The Golden Couple

One of the book’s themes is The Risks and Rewards of Rule-Breaking. Explore this theme through one character other than Avery.

The book includes multiple red herrings to take suspicion off Matthew. Explore one of the red herrings and discuss its significance throughout the book. Options include Natalie, Polly, and Skip.

The book shifts back and forth between Avery’s first-person and Marissa’s third-person perspectives. Discuss the value of this narratorial shift and how it impacts the reader’s experience.

Consider the backstory about Tina. Why do the authors choose to include this backstory? What does it add to Matthew’s characterization?

Avery has her own subplot surrounding Acelia. What’s the impact of including this subplot? Consider how it shapes narrative tension and pacing.

Marissa doesn’t just have an affair; she has an affair in the home that she shares with Matthew. Discuss the role of domestic spaces in the novel.

Consider the character of Polly and how enamored she seems to be with Marissa’s perfection, even emulating her style and wearing her perfume. Explore the role of Polly’s characterization in the novel.

Matthew has a fraught relationship with his father, Chris. Discuss the authors’ portrayal of this father-son relationship.