When Cecily finally acknowledges her feelings for Graham, why is she hesitant? How does their backstory affect the plot? What do you think brought them together? In what ways are they good or bad for each other?
Cecily is intimidated by Mirinda’s beauty. What factors cause her to be so judgmental? Is she justified in her bias? How do Mirinda’s actions add to Cecily’s stereotype of her?
Shanty and Al seem to have the perfect marriage, but things are not always as they seem. What events lead to their problems? How might they have avoided their issues? What steps should they take to reconcile their marriage?
At the class reunion, Cecily realizes she wants Graham to come to her rescue like a knight in shining armor. How long has she had this warped sense of what a man’s role should be in a relationship? What causes her to perceive men in this way? How has this expectation hurt or helped her over the years? How does she overcome it?
How does Nina’s demonstration differ from Shanty’s? How does it affect Nina? How does it affect Cecily as she watches it? What does Cecily learn from the demonstration? If you could rewrite the scene, what would you change?
Throughout the book, an unknown man is shown as he falls into an addiction to pornography, then gradually works his way out. His identity is left a secret until the end, but let’s pretend you don’t know it was Michael. How might each of the female characters (Cecily, Shanty, and Nina) have reacted if it had been a man close to them? Would their reactions mirror Mirinda’s? Why or why not?
Cecily and Graham decide to take a break from their romantic relationship. What are each of their reasons for this decision? Do you think it was a healthy decision? How does it help Cecily? Could things have worked out well had they not broken up? Explain.
At Shanty’s encouragement, the girls are able to vent their frustrations by beating up an old car. Why does this help them? Have you ever just wanted to hit something? What are some therapeutic (and nondestructive) ways to vent anger?
When Mirinda kills herself, all three women in the support group make huge leaps in their recovery. Why do you think this is? How does Mirinda’s death change the way Cecily and the other women view themselves? What else changes?
After Mirinda’s death, Cecily realizes how badly Graham must be hurting, and she rushes to comfort him. Why is this a pivotal scene in the storyline? What does it tell you about Cecily’s emotional growth?
All through the story, there are references to lies, both real and metaphorical. Why do you think the author inserted so many “little white lies” between Cecily and the supporting characters? How might these lies have affected Cecily’s emotional growth and slowed her healing process?
At the end of the book, Cecily is able to look into a mirror and tell herself she’s beautiful. Do you think she is sincere? Why or why not? Her appearance has not actually changed, so what has made the difference? Explain.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Photo © 2017 Monica Faram
Varina Denman is the award-winning author of the Mended Hearts series, a compelling blend of women’s fiction and romance. A native Texan, Varina lives near Fort Worth with her husband and children, and she has taught creative writing and literature at her local homeschool cooperative. To connect with Varina, find her on the web at www.VarinaDenman.com.
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