The Ex

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

1. The novel contains vivid descriptions of heartbreak and emotional turmoil. How did these passages affect your reading experience?

2. Throughout the novel, Cassie struggles to keep her small business afloat. Were you surprised by the illegal actions she took to stay financially solvent? Would you have done the same thing?

3. Have you ever been unable to let go of a prior relationship? How did you handle that situation? Did Anna’s behavior resonate with you?

4. Which of the two male leads—Joel and Con/Dean—did you find most appealing? Why?

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

1. What role does technology such as location-sharing apps play in the book? Does the book present technology as a social positive or negative?

2. How does the novel’s interest in technology affect the themes of jealousy and heartbreak? Do you think modern technology has made it more or less difficult to handle these emotions?

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

1. How does the structure of the book—moving back and forth between two timelines and narrators—affect your reading experience?

2. Which of the two narrators—Anna and Cassie—did you find most relatable? Why?

3. How does the novel’s setting of New York City contribute to the reading experience? How might the novel be different if it were set in a different large city, or in a small town?

4. Explore the significance of the novel Wuthering Heights to the action of The Ex. If you haven’t read Wuthering Heights, did you find the references difficult to understand?