Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 136743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
6. Judah and Soledad are both devoted parents who have always put their children first and made sacrifices so they could have the best, but both acknowledge the value of children having parents who are happy. There have been times when they have forgone or delayed something they wanted for the sake of their children. How is this philosophy beneficial/noble? How could it be dangerous or harmful?
7. One of the most complex characters of the story doesn’t have one scene. Catelaya, Soledad’s mother, is a quiet study in contrasts and conflicts. Her story raises the idea of a child seeing her mother as a fully dimensional woman, beyond the maternal role. What were your impressions of Soledad’s mother? How would you think about your mother or other parental figure beyond a caregiver role?
8. At one point, Soledad says, “There aren’t enough sonnets for friendship.” With this statement, Soledad seems to be saying we sometimes esteem friendship less than romantic love. Do you agree? Hendrix and Yasmen support Soledad, not only emotionally but financially at times, during this tough season of her life. Have you ever had or been that kind of friend during difficult times?
9. Inez is definitely the “daddy’s girl” of the bunch. Did you sympathize at all with her perspective? Did you find yourself frustrated with her persistent desire to have a relationship with Edward even once she knew what he’d done? Is that realistic? Complicated? What are your thoughts?
10. One of the most poignant scenes occurs in the game store when Aaron has a meltdown. In this sequence and throughout the story, what do we learn about Judah as a father? About the two boys and how they depend on each other?
11. As part of her recovery after the divorce, Soledad self-partners and “dates herself,” a process of self-discovery and contentment creation. What does she learn about herself? Did you think it was necessary? Have you ever had a similar season of life?
12. Do you have a favorite or least favorite character in the story, or one with whom you most identify? If so, why do they make you love and/or dislike them?
13. Was there a scene you enjoyed most? If so, what did you enjoy about it? Was there a scene that made you uncomfortable? If so, why?
14. Once Soledad and Judah pursue the attraction between them, it’s a very passionate physical relationship. Did you consider this a “slow burn”? How would you characterize their physical and emotional intimacy as the story progresses?
15. Both are parents just entering their forties. So often, romance features younger heroines. Is there value in seeing a woman in or approaching middle age being this sexual? Why do you think we don’t see it more?
16. If you read Before I Let Go and met Soledad in that book, did anything surprise you about her as you got to know her in her own story?
17. Soledad isn’t sure she’ll ever want to marry again. Josiah is more concerned about the quality of their relationship—that it’s passionate, honest, supportive—than its legal standing. There are a lot of variables about their future, including the needs of Judah’s boys, that could affect the shape their relationship takes. The vast majority of romance novels end with marriage and children. Judah and Sol have already experienced those things, and their HEA looks different. How did you feel about this somewhat unconventional happily ever after?
PLAYLIST
Scan here for the This Could Be Us playlist.
RECIPES
Picadillo
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 potato, diced
• 1 cup sofrito (You can buy this at the grocery store, but it’s so easy to make. Check out Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook by Illyanna Maisonet for a great, simple recipe.)
• ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
• ⅓ cup green bell pepper, chopped
• ⅓ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• ⅓ cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (or turkey or a meatless substitute for Lupe )
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons sazón
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• ¼ cup olives with pimiento, diced
• White rice, for serving
Preparation
Add the olive oil to a medium-sized pan/skillet over medium-to-high heat. Add the diced potato. Sauté the sofrito for 2 to 3 minutes, turning the heat down to low-medium once it’s slightly brown. Add the yellow onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the ground beef, cumin, salt and pepper, and sazón. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the tomato sauce and sliced olives. Stir all the ingredients until they’re evenly mixed. Increase the heat to medium until the meat is browned, uncovering occasionally to stir.
Turn the heat down and cook to desired consistency.
Serve over white rice.
Ooey-Gooey Brownies
Ingredients
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I recommend Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened