← Back to kit
Question cards Bookmarks Scorecards Download PDF
Want this emailed to you? or just download it above. We'll send a reminder before your meeting too.
Book Lovers
Book Club Night - Cozy night

Book Lovers

Emily Henry

A whip-smart, big-hearted romance about a cutthroat literary agent who reluctantly trades Manhattan for a tiny mountain town and keeps running into her bookish rival. It's a love letter to readers, sisters, and second chapters.

Reading level: Easy Best for: a club that loves swoony romance, witty banter, and curling up with something heartwarming

Discussion

Warm-up

  1. 1.What was the first scene that made you smile, sigh, or hug the book a little closer?
  2. 2.If you'd been escaping to Sunshine Falls with Nora and Libby, what comfort items would have been in your suitcase?

Digging in

  1. 1.Nora is often cast as the 'city girl villain' in other people's stories. Was there a moment her softer side made you feel especially tender toward her?
  2. 2.Sisterhood is the warm beating heart of this book. Which Nora-and-Libby moment reminded you of someone you love?
  3. 3.Charlie and Nora bond over books and editing in such an intimate way. What's a small, nerdy thing someone has done that felt deeply romantic to you?
  4. 4.Sunshine Falls is cozy on the outside but messier underneath. What real place gives you that same complicated, comforting feeling?

Going deep

  1. 1.Emily Henry plays with the idea that we cast ourselves (and others) into story roles. Did the book gently nudge you to rethink a role you've been playing in your own life?
  2. 2.Without spoiling anything, what did this story leave you feeling about love, ambition, and letting yourself be taken care of?

On the table

Sunshine Falls chicken pot pie
A hug in pastry form, perfect for the small-town diner energy Nora and Libby fall into
Warm brown butter chocolate chip cookies
Bookish comfort classic, ideal for nibbling between chapters of conversation
Build-your-own grilled cheese bar with tomato soup shooters
Low-effort, high-coziness nod to long reading nights and homey kitchen scenes

To sip

Spiked apple cider with cinnamon sticks
Warm, mountain-town-in-summer-evenings feel for the romance readers
Hot honey-vanilla London Fog (no alcohol)
Soft, bookstore-armchair drink for the editor in all of us
Sparkling rosé in coupes
A little Manhattan literary-agent glamour to balance the country quiet

Run of show

7:00
Soft landing
Greet guests with slippers-welcome energy, hand out warm drinks, let the playlist set the porch-light mood
7:15
Cozy graze
Open the grilled cheese bar and pot pie, encourage everyone to plate up and nestle into couches
7:35
Warm-ups
Ease in with the two warm-up questions while people are still eating, no pressure to be profound
8:00
Heart of the chat
Move into the theme questions, pass cookies around, let tangents happen
8:40
Deeper sips
Refill mugs, dim the lights a touch, and slow into the two deep questions
9:10
Scorecards and send-off
Fill out scorecards together, hand out bookmarks, share next month's pick with a hug at the door

Host tips

  • Tell guests in advance to wear their softest sweater or pajamas, it sets the tone immediately
  • Keep a stack of throw blankets by the couch and reading lamps on instead of overheads
  • If conversation lulls, ask what scene they'd reread on a rainy Sunday, it always restarts the warmth

Playlist

Soft acoustic indie and gentle pop, like string lights on a porch in summer

  1. 01The Book of Love - Peter Gabriel
  2. 02Cardigan - Taylor Swift
  3. 03Lover - Taylor Swift
  4. 04Hold On - Chord Overstreet
  5. 05Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
  6. 06Bloom - The Paper Kites
  7. 07First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
  8. 08Honey - Kehlani

Trivia

  1. 1. Who wrote Book Lovers? (Emily Henry)
  2. 2. In what year was Book Lovers published? (2022)
  3. 3. What is the profession of the main character, Nora Stephens? (Literary agent)
  4. 4. What is the name of the small North Carolina town the sisters visit? (Sunshine Falls)
  5. 5. What is the name of Nora's younger sister? (Libby)
  6. 6. What is the profession of Nora's bookish rival, Charlie Lastra? (Book editor)
  7. 7. Emily Henry is best known for writing in what genre? (Contemporary romance)
  8. 8. Name another Emily Henry novel released before Book Lovers. (Beach Read or People We Meet on Vacation)

Rate the book

Coziness ☆☆☆☆☆
Swoon factor ☆☆☆☆☆
Sisterhood feels ☆☆☆☆☆
Banter ☆☆☆☆☆
Reread potential ☆☆☆☆☆
One word for how this book made me feel: ______________________
The scene I'd reread on a rainy Sunday: ______________________
A character I'd invite over for tea: ______________________
You're invited
Sweaters, Snacks, and Sunshine Falls

Come curl up for a cozy night with Emily Henry's Book Lovers. Bring your softest socks and your favorite reading snack opinions, we'll handle the pot pie and cider.