1. How do you think Carlisle’s mother’s pending divorce affects her relationship with Jack?2. According to Ridgley, there are three types of women: Those born fabulous, those who learned to be fabulous, and those who would never, no matter what, be fabulous. How do you think Carlisle brought out the fabulousness of her less than fabulous debutantes?
3. How does Carlisle grow into her own fabulousness? Does she redeem herself for her first attempt at being a debutante?
4. Throughout the novel, Carlisle pits her Texas upbringing and her newfound Eastern brashness against each other. When have you ever had to shift between two worlds?
5. Willow Creek is vividly divided by the “Haves” and “Have-nots.” How does the debutante ball bring the town together? How does it pull it apart?
6. If you had to choose between the worlds represented by Jack and Phillip, which would you pick? Why?
7. What kind of role does family play in The Ex-Debutante?
8. How do you think the current generation of Wainwright Cushings mirrors their ancestors’ reputation in Willow Creek?
9. How does the debutante ball bring Carlisle, Savannah, and Janice together as partners and sisters?
10. As you read The Ex-Debutante, which character did you most identify with? Who did you least identify with? Why?