A Photo Finish

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your overall impressions of the book given your understanding of a good second-chance romance novel? Compare how Violet and Cole come back together with other second-chance narratives, like that in Tia Williams’s Seven Days in June or Emily Henry’s Happy Place.

2. Did you like the ending of the novel? Did you feel that both Cole and Violet ended up with a life they wanted? Why or why not?

3. Which of the protagonists do you feel changed more, Violet or Cole, and why? How did this affect your understanding of who the book is “about”?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Violet often gets frustrated with Cole—and Cole gets angry with himself. Have you ever experienced frustration with someone you felt drawn to with or yourself? Did this frustration motivate any positive change?

2. Have you ever felt as though an animal had a healing impact on your life? What happened? How did this influence you?

3. Violet cares so much about being a jockey that she feels the sport is worth the danger. Have you ever felt passionate enough about something in your life that you were willing to put yourself in danger over it? Why or why not?

4. What would be your preferred role on a ranch? Would you like to work in the barns, as a rider, or in the offices? Or do you (like Vaughn, at the beginning of the novel) prefer city life?

5. When Violet reads Cole’s messages, she’s annoyed that he wasn’t honest with her, though she notes that someone else might have found the messages sweet. Did you find it sweet or a bit misguided of Cole to message her on the platform even after knowing she wasn’t reading his messages?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does Cassel’s harassment of Violet reveal the classism involved in the horse-racing world? How do Violet’s experiences in the owner’s box further develop this theme?

2. Many novels about military veterans who served in Iraq focus on members of the US military. Cole, however, served in the Canadian forces. How does this affect your understanding of the history of military incursions in the Middle East in the 21st century?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How did the dual timelines affect your perception of Cole and Violet’s relationship? Did understanding their past change how you saw their encounters in the narrative present?

2. How did the two points of view affect your perception of Cole and Violet’s relationship? Did thinking about Cole’s insecurities and backstory help you understand his actions in the present?

3. If you’ve read Off to the Races, compare how that novel and A Photo Finish present Billie, Violet, and Cole. How do their characterizations change?

4. Cole’s grief over losing his father is a notable influence in his life. Violet’s grief over losing her mother is subtler. How does Violet’s loss early in her life affect her character arc?

5. How does Silver present Cole’s experiences with PTSD symptoms compared to other representations of PTSD? Compare Silver’s framing of the disorder (and Cole’s fight to manage it) to how other novels, such as Mia Sheridan’s Archer’s Voice or Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, present PTSD and its symptoms.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Plan a day at the races for yourself. Would you want to be in the stables, which is Violet’s preferred spot? Would you prefer to sit in the fancy owner’s box with Vaughn? What role would you take on, and how would you participate? If you’re interested in fashion, what outfit might you wear to the track?

2. Imagine a conversation between two secondary characters who don’t interact much in the novel. For example, how might Mira and Billie interact if Pipsqueak were sick and they tended to her together? How might Hank respond to Stefan Dalca’s apologies? Use your understanding of the novel’s characters to imagine this interaction.