Jessica Guerrieri
Author Interview - Jessica Guerrieri
Author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
After a surprise pregnancy, Leah O'Connor, a bohemian artist, marries into a polished coastal family—but as her drinking escalates and secrets surface, she finds herself at the center of a betrayal that threatens to unravel it all. Set in Half Moon Bay, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a gripping descent into addiction, motherhood, and identity, where the greatest threat isn’t the family she married into, but the woman she’s becoming.
Author Interview - Jessica Guerrieri
Author I draw inspiration from:
Claire Lombardo; The Most Fun We Ever Had
Author Interview - Jessica Guerrieri | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
The beach
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Nicky Blue from The Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors.
We’d start off pretending we were too cool to be scared, talking fast, laughing louder than necessary. But eventually, the hum of the elevator would force a pause, and in that silence, I think we’d recognize something in each other—that familiar ache of trying to outrun pain with chaos. I’d tell her what I wish someone had told me before I got sober: that being the life of the party isn’t the same as having a life. That you don’t have to burn it all down to be worthy of love. I wouldn’t try to save her—I know how that ends—but I’d look her in the eye and say, I see you. You can still choose differently. And maybe, just maybe, she’d believe it.
Author Interview - Jessica Guerrieri | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I have journal entries from elementary school that say I wanted to be a teacher, a mother, and an author—and now I can officially say I’ve been all three.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback: I love the weight of a hardback—it feels like you’re holding something important. But I wrestle with the environmental cost and the price point. It’s not always the most accessible choice, even though it looks great on a shelf.
Paperback: Paperbacks are my favorite for reading in bed or stuffing into a tote. I don’t love how easily the covers bend or tear, but there’s something approachable and intimate about them—like they’re meant to be well-loved.
Ebook: I like the convenience, especially while traveling or reading at night without waking my husband. But I miss the tactile experience of flipping pages or seeing how far I’ve come in a story without a progress bar.
Audiobook: A great narrator can make the story come alive in a whole new way—especially for emotional or voice-driven novels. But if the narration’s off, I find it distracting. Still, it’s my go-to on long runs or while doing dishes.
The last book I read:
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff. People have been pairing our books together, and I consider it such an honor. Between the two of our stories, we cover the full gamut of the destruction alcoholism can cause—across generations, through parents and children, in moments both quiet and cataclysmic. Her book cracked me open. It’s brutal, beautiful, and deeply necessary.
Author Interview - Jessica Guerrieri | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I wish it were pen and paper—there’s something romantic and grounded about it, like the words might carry more weight. But with three young kids, it’s almost always the Notes app on my phone or my laptop in stolen pockets of time. I’ve written entire chapters at Target Drive-Up. It’s not all cozy beach writing and retreats—though sometimes it is, and I savor those rare moments. Wherever and whenever the words show up, I’m there to meet them.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Honestly, Amy O’Connor my debut.
Amy's the friend everyone needs. The kind who shows up, no matter how messy things get. She’s steady, loyal, and quietly fierce. She offers grace without expecting perfection, and she sees past the performance to the heart of who you are. Amy doesn’t need the spotlight—she’s too busy holding up the people she loves. And in a world full of performative friendships, that kind of unwavering presence is rare.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
If I weren't an author, I'd want to be a relationship coach for people on the autism spectrum. With my background in special education, I feel deeply connected to that work. I want the job of the relationship coach from Love on the Spectrum Jennifer Cook. She brings such empathy, clarity, and humor to her role, and I admire how she helps people navigate the complexities of connection and communication. It's the kind of work that feels both meaningful and joyful—and honestly, a dream job.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
The Summer of Love era—late '60s, early '70s. Give me all the boho: flowy dresses, earthy tones, big hair, bare feet. There’s something about that effortless, sun-drenched style that feels like freedom. It’s chaotic and soft at the same time.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I’m a beach girlie through and through. Find me anywhere with crystal blue or green water and soft sand, and I’m instantly happy. Bonus points if there’s a hammock and a good book.
My signature drink:
I'm 12 year sober so my favorite NA drink is sparkling water with a lemon.
Favorite artist:
My favorite artist is Emily Dilbeck. Her abstract work resonates deeply with me and she was my artist muse for Leah. Her work it's soulful, intuitive, and unafraid to let imperfection live on the canvas. There's a kind of quiet chaos in her art that mirrors Leah's internal world—messy, emotional, and deeply human. I even wrote about her influence in an article titled “The Only Way Out Is Through” on my blog, Wit & Spit Up.
Number one on my bucket list:
I want to stay in one of those clear-bottom, over-the-water bungalows. The kind where you can watch fish swim right under your room and step straight into the ocean. Simple, peaceful, and absolutely my kind of vacation.
Anything else you'd like to add:
🌐 Website: www.jessicaguerrieri.net — for up-to-date book tour info, podcast interviews, and articles I've written
Find more from the author:
Best way to find me is on IG @jessicaguerrieriauthor I'm also on TikTok @jessstayssober Facebook Jessica Guerrieri
About Jessica Guerrieri:
Author Interview - Jessica Guerrieri
Jessica Guerrieri (pronounced grrr-air-eee) is a writer and novelist based in Northern California, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education, Jessica left the classroom to raise her children and pursue her passion for writing. Now over a decade sober, she is a dedicated advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. Her award-winning debut book club fiction novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, won the 2023 Maurice Prize for Fiction from her alma mater, UC Davis.
