1. Before We Were Yours alternates between the historical story of the Foss Children and the modern-day story of Avery Stafford. Did you have a favorite between these story lines?

2. When the sisters were originally reunited, they decided to keep their history to themselves rather than telling their families. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? What do you think the implications would have been if they had gone public?

3. Do you think family secrets should remain secret, particularly after the people who kept those secrets have passed away? Or do family secrets belong to the next generation, as well?

4. Avery laments that the busy schedule expected of a Stafford has prevented her from spending time on Edisto Island with her sisters or Elliot. "Who chooses the schedules we keep? We do, I guess". In our modern age are we too busy? Too preoccupied with accumulating things to actually enjoy what we have? Too dialed into media and social media? What are your thoughts?

5. May says, "A woman’s past need not predict her future. She can dance to her own music if she chooses." How has your past made you who you are?

6. What do you want to leave behind? Anything? What is the true "music" of your own soul? Are you in step with it or out of step? What helps you hear your own music and find balance in your life?

7. Avery feels the pressure of being in a high-profile political family. Do you famous families are held to a higher standard than others? Should they be? Has this changed in recent years or is it just harder to keep secrets in today’s media-crazed world?

8. Do you think there will be a happily-ever-after ending for Avery and Trent? In your view, what might that look like?

9. Did you wish all seven of the Foss siblings could have found one another in the end? In your opinion, would that have been realistic or unrealistic? Why do you think the author chose not to bring all of the siblings back together?

10. This novel has garnered worldwide interest in the publishing industry and is being translated for publication in at least fourteen　 countries. Why do you think the story drew international attention? What themes in it are universal?