1. Although the story is centered on Casey and Kyle, they are part of a wide cast of characters that make up the book. Did you bond with any in particular?

2. If you could have advised one character during the story, who would it be, and what would you have said?

3. The story is told in a “then and now” format, moving between the past and present of Casey and Kyle’s relationship. How did this affect your reading experience and your understanding of their history?

4. How do you think the novel’s close-knit small-town setting affected the characters’ decisions?

5. When Kyle returns to Potsdam, he finds that, contrary to his expectations, most people do not harbor resentment about him leaving. Why do you think this is, and why do you think Kyle expected anger?

6. The circumstances of Casey and Kyle’s divorce are slowly revealed over the course of the novel. Were you surprised when the loss of Charlie was revealed? How did it make you think about what you had already read?

7. Casey and Kyle dreamed of traveling together, but they also feel a close connection to their small hometown of Potsdam. What role do you think this dream of traveling plays in their lives?

8. The middle school students that Casey teaches and Kyle coaches play a significant role in the story, especially because they are in the same grade that Charlie was in. How do you think interacting with these students helped both characters confront their past

9. Lack of communication is a major issue for Casey and Kyle as they rekindle their relationship. Did you find their struggles with vulnerability and honesty relatable?

10. Compare and contrast how Kyle and Casey dealt with their emotional pain. What were the differences and similarities? Could you relate to one or more?

11. What did Charlie’s tragedy bring up for you? Did it hit close to home in any way?

12. What significance does Star have in the story? Why is she part of it?

13. Wyatt and Casey have a very close relationship. Is their sibling dynamic familiar to you? Why do you think they begin to live more independently by the end of the novel?

14. Have you read books by this author before? What themes from WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? do you recognize from her other books? Did you find the Easter eggs?