1. Although each of the four women have important men in their lives they still rely heavily on the bonds of their friendships. What do you think they get from their relationships with one another that they aren't able to get from a man?

2. Throughout the book it's clear that Reagan has major doubts about her own self-worth and her place in the group. This view of herself is manifested in her attitude towards men and her friends' lives. Why was she so consumed with jealousy rather than love? How is she able to overcome this and approach life with a more positive outlook?

3. When Freddie and her mother finally sit down and talk, Rebecca says, "I saw that it would be more selfish to come back into your life than it had been to leave it in the first place." Did you find this explanation adequate? How did Rebecca's decision to not come back and get Freddie affect Freddie's life in a positive way and make her the woman she ultimately became?

4. In many ways The Friendship Test is a novel of forgiveness and acceptance. Freddie must forgive her parents and her husband, the friends must forgive Reagan for her outbursts, Matthew must accept that Sarah is gone, Reagan must accept that Matthew does not love her. What does it mean to forgive? How do forgiveness and acceptance help each character move on with their lives?

5. At one point Tamsin opines that Freddie is "putting obstacles in the way of her own happiness." Many of us often do this out of fear or the feeling that we don't deserve to be happy. How does Freddie overcome this?

6. Throughout the novel we are shown the many different types of love found in life: love between a husband and wife, love between friends, love between mothers and their children. How would you compare Freddie's love for Harry with her father's love for her? How about Matthew's love for Sarah and Freddie? How does love change and grow? Can love become unhealthy?