Reading Group Discussion Questions

• Boone Creek, a small town in North Carolina, serves as the setting for this novel. How does the setting help or hinder Jeremy and Lexie falling in love? Could Lexie and Jeremy have fallen in love anywhere else?
• There seems to be an undercurrent of "Big City" vs. "Small Town" life in True Believer, much more so than any of Nicholas’s previous novels. In fact, Lexie once lived in New York, but returned to Boone Creek, and never regretted her decision. Is this story a remake of the children’s story "The City Mouse in the Country?" In small towns, people tend to know what everyone else in the town does, good or bad. How does Jeremy’s opinion of the town change as he begins to meet the people who live there? Is this realistic? Would you live in Boone Creek? Why or why not?
• Jeremy is attracted to Lexie the first time he ever sees her. Lexie, however, is less than impressed. Is mutual attraction necessary for two people to fall in love? In what ways to men and women differ when it comes to finding someone attractive? Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
• In the novel, Lexie is described as independent, strong-willed and confident. Yet, after a couple of relationships gone sour, she returned to her home town and has, for the most part, has given up on men. Is this because she’s strong-willed and confident, or because she’s fearful? Is this a contradiction? If so, is the contradiction fully explained? How does her personality play into her decision not to consider moving to New York?
• Doris, Mayor Gherkin, Jed, Rachel and Alvin are secondary characters. Why were they included in the novel and what role did they play in the story? What role did they play in the relationship between Lexie and Jeremy? Of these four characters, who was the most important? Who was the least important?
• As Jeremy begins his investigation into the ghostly lights in the cemetery, he is certain there is a scientific explanation, and his confidence never wavers throughout the story. Is Jeremy closed-minded or open-minded? Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen a ghost?
• When Lexie sees Jeremy in the cemetery, then again in the library, she's less than impressed. Later that evening, however, Doris hints that Jeremy isn't quite what Lexie thinks him to be. Are first impressions generally accurate? How would you have reacted to Jeremy's demeanor in the library?
• Jeremy and Lexie eventually fall in love. At what point did Lexie comprehend her growing feelings? When did Jeremy? Were their follow-up reactions in keeping with their respective personalities? Were you surprised that Lexie went to the beach? Would you have done the same thing?
• At the beginning of the novel, Jeremy uses the term "true believer" in a derisory fashion. At the end of the novel, however, he realizes that he too, has become a "true believer," at least when it comes to the miracle of pregnancy. Was this hard for Jeremy to admit?
• True Believer has a sequel, entitled At First Sight. What do you think will happen in this story? What should happen?