54 pages • 1 hour read
Elena ArmasA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
As The Spanish Love Deception begins, Lina has escaped Spain, her former lover Daniel, and the suffocating nature of her family. Lina is so disenchanted with her previous life that she seldom visits Spain. Yet, when her sister Isabel announces her wedding, she is drawn back into the emotional maelstrom and believes she must pretend to have a boyfriend—not for herself but to make her family happy. Why does she fall back on emotional traps that she has worked so hard to escape?
When Gerald first insults Lina in Chapter 2, telling her that planning an all-day party would not take brains, why does Lina not call him out? Why do none of the other male directors speak up on her behalf?
In certain portions of the novel, Elena Armas describes a full day or a period of multiple days in a single chapter. Sometimes, she does the opposite, devoting multiple chapters to a single evening or car ride. Why do you think Armas makes the structural decisions she does?
Armas reveals that Lina suffers from severe trust issues as a result of Daniel breaking up with her. However, what other factors contributed to these issues? In what ways does she address them in the story?
While there was nothing illegal about Lina and Daniel’s relationship, individuals decided to harass the former with gossip. Gerald decided to do the same upon hearing about the couple’s kiss. What motivates a person like Gerald to start vicious rumors? To what degree is it grounded in sexism?
After a full day of watching Lina get along with Aaron, Daniel approaches her and claims she is not “completely happy.” Where does this sentiment come from? Why does he attempt to perpetuate a discussion when Lina dismisses his concern? What do Daniel’s brief appearances reveal about him as a person?
Throughout their trip to Spain, Aaron demonstrates his devotion to Lina. Despite this, she continually falls back on the belief that his affection is an act. Why does Lina have such a difficult time believing Aaron is truly in love with her?
After Lina and Aaron consummate their affection, she acknowledges that a part of her is still holding back. She fears using the “four letter word”—love. What finally compels her to acknowledge her love for Aaron?
Lina and Aaron go to great lengths to persuade Lina’s family that they are in love. But in the Epilogue, Lina indicates that she and Aaron returned to Spain the following Christmas and confessed everything. Since they ended up in love and together, why did they decide to confess their deception?
When Lina panics upon arriving in Spain, Aaron consoles her by saying that they are together and will succeed. At the end of the Epilogue, Aaron says “everything will always be okay […] because it’s you and me” (436-37). What is it about their relationship that inspires such confidence in him?
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