FAQs

Power Dynamics & Leadership Roxy maintains her role as the “queen bee” even decades after college. How do early power structures in friend groups continue to influence adult relationships? Can someone ever truly escape the role they played in their youth? Class and Belonging Beth’s experience as a scholarship student shaped her entire college experience. How do economic differences create invisible barriers in friendships? What does the novel suggest about whether money can truly buy acceptance? The Price of Perfection Jamie appears to have the “perfect” life – successful career, beautiful family – but harbors a secret addiction. What does her story reveal about the pressure to maintain appearances? How do our public personas often mask our private struggles? Memory vs. Truth The characters each remember their college years and Spring Break differently. How reliable are our memories of traumatic events? What role does selective [...]

Characters & Relationships The story opens with Jill suggesting a road trip to reconnect with Jack. What were your first impressions of their marriage? How did these impressions change as the story progressed? Discuss the significance of Jill's yoga practice and her carefully maintained appearance. How does this exterior reflect or contrast with her interior life? Jack plans to start a new life at Shady Canyon with Erica. How do you think his relationship with Erica diLers from his marriage to Jill? What draws him to each woman? Pickleball serves as both a social setting and a battlefield in the novel. How does Jill's first meeting with Erica during pickleball lessons set the tone for their relationship? What does the sport reveal about each woman's character? Discuss the symbolism of Jill and Erica meeting through pickleball. How does the competitive nature of the sport mirror [...]

The Setup The novel begins with the seemingly perfect family who hires a nanny. How did your first impressions of the family evolve as the story unfolded? Were you surprised by the secrets revealed? The Nanny’s Perspective How reliable did you find the nanny’s point of view? Were there moments when you trusted her completely—and others when you doubted her? Family and Facades Much of the story deals with the illusions families create to appear picture-perfect. What parts of the family’s image felt most authentic, and which felt like carefully constructed performances? Class, Power, and Control The nanny exists in a strange in-between world: inside the home but not truly part of it. How does the novel explore dynamics of wealth, privilege, and power in these blurred boundaries? Secrets and Lies Several characters are hiding something. Which secret shocked you the most? Were there any [...]

Stepping into the Shadow The novel explores the idea of stepping into someone else’s shadow. How does the second Mrs. Strom, Cecilia, define herself against Paul’s first wife—and against Paul himself? Ambition and Relationships What role does ambition play in the relationships throughout the book? Did you sympathize with any of the characters’ hunger for power and recognition? Paul Strom’s Presence Paul Strom is infamous from Rouda’s earlier work, Best Day Ever. What do you think of Paul Strom? Reliability of Perspectives How reliable did you find the perspectives presented in the story? Were there moments you questioned the truth of what you were being told? Wealth and Appearances The book dives into themes of wealth, privilege, and appearances. What commentary does the story make about the cost of maintaining a “perfect” life? Twists and Revelations Did you see the twists coming, or did the [...]

Who do you think the nicest Kingsley is? Does anyone in the family fit that description? What do you think of Krystle Carrington? By the end of the story, did you understand her motivations better? And, if you were a fan of 1980s prime time soap operas, did you get the Dynasty nod? What, in the end, was Richard Kingsley’s downfall? And who did you think was the culprit? Were you correct? The Santa Ana winds become a character themselves. Have you ever experienced these fire winds? What did you think about the Twin Palms resort? Did you know it’s based on a real resort, The Montage Laguna Beach? The two palm trees referred to in the book, are in fact real. They were saved when the resort was built, and are named the Luc and Desi Palm Trees because “The Long, Long Trailer” a [...]

The Kingsleys are a privileged family who value control over connection. How do you think Richard’s domineering business style contributed to his intensity  as an authority figure and father? Do you think Richard Kingsley cares more for his business, his legacy, or his family? And in what order? Ted Kingsley is the golden child of the Kinglsey clan, but that all changes when he gets caught betraying not just his wife, Paige, but Richard himself. What did you suspect Ted was hiding beneath the surface all along and how did you feel about the final reveal? John Kingsley is the company fixer who takes care of all the Kingsely dirty work. This job is all he’s ever known and it’s how he proves his worth to his father. As much as he tries to separate himself from what he’s done, being a killer is in [...]

Jody Asher is an unreliable narrator, leading the reader to believe a version of reality that is far from the truth. At what moment in the book did you first realize Jody might not be who she seems? Martin Asher was the image of the perfect congressman, but, behind closed doors, he was keeping secrets from his family. Do you think Martin made his own bed and deserved what he got, or do you think he was a victim? Do you think Jody’s parenting style is coming from an honest place or is she too controlling? What drives her to be such a dominating force in Washington and why does the perfection of Charlotte’s wedding matter to Jody so much? How did you feel about Charlotte, her choice to marry JJ Dobbs, and her relationship with her mother? Mimi at first appears to be a [...]

Julie Jones left her husband in an effort to find herself and her own independence. Do you think she was naive to believe she could be on her own after so many years living in an unhealthy relationship? As she ran away from Roger, Julie ran home to herself. How do you feel about her choice to keep her Jewish heritage a secret from her daughter, Jess? How did you feel about Jess' resistance to move into the new house on Cherry Hill Lane? What do you think this says about Jess’ struggle with entitlement and what does Cherry Hill Lane represent for Julie? Tom Dean has a bitter hatred for his father and turns to dangerous hate groups for validation. When did you begin to realize Tom might be planning to do something terrible to Pastor Doug and his followers? Julie and Sandi each [...]

The book is split between three perspectives - Kate, Tish, and Ashlyn Nelson. Each woman was abandoned by John Nelson in some way, but who do you think has the most to lose from John’s death and who has the most to gain? Kate decides to keep working with John even after he leaves her for his assistant, Tish. Do you think Kate's calculated decision to carry on with business as usual helped her achieve her cold blooded revenge in the end? And did you enjoy Kate’s boldness in stepping into her power? She did create EventCo. It was clear to the reader how Kate felt about having Tish employed at the company before and especially in the wake of John’s death. Can you empathize with Tish’s reluctance to give up her career even if her presence undermined Kate’s pride? How did you feel about [...]

Jane as Narrator Jane is one of Rouda’s most unreliable narrators. How did you respond to being inside her head? Did you ever sympathize with her, or did her perspective disturb you from the start? The Role of Grief How does grief shape Jane’s actions following Mary’s death? Do you see her choices as driven by love, denial, narcissism, or something else entirely? Family Dynamics How does Jane manipulate her family members, especially Betsy and her husband David? What did you make of the way each of them responds to Jane’s behavior? Southern California Setting The story takes place in a world of affluence and image-consciousness. How does the setting amplify Jane’s obsession with appearances and her desire to control the narrative of her life? Secrets and Lies Every family has secrets—but Jane’s are particularly dark. Which revelations shocked you most? Did you anticipate any [...]