St. Martin’s Griffin
1. Do you think Serena should have taken the assignment in Cannes right after Chase proposed, or should she have stayed in San Francisco to help Chase with his mayoral campaign and plan the wedding? Would their relationship have turned out differently if she didn’t take the assignment?
2. Zoe lied to Serena at the beginning of their friendship. Serena forgave her and agreed to continue the friendship. If you were Serena would you have done the same thing, or do you expect honesty from your friends at all times?
3. Describe Kate’s relationship with Charles. How do you perceive Kate as a woman? Do you respect the decisions she made or disagree with them?
4. Of all the relationships in the novel, which one resonates the most with you and why?
5. Do you think Serena was correct in keeping what she learned about their past from Nick? Would you have done the same thing, and if not, what would you have done instead?
6. At one point, Bertrand says to Yvette, “If only I had been a better man or you had been a lesser woman, we could have made it work.” What did he mean, and how do you feel about his words?
7. Yvette and Kate have similar views on love. What are they, and do you agree with them?
8. What are your thoughts on Chantal? Do you have any sympathy for her either when she was very young or now that she is dying?
9. Do you think Zoe put too much time and effort into keeping her parents together when she should have been pursuing her own life? Why or why not?
10. Location plays a big part in the story. Cannes seems idyllic—the food, the hotels, the beaches. What is your favorite holiday destination and why?
St. Martin’s Griffin