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The Hole in the Middle

by Kate Hilton

Published: 2016-01-05
Paperback : 304 pages

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Introduction

The heartfelt and hilarious, international bestselling debut about having it all without losing your mind.

Sophie Whelan is the kind of woman who prides herself on doing it all. In a single day, she can host a vegan-friendly and lactose-free dinner for ten, thwart a PTA president intent on forcing her to volunteer, and outwit her hostile ‘assistant’ in order to get her work done on time.

With her fortieth birthday looming, and her carefully coordinated existence beginning to come apart at the seams, Sophie begins feeling like she needs more from her life—and especially from her husband, Jesse.

The last thing Sophie needs is a new complication in her life. But when an opportunity from her past suddenly reappears, Sophie is forced to confront the choices she’s made and decide if her chaotic life is really a dream come true—or the biggest mistake she’s ever made…

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Excerpt

CHAPTER 3
And so it is that I find myself in the car on Monday afternoon (how can it still be Monday? How?), inventing crazy routes to avoid traffic as I race to the doctor’s office. There is no woman more desperate on earth than the one with a sick and deeply unhappy toddler in the back, trying to make it to the pediatrician before he closes for the day. A lot of ink has been spilled drafting laws to make the roads safer from people who drink and drive or talk on their cell phones and drive, or wear sexy bathing suits and drive, which is apparently very distracting for drivers in Kentucky. But in my opinion, regulators have really missed the boat here, since the most dangerous, distracted drivers on the road are moms with screaming children in the backseat. You can see them everywhere, belting out their little ones’ favorite tunes from the Creative Caregivers Singing Circle and shimmying in the driver’s seat; contorting backwards through the gap between the seats to shove pacifiers and animal crackers into their darling babies’ mouths; or just weeping hysterically at the horror of it all. And today, I’m one of them. ...

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Discussion Questions

1. Sophie’s journey is, in part, a search for work-life balance. Do you think that work-life balance is achievable? Does Sophie find it at the end of the novel?

2. Sophie bears far more responsibility for household management and childcare than Jesse does. Why do you think their family has evolved in this way? Do you think it is possible for men and women to share parenting equally?

3. The character of Lillian Parker plays a key role in Sophie’s life, both in the past and the present. What do you think motivates Lil’s interest in Sophie? How do you feel about her interference in Sophie’s choices?

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Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Kate Hilton delivers a clever and compelling novel about second-guesses and second-chances. With equal measures of hilarity and heartbreak, Hilton weaves an honest and engaging story of middle life struggles. Hilton gives a touching, true-to-life account of today's busy woman and the choices she makes--and later questions. A Hole in the Middle is filled with witty, authentic characters we root for and fall in love with--flaws and all. With issues and struggles every woman can relate to, A Hole in the Middle is the perfect read for any woman who has ever questioned the choices she made, or wondered what might have been. An impeccably written, highly-entertaining novel that kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. Kate Hilton's debut marks the entrance of an exciting, fresh and funny new voice in women's fiction.--Lori Nelson Spielman, author of THE LIFE LIST

“A warm, memorable, and insightful heroine.”--Joy Fielding, author of SOMEONE IS WATCHING

"Smart, spirited and fiercely honest, THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE illustrates, with pinpoint accuracy, the pitfalls of juggling work and family. Sophie Whelan is a modern Everywoman, admirable, lovable and exasperating, and I cared about her intensely. Hilton keeps the pages turning with crisp prose and convincing dialogue, delivering an authentic and entertaining story brimming with wit and compassion."--Sonja Yoerg, author of HOUSE BROKEN

"I loved The Hole in the Middle. It is honest, it is deeply moving -- and it is really, really funny. In this, her debut novel, Kate Hilton captures the delicate and often unforgiving balancing act that is everyday life for so many women, and she does so with a graceful and nuanced eye for the absurdities of modern life."--Jennifer Robson, author of SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE and AFTER THE WAR IS OVER

“Hilton’s characters are authentic, unique and unforgettable, and The Hole in the Middle is an engaging novel that is both unexpectedly funny and remarkably wise. I loved this novel because I saw myself, my friends, and every woman who struggles with the modern paradox of having it all versus keeping it together—but I also loved it because of Hilton’s perfectly rendered revelations about life and love, and the beautiful honesty of her writing.”--Marissa Stapley, author of MATING FOR LIFE

Book Club Recommendations

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Member Reviews

Overall rating:

"The Hole in the Middle"by Cheryl M. (see profile) 05/04/16

Our bookclub enjoyed this book. We liked the writing style and found our selves to have much to discuss. The main character's emotions and "loss of self in the daily grind" were easy to rel... (read more)

"Hole in the middle"by Anne C. (see profile) 04/20/16

The book got the most conversation going of any book yet!!

"The hole in the middle"by Maria D. (see profile) 04/21/16

Easy read. Wise,heartfelt and relatable. Loved the book. It is an engaging story about mid life struggles that we can all relate to. Written with honesty and humor. Hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed... (read more)

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