If your book club is looking to discuss a contemporary novel with emotional and ethical resonance, look no further than Jenna Adams’ Can I Stray. Tackling complex issues around accountability, consent, co-dependency and mental health with empathy and honesty, this coming-of-age debut is sure to provoke a powerful response.

Told in three acts through two narratives, we follow Brooke from a quiet 14-year-old playing the part of Shakespeare’s Juliet and falling for her 18-year-old leading man, to the traumatic aftermath of their relationship. Brooke’s journey is moving, thought-provoking and certain to spark discussion, and some of those talk-worthy topics follow below (warning: contains spoilers).

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1. How does the author establish the initial dynamics between Matt and Brooke? How does this set the tone for the development of their relationship, and how it continues to impact them several years later?

2. How does the author reveal the emotional gap between Brooke and Matt at the outset of the novel? How does the author show Brooke’s self-esteem issues early on? Consider her statement: “I remembered a guy like him would never fall for a girl like me.”

3. What does Matt’s reaction to Georgia’s sexual advances reveal about his character, and about gender stereotypes? What does his morning-after reaction to kissing Brooke reveal about his character?

4. How did you feel when Matt implored Brooke to keep their relationship secret? 

5. Did you feel any sympathy for Matt? Did your opinion of him change through the novel?

6. How did you feel when Brooke got together with Matt after the prom? Were you surprised when she left the country?

7. Which scenes had most emotional impact on you?

8. Discuss the role played by Brooke’s therapist in her personal journey, and how his character is used to pull out the themes of the novel. Did you learn anything about mental health and co-dependent relationships through Sanjay?

9. Was Meg right to give Matt the benefit of the doubt? Should she have intervened back in 2010 when she suspected something was going on between Matt and Brooke?

10. When Brooke first reconnected with Charlie, did you think she could truly trust him? How did you feel when Brooke didn’t return to America? Were you surprised? 

11. Discuss the writer’s style. What did you think of Brooke and Matt’s narrative voices?

12. Has Can I Stray changed any of your views on the themes it explores, such as accountability and consent?