Hosting book club? Here are questions to get you started. Would you like some bookmarks for a particular book?  Drop me a line through the contact page!

Someone You Loved

Coming soon!

The Promise of Amazing

Discussion questions

1. What do you think of Mrs. Fiore, Wren’s guidance counselor? Do you think her pep talk is realistic or condescending?  Has anyone ever underestimated you? How did it make you feel?  What sort of action did it inspire you to take?

2. How do you think Wren and Grayson’s meet-cute sets up their relationship? What if the roles had been reversed? Do you think it might have changed anything? How?

3. One of the themes in the book is not letting your past define you. How does each character try to break free of past expectations? Do you think they are successful? Have you ever tried to get over something you’ve done in the past? How difficult was it to do?

4. Is there a character you identify with more? Do you like dual perspective novels? How do you think the story may have changed if it was told from only one of the character’s perspectives? Would you have enjoyed that more? Why or why not?

5. Both Wren and Gray have very different Thanksgiving dinners. Which one would you like to have attended? How does each scene inspire Wren and Grayson to jump to action? Do you think there’s a certain reason why the author chose to put these scenes in the book?

6. Wren goes to an all girl private school. Grayson was expelled from an all boy private school.  Do you think there are any benefits to a single gendered learning environment? Why or why not? How do you think this shapes the story?  Wren? Grayson? Luke? Ava?

7. What do you think Luke’s ulterior motive is when he insinuates himself between Wren and Grayson? Is it simply to manipulate them for fun? What do you think might be going through his mind? Have you ever dealt with someone manipulative in your own life? What did you do?

8.  Why do you think Wren is so forgiving of Grayson? Do you think she’s foolish? Have you ever given someone in your life a second chance? Did they surprise you? Were you disappointed? Do you think people can change?

9. Was there any particular part of the story you could relate to? Why or why not?

10. Did you like the characters? If you could hang out with one of the secondary characters whom would it be and why? Are there any characters you found unlikeable? Do you think it’s an author’s responsibility to make a character likeable? Or do you think it’s subjective? Does it hamper your enjoyment of the story?

11. Do you think justice was served? If you were the author, how might have you handled the situation with Grayson and his friends differently?

12. Did you find the ending satisfying? What kind of alternative ending could you come up with? Do you think the dance floor is a good metaphor for life? Why or why not?

The Secrets of Attraction

Discussion Questions

1. Early on, Madison tosses out the phrase -  Oh. Money. The Grim Reaper of Dreams. - when she talks with her mom about possibly attending a summer art program. Do you agree with that sentiment? Have you ever felt like cost was an obstacle for something you aspired to do?

2. When Jesse hears Madison use the term soul mates, he scoffs. How do you feel about that term? Do you think it’s a realistic depiction of a relationship, or something that is unattainable? Why do you think some people aspire to use that label?

3. One of the themes in the novel is it’s okay to be vulnerable. How do each of the characters avoid doing this? What might be some of the reasons both Mads and Jesse avoid being so open with each other, especially in the beginning. What parts of the book do you think they are at their most vulnerable?

4. Is there a character you identify with more? Do you like dual perspective novels? How do you think the story may have changed if it was told from only one of the character’s perspectives? Would you have enjoyed that more? Why or why not?

5.  Jesse sends a text to his ex-girlfriend after he’s had a little too much to drink. Have you ever done something on impulse that you wish you hadn’t? What do you wish you’d done differently? Do you think it worked out in his favor?

6. Jesse tells his ex that “I want you to be happy, Hannah. I just don’t want to see it.”  What do you think of that statement?  Do you agree with Jesse’s reaction to their conversation in the park? Did your opinion of him change when you heard Hannah’s side of the story?

7. Do you think Zach is a good match for Madison? Why or why not?  What are the most important aspects in a relationship? What do you think might be lacking between them?

8. How did you feel when Madison’s mother revealed her secret? What do you think of Madison’s response? Could this situation have been handled better by all parties involved?

9. Was there any particular part of the story you could relate to? Why or why not?

10. What do you think of Madison and Jesse as a couple? Why or why not?

11. Did you like the characters? If you could hang out with one of the secondary characters whom would it be and why? Are there any characters you found unlikeable? Do you think it’s an author’s responsibility to make a character likeable? Or do you think it’s subjective? Does it hamper your enjoyment of the story?

12. What do you think of Jesse’s grand gesture and how Madison reacted to it? Did you find the ending satisfying? If not, how would you have changed it?

The Season of You & Me

Discussion Questions

1. Cassidy decides to spend the summer away after she breaks up with her boyfriend. Do you think this is a brave move, or is she running away?  And if she is running away - is it so wrong?

2. Bryan is surrounded by a tremendous support system. Why do you think this is important? What are some of the pitfalls that seem to come with this, at least from his perspective?

3. What do you think of Cassidy and Bryan’s meet cute? Do you think she would have had a different reaction if she met him while he was in his wheelchair first? Why or why not?

 4. Cassidy uses social media to make her ex jealous. Have you ever done anything like this? What do you think about using social media as a tool of revenge? Was it immature, or spot on?

 5. Why do you think it is important to Bryan that he makes his own decision to return to surfing? Do you agree with how his friends are behaving?

6.What do you think of Nan’s saying -“Shit in one hand, wish in the other, and see which one gets filled faster?”  Do you think it’s realistic or pessimistic?

7. One of the themes in the novel is about being more capable than you realize and digging for that inner strength when you least expect it. What are some examples of this in the book? How does it play out in small ways, and in bigger ways?

8. Do you understand Wade’s reasoning behind not pursuing a relationship with Tori? Do you think it’s valid? Why or why not?

9. Do you like the way Cass handled Gavin’s arrival near the end of the book? What would you have done differently? Can you see why she might have been persuaded by Gavin? What do you really think pushed her to make the decision that she did? Did you agree with Bryan’s reaction?

 10. Do you think it’s realistic for couples to try and stay together when there is distance between them? Is there ever a scenario it could work? Do you think it would be worth it? How do you feel about the book’s ending?

 11. Is there a character you identify with more? Do you like dual perspective novels? How do you think the story may have changed if it was told from only one of the character’s perspectives? Would you have enjoyed that more? Why or why not?

 12. Did you like the characters? If you could hang out with one of the secondary characters whom would it be and why? Are there any characters you found unlikeable? Do you think it’s an author’s responsibility to make a character likeable? Or do you think it’s subjective? Does it hamper your enjoyment of the story?