Discussion Questions
Fern and Will develop a close bond over just a day. Have you ever felt that kind of strong, fast connection with another person, whether platonic or romantic? If so, what do you attribute it to?
How do Fern’s and Will’s life stages play into their friendship when they first meet? Do you think they would have been as drawn to each other at another time in their lives?
In chapter 5, Fern thinks to herself that secrets are a key ingredient in close friendships. Do you agree? Do you think Fern still believes this by the end of the book?
How did you see Whitney and Fern’s friendship evolve? Have any of your long-lasting friendships had similar ups and downs?
What do you make of Fern and Jamie’s relationship, in both the past and the present? Do you think they would have stayed together if Fern had never met Will?
Will learns that his sister is pregnant after the twenty-four hours he spends with Fern. Do you think their time together affected his decision to move back to Toronto and help his sister with the baby?
In her thirties, Fern is on hiatus from relationships because she doesn’t think they’re worth the effort. But she decides to give her relationship with Will a chance despite his actions and the secrets he’s kept. Would you have done the same?
Fern carries around a lot of guilt when it comes to her mother. What do you think of Maggie and Fern’s relationship? Do you think Fern’s decision to stay on at the resort is driven by guilt or something else?
Do you think Maggie and Peter’s love story is a sad or a happy one?
The fact that life doesn’t always work out as we plan is a theme of this book. Does your life look like you pictured it when you were younger?