Printable: Book Club Questions for Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

The story starts off during the Cannes Film Festival in 1955. Let’s first discuss the setting! Have you ever been to the French Rivera or is it on your bucket list?
Sophie is a perfumer—what did you think about the details regarding how to make perfume? Did you know much about the process going into the novel? Why is this the perfect career for Sophie? What do you think qualifies as an ideal perfume scent?
What did you think about Sophie’s first interactions with Grace Kelly? How did that meeting set the book in motion? Let’s discuss how their friendship develops throughout the novel.
What was your initial impression of James? Did that change at all as the book went on? Why do you think James and Sophie were so drawn together? In what ways did Grace Kelly serve as a fairy godmother to their relationship?
Have you watched any of Grace Kelly’s movies? If so, do you have a favorite? What did you think about her romance with Prince Rainier? Do you think she truly loved him or was it simply out of pressure from her father? Do you see any similarities between Grace Kelly and Meghan Markle?
Sophie has a tense relationship with her mother due to her alcoholism. Let’s discuss this relationship and how it impacted Sophie.
There’s so many vivid descriptions in the novel—what are some that stuck out to you?
While James and Sophie start to develop feelings for each other—they both keep secrets. James doesn’t tell her right away that he has a daughter. While Sophie doesn’t reveal that she’s in a relationship Lucien. What did they keep these huge secrets from each other?
What did you think about both Sophie and James’ character arcs? Why was important for us to read the story in both of their perspectives?
James is forced to leave France to be with his daughter and Sophie doesn’t get a chance to tell him in person how she feels. They don’t meet again until after Grace Kelly’s death in the 1980s. Were you surprised they didn’t try to get in touch in some way during that time before? Do you think it’s a fitting ending that they end up together after all these years?