How to Write a Love Story

Ciara and Sam get off to a prickly start. At what point did you sense the tension building between them had shifted from professional to romantic?

From the quirky, ramshackle house, to the unusually warm summer, to the small, close-knit Irish village, the setting is a big part of How to Write a Love Story. What role did the setting play in the book, and how did it help shape the story?

How does Sam help Ciara work through both her writer's block and her grief over the loss of her father? What fresh perspective does Sam bring to the story Ciara is working on?

Sam tells Ciara not to be afraid to "give the characters their moments." What do you think he means by that? And what moments do you think stood out in Sam and Ciara's own love story?

Why do you think Ciara and Sam are drawn to each other? What qualities make them a good match?

How do Ciara and Maddie support each other through major life changes? What makes their friendship so strong?

Why was it so important to Ciara for her authorship of the final book in her father's series to remain a secret? Why did Sam's slip at the conference hurt Ciara, and what did you make of how they moved past that moment?

How did Ciara's understanding of her father change over the course of the novel? How does writing connect her to him, and help shape his legacy?