Printable Book Club Questions for Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

There is a lot of talk about apples in the novel such as the cover and imagery. Joy was riding her bike with apples in the basket on the day she went missing. Joy’s mother-in-law apple crumb recipe is prevalent throughout the novel. What do you make of all the apple mentions and such? What does the title reference?
Tennis is a huge presence in the Delaney’s life. First, why do you think tennis became the sport of choice for Stan and Joy?
While tennis is pretty much life for Stan and Joy, it’s a different story for the kids. How did growing up with such a focus on the sport impact the children’s view on life?
What did you think at first happened to Joy? Did you believe Stan was guilty? Did your opinion change at all as the novel went on?
Why did Joy and Stan welcome Savannah, a complete stranger, into their home? Was it simply because of loneliness and wanted to be needed? On the same note, why did they let her stay?
The children for the most part are not impressed with Savannah and view her with suspicion. How would you react if your parents let a stranger like that stay with them?
We slowly learn that Savannah is not this sweet woman who simply likes to cook for strangers. But she has a ties to each member of the Delaney family and feels she was wronged by all of them. What did you think about these revelations? Should the family have felt guilty by their actions?
Harry Haddad is an important character despite never actually making an appearance (only in the background for context). Let’s talk about Harry’s presence throughout the novel and how it impacted each of the main characters. Were you surprised when it turned out Savannah was his sister?
Joy’s secret wasn’t an affair but she actually advised Harry to get a new tennis teacher. Let’s talk the impact of this reveal.
What do you make of Stan and Joy’s marriage? Do you think it’s toxic and should they have separated? Or do you believe they do actually love each other?
Why did Joy go on the retreat with Savannah? Did she simply feel sorry for Savannah? Or just needed to get away from it all?
Despite all the family drama and the almost arrest of Stan, the Delaney experience a pretty happy ending for the most part. What are your thoughts on their storylines as a whole?
The 2020 fires of Australia and eventually the COVID-19 pandemic both make appearances in the novel. Were you surprised to see real-life events in this fiction novel? Will this be the norm going forward?
So let’s get to the twist of the ending! Just when it seems like everything wrapped up nicely (minus the COVID mentions), we learn Savannah’s true, dark secret. Did she murder her mother? What happens next?
How does this book compare to Liane’s other novels?