Reading Group Questions

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge/The Secrets of Sunshine

1.     What would your immediate reaction be if you saw someone fall from a bridge? Would you jump in after them, shout for help, or be too shocked to do anything?

2.     Mitchell lives in the shadow of shame and guilt about Anita’s death. Do you think men are more likely to lock their feelings away than women?

3.     Mitchell’s first instinct is to think about and look after his daughter, Poppy. Should parents always put their children first, or should everyone in a family be seen to have equal needs?

4.     What did you think had happened to Yvette? Were your suspicions correct?

5.     What do you think the main themes of the book were? What feelings did the book evoke for you?

6.     How did Mitchell change throughout the book? Did your opinions of him change too?

7.     Do you like to guess secrets and reveals in books, or do you prefer to be surprised?

8.     Liza has her own problems, especially with her sister Yvette being missing. Do all families have issues and how are these best resolved? Should they be kept within the family, or should outside help be sought out?

9.     The people of Upchester begin to write to Mitchell and the letters ultimately help him to move on with his life. If you could write a letter to anyone in your life, past or present, who would you send it to and what would you say to them?

10.  Mitchell reluctantly performs a song around the campfire, unaware of how the words will resonate with him. What is your favourite song? What do the words mean to you?

11.  Barry tries lots of different ways to meet women, and turns to online dating. What are the pros and cons of meeting potential partners in this way? What would your dating advice to Barry be?

12.  Mitchell and Poppy find themselves welcomed into the Bradfield family by Liza and her relatives. What benefits can families joining together bring? Can there be negatives too?

13.  Mitchell deals with his loss of Anita by making rigid lists, schedules and plans. Have you ever turned to coping strategies to deal with difficult times? What helped you?

14.  Who was your favourite character in the book and why?

15.  If the book was adapted into a film, who would you cast as the main characters?