2. Throughout the narrative, Annette continually searches for “happily-ever-after.” Do you think she has a Cinderella Complex (fear of independence and a desire to be rescued)? Or do you think that she believes the fairytale of a charming husband and happy life together can be a practical reality? Does happily-ever-after exist?

3. For six years, Annette worked as a topless dancer. Why do you think she called it “an unfortunate necessity”? Do you think working as an exotic dancer is degrading or empowering for women? Did your perception of Annette’s character change as the story progressed? If so, how?

4. Annette decided to homeschool Josh. Do you think it was a reasonable decision? Are disorders like A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. on the rise in school age children? Or has it become a too-convenient diagnosis for children with different learning styles? Would you have made the choice to homeschool?

5. Annette taught Josh how to cook, do his own laundry, and even how to fight. Do you think a single mother can successfully fulfill both parental roles for her children?

6. In a conversation with her son, Annette said, “You’re only thirteen. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. You only have seventeen years to be a kid. You’ll have more than seventy years to be an adult.” Are academic and parental pressures robbing children of their childhood? Or do you think it is better to prepare children early to give them a competitive edge?

7. Annette found a woman’s phone number on her ex’s cell phone bill from calls he had made while they were still together. How would you have reacted?

8. After her break-up with Kevin, Annette created a Five-Year Plan for her life. Do you think it’s better to plan your future or go along for the ride and see where life takes you?

9. Annette paints a comically unflattering picture of Fontana where she grew up, but she doesn’t feel like she fits in Orange County either. Why do you think she feels like an outsider?

10. Valerie’s character tells Annette, “You have to be realistic. A relationship is really about the benefits each person can get from being with the other.” Do you believe this statement?

11. When Annette saw Ryan’s grandparents together, she thought, “Enduring love. That’s what life is all about. That’s what we all want.” Annette broke off the relationship with Ryan when she knew she would never be in-love with him. Do you think a woman can settle into a relationship without love and be happy?

12. In reflection, when thinking about her life, Annette felt “…it had been a delicate balance of my responsibilities as a mother and my needs as a woman. Both were equally strong and equally important.” Can they be equal? Or must one be sacrificed for the other?
 
13. Annette dumped her “basket of issues” into Steven’s lap on their second date. Is full disclosure dating a good idea or a bad idea?

14. By the end of the book, Annette no longer remained friends with women she had known for over a decade. Do you think friends can outgrow a relationship with each other?
 
15. Annette felt “Perhaps it was serendipity. Fate. Destiny. Faith. Chance. Karma.” that brought her and Steven together. Do you believe a universal phenomenon like this exists? Has anything in your life come to you in this way?

top of the page

"The Break-Up Diet is delicious. Heartbreaking and humorous...any woman can relate."

—Jill Soloway, author of Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants, and writer for ABC's “Grey's Anatomy”

"In this delectable memoir, Annette Fix serves up a fresh, funny, honest, and insightful dish of sex and the single mom."

—Colleen Sell, Editor, A Cup of Comfort series