Although I found the premise utterly intriguing and the writing to be bingeable, I struggled with the overall execution of this book, which left it feeling like a very average read with a lot to say but an inability to actually do so.

The novel is told through different timelines and perspectives—mainly Kitty in the past and Elise in the present. Did you like the use of multiple timelines? Were you more engaged with one timeline over the other? With a plot worthy of a miniseries, an extensive cast, and a historical sweep, Paul succeeds in entertaining as well as enlightening. Elise St. John, one of the sisters and a celebrity in her own right, finds herself knee-deep in sorting out Kitty’s affairs. But what she discovers in Kitty’s journals turns her world upside down. We’re talking scandal, family ties, debts owed, and even debatable crimes. Whoa, right? Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul!I enjoyed "Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?" but I didn't love it. The past chapters, especially the ones from Kitty's perspective, were fantastic. There is a point where a ton of characters are introduced, and it gets confusing. Other than that, I was completely hooked and dying to know what happened next. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is an intoxicating and seductive debut, drawing you into an underground Hollywood world that is as glamorous as it is dangerous. Kitty Karr is an iconoclastic, complicated, and fascinating woman, whose legacy is as relevant as ever today. Crystal Smith Paul is a thrilling new voice in fiction and I cannot wait to see what she does next.” Elise St. John, a celebrity herself, faces various personal challenges throughout the book, including a cheating fiancé and a controversial social media post. How do these external pressures influence her exploration of Kitty’s past and her own self-discovery? How does she navigate the intersection of fame, personal relationships, and the pursuit of truth? The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.

The book examines the inheritances of family, race, and gender. Discuss the complexities and tensions that arise from navigating societal expectations, familial legacies, and personal desires. How do the characters challenge or conform to these inheritances? Paul’s debut is a riveting, often heartbreaking tale that explores race, privilege, and celebrity in America through the eyes of a one-of-a-kind character. Readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Piper Huguley will be enthralled.” The book features dual timelines, with one focusing on Kitty Karr’s rise to stardom in Hollywood and the other centered around Elise St. John in the present day. How does the use of multiple perspectives and timelines enhance your understanding of Kitty’s past and its impact on Elise’s present? Discuss the parallels and contrasts between the two timelines and how they contribute to the overall narrative. So, grab your coziest blanket, make yourself a hot cup of cocoa (or your beverage of choice), and join me as we unravel the mysteries and dive deep into the world of Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?Elise St. John, a modern-day celebrity, is caught up in scandals and controversies while trying to uncover the truth about Kitty’s past. How do her personal struggles and conflicts reflect the larger themes of power, privilege, and the pursuit of authenticity? Discuss the choices Elise makes and the consequences they have on her relationships and self-discovery. Kitty gets somewhat settled into her job at the Hollywood studio and she eventually meets a makeup artist who is also passing. This introduces her to a network of women, both passing and not, who are working to help those suffering through the Jim Crow South. Let’s talk about our thoughts about the sections dedicated to this work by the women. Crystal Smith Paul’s debut novel Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is reminiscent of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and The Vanishing Half, both of which I highly recommend. Kitty Karr, not so much. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is such an interesting story that really makes you think. It shines a spotlight on a dark area of American history. I think it will foster much discussion and learning. Discuss the theme of inheritance and its various forms in the novel. How do the characters navigate the legacies they have been given, whether it’s wealth, fame, or family ties? In what ways does inheritance shape their identities and choices?

Kitty was Elise’s next door neighbor and two develop a special bond. And even when she learns the truth about Kitty—that she was her real grandmother—Elise never blames her for her decisions. While at the same time, Elise is frustrated with her mother and her absence during childhood. Why do you think Elise forgave Kitty but it’s harder for her to come to terms with her mother? Nora insists they retreat to Summer Island in the San Juans, to the lovely old house on the water where Ruby grew up, a place filled with childhood memories of love and joy and belonging. There Ruby is also reunited with her first love and his brother. Once, the three of them had been best friends, inseparable. Until the summer that Nora had left and everyone’s hearts had been broken. . . . Delia Sweeney has always been unlike her older sister–fair and delicate compared to tall, statuesque Nora, whose hair is as dark as Donegal turf. In other ways too, the sisters are leagues apart. Nora is her mother’s darling, favored at every turn, and expected to marry into wealth. Delia, constantly slighted, finds a measure of happiness helping her da on the farm. The rest of the time, she reads about far-off places that seem sure to remain a fantasy. Until the day a letter arrives from America . . . A distant relative has provided the means for Delia and Nora to go to New York. Delia will be a lowly maid in a modest household, while Nora will be governess for a well-to-do family. In Queenstown, Cork, they board the Titanic, a majestic new ocean liner making its maiden voyage. Any hope Delia carried that she and her sister might become closer during the trip soon vanishes. For there are far greater perils to contend with as the ship makes its way across the Atlantic . . .Besides the overdone storyline, there were a few other aspects that didn't work out for me. First, there were too many POVs, making it confusing at times. It would often get jumbled and I had to re-read certain chapters to make sense of it all. This is a slow burn book, so it took awhile to get into the story. The book was too long and I struggled with the execution. The writing itself left alot to be desired. I really could not relate to the St. John sisters. You are already millionaires, who just inherited more millions and they were unhappy, ungrateful and overall seemed miserable in their lives.