The Summer Garden (27 page)

Questions for Discussion

1. Before Moira Malone leaves Ireland for Chesapeake Shores, she worries that her holiday fling with Luke O’Brien might not have meant as much to him as it did to her. Have you ever taken a risk to see someone again after a casual encounter? What happened?
   
2. Luke is very single-minded about his goal of opening the pub and keeping romance on hold until he sees how it’s likely to turn out. Have you known men like this, who like to approach life very methodically? If there’s someone in your life like this, did you try to change them?
   
3. After a lifetime of feeling as if she’s a disappointment to her family, Moira suddenly has a chance to grab possible fame and fortune through her photography. Do you think she should pursue that, no matter what, so she has a career and the recognitions she’s long wanted? Or can you identify with her desire to focus on a family first?
   
4. Moira struggles with her realization that love and family will always matter more to her than a career. Have you ever felt that you had to choose between the two? What did you decide? If you’ve tried to balance both, how successfully do you think you’ve done it?
   
5. As the youngest in his family, Luke feels tremendous pressure to succeed with his new venture. Have you ever felt pressured to achieve a goal because of the successes of people around you, whether family or friends? How have you handled that?
   
6. Mick struggles a lot with his mother getting involved with another man, especially someone she knew before she married his father. Have you ever had to cope with a parent remarrying after a divorce or the death of a spouse? Was it difficult for you? What did you do? How about your siblings? Did it cause problems for your family?
   
7. Nell views this as her second chance with Dillon O’Malley, the man she fell in love with years ago in Ireland. Do you think this in any way lessens the love she felt for her late husband, the father of her children? Or are the two relationships entirely separate?
   
8. O’Brien’s is intended by Luke to be more than just a place to drink. He wants it to be a community gathering spot. Do you have a place in your neighborhood where you go to see friends, have a meal or a drink? How important is it to a community to have a place like that?
   
9. The O’Briens are well-known for their meddling. Mick, at least, views it as evidence of how much they care. Do you agree with him? When does meddling cross the line and become intrusive and controlling? Have you ever told a parent, sibling or well-meaning friend to “butt out”? How did that person take it?
   

ISBN: 9781459220300

Copyright © 2012 by Sherryl Woods

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