Misconduct by Penelope Douglas

1.  

There is a twelve-year age difference between the protagonists of Misconduct. Do you believe the age gap made a difference as far as life experiences and maturity? How much of an age gap would be too much for you?

2.  

Easton fantasizes about standing in the middle of a burning room in chapter 1, but then she blows out the candle as she leaves the masquerade ball. Is there a significance in this action?

3.  

Tyler is stubborn about many things: social media, accepting campaign donations, taking on more responsibilities than he can handle. Why do you think Tyler is initially so inflexible? Is he naturally resistant or did he have good reasons for the fights he picks?

4.  

Why did Tyler question Easton’s teaching methods? Do you believe he had a genuine fatherly concern?

5.  

Easton avoids intimacy, choosing to keep her distance from forming any real attachment to men. What’s different about Tyler? Did she let him into her life, or did he force his way in?

6.  

So much of the city of New Orleans plays a part in this book. Have you ever visited the city, and, if so, what was your most memorable experience?

7.  

Had Easton’s parents and her sister not died, would Easton have stayed with tennis, or would she have discovered her gift for teaching?

8.  

If Easton’s parents had gone to the police about Chase Stiles, how do you think Easton’s life would have been different?

9.  

Easton uses social media tools to teach her students. If you were a parent, would you embrace this practice in your child’s school? What would be some of the advantages and/or disadvantages of using social media for instruction?

10.  

Tyler has a difficult relationship with his son, which he tries, throughout the novel, to fix. Given the demands in Tyler’s life, do you believe his actions to improve that relationship were commendable, or would you have tried something different?

11.  

Easton has some fun at Tyler’s house during the rainstorm, such as organizing his books in his study. Do you have any urges to organize something in other people’s homes when you visit? If so, what do you find yourself needing to organize?

12.  

Tyler is ashamed of his role – or lack thereof – in his son’s life when he was younger. Is what he said true, that it’s never too late? Or do you believe what Brynne said on the phone call, that there comes a time when we’ve been disappointed too much to ever repair the bonds?

13.  

How do you think Christian felt when he would hear his mom and stepfather talking badly about Tyler?

14.  

Keeping in mind that Tyler promised he wouldn’t hook up with anyone else, why did he entertain the idea when Easton presented him with Kristen?

15.  

In the end Easton and Tyler agree that Jack needs help. Knowing the amount of pain and stress Easton has suffered in her life, do you believe she’ll be able to reconcile with her brother?

16.  

Based on the relationship that Tyler and Easton share, who is more dominant?

17.  

Were Tyler’s reasons for ending the relationship in chapter 21 justified? Why or why not?

18.  

What do you think made Tyler finally see the light about what was truly important and helped him get his priorities straight?

19.  

As Tyler is running for office, and with politics filtered daily into our lives through the news and social media, do you believe Easton’s statement of “the most popular wins” to be a true statement? Do you research a candidate on your own without the influence of media before you vote?

20.  

Christian speaks his mind a lot in Misconduct, even showing up the adults in his life from time to time. Do you feel that he was right to hold Easton more accountable for her affair with his father? Why do you think her actions hurt him more than his own father’s?

21.  

Why did Christian keep his knowledge of the affair secret?

22.  

Do you feel that we place too much pressure on our children to excel at too many activities such as sports? Do you feel that the pressure Easton felt with her tennis career exacerbated her OCD tendencies, not just the counting but the need for perfection, or did the trauma of her parents’ and sister’s deaths contribute more?

23.  

Easton did not know Tyler’s political affiliation in his senate run. Which party do you believe she supports? Which party do you believe he supports?

24.  

Easton states to Tyler throughout their relationship not to be careful with her. What do you believe she means?