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About The Book
“A sweet confection of a story, filled with heart.” —Nikki Erlick, New York Times bestselling author
Can one random act of kindness change the trajectory of a life? Serendipity has the power to fold two fates together and reunite a pair of lost loves in this enchanting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the “tug-at-your-heartstrings winner” (Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author) The Hundred Loves of Juliet.
Can one random act of kindness change the trajectory of a life?
In elementary school, Chloe Hanako Quinn is assigned Oliver Jones as her pen pal partner. Before sending her letter, she also whispers a note into it…and he hears her. Little does she know it would be the beginning of a friendship that would bloom into something more. That is, until disaster strikes, and Oliver and his family disappear without a trace.
Now over twenty years later, Chloe is a high school guidance counselor in New York City. But life in the Big Apple is not what she dreamed it would be as she faces a layoff, rising rent, a situationship, and loneliness. Desperate for encouragement, she gives herself a pep talk via uplifting messages written on yellow origami paper that she folds into roses. When one of the roses unexpectedly finds its way to a neighbor in need of cheering up, a desire to spread kindness and optimism is sparked in Chloe, who begins folding more roses and leaving them around town.
Across the city, Oliver has picked himself up from the rough circumstances that forced him to leave everything behind as a teenager—including Chloe. Now a successful financial analyst, Oliver’s past continues to haunt him. But when the city is suddenly inundated with yellow origami roses, a specific one finds its way into his hands and changes his life forever…
Can one random act of kindness change the trajectory of a life? Serendipity has the power to fold two fates together and reunite a pair of lost loves in this enchanting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the “tug-at-your-heartstrings winner” (Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author) The Hundred Loves of Juliet.
Can one random act of kindness change the trajectory of a life?
In elementary school, Chloe Hanako Quinn is assigned Oliver Jones as her pen pal partner. Before sending her letter, she also whispers a note into it…and he hears her. Little does she know it would be the beginning of a friendship that would bloom into something more. That is, until disaster strikes, and Oliver and his family disappear without a trace.
Now over twenty years later, Chloe is a high school guidance counselor in New York City. But life in the Big Apple is not what she dreamed it would be as she faces a layoff, rising rent, a situationship, and loneliness. Desperate for encouragement, she gives herself a pep talk via uplifting messages written on yellow origami paper that she folds into roses. When one of the roses unexpectedly finds its way to a neighbor in need of cheering up, a desire to spread kindness and optimism is sparked in Chloe, who begins folding more roses and leaving them around town.
Across the city, Oliver has picked himself up from the rough circumstances that forced him to leave everything behind as a teenager—including Chloe. Now a successful financial analyst, Oliver’s past continues to haunt him. But when the city is suddenly inundated with yellow origami roses, a specific one finds its way into his hands and changes his life forever…
Reading Group Guide
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Reading Group Guide - The Incredible Kindness of Paper
Topics & Questions for Discussion
Chloe loves the idea of serendipity, “that seemingly random things could change your life, if only you were open to them” (p. 42). What was your favorite moment of serendipity in the novel, and why?
The New York City setting influences Chloe and Oliver as characters and the atmosphere of the novel as a whole. How did the setting impact your experience of reading the book? Why do you think the author chose to set the story in New York?
Oliver keeps his true identity a secret from Chloe for quite some time. Do you agree with his decision to do so? Why does it make sense for his character to have behaved this way?
The Incredible Kindness of Paper features a rich cast of secondary characters. Who did you most enjoy spending time with, and why? How did they enhance the story, as well as Chloe and Oliver’s character journeys?
If you could create a custom ice cream flavor based on the themes and emotions in the novel, what would it be and why?
Why do you think Chloe and Oliver are well-matched? What parts of their personalities compliment each other?
Do you tend to be optimistic like Chloe or skeptical like Oliver? Did your tendencies toward one or the other influence your experience of the characters? How might you incorporate more of Chloe’s optimism into your life?
Oliver experienced significant trauma at a young age. What are the effects of his mother’s deception and family’s challenging circumstances on adult Oliver?
Which of the messages of kindness struck a chord with you, and why?
One of the main themes of The Incredible Kindness of Paper is that even small acts of optimism and generosity make a difference in the world. How do you see this playing out in the novel aside from the messages?
Enhance Your Book Club
As a book club, buy origami paper and watch a YouTube tutorial for folding paper roses. Write your own messages of kindness and leave the paper roses around your neighborhood.
Choose an episode of Evelyn’s popular podcast, Creative.Inspired.Alive, with a guest author you’re interested in, then read one of their books. Discuss how the podcast episode’s conversation influenced your reading experience.
In the spirit of spreading kindness and optimism, research volunteer opportunities in your community and volunteer as a group.
Go to a local ice cream shop and order an ice cream cake to enjoy during your discussion, á la Chloe’s birthday cakes!
Visit Evelyn Skye’s website, evelynskye.com, for more information on the author and The Incredible Kindness of Paper.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
Chloe loves the idea of serendipity, “that seemingly random things could change your life, if only you were open to them” (p. 42). What was your favorite moment of serendipity in the novel, and why?
The New York City setting influences Chloe and Oliver as characters and the atmosphere of the novel as a whole. How did the setting impact your experience of reading the book? Why do you think the author chose to set the story in New York?
Oliver keeps his true identity a secret from Chloe for quite some time. Do you agree with his decision to do so? Why does it make sense for his character to have behaved this way?
The Incredible Kindness of Paper features a rich cast of secondary characters. Who did you most enjoy spending time with, and why? How did they enhance the story, as well as Chloe and Oliver’s character journeys?
If you could create a custom ice cream flavor based on the themes and emotions in the novel, what would it be and why?
Why do you think Chloe and Oliver are well-matched? What parts of their personalities compliment each other?
Do you tend to be optimistic like Chloe or skeptical like Oliver? Did your tendencies toward one or the other influence your experience of the characters? How might you incorporate more of Chloe’s optimism into your life?
Oliver experienced significant trauma at a young age. What are the effects of his mother’s deception and family’s challenging circumstances on adult Oliver?
Which of the messages of kindness struck a chord with you, and why?
One of the main themes of The Incredible Kindness of Paper is that even small acts of optimism and generosity make a difference in the world. How do you see this playing out in the novel aside from the messages?
Enhance Your Book Club
As a book club, buy origami paper and watch a YouTube tutorial for folding paper roses. Write your own messages of kindness and leave the paper roses around your neighborhood.
Choose an episode of Evelyn’s popular podcast, Creative.Inspired.Alive, with a guest author you’re interested in, then read one of their books. Discuss how the podcast episode’s conversation influenced your reading experience.
In the spirit of spreading kindness and optimism, research volunteer opportunities in your community and volunteer as a group.
Go to a local ice cream shop and order an ice cream cake to enjoy during your discussion, á la Chloe’s birthday cakes!
Visit Evelyn Skye’s website, evelynskye.com, for more information on the author and The Incredible Kindness of Paper.
About The Author
Russell Baer Photography
Evelyn Skye is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including The Incredible Kindness of Paper and The Hundred Loves of Juliet. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, her books have been published worldwide and translated into sixteen languages. Find out more at EvelynSkye.com.
About The Readers
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (August 12, 2025)
- Runtime: 8 hours and 54 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781668122785
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