1. The novel opens with Sloan swimming out into the dark ocean at night. Do you think Sloan does this because she is depressed? Have you ever done something so daring? Did you keep it a secret?

2. Social structure plays an important part in The Ocean Inside, from the rich lives of Lafayette Isle to the upper-middle class of Pawleys Island to the residents of Sandy Island. Is our society becoming more divided between the haves and the have-nots?

3. How did you view Lauren’s charity participation and unsuccessful social climbing? Was she shallow, altruistic or simply looking for a purpose for her life?

4. Lauren and Emmett have a traditional division of roles in marriage. Lauren takes care of the home and children. Emmett deals with the financial ends of things. Would they have made a better team if Lauren had more understanding of financial issues? Should Emmett have taken on more responsibility for Ainslie’s health or was he truly overwhelmed with financial obligations? Could more counseling have helped their situation?

5. Pressing to get serious too quickly in a relationship can be an early sign of domestic violence. How could Sloan have been more aware that Cal’s control over her was a type of domestic violence?

6. What do you think happened between Larry and his first wife?

7. Ainslie was a keen observer of how others treated her, from her grandparents taking too many photos to overbearing people at church. How would you have dealt with the child who stared in the pizza restaurant? How would you have insured that Ainslie was included in activities with other children?

8. Ainslie’s health improved and she lived happily ever after. Some of us won’t be so lucky. How much do you know about your health insurance situation?

9. Lauren finds happiness helping others in her new career. Many times women themselves undervalue the caregiving they provide others. How can women be available to their families and still find other means of personal fulfillment?

10. Was Sloan courageous for keeping secrets or should she have had to atone for her participation in Cal’s crimes? Was she a victim or fully responsible for her actions? Will Sloan be able to move on and shake the shadow that follows her or will her past come back to haunt her?

11. Is Emmett ultimately a weak character or a strong one? How did you interpret the last scene? Will Emmett come home or end up back at Larry’s? If he comes home will be able to forgive Lauren?