Reader's Guide
  1. Was this book what you expected, based on the title/cover/summary?
  2. What did you think about the author’s writing style?
  3. What is Alex's worldview and how does it affect the outcome of her experience, if at all?
  4. What aspects of Alex's story could you most relate to?
  5. Was the book the right length? Were there gaps you wished Alex had filled in? Were there points where you thought she shared too much?
  6. What do you think Alex's purpose was in writing this book? What ideas or message was she trying to get across? What do you think the biggest themes were? What is your own strongest personal takeaway from reading the book?
  7. The story switches back and forth between the present day situation and past experiences. Why do you think Alex chose to write it this way? Was it easy to keep track of where you were in the story?
  8. There is a well-known quote from author Anne Lamott that says, “If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” Think about the other people in the book besides Alex. How would you feel to have been depicted in this way? 
  9. What do you think about Alex's decision to reach out to so many people for support at the beginning of the ordeal? Do you think it’s better to keep such experiences private or to lean on a support system? What kind of outreach do you think you would you have done in a similar situation?
  10. Have you ever experienced ramifications of a toxic or expired friendship? In what ways could you relate to how Alex's friendship with Ivy "morphed into a series of sharp edges over the years"?  
  11. What do you think about the way Ivy and Angus enmeshed Alex in their home and family as a parental figure? How should expectations around emotional boundaries be handled in cases like that?  
  12. The detective who arrested Alex later testifies that "the extent of his full investigation into the matter was the single conversation he had with [Alex] in his office..." What is your reaction to that? How common do you think that kind of police work is?
  13. The phrase "an honest liar" is used to describe Ivy during the trial because she claims to not have known something that Alex has written proof of Ivy knowing. Do you know anyone in your own life who could be described as an "honest liar?" Have you ever experienced an "honest liar" moment yourself?
  14. Alex’s intuitive friend, Saida, was a major influence on the specific actions Alex took to navigate the spiritual side of the situation, especially each night and morning before court. “Meditate. Sleep. Pray. Stomp.” What did you think about these rituals? Have you ever worked with or talked to an Intuitive? What was the experience like for you?
  15. Have you ever worked for a terrible boss? How can a negative work situation exacerbate a challenging life situation?
  16. As a society, we are trained to automatically believe the child whenever accusations of sexual contact are alleged, but this story shows us the importance of believing, then verifying. What are potential implications of believing someone’s word without any evidence or proof? How does Alex's statement that "sometimes, kids lie" sit with you? 
  17. How is the time period in which this story unfolded important? For example, Alex mentions that the Me, Too movement and the United States Gymnastics Scandal are both in the national spotlight while she is awaiting trial. How do you think this may have shaped the perceptions of those sitting on her jury?
  18. Did the book’s pace seem too fast/too slow/just right for you? 
  19. What did you learn about yourself by reading this book?
  20. What feelings did this book evoke for you?
  21. Alex includes a playlist of songs in the back of the book that she used as her "soundtrack" to survive the situation - what songs would you add to the list that would summarize the book's message, theme, and/or overall vibe? 
  22. If you were in charge of casting, who would you pick to play the main characters in the movie version of this story?
  23. If you could ask Alex one question about her experience, what would it be?
  24. Would you recommend this book? Why or why not? If yes, what would you share about it?
  25. Would you read another book by this author? Why or why not