from Smitten
1. Which protagonist (Natalie, Julia, Shelby, or Reese) did you most relate to and why?
2. After a lack of stability early in life, Natalie craved being in one place. What made Smitten special to her? Have you ever felt like that about a place?
3. Natalie believed her sister’s report about Carson. Have you ever believed gossip and wished you hadn’t?
4. When Julia returns to Smitten, long-lost feelings for her brother’s best friend Zak resurface. Has coming back to a familiar place ever brought back unresolved feelings? Did you have to deal with them the second time? How did you resolve them?
5. Julia loves her friends and her hometown, but going back to New York City feels easier. Have you ever had to make the harder choice to do the right thing? How did you know it was the right decision for you?
6. Julia has a strong independent streak, but ultimately discovers that counting on others can make life easier and more fulfilling. Have you ever tried to do something alone only to discover the lesson was in submitting to others? What was the outcome?
7. When the girls support Reese in her outfitter’s store dreams, they do things they wouldn’t otherwise be interested in—such as roller blading. Do you have friends who expand your world that way? How has it made you a better person?
8. Shelby had some major issues with her dad. Before they could have healing in their relationship, she had to truly forgive him. In fact, he had to forgive himself. Have you ever had a relationship like that? Did you choose to forgive (with God’s help) and receive healing, or are you still holding on to the bitterness? What can you do to let it go?
9. Sometimes life isn’t fair. Circumstances can change in an instant. Nick’s circumstances changed when his ex-wife died and his daughter, Willow, came to live with him. Despite the challenges, they settled into their new life together and shared a relationship they wouldn’t have had otherwise. When life hands you challenges, do you fight them or do you try to learn from them and make your life better?
10. Shelby gained strength and support from her friends. She also offered that same support back to them. Do you have someone like that in your life? Are you that someone to someone else? Reach out today.
11. The more Shelby and Nick got to know each other, the more they had to work through in their relationship, but difficulties can bring growth in a relationship and make it stronger. Think of the relationships in your life. What has truly made them grow?
12. It’s clear from the beginning of “All Along” that Reese Mackenzie is a planner, but it doesn’t take long for her plan to make Griffen love her go awry. Have you ever been so committed to your own plans that God’s will got lost somewhere along the way? How did you come to that realization? What happened as a result?
13. In what ways did Griffen balance Reese? Who provides balance for you, and in what ways?
14. Reese’s faith falters as they approach Sawyer’s wedding and the finalization of their plans for Smitten. Why do you think having faith can be so difficult? When was the last time your faith faltered? What got you through that time?
15. How did the friendship between Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese serve as a support system spiritually, emotionally, and physically? Who is your support system and how do you hold each other up?
from Secretly Smitten
1. Which heroine did you most relate to: Tess, Zoe, Anna, or Clare? Why?
2. We women can be so insecure. We wish we were thinner, blonder, and prettier. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like about yourself, what do you like?
3. Tess mothered her sisters and everyone else but left little time for herself. What one thing can you start doing for yourself today?
4. Have you ever had anyone in your life who was a manipulator like Ryan’s sister-in-law? How did you handle that person?
5. Zoe didn’t want to go to college, though everyone else wanted it for her. Have you ever gone against the grain because you knew something wasn’t right for you? Was it the right decision?
6. William carries a sea turtle with him to remind him that home is where you make it. Have you ever carried something special to remind you of something? Do you think William really wanted a place to call home and not just a reminder of it?
7. William is a born worrier. Zoe takes life as it comes. Do you have a friend in your life who complements your weakness? How so?
8. Betrayal in Anna Thomas’s life created a fear in her of trusting others. She finally had to let that go and trust God, the only One who never fails. Have you ever struggled with that? If so, what did you do about it?
9. Michael let his life get out of balance with his job eating up much of his family time. That created relationship problems between him and his son. What are some ways we can keep life in balance?
10. Anna didn’t like confrontation for any reason. Sometimes in life, however, there is no avoiding it. When you’re being confronted or you’re the one doing the confronting, how do you handle it?
11. When Ethan confronted Clare about her fear of change, she rejected the truth and became defensive, making a decision she soon regretted. Share a time when you’ve found yourself in a similar situation.
12. Clare discovered that dreams without a plan of action get you nowhere. Is there some dream you’ve had on the back burner for too long? Is it time for you to make a plan of action?
13. After losing Ethan, Clare realized that “sometimes taking no risk is the biggest risk of all.” Have you discovered this to be true in your own life? Share a time when you avoided a risk only to realize it was a mistake.
from Smitten Book Club
1. Which heroine (Heather, Abby, Lia, or Molly) could you most identify with? Why?
2. Pearl’s book of advice was a bit outdated. If you could write your own piece of advice about how to capture a man’s heart, what would it say?
3. Heather guarded her heart from Paul because he’d hurt her once before. How do you know when it’s wise to guard your heart? Discuss a time you’ve found yourself in a similar situation.
4. Have you ever had to rebuild trust in someone? Discuss the process and each person’s responsibility in that process.
5. Abby lived an excitement-free life. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? What adventures still remain on your bucket list?
6. Abby was a Jane Austen fan. Which of Austen’s heroines do you think Abby is most like?
7. Joey needed to forgive the man who killed his late wife. Discuss the process of forgiveness. What does it mean? Who benefits?
8. Joey reached a place where he wasn’t willing to forgive, but he was “willing to be made willing.” Discuss a time when you’ve been in that place. What did you learn?
9. Molly’s late husband, Curtis, broke her trust and that trickled over into her relationships with Gage and God. Have you ever experienced something similar?
10. Molly came to realize that the most important treasures are priceless. Name some of these things. Is there a treasure you’ve been searching diligently for?