1. This story takes place in Hollywood, the origin of our celebrity culture. Michelle loves her work, yet keeps her children as far away as possible. Do you think this is a realistic objective?

2. Michelle has compromised her career for her family and her family for her career. Are women wrong to want to have it all? Do you think women can have it all?

3. If parents experimented with drugs at some point in their life, should they share this information with their children? How do you think this could affect their relationship with their children?

4. Michelle was worried that Nikki was suicidal. Do you believe that suicide is prompted by mental illness or is a deliberate act? Is it preventable?

5. Why was it so hard for Michelle to forgive her mother? How did Michelle's history with her mother influence her when it came to being a mother to Nikki?

6. Michelle's hopes for her daughter changed from wanting her to be wildly successful to just wanting her to be happy. How do you think this compares with other parents? Do you think she was wrong?

7. Why did the author include Michelle's run-in at the DMV with a perfect mother whose tennis champ son became a junkie?

8. When Michelle wonders who she is without her daughter, she is talking about a large part of her identity. How do you think our identities are linked to our familial relationships?

9. Becca knows that the reason Michelle can't reach her friend Sasha is because Sasha is with Michelle's husband. Is she being a good friend by not telling her or a bad one?

10. How were Julie and Cathy both allies to Michelle? How did they also hurt her?

11. Many parents travel for business, but the film business is known for location affairs. How does this change the character of the mothers at home? Do you think it contributed to the weakening of Michelle's marriage?

12. When Michelle says she couldn't afford to miss Drew, what did she mean?

13. Why did Dr. Palmer value the very qualities in Michelle that threatened Drew?

14. Lexi notes that Michelle finds it "easier to blame" herself than to accept all the things that are out of her control. Why is this true for Michelle? Have you ever felt this way?

15. Elyse tells Michelle that Nikki is a mystery,” but she offers hints as to her whereabouts. Why doesn't she tell Michelle the truth?

16. The mothers in this story - Michelle, Elyse, Julie, Cathy, and Noah's mother - all took unethical actions to protect their families. What do these women have in common? How do they differ?

17. Do you believe what Elyse says, that there are no accidents?

18. How did Michelle's relationship with her son end up being the turning point in her testimony?

19. What is Michelle's true need? How is it different from her desire in this story? How are they related?

20. When Nikki ran away, the places where she spent time tended to be places where her family had vacationed. What does this say about Nikki?

21. Noah's mother was Jewish but worked at a Catholic hospital. What does this tell us about her character, and how is it reflected later by her actions?

22. How do the symbols of the turtle and the starfish represent Michelle's character growth?

23. Cake is a symbol that even the author was unaware of until the story was complete. The confection is featured at both the beginning, the end, and in a different but significant event

24. Which character do you most identify with and why?

25. How far would you go to protect your child?