Groupie Book Club Discussion Questions:
1.The quote from the Morrisons plays an important role. "The secret is not finding the perfect someone you can live with, it is finding the imperfect one you cannot live without."
Do you believe in this quote yourself? How do you feel it affected Lexie throughout the book?
2. Lexie judges Jack by his image as a celebrity. We know this is often the work of tabloids, gossip, PR stunts and image creation for Hollywood. It is also widely accepted that celebrity comes with a price. Do you have these pre-conceived notions of some celebrities and it is fair for Lexie to have judged him?
3.The author considers the soundtrack to this novel to be a very important layer to the story. Did you identify with the music and what role did it play for you and the emotions of the novel?
4 .As readers learn more about Lexie's past with her parents and boyfriends, how did you think these experiences shaped her views on love and commitment?
5.The author found the Ashley's character essential to the novel. Did you connect with the best friend and why do you think her role was vital?
6.The author's desired to keep the sexual scenes in this book at a 'sweet' level- did the book succeed in giving romance, angst and butterflies without being explicit?
7.The supporting cast brought a variety of personality to the novel. Some were friend and some were foe. Who stood out to you and why?
8.What as your favorite scene in the book?
9. What was your favorite line in the book?
10.Lexie's underlying issue is lack of self esteem and her loss of confidenceafter the alterations in her life. This makes her feel unworthy of Jack andlove in general. Do you think most girls can identify with this at someage/stage of their life? How can it cause a ripple effect in their choices?
11. At the end of Volume One, Lexie has made a decision to choose work/career over a relationship. Is it a valid problem for women today? Did she just use this as an excuse to end things before she got hurt or did she truly feel she had no choice?
12. Jack retaliated to hurt Lexie after she ended their romance. Who was most at fault?If you were in each person's shoes, could you forgive?
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MY THOUGHTS ON THE QUESTIONS, CHECK THIS OUT:
Book Club Discussion Insights from Susan
Daugherty for each question:
1.
Lexie
admits to having done the opposite of this quote… she was looking for
perfection and if there was any noticeable flaw, she was running away from any
date. Her expectations were impossible to meet, yet she wondered why she was having a hard time dating. This quote from a
couple who had made it through so many years together really opened her eyes
that it was okay to have flaws but to find the one your heart truly wanted.
2.
Lexie’s
anthem could have been Maddie and Tae’s song “Girl in a Country Song.” She was
personally offended by the turn of country music into the Bro Country era. She
took this out on Jack, as the most shining example of what she felt was
degrading treatment of women. I do think the public tends to put celebrities in
a box to label and can be harsh to judge every word they say or outfit they
wear. I do also think they sign up for this and must get used it as they seek
stardom and the money that comes with it. While I don’t envy them the scrutiny,
there’s no real way to avoid it!
3.
The
music honestly shaped the book as I thought of songs I wanted to used in
different scenes throughout the book. I knew that each one would have a special
part and the novel was partly shaped around these songs. They speak the emotion
of the time or provide a means for Jack to show Lexie that she is inspiring
change in him!
4.
Ashley
was the best friend we all need! She provides levity and comic relief. I think
she was important to give Lexie the sounding board she needed to work through
her emotions. Ashley was also there to say what the reader is thinking in their
head… like, ‘are you crazy, you can’t turn this down’ and ‘this is not a BAD
problem to have!’ While Lexie is cautious, Ashley gives the positive light and
encouragement needed.
5.
Lexie
started with the dream of a soul mate and perfect marriage. When she was hit
with several major let downs from those she loved most, she felt like it had
all been an illusion and that she was better off to be realistic. If her
parents couldn’t stick to their vows and her boyfriends showed only cheating
and using her, she felt the dream slip away and decided to hide behind a wall
of caution. I think its very much believable that this can happen to a young
woman and that she uses defense to keep anyone away who could hurt her again.
6.
I
wanted my teenage niece and my ninety year old grandma to be able to read this
novel! I tried to convey all the delicious tension and sweet romance to give
chill bumps and butterflies and then let the readers mind do the rest!
7.
Some
choices would be: Andy, Kate, Charlie, Ric, Trina, Fitch, Lee, Gloria. I adored
Charlie the most! The unapologetically country to the bone Uncle with a great
sense of humor and the immediate affection for Lexie. Supporting cast villains
include Amos and Delilah- which are always fun to write as we need someone to
hate!
8.
I had
so many! I love when she accidentally eavesdropped on Jack talking to Amos and
got busted by dropping the cups. I adored the scene when they danced to
Wonderful Tonight. Her birthday was hard to beat because who doesn’t want a day
(and night) like that?! I also love when she is first meeting to join
the tour and realizes she riding on Jack’s bus. The repetitive scene of good
luck kisses before the shows always
makes me smile, too.
9.
My
favorite line is one that still makes me giggle and made my editor write a
special note about her love for it. From the night of the riverboat
cruise: “By all means, I’d love to
undress you with something other than my eyes anytime.”
10. I
really wanted to address this issue of self esteem for girls of this age. I
think it can really make or break your future when you don’t feel worthy of
love or success or are just too scared to put yourself out there as a young
woman. I know I made many mistakes in my
youth that I can clearly attribute to lack of confidence at certain ages
or maybe just in specific situations. I hope Lexie’s journey will help other
girls see they are not alone and you can move past to grow and become who you
want to be!
11.This
is a tricky question that I shall answer with one word. Both. She truly did
value her career and had big dreams of success that she felt needed to come
first. However, her career was so important to her because she was afraid of
love and therefore, threw all her hopes and goals into work. So, in choosing
her career, she was also giving into her need to protect herself from hurt.
Quite honestly, she was well outside of the acceptable lines of patient
relationship and her boss was not understating the trouble she could be in!
12. This
continues to be a circular question… she hurt him first with a questionably bad
decision. He feels the need to strike back because he is angry and heartbroken.
His indiscretion, in my eyes, was MUCH worse than hers. She did have very valid
life decisions to make (but should have talked to him about it and not been
rash and so easily dismissive) and thought she didn’t have much of a choice.
His was terrible because it validated every fear she had and she had to see it
with her own eyes. However, one can argue that his retaliation would never have
happened if she had just handled her situation better in the first place. She
truly hurt him and set the ball in motion. Therefore, I think they are both to
blame. As far as forgiveness, it is much easier to forgive what she did because
it was not physical and her choice could have been reversed and she could have
explained her fears and confessed she was wrong and changed her mind to bring
them potentially closer together. His physical cheating can’t be undone and
though driven by hurt, was much more unacceptable. Though both would have to
build trust back again, I do think the fact that he’s the primary one begging
forgiveness is natural.
