1. In the very first scene, Geri, Maria and Emmy discuss what situations they would want their characters to be in if Geri wrote them into a movie. Maria wants to kick butt, Emmy wants to fall in love and Geri wants to write an edgy New York story where there are no models. How many times did the events they talked about actually occur during the course of the book? (See the scene acted out www.nogoodgirls.com)

2. The author bookends the novel with the beginning and the end of a screenplay. Looking at what happens in both scenes, do you think the novel is one large act of kismet or do you think the novel is just another one of Geri’s stories? Did the story really happen at all?

3. After all, how often do you run into a homeless man who looks like Santa Claus wearing a garbage bag? Geri mentions that Emmy and Maria never noticed Max. How many other characters interact with Max? Do you think Max is Geri’s guardian angel, a regular homeless man who likes to spend his money at casinos or a scam artist? Is there any other proof in the book that Max exists?

4. Geri put herself in a position where she could have blown the whistle on Todd’s cheating. Do you think she did the right thing? Would you have told his fiancé and blown the whistle on Todd or walked away?

5. Which character is most like you? Geri, Maria, Emmy or Sally? Hedda? Ingrid?

6. The author does give a man’s name in the epilogue. Do you think Geri wound up with Joshua, Todd or someone completely different?

7. Geri’s emotions towards her deceased mother range from idolism to hatred. At times she wishes that her mom was around to teach her how to be a real woman. Other times, she wants to be nothing like her. How do you think the chapter in the hospital room affects Geri? Would you have turned around? In what ways does Hedda act like a surrogate mom to Geri?

8. During the attack, Maria did not have any time to think. She just reacted to seeing her friend get hurt. Have you ever had to make a snap decision with regard to the safety of another person? What ran through your mind?

9. How long have you known your oldest friend?

10. If your friend wrote you into a movie, who would you like to play your character? What story from your past would you want (or not want) told? What type of movie would you like to be in? Comedy? Romance? Thriller? Horror? Science Fiction?