental lawyer and Senate candidate in Vermont who has spent his life constructing a polished facade to hide his crippling anxiety and fear of vulnerability. During the grueling campaign, a chance encounter at a bar introduces him to Beth Harper, a free-spirited artist who sees through his political persona, finding the man beneath it all. As their relationship deepens, it threatens the carefully controlled narrative his ruthless campaign manager, Wayne Sommers, has built. Torn between the safety of his "performative" life and the chaotic authenticity Beth represents, Mike must decide if winning the election is worth losing his soul. This novel explores the tension between ambition and intimacy, asking whether it is possible to lead others without first accepting oneself.