Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. With so many intersecting narratives, did you find yourself more invested in some than others? Which character’s journey resonated with you the most? 

2. If you’ve read other Kristin Harmel books, like The Book of Lost Names, how does this multi-character approach compare to her stories that focus more on a dual timeline?

3. Were you satisfied with the resolutions each character found in the epilogue? Did any of the endings surprise you?

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

1. Julia’s diagnosis inspires her to live with a new sense of urgency and to reconnect with a part of herself she thought was lost. Has there ever been a time when you felt a sudden urge to “seize the day” or make a significant change in your own life? What prompted that feeling?

2. The novel is filled with small, meaningful gestures of kindness, like Nicolas creating a special picnic for Piper or Nadim painting Kayla to show her she is seen. Can you recall a small act of kindness that had a surprisingly big impact on you? How did it make you feel?

3. Paris itself feels like a character in the book, evoking memories for Julia and inspiring hope in others. Is there a particular city or place that holds a special significance in your own life? 

4. Shelby realizes she has to figure out who she is on her own before she can be in a relationship with Russ. Think about a moment of personal growth in your own life. How did learning more about yourself change the way you approached your relationships with others?

5. Piper lovingly puts her own life on hold to care for her mother, a role that Nicolas helps her see can coexist with her own happiness. Is there a time when you’ve struggled to balance your responsibilities to others with your own needs?

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

1. Nadim tells Kayla the story of the Grande Mosquée de Paris protecting Jewish people during World War II. What does the novel suggest about what it truly means to belong to a place?

2. The Vietnam veterans’ tour group visits Le Bar Kléber, the site where the Paris Peace Accords were negotiated. How does the scene explore the difference between the official end of a global conflict and the ongoing effects of war for those who survive it?

3. Both Shelby and Melanie feel a tension between their obligations to their marriages and their desire to pursue lives they truly desire. How does this tension speak to contemporary conversations around gender roles and traditional ideas of marriage?

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

1. The narrative is told from multiple third-person perspectives, giving us access to each character’s inner thoughts. How did this technique shape your understanding of the characters and their motivations?

2. Le Maison Grog is a central location in the novel. How does the bar function differently for the various characters who visit it? 

3. Henry and Celeste’s epic love story spans 80 years and endures war, separation, and illness. How does their story compare to other literary romances you may have read, such as Nicholas Sparks’s The Notebook or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab?

4. The song, “City of Light,” acts as a motif connecting several characters’ storylines. How does the song’s meaning and impact shift throughout the novel? 

5. Characters like Brandon, Gilles, and Benji serve as antagonists in their respective storylines. In what ways do these characters act as foils in the narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a soundtrack for Meet Me in Paris, what songs would you include for each character?

2. Imagine you are casting a movie version of the book. Who would you choose to play the roles of Julia, Jackson, Henry, and Celeste? What qualities do those actors have that would make them perfect for these parts?

3. The epilogue gives us a glimpse into the characters’ lives two months after the concert. If you were to write another scene set two years later, what do you imagine is happening for Piper and Nicolas or Shelby and Russ?