Reading Guide Questions

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. What do Claire and Eva have in common? In what ways are they different?
2. How do you feel about Eva's decision to manipulate Claire?
3. Put yourself in Claire's shoes. How would it feel knowing that you've traded your life for someone else's? Would you feel guilty or fortunate? Why?
4. Describe the obstacles Claire faces once she escapes from Rory. Were there any difficulties that surprised you?
5. Compare Claire's relationships with other women in the book like Eva, Danielle, Petra, and Kelly. Are any of these women sim- ilar? In what way?
6. Discuss Eva's childhood. How does it affect how she behaves as an adult?
7. Identify some of the triggers Claire faces as a result of Rory's abuse. How do you think she can overcome them?
8. Claire makes the difficult decision to go public with her story, knowing full well that she may be met with criticism and disbelief. Why did she make this decision? Would you have handled the situation differently?
9. Liz is the only person Eva allows to get close to her. Describe their friendship. Why is it important to Eva? What does it mean to her?
10. Eva faces several huge difficulties in her life. Do you think her drug dealing is justified, given her circumstances?
11. Characterize Eva's relationship with Dex. Why does she feel be- trayed when she learns the truth about
12. How did you feel after reading Eva's final chapter? Do you think there was anything different she could have done?
13. What do you think Claire will do next with her life? Will she be happy?

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