Discussion Questions

Find Me in California

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***

  • You could say Find Me in California is four stories in one. Matt, Julia, Liza, and Ruby Rose each have a unique journey. Whose story is your favorite? What about their story did you find appealing?
  • Which scene is your favorite?
  • Do you have an estranged family member? How does this person treat you and your family? Have you thought about reconciling?
  • Matt and Julia both desire family, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they find themselves on the brink of facing life alone. Compare and contrast their situations. How do their past experiences help them understand each other? What draws them together?
  • What do you think happened to Matt during his weekend in the motel? Was he hallucinating? How did the experience propel him on his healing journey?
  • Do you think Julia was too meddlesome with Matt and Liza, or did she do the right thing by getting involved?
  • Multiple themes are woven through this story. These themes include forgiveness, family, secrets, self-worth, and love. Which theme resonated with you? What other themes did you find in the story?
  • Were you surprised to learn the truth about Matt’s and Julia’s grandparents?
  • What was your reaction to the big twist toward the end of the book? Were you caught by surprise or did you see it coming?
  • If you could peek into your future, would you have made some decisions differently? What one decision have you made that you regretted? Share what you would have done differently and why.
  • Have you ever lost a loved one before you had a chance to say goodbye? What would you have said to this person?
  • What are your thoughts about the ending? If you learned of relatives that you never knew about, would you reach out to them?
  • For fun, what is the significance of the date on Magnolia Blu’s last journal entry, August 1, 2016?