Mae Bennett | A Grumpy, Rich Recluse Meets His Match in This Steamy Beauty and the Beast Retelling

1--What is the title of your latest release?

BARELY EVEN FRIENDS

2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?

A grumpy, rich recluse meets his match in this steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling—with a Succession twist. Featuring a plus-size historical home restorer and a grump of a recluse, who are forced to work together.

3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?

I feel like so many books take place in NYC, I wanted to showcase that there are other parts of New York as well.

4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?

Definitely. Bellamy is a fellow Swiftie, with great taste in movies (lol). We’re different in a lot of ways, but in my very unbiased opinion, I think she would be a lot of fun to hang out with.

5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?

Stubborn, ambitious, compassionate

6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?

How truly difficult it is to put aspects of yourself in a character. Bellamy is the first plus-size character I’d ever written and didn’t fully consider the impact that would have on me in writing in my own experiences with fatphobia and writing a character as confident as Bellamy.

7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?

I’m a pantser (I don’t really plot too much in advance), so I mostly draft and then do all my revisions afterward. My goal with the first draft is more to figure out the dynamics of the couple and their relationship before firming up details and the plot points.

8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?

Sushi, all day every day.

9--Describe your writing space/office!

I’m slowly setting it up as I recently moved, but I’m going for library vibes. I have character art hanging up from some of my favorite books, as well as a whiteboard for notes. Some of my favorite authors, friends’ books, especially debuts, are sitting right on my desk as inspiration and motivation.

10--Who is an author you admire?

Oh gosh, that is difficult to pick one. There are so many: Chloe Liese, Elizabeth Everett, Katee Robert, Nisha Sharma, Amy Lea, Alicia Thompson, Ali Hazelwood, Lana Ferguson, Alexandria Bellefleur, Ruby Barrett, Talia Hibbert, Anita Kelly, Naina Kumar, Courtney Kae, Kate Robb, and Olivia Dade. I could keep going on and on, there are so many incredible authors out there writing such impactful beautiful romance stories. Authors writing authentic stories with so much varied representation.

11--Is there a book that changed your life?

So many. The first that comes to mind is Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. A plus size protagonist and someone battling with chronic illness, all wrapped up in a gorgeous romance. That’s a book that just sits in my heart and is a comfort reread.

12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.

It started as a text from my agent, the first text I had ever received from her so I figured it was good news. I was at work, she and I were both in between meetings, but we spoke quickly, both of us jumping up and down on the phone together. I had been on sub for a while and letting doubt creep in, but my agent had never given up. It was an incredible moment to realize that my dream of seeing my book published was going to be real.

13--What’s your favorite genre to read?

Romance. I read mostly contemporary, but historical is incredible, and I’m discovering more and more fantasy and paranormal reads with my ever-growing TBR.

14--What’s your favorite movie?

I honestly can’t pick one. I rewatch movies and TV shows a lot. I will always watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended editions of course), I adore watching the Marvel movies, or think of any late 90s/early 2000s blockbuster that involves the end of the world and I’ve probably seen it 12 times. Warm Bodies, Underworld, Stardust, the Mummy, and I’m going to stop now before I fill up the entire page.

15--What is your favorite season?

Fall. Cozy, comfy, the changing leaves. I’m just a basic New Englander who still wears her Uggs and Northface the moment it’s cold enough to.

16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

Make plans with friends, but usually on my actual birthday it’s during the week so I’ll just stay home - order sushi and watch a movie. I’ll also celebrate with my family during the holidays. My family jokingly refers to it as the Month of Mae.

17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?

I’m terrible at watching new things (I still haven’t seen Barbie, I know) but I recently watched the series finale of Good Trouble. I loved how that show reflected people in that moment after college, figuring out what’s next. I also never saw a clerkship portrayed on tv.

18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

Mexican, though I’m not picky. I have a severe gluten allergy so being able to go out to eat and not get sick is really all I need.

19--What do you do when you have free time?

Trying not to laugh too much at the idea of free time. I hang out with friends, go to brunch, I read a lot, and visit with family. If I get free time a lot of times, it’s just me refreshing my well or sneaking in some writing even though I should be taking a break.

20--What can readers expect from you next?

Unfortunately, nothing I can share just yet, but fingers crossed I’ll be able to share more soon.

BARELY EVEN FRIENDS by Mae Bennett

A grumpy, rich recluse meets his match in this steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling—with a Succession twist. Fans of fairy tale adaptations, and readers of Julie Murphy and Falon Ballard, will adore Mae Bennett’s debut romance.

Bellamy Price has just been offered the job of a lifetime: lead contractor on the restoration of the mysterious and sprawling Killington Estate. If she meets the owner’s ridiculous timeline, she’ll finally make a name for herself in this male-dominated industry. But when she rolls up her sleeves, slips on her suspenders, and shows up at the crumbling mansion, Bellamy finds the estate very much occupied.

After a traumatic car accident that left his parents dead and himself injured, Oliver Killington, heir to the Killington empire, took up residence as the grumpy caretaker of his grandfather’s mansion. None too pleased by the presence of the hammer-wielding woman who’s moved into his house, Oliver tries to block her at every turn.

But when Bellamy discovers Oliver’s facing his own ultimatum from his grandfather, the two form a cautious truce, which leads to flying sparks that are definitely not from faulty wiring. As Bellamy restores the gleam to the Killington Estate, she’ll have to decide if the walls she’s built around herself are worth knocking down to make space for someone else.

Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey, this clever, steamy debut novel will have readers rooting for this Beauty and her Beast until the very last page.

Romance Billionaire | Romance Comedy [Alcove Press, On Sale: June 4, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781639107797 / eISBN: 9781639107803]