The Finish Line

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your initial reaction to The Finish Line? Did the book’s blend of dark romance and suspense provide a satisfying conclusion to the Ravenhood trilogy for you?

2. The series is framed as a modern-day Robin Hood story. How did you feel this concept played out in the novel, with the Ravenhood acting as vigilantes against the corrupt elite? Does the Ravenhood’s alliance with state power in The Finish Line undermine their claims to represent justice?

3. Which character’s journey resonated with you the most, and why? Was it Tobias’s fight for redemption, Cecelia’s path to empowerment, or another character’s arc?

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

1. Forgiveness is a central theme, portrayed as a difficult and lengthy process rather than a single act. Have you ever had to earn someone else’s forgiveness? Has anyone had to earn yours? How does this experience compare to that of the protagonists?

2. Tobias often justifies his secrecy and controlling behavior as a form of protection. When have you felt that a loved one’s efforts to protect you infringed on your autonomy? How did you deal with this tension?

3. The Ravenhood functions as a powerful found family, bound by loyalty and shared trauma. What chosen communities are important in your life?

4. Tobias uses a journal to share the parts of his past he cannot speak about aloud. Have you ever found it easier to communicate difficult truths through writing rather than conversation? Why do you think this can be an effective way to bridge emotional distance?

5. Cecelia’s flannel pajamas are described as her “personal armor” against emotional vulnerability. Do you have any personal rituals or objects you turn to for comfort or self-preservation during stressful times?

6. What does the concept of a personal “finish line” mean to you? How does the novel’s exploration of this idea, shifting from a physical place to an emotional state of peace, connect with your own ideas about goals and fulfillment?

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

1. Tobias King is written in the tradition of the Romantic anti-hero—a brooding, morally ambiguous figure. Why do you think contemporary romance readers are drawn to anti-heroes who operate outside of conventional ethical boundaries?

2. The novel culminates with the Ravenhood seeking official government amnesty, effectively legitimizing their vigilante activities. What commentary do you think the book is making about justice and power, and whether it’s possible for extra-legal organizations to be integrated into official systems?

3. What is the significance of Preston Monroe, a founding member of the brotherhood, becoming the President of the United States? How does this plot point explore the relationship between covert networks and institutional authority?

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

1. How does the narrative structure, which alternates between Tobias’s present-day reunion with Cecelia and flashbacks to his formative years, deepen your understanding of his motivations and his profound survivor’s guilt?

2. The novel makes a direct allusion to The Thorn Birds, a story of tragic, forbidden love that Cecelia is reading. How does this literary reference enrich your understanding of Tobias and Cecelia’s relationship and the sacrifices they are forced to make?

3. What role does the French language play throughout the novel? How does it function as a private lexicon for Tobias, connecting him to his past, his capacity for violence, and his moments of deep vulnerability with Cecelia?

4. Cecelia’s character arc shifts from being a passive object of protection to a master strategist who engineers Antoine’s downfall. How does the novel use the recurring motif of wings and ravens to chart this significant transformation?

5. What is the symbolic importance of the sand dollar that Tobias carries? How does its meaning change from the prologue, where he holds it as a memento of his father, to the epilogue, where its contents represent his new, found family?

6. Dreams and nightmares are a recurring motif. How do they function to reveal the characters’ subconscious fears and traumas, particularly regarding Cecelia’s distrust of Tobias and Tobias’s unresolved grief over Dominic?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The epilogue offers a glimpse into Tobias and Cecelia’s future but ends by focusing on Sean and the next generation. What do you imagine a typical day looks like for Tobias and Cecelia now that their war is finally over and they have reached their “finish line”?

2. If you were to write a short story from the perspective of a supporting character, such as Christy, Sean, or Julien, which key event from the novel would you choose to show through their eyes?

3. A film adaptation of the series is in development. Who would be in your dream cast for the roles of Tobias King and Cecelia Horner, and what qualities do those actors possess that make them perfect for the parts?