BROADWA

YBOOKS
 READER’S GUIDE TO

s.e.c.r.e.t

about the book

Widowed at a young age after a disastrous marriage, Cassie

Robichaud has settled into a quiet life with narrow boundar-
ies: the restaurant where she works, the “Spinster Hotel”
where she lives, and the sad, constant awareness of how long
it has been since she has been with a man. Cassie moves
through her daily routine clad in bleak practicality—hair in a
hasty ponytail, sensible work shoes, stained shirt—escaping
only briefly with a run through her neighborhood, chats with
her boss and friend, Will, and a voyeur’s longing for the
romantic happiness that seems to come so easily to her
patrons. When one of them leaves behind a notebook full of
salacious sexual details, Cassie gets her first glimpse into a new
world of sexual empowerment. . . . And her first introduction
to the unusual sorority that will transform her life. Dedicated
to passion, pleasure, and sensual discovery, S.E.C.R.E.T. is all
about women living their sexual lives to the fullest. . . . And
for Cassie, it’s the key to sexual emancipation at last.

Adel_9780385679701_3p_all_r1.indd 275 12/3/12 4:23 PM

 questions for discussion

1. What compelled you to read this book?

2. How does the book fit in with modern popular erot-

ica? Have you read other books with a similarly sexual
theme? How does this one compare?

3. Did you enjoy the writing? What constitutes good

writing in this genre? Do you hold it to the same stan-
dards as other novels or popular fiction?

4. How do you imagine the spark between Will and

Cassie first occurred? Why is she so reluctant to date
him during the years of their friendship? Do you
think they would make a good couple?

Adel_9780385679701_3p_all_r1.indd 277 12/3/12 4:23 PM

 5. What qualities do the members of S.E.C.R.E.T. see in
Cassie that make her an appealing candidate? Do you
agree with their assessment? Why do you think they
are so sure of her acceptance of their offer?

6. How have Cassie’s experiences with her father and

husband shaped her view of men and relationships?
Does her opinion of men change during the course of
the book?

7. During her ski trip, Cassie reflects on the sacrifices she

made for Scott and the ways in which she gave up—or
never explored—her own passions in order to please
him. Has she begun to more fully explore her own
interests through her year with S.E.C.R.E.T.? What is
she discovering about herself, and what (if anything)
do you think she still needs to discover?

8. Do you think the “steps” in the S.E.C.R.E.T. process

are intended to improve a woman’s overall life, or is the
focus strictly sexual? How does Cassie’s experience
with sexual liberation change her outlook on her
day-to-day life?

9. Do you think that organizations like S.E.C.R.E.T. exist

in the real world? Would you be surprised to learn of
such a group in your town?

Adel_9780385679701_3p_all_r1.indd 278 12/3/12 4:23 PM

 10. Cassie begins to recognize the “strange reciprocity” of
her S.E.C.R.E.T. encounters. Do you think there is
more to the male side of the story of S.E.C.R.E.T.?
How do you imagine the recruitment of the men
works? What do you think each of the men hopes to
gain? Why would each of them have agreed to the
arrangement?

11. Who do you imagine the hip-hop star to be?

12. Matilda described the S.E.C.R.E.T. men as “not the

greatest life partners.” Do you think this quality makes
them better candidates for the S.E.C.R.E.T. program?

13. Near the end of her year with S.E.C.R.E.T., Matilda

asks Cassie to name her favorite partners. Were you
surprised by Cassie’s choices? Was there one encounter
(or partner) that seemed most interesting or erotic to
you? Who would have made your shortlist?

14. On the night of the revue, why do you think Cassie let
Jesse go? Do you think she will regret her decision?
Would you have made the same choice?

15. At the end of the book, does Tracina know that Cassie
and Will spent the night together? Do you think Will
actually proposed to Tracina afterward? What do you
think will happen to Will and Tracina next?

Adel_9780385679701_3p_all_r1.indd 279 12/3/12 4:23 PM