5. Greg has lived in Old City and walked the streets for decades. He grew up here and pursued his education and dreams in Philadelphia, but he never paid much attention to the Old City Mission or the nearby churches until the mission closed down. How did God’s timing play a pivotal role in Greg’s life, his choices, and his perspective?
6. Greg, Tara, and the bridal crew at Elena’s Bridal had to reinvent a new normal to keep the store running. With the advent of internet shopping and free delivery, have you seen changes in your local shops now that they have worldwide competition? My research trips highlight the difficulty of keeping a shop running in a tight and competitive economy. How important is it to a community to keep those local shops open?
for In Tune with Love
1. Jack builds a hit song out of a few lines of lyrics that don’t belong to him. Have you ever passed off someone else’s work as your own? If so, did you get away with it, or did it backfire?
2. April has worked the same job for years, hoping to make it big in a town full of musicians just like herself. Have you ever had a dream so big that you were willing to do anything to make it happen? How long did it take?
3. Jack agrees to perform in Kristin’s wedding out of guilt. Is there anything you’ve ever agreed to do because of a need to “make it up” to another person?
4. April writes lyrics on anything she can find—napkins, toilet paper, other people’s arms. Do you have any habits like April that might considered “quirky”?
5. When Jack questions April, he learns that she doesn’t want money or “anything obvious” to make up for stealing her lyrics. Instead she wants him to “think of something creative.” Do you think Jack’s solution was a good one, or do you think April was crazy not to demand payment and recognition?
6. April’s sister is a bit of a diva when it comes to planning a wedding. Is there anything in your life that has temporarily changed you or turned you into an irrational person—be it from stress or another outside factor? Can you give an example?
7. In the end, April forgives Jack and they wind up dating each other. Do you think you could forgive someone that much who stole something so personal from you?
for Never a Bridesmaid
1. Mari feels slighted when she’s overlooked for the maid of honor position. Have you ever felt offended as a result of being overlooked? If so, how did you respond?
2. Crystal’s future mother-in-law is the overbearing sort. If you were in Crystal’s shoes, how would you handle Mrs. Hayvenhurst’s demands?
3. Sienna falls down on the job as maid of honor and Mari has to fill in the gap. Have you ever had to step up for someone who didn’t do his/her job properly? If so, how did you handle it?
4. Derrick is well known and loved for his abilities as a right fielder. Why do you suppose he enjoyed the fact that Mari saw more in him that just his talent?
5. There’s a fairly large socioeconomic gap between Crystal’s family and Phillip’s. How would a typical upper/middle class father-of-the-bride react to the news that he had to pay for such an expensive event?
6. Mari and Derrick’s first “date” takes place as they bake for the bridal shower. What do you learn about his character as he nabs cookies behind his mother’s back?
7. In the end, Mari gives the first dance to Tyler, not Derrick. What did you think of this gesture? Would you have done the same?
8. Do you agree with Grandma Nellie? Does the Lord really “work quick” sometimes? Has He ever done so in your life?
for Picture Perfect Love
1. When unexpected events happen, like Jenna's cancelled wedding, people say that God has a plan, but Jenna didn’t believe her friends. What would you have thought if you were in Jenna’s situation? How accepting are you if God's plan differs from the path you’re taking? Do you question God's plan?
2. Jenna admits to hitting rock bottom and turning away from God after Ash breaks up with her and leaves her facing a mountain of wedding debt. How has your faith been tested? Did you find yourself turning away from God? If so, how did you find your way back to your faith?
3. Ash didn’t believe Jenna when she had nothing to do with posting his photo on Facebook. He publicly called her a liar. Do you think there was any more Jenna could have done to convince Ash she was telling the truth? Can you share a time when you have been falsely accused of something? How did it make you feel?
4. Jenna eventually came to see the break-up with Ash as a blessing that made her stronger as a person and in her faith. Share an experience that was perceived at first to be a bad thing, but later turned out to be a blessing. How did you realize what happened was a blessing?
5. Jenna thought she’d forgiven Ash and moved on with her life, but seeing him again made her question if she had put the past behind her. As Christians, we’re told to forgive. Can you share a time you had trouble forgiving someone? If so, do you know what was holding you back from forgiving them? How did you resolve the issue?