The Jezebel List

by Alisa Dean

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.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Alisa 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.

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you mean religious trauma romance?! This has to be a first. The EQ? 10/10. The character development? 10/10. The sex, MF1000000/10.

You can just tell a REALLY smart person wrote this book.

But for real, this book means so much to me. I’ll be processing and highlighting it for a long time to come. Thank you Alisa for writing something so special that will resonate with so many women in the South.

[Colleen Gulbransen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was immediately sold on reading this book based on the description (it’s a freaking religious trauma rom-com, how can you go wrong?), but GODDAMN this book was everything and more!

The FMC, Christina, was written with such care and intention. She had already gone through a year of trauma therapy so we got to witness her journey of coming into her own and reclaiming her life outside of the church. It felt like an appropriate amount of time was dedicated to each facet of her healing journey throughout the story where nothing felt forced or lost. She was also such a relatable character with so much heart!

The MMC, Danny… wow, wow, wow. I am simply obsessed with this absolute green flag of a book boyfriend. He’s the documentarian who falls so hard for his subject (Christina!) and has such a filthy mouth on him! The way he endlessly supported Christina was so beautiful, from helping her cross items off her Jezebel List to giving her the space to discover and embrace her bravery.

This story was so perfectly spicy! The intimacy added to the narrative in just the right way. I loved how Christina and Danny’s whole relationship was written, both their initial friendship and their romance. My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard multiple times while I was reading because they were both so wholesome! I also definitely cried.

Last but not least, the side characters really rounded out this book. Christina’s found family and Danny’s biological family were such delightful additions! They were integrated into the story so tastefully and complemented the main characters well.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it! Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

[Sydni Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read!! The description immediately intrigued me and it definitely lived up to what I was hoping for. I found the story and Christina relatable and there are few things I love more than a good found family.
The MCs have great chemistry with each other. I tend to skim over spicy scenes because I find that they can become repetitive but I did not have that issue at all with this book.
Thank you so much to the author for the chance to read an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Molly Steur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved. Emotional and hilarious all at the same time. Still impressed how well the religious trauma worked in a cozy romcom. 100% recommend

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book very quickly but felt it suffered from a lack of tension. Christina was raised by an Evangelical Pastor and was firmly indoctrinated until the scandal - her father had had multiple affairs with members of the congregation. Christina, a student at Hilltop, a very conservative college, was dumped by her boyfriend when the scandal came out. She had a breakdown, started therapy, did EDMR, and eventually found a group of people she could trust and began rebuilding her life. All this happens before page one of this book. I wish it hadn't. I wish we got to see her go through some of that to lend some tension to her trying things on the list.

We first encounter Christina at a 'Pagen' fair, doing a candle ritual at one of the booths, when she notices a man with a camera pointed at her. She approaches him and learns that he is Danny Reeves, a documentarian whose work was instrumental to her getting her life back on track. They have a brief conversation where she tells that attending this fair was an item to check off her list - her Jezebel list. She explains that in a bid to reclaim her life and finally break away from all of the religious indoctrination, she's going to do all the things that she grew up being told that she must never do. These include drink/purchase alcohol, go dancing at a night club, have a one-night stand, smoke a cigar, etc and Danny promptly decides that he must do a documentary about her and this quest, this Jezebel list of hers.

The problem is that they are both soooo instantly smitten with each other, and she is already so 'healed' that some of the list items just come off as play-acting baby girl gets naughty or alien analyzing why humans do things. It doesn't feel real because she has absolutely zero trepidation in doing anything on her list, let alone doing them on camera. And Danny is OBSSESSED with her from the beginning. Everyone comments on how obvious it is that he can't stop looking at her 'that' way.

The arc of most romance novels is that at one point after everything seems wonderful, there will be a misunderstanding, or an ex shows up or someone gets a job on the other side of the world and our couple break up before the inevitable happy ending. In this case, Christina loves Danny sooo much that she doesn't want anyone else and that feels limiting, the way the church tried to limit her... what?!?!?

This was that dumbest reason to have them break up. The girl having sex in a nightclub bathroom, getting porn videos from her best friend and trying out a vibrator by the side of the road, isn't exactly being limited. She's graduating in a few weeks and will no longer be under Hilltop's strict code of conduct, and her friends have invited her to live with them in New York or Washington DC, and Danny has told her that she could be a documentarian herself. All she has is endless possibilities.

Danny meanwhile is sort of a cipher. We know he has a measure of internet fame for his work, his parents and brother love him but the author wants so much for this to be grumpy x sunshine so she keeps trying to say that his work persona is engaging to get people to talk to him but that he isn't really like that and how unbelievable it is that Christina likes the "real" him more than his persona. But he isn't actually ever grumpy, and Christina has him wrapped around her finger from day one.

Christina's found family is nice, though the author's insistence that they were each other's soulmates was weird (the various friends, not the paired couples). Danny's parents were also a bit too good to be true. Not sure how I'd feel if the parents of some guy I had been seeing for a few weeks were texting me daily and announcing they are heartbroken when I miss a family dinner. TOO soon.

And they all lived happily ever after, after knowing each other for less than 6 months.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is pretty unhinged. I struggled at points, but it was entertaining. I think some of the elements I had a tough time with could be necessary for some readers.

I did not love the infantilization of the main character, which may or may not have been intentional. I’m not sure. The ways she communicates in the beginning of the book, the way she flirts, and the disjunction between who she claims to be and how she speaks about certain topics is dizzying. I really didn’t enjoy it.

However, I anticipated that she might grow throughout the novel into a more mature, fully formed human and that’s pretty much what happened. I still think there were remnants of age-inappropriate immaturity, but I can see how that might have been intentional to shape the character and to better demonstrate how strict religious principles limit our development at times.

Keep in mind that I am a huge fan of whimsy and connecting with your inner child, but this was ~almost~ disturbing. For instance, the tangent about Russia and sticking to your religious principles. Or the reflection on seeing queer people dancing together for the first time. Or even the hat hair, waffle flirting scene. It kind of felt like a high schooler interacting with the adult world…except this is a grown woman who’s probably 22 or 23.

In a way I would compare it to Poor Thing. They are not at all the same, but there are similar threads. The concept of men being attracted to women who have juvenile traits resonates, but ultimately this book went in a different direction and handled her growth / journey quite well.

I will say that there was a little bit of heavy handedness when it came to explaining things. I come from a religious background, not a Bible belt one but I wouldn’t say it’s that different in terms of the shared principles. And well…for one, I don’t think she’s actually as deep as she said to be; she’s portrayed as this character who is so insightful that she is encouraged to share her wisdom as a documentarian. For the personal journey she took, she really truly evolved—however, she wasn’t making any profound or interesting statements that are not readily shared in causal conversations / everyday life. Plus, she’s probably the least worldly or diverse of her friend group, which is fine, but it makes it harder to imagine her as the person they all put on a pedestal. The constant self-reference to being a “jezebel” also felt kind of cringe-y & juvenile.

In terms of the dynamic between the two main characters, I would describe this kind of like an Ali Hazelwood book. The FMC is super oblivious, although she’s supposed to simultaneously be cunning and sly and witty. The MMC is kind of equally oblivious but he’s extremely intense about it.

I also felt like this book would either be cozy or kind of unhinged and it definitely went the latter route. I did enjoy the intimate scenes and I felt like that was one place that did not suffer from infantilization. However, again it kind of juxtaposed where the character was in terms of self-development in a pretty big way.

Either way, I don’t need a plot to follow reality and what might be true in order to enjoy it in a romance novel. I ultimately liked their relationship dynamic. I enjoyed exploring the concept of found family. I loved the documentarian angle because I don’t think I have read a romance novel that comes from this perspective and it was very apt. It was easy to see how the two characters could have fallen in love in the way that they did. And I think their story was well painted. I was rooting for them.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 3% I knew this would be my favorite book of the month.
At 17% I preordered copies for my 3 closest friends.
At 100% I gave it the last, precious slot on my Top 10 Favorite Romances of all Time list.

I was originally semi-interested because of the subject matter (ditch a church but make it fun with a "stuff that supposedly sends you to hell" bucket list) but it was the chemistry between the leads that sold me. A meet-cute at a pagan festival that ends with swapping embarrassing waffle stories at a Waffle House, plus the attraction was based on mutual respect and shared interests every bit as much as sexual attraction. It was a meeting of the minds AND bodies. (and waffles)

He was her favorite documentarian before they ever met (I am trash for the "I loved your art before I even met you" flavor of fated mate trope) and his quote, "Christina, I've never wanted to interview anyone more in my life." says it all. He legitimately finds her the most interesting woman in the world, to the point that he truly does want to make an entire movie studying all sides of her, and to make her comfortable, he's even willing to step in front of the camera himself, for the first time (Metaphor alert! Sirens blaring!) And I have to admit, for as many forgettable heroines as there can be in contemporary romance at times, Christina certainly is not one of them. She has such a fantastic balance of earnestness and mischief that she truly sparkles off the page, and I totally understand Danny's fascination with her.

Danny's intensity snared me entirely. And when the first sex scene exploded onto the page, it was even filthier, more unique, and more REAL than what I could have hoped for (this from the author who literally wrote a 300 page book on how to write sex scenes.)

From smoking cigars together to watching her first porn together to confronting her pastor father together, these two were iconic. His romantic gesture towards her was one of my favorites of all time I mean, he BUILT HER A READING NOOK, y'all. WHAT IS HOTTER THAN THAT I ASK YOU? and her grand gesture at the end was also one of my favorites. Flawless symbolism, flawless speech, flawless choice of medium. She made him a documentary! Bold, I know, since it was supposed to be HIS documentary, but I like the metaphor of how she re-edited their story to have a new theme, and a new ending. Mostly, though, I was blown away by the perfect images and voiceovers the author chose. I could really SEE that documentary! And it stole my whole heart. I raced through half of this in one gulp, and then I was so sad to see it end that I parceled out every page like a treat to myself, like the expensive kind of chocolate you really can't afford.

Y'all, if you only read one romance all year? Make it this one.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[MaddMoxxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly knew I was going to love this book from the blurb alone, but I didn't expect to fall this hard for the characters.

You know me. Characters are always where it's at for me, and The Jezebel List absolutely nailed them. I genuinely couldn't tell you who I loved more.

Danny is just... wonderful, warm and loving. He's carrying the weight of his own expectations, hiding behind the documentarian mask that he shows the world, and slowly losing the passion that once fueled his documentaries. At least, he is until Christina walks into his life.

And Christina? What a brave, beautiful soul. After spending her entire life in a strict religious household, she's left trying to figure out who she is and what it actually means to live for herself. The religious indoctrination runs deep. She's spent years being told what to think, what to believe, and who she's supposed to be. Then one life-changing event shatters everything she thought she knew.

But she doesn't bury her head in the sand. She decides to build a life that's actually HERS. She finds friends, purpose, and a sense of self through her Jezebel List - a bucket list filled with completely ordinary experiences she'd been denied her entire life. Watching her discover the world, and herself, was equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful.

Man, this book... it had me laughing, crying, and absolutely loving their little found family. But more than anything, it had me falling for Chris and Danny one page at a time, right alongside them.

And the chemistry? Whew. Scorching hot. The spice is incredible, but it never takes away from the emotional journey. If anything, it makes it even stronger.

If you love romances that are healing, funny, emotional, and ridiculously swoony, don't sleep on this one.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and am sharing my honest review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 characters go to a sex store, Christina tries on lingerie (and Danny makes USE of it), and 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. Christina's scene with her father 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.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first received a DM from author Alisa Dean describing this book, it immediately caught my attention. The premise alone was enough to make me pick it up.

The story follows a young woman who has recently escaped her deeply religious family and preacher father. As she works through intense therapy to process her religious trauma, she creates a list of experiences she was taught were sinful or shameful in order to finally experience life outside of religion. Having experienced my own complicated and traumatic relationship with religion, I knew I had to read this book.

What I found was so much more than I expected. The story follows Christina as she checks off items on her list. Things she was raised to fear or be ashamed of, but that are simply part of living in the real world. Along the way, her journey is documented by a YouTuber named Danny, adding another layer to her story of healing and self discovery.

This book truly hit me in the feels. It tackles religious trauma, life in the South, love, freedom, and the hypocrisy that can exist within religious communities. It covers so many heavy but important topics with honesty and heart. Some spots towards the end were a little repetitive and there was some cheesey bits but still is absolutely a must read.

*Thank you to Netgally & Alcove Press for this ARC*

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed reading The Jezebel List and going along for the ride of this love story! After Christina and Danny’s meet-cute, it was so clear both why Danny felt so drawn to Christina but also why these characters are so meant to be. We ALL deserve a partner who takes our cozy corner and creates a whole cozy room for us just like Danny does for Christina, and that was just the cutest moment between them.

The chemistry between these two was SO good! I was kicking my feet and squealing as Christina and Danny finally got it together and realized their own connection. Alysa Dean created suchhhhh good emotional and physical tension that I was laughing out loud and truly felt connected to these characters.

There was something so honest and raw about the completion of Christina’s actual Jezebel list. Her experience unlearning her negative connotations around religion and redefining herself as an individual were so real and powerful. This is a romance about more than just the romantic arc between Christina and Danny, and the depth of that journey really hit home for me as a reader.

Thank you to Alcove Press for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Danielle Stoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

It's tough because the premise of this book was good but some of the writing and execution of the plot was lacking for me.

The book starts with Christina having done all this work on herself and has essentially worked through most of the trauma from her upbringing - which is great, but it left little to no tension throughout the book. Even working through the list and creating the documentary was lackluster because she had already done the tough work, making the list in the story was just not as interesting. On top of this the romance between Christina and Danny was also lacking in tension - pretty insta love and moments between them were just cringey. Scenes between them would swing from being overly sweet to super spicy like whiplash - it was just confusing and didn't work well. I also could not stand the "maestro" "muse" pet names, but that might be just me.

My main gripe overall was that there was just no conflict throughout - Christina had her trauma sorted out, lived with a perfect friend group, job already lined up after graduation, insta love situation with Danny and his entire family in a really short time frame - everything was too perfect. It made the book just drag on and feel repetitive.

A great idea with themes worth exploring in a book but this needed a little more work.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alisa Dean, and Alcove Press

[Lili Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a moment after this book. You'll need a moment after this book. Alisa Dean, HOW IS THIS YOUR FIRST BOOK?!?!!
Let me start by saying Christina is pure joy, she is everything to make The Jezebel List work, the whole story, every turn. Danny is great, but like he is written in the story, he gets his light from her.
Christina is breaking out of the shackles of religion and being a pastor's daughter, and going to a evangelical fundamentalist college after a bad breakup and a real come-to-terms life change by writing a list of experiences she felt robbed of. Danny happens to be a documentarian that crosses her path as she starts her journey. Danny pitches making her list of experiences into a documentary and the story fabulously evolves from there. The found family is delicious perfection, what we all need in our lives. And, my god, the (I gotta quote this here from the book in regards to erotica) "...sexual expression, celebration, and arousal in the form of aesthetically-driven literature..." absolutely chef's kiss perfection. I will automatically pre-order any future books Alisa Dean writes. Thank-you, Alcove Press and Alisa Dean for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[KatheaLoves2ReadwithLuca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Alisa Dean for sending me the book through NetGalley.

This book was relatable to my history in so many ways. I had a lot to process through the read being from a conservative religious background. It took me a few days, but it was one I could have read in one sitting if time allowed. I did not want to stop reading it. I would never have thought a book on religious trauma and romcom would coexist, but Alisa Dean did an amazing job connecting the two. I like a "they fall fast, and hard" romance. I felt Christina's struggle of not wanting to go from religious captivity to a full on relationship. I felt the impact of their connection to each other, and thought that was written really well.

This quote hit me right in the feels, "That the culture of shame-not to mention conflating preferential spiritual practices with actual psychological disorders-is heartbreaking and only leads to secrecy and the development of even more serious disorders later on." I am living the side effects of this quote right now with my family. I highlighted more, but this is just one snip it of how this book caught me right in the feels.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I would never begrudge anyone their beliefs. We're all doing whatever we can to get through the day."

Christina Edmondson, the daughter of a once-respected fundamentalist pastor, is running out the clock on her last semester at the ultra-conservative (read: ultra- backwards) Hilltop University and is ready for a drastic change. She makes The Jezabel List of things she has been taught are "evil" and that's how she runs into Danny Reeves, a documentaries, at a pagan festival.

Danny is inspired after meeting Christina and hearing about her list that he convinces her to let him make a documentary of her crossing off the items on her list as long as they complete them together.

When their chemistry becomes undeniable on and off screen they have to find a way to get through the list with their hearts intact.

I really enjoyed reading about Christina's upbringing and her way of coping after trauma. Danny was an angel and seriously has a way with words 🥵😘

Read if you love:
-Forbidden Checklist
-Found Family
-Trauma/Healing
-Dual POV

[Katie_thebookslayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For a religious trauma romantic comedy, this was not always an easy read. But the ending was worth it. The personal growth by not only Christina, but Danny too, was incredible.

Christina is determined to experience life to the fullest, hence the list she’s made of all the things that she was told were sinful and would damn her. Now free of the repression and abuse of her family and away at university, she vows to give these experiences all she’s got!

Enter Danny, a documentarian who’s spent years uncovering the religious south for what it is. Stumbling across Christina was the change he needed in his filming and interviewing. She’s magnetic in more ways than one and he can’t help but ask more about her story.

I adored the little charged moments they had checking off things from the list. Their chemistry showing from the very moment they started filming, or even before.

Out 25th August!
Add this to your list besties!

[Annie Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to even put into words how phenomenal this book is.

Yes, the writing is outstanding, but more than that, if you grew up in an ultra-religious home, there is so much identity with Christina and her story. If you haven't grown up in that type of environment, I imagine the story will feel a bit shocking and flabbergasting....but still a story definitely worth reading.

Danny is such a phenomenal MMC. He is patient, open, kind and genuinely wants to see Christina live her best life just as she is; without pretenses.

I cried. I yelled. I identified. I sobbed. I healed.
It's perfect. I simply cannot wait for the world to read it.

If I had to choose just one quote... It would be the following...

"Yes. When people are shocked or flabbergasted, it can make me feel really lonely. I think my particular brand of religious trauma is a little less widespread, or at least less openly discussed, so it seems worse to people because it's less familiar?”

[Keila (speedreadstagram) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so funny at multiple times while reading I ended up laughing out loud and my husband sitting next to me was wondering what I was laughing at so then I had to stop and explain it to him which is always a fun thing to do. I really liked how the author took some heavier topics, in this case religious trauma and turned it into a lighter more easily digestible romcom. While I definitely haven't struggled with the trauma that Christina did, but it definitely felt relatable in a sense. The author just wrote it in such a way that it was really easy to understand what Christina was going through and why she was doing what she was doing. There is also a lot of whimsy in this book and it really helped me hold my interest. This is just such a fun read I recommend it for those who are looking for a good time and don't mind some heavier topics intertwined in the pages.

Thank you to @alcovepress and @alisadeanwriter for the free copies of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[Stacey Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never in my life related to a character as much as I related to Christina. It feels as if the author somehow crawled into my brain and watched through all my childhood memories.

I am the daughter of an Evangelical pastor. I lived in the fish bowl that was being the pastor’s kid. The main difference between Christian na and myself is that my father got out of active ministry when I was in high school and I did not go to a Christian college. The rest of it? Eerily similar.

This book is absolutely incredible. The character development? Top notch. The way Danny understands Christina and meets her where she’s at was a testament to his character.

The found family? Inspiring. As someone who survived her own religious trauma, I can tell you with certainty, that the family you choose saves your life.

I can’t believe this is a debut novel, ma I cannot wait to see what book she blesses us with next.

[Heather Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

A film maker and a woman recovering from a strict religious upbringing? Say less.

Alisa Dean's debut is a cozy exploration of what it means to find yourself again after having your life and beliefs dictated to you for 20-something years. Christina is determined to live her life the way SHE wants to, and part of that journey is figuring out what she actually likes via experiencing her Jezebel List, a literal list she's compiled of "forbidden" activities she wants to try.

It's at one of these - a pagan festival - that she meets Danny, a documentary filmmaker whose films have already helped Christina on her journey. Their instant chemistry leads to an interesting proposal: Danny wants to make Christina his newest muse and document her completion of the list.

Sexy and sweet, readers who grew up with similar religious pressures will definitely relate to Christina's journey!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Savannah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a debut! this was such a good read. i was instantly hooked by the blurb. as a girlie with ~religious trauma~ i am very excited to see a book highlighting it and the feelings surrounding sex when brought up in the bible belt. i deeply related to the fmc, christina. this has a wonderful found family aspect too which i loved. they truly supported the characters and helped them grow into amazing characters. the character development in this was amazing! i do wish the characters had a little more tension and build up to their relationship. it wasn’t necessarily instalove, but i wish there was a LITTLE bit more to really really sell the relationship and its longevity after the book ended. all in all, this was a fabulous debut and i would recommend it.

[Miss E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew i would love the 🌶️ spice and found family? Always a favourite trope but one thing that is new to me is a FMC who is trying to break out of her conservative/religious past due to being a pastors daughter and growing up within a strictly religious community.

The ‘meet-cute’ of our main characters is exactly that and the chemistry is palpable

This is a fantastic debut book from this author and i can honestly say i’m excited to read more from her-the story is so relatable, the MMC is close to being the perfect man and the depth of emotion in this was exactly what i enjoy in a book, my eyes filled with tears and at times i laughed out loud. Would recommend this to be on your radar when it releases in September.

[Mari Wilmot · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I get to be who I want to be now. I get to choose who I want to be."

This is easily one of the best books I've read this year. It's so hopeful and beautiful. Christina has had such amazing growth before we even meet her, but that continues on page and it is beautiful to see. The effect she has on Danny and others around her, and the strength she gets from having her found family supporting her is truly magical. I loved every second of this book and highly recommend it.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 no notes. but truly this was such a good book !! i also grew up in the bible belt and literally went to St. Edward's University where we were the "Hilltoppers". this book made me feel so seen and i loved the deconstruction of religion both from Christina and Danny. This book made me sob, but it also healed something in me. if you're a fan of religion deconstruction, seeing queer people be their full selves, sexual empowerment, and a MMC who worships the ground the FMC walks (while also having one of the dirtiest mouths ever) on then PLS read The Jezebel List.

Thank you NetGalley, Alisa, and Alcove Press for the eARC!

[Elda Rastoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc review
I honestly wanted to love this novel more than I did. I felt like it delved deeper into the religious trauma the fmc had to deal with growing up rather than the actual romance. This could be a very cute and interesting story for someone else because it’s still a good book just not for me personally.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jezebel list ✨️ Girl with a religious background of things that she wasn't allowed to do growing up. Decides to write a Jezebel list( like a bucket list) of things she wants to do and try. Along the way she meets a documentary maker who decides to follow her around. An unexpected romance becomes to bloom 😍

[Sophie India · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a unique read, handling topics (e.g. religious trauma) which I think are very rarely touched on in fiction, particularly in the romance genre - and also paired with lightness, celebration of individuality, and humour!

The found family element was a real triumph of this book and I loved how our main characters leant on those around them for support and joy.

One of things that I struggled with personally was the pace of the romance ... it was a little bit 'insta' for me, as were some of the other hurdles that they overcame (for example, our MMC never being on camera in any of his own documentaries but being happy to the very first time he films the FMC and this then escalating quickly into very personal and vulnerable content filming). I would have preferred to see some of these things develop at a more gradual pace but I appreciate that other readers adore that early connection!

Overall I had a good time in this book and think that lots of other romance readers will too 🩷

[Claire Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! It was the perfect balance between feel-good and meaningful while having you on the edge of your seat with romantic tension and witty banter. I was so drawn into the story and fell in love with the characters — at once light and fun while still recognizing important experiences, perfect for a beach chair or curled up in a cosy corner. Would 110% recommend.