Book Club Guide: Meet Me in Monaco

Meet Me in Monaco is a historical fiction romance set in France and Monaco against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainer of Monaco. It’s light and sweet and could be a lovely choice for a book club to discuss. Check out our book review for Meet Me in Monaco for more on what we thought.

Suggested Meet Me in Monaco discussion questions:

1. Why do you think the authors chose the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer as a backdrop for the story? What did it add to the story? What was missing? What do you think of how Grace Kelly was portrayed in the novel?
2. What did you think of the story being told from the two different perspectives? Did that help or hurt the novel?
3. What was your initial impression of James? Did it change as the story went along?
4. Both Sophie and James are extremely passionate about their professions–what are you passionate about? Do you think it’s possible for people to find passion in their job and find jobs in their passion?
5. Discuss Sophie’s relationships with her parents. Why was she closer to her father? Why did she struggle so much with her mother?
6. Both Sophie and James have secrets they keep from each other; how did that affect their relationship? Was it necessary to keep those secrets?
7. Sophie was dealing with a struggling business, an alcoholic mother, and was mourning her father. James was dealing with the after-effects of World War I, a job he didn’t particularly care about, and a divorce. How did those stressors affect their relationship?
8. Did you like the ending? Were you surprised that they didn’t immediately end up together?
9. Would you consider this a romance novel? Do you usually read books in this genre?
10. The book was written by two different authors; something that doesn’t happen too often. Could you tell? Have you read other books by two authors? How do you think that process works?

Other suggestions for your Meet Me In Monaco discussion:

• Watch the video of Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainer.
• Serve some pastis or champagne or other French wine (a rosé might be nice).
• Have everyone bring their favorite scent (which may or may not be perfume!) and have them share with the group why they enjoy that.
• Have everyone bring a postcard they’ve picked up and discuss what it takes to take a great photograph, especially ones for postcards.
• Read this “Behind the Story Essay” from the authors to learn more about their inspiration for the book.

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