by Pintip Dunn
4. What does “scandal” mean? Does this definition change, depending on the size of the community? This story takes place in the fictional town of Lakewood, Kansas, with a population of 10,000, where many of the high school seniors have known each other since preschool. Would this story be different if it took place in a city? If so, in what ways?
5. CeCe seems to be the object of widespread harassment and bullying. Many times, she’ll cite “the football team” or “Tommy Farrow’s friends” as the perpetrators, but she really only identifies Justin Blake and Mackenzie Myers. What difference—if any—does it make if the harassment comes from two people or several? Is one type more devastating than the other?
6. What constitutes harassment? In the story, CeCe distinguishes between “stupid pranks” and something which should be reported to the authorities. Is there a difference? CeCe has her own reasons for not wanting to go to the police. Where should the line be drawn?
7. Sam states that bullies count on their victims being weak. Once the bullied takes a stand, however, the bullies lose their power. Is this true? Have you ever witnessed an example of this happening?
8. How does the Internet affect and/or change the nature of bullying? Some say the Internet can turn any place into a small community. Do you believe this is true? If so, does that mean the definition of “scandal” is affected as well?
9. Characters are manipulated in numerous ways in this story—whether it is through charm or fear or guilt. Is there a particular method that is more effective than the others? How can you identify when you are being manipulated? Or is that the very definition of being manipulated—that you don’t know?
10. When CeCe and Briony talk about posing for explicit photos, Briony defends her boyfriend by saying that he promises the photos will be for his private use. Is this a valid defense?
11. There are a number of secret relationships in this book. Sam states very clearly that he has no interest in being part of a secret relationship, but is the desire for privacy necessarily wrong? Are there any good reasons for keeping a relationship secret?
12. CeCe states that when her mother was alive, she could use her mother’s forgiveness to absolve her own guilt. But now that her mother’s not around—and therefore cannot bestow her forgiveness—CeCe will have to do something much harder and forgive herself. Do you think this is true? Do we use other people’s forgiveness as a way to erase our blame?
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Chomas
When Pintip Dunn’s first-grade teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, “an author.” Although she has pursued other interests over the years, this dream has never wavered. Pintip graduated from Harvard University, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. She now lives in Maryland with her husband and three children. Pintip is a 2012 Golden Heart finalist and a 2014 double-finalist. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, YARWA, and The Golden Network. Visit her online at pintipdunn.com, or follow her on Twitter @pintipdunn.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Copyright © 2016 by Pintip Dunn
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
eISBN-13: 978-1-4967-0359-0
eISBN-10: 1-4967-0359-6
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4967-0358-3
ISBN-10: 1-4967-0358-8