Yours Truly

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What is your initial impression of Yours Truly? Did the story take any turns that surprised you?
• Abby Jimenez’s previous book, Part of Your World, includes some of the same characters. If you’ve read it, how do the two novels compare? If you haven’t, does Yours Truly make you want to read it?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• Which character did you identify with more: Briana or Jacob? Why?
• How do you think the main characters’ profession as doctors influenced their romance? Did your personal experiences with doctors make you feel positively or negatively about their characters? 
• Both Briana and Jacob are in the wake of previous failed relationships when they meet one another. Have you ever been in a similar situation? Do you think a new relationship can be a great way to heal a broken heart, or do you prefer to take time alone before starting new relationships?
• How do Briana and Jacob change over the course of the story? Has a romance every changed you, for better or for worse?
• Jacob’s ex-girlfriend, Amy, ends up falling in love with and dating his brother. How would you deal with this if you were Jacob?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

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

• Jacob has severe anxiety, which causes him to be mistreated by his ex-girlfriend, Amy, but given extra care by Briana. What might the author be saying about the accommodation needed for people experiencing mental health issues? How does this subplot influence Jacob’s character development and the broader storyline?
• Both main characters are doctors and, at the beginning, in line for the same job. How does this equal power dynamic influence their relationship? How does this differ from broader tropes in the romance genre wherein the male love interest is in a position of power over the female protagonist?

4. Literary Analysis

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

• Code words are a key part of managing Jacob’s anxiety in social situations. What is the significance of implicit communication or hidden feelings in the text? How does this relate to Briana and Jacob’s original method of speaking through letters?
• Briana uses glitter to deface her ex-husband’s house amid their divorce. What does using something aesthetically pleasing or “fun” like glitter to convey emotional distress say about Briana as a character?
• How does the “fake dating” trope between Briana and Jacob develop their relationship?
• What does the story have to say about second chances? How do Briana and Jacob’s ex-partners factor into this message?

5. Creative Engagement

Objective: Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Write a letter either to Briana or Jacob from their love interest expressing all the things you wish they had said to each other earlier in the story. How might openness and honesty have changed the development of their relationship?
• Who would you cast as the main characters in a film adaptation of this novel? Would your choices be based solely on appearance or on something else?

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