Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of antigay bias.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did the novel’s happy ending strike you as the logical outcome of the characters’ choices, or did it seem artificial? Explain your answer.

2. Annie begins the novel by noting that she wants her audience to love her. Do you bear any affection for Annie in the aftermath of her confessions? What aspects of her personality repel you? Which ones draw you to her?

3. The Three Lives of Cate Kay is often compared to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Cate Kay’s publisher, Simon & Schuster, has also compared Cate Kay to First Lie Wins, by Ashley Elston. Do you see similarities between Kate Fagan’s novel and these other titles? What significant differences do you see?

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

1. What was your rection to the scene in which Annie finally reveals the mistakes she has made? Did you judge her in the way she fears that her own fan base will judge her, or did you think she was judging herself too harshly? Which of your own personal values contributes to your response?