1. Do you think this a love story, or a story about mothers and daughters? Could it be both?

2. Do you think the importance of the mother figure is overemphasized in the book? Or do you think the absence of a mother is truly such a transcendental issue?

3. In today’s world, is it fair to expect a woman to put her entire life at the service of her child?

4. Do you consider Helena a loving person? Why or why not?

5. Why Colombia? Do you think setting the story there added something to it? If so, what? Or could the story have been set elsewhere and offered the same impact?

6. Both Gabriella and Helena are women divided between cultures, language, and upbringings. How important are these factors in shaping who they are and what they do?

7. Are Helena and Gabriella ultimately in love with a place—in this case Colombia—and simply looking for someone who will guide them there? Or do you think they fell in love with individuals and ended up romanticizing a place as a result?

8. Is true love doomed if it doesn’t happen with the “proper” person?

9. Do you think Gabriella made the right choice by returning home and leaving Angel? What would you have done if you were in her position?

10. What do you think Helena’s final intentions were? Was she going to abandon Gabriella, or was she planning on saying a final good-bye to Juan José?

11. Is infidelity overrated? Do you think Helena’s affair was understandable given her circumstances? What do you think Marcus knew of her relationship? If he didn’t know about it, do you think he could have forgiven her for it had he found out?

12. Does Gabriella truly fall in love for the first time when she meets Angel, or is she merely rebelling against her family for not being honest with her?