Introduction

Kelly Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan. From page one, Kelly's witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan--she places Post-it notes all over her house and car--will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.
Winner of the 2011 Indie Excellence Award, Here, Home, Hope will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women's fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.

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Excerpt

Here's how I knew something in my life had to change.

I was sitting in the dentist’s chair, waiting for the topical numbing goo to take effect on my gum so the dentist could jab a needle into the same spot. My only choice for entertainment was to stare at the light blue walls surrounding me or flip through the channels available on the television suspended on the sea of blue. I chose the latter and discovered an infomercial: Learn to preach in ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

When we first meet Kelly Mills Johnson, she has the perfect suburban life: married to a successful attorney, living in a fabulous house in an upscale neighborhood, mother of two adorable boys, and she has the summer off from parenting while her sons are at camp in Maine. Yet, she’s grinding her teeth to a pulp and crying at the drop of a hat. So, why is she unhappy, and what is driving her need to change? Do you think there is anything wrong with her life? Why do you think she’s restless, searching? Does the revelation of her cancer scare resonate with you?

Kelly’s archrival is Rachel White, a woman she describes as her personal Gladys Kravitz and a militia mom. What is it about Rachel that stirs such animosity in Kelly? And why, as women, do we often work against each other instead of together?

How would you describe the relationship between Charlotte and Kelly? How does the fact that Charlotte was a friend of Kelly’s younger sister first affect their relationship?

How does Kelly view her friend, Kathryn, at the beginning of the novel? How does her perception of Kathryn change and how do they help balance each other by the end of the story?

What is it that Kathryn represents in today’s society? Does being a powerful corporate woman, by definition, mean disappointment and heartache in a woman’s personal life?

In your opinion, are more women today achieving a greater understanding of and discussing the truth of motherhood and the many different ways to be a “good mother”?

Why is Kelly’s visceral response to Bruce Majors so negative? Does she have any justification for her feelings?

Knowing that each character in the novel has her own struggles, whose problems do you see as the most severe? As all of the women attempt to assert themselves, each in her own way, who does it the best? Is it true that there is no one way to find balance and happiness in life?

Why does Kelly talk to her car? Do you find yourself personifying anything around you? And what does Oreo mean to her?

Melanie represents the teenager in all of us, yet, she is a tragic figure throughout most of the story. Do you think Melanie helps to propel Kelly’s change?

Have you ever known anyone with an eating disorder? What does such a condition reveal about someone’s self-esteem and personality type? How, as a culture, have we continued to fuel this problem?

What does Gavin represent in Here, Home, Hope? Why wasn’t he
at Melanie’s illegal party? Why is he there for Melanie when all signs point to him leaving?

What do you think of Kelly and Patrick’s relationship? How is their family? Do the parents have a close relationship with their sons?

Which of Kelly’s Things to Change resonated with you? Why?

Do you think Bruce and Charlotte love each other? Will Bruce be able to be there, fully committed to his family, this time around?

What did Kathryn discover in Montana? Have you ever had a
similar retreat or spent time focusing on yourself?

How did Kelly grow and change throughout the story? What did
she find? Is life balance something you find externally, through roles, or internally, through your heart?

Which characters best represent each of the words in the title,Here, Home, Hope?

Weblinks

»	Author Kaira Rouda's web site
»	Publisher's Book Info

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