Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton

1. The novel alternates between three heroines in three different time periods—Eva in 1900, Pilar in 1966, and Margo in 2024. Which heroine did you identify with most?
2. All three heroines are trying to find their place in society and their purpose in the times in which they live. How do they find their voices? What empowers them? What challenges do they face?
3. Both Eva and Pilar have experienced trauma in the political events they have lived through. How do they process that trauma? What similarities do you see in their circumstances? What differences? What has given you solace during the difficult times in your own life?
4. The titular character Eva Fuentes embarks on an adventure when she participates in the largest Cuban-American cultural exchange as she travels to Harvard to attend a summer school for Cuban teachers. Have you ever been part of a similar exchange or study abroad? What was it like? What takeaways did you draw from the experience?
5. While they love each other very much, Margo and Luke struggle with juggling the demands of their careers and the different paths they envision for their marriage as well as the impact their family of origin has on them. Did you identify with some of the challenges they faced? Do you think they'll be able to overcome them? How does their relationship evolve throughout the novel?
6. Margo's job involves sourcing rare antiques and special items for her clients, and she feels like in her own way she is a custodian of their histories. Are there special family mementos that have been passed down in your own family or have you found your own items with unique histories?
7. The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes centers around a novel that changes the lives of the three main characters in different ways. Is there a special book that has changed your life?
8. Pilar safeguards books for Cubans leaving the country in exile. The books that she's tasked with hiding often have some special meaning for their owner. If you faced a situation where you could save only one book, which one would you choose to save and why?
9. All three heroines have jobs that allow them to interact with books in different ways. If you had to choose a job in the book world, which one would you choose? Why?
10. Pilar believes that if someone doesn't love to read, it's because they haven't found the right book for them yet. Have you been a lifelong reader or was there a specific book or event that ignited your love of reading?
11. Pilar talks about some of her favorite authors. Who are your favorite authors? What do you love about their books?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Berkley Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.