BKMT READING GUIDES
And Then I Found You: A Novel
by Patti Callahan Henry
Hardcover : 272 pages
3 clubs reading this now
5 members have read this book
Kate Vaughan is no stranger to tough choices.
She’s made them before. Now it's time to do it again.
Kate has a secret, something tucked away in her past. And she's getting on with her life. Her business is thriving. She has a strong relationship with her family, and a devoted boyfriend ...
Introduction
Kate Vaughan is no stranger to tough choices.
She’s made them before. Now it's time to do it again.
Kate has a secret, something tucked away in her past. And she's getting on with her life. Her business is thriving. She has a strong relationship with her family, and a devoted boyfriend whom she wants to love with all her heart. If Kate had ever made a list, Rowan would fill the imagined boxes of a perfect mate. But she wants more than the perfect on paper relationship; she wants a real and imperfect love. That's why, when Kate discovers the small velvet box hidden in Rowan's drawer, she panics.
It always happens this way. Just when Kate thinks she can love, just when she believes she can conquer the fear, she's filled with dread. And she wants more than anything to make this feeling go away. But how?
When the mistakes have been made and the running is over, it's time to face the truth. Kate knows this. She understands that a woman can never undo what can never be undone. Yet, for the first time in her life she also knows that she won’t fully love until she confronts those from her past. It's time to act.
Can she do it? Can she travel to the place where it all began, to the one who shares her secret? Can the lost ever become found?
And Then I Found You gives new life to the phrase "inspired by a true story." By travelling back to a painful time in her own family's history, the author explores the limits of courage, and the price of a selfless act.
Excerpt
Chapter One2010
The unopened letter perched on the side table like a single wing about to take flight. Katie Vaughn – who at thirty–five went by Kate – wanted to open the letter, but waited.
For Kate, the first day of spring held more than blooming daffodils. It was still a day of firsts. Kate had a ritual, a sacred ritual. She made sure that she did something she’d never done before, something that would count as new on the first day of spring. Six years ago she’d opened her boutique. The year before that she ran a marathon with her sister. Of course there was that trip to California with Norah. Then four years ago the midnight swim in the darkest water with Rowan the first time he’d visited her in South Carolina. It didn’t matter what she did or said or saw as long as it hadn’t been done, or said, or seen before. ...
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Discussion Questions
1. This novel was inspired by a true story. Is there an event in your life that you think would make a good novel? 2. Katie is so devoted to her work with damaged girls that she postpones her life together with Jack. Do you think that Jack should have been more patient in waiting for her? Or was Katie taking their relationship for granted? 3. Katie hears a lot of "terrible stories" from the girls at The Winsome Wilderness. How did these experiences contribute to her decision to place Luna for adoption? 4. Kate seems to take great comfort in rituals. Have these rituals served a positive purpose in her life—or have they held her back? 5. Do you think Kate and Rowan's relationship would have had a different outcome if she had been able to confide in him about her past? 6. Lida is much more than an employee to Kate, who seems to turn a blind eye to the younger woman's shortcomings. What do you think they offer each other? 7. When he was married, Jack didn't tell his wife about Luna. Do you think that this compromised their marriage? 8. Kate mentions that she "wants to love" Rowan. Can Kate—or anyone make themselves love someone? Can you want to love enough to love? 9. Jack says in one of his letters, "of all of the awful parts of missing their daughter, the non-knowning was the absolute worse." Why did Jack feel this way? Do you agree? 10. In the opening of the novel we see that March 20th is a significant date for Katie Vaughn, and it remains so throughout the remainder of the novel. Is there a date that is deeply significant to you and if so, why? 11. Thirteen-year-old Emily wonders about her "birth parents." Do you know any adopted children and if so, do they often wonder about their birth parents? Emily is deeply loved and has a close family, but still she struggled with feeling wanted. Why do you think this is? 13. Emily wants to know "her story"—don't we all? Did hearing her story directly from Jack and Kate help Emily? Do you think that hearing "your story" helps you understand your life? Do you believe that telling "your story" helps others? 14. At one point in the novel, Emily believes that it would be nicer to live with Katie and Jack. Can you see why she would believe this? 15. Kate has a very close family and they often talk about Luna, and yet her birth and adoption are also a tightly held secret. Do you believe families can hold these kinds of secrets? How do they affect the family and those who are close to them?Suggested by Members
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Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members.
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