Love Thy Enemy. (Maybe)
Wrapping Up Book One: The Clique.
Hello GLU’s! Welcome back to Book Club! This is our final discussion on The Clique, the first book in the series. Nineteen more to go!
On the last few pages, things take a turn for Claire. Here’s what went down:
It’s the OCD fundraiser auction. William Block and Jay Lyons take the stage and start singing “99 bottles” as a pressure tactic to raise money. When things reach level five cringe, the dads double down and ask their daughters to join them on stage. Mortified beyond, Massie and Claire hide in the bushes and spend the next two hours talking about TV shows, celebrity crushes, and more. They actually have fun together, which kind of freaks them out. For Claire, it’s Stockholm Syndrome in Westchester. For Massie, it’s a total identity crisis. It’s realizing that J. Crew has workable pieces. Now what? Is Claire Lyons the new Jenna Lyons? Can basic become baller?
Let’s discuss:
Claire remembers her “rock bottom,” where she swore that she would never, under any circumstances, believe that Massie would ever be her friend. Should Claire let her guard down and trust that a genuine friendship could develop? Or are you hoping that Claire steers clear of Massie and protects herself?
The book ends with Massie putting Claire on both the “in” and the “out” list in her State of the Union. Sure, Claire hacked the iChat, but during the auction, they had genuine fun together and had each other’s backs. So why keep Claire on the “out” side? Why not commit to “in”?
It will take a lot for these frenemies to build trust and move forward with their friendship. But should they even want to?
LFG! (Let’s F-ing Gossip!)
xoxo,
Lisi & Ellen
*** Next Wednesday, we crack the spine on BEST FRIENDS FOR NEVER! Start carb-loading now. It’s going to be intense.
1.I love the ending of the first book, specifically Claire comparing the moment they get up from hiding to the awkward “is he going to kiss me goodnight” at the end of a date. It was the beginning of a sisterhood! I think Claire should let her guard down, I know Massie did make her feel “rock bottom”, but everyone has their poor moments they regret in middle school, including Claire!
2.Massie is a tough shell to crack, and her happiness relies on the approval and worship of her friends. Claire was the girl to get her friends hate her, she’s not fashionable or wealthy, and deep down Massie knows that Claire is a threat. Massie has quite big emotions so I think when Claire tugged at her heartstrings that night and they formed a genuine connection it confused Massie not only because of the reasons above, but because she probably had never felt so herself. Massie guard was never fully down with her other friends because she was always trying to impress them.
3.Yes! Massie needs a girl like Claire who is down to earth and sweet, and Claire needs a girl like Massie who inspires her to shine!
1. Ugh I think Claire secretly knows better but if she’s anything like me then she’s also a hopeful friend, even to a fault. If Claire wants to be friends with Massie then she needs to get comfortable with the fact that she will still be walked all over as the newest PC member. I wish that Claire didn’t care so much about being Massie’s BFF and cherish her authentic friendship with Layne. 👯♀️
2. Ah-bviously Massie is still super hesitant to admit she likes Claire. I mean, Claire goes against everything she values when it comes to luxury but not loyalty so I can see why Massie has Claire on both lists. Also, if Massie admits that she likes Claire then that might make all of the other GLU-wannabes think that they can be part of the PC. She thinks she needs to maintain the aesthetic and narrow entrance rate of the PC to keep her as Queen B. 👑🐝
3. Claire thinks it’s worth building a friendship with Massie and Massie is craving the authentic friendship and unconditional love that Claire can give her but it doesn’t mean I think they should try to be friends. It’s such a sticky place to be in with a lot of potential for disappointment! 😅