“How’s my best girl?”

Alana dimpled. “I’m coming into the water. Mommy said.”

“Are you? That’s great. Let’s go find your water wings.”

Her big, strong son handled the little girl expertly. He surprised everyone with his skill with both kids. One day, when he stopped playing the field and got serious about someone, he was going to make a great husband and father.

Keith pushed himself onto the edge of the pool, then stood. “You going to join us?” he asked her.

“Sure. I just need to put on my suit.”

He grabbed a towel from the stack by the chairs and fell into step. “Need any help?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

She laughed. “I think I might.”

Interest brightened his dark eyes. He moved close, put his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward their bungalow. Ellen glanced over her shoulder and saw Unity’s knowing smile. Ellen grinned in return. Just the previous afternoon, she and Keith had watched the little ones for a couple of hours while Unity and Thaddeus had shared some “adult time.”

This, she thought happily as they stepped into the bungalow. This life, this love, was something of a miracle and she was both grateful and happy for all that she had. Her friends, her family and, most important, the man who loved her for who she was.

Keith closed the door behind them, then pulled her close. She went into his embrace and knew this was exactly where she belonged...for always.

The Friendship List - Reader Discussion Guide

The Friendship List

Reader Discussion Guide

Suggested menu

(Recipes follow the discussion questions)

Baked Zucchini

Ellen’s Chicken Parm

Pairs well with Chianti

Questions for Discussion

Note:
These questions contain spoilers, so it’s recommended
that you finish the book before reading the questions.

1. Every satisfying novel shows character growth. In what ways were Ellen and Unity different at the end of the book than they were at the beginning? What happened in the story to convince each woman that she had to make a change in her life? How did the challenge lists change them? Which character changed the most?
2. Why do you think the neighborhood of Silver Pines appealed to Unity so much? What did it represent to her?
3. Which woman did you like more? Why?
4. Early in the book, Ellen and Unity had a falling-out. What caused the rift? How did they heal their friendship? How did they stay connected with each other even when Ellen was out of town?
5. Susan Mallery is renowned for her in-depth characterization, and a big part of that is giving readers a clear picture of the characters’ lives before the story even started. Discuss what you know about each of these characters from prior to page 1: Ellen, Unity, Keith, Thaddeus. How did their lives prior to this point affect their actions in the story? (Shout-out to Thaddeus’s late mom for ironing his tips!)
6. If you had to choose, which guy would you marry, Keith or Thaddeus? Why? If marriage is off the table and we’re just talking about a hookup, would your answer change?
7. What did you think of Ellen’s reaction when she walked in on Lissa and Luka in the hotel room? Did she do the right thing? Why or why not? What would you have done?
8. Did you guess what was bothering Lissa before she blurted it out to her dad? Looking back through the story, discuss the ways that you could tell that Lissa was hiding something. Should Keith have realized sooner? Why or why not?
9. What surprised you in the story? Which scenes made you laugh? What moments are sticking with you?
10. Name something you would put on your own personal challenge list. Would that help you grow in some way and, if so, how? What has held you back from doing it already?