The Book as a Whole: Friendship

[Stephanie]

Friendship, especially among women, is an important and recurring theme in Debbie Macomber's novels. In this story, we watch the friendship between Alix and Colette take root and grow, despite the initial awkwardness between them. Why do you think they develop such a strong bond?

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Note: This topic refers to the book as a whole.

[rjmwalters]

It was easy for me to understand and believe that Alix and Colette would become close because they were both going through stressful times. Then, after Collette told Alix her "secret", that brought them even closer together. They both needed someone to lean on for support and understanding. That is what makes women's friendships so special!

[Reenie5]

I felt a huge growth in Alix's self confidence in this book, in spite of the wedding issues she currently has on her plate. She seems stronger to me, and I think that's what made her capable of reaching out to Collette. And I think Collette was in a place where a good friend was welcome, even a new one. Timing...I think it was all about good timing for both of them.

Maureen

[DutchMoeder]

I think that both characters recognizing in one another the fact that you can do something against your morals and against your feelings of whats right and wrong but not be any less of a good person. With that being realized Colette could speak easier to Alix and Alix would be less judgmental.

Its easier to form a strong bond when you recognize something so important in one another.

[kiakar]

yes, it is so great when a person meets a true friend, one they can share confidences with and also solutions, to talk over. Friends are so much part of our lives. And what kind of life do we have without them.

[flynn31]

Hi this is Gloria:
I feel the bond grows between the two because they both feel that their lives are controlled by others (others problems & addictions), and they lack the assertiveness to stand their ground and fight for what is theirs.
In a way Colette has recognized her problem a little sooner than Alix and she is trying help her see that her inability to act is allowing others to walk on her and take control of her life.
That common bond is the glue that stuck them together.

[cascadegypsy]

I believe that Alix was on the receiving end of Margaret's distrust before and that may have helped her to reach out to Colette in the beginning. Some times you just met some one and feel a kindred spirit in that person, or it could have been that Colette sensed that Alix would be the last one to judge her. I also think that there was the theme of paying it forward. Alix was befriended by people that she met through Lydia's knitting classes, and was passing that on to Colette.

[maxcat]

I think they are both going through some rough times. One has a wedding that's running amuk and the other is single and pregnant. They feel they can talk about their individual issues with each other and there's no one to yell at them or tell them they have done something wrong or things aren't going right.

[Stephanie]

Leisa,

I got the same sense- Alix and Colette did have a "kindred spirit" type of bond, but also, Alix knew from her own past experiences what Colette was feeling. She definitely was paying it forward. Colette needed that acceptance, and Alix knew it. Great choice, Debbie, to have Alix help Colette!

Message Edited by Stephanie on 06-11-2007 01:19 PM

[DebbieMacomber]

Great! That was exactly what I intended.

Debbie

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rjmwalters wrote:
It was easy for me to understand and believe that Alix and Colette would become close because they were both going through stressful times. Then, after Collette told Alix her "secret", that brought them even closer together. They both needed someone to lean on for support and understanding. That is what makes women's friendships so special!

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[DebbieMacomber]

Maureen,

Yes, I felt Alix had grown too . . . I loved how she had to courage to call off the wedding even though she was desperately in love with Jordan. Can you imagine what courage that must have taken for her? I think Alix is one of my all time favorite characters.

Debbie

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Reenie5 wrote:
I felt a huge growth in Alix's self confidence in this book, in spite of the wedding issues she currently has on her plate. She seems stronger to me, and I think that's what made her capable of reaching out to Collette. And I think Collette was in a place where a good friend was welcome, even a new one. Timing...I think it was all about good timing for both of them.

Maureen

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[DebbieMacomber]

Amanda,

You're right on with this. Colette knew she could confide in Alix because Alix would never judge her.

Debbie

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DutchMoeder wrote:
I think that both characters recognizing in one another the fact that you can do something against your morals and against your feelings of whats right and wrong but not be any less of a good person. With that being realized Colette could speak easier to Alix and Alix would be less judgmental.

Its easier to form a strong bond when you recognize something so important in one another.

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[DebbieMacomber]

Gloria,

I think seeing Colette take action actually helped Alix to made her own stand with Jordan.

Debbie

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flynn31 wrote:
Hi this is Gloria:
I feel the bond grows between the two because they both feel that their lives are controlled by others (others problems & addictions), and they lack the assertiveness to stand their ground and fight for what is theirs.
In a way Colette has recognized her problem a little sooner than Alix and she is trying help her see that her inability to act is allowing others to walk on her and take control of her life.
That common bond is the glue that stuck them together.

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[DebbieMacomber]

Amen to that!!!

Debbie

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kiakar wrote:
yes, it is so great when a person meets a true friend, one they can share confidences with and also solutions, to talk over. Friends are so much part of our lives. And what kind of life do we have without them.

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[DebbieMacomber]

Liesa, I love this idea of Alix playing it forward. What a great insight.

Debbie

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cascadegypsy wrote:
I believe that Alix was on the receiving end of Margaret's distrust before and that may have helped her to reach out to Colette in the beginning. Some times you just met some one and feel a kindred spirit in that person, or it could have been that Colette sensed that Alix would be the last one to judge her. I also think that there was the theme of paying it forward. Alix was befriended by people that she met through Lydia's knitting classes, and was passing that on to Colette.

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[DebbieMacomber]

Excellent thought!

Debbie

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maxcat wrote:
I think they are both going through some rough times. One has a wedding that's running amuk and the other is single and pregnant. They feel they can talk about their individual issues with each other and there's no one to yell at them or tell them they have done something wrong or things aren't going right.

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