2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

We learn what destroyed Rick’s marriage to Jennifer and that he’s not Kristi’s biological father. Kristi has only recently learned that her priest Uncle James is her father. Their relationships are now complicated, with her having a prickly one with Rick and a non-existent one with James who is trying to re-establish one with Kristi. Your thoughts about the situation?

Messy to say the least. If I were Kristi, I think I would need some therapy after learning about her true parentage. It does give some insight into Rick's bitterness about life.

Wow! This was quite the twist.

I was quite surprised that Rick had any relationship with his brother at all. It was clear that James was in Kristi's life (she called him Uncle James) so Rick must have allowed some contact between them.

The whole situation seemed so sad to me. I felt for everyone involved.

I understand Bentz better. It broke my heart. It put him in a bad place for sure. It shows what kind of man he is that it never impacted his relationship with Kristi. He loved her.

Wow, this was a turn up for the books. What a soap opera of a twist! It makes sense why Bentz decided to act as father for his niece despite being betrayed by his ex wife and brother. Also interesting that unbeknown to Olivia she is attracted to both men.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "It makes sense why Bentz decided to act as father for his niece despite being betrayed by his ex wife and brother."

It really shows what kind of man he is. He is Kristi's father no matter the circumstances of her birth.

Didn’t see that coming! Kudos to Rick for even speaking to James and allowing Kristi to have her childhood before telling her the truth. And, I thought he did the right thing by treating her as an adult and divulging her true paternity. He’s a really good man who holds Kristi as his daughter, in his heart and every other way.

If James hadn’t tried to sleep with Olivia I might have been more sympathetic to his misstep. But this man had no business being a priest.

What a mess.

Jennifer was some piece of work. She's an unhappy wife so she has a fling with her husband's soon to be a priest brother and gets pregnant. Talk about blowing up a family. It explained a lot about Bentz's character and why he had drinking problems even before he accidentally shot the kid in LA. Kristi is 18 years old and she is acting like a typical 18 year old. Her world revolves around her and she is trying to assert her independence. She knew, deep down, life wasn't great for her parents and now knowing why is a lot to deal with. I think eventually she would have grown up and reestablished a relation with James.

Anita wrote: "Jennifer was some piece of work. She's an unhappy wife so she has a fling with her husband's soon to be a priest brother and gets pregnant. Talk about blowing up a family. It explained a lot about ..."

I think Kristi could have a relationship with James too. I'm still a little angry that Jackson decided to kill him off. Since Kristi is getting her own book, it would be a good addition to the story.

Totally agree. Would have been interesting to see how a more grown up Kristie handled it. And also Rick and Olivia happy in their relationship with each other if they could come to terms with James. I think they would have.. we'll never know. But maybe as time heals they will think of James more fondly.

Sharon wrote: "I'm still a little angry that Jackson decided to kill him off.."

Me too! Killing him was a cop-out rather than having to deal with the family dynamics of the relationships between James and Bentz and James and Kristi.

I am rarely one to make excuses for a character's poor moral choices and acts, but James was more than worthy of redemption and happiness with his brother and daughter.

I thought so, too.

I would have much rather seen them all work this situation out instead of James being killed off.

Lynn wrote: "Messy to say the least. If I were Kristi, I think I would need some therapy after learning about her true parentage. It does give some insight into Rick's bitterness about life."

Definitely messy for Kristi. I was actually surprised that she wasn't already in therapy after finding out her true parentage and thinking that her mom committed suicide. Even though she annoyed me as a character, she did have a lot to handle emotionally and was fairly functional to be honest. And Anita makes a great point that she acted like a typical 18 year old - her world revolves around herself.

Sharon wrote: "Anita wrote: "Jennifer was some piece of work. She's an unhappy wife so she has a fling with her husband's soon to be a priest brother and gets pregnant. Talk about blowing up a family. It explaine..."

I definitely saw James' death coming. It would have made more twists and turns emotionally with the family dynamics if James had lived, but I didn't see the author keeping him alive with Olivia attracted to both brothers. I don't know that Bentz could have ever had enough trust to be in a relationship with Olivia if his brother was still alive. The whole situation is just a replay of Jennifer, one woman torn between two brothers. It might have been a cop-out, but it was sort of poetic that he died saving his daughter. I thought that was a bit of redemption, especially as Bentz forgave him in the end. But I do agree with your point, Lauren. James was deserving of a happy ending.