The Risk

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. For readers familiar with Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series, how did The Risk feel as part of the interconnected Briar U world? If this was your first book in this universe, what was it like to jump into a story with pre-existing relationships and rivalries?

2. What did you think of the novel’s blend of sports drama and romance? Did you find one storyline more engaging than the other?

3. How successfully did the novel use the popular “enemies to lovers” and “fake dating” storylines? Did these familiar structures make the story more enjoyable and satisfying for you, or did they feel too predictable?

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

1. Brenna uses her signature red lipstick as a form of emotional armor to feel more confident and invincible. Think about your own life: What things, big or small, do you use to project confidence in challenging situations?

2. Jake panics at the thought of his new relationship becoming a “distraction” from his hockey career. In what ways have you felt a tension between pursuing ambitious personal or professional goals and making space for relationships?

3. The intense rivalry between Briar and Harvard forces characters to constantly navigate group loyalty. Think about a time when you felt caught between your allegiance to a group, like a family, team, or workplace, and a personal connection that crossed those lines. How did you handle that conflict?

4. Brenna’s painful past with Eric has made her fiercely self-reliant and hesitant to trust others, especially when she needs help. Why do you think it can be so difficult to ask for or accept help, even from people who care about us?

5. The emotional conversation between Brenna and her father, Chad, finally breaks down years of misunderstanding. Have you ever experienced a moment of radical honesty that transformed a relationship? What did that teach you about communication and vulnerability?

6. Brenna is fiercely determined to succeed in the male-dominated field of sports journalism. Have you ever pursued a passion or a goal in an environment where you felt like an outsider? What did you learn from that experience?

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

1. What does Brenna’s experience with Ed Mulder at HockeyNet reveal about the challenges women face in male-dominated professions? Where do you see similar kinds of gatekeeping or condescension in today’s world?

2. Hazel accuses Brenna of being a “puck bunny,” a term used to delegitimize female sports fans. How does the novel explore and critique the stereotypes that women who are interested in sports often face?

3. What does the intense pressure placed on college athletes like Jake, whose every move is scrutinized for its impact on his professional future, say about our culture’s relationship with college sports?

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

1. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from both Brenna’s and Jake’s perspectives? How did having access to both of their inner thoughts shape your understanding of their relationship and conflicts?

2. How does the meaning of Jake’s pink-and-purple beaded bracelet evolve throughout the story? In what ways does it transform from a personal talisman into a symbol of his and Brenna’s shared connection?

3. What function do the supporting characters serve? How do figures like Summer, Brooks, and Hazel act as foils who highlight key aspects of Brenna’s and Jake’s personalities?

4. In what ways does the intense, long-standing conflict between Briar University and Harvard function as an antagonistic force, actively shaping the plot and the characters’ decisions?

5. How did your perception of Chad change over the course of the novel? Did the final revelation about the source of his fear and emotional distance make his earlier behavior more understandable to you?

6. The Risk relies on the well-known “enemies to lovers” romance trope. How does Kennedy’s execution of this storyline compare to other examples you’ve encountered in books or films, such as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing? What, if anything, did this novel add to that classic formula?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’re Georgia Barnes preparing to interview Brenna for the assistant position at ESPN. Based on what you know about Brenna’s personality, knowledge, and experiences, what are two key questions you would ask to determine if she’s the right person for the job?

2. If you were to create a three-song playlist that captures the arc of Brenna and Jake’s relationship, what songs would you choose for the beginning (rivalry), middle (secret connection), and end (reconciliation)?

3. What advice would you give to Hazel after her confession to Jake? How do you imagine her journey of growth and friendship might unfold after the events of the book?