2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

When James meets Olivia for the first time at St. Luke’s, he’s immediately attracted to her and she him. They later almost have sex with each other. What was going on with Olivia? James?

My first thought was that James probably should have left the priesthood a long time ago and followed a different life path. I know he said he hadn't had these type of feelings since Jennifer, but it seemed to me that having broken his vows at least twice before over a period of years and then now again, that he has real issues with his feelings. Also, even after Olivia pulled back, James kept trying to convince her to sleep with him Wow! 🤯

James obviously had problems keeping his vows. I agree with Lynn that he should have made different choices - celibacy is a difficult and long-term commitment and requires more self-discipline than James possessed.

I found it very interesting that both Rick and James were attracted to the same women, who are actually very different in their personalities.

With regard to Olivia's attraction to James, I had to wonder if she wasn't transferring her feelings for Rick onto him subconsciously.

Olivia always mentioned that James reminded her of someone. Once we found out that he was related to Rick, I felt like James was a substitute for Olivia. I'm glad she pulled away from him.

James should not be a Catholic priest. He mentioned that he resisted other women, but Jennifer and Olivia called to him. I don't know how anyone can betray their sibling like that, although I know it happens but for a priest to sleep with his brother's wife...

Pretty obvious that James should not be a priest. Understandably celibacy is a huge problem in the Catholic Church and the ramifications have proven to be huge. In this instance not only does he break his vows but supposedly with the wife of the brother who he professes to love and admire. Not cool James!

I’m with you about James. His slip with Jennifer was compounded by her being his brother’s wife. This man had no respect for boundaries. I’m not Catholic and will never understand the vow of celibacy but respect that it’s required of priests. Somehow, I don’t think James’ slip up was just with these two women. He just wasn’t up to this vow.

Oh, and about Olivia? James was definitely a rebound move but she was always drawn to James. Maybe it was because he had qualities similar to Rick, both physically and temperamentally.

Jonetta wrote: "Somehow, I don’t think James’ slip up was just with these two women. He just wasn’t up to this vow.."

I got the distinct impression that Jennifer and Olivia were not the only women he was attracted to. They were just the one he could not stop himself from acting upon.

Jonetta wrote: "Maybe it was because he had qualities similar to Rick, both physically and temperamentally.."

This is how it came across to me. I think her attraction to James was actually due to his strong resemblance to Rick.

Once their relationship was pointed out to her, Olivia said she could see it and always felt there was something familiar about him.

Jonetta wrote: "Once their relationship was pointed out to her, Olivia said she could see it and always felt there was something familiar about him."

Yes, she even has a sense of deja vu when she meets James that first time.

Olivia was really deeply hurt by Rick's rejection. James was definitely a rebound for her. James and Rick were just similar enough that she was drawn to James as a substitute for Rick.

I agree, James had no business being a priest. His reaction to her and comparing it to his relationship to Jennifer was really creepy.

Sharon wrote: "Olivia always mentioned that James reminded her of someone. Once we found out that he was related to Rick, I felt like James was a substitute for Olivia. I'm glad she pulled away from him.

James s..."

I agree with all of you that James should not have continued to be a priest. He obviously wasn't up to the task. I'm not Catholic, but I know that there are multiple ways that one can do the Lord's work without being a priest. Just because he wasn't a priest didn't mean he had to give up his faith. I was annoyed with him over his repeated mistakes. He had redeeming qualities, and I ended up liking him as a character, but I had big issues with him continuing his priesthood.

I didn't like that Olivia was attracted to James. Maybe I wasn't suppose to like it. But I like the idea that she was attracted to him because he was similar to Rick. I was just very relieved that she didn't end up sleeping with James and stopped before that mistake was made.

Hannah, I was reading that make out scene in absolute horror. It went way further than it should have (she was completely naked!) but at least it stopped there.

Jonetta wrote: "Hannah, I was reading that make out scene in absolute horror. It went way further than it should have (she was completely naked!) but at least it stopped there."

Yes! Thank goodness! I would have lost respect for her if she slept with him. The whole two brothers thing did not do it for me.

Yes if she'd slept with James that would have been the end of her potential HEA with Rick.

Hannah wrote: "I was just very relieved that she didn't end up sleeping with James and stopped before that mistake was made.."

Agreed! This would have put me right off her character not only because it would be morally problematic to sleep with a priest who would be breaking his vows, but also because she was attracted to Rick. Even though they were struggling, there was still something between them and sleeping with James would have been a betrayal. It would have ruined any chance of a future with Rick.

I agree with you Hannah. I didn't like the Rick/Olivia/James story line at all. It was off putting all around.