Forever, Interrupted: A Novel

How and why do Elsie and Ben’s feelings for each other develop so rapidly? How does the intensity of their romance change Elsie’s life and why? What does Reid consider the pros and cons of such a whirlwind romance?

After Ben dies, Elsie is reluctant to get better. Why does she resist healing? Why does she push other people away when they try to help her, and how are her behaviors related to her grief?

What role does setting play in the novel? Consider the impact of broader settings on the Californian coast like Los Angeles and Newport Beach, as well as the book’s interiors like the library, Susan’s’ house, and Elsie’s apartment.

Forever, Interrupted subverts romance genre tropes, in particular by starting the novel with Elsie and Ben’s relationship ending. Another stereotype that Reid subverts is the idea of the toxic mother-in-law. What is Reid saying by incorporating some and subverting other aspects of romance novels?

How is Elsie’s grieving and healing journey unique? What experiences and relationships teach her how to grieve and recover? In what ways does her unique relationship with Ben dictate her distinct journey toward renewal?

How do books relate to Elsie’s sense of self? Why does she enjoy literature and reading? Why has she pursued a career as a librarian? How does her regard for the literary world change after Ben’s death and after she heals from it?

Reid writes tells the story through alternating chapters set in the present and the past. How does this narrative structure illuminate the book’s themes and meditations on love and grief? How would the book change if it were told chronologically?

Why is it significant that Elsie works in a library rather than a bookstore? What particular meaning does this setting hold, especially in the context of the book’s themes?