Cozy night
The MistakeBook club questions, food & host guide
Elle Kennedy
A cozy book club night for The Mistake by Elle Kennedy. Includes 8 spoiler-free discussion questions, food and drink pairings, a playlist, and a host guide, ready to print and share.
Friends who love a comforting romance, a good laugh and a heart-to-heart over something warm to drink
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A warm, funny and swoony college romance about second chances, where a charming hockey player has to earn back the trust of the girl he let down. It's perfect for a blanket-and-cocoa night when your club wants to laugh, sigh and swap stories about the people who made them feel seen.
Why it works for clubs
- Second chances and forgiveness give everyone a personal story to share
- Alternating his-and-her chapters spark gentle talk about seeing both sides
- Banter and humor keep the conversation light and easy
- Its themes of self-worth and belonging hit home at any age
Reading level
Easy
Warm-up questions
- 1 What were you curled up with (drink, blanket, spot on the couch) while you read this, and did the book feel like a comfort read or a page-turner for you?
- 2 The guys' off-campus house is a noisy, loyal little household. Which friend group or roommate situation from your own life came to mind as you read?
Digging in
- 1 The story is built around making up for a mistake. What does a real apology feel like to you, and what makes you believe someone means it?
- 2 Grace is finding her footing in her sophomore year. Did her story bring back how you felt at 19 or 20, and what would you whisper to that version of yourself?
- 3 Logan's easy charm seems to hide some heavier feelings. Did any moment make you want to give him a hug, and why did it land for you?
- 4 Which small, everyday moments between characters (a joke, a shared meal, a quiet night in) felt the most comforting to read, and why do those little moments matter so much?
Going deep
- 1 Deciding whether to give someone a second chance can mean protecting yourself and staying open at the same time. How did Grace's choices along the way make you feel, and did they change how you think about your own boundaries?
- 2 By the last page, what feeling did the book leave you with, and has this story nudged you to reach out, forgive or finally let go of something in your own life?
On the table
Baked Three-Cheese Mac and Cheese
Cheap, filling college comfort food made cozier, the kind of meal a houseful of hungry hockey players would polish off in minutes.
Warm Soft Pretzel Bites with Beer-Cheese and Honey-Mustard Dips
A homemade take on hockey-rink concession snacks. Store-bought dough keeps it easy, and dipping from a shared bowl gets people talking.
Apple Cider Donuts or Maple Blondies
A sweet nod to the book's New England college setting. Serve warm so the whole room smells like fall on campus.
To sip
Second-Chance Hot Chocolate Bar
No alcohol
Rich cocoa with marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks and caramel so everyone makes their own. It's forgiving, fun and fully non-alcoholic.
Penalty Box Spiked Cider
Warm mulled apple cider with a splash of bourbon or spiced rum. It's New England autumn in a mug, a little indulgent and good for sipping slowly.
Maple Oat Latte
No alcohol
A toasty maple coffee or chai latte, like the late-night study fuel of college life. Make it decaf so nobody's up all night.
Soft acoustic love songs and mellow indie, low enough to talk over and warm enough to feel like a hug
Tap a track to play it. Full songs play when you're signed into Spotify.
Run of show
7:00
Cozy Arrivals
Put the playlist on low and set blankets and pillows out. Point guests to the hot chocolate bar as they come in.
7:15
Comfort Food and Catch-Up
Serve the mac and cheese and pretzel bites. Let people chat about their week before any book talk.
7:40
Warm-Up Circle
Go around with the two warm-up questions. Everyone can pass, and short answers are fine.
8:00
Heart-to-Heart
Open up the theme questions. Draw question cards from a mug so the conversation wanders naturally.
8:40
Dessert and Trivia
Bring out the donuts or blondies and warm cider. Play the trivia in pairs just for fun, no scorekeeping pressure.
9:05
Deep Questions and Wind-Down
Finish with the two deep questions, fill out scorecards and hand out bookmarks as a goodbye gift.
Host tips
- Keep a 'pass' rule: anyone can skip a personal question, which helps everyone relax and share more.
- Prep the mac and cheese earlier in the day and keep it warm in a low oven or slow cooker, so you're sitting with guests instead of standing in the kitchen.
- Put a spoiler-free sticky note on the door for anyone who didn't finish, and save the deep questions for the end so they can stay for the fun parts.
You're invited
Blankets, Cocoa and Second Chances
Bring your coziest socks and your copy of The Mistake for a slow, warm evening of comfort food, hot chocolate and heart-to-heart book talk. Finished or not, you're welcome here.
Trivia
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1
What is the name of the series The Mistake belongs to?Answer: The Off-Campus series
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2
Where does The Mistake fall in the series order?Answer: It's the second book
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3
What is the title of the first book in the series?Answer: The Deal
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4
Which sport does the hero play?Answer: Ice hockey
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5
What is the name of the fictional college where the series is set?Answer: Briar University
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6
Which U.S. state is Briar University in?Answer: Massachusetts
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7
What country is author Elle Kennedy from?Answer: Canada
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8
How is the story narrated?Answer: In alternating first-person chapters from the hero's and heroine's points of view
Bookmarks
Cozy night
Second Chances
Some apologies are said. The best ones are shown.
The Mistake
Cozy night
Hockey Cozy
Cold rink, warm hearts, and a seat saved for you.
The Mistake
Cozy night
Found Family
Here's to the people who show up and stay.
The Mistake
Rate the book
Comfort Factor
Swoon Level
Laugh-Out-Loud Moments
Friendship Warmth
Reread Cuddle-Up Appeal
The moment that made me smile the biggest:
This book felt like a cup of:
One person I'd gift this book to, and why:
Print pack
- Question cards to pull from a mug
- Hot chocolate bar topping labels with hockey-themed names
- Printable bookmarks to take home
- Cozy scorecards with a pencil at each seat
- Mini trivia sheets for pairs
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