Deep breath.
There was nothing special about the afternoon that the three of us spent painting Dad’s bathroom, not in any sort of tangible way that someone watching my life could point to and say, “There!” But it felt important nonetheless because of what it meant to me.
When Dad came in with takeout from Claire’s favorite Greek restaurant, I took another deep breath and filled my lungs to the point of bursting, letting my chest expand until there was no room inside me for anything but air. And Claire. And Sean. And Dad.
* * * * *
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
InIf I Fix You, Jill explores fixing cars, fixing relationships and fixing herself. What does the author show about each facet of this theme? What does she show about both forgiveness and letting go? Point to examples in the story.
The morning after Jill’s world falls apart, Sean is waiting on her porch to explain. Where does their communication go wrong? If Jill had understood what happened, do you think she and Sean could have picked up where they left off? Support your answers with details from the book.
Sean and Daniel have contrasting family situations. What does each bring to his relationship with Jill, and what does she learn from the time she spends with them?
In what ways is Claire a good friend to Jill? What impact does their friendship have on choices Jill makes in the story? Are there ways in which Claire could be a better friend?
The author shows several contrasting parent-child relationships in this book, including Jill and her father, Jill and her mother, and Daniel and his mother. How are the relationships different, and how, if at all, are they similar? Do you think Jill would be better off knowing about her parentage, or not?
Cars are important to Jill and her father. What does the Spitfire symbolize in the story, and how does it impact Jill as a character? Point to examples in the book.
Cami has a small but important role in the story. How does her presence impact Jill, and how does it illustrate another facet of the theme of friendship?
Jill gets very sunburned at one point in the book, just before a key scene happens. Why do you think the author added the sunburn? How does Jill being sunburned affect the scene and the story? How might things have gone if Jill had not been sunburned? Discuss.
Are some things better left unknown?
Dana Fields’s father never knew his parents. When Dana secretly does a DNA test for her dad, hoping to find him some distant relatives for his birthday, her entire world implodes. Instead of a few third cousins, Dana discovers a half brother her age whose very existence means her parents’ happy marriage is a lie.
Dana’s desire to know her half brother, Brandon, and the extent of her dad’s deception clashes with her wish not to destroy her family. When she sees the opportunity to get to know Brandon through his cousin, the intense yet kind Chase, she takes it. But the more she finds out about Brandon, her father’s past and the irresistible guy who’ll never forgive her if he discovers the truth, the more she sees the inevitable fallout from her own lies. With her family crumbling around her, Dana must own up to her actions and find a way to heal the breach—for everyone—before they’re torn apart for good.
The First to Know
Abigail Johnson
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
