- In the beginning of the story, Natalie and Lucas are convinced that they can be friends without becoming romantically involved,
even though they are attracted to each other. Were they being naive? Do you know of couples who have maintained a friendship
without bringing romance into the relationship?
- Everyone around Natalie and Lucas notice signs of their relationship blossoming into something more than friendship. What
are some of the things that Cecelia, Helen, Levi, and Mary see that Natalie and Lucas don’t?
- Cecelia is a broken and bitter woman following her divorce and financial problems. What are some of the changes—internal and
external—that Cecelia goes through in her effort to be the woman she hopes to be?
- Helen wants to micromanage Lucas’s life in some ways, and she surely doesn’t want him leaving their community. But Helen changes
her tune toward the end of the story. What causes her to change her mind?
- Out of all of the characters, who do you think is the most levelheaded when it comes to Lucas and Natalie’s blossoming relationship?
Why?
- What did you think about Moses? Did you like him from the beginning? Were you surprised by what he did to Cecelia? Did it
soften the blow when he ended up giving her his house, even though he was behind on the mortgage? Was there anything endearing
about his motives, or was he just a bad guy whom you didn’t like?
- Cecelia and Helen don’t care for each other at the beginning of the book. By the end of the story, they are friends. What
are some of the ways we see this friendship evolving?
- What did you think about Isaac, Lucas’s father? He plays a small role in the story, but it’s an important one. Can you share
some of the wisdom that Isaac shares with Helen and Lucas?
- Which character did you relate to the most? Why?
- If you could have rewritten any part of the book, what would you have changed? Why?