1. Take a Chance on Me opens with a letter Ingrid writes to her oldest son, Darek, expressing her concerns and prayers for him. Do you think Ingrid should have given Darek the ­letter—​­or that she should at some point in the future? Why or why not? How do you work through your prayers or worries, whether for others or for yourself?

  2. In her letter, Ingrid tells Darek, “You never seemed to question the beliefs your father and I taught you. Perhaps that is what unsettled me the most, because without questioning, I wondered how there could be true under­standing.” Do you agree that beliefs need to be tested, questioned, to be fully understood? How do you see each of the main ­characters—​­Darek, Ivy, Jensen, and ­Claire—​­questioning their beliefs over the course of the story? What are the results?

  3. As “the most ineligible eligible bachelor in town,” Darek frequently wishes he could start over without the baggage of his past. What circumstances keep him from moving on? Have you ever wished for a new start? Darek sees a relationship with Ivy, a woman unburdened by his history, as the key to his second chance. What would a second chance look like in your own life? A new job, a move to a new place, a new relationship?

  4. After growing up in the foster care system, Ivy is used to being on her own; she’s determined to stay impartial in her work and cautious in her relationships. But at the same time, she longs to belong somewhere, to be part of a family. How do these conflicting desires play out in her actions?

  5. Jensen sees himself as a pariah in Deep Haven, unforgiven for his role in Felicity’s death. How does his perspective change by the story’s end? Have you ever had to reconsider a ­long-​­held belief about yourself?

  6. Darek and Jensen were best friends from childhood, but even before their friendship broke apart, they competed for hometown glory and for Felicity’s affection. Similarly Claire is devastated by Felicity’s death but still resents the attention her friend always got from Jensen. Is there anyone in your own life with whom you’ve had a complicated ­friendship—​­one tainted by jealousy or rivalry? How did you handle that dynamic?

  7. After Felicity’s death, Darek gave up his dream of fire­fighting to work at Evergreen Resort. Years later, he’s deter­mined to help the family business survive but still angry over the way his life has turned out, sticking him in a role he never wanted. How do Darek’s feelings for the resort change over the course of the story? Have you ever felt burdened by a family legacy? How do you feel about it now?

  8. Claire watches as two of her friends get engaged, happy for them while at the same time feeling pain over the inertia of her own life. Why do you think Claire feels so stuck? Have you ever felt as though life was moving forward without you? What did you do about it?

  9. As a single father to Tiger, Darek feels he’s doing his best to raise his son on his own. But in others’ ­eyes—​­particularly Nan Holloway’­s—​­Darek appears to be negligent or incapable of parenting well. Whose point of view did you agree with? What do you think Darek was doing right as a parent? In what areas did he seem to need help?

10. Felicity Holloway Christiansen is a central figure in this story, one whose life and death have ­far-​­reaching impact, yet we know her only through the memories and descriptions of other characters. What was your impression of Felicity, and how did it change throughout the story?

11. Claire believes she’s a disappointment to her parents and to God, and she still wrestles with the attack she suffered in Bosnia. Looking at the pain of her past and the uncertainty of her future, she doubts that God really is kind. What changes her mind? In what circumstances have you doubted God’s kindness? Did your perspective change over time?

12. Claire’s grandfather, Gibs, provides a voice of wisdom and challenge for ­Jensen—​­Jensen even learns that Gibs spoke up on his behalf after the accident. Why does he initially fight against Gibs’s counsel? How does it ultimately change him? Who in your own life has provided wisdom when you needed ­it—​­whether or not you wanted to hear it at the time?

13. After their daughter was attacked, Claire’s parents allowed her to move to Deep Haven while they continued their work in Bosnia. But Jensen believes they should have moved home to care for Claire. Do you agree? Have you ever faced tension between obligations to family and friends and the calling you feel God has placed on your life? What did you do?

14. Ivy finds herself in an impossible ­situation—​­forced to either sign the petition removing Tiger from Darek’s custody or risk having the little boy put into foster care. What would you have done if faced with the same choice?

15. Jensen maintains his innocence in Felicity’s death, even when he’s challenged to ask for forgiveness. And at the same time, Darek refuses to offer Jensen forgiveness when he hasn’t asked for it. Do you agree that Jensen needed to apologize to Darek? To Deep Haven? Should Darek have forgiven him regardless? Can you think of a time when you’ve been in either man’s ­shoes—​­either reluctant to ask for forgiveness or forced to forgive someone who seems unrepentant?

16. When Angelica Michaels expresses concern that Claire is hurting the flowers in her garden, Claire explains how pruning the flowers allows them to grow. How does that conversation change Claire’s perspective on her own life? Looking back, are there any difficult circumstances in your past that you now see as pruning, shaping you into who you were meant to be? How does this concept affect your outlook on difficult circumstances you’re currently facing?

17. Ivy believes that emotions get her into trouble, get in the way of rational decisions, but Ingrid tells her that “God is a God of emotion. And it’s good.” Which do you tend to trust ­more—​­your mind or your heart? Why?

18. As the fire approaches, the Christiansens decide to risk their property for the chance at saving Deep Haven. Did you agree with this decision? Do you think their faith in God for the outcome was rewarded?