One of my favorite things about writing Welcome to Seagull Street has been hearing how it sparks conversation about the unexpected twists life throws our way. Whether you’re in a long-standing book club or just getting a few friends together over coffee (or cocktails), here are some questions and topics to explore after reading to supplement the questions included at the end of the book.

WARNING: If you haven’t read the book, the questions below may contain spoilers!

Discussion Questions

1. Ray, Olivia, and Evan each have their own way of starting fresh. Did you see yourself in Ray’s cautious nature, Olivia’s outgoing warmth, or Evan’s easy-going attitude?
   
2. How did you feel about the way Ray and Evan’s romance unfolded? Which moments between them felt most authentic or memorable?
   
3. Luke, Olivia’s ex-husband, is manipulative and self-absorbed. How did his behavior influence your perception of Olivia and her choices throughout the story?
   
4. Brandon (Evan’s brother) and Raymond (Brandon’s partner) provide some light-hearted moments. How did their relationship and personalities add to the book’s tone?
   
5. Andrea (Ray and Olivia’s neighbor) brings in a multigenerational perspective. How did she impact the main characters’ journeys? Do you relate to her perspective and observations?
   
6. Uncle Jack (Evan and Brandon’s dad’s brother) and Mary (their mom) each hold family histories that ripple into the present. How do you anticipate their story will be told in the Book 2 flashback?
   
7. The pets — Ruby (Olivia’s dog), Charlie (Ray’s dog), and Cookies & Cream (Mary’s kittens) — all play important roles in moving the plot along. Which pet scenes stood out to you? Have your pets changed your life’s path?
   
8. Harry (Andrea’s grandson and Olivia’s love interest) enters the story later in the summer, proving that everything can change in an instant — you never know what a season might bring. What life-changing moments have you experienced that arrived unexpectedly, like Harry?
   
9. The two quirky seagulls show up at key moments in the story. When did you realize they were their own distinct “characters” rather than just background? Have you ever had moments in your own life that felt like fate, coincidence, or a little nudge from the universe?
   
10. The story includes news events and pop culture references from the summer of 2023. Did they resonate with you or feel disconnected? If you think of this book as a “time capsule” of that summer — and maybe even future historical fiction — which moments will stand out the most?
    
11. Think back to your own summer vacations. Did they shape your adult life in ways you can still see today?
    
12. Many times when you finish a book, only a few things truly stay with you. Welcome to Seagull Street is not only a story, but it also brings Ocean City, Maryland, to life as a character. Did you learn anything about the town — its people, history, or atmosphere — that will stick with you long after reading?

Themes to Explore

• Starting over after loss or upheaval
• How friendships can become chosen family
• The role of setting in shaping mood and story
• Balancing independence and vulnerability
• When secrets protect and when they harm
• How nostalgia and summer memories influence who we become
• The subtle ways pets and animals influence relationships and emotional recovery
• The role of current events and pop culture in shaping a story’s “time capsule” feeling
• The influence of family history on present-day relationships
• How new people can change the course of our lives
• Symbolism in everyday encounters
• Resilience in the face of manipulation or control

Join Me at Sapwood Cellars – August 7

If you’re in Central Maryland, I’d love to see you in person! The Sapwood Cellars Brewery Book Club is discussing Welcome to Seagull Street on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 7PM (Columbia, Maryland) — along with two other books by fellow Maryland authors. Space is limited, so please RSVP.

Comment Your Book Club Answers Below!