July Book Discussion -- Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks

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BlueHeartScraps

BlueHeartScraps

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For the month of July, we're reading Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks, and if you haven't started it, you're in for quite the ride! I was honesty a little concerned when this one was chosen, afraid it would be too similar to a previous book we read, The Friend, to really enjoy...but boy, was I wrong! Once I got deep into Her One Mistake, I couldn't stop (even if it was 3am and I really, REALLY needed to go to sleep, lol)

If you haven't had a chance to finish (or start, lol) this month's book, no worries...there's still plenty of time to enjoy the book and take part in this month's discussion with us. If you need a digital copy to read along with us (epub, mobi, PDF) -- please don't hesitate to email me at ​
[email protected]
I'd be honored to share my copy to help others read and discuss with us!

Below are a few Book Club questions designed to start a discussion about the book -- however, feel free to ask questions, make comments and bring up any portion of the book you'd like. These questions are only intended to help get the comments flowing!

Can't wait to hear what all of you think about the book! ​
:)

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1. Does Charlotte’s momentary distraction implicate her in Alice’s unexplained disappearance? How does her behavior appear in light of her willingness to supervise four children at a crowded school fair? In your opinion, to what extent does Charlotte seem deserving of the attacks she receives from strangers on social media, and, to some extent, her friends?

2. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]"It pained [Harriet] to be away from Alice. It made her heart quite literally burn, but no one understood that" (p. 23). How does the intensity of Harriet’s attachment to Alice relate to her own upbringing as a child? Given that Harriet has never before been separated from four-year-old Alice, does her level of anxiety seem typical?

3. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]How does the author’s decision to narrate the novel through both the present- and past-tense perspectives of Charlotte and Harriet complicate the story the reader must unravel? Of the two perspectives, which did you find more compelling, and why?

4. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]In what ways does Charlotte’s friendship with Audrey differ from her friendship with Harriet? Of the two women, whom would you say is Charlotte’s closer friend, and why?

5. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]At what point in the novel did you become aware of disputed facts that called into question the reliability of the narrator? Whose version of the truth did you find more credible? Why?

6. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]To whom and to what do you think the "one mistake" in the book’s title refers?

7. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]What does Charlotte’s willingness to help Harriet in Cornwall, despite learning about her friend’s ongoing deception, suggest about her character? What compels Charlotte to ignore her instincts to help Harriet?

8. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]"She’d never have been able to consider that she could be capable of murder, but then being a mother can make you go to extraordinary lengths" (p. 307). Discuss whether you believe Harriet is innocent or guilty of murder. Does her unplanned pregnancy with George serve as a justifiable excuse for her actions?​
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Wasn't sure I would like this book but I really enjoyed it! I wouldn't mind a sequel with him not really being dead and coming back for a second round...​


1. Does Charlotte’s momentary distraction implicate her in Alice’s unexplained disappearance? How does her behavior appear in light of her willingness to supervise four children at a crowded school fair? In your opinion, to what extent does Charlotte seem deserving of the attacks she receives from strangers on social media, and, to some extent, her friends?

I do not think she deserves the attacking she receives! It is a natural reaction to check your phone for a moment or post something quick on social media, that's the time we live in. I do think however, I would have followed them to see if they got on since she was watching a kid that wasn't hers.

2. "It pained [Harriet] to be away from Alice. It made her heart quite literally burn, but no one understood that" (p. 23). How does the intensity of Harriet’s attachment to Alice relate to her own upbringing as a child? Given that Harriet has never before been separated from four-year-old Alice, does her level of anxiety seem typical?

I think it's not good that they hadn't had time apart before then, that's not health for the kid much less the parent. I think it is a reflection on her upbringing and counseling should have happened somewhere in there....

3. How does the author’s decision to narrate the novel through both the present- and past-tense perspectives of Charlotte and Harriet complicate the story the reader must unravel? Of the two perspectives, which did you find more compelling, and why?

I am more drawn to Charlotte's side of the story, partly because I don't think she should have been put in the suspect light so strongly. I have trouble with back and forths like this but I did okay keeping up.

4. In what ways does Charlotte’s friendship with Audrey differ from her friendship with Harriet? Of the two women, whom would you say is Charlotte’s closer friend, and why?

She is closer to Harriet because she isn't afraid to let her guard down and just be herself. I would say Harriet is her closer friend, although she does kinda ruin that.

5. At what point in the novel did you become aware of disputed facts that called into question the reliability of the narrator? Whose version of the truth did you find more credible? Why?

I found Charlotte's version of the truth more credible because it was clear pretty soon on the Harriet was lying.

6. To whom and to what do you think the "one mistake" in the book’s title refers?

Initially I thought it was that Charlotte wasn't watching the kids but now I think the one mistake is Harriet letting her husband control her. She goes about righting that mistake throughout the book.

7. What does Charlotte’s willingness to help Harriet in Cornwall, despite learning about her friend’s ongoing deception, suggest about her character? What compels Charlotte to ignore her instincts to help Harriet?

I think Charlotte will do anything to help someone in trouble, regardless of what they have done to her. She could hear the desperation in Harriet and knew she needed help. She was delayed because she had to make sure her family was okay first and that her sick kid was taken care of.

8. "She’d never have been able to consider that she could be capable of murder, but then being a mother can make you go to extraordinary lengths" (p. 307). Discuss whether you believe Harriet is innocent or guilty of murder. Does her unplanned pregnancy with George serve as a justifiable excuse for her actions?

I think you can't judge her unless you are in her shoes. In my opinion she felt there was no other way and she believed he was planning to kill them both. In that situation I probably would have done the same thing, with or without the pregnancy. I think our drive for self preservation in that situation would be enough to say it was self defense, not murder. After all, she didn't hold him down... she just didn't save him.​
 
This one was a page-turner for sure! I couldn't put it down either!

1. Does Charlotte’s momentary distraction implicate her in Alice’s unexplained disappearance? How does her behavior appear in light of her willingness to supervise four children at a crowded school fair? In your opinion, to what extent does Charlotte seem deserving of the attacks she receives from strangers on social media, and, to some extent, her friends?
​
That's a tough one...it really could've happened to anyone. We all have done it, checked our phone real quick, but I think that being responsible for someone else's child Charlotte should have been a little more attentive. I'm not surprised that she was attacked the way that she was.​


2. "It pained [Harriet] to be away from Alice. It made her heart quite literally burn, but no one understood that" (p. 23). How does the intensity of Harriet’s attachment to Alice relate to her own upbringing as a child? Given that Harriet has never before been separated from four-year-old Alice, does her level of anxiety seem typical?
​
I'm sure the fact that she was raised by an over-protective Mother had a lot to do with her attachment, but also the added dynamic of an over-bearing and unstable husband. I wouldn't let my child out of my sight either.​


3. How does the author’s decision to narrate the novel through both the present- and past-tense perspectives of Charlotte and Harriet complicate the story the reader must unravel? Of the two perspectives, which did you find more compelling, and why?
​
I enjoyed how this story played out...it really kept me interested. Charlotte's side seemed a lot more relatable. ​


4. In what ways does Charlotte’s friendship with Audrey differ from her friendship with Harriet? Of the two women, whom would you say is Charlotte’s closer friend, and why?
​
Audrey was a rock for Charlotte...she was there for her when she needed someone. I don't think a friendship could endure the kind of betrayal that Harriet did to Charlotte in the end.​


5. At what point in the novel did you become aware of disputed facts that called into question the reliability of the narrator? Whose version of the truth did you find more credible? Why?
​
There was so much in Harriet's story that she was dishonest about. I thought that Charlotte was easier to believe.​


6. To whom and to what do you think the "one mistake" in the book’s title refers?
​
There were a lot of mistakes, for sure...but in the end dropping her guard and using that pay phone to call her Father. That gave Brian all the answers he needed otherwise her plan may have worked.​


7. What does Charlotte’s willingness to help Harriet in Cornwall, despite learning about her friend’s ongoing deception, suggest about her character? What compels Charlotte to ignore her instincts to help Harriet?
​
Shows her true character, that she was willing to put Harriet's betrayal aside and go and help. Plus I think that she felt she owed it to herself to try and right her own wrong. I truly feel that Charlotte was doing what she needed to do for herself to get over Alice's disappearance.​


8. "She’d never have been able to consider that she could be capable of murder, but then being a mother can make you go to extraordinary lengths" (p. 307). Discuss whether you believe Harriet is innocent or guilty of murder. Does her unplanned pregnancy with George serve as a justifiable excuse for her actions?
​
I don't believe it was murder. She didn't kill him, she just didn't save him. As for George, I got the impression that Harriet had no other choice. Brian was a monster...and although the pages were winding down...I didn't count him out until the story was done. Sequel?​
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I really like your take on the mistake. I think you are right, even he admitted that’s when he started putting things together. On the flip side, had she gone through with her plan she would have been running for the rest of her life... it seems like this might have been meant to be with how at peace Harriet and Alice were at the end of the story.
 
CindyB said:

6. To whom and to what do you think the "one mistake" in the book’s title refers?

There were a lot of mistakes, for sure...but in the end dropping her guard and using that pay phone to call her Father. That gave Brian all the answers he needed otherwise her plan may have worked.​
Click to expand...

Oooh!! That's a version of the one mistake I had not considered -- but I like your thinking!
 
I have a different version of who made the Mistake. You'll see my take on the questions in a few days.
 
1. Does Charlotte’s momentary distraction implicate her in Alice’s unexplained disappearance? How does her behavior appear in light of her willingness to supervise four children at a crowded school fair? In your opinion, to what extent does Charlotte seem deserving of the attacks she receives from strangers on social media, and, to some extent, her friends?
I think it does implicate her, unfortunately. She should have been watching the kids the whole time. I don't think she deserves the attacks on social media though. Those people are scared and lashing out.
2. "It pained [Harriet] to be away from Alice. It made her heart quite literally burn, but no one understood that" (p. 23). How does the intensity of Harriet’s attachment to Alice relate to her own upbringing as a child? Given that Harriet has never before been separated from four-year-old Alice, does her level of anxiety seem typical?
I think it's directly related. She doesn't know any other way to parent than what she learned from her mother. Her anxiety seems typical for her, knowing what we know about her background.
3. How does the author’s decision to narrate the novel through both the present- and past-tense perspectives of Charlotte and Harriet complicate the story the reader must unravel? Of the two perspectives, which did you find more compelling, and why?
It complicated it a lot for me- it just seemed to get going, then she'd switch to the present or back to the past. Because of this, I couldn't really get into the book until the second half. I think the past was more compelling. There's a sense of urgency there that isn't the same in the present scenes.
4. In what ways does Charlotte’s friendship with Audrey differ from her friendship with Harriet? Of the two women, whom would you say is Charlotte’s closer friend, and why?
She's known Audrey longer and probably knows more about her than she does about Harriet, especially given she wasn't often at Harriet's house. I think Audrey is probably the closer friend. Charlotte turns to her more readily; there aren't any barriers there.
5. At what point in the novel did you become aware of disputed facts that called into question the reliability of the narrator? Whose version of the truth did you find more credible? Why?
I'm not sure, but I agree that Harriet's the least reliable. Charlotte felt more credible because she honestly didn't know the truth of what was going on.
6. To whom and to what do you think the "one mistake" in the book’s title refers?
Harriet- I think Harriet's one mistake was marrying Brian.
7. What does Charlotte’s willingness to help Harriet in Cornwall, despite learning about her friend’s ongoing deception, suggest about her character? What compels Charlotte to ignore her instincts to help Harriet?
It suggests that she is one to bend over backward for her friends. I think it shows the strength of how she feels about Harriet that she's willing to lie for her.
8. "She’d never have been able to consider that she could be capable of murder, but then being a mother can make you go to extraordinary lengths" (p. 307). Discuss whether you believe Harriet is innocent or guilty of murder. Does her unplanned pregnancy with George serve as a justifiable excuse for her actions?
I think she's guilty, though I did cheer when Brian was apparently drowning. Neglecting to save someone, even though he's a horrible person, is still a form of murder. If anything was a justifiable excuse for murder, her pregnancy was, though I don't think it was a justifiable excuse.

​
 
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