- We read the story from the first-person view of Cassie in 2017 and third-person of Lore in 1985. Let’s first talk about our initial thoughts about both women. Did that change at all as the story went on?
- What was it about Lore’s story that motivated Cassie to write it from Lore’s perceptive? On a similar note, why did Lore agree to it after turning down so many media opportunities?
- Did you find any similarities between Cassie and Lore?
- Why did Lore embark on the affair? What did Andres come to represent for her?
- It seems with mothers, some people try to write off their entire identity as that, they are simply mothers. But as Lore shows, mothers have aspirations, desires and above all, want to be seen. Why do you think society seems to stereotype mothers in this way? Why don’t fathers receive the same treatment?
- Why did Lore marry Andres? What were her long-term goals—do you think she truly believed she could keep up this facade without being caught?
- Cassie comes from an unstable background and we learn that her father was abusive to her mother. After her mother dies in childbirth, Cassie leaves behind home and doesn’t return for years, leaving behind her much younger brother. While she hates her father, she also is so angry at her mother too for seemingly not standing up to her father. Let’s talk about Cassie’s misplaced anger at her mother.
- Motherhood is a huge theme of the novel. Lore says at one point, “Motherhood is the thief you invite in your home.” What is you impression of this quote?
- Cassie and Lore develop an interesting bond and they both push themselves to admit long-held secrets. How did this relationship change the two of them for good?
- Let’s talk about the scenes with Cassie’s father and brother back in Enid. Do you think that her father has changed? How would you have reacted if you were Cassie?
- What are your thoughts overall on the nature of true-crime reporting? Where do you think it crosses a line?
- Cassie begins to question if Fabian was the one who actually murdered Andres. First, did you think it was Fabian or did you believe it was someone else (Lore, Gabriel, etc.)?
- Let’s talk about Lore’s instant decision to protect Gabriel (when she thought he murdered Andres) and her family the minute she finds out Andres is dead.
- Why did Mateo murder Andres? Were you surprised by this reveal? How will his relationship with Lore change as a result or do you think it will remain the same like it did with Gabriel?
- Cassie does write the book but she leaves out the truth about the real murderer—Mateo. Why didn’t Cassie reveal the truth? Should she have?
- The story ends with Lore’s perspective and she admits that she combined memories of Andres when she described her first interactions with him to Cassie. It’s clear that Lore is a pathological liar—what else do you think she lied about when it comes to the retelling of the past?
- What happens next for Cassie and Lore?
- What does the title More Than You’ll Ever Know represent about the story?
More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez
More discussion at bookclubchat.com. These questions contain major spoilers.