48 pages • 1 hour read
The Pumpkin Spice Café
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Did you find Jeanie and Logan’s attraction believable? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think the “cozy romance” genre is rising in popularity? What elements of The Pumpkin Spice Café fit the conventions of this genre, and which groups of readers does it target? What other titles have you read in the cozy romance genre?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Is Dream Harbor a place that you would like to live? What aspects of this setting influenced your answer?
2. Both Logan and Jeanie are initially guided by fear. Could you relate to their anxieties? Discuss a time in your life when you felt this way.
3. When Jeanie arrives in Dream Harbor, she is determined to change herself to fit the expectations of others. Can this type of reinvention ever be a positive thing? Explain your reasoning.
4. Did you agree with Jeanie’s decision to forgive Normal for his harassment? Why or why not?
5. The author set out to create a “cozy,” comforting read. Did she achieve this goal? What elements of the novel, if any, contribute to this relaxed tone?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. How does the novel’s portrayal of work-life balance compare to attitudes within modern society?
2. How are the characters shaped by their microcosmic society? How might their journeys have been different if the novel were set in a big city?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. How does the novel’s portrayal of gender expectations—particularly expectations for men—affect the development of the plot? Is the author’s portrayal of this theme realistic or overexaggerated?
2. Compare and contrast the key locations in the story. What does each one bring to the novel?
3. What role does Jeanie’s brother play in her character development?
4. What does Jeanie’s initial belief in the supernatural communicate about her character?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. Write a diary entry from Lucy’s perspective. What concerns or insecurities might she express, in which she reveals her thoughts about an ambiguous or unexplained event in the story.
2. Imagine or create a travel brochure for Dream Harbor. What attractions would you feature, and how would you convince people to visit?
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