LOVE AND MISS COMMUNICATION

Elyssa Friedland attended Yale University, where she served as managing editor of the Yale Daily News. She is a graduate of Columbia Law School and subsequently worked as an associate at a major firm. Prior to law school, Elyssa wrote for several publications, including Modern Bride, New York magazine, Columbia Journalism Review, CBS MarketWatch.com, Yale Alumni Magazine, and Your Prom. She grew up in New Jersey and currently lives in New York City with her husband and three young children.

“A witty, wonderful, and thoroughly modern love story. Friedland’s writing is sharp and funny, tender and true. I couldn’t put it down.”

—Cristina Alger, author of The Darlings

“Wholly irresistible—smart and poignant and laugh-out-loud funny.” —Sara Houghteling, author of Pictures at an Exhibition

“A delicious and timely novel. Friedland takes a look at how our addiction to social media brings us together while keeping us apart.”

—Molly Jong-Fast, author of The Social Climber's Handbook

“A funny and fresh take on working and dating in the age of social media. Readers will root for the flawed but lovable Evie Rosen as she fights to separate who she is from how she appears online.” —Susan Gloss, author of Vintage

How do you feel about Evie’s dismissal from Baker & Smith? Do you think it was justified?

How much time do you spend on personal matters during the workday? What do you consider

excessive?

Evie’s previous boyfriend, Jack, says he doesn’t believe in marriage, yet she pursues a

relationship with him and continues to pine after him long after they break up. Why do we

always want what we can’t have?

Have you ever been tempted to quit the Internet, or at least quit social media? Evie says she

knows that what she sees online is not reality, yet it still upsets her. Do you have similar

negative reactions to social media?

Evie yearns for Bette’s approval in her life. Do you think she shares Bette’s traditional

worldview more than she’d like to admit? Does this shape the choices she makes?

Before going on dates with men, Evie uses Google to her advantage. Do you think she

should have regrets about her former dating habits, or is it a safe rule of thumb to know your

date? Do you believe Evie and Edward would have gotten together if she had, in fact, Googled

him?

What are the top three dating tips that you would share with Evie from your own personal

experience?

Evie struggles with being the only single one in her group of close friends. Do you think she

handles it well? Do you think it’s possible for friends to be close when their situations in life are

so different?

There is a recurring theme of jealousy and self-absorption throughout the novel. Are there

any times that you may have let jealousy, especially fueled by social stalking, get the better of

you? Discuss the ways Evie may or may not have evolved by the end of the book.

Fran is the ultimate mother— supportive, loving, and not judgmental. Yet Evie seems closer

to Bette. Why do you think that is?

In marrying Edward, Evie will become a stepmother to Olivia. Do you think she is ready for

that role?

What do you think about the Steve Jobs quote at the beginning of the novel? Is technology

really “nothing”?

Do you think Evie was particularly addicted to technology, or is that the way most people

are “wired” these days?

Aunt Susan tells Evie that life is better with complication, and Evie dismisses the comment.

Do you agree more with Susan or with Evie?

Do you believe Evie could have had a happily ever after with either Jack or Edward? Or is

there only one right person for her?