This Could Be Us (Skyland, #2)(131)
It’s a silent whisper in my head as I hold him. He’s a miracle in my arms, and I tremble with wonder and awe. I don’t say the words aloud, but leave them a conversation with my heart—the sentiment an heirloom Mami passed down to me, like so many other secrets pressed between pages. That she was indeed a hornet, not a butterfly. That the plain of her heart stretched vast enough to love two men so completely, love her children so purely, love her mother and her friends and the world around her with such quiet fervor… because first she loved herself.
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READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. When the book opens, Judah and Tremaine are meeting with a social worker to determine living arrangements for their boys as part of the “collaborative divorce.” What were your initial impressions of them as a couple? As parents?
2. Soledad’s marriage is obviously in trouble. She knows something is amiss and has suspicions, but can never “catch” Edward. Have you ever found yourself in a relationship, romantic or otherwise, when you knew something was off but had no proof? If so, how did you handle it?
3. The attraction between Soledad and Judah at the Christmas party is instant. What were your thoughts about Soledad as a married woman, albeit in a troubled marriage, feeling that pull to another man?
4. At one point, Hendrix mentions being surprised someone as driven as Soledad never wanted a career. Soledad pushes back a little, saying she never wanted to work outside her home, and articulates the vocational validity of being a homemaker. How does that viewpoint challenge cultural ideas about women and ambition?
5. Once everything is revealed about Edward’s embezzlement scheme, Soledad has to figure out a new path for herself and her girls, including how she’ll leverage her skills to earn a living. Have you ever had to make a major life pivot? If so, how did you handle having to call on new skills or chart new territory?
6. Judah and Soledad are both devoted parents who have always put their children first and made sacrifices so they could have the best, but both acknowledge the value of children having parents who are happy. There have been times when they have forgone or delayed something they wanted for the sake of their children. How is this philosophy beneficial/noble? How could it be dangerous or harmful?
7. One of the most complex characters of the story doesn’t have one scene. Catelaya, Soledad’s mother, is a quiet study in contrasts and conflicts. Her story raises the idea of a child seeing her mother as a fully dimensional woman, beyond the maternal role. What were your impressions of Soledad’s mother? How would you think about your mother or other parental figure beyond a caregiver role?
8. At one point, Soledad says, “There aren’t enough sonnets for friendship.” With this statement, Soledad seems to be saying we sometimes esteem friendship less than romantic love. Do you agree? Hendrix and Yasmen support Soledad, not only emotionally but financially at times, during this tough season of her life. Have you ever had or been that kind of friend during difficult times?
9. Inez is definitely the “daddy’s girl” of the bunch. Did you sympathize at all with her perspective? Did you find yourself frustrated with her persistent desire to have a relationship with Edward even once she knew what he’d done? Is that realistic? Complicated? What are your thoughts?
10. One of the most poignant scenes occurs in the game store when Aaron has a meltdown. In this sequence and throughout the story, what do we learn about Judah as a father? About the two boys and how they depend on each other?
11. As part of her recovery after the divorce, Soledad self-partners and “dates herself,” a process of self-discovery and contentment creation. What does she learn about herself? Did you think it was necessary? Have you ever had a similar season of life?
12. Do you have a favorite or least favorite character in the story, or one with whom you most identify? If so, why do they make you love and/or dislike them?
13. Was there a scene you enjoyed most? If so, what did you enjoy about it? Was there a scene that made you uncomfortable? If so, why?
14. Once Soledad and Judah pursue the attraction between them, it’s a very passionate physical relationship. Did you consider this a “slow burn”? How would you characterize their physical and emotional intimacy as the story progresses?
15. Both are parents just entering their forties. So often, romance features younger heroines. Is there value in seeing a woman in or approaching middle age being this sexual? Why do you think we don’t see it more?
16. If you read Before I Let Go and met Soledad in that book, did anything surprise you about her as you got to know her in her own story?
17. Soledad isn’t sure she’ll ever want to marry again. Josiah is more concerned about the quality of their relationship—that it’s passionate, honest, supportive—than its legal standing. There are a lot of variables about their future, including the needs of Judah’s boys, that could affect the shape their relationship takes. The vast majority of romance novels end with marriage and children. Judah and Sol have already experienced those things, and their HEA looks different. How did you feel about this somewhat unconventional happily ever after?
PLAYLIST
Scan here for the This Could Be Us playlist.