by Laura Stone
He ran his hand down Seth’s left arm, giving his hand a squeeze before bringing it to his lips and kissing the backs of his fingers. He lingered on one in particular, delighted by the laugh he got out of Seth.
“Oh, I have one.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
This eponymous story would not exist if not for one of my favorite songs of all time, one of those beautiful epics that tells just enough of a story to get you wanting more. The book would not exist in its original form if not for the tireless encouragement from one of my dearest friends, F.M., and while it sucked getting back page after page bleeding with red, its original version is a better story for having been beaten up.
Huge thanks to Jenn, Chrissy, Kate and Jess for undertaking the Herculean task of reading this final draft and telling me their thoughts. (And a bigger thanks for the honesty.) To C.B., Annie, Candy and Lex: none of this would have happened without your belief this would work, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lastly, to friends and family and random strangers who read this even though it may not have been your cup of tea, I owe you a margarita. A good one, not one of those cheapy deals made from canned mix. I’m totally good for it, promise.
About the Author
A life-long fangirl, Laura Stone takes a leave of absence from the glamorous life of motherhood while the kids are in school, devoting her days to writing full-time. In the past she’s worn the hat of actress, Master Gardener and computer geek, but now sticks mostly to a Texas Rangers’ ball cap as she raises her children. They’re not fully raised, but then again, she would say that she isn’t either.
She began telling stories to her parents at the age of four. She was so successful in catching her parent’s attention that her father actually dislocated his back, trying not to sit on her imaginary cat, Doka.
She lives in Texas as proof that it’s not totally populated by hard-line right-wingers—and because that’s where the good tamales are from.
Connect with Laura at laura-stone.com, on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/Laura-Stone and on Twitter @stoneyboboney.
.
Questions for Discussion
1. In romance novels, we often romanticize sacrifice. In The Bones of You, Seth and Oliver aren’t willing to walk away from their respective careers on separate continents just to be with each other. Is their love any less romantic just because they won’t relocate for the relationship?
2. How does Seth and Oliver’s approach to a long distance relationship change with the passage of time?
3. Why do you think Seth waits so long to commit to a new relationship with Oliver?
4. If Oliver had decided to stay in England, how do you think their relationship would have progressed?
5. How does the role that Seth plays on Broadway mirror his early relationship with Oliver?
6. Oliver tends to focus on others. Does that make him a “people pleaser” and if so, how does it impact his decisions? What are the consequences of this character trait, and do you think they’re worth it?
7. Oliver’s friend Moira is also dedicated to her career, but is more of a risk taker and free spirit than Oliver. Does her approach to relationships and sex influence Oliver’s decisions?
8. Are Oliver and Seth getting a do-over on their earlier relationship and if so, how does the passage of time influence this?
9. How does Big Mike continue to hold a space in their lives for Oliver differently than Seth?
10. Describe Seth and Oliver’s viewpoints on work versus relationships. How do you think their family experience may have shaped their individual priorities?
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Acknowledgements