Discussion Questions
1. "I can't be bossy when I'm everyday Melissa, yet somehow when I'm walking in Honey's stilettos I turn into a whirlwind of retro-glamour and female dynamism" (p. 2). Compare and contrast Melissa's personality with that of her alter ego, Honey Blennerhesket. Why does Melissa feel compelled to transform herself into Honey for The Little Lady Agency? What does it suggest about her self-esteem?
2. How would you describe Melissa and Jonathan's relationship? Are they, as Melissa comes to believe, "more in love with the idea of each other than the reality" (p. 279)? Why or why not?
3. Is Melissa's reluctance to move to Paris indicative of larger issues in her relationship with Jonathan? How so? Discuss Jonathan's plan for the business he envisions running with Melissa. How do they each view her role in the company?
4. Melissa is convinced that Jonathan will never agree to her taking on the assignment with Nicky. Why, in fact, does her fiancé readily support the idea? And why is Melissa so surprised by his compliance?
5. Why does Melissa initially have misgivings about working with Nicky? Which of her methods of transforming him into a gentleman are effective, and why? Does Nicky truly change, or is it only an act?
6. Which aspects of Nicky's glamorous world intrigue Melissa?
7. Discuss Melissa's relationship with her family, whom she describes as "a bunch of melodramatic, self-centered schemers" (p. 12). If, as she says, "pretty much everything that went wrong chez Romney-Jones was my fault" (p. 27), why does she continually go to their aid and help them sort out their problems?
8. How do Nelson and Jonathan each view The Little Lady Agency and what it means to Melissa?
9. Melissa confides in Nicky that she is not sure Jonathan "really knows where Honey stops and Mel starts" (p. 272). Is Jonathan actually in love with Honey? Why or why not? How much of Melissa and Jonathan's relationship issues stem from the fact that he first met her as Honey?
10. When Melissa experiences some intense emotional turbulence, she says, "It was Nicky who did the best job of taking my mind off things" (p. 295). Why is Nicky the person with whom Melissa finds the most comfort? How do they progress from a contentious working relationship to something warmer? What do they have in common?
11. Melissa and Nelson have been flatmates and friends for years. How and why do Melissa's feelings about him change? On the way home from the yachting trip, why does Nelson push her away? Do his feelings about Melissa change?
12. What does Melissa learn about relationships from witnessing Granny's revived romance with Alexander? Of the three men in her life -- Jonathan, Nelson, and Nicky -- which do you think is the right match for Melissa?
13. Have you read the previous two novels featuring Melissa Romney-Jones, The Little Lady Agency and Little Lady, Big Apple? If so, how do they compare with The Little Lady Agency and the Prince? In what ways does Melissa change throughout the stories?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. Follow Nelson's culinary lead and serve a traditional English dish such as Shepherd's Pie, paired with a bottle of Bordeaux. Or toast your discussion with champagne and indulge in French chocolates, a box of which Melissa keeps in her desk drawer "to be doled out as daily rewards."
2. Channel your inner Honey Blennerhesket and dress like Melissa when she transforms herself, donning apparel and accessories like stilettos, a corset, red lipstick, and maybe even a wig. Or, dress like the alter ego you'd most like to be.
3. Have a "Little Lady Agency" marathon and read all three novels featuring Melissa Romney-Jones, either for one discussion or as three months' worth of selections.