One True Loves

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How did you emotionally respond to Emma Blair’s primary romantic conflict? Which parts of Emma’s story were most surprising or engaging to you, and why?
• What other contemporary romance novels does One True Loves remind you of? What distinguishes this novel from others in the same genre?
• What did you find most inviting about Emma’s story? Which portions of her story were frustrating, and why?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• How did you respond to the revelation that Jesse Lerner is still alive? Would you have chosen to be with Sam Kemper instead of reuniting with Jesse as Emma does?
• How did you interpret Emma, Sam, and Jesse’s love triangle? What is the novel implying about soulmates, true love, and new relationships, and do you agree?
• Consider the ways that Emma changes after Jesse’s presumed death. Do you agree with the novel’s implication that heartbreak can facilitate healing?
• Sam and Jesse bring out different sides of Emma. Do you believe that different romantic partners can draw out different facets of a person’s identity?
• How do you understand Emma’s relationship with her sister, Marie Blair? Do sibling or family relationships inform how you see yourself the way they inform Emma’s self-perception?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Since 2016, romance bookstores have gained increasing popularity in the United States and Canada. This trend parallels recent BookTok and Bookstagram trends that prioritize romance titles and authors. How do you think One True Loves fits into this growing romance readership and market? What social or cultural factors do you see as contributing to this trend?
• Do you see Emma’s story as a feminist story? Consider how her character evolution is motivated by romantic and familial relationships, as well as time spent alone. 

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How did Emma’s first-person narration affect your engagement with her story? Did you see her as a reliable narrator and a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
• How do you understand the narrative, formal, and thematic significance of the novel’s temporal structure? Did Reid’s play with linear time impact your immersion in Emma's story, and if so, how?
• How did you interpret the role of setting in One True Loves? Consider how Emma relates to her childhood home in Acton, Massachusetts, compared to how she relates to her life in Los Angeles, California. 
• What significance do you think Blair Books holds in the overarching narrative? What symbolic significance does it hold for Emma in particular? 
• Jesse proposes to Emma with a ruby ring, while Sam proposes to her with a diamond ring. What is the significance of each choice? 

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• One True Loves was adapted into a movie by Highland Film Group in 2021. If you’ve seen the film, how did your viewing experience compare to your reading experience? Would you have made different choices (regarding casting, pacing, etc.) if you were adapting the novel?
• Imagine how Emma’s story would be different if she chose to get back with Jesse instead of agreeing to marry Sam. Outline this alternate ending for the novel.

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.