Discussion Questions

1. Most of us have daydreamed about a surprise inheritance or windfall that changes everything. If the Jasper Lake houses came to you, what would you do with them?
2. Kendall has a special knack for tracking down the provenance—the origin and history—of the pieces she uses to decorate her clients’ homes. What do you think inspired that curiosity? How do those skills serve her in new ways when faced with her Jasper Lake inheritance?
3. Gabe feels a deep connection to Jasper Lake—a place he credits with saving his life. How does that connection steer his decisions? Is there a place that holds similar roots for you?
4. For much of Kendall’s life, she’s had a bad impression of Christianity, going back to her foster-home experience. How does that history initially color her impression of her grandmother Constance? Of Gabe? Gabe remembers his grandmother joking that “the only problem with Christianity was the Christians.” Have you felt truth in that?
5. Gabe is accused of being “a fixer.” How does he play that role in Jasper Lake? In his relationship with Kendall? Do you relate to his impulse to jump in and fix things? Where does that serve him and others well? In what ways might it be harmful?
6. Kendall realizes she has put labels on herself that aren’t true, like abandoned and unwanted. It makes her wonder, “What other titles had she assumed that would turn out to be false?” If Kendall had always known the truth about her mother and grandmother, how do you imagine it would’ve changed her life? Have you found yourself carrying titles that aren’t true? How have you worked to discard them?
7. Kendall comes to see that her memories of her past are incomplete, with the bad crowding out much of the good. How does filling in the gaps change her perspective? Have you ever been forced to look at your past through a new lens? How did it change things for you?
8. Gabe tells Kendall, “I don’t believe in coincidence or chance. . . . I only believe in consequences of our actions and God’s providence. And thank God that a lot of the time His providence overrides our stupid decisions.” Do you agree with his perspective? Can you think of a time in your own life when God’s providence has softened the consequences of your actions or brought good out of a bad decision?
9. Kendall initially believes she won’t be able to move on without knowing the full truth about her family. But at the end of the story, many of her questions remain unanswered. How does she find peace with the things she might never know? How important is it to have the whole truth?
10. Kendall has spent much of her life searching for a place to call home. What does home mean to you?