The Paris Match

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Paris Match blends a classic romance plot with heavier themes like trauma, grief, and family dysfunction. How did you feel about this balance?

2. Clayborn is known for her thoughtful, character-driven romances. If you’ve read her other books, like Georgie, All Along (2023), how did Layla’s journey of self-discovery compare to those of her other heroines?

3. Think about the scene that has stayed with you the most since you finished the book. What made that moment so memorable for you?

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

1. Layla’s journey is tied to overcoming a need to be amicable and prioritize her own needs. Have you ever felt pressure to maintain a certain image or role within a family or social group, and how did that experience compare to Layla’s desire to avoid conflict?

2. For Layla, Paris is initially a place filled with painful memories, but it transforms into a city she can claim for herself. Think about a place in your life that holds complex memories for you. How has your relationship with that place evolved over time?

3. Emily’s wedding crisis highlights the importance of balancing personal identity with partnership. Have you ever experienced a situation when your personal needs or desires became a source of conflict in your relationships? How did you manage that situation?

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

1. The novel grounds Layla’s story in the real-world “child-free by choice” movement. What did you think of the novel’s portrayal of Layla’s choice not to have children? What does the story contribute to broader conversations about what defines a fulfilling life?

2. How does the MacKenzie family’s connection to Paris impact the characters in the novel? In what ways do you see similar burdens of family history or expectation playing out in society today?

3. How does Griffin’s journey reflect contemporary perspectives on mental health and the importance of working toward healing after trauma? What message does the novel send about the nature of healing?

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

1. How did the narrative’s structure, alternating between Layla’s and Griffin’s points of view, affect your understanding of their individual arcs and their developing feelings for one another?

2. The city of Paris evolves as a symbol across the novel. What rhetorical devices or literary techniques does Clayborn use to emphasize the city’s symbolic significance?

3. In what ways do supporting characters like the blunt, comedic Rosie and the conflict-avoidant Michael serve as foils to Layla and Griffin?

4. How does Griffin’s character arc compare to other literary characters navigating physical and emotional recovery, such as Chaol in Sarah J. Maas’s Tower of Dawn (2023) or Charlie in Kathleen Glasgow’s Girl in Pieces (2016)?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If The Paris Match were adapted into a film, which actors would you cast as Layla and Griffin, and why? What tone would you want the director to strike—closer to a lush, sweeping romance or a quieter, more introspective character study?

2. Imagine you’re designing the soundtrack for the novel. What songs would accompany key moments, such as Layla’s arrival in Paris, her first real conversation with Griffin, or the wedding itself? How would the music evolve alongside Layla’s emotional arc?

3. Write a short scene from the perspective of a secondary character—perhaps Emily, Rosie, or even Jamie—reflecting on Layla’s transformation over the course of the story. What might they notice that Layla herself can’t see?

4. Design an itinerary for your own trip to Paris. Which neighborhoods, cafés, or landmarks would you include, and what personal meaning would you want each stop to hold?