READERS GUIDE

Reader’s Guide
The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Vérant
Discussion Questions:

1. Kate has two wildly wacky and eccentric women in her life: her mother, Cri-Cri, and Garrance—both of them quite direct (and a bit bizarre) with their approaches to the world. Do you think their influence on Kate helped her to grow as a person? Or did they step out of bounds with their advice? What’s the best or worst advice the women in your own life have given you that you’ve chosen to take or ignore?

2. In the beginning of the novel, Kate makes it clear that her one and only true love is the kitchen, but when Charles (a.k.a. Anti-Keanu) steps into her world, she loses herself within fantasies of being with him even though, based on her first impressions of him, he’s a supreme jerk. Have you ever been attracted to someone who seemed completely wrong for you at first? Also, have you ever put the promise of love to the side when fighting for your own dreams?

3. Kate is surprised so many people come to her aid, especially after so many catastrophes. Why do you think she attracts so much positivity—people like Oded, Caro, Garrance, and Cri-Cri fully supporting her dream? Have you had people supporting you and your dreams when things aren’t going your way?

4. What did you think of the rage room scene, when Kate and Charles still distrust each other but kind of work things out? Do you think a situation like this would help or hinder a relationship to develop? Have you ever been to a rage room? If not, would you go to one?

5. Charles and Kate’s relationship moves from being enemies to working together to falling in love. Was this a natural progression for you? What would you change in the course of their dynamics?

6. Charles’s and Kate’s worlds get upended when Aria pops up, bringing up bad memories not only for Charles but also for Garrance. After hearing her reasoning, do you think Garrance was right to do what she did? Or should she have let Charles figure out his life on his own? Do mothers always know best?

7. Charles has always been wary of people taking advantage of him and his family because of their wealth. Was Kate wrong to accept the brooch from Garrance? What did you think about his reaction and eventual redemption?

8. A huge theme featured throughout the book is how food can transport you. Do you have a favorite meal that recalls memories? What is it? And does it bring on good memories or bad ones? Do you believe what Kate experienced was magic from Garrance’s spices or did it come from within herself? Or was it the chemistry with Charles?