ALL THE DIFFERENCE

“A smart, sensitive, and ultimately empowering story about making choices and living with the consequences of those choices…The takeaway: you can choose the kind of person—the kind of woman—you want to become.”—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author

“An honest, compelling, heartfelt debut about the many paths to happiness.”—Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of All the Summer Girls

“Clever, emotional and heart-warming—a wonderful read!”—Mary Ellen Taylor, author of The Union Street Bakery

“Leah Ferguson is a stirring new voice in women’s fiction, writing a story that is both highly entertaining and moving.”—Anita Hughes, author of French Coast

All the Difference is a novel that follows one woman along two very different paths, which diverge when she must make an important decision. At the beginning of the novel, did you believe that Molly was going to say yes or no? Do you think she made the right choice?

Hindsight is something that we are privy to only after our choices have been made. How often do you side with yourself even in hindsight? How has hindsight led you to make stronger choices in the future?

Throughout the novel, Molly and Scott’s relationship shifts from emotional and carefree to focused on the baby and barely functional. Would it have made sense for them to stay together for the baby’s sake?

Molly refers to the songs and lyrics of Fleetwood Mac throughout the novel. Are you familiar with their music? How did it shape your imagination while reading?

Scott’s immaturity in both paths of Molly’s life is prevalent. Did you feel that Molly had unrealistic expectations of him or that he wouldn’t have been capable of change?

Under stress, Molly compulsively cleans to control her environment and calm her emotions. What tricks do you use to soothe yourself during stressful times? Are yours as helpful as Molly’s?

Jenny’s difficulty in getting pregnant made Molly feel guilty about her unplanned pregnancy. Have you ever been handed something another person was working hard to achieve? How did you deal with their feelings? Has the opposite ever occurred?

When Liam decides to give his relationship with an ex-girlfriend another chance, Molly lets him go. Were you proud of her for this? Do you believe in second chances when it comes to relationships?

Oftentimes people seek safety and comfort in the familiar. Describe some of ways the characters in the novel fall into their comfort zones.

Toward the end of the novel, Scott pleads: “You’re in my head when I go to bed at night, and you’re the first thing I think about when I wake up. It’s like, I didn’t need you when I had you, but now I can’t live without you. I’m obsessed.” Did you believe him or do you think he was upset for not getting what he wanted? What does this statement suggest a relationship with Scott would be like for Molly?

In Chapter 12, Molly observes: “Emily and Jack’s home, in this rambling neighborhood in West Chester, with the old stone houses and whitewashed fences and spacious, landscaped backyards, wasn’t real, even in comparison to Monica and Edward’s. This wasn’t authentic life, at least to Molly. Not right now, anyway. It was too perfect, and separate, and took a lot of work to maintain. Molly’s life was grittier, her path still filled with gravel and potholes. She wasn’t ready for an easy road yet, especially one already laid out for her. She was still content to keep walking and get to where she was supposed to go, eventually.” How is the comparison between her parents’ home and Molly’s life symbolic? How can seeking solace in chaos work to Molly’s benefit?

In Chapter 12, Molly recalls her skydiving experience: “But when she’d finally landed on the ground on weak legs and saw Scott rushing toward her, exhilarated, to wrap his muscular arms around her and lift her off the ground once again, she’d been grateful. To him, for pushing her—because he did have to shove her out of the plane—and to herself, for letting herself trust that it would be okay.” How has Molly grown throughout the novel? Do you think the Molly at the beginning of the book would have the same outlook?

When considering the two possible paths of Molly’s life, did you think she could end up without Scott in either? Are our destinies predetermined? How much control do we have over them?