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Out of Time
Life has a time limit. Love doesn’t.
For most of her 78 years, Maddie Cole has done things the ‘wrong’ way. But throwing out the societal rule book meant sacrificing romantic success for career highs — a move she’s never regretted...much. Now retired, she relishes the freedom to travel with her only daughter, Anne. Their latest trip is a long weekend in picturesque Bar Harbor, and Maddie is determined to enjoy every last minute.
Octogenarian Nate Jacobs has always taken pride in doing things the ‘right’ way. He built a successful legal career by following the rules, and now, retired and widowed, he runs a tight ship at the Hope Point Lighthouse B&B. Perhaps that’s why Maddie, with her disregard for convention, catches his eye.
When Anne is unexpectedly called away on work business, Maddie finds herself compelled to stay on at Hope Point, alone. Over breakfast conversations and long walks, Nate and Maddie’s friendship deepens, even as old memories return to haunt them.
Except this time, the past starts to clear a path for the future...
This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with DartFrog Books.
SPOILER ALERT
Some questions contain specific references to events and plot.
Book club questions for Out of Time by M. Jacqueline Murray
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
What meaning does the title “out of time” have for you now that you’ve read the book?
Does this story represent the ideal time in their lives to have met? If not, when do you think would have been the ideal time for them to meet? How might Maddie and Nate’s lives have been different if they’d met sooner?
- Italy cooking school?
- London in the ‘80s
- Toronto in the ‘70s
- Sooner
How is womanhood and manhood defined in the novel? What social norms are reflected or rejected? How did Maddie and Nate’s attitudes and beliefs about gender roles impact their relationships?
What do you think it was about Maddie and Nate that fueled their attraction to each other?
What do you think about the idea of having a soulmate?
What do you think was the symbolism of the boats?
Which places in the book would you like to visit?
What feelings did this book evoke for you?
Were you surprised by the ending and how did it make you feel?
If you had a B&B, what theme would you choose for the rooms?
Out of Time Book Club Questions PDF
Click here for a printable PDF of the Out of Time discussion questions