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The Jezebel List
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26 Unleashing her inner Jezebel on camera was not part of Christina Edmondson’s plan, but nobody said rebuilding your life after religious and family trauma was going to be easy. A radical and heartfelt debut that celebrates the pursuit of joy, The Jezebel List is perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and B.K. Borison.
✔ Attend a pagan festival
✔ Get a Brazilian wax
☐ Watch pornography
☐ Explore a science museum
☐ Have a one-night stand
☐ Take the Lord’s name in vain, with relish
These barely begin to scratch the surface of Christina Edmondson’s Jezebel List. As the daughter of a once-respected fundamentalist pastor and running out the clock on her last semester at the ultra-conservative (read: ultra-backwards) Hilltop University, Christina is ready for a drastic change. Following months of intense therapy and years of being told that the enchanting evils of the modern world would lead to eternal damnation, attending a pagan festival feels like freedom. And then she catches the eye of documentarian Danny Reeves.
After meeting Christina and her Jezebel List, Danny is immediately inspired. Despite the recent burnout from his professional career investigating the injustices of the Evangelical South, Danny is certain that Christina’s story is one with the potential to resonate with millions. A fan of his work, Christina agrees to be the subject of his next documentary, but under one condition: they must complete her list together.
As they begin checking items off the list, neither one expects the spark burning brighter and hotter between them. But for Christina, outsmarting old demons is hard, and rediscovering yourself takes courage.
✔ Attend a pagan festival
✔ Get a Brazilian wax
☐ Watch pornography
☐ Explore a science museum
☐ Have a one-night stand
☐ Take the Lord’s name in vain, with relish
These barely begin to scratch the surface of Christina Edmondson’s Jezebel List. As the daughter of a once-respected fundamentalist pastor and running out the clock on her last semester at the ultra-conservative (read: ultra-backwards) Hilltop University, Christina is ready for a drastic change. Following months of intense therapy and years of being told that the enchanting evils of the modern world would lead to eternal damnation, attending a pagan festival feels like freedom. And then she catches the eye of documentarian Danny Reeves.
After meeting Christina and her Jezebel List, Danny is immediately inspired. Despite the recent burnout from his professional career investigating the injustices of the Evangelical South, Danny is certain that Christina’s story is one with the potential to resonate with millions. A fan of his work, Christina agrees to be the subject of his next documentary, but under one condition: they must complete her list together.
As they begin checking items off the list, neither one expects the spark burning brighter and hotter between them. But for Christina, outsmarting old demons is hard, and rediscovering yourself takes courage.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 25, 2026
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Alisa Dean
1 book6 followersAlisa Dean writes romance primarily at her favorite local coffee shop, hopeful that anyone sneaking a peek at her steamy screen will be intrigued and even liberated by stories of love, desire, self-discovery, and partnership. As a university professor, Alisa also writes less-liberating academic articles about how writing works in the world, and she will likely encourage her students to analyze this very bio for its patterns. Alisa favors long walks among very tall trees with her characters for company.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a hard-to-please romance reader, but Alisa Dean’s The Jezebel List has revived my love for the genre in a way I didn’t even know was possible. At the same time, this book felt completely unique in the way it brings together complex characters, religious themes, and swoon-worthy romance. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel like Alisa Dean is doing something special, something that cannot be replicated. You might even say she’s making the ordinary feel magical ;) (ifykyk).
Never have I read a book (and I’ve read a lot of books!) that felt so carefully and intentionally crafted to create a reading experience that is funny, emotionally moving, warm and cozy, and sexy and swoon-worthy all at once. At the heart of the novel’s success are, of course, the two main characters—Christina and Danny. Each of them felt genuine and dynamic in a way that was incredibly refreshing. I never once rolled my eyes at any silly decisions or frustrating miscommunication because Christina and Danny felt like real people making real choices that stayed true to who they were. We come to know them on such an intimate and personal level in this story (yay for dual POV!) that I could truly empathize with their past and present choices.
For me, however, the real excellence of this book comes from the unabashed way it handles deeply difficult and emotional themes related to religious trauma. While I’m not from the Evangelical South specifically, nor am I a pastor’s daughter, I related to Christina’s experiences on a very deep and emotional level. I did not expect this book—which feels warm and cozy most of the time—to also feel so personal. At moments, it felt like Alisa Dean reached deep into the depths of my soul (which may or may not be damned???) and soothed all the parts of me that felt emotionally betrayed and hurt by past religious experiences.
You definitely don’t need to have experienced religious trauma to enjoy this book, but if you have...then this book is absolutely for you. The girls who get it, get it, you know? I never expected a romance novel to make me feel so seen and whole and new and accepted in a way that I haven’t in a long time.
“[L]ife is random and chaotic and meaningless, but we still create meaning. Maybe that’s even more beautiful than some master plan or cosmic scale.”
This book reminded me to see the beauty in who I am, as I am, and to appreciate all the parts of my past, present, and future that make me me. I implore you all to do yourselves a favor and read the hell out of this.
Never have I read a book (and I’ve read a lot of books!) that felt so carefully and intentionally crafted to create a reading experience that is funny, emotionally moving, warm and cozy, and sexy and swoon-worthy all at once. At the heart of the novel’s success are, of course, the two main characters—Christina and Danny. Each of them felt genuine and dynamic in a way that was incredibly refreshing. I never once rolled my eyes at any silly decisions or frustrating miscommunication because Christina and Danny felt like real people making real choices that stayed true to who they were. We come to know them on such an intimate and personal level in this story (yay for dual POV!) that I could truly empathize with their past and present choices.
For me, however, the real excellence of this book comes from the unabashed way it handles deeply difficult and emotional themes related to religious trauma. While I’m not from the Evangelical South specifically, nor am I a pastor’s daughter, I related to Christina’s experiences on a very deep and emotional level. I did not expect this book—which feels warm and cozy most of the time—to also feel so personal. At moments, it felt like Alisa Dean reached deep into the depths of my soul (which may or may not be damned???) and soothed all the parts of me that felt emotionally betrayed and hurt by past religious experiences.
You definitely don’t need to have experienced religious trauma to enjoy this book, but if you have...then this book is absolutely for you. The girls who get it, get it, you know? I never expected a romance novel to make me feel so seen and whole and new and accepted in a way that I haven’t in a long time.
“[L]ife is random and chaotic and meaningless, but we still create meaning. Maybe that’s even more beautiful than some master plan or cosmic scale.”
This book reminded me to see the beauty in who I am, as I am, and to appreciate all the parts of my past, present, and future that make me me. I implore you all to do yourselves a favor and read the hell out of this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After staying up all night reading this on the eve of my birthday, I woke up feeling like a Jezebel.
Someone who lets herself want. Who relishes in her desires. Who trusts she has what she needs to figure it out.
While I didn't grow up with the same kind of religious trauma Christina did, I did grow up with a lot of guilt and shame around my body and what I wanted for myself. This story left me feeling so inspired by how powerful and exciting it is—to work through the fear and shame and doubt that keep you from being yourself.
"Sometimes, I'm afraid that my ability to know what feels right has been silenced and buried for so long that I wouldn't recognize it even if it were screaming at me."
Despite the emotional depth of this book, it's still somehow one of the coziest and sexiest books I've ever read?
Christina is confident, hilarious, and so caring. The book starts after she's done the therapy she needed to work through the shame that was holding her back, and she's ready to take in the world that was once out of her reach.
Danny, whose intensity and razor-sharp focus can be off-putting to others, is just the person to be able to see and understand the full scope of who Christina is while Christina encourages him to show the parts of himself that he usually holds back.
She gasps and throws a delicate hand over her heart. "Where are your Southern manners? You can't wear hats at the dinner table."
I examine the sticky tabletop and laminated menus propped against the basket of hot sauces. "Is this the dinner table?"
Their banter is SO good, and the dual POV is so inviting here—you get to watch each of them fall in love.
The attraction is hot and immediate, but the documentary they're doing together and Christina's fear of being on a wrong path (again) keep them from getting together right away. I loved how much they YEARNED for each other.
The love story between them is about seeing and being seen in return. It's about a love that encourages self-discovery and that makes the everyday feel magical.
I loved watching Christina and Danny go on adventures that are new for Christina (and new for Danny because he gets to see them through Christina's eyes). The science museum was especially sweet! I loved seeing them get to know each other's families—Christina's found family and Danny's biological family.
Speaking of, Christina's found family at Hilltop (an ultra-conservative university) was one of my favorite elements of the book. Movie Church (iykyk), pre-bed tea, Sex Goddess Supreme™, and the gang getting ready to go to the club were truly delightful. I loved how the group created their own rituals and how they cultivated joy and hope even in this oppressive space.
The spice was so, so good. I loved how the (4!) sex scenes played with the idea of being a Jezebel: the couple explores the idea of being "bad" in a safe and sexy way.
"You're crazy good at sex, Christina."
She snorts. "I thought I would be if someone gave me a chance."
Even though this book was hilarious and so cozy, I still cried so much towards the last third because of how much these characters meant to me and how happy I was for them to have found each other. was especially profound and heartbreaking.
Reading this book felt like talking to a best friend about every fear you've ever had, every memory that holds you back and ending the night giggling over champagne and thrilled for what the future might hold for you.
I can't wait until the world gets its hands on it.
Someone who lets herself want. Who relishes in her desires. Who trusts she has what she needs to figure it out.
While I didn't grow up with the same kind of religious trauma Christina did, I did grow up with a lot of guilt and shame around my body and what I wanted for myself. This story left me feeling so inspired by how powerful and exciting it is—to work through the fear and shame and doubt that keep you from being yourself.
"Sometimes, I'm afraid that my ability to know what feels right has been silenced and buried for so long that I wouldn't recognize it even if it were screaming at me."
Despite the emotional depth of this book, it's still somehow one of the coziest and sexiest books I've ever read?
Christina is confident, hilarious, and so caring. The book starts after she's done the therapy she needed to work through the shame that was holding her back, and she's ready to take in the world that was once out of her reach.
Danny, whose intensity and razor-sharp focus can be off-putting to others, is just the person to be able to see and understand the full scope of who Christina is while Christina encourages him to show the parts of himself that he usually holds back.
She gasps and throws a delicate hand over her heart. "Where are your Southern manners? You can't wear hats at the dinner table."
I examine the sticky tabletop and laminated menus propped against the basket of hot sauces. "Is this the dinner table?"
Their banter is SO good, and the dual POV is so inviting here—you get to watch each of them fall in love.
The attraction is hot and immediate, but the documentary they're doing together and Christina's fear of being on a wrong path (again) keep them from getting together right away. I loved how much they YEARNED for each other.
The love story between them is about seeing and being seen in return. It's about a love that encourages self-discovery and that makes the everyday feel magical.
I loved watching Christina and Danny go on adventures that are new for Christina (and new for Danny because he gets to see them through Christina's eyes). The science museum was especially sweet! I loved seeing them get to know each other's families—Christina's found family and Danny's biological family.
Speaking of, Christina's found family at Hilltop (an ultra-conservative university) was one of my favorite elements of the book. Movie Church (iykyk), pre-bed tea, Sex Goddess Supreme™, and the gang getting ready to go to the club were truly delightful. I loved how the group created their own rituals and how they cultivated joy and hope even in this oppressive space.
The spice was so, so good. I loved how the (4!) sex scenes played with the idea of being a Jezebel: the couple explores the idea of being "bad" in a safe and sexy way.
"You're crazy good at sex, Christina."
She snorts. "I thought I would be if someone gave me a chance."
Even though this book was hilarious and so cozy, I still cried so much towards the last third because of how much these characters meant to me and how happy I was for them to have found each other. was especially profound and heartbreaking.
Reading this book felt like talking to a best friend about every fear you've ever had, every memory that holds you back and ending the night giggling over champagne and thrilled for what the future might hold for you.
I can't wait until the world gets its hands on it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm usually not a reader of contemporary romance, but I'm so honored and overjoyed to have had the chance to read an advanced copy of The Jezebel List! It's a story about finding joy after deprivation, experiencing love on honest terms, choosing to heal, and, why yes - it's sexy as hell.
While religious trauma is weighty subject matter, Dean handles it with a graceful ease by focusing on a young woman finding the way to herself with courage and love as self expression. But she doesn't pull punches when it comes to calling out the systemic hypocrisies that perpetuate trauma and ultimately trap many young people in its limited world view, either. I believe many will be able to relate to Christina's journey of self discovery after being told all their life who they should be. The beauty of TJL is that it's possible for everyone to find healing if they seek it, because healing can be found in the mundane moments as easily as the grand.
Christina and Danny breathe charisma and sweetness from chapter one. They're adorable, intelligent, and hot for each other right out of the gate. Readers looking for a healthy dose of spice should be well sated. Dean keeps their romance rolling along with both punchy dialogue and warm, tender moments. And that ending will edify anyone's soul!
Highly recommend!
While religious trauma is weighty subject matter, Dean handles it with a graceful ease by focusing on a young woman finding the way to herself with courage and love as self expression. But she doesn't pull punches when it comes to calling out the systemic hypocrisies that perpetuate trauma and ultimately trap many young people in its limited world view, either. I believe many will be able to relate to Christina's journey of self discovery after being told all their life who they should be. The beauty of TJL is that it's possible for everyone to find healing if they seek it, because healing can be found in the mundane moments as easily as the grand.
Christina and Danny breathe charisma and sweetness from chapter one. They're adorable, intelligent, and hot for each other right out of the gate. Readers looking for a healthy dose of spice should be well sated. Dean keeps their romance rolling along with both punchy dialogue and warm, tender moments. And that ending will edify anyone's soul!
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alisa Dean's debut is effortless in its fastidiousness, unassuming in its precociousness, and profound in its mundanity. TJL is like magic, so much kindness, humanity, curiosity, passion, and love.
Each turn of phrase, of events, of the page, displays another facet of the author's dedication to character and to storytelling. Across a thousand moments, cute and clever and tender and honest and real, I fell for Christina and Danny, I let them break my heart, and swiftly they made me whole again.
TJL is, in my opinion, nothing less than a genre redefining masterpiece. Savor this book, but stay hungry, dear reader. Alisa Dean was born for this, and there is so much more to come.
Each turn of phrase, of events, of the page, displays another facet of the author's dedication to character and to storytelling. Across a thousand moments, cute and clever and tender and honest and real, I fell for Christina and Danny, I let them break my heart, and swiftly they made me whole again.
TJL is, in my opinion, nothing less than a genre redefining masterpiece. Savor this book, but stay hungry, dear reader. Alisa Dean was born for this, and there is so much more to come.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alisa Dean’s debut novel showcases her wit, humor and zest for life. She’s an author to watch!
January 24, 2026
Loved. Emotional and hilarious all at the same time. Still impressed how well the religious trauma worked in a cozy romcom. 100% recommend
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews