Hook, Line, and Sinker

The “friends to lovers” arc is a common trope in the romance genre. Explore the ways that Fox and Hannah’s platonic connection and developing intimacy support the romance plot. Does it subvert the “friends to lovers” trope in any way? Cite examples from the text.

The “reformed rake” is another popular trope in romance. How does Fox overcome his past pattern of sexual relationships and change through fidelity and commitment to Hannah? What might the novel be suggesting about the grounds for lasting passionate love and romance?

How does the action around the movie Sergei is filming help Hannah take on a leading lady role in her own life? You might consider the meaning of the title—Glory Daze—and Hannah’s relationships with the cast and crew, as well as her attachment to Sergei.

Analyze the roles of the supporting characters in the novel—Piper, Brendan, Fox’s mother Charlene, and Sergei—to show how their roles complement and facilitate the growth of the protagonists. What does a lead actor get to do that a supporting actor does not?

Discuss the ways that family roles and expectations play a part in how Hannah and Fox define themselves. What moves do they make to free themselves from these roles, and how do they envision new possibilities for themselves in the course of the novel?

Consider the roles that Westport, Henry Cross, and the Della Ray play in the novel. How do they work to support and amplify Fox and Hannah’s character growth and the romance plot as a whole? How do these elements serve to define or challenge the protagonists?

What role does Fox play in helping Hannah discover a connection to her father, Henry, through his music? Discuss how Hannah’s renewed sense of her father and connection to her grandmother fits with her new sense of self. Cite examples from the text.

Perform a structural analysis on the romance plot and break down the different beats, most significantly the moments of connection, doubt, recognition, reversal, withdrawal, and reconciliation. How does this plot structure work to engineer character growth as well?