Reflect on the significance of dates and anniversaries in the novel. How do they contribute to the structure and pacing of the story, and what do they come to represent toward the end of the novel? How might the text differ if it instead revisited the characters on insignificant days of the year?

How does Nicholls employ flashback sequences to deepen characterization and provide insight into the characters’ past experiences? How and when do flashback sequences deepen the sense of romance and affection between Dexter and Emma?

What role does the cultural and historical context of the late 20th and early 21st centuries play in shaping the characters’ identities and experiences? Consider technology, politics, fame through media, and societal expectations for men and women.