Questions for Group Discussion (or Personal Reflection)
In the first few chapters, we read about Matt and Mara’s brutal breakup. Leaving aside the drama for a second, was there any better way they could have handled that split, or are some breakups just destined to be a total dumpster fire?
The name Mara means ‘bitter’. On a scale of 1 to 10, how chaotic was Mara’s post-breakup bitter phase? What was the most relatable (or ultimate cringe-worthy) thing she did while mourning Matt?
In Chapter 20, Ben used his own hurtful past to explain Romans 8:28. How would you have answered Mara’s question about ‘things working out for good’?
Both Ben and Mara compared her to the prodigal son. But if we look closer at their spiritual journeys, how were both of them like the prodigal?
After a long radio silence, Matt reappears. Let’s settle the debate: Was Matt right to take himself out of the picture (because he couldn’t bear to see Mara cry), or was that just textbook ghosting?
In Chapter 37, when Mara said she was leaving, Ben basically let her go. In a romcom world built on airport chases, did you want to shake some sense into Ben, or did his lack of a grand gesture actually show maturity?
Map out Mara’s emotional and spiritual growth. How would you describe her ‘Before’ profile at the start of the novel versus her ‘After’ profile at the end?
Ben seemed like the steady anchor, but he was carrying deep scars from his past. Where did Ben experience his own spiritual and emotional growth spurt?
Our earthly romances are only ever a dim reflection of God’s wonderful love for us. What character traits did Ben display that genuinely mirrored God’s heart? Where did his human flaws get in the way of reflecting that love?
The romance genre often gets a bad reputation for being unrealistic, predictable or cheesy. Which classic tropes did this story nail, and which ones made you roll your eyes?
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