Bookclub Questions & Topics for Discussion

Beginning Over
  1. Petra struggles with letting go of her responsibilities as a mom.  Why do you think she struggles? Would you allow. Paige to choose a path of her own wishes if you didn’t agree with her?
  2. How did cooking help Petra and Mav find themselves again?
  3. Petra was consumed by making choices based on others’ needs. Did you think Petra waited too long to live her life for herself?
  4. Do you think Petra should’ve been able to pack up her mother’s belongings with less effort? Why do you think it was hard for her?
  5. Did Mav put unfair expectation on himself where his cooking career was concerned? How did he allow guilt to influence his choices? Do you think it’s wise to make decisions based on guilt?
  6. What scene stuck with you the most?
  7. Which characters did you like best or least?
  8. Can you share a favorite quote or line from the book?
  9. Did any part of this book strike a particular emotion for you? Which part? What emotion?

Cruz's Watch
  1. Did you like Ayla? Why or why not?
  2.  ​Ayla was willing to risk a lot to capture tornados on film. How far would you go to prove your worth?
  3. Cruz believed Ayla returning to chase storms was a deal breaker for his marriage. But he found himself, helping her anyway. How did you feel about his choice to take her on the road?
  4.  How do the characters’ pasts influence their actions and decisions in the story?
  5. What was your favorite scene or moment in the book? Why did it stand out to you?
  6. What did you like best about the book? What was your least favorite part?
  7. How did the book make you feel? What emotions did it evoke?
  8. What surprised you most about the book?
  9. How does the setting add to the story?
  10. If you could give a character a piece of advice, what would it be?

Love Never Ends
  1. ​How does Autumn's past affect how she makes decisions as an adult?
  2. Did her relationship with her mother shape the kind of mother she became? What were the similarities and/or differences?
  3. Autumn seems to have some guilt attached to her relationship with her mother. That's why Vera lives with her, but Vera's take on the world is antagonistic. How far would you allow a family member to push you before pushing back?
  4. How did Jett losing his father at the age of ten affect him as an adult? How did losing Ajay change him?
  5. How has Autumn and Jett's past as a couple interfered with who the are today and how they interact with each other? How would you feel if your past was similar to theirs and had to see or work with your ex all the time?
  6. Trust is a theme throughout the book. How to get it, keep it, lose it. Were Autumn and Jett too cautious with their trust? Should they have been more willing to take chances? What are some things that would break your trust? Be specific.

Sea Glass Made with Second Chances
  1. ​Was Kassidy right to have Mr. West include the rule that the sisters had to clean out their father’s house together, making it seem like it was his final wish? Do you think that was fair, or was she overstepping? 
  2. Kassidy fought hard to keep the Tavern. If you were in her shoes, would you have done the same, or would you have sold it? 
  3. Giovanni, the baker, is the kind of person everyone trusts and turns to for wisdom. Do you have someone like that in your life? Do you think people like Giovanni are easier to find in small towns? 
  4. What do you think led to three sisters drifting apart? Was it just life pulling them in different directions, or was there something deeper at play? 
  5. Do you think Levi’s heart was in the right place in relation to punishing his brother or was he truly just selfish/self centered ?
  6. Since there were a few serious topics - psychological, brought to light in this book, what are your thoughts on the subject of hoarding, fear, divorce, grief, and how our author brought them to life?
  7. Sea Glass was an emotional object for Kassidy and her Dad.  They shared the act of searching in order to have time together, and to find peace and beauty…. Do you have a hobby that does that for you, that brings you joy?

Steeling Hearts
  1. ​Claudia inherits her aunt’s home. Do you think Claudia should have been less hasty to sell? Would you have been as willing to give up a house that had been in your family?
  2.  What do you think of Silas’ decision to live in his cabin with his children? Would you be able to separate from society as much? What is the most eccentric, out of the box thing you’ve done? Have you always done what society (could be as large as all of society or your inner circle like immediate family) has expected of you?
  3.  Claudia is determined to win the competition at any cost. What do you think of her decision to hire the excavator before she has had a chance to know Silas better?
  4.  This is an opposites attract story. Do you believe it’s better or worse to be with your opposite? Do you believe people can change?
  5.  On page 117, Silas recalls the birth of his twins and how compelled he was to protect them at all costs. Can a parent go too far in wanting to protect his/her children? How much did Silas overreact in his pursuit of protection?
  6.  What scene stuck with you the most?
  7. Which characters did you like best or least?
  8. Can you share a favorite quote or line from the book?
  9. Did any part of this book strike a particular emotion for you? Which part? What emotion?

The Risk for House and Home
  1. Grace's lifelong feeling of isolation and abandonment. Question: Grace never knew her father. How does this affect her behavior as an adult?(Discuss how her feelings tie into her need to be in control, her nitpickiness.) 
  2. (Injunction with question above.) Cash grew up without Blaise around, much like Grace grew up without a father. How did Cash cope without Blaise? Do you think Grace helped Cash understand and accept his father more?  Did her feelings for Blaise help change how she saw her own father?
  3.  Grace's relationship with her mother. Question: In addition to never knowing her father, Grace spent her childhood coping with a dysfunctional mother. How did those early years shape the mother Grace became? (Discuss Grace's relationship with her mother--her mother's problems, etc.)  
  4.  The empty-nest syndrome. Possible question: Grace is dreading the day Chloe leaves for college. Most parents have misgivings about their children leaving home. Are Grace's feelings beyond typical?  Why or why not?
  5. Question: Under the terms of the agreement, the donor of the house would remain anonymous. Although she risks losing the house, Grace begins a search for the donor. Would you take that risk? Why or why not?  
  6. Bullying and envy. Question: On paper, Jud is a model teenager. He does well in school and is active in extracurricular activities. Every college he applied to has accepted him.  Jud dislikes his cousin Cash. Why would a boy who appears to have everything bully someone? Why does Savannah refuse to accept that Jud may be jealous of Cash? 
  7.  Second Chances. Do you envy Grace’s opportunity to find herself again or do you think she’s selfish for wanting it all? Would you take on the task of renovating a new house in a new town? Why or why not?

Whispering Christmas

  1. What's the first thing you have to talk about after reading this book?
  2. Do you think Nyx should've agreed to teach Delaney to sing? What would you have done?
  3. Ford & Nyx could be considered soulmates. Do you believe in soulmates? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think Nyx is too hard on her father? She's the only sister still mad at him for how he raised his daughters and his narrow view of others. 
  5. Nyx defied the odds and went after her dreams. Ford played it safe. What was the cost for each of them? What would you do in their places?
  6. If you could give a character a piece of advice what would it be?
  7. Favorite scene or moment in the book?
  8. What passages or quotes stood out to you?
  9. If you could ask the author one question...
  10. If you lived in CF, who would you be? What's your job?