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Do you think it would be more or less difficult to share these stories of loved ones lost with strangers? Is there a safety in relative anonymity?
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8
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39
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March 16, 2026
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Have you read any of the author’s other novels? If so, how does Women of a Promiscuous Nature compare?
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2
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6
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March 16, 2026
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We never find out Genevieve’s back story. Why do you suppose the author chose to omit this information? What did you think of this decision?
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4
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13
|
March 16, 2026
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Geneveive starts the group’s first session by asking each to recall a happy childhood memory. What did you think of this technique, and what did you think about their responses? Did the question prompt you to recall your own childhood memory?
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6
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18
|
March 15, 2026
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Callum portrays himself as not needing these meetings, and yet he's the first one of the group to suggest spending time together outside of therapy. Did you see this as Callum looking for connection, or a way for him to hide behind his party persona?
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6
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15
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March 15, 2026
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Devlin insists on simply finding a hotel, while Gabrielle prefers to check out the reviews for a place first. What does this say about their respective personalities, in your opinion? Which of the two are you more like?
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10
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31
|
March 15, 2026
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Gabrielle loves going to the library’s reading room because “the air had a stillness” and it “calmed her nerves.” Do you think libraries foster this sense of peace in general? Is there someplace you frequent where you experience a similar stillness?
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15
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39
|
March 15, 2026
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William convinces the Black residents of Cross Anchor to follow him into the mountains to set up a new community. Why do you think they trusted him? Did they have any choice but to leave, in your opinion? What would you have done in their place?
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4
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17
|
March 15, 2026
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When William returns to Luella and moves into the palace, Luella juggles two husbands and feels powerless. Do you agree with her decision to let William stay? Was there something else she could have done instead?
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11
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30
|
March 15, 2026
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Margaret was a politician who became Home Secretary, but her career ended because of a hot-mic moment on a morning show. What’s your opinion about programs like This Morning? Do you watch any of them? What role do they fill?
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8
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32
|
March 15, 2026
|
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Who was your favorite character, and why?
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22
|
83
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home? (No spoilers, please!)
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37
|
188
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Carol sometimes thinks that “all she’d really done was swap one institution for another.” Do you agree with her? What’s your experience been like with senior living facilities?
|
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10
|
48
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Do you think Carol was naïve to believe she could keep her identity secret?
|
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20
|
73
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Carol insists on having a dénouement, where she exposes the guilty party/parties. Why do you suppose this was so important to her?
|
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12
|
59
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Geoffrey mourns the loss of his identity, feeling “irrelevant.” “Old ladies, at least they were still in charge of the grandchildren’s birthday cards,” he thinks. Is it true that women have more of a place in society as they age than men do?
|
|
17
|
50
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
If you lived at Sheldon Oaks how do you think you would have reacted, learning a serial killer was also a resident, particularly after a suspicious death occurred?
|
|
15
|
52
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
The author sometimes has a character tell their own story, and sometimes that person relays something they’re observing about others in the group. How did you feel about this narrative technique? Did you find it effective?
|
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6
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13
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Genevieve asks Victoria to trust her, and Victoria responds with hostility (“No, Genevieve, that’s not possible.” p. 28). Why do you believe she replied the way she did? Did it surprise you?
|
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3
|
11
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
This novel emphasizes the importance of community, family, and legacy and maintaining our connections with each of them. How is this reflected in the story of the Lovejoy women? Is this applicable to your own life? How?
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2
|
11
|
March 14, 2026
|
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How would you describe the connection between the kingdomfolk and their land?
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4
|
18
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
Do you notice any similarities in the personalities of the Lovejoy and Montgomery women? In particular, what are the similarities and parallels between Nikki and Luella?
|
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2
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8
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
Nikki uses a genealogical website to research her family and does, in fact, find information about her ancestors. Have you ever done something similar? If so, how did it feel when you uncovered information about your forebears?
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4
|
14
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
Nikki wonders about the source of the deep rift between her mother and Mother Rita. Why do you suppose they didn’t tell Nikki about the reason for their feud? Do you think they are able to completely heal their relationship by the end of the book?
|
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7
|
16
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Nikki feels dissatisfied with nearly every aspect of her life in D.C. and is uncertain about what to do next. How did you feel when Mother Rita gave her the gift of a new life at the end of the book?
|
|
10
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23
|
March 14, 2026
|
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Nikki wonders if her mother abandoned Mother Rita. She also asks herself if “Southern mothers feel a particular betrayal when their children go north.” What’s your take on children leaving home, particularly those that move far away from their parents?
|
|
11
|
41
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
When Mr. Weaver refuses to honor his promise to sell the land back to the Kingdom at the agreed-upon price, Luella decides to purchase only a portion of the land back. How do you feel about her decision? Do you agree with it?
|
|
11
|
30
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
What is the significance of using terms such as kingdom and royalty to describe the land and its people?
|
|
10
|
41
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Happy Land? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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13
|
44
|
March 14, 2026
|
|
Victoria believes that her loss isn't traumatic enough for her to be in the group; in fact, she doesn't think she's grieving at all. What do you think about her reactions? How does a complicated family history impact the ways we process grief
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1
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7
|
March 13, 2026
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