Nora Goes Off Script

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What aspects of Nora Goes Off Script surprised you most as the story unfolded? How did Monaghan balance the lighthearted romance elements with deeper themes about identity and self-worth?

2. The novel operates within the romance genre while simultaneously critiquing its conventions. Have you encountered other books that similarly examine their genre, such as works by Jane Austen like Emma and Pride and Prejudice that both celebrate and satirize social conventions? How effective did you find this meta-approach in Monaghan’s hands?

3. How did the pacing affect your reading experience, particularly when the story shifts from day-by-day routines to broader time jumps after Leo and Nora’s relationship develops?

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

1. Nora finds strength in her daily routines and schedules, describing them as her “armor.” What role do routines play in your own life during challenging times?

2. The novel explores how Ben and Leo occupy space differently in Nora’s home and life. How do you recognize when someone adds value to your life as opposed to draining your energy?

3. Arthur struggles with father figures leaving and feels responsible for Leo’s departure. How do you think children process adult relationships and the departures of significant people in their lives?

4. What does Nora’s financial independence mean to her sense of identity? How do you balance the desire for partnership with maintaining your autonomy?

5. Leo finds joy in ordinary activities like grocery shopping because his celebrity has isolated him from normal experiences. What everyday activities does your personal context allow you to appreciate that others might take for granted?

6. Nora learns to take herself seriously as a writer when others begin valuing her work. Have you experienced moments when external recognition helped you see your own worth more clearly?

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

1. How does the novel’s portrayal of the entertainment industry reflect broader cultural attitudes about celebrity and privacy? What does Leo’s isolation despite his fame suggest about the costs of public recognition in our social media age?

2. As the family breadwinner, Nora subverts traditional gender roles while Ben refuses to work, yet she initially conceals this truth to protect his ego. What does her choice reveal about persistent expectations around masculinity and financial responsibility in relationships in a contemporary context?

3. The contrast between Nora’s small-town life and Leo’s Hollywood world highlights different definitions of success and fulfillment. How do contemporary society’s messages about achievement and lifestyle influence our relationship choices?

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

1. How does Monaghan use the tea house as more than just a setting? What does Nora’s relationship with this space reveal about her journey toward independence?

2. What role does miscommunication play in driving the plot’s central conflict? How does Monaghan create sympathy for both Nora’s and Leo’s perspectives while maintaining narrative tension?

3. The novel presents romance writing as both formulaic and emotionally powerful. How does this paradox reflect the broader tension between fantasy and reality throughout the story?

4. What significance does the title Nora Goes Off Script hold beyond its literal meaning? How does Nora’s departure from her usual formulas apply to both her writing and her life choices?

5. Nora’s sunrise ritual anchors her daily routine and becomes a symbol of resilience. How does this motif evolve throughout the novel as her circumstances change?

6. Consider how the contrasts between Ben and Leo serve the novel’s themes. What do their different approaches to masculinity and relationships reveal about healthy versus unhealthy partnership dynamics?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’re adapting one of Nora’s Romance Channel scripts into a different genre entirely. How would you maintain the core relationship dynamics while transforming the story into a thriller or science fiction narrative?

2. Write a description of Nora’s life if she and Leo never reunited. How might her character growth continue without romantic reconciliation, and what new challenges might she face?

3. Create a scene from Arthur’s perspective during the months after Leo leaves, showing how he processes his guilt about the text message. How would you reveal his emotional state and his understanding of adult relationships?