YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER Book Club Kit

Book Club Kit

Reading Group Guide 1. What were your first impressions of Naomi and Nicholas? From the beginning, it’s clear that there is a lot of pent-up resentment in their relationship—where does that stem from?

2. How does the planning of the wedding both intensify but also help clarify the true conflict between Nicholas and Naomi? What does each one of them want out of the wedding and marriage?

3. Discuss how Nicholas’s family is involved in his and Naomi’s life

together. What did you make of Deborah Rose, and how does Nicholas’s relationship with her change from the beginning to the end of the book?

4. Naomi’s sense of self is also in flux throughout the book. When she loses her job, how do we see her self-confidence change, and how does that trickle into her relationship with Nicholas? How does he ultimately learn to support her and her goals?

5. How does the house Nicholas buys ultimately help him and Naomi

come back together? What physical and symbolic role does it play in their relationship? What do you think the future holds for the couple?

6. How does You Deserve Each Other make use of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and in what ways does the author, Sarah Hogle, take it even further by making the hero and heroine a couple at the start of the book? What can this book teach readers about the power of second chances and the value of open communication?

7. You Deserve Each Other is full of adorable pranks and high jinks that

help Naomi and Nicholas get out their frustrations but ultimately show their affection for each other. What were your favorite moments of one-upmanship or banter in the book?

Plan your perfect wedding and we’ll tell you if you’re Naomi or Nicholas Pick a location:

A. Outdoors, ideally a beach setting B. Indoors, ideally a nice hotel or church venue Choose a centerpiece:

A. Lilies B. Roses

Mostly A’s – You’re Naomi!

A. Summer B. Winter

Incredibly passionate, Naomi loves—and hates—fiercely. She is a hard worker but can also be a free spirit. When it comes to planning her wedding, she loves to keep things simple but leans more fun than traditional.

What will you be serving at the cocktail hour?

Mostly B’s – You’re Nicholas!

How long will the guest list be?

A. Fewer than 100 guests B. More than 100 guests When do you want to get married?

A. Custom-crafted cocktails B. Champagne Pick a wedding cake:

A. Strawberry shortcake B. Vanilla and buttercream Decide on a honeymoon:

A. Tropical island resort B. European adventure

As one of Morris’s renowned dentists, Nicholas is a rule follower through and through.

Though he loves to indulge in the finer things in life and has a tendency to come across as aloof, he is actually sensitive at heart and loves to make people around him happy.

Deborah’s Salted Caramel Apple Cake It’s a Rose family recipe, passed down from generation to generation.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

For the apple cake:

For the apple cake:

3 cups cake flour (or 2 ²⁄³ cup all purpose flour, plus ¹⁄³ cup cornstarch) 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ¾ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened 2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup whole milk 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about 1 ½ cups)

For the salted caramel frosting: ½ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons water ¹⁄³ cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 ¼ teaspoons salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups powdered sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and slowly beat in the eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk until the batter is smooth. Then scrape the bowl again and stir in the apple by hand.

3. Scoop the batter into the prepared baking dish. Smooth out the top and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes.

Cool to room temperature.

For the salted caramel frosting:

1. While the cake is baking, place the brown sugar and

water in a large deep skillet. (You want to have a wide heating surface.) Turn on medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir and allow the liquid to bubble for approximately 5 minutes, until the sugar syrup is very dark. Remove the pan from the burner and whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Place the pan in the refrigerator to cool to room temperature. (If you add it to the butter while it’s warm, it will melt the butter and ruin the frosting.)

2. Once the caramel has cooled to room temperature, place

the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add in the caramel and beat again to combine.

Then scrape the bowl and slowly add the powdered sugar.

Beat until smooth.

3. Scoop the frosting on top of the completely cooled cake and spread over the top. Cut into 24 pieces and enjoy!

Recipe credit: A Spicy Perspective, aspicyperspective.com/apple-cake-with-salted-caramel-frosting/