Eve is eight months pregnant and in the middle of a Thanksgiving celebration when she discovers that her husband Jonathan has developed an intimate relationship with another woman over the past year. Jonathan asserts his innocence because there was no physical intimacy, but Eve feels deeply betrayed by the emotional connection he shared with someone else. What Jon has done seems so terrifyingly out of character that Eve finds herself questioning her entire reality. Did she ever really know Jon at all? Was their happiness together a lie? Is emotional intimacy more forgivable than sexual intimacy? And most importantly, can their marriage survive?
- Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
- Was this a story you would normally enjoy, or outside your normal genre?
- Who were your favorite characters?
- What was your favorite scene?
- Do you have a favorite quote to share?
- Was the ending satisfying? Did you figure it out?
- How would you change the ending or what would you like to see different?
- Would you recommend this book to others?
- If you're like me and sometimes picture the characters as if you are watching a movie, who did you see in the different roles?
- Please rate 1-5 (of course, you may use half or quarter stars) and explain your rating.
And a few more from www.readinggroupguides.com:
- The first time Eve reads Jon’s e-mail, she’s doing it to prove his innocence. Does that make it less wrong? When she continues to do it, is her behavior justified by circumstance? If not, would it be justified by any circumstance?
- Psychologist and infidelity expert Shirley Glass has said that there are three main traits that distinguish an emotional affair from an ordinary friendship: emotional intimacy that is greater than in the marriage, sexual tension, and secrecy. Does Jon’s relationship with Laney qualify?
- Eve’s friend Tamara thinks Jon’s actions are less of a betrayal because there was no sex, while her friend Lil thinks an emotional affair is worse than a sexual one. Which point of view does Eve find more convincing? Which do you?
- Did you find yourself siding with Jon and/or Eve at different points in the book, and being frustrated by the other spouse? Think of the strongest reaction you had to either Eve or Jon, and what experiences from your own life influenced it.
- Ultimately, Jon and Eve both assume responsibility for their own role in what’s happened, and try to find forgiveness for the other. What do you think the main offense of each person was?
These questions are not a test, so you can answer whichever ones you want, or start a convo on something else entirely. I'll be checking in...
The End.
