Gold Digger

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

1. Explore connections between yourself and Lottie. Have you ever been in a similar situation? If so, how did you handle it? If not, how do you imagine you would have handled it? You may consider her socioeconomic standing, past family trauma, love for her sister, or any other aspect of her character.

2. Which theme resonated most with you? Why? Feel free to discuss themes not covered in this guide.

3. What part of the book evoked the strongest emotional reaction for you? Why? How did it make you feel?

4. Lottie states, “You’ve got all these threads between you in families, weaving in and out, strengthening you all as a whole, giving everyone a safety net, a sense of belonging. Don’t risk cutting any of the threads” (72). Do you agree with her? Why or why not? What experiences lead to your stance?

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

1. What does the novel suggest about romances across class divides? How do you think class shapes personalities, both in the book and in the real world? Do you believe that class divisions can be bridged?

2. How well does the book portray neurodivergent characters like Vicky and Hayley? How do you think society at large treats neurodivergent individuals?

3. Do you believe that men like Ollie are taught to be a hero and “save” women like Lottie? What roles do men and women tend to play in romantic relationships today? Analyze gender expectations.

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

1. How did the dual point of view affect the storytelling? Compare and contrast Lottie’s and Ollie’s voices. Which voice did you find more impactful, and why?

2. Analyze a symbol or theme not included in this guide. If it’s a symbol, what does it represent, and why? If it’s a theme, how does the novel present it, and what is the message?

3. What is Susie Tate’s strongest writing craft technique? Consider elements like imagery, voice, characterization, structure, dialogue, etc.

4. How does the British setting influence the novel’s tone and language?

5. Compare and contrast two characters. Examine at least three specific scenes that define each character’s personality, motivations, similarities, and differences.