Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did you expect Larissa and Chris to overcome the barriers presented by their relationships with Mike? Were there any points in the novel when you thought they might not end up together?

2. Who was your favorite character from the core group of friends: Chris, Mike, Xavier, or Jesse? Did you find any of them more relatable than others?

3. The Night We Met deals with a lot of sensitive subjects. Did you expect this out of a romance? Why or why not?

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

1. Larissa debates whether she made the right choice in picking Mike over Chris for most of the novel. Have you ever felt torn between two romantic relationships? How did you resolve your dilemma?

2. When Larissa discovers Mike’s alcohol addiction, she realizes that their relationship is far less stable than she had hoped. Have you ever discovered something that changed your view of a person? How did you react to this?

3. Chris grows increasingly frustrated with Mike when he realizes that he has become more like his “keeper” than his best friend and equal. Have you ever struggled to feel like an equal in your interpersonal relationships? How did your experience compare to Chris and Mike’s dynamic?

4. Larissa, Chris, and Mike all realize by the novel’s close that they need to make bold new choices instead of sticking to familiar patterns. Has there ever been a time where you faced a crossroads in your life? What did you choose to do, and why?

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

1. How does Larissa’s constant gig work reflect contemporary expectations for work-life balance? Do you think this is a commentary about modern economics or society?

2. Mike’s alcohol addiction negatively impacts his self-image, work, and relationships. In what ways does the novel reflect, or contribute to, current discourses around addiction? How does it challenge or reinforce stereotypes about the condition?

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

1. How does Larissa change throughout the novel? In what ways is her character arc different or similar to Chris’s?

2. Examine how the novel depicts different kinds of love, such as romantic love between partners, familial love, and platonic love between friends. What do these different dynamics reveal about the nature of love in the novel?

3. Analyze how financial situations help or hinder characters in different ways. How does the novel depict the impact of money on well-being and/or power dynamics within relationships?

4. Consider Woofarine’s role in the narrative. How is he depicted? What is his wider significance in the text?

5. Compare and contrast The Night We Met with another romance novel by Abby Jimenez, such as The Friend Zone (2019). How are the two texts different or similar in their key themes and ideas?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine an alternate scenario where Larissa went home with Chris instead of Mike after the concert. How do you imagine the trajectory of their relationship? How would this impact Chris’s friendship with Mike?

2. Design or brainstorm an advertisement for Larissa’s catering business. What sort of catering style do you think she would have? How would you reflect her personality and interests in the advert?