Printable: Book Club Questions for Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

What does the title Broken Country mean in relation to the story as a whole? How much of a role did the setting play in this novel?
Let’s talk about Beth first. Did you sympathize with her? Were you frustrated with her decisions? What are your overall thoughts about Beth as a whole?
The story goes back and forth in timelines to paint the picture of how it got to the point where Frank is being accused of murdering his brother, Jimmy. Why was it important for us to read about the past events, including when Gabriel and Beth first dated?
Beth embarks on a love triangle with Gabriel and Frank. She believes she’s in love with two men at the same time. Do you think it’s possible to be in love with more than one person? Why or why not?
Who do you feel Beth is a better match with—Gabriel or Frank?
Beth and Frank’s son Bobby dies in a tragic accident as a boy. They both close off with each other, and don’t talk about Bobby. It is isn’t until Beth is around Gabriel and his son Leo, where she feels free to talk about Bobby again. Let’s discuss the reasons why Beth felt comfortable to tell them about Bobby.
What did you think first happened to Jimmy? Were you surprised when it was Leo who in fact shot Jimmy to protect his dad?
We learn that Frank covered up what Leo did, and took the fall for him. Eventually it’s revealed that Gabriel was the birth father of Bobby, and Frank felt guilty about the tragic accident that took Bobby’s life. Let’s discuss Frank’s thought process here and why he covered up for Leo.
Should Beth have found a way to tell Gabriel she was pregnant at the time? Why did Gabriel’s mother have so much influence?
Did you feel that Beth and Gabriel finally resolved their feelings after all the tragedies, or do you think their love is still lingering?
Frank does go to jail, but Beth is pregnant and eventually has a little girl named Grace. But Frank doesn’t want them to visit him in jail—he wants his first experience with his daughter not in a jail cell. Let’s talk about the ending when Frank finally comes home.
Do you feel Broken Country is a love story? Why or why not?