Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel fits into the “hurt/comfort” romance subgenre, where characters heal through their connection. How did you feel about this framework for telling Ellie and Gabriel’s story? If you’ve read other works by Mia Sheridan, such as Archer’s Voice, how does this novel compare in its exploration of love and trauma?

2. How did the alternating first-person perspectives of Ellie and Gabriel shape your reading experience? Did having access to both their internal struggles and their misinterpretations of one another deepen your connection to them? Why?

3. The Prologue details seven-year-old Ellie’s abandonment. What expectations did this opening set for you, and how did the rest of the story either meet or subvert them?

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

1. Gabriel’s daily ritual of watching the sunrise is a conscious act of gratitude for his freedom. Do you have a small, personal ritual in your own life that helps you find a sense of peace, hope, or perspective? Why is this significant to you and what does it help you achieve?

2. Ellie feels deeply insecure and inadequate when she compares herself to the more polished and educated Chloe. Think about a time you might have measured yourself against someone else. How did those feelings of comparison affect your actions or your view of yourself? Do you think you were correct or mistaken?

3. When George gives Ellie a self-defense lesson, he tells her it’s to help her see that she doesn’t “have to take it.” Can you recall a time when someone’s encouragement helped you find your own strength in a difficult situation?

4. Gabriel’s steadfast love acts as a mirror, helping Ellie see the worth in herself that she couldn’t recognize on her own. In your own life, whose belief in you helped you to see yourself positively?

5. Ellie makes the difficult decision to leave Gabriel, stating she needs to figure out who she is without him. How important do you feel it is for a person to establish their own sense of self-worth and identity, independent of a romantic relationship? In what ways has your own experience shaped your opinion?

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

1. Dominic’s harsh labeling of Ellie as a “trashy stripper” reflects societal stigmas around sex work. How does the novel draw on real-life attitudes and issues to present and challenge stereotypes?

2. Do you see the book as part of the feminist literary tradition? Why or why not?

3. After his abduction and again after he rescues Wyatt, Gabriel’s story becomes a public narrative. How does the novel comment on the way public and media interest can impact a survivor’s healing process?

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

1. Look at the precise transition of the novel’s use of the names Crystal/Ellie/Eloise. How does this chart the character’s emotional journey, especially the boundaries of the internal and external self?

2. The novel presents a central coincidence that both the protagonist and Gabriel’s figurine are called Eloise. How did this alter or confirm your expectations?

3. The novel often contrasts the transactional, objectifying environment of the Platinum Pearl club with the sanctuary of Gabriel’s home. What role do these opposing settings play in developing the book’s core themes? Have you seen similar uses of a “safe haven” in other works, like the healing space of the garden in The Secret Garden (1910)?

4. How does the novel describe Ellie’s physicality? Is this different depending on who is speaking? What effect did these descriptions have on your sense of her character and the main themes?

5. Which scene or interaction between Ellie and Gabriel did you find to be the most critical turning point in their shared recovery? What aspects of the language or narrative structure made that moment powerful for you?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Ellie’s victim impact statement is a powerful declaration of her reclaimed identity. Imagine that she is asked to speak to a group of young people about resilience and the importance of self-worth? What would she say?

2. You are tasked with creating a book club kit for Most of All You. Besides discussion questions, what real object would you include in the kit to represent the novel’s central themes, and why would you choose it?

3. Choose a song that you feel captures the emotional heart of either Ellie’s or Gabriel’s journey. Which specific lyrics or musical elements resonate with that character’s transformation? If they were to listen to that song, how do you think it would make them feel?