Printable Book Club Questions for The Birthday Girl by Melissa de la Cruz

Melissa de La Cruz is the author of 50 other novels – have you read any of her other novels prior to this one?
What was your initial impressions of Ellie? Did that change at all as the book went on? Let’s discuss some of the key differences from Mish (Ellie) as a teenager from Ellie as an adult.
Let’s talk the significance of Mish changing her name to Ellie. Toward the end, Ellie remarks: names reflected where you were in life, marked the people who knew you at certain phases. Do you agree with this?
What did you think about Mish’s relationship with Leo? Were they good friends to each other? Why or why not? Was the jealousy a given between the two of them because of their similar situations?
Why do you think the story was told from Leo’s point of view in the past and Ellie’s in the present? Why was it important to present Leo’s perspective?
Why does it seem like Ellie is never satisfied in the present? What are the real reasons why she threw this over the top birthday party? Why do you think she invited people from her past?
What did you think about the relationship between Ellie and her husband?
Were you shocked about the reveal of Mish’s father assaulting Leo? What about with Leo’s murder? Let’s discuss the crazy climax. It seemed hinted that they shared the same father – did you catch that?
With finally addressing her past, do you think Ellie can move on? What’s next for her and her family?