Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Mistakes Were Made blends quirky small-town humor with heavier emotional topics like grief, trauma, and neurodivergence. How effective did you find this balance? Were there moments when the tone felt perfectly pitched, or times when the shift between comedy and drama felt jarring?

2. Did you find Story Lake to be a compelling and believable setting? Lucy Score is known for creating close-knit communities in her novels, such as Knockemout in Things We Never Got Over. How does Story Lake compare to other fictional small towns you’ve encountered in books?

3. The novel opens with a chaotic scene involving a snake, a bald eagle, and a near-miss with a truck. What were your first impressions of Zoey Moody based on this introduction? In what ways did your opinion of her evolve by the end of the story?

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

1. Zoey initially sees her move to Story Lake as a professional failure, but it ultimately leads her to a more fulfilling life. Has there ever been a time in your own life when an unexpected detour or a perceived setback led to a positive change? How did that experience reshape your definition of success?

2. Gage has a very clear, organized plan for his life, while Zoey embraces a more spontaneous, and sometimes chaotic, approach. Which character’s mindset do you relate to more? What do you think their relationship says about the balance between planning and living in the moment?

3. The Bishop family provides Zoey with the unconditional acceptance her own parents never offered. What role does this idea of a “found family” play in the novel? Think about the important relationships in your life. How have they been built on shared experiences versus biological ties?

4. Opal advises Zoey to focus on her strengths and make her weaknesses more interesting rather than trying to “fix” them. How did you react to this advice? Do you think it’s a useful perspective for personal growth?

5. Zoey and Gage establish “disco” as a code word for total honesty. What is the significance of needing a special signal to be completely open with someone? How does this practice shape the development of their trust and intimacy?

6. The residents of Story Lake rally together to support Zoey’s Reader Weekend, even creating a “Kick Dominion’s Ass” committee. Think about a time you’ve been part of a community effort. What makes a group of people come together to support a common goal?

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

1. What does the novel’s portrayal of Zoey’s late-in-life ADHD diagnosis suggest about societal awareness of neurodivergence, especially in adult women? How does her journey from self-blame to self-understanding reflect broader conversations about mental health and identity?

2. The book taps into the popular “small-town romance” genre, idealizing places like Story Lake as havens from urban isolation. What do you think is the appeal of this fantasy? What might the popularity of these stories suggest about contemporary feelings toward city life and community?

3. The story contrasts the competitive, high-stakes publishing world of Manhattan with the collaborative, community-focused success Zoey finds in Story Lake. What commentary does the novel offer on modern work culture and ambition?

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

1. Animals like Goose the eagle, Nana the golden retriever, and Pepe the donkey play a recurring role in the story. How do these animal encounters function beyond just providing comic relief? In what specific ways do they act as catalysts for key plot points and character development?

2. The dime is a quiet but powerful symbol in the novel. How does its meaning evolve from a private token of love for Laura and Miller to a larger representation of the Bishop family’s enduring support and, eventually, a sign of Zoey’s belonging?

3. How do Zoey and Gage serve as foils for each other? Consider their conflicting approaches to order and chaos, vulnerability and control. What does their eventual union suggest about the necessity of balance in a partnership?

4. Zoey’s disco ball necklace is described as representing “broken, sparkly things.” How does this symbol track her emotional journey from feeling fractured and flawed to embracing her whole, multifaceted self?

5. What purpose do the secondary characters, such as Hazel, Opal, and the collective residents of Story Lake, serve in the narrative? How do they help to develop the central themes of community support and reinvention?

6. Novels like Helen Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient have also brought neurodivergent protagonists to the forefront of the romance genre. How does Mistakes Were Made contribute to this subgenre? What aspects of Zoey’s experience with ADHD felt particularly resonant?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. As the new town publicist, you’re tasked with creating a tourism brochure for Story Lake. What three key attractions or events would you highlight to capture the town’s unique charm and convince people to visit?

2. Gage’s grand romantic gesture is renovating his closet and hanging a giant disco ball. What alternative grand gesture could Zoey have planned for Gage that would reflect her personality and show her understanding of him?

3. The townspeople have a unique custom of dealing with public grievances by pelting offenders with baked potatoes. What other quirky town tradition can you invent for Story Lake that would fit the personalities of its residents?