The theme of Art as Historical Reclamation is central to Verity’s professional life. Explore how her personal journey of self-acceptance and managing her Bipolar 1 disorder parallels her mission to reclaim the erased stories of Black and queer artists like Dessi Blue.

Citing specific examples, analyze the song lyrics included in the novel as works of poetry. In addition to considering literary and artistic techniques, discuss the songs’ connections to the novel’s characters and central concepts.

How does Score compare to Ryan’s other novels, such as Reel (2021) or Before I Let Go (2022)? What patterns can you identify in her choice of protagonists, themes, and source material across her work?

The novel weaves the real histories of Gladys Bentley and Hazel Scott into the fictional biopic of Dessi Blue. How does Ryan use this blend of historical fact and fiction to amplify the novel’s arguments about art, erasure, and resistance? Discuss how the struggles of these real-life figures provide a wider context for Verity’s own ambitions as a modern Black female artist.

The novel presents several forms of “sanctuary,” from the historical Black leisure town that inspires Black Pearl to Monk’s piano. Analyze the function of these sanctuaries for the characters.

The narrative incorporates excerpts from Verity’s screenplay about Dessi Blue. Discuss the effect of this stylistic choice. How do these scenes function to advance the novel’s plot, develop its themes, and create parallels between Dessi’s historical struggles and Verity’s contemporary ones?

Compare and contrast the novel to other second-chance romance novels like Casey McQuiston’s The Pairing (2020) and Liz Tomforde’s Rewind It Back (2025). What messages about love and healing do the authors offer through this subgenre?

Analyze how the novel’s detailed medical context for Bipolar 1 disorder challenges common stereotypes about mental illness in romance fiction. How does grounding Verity’s journey in specific clinical realities and treatments impact her character development and the novel’s exploration of love and trust?