He smiled and nodded, but she could actually see that he was disappointed.

“I’m just, right now, going through a divorce. It’s been, well…really hard.”

“I understand, honestly. It’s been three years since mine, but I remember. It’s not easy. Even though you’ve decided to not be together, it’s still hard to not be together. Anyway, if you change your mind…standing offer,” he finished with an incline of his head.

She watched him walk back to his car, actually sorry to see him go. “Samuel!” she called out before she could stop herself.

He turned around.

“Can I change my mind and take you up on that standing offer now?”

“I wish you would.”

“I’ll call you later.”

Reading Group Guide

1. Is there a character in Her Perfect Life that resonates strongly with you? Which one, and why?

2. Considering what we learn about Clare, do you feel sad, triumphant, or something else altogether at her fate?

3. Have you ever wondered what life was really like for someone you admired? Discuss who this would be and if your assumptions were challenged from exploring the struggles behind Clare’s outward success.

4. If you were in Clare’s shoes and given the chance to reach success (but risk a close friendship), would you do so? How would you have handled the fallout with Donna Mehan?

5. Why do you think Simon stays with Clare throughout a marriage that is so obviously breaking down, and how did you feel knowing he blamed himself?

6. If you could sit down with one of your idols and ask them questions that they had to honestly answer, who would you choose and what questions would you ask?

7. Did the twist of the book surprise you, or had you guessed what was going to happen? If you had other theories, what were they?

8. Jump forward in time. Where do you see the main players, such as Eileen or Simon, a few months, a year, a decade after the events in Her Perfect Life?

9. Suppose Eileen hadn’t ended up inheriting her sister’s fortune; do you think she would have made a different choice about her marriage without the freedom this money now provides for her and her family?

10. And speaking of money, how did you feel about Eileen choosing to give Eric so much? Why do you think she did it? What would you have done, and do you think your feelings about infidelity in a relationship have changed over the course of your life?

A Conversation with the Author

What inspired you to write Her Perfect Life?