Discuss Kennedy’s use of romance archetypes in The Score. In what ways does she reinforce or subvert traditional archetypes to explore the theme of Moving Beyond Socially Prescribed Norms in Romantic Relationships?

How does the novel’s dual-narrative structure help convey the stakes of the plot for the characters? How would the story be impacted if it were told from a single point-of-view?

How does Kennedy use Dean’s character arc to explore the importance of Choosing Personal Fulfillment Over Obligation?

How does the social world of Briar University, with its rigid hierarchy dominated by elite athletes, shape the novel’s central conflicts? How does this privileged and insular environment create the specific pressures that drive the characters’ choices?

Choose one of the traditional romance tropes that Kennedy incorporates into The Score—such as secret romance or reformed playboy—and discuss the ways she uses the trope to explore themes of personal identity or emotional vulnerability.

Compare and contrast Sean and Dean as love interests for Allie. What positives and negatives do each character bring to a relationship with her? How would the message of the book be different if Allie had ended up with Sean?

What rhetorical devices or literary techniques does Kennedy use to develop Dean’s friendship with Beau? How do these scenes between the two friends contribute to the novel’s thematic focus on Confronting Grief as a Step Toward Emotional Growth?

Compare and contrast The Score with other books from the Off-Campus series, such as The Deal or The Mistake. What similar elements or themes emerge across the series?