A book extra for Flirting with Fifty
Reader’s Guide for Flirting With Fifty
- Paige finds herself saddled unexpectedly with an extra class at the last minute with someone she hasn’t seen in thirty years, not just seen, but had a fling with. It’s a hard place to be. She accepts it because it was important for her job at Orange. Would you?
- Jack and Paige meet again at The Bean Box, but her boss doesn’t show, neither reveals or acknowledges their past relationship at that moment. Should they have? Could you relate to Paige’s decision not to reveal that she knows who he is? Or did her actions disappoint you?
- Paige is about to turn fifty–single–and none of her daughters will be able to attend her birthday. The empty nest is hard, especially for moms and milestone birthdays. Have you been in this situation? Who helps you celebrate the special occasions? It is a significant partner, family, or best friends?
- Paige is lucky to have her best friend Elizabeth from high school nearby, even though they don’t live in their hometown. Female relationships can mean so much as we age. Do you still have a close confidant from high school or one you made as an adult who is there for you, knows your secrets, is your go-to for advice?
- Paige has found a way to start over after her marriage ended. While not all of us have gone through that life event, have you found a way to reinvent your life as you’ve aged and the family dynamics have changed? What have you done or what do you want to do?
- Paige seems content with her life and isn’t looking to find another romantic relationship, she jokes about a celebrity crush. Do you have a celebrity crush?
- As they work together, there’s an opportunity to do field work and teaching in Africa related to the class. Would you travel for a short-term assignment to Africa? Is there a particular country you want to visit?
- When Paige is suffering from migraines, Jack shows up unexpectedly with lunch. It’s a sweet gesture. Did you expect it from him? Was his concern believable? Have you had a friend (or loved one) surprise you with a similar gesture?
- They finally reveal they remember each other. It seemed to go well. Should this have come sooner? Can you understand why Paige held back, or do you think they should have both revealed the truth earlier? Is it ever okay to deceive someone?
- Jack and Paige work well together, and there are feelings, but they don’t act on them right away. Do you work with a spouse or loved one, or did you find love on the job?
- Women of our age can find ourselves as part of the Sandwich Generation, aging parents like Elizabeth and boomerang children like Paige. How do you find the happy medium of caring for both without overstressing yourself?
- Going to dinner and plans for a hike with Jack has opened Paige’s eyes to wanting to do more things and try more things. Do you like to do things out of your comfort zone? If you didn’t like the suggested activity, would you try it anyway, or suggest something else you might enjoy more?
- Elizbeth planned the perfect surprise party for Paige’s birthday. Did you have a special party for a milestone birthday? Are you a party person, or would you rather celebrate quietly with a favorite person?
- Jack asks Paige to accompany him on a business trip to Yellowstone. Would you go? Would you go knowing you would probably be having sex? How would you deal with a person like Sheila?
- Paige is having all the feelings for Jack, even more after sex, but then she learns more about Camille and that he never committed to her. Paige wants a man who will commit. And, she feels betrayed she didn’t know Camille would be at the conference. It leaves a lot of unknowns between Paige and Jack. Do you think Paige was right to go have an adventure of her own? Would you be comfortable doing that in a foreign country? If you needed time to sort out your feelings, how would you need or want to handle that?
- Jack makes a huge gesture by leaving the conference and finding Paige on the safari. He admits he loves Paige. Wants a second chance. Paige is scared to give in to her feelings. She loves him, but is love enough? Is the proposal a game changer? For marriage or forever?
- Jack relocated to be with Paige, and then they married in Africa in a small ceremony. Fairy tale ending, or not? If you were Paige, what kind of wedding would you have wanted?
- Did this book give you all the feels? Did you feel you could relate to a lot of what Paige was going through: menopause, life changes with family, seasoned romance (doesn’t have to be with a new partner for it to be different), career, etc..?
