Flirting tips from romance author Jasmine Guillory

Show summary Hide summary

• Montauk launch: a beach event that mixed books and brand energy
• Why Flirting Lessons represents a turning point for Guillory
• Exploring desire on the page: the anatomy of a “thirst” scene
  • Key ingredients for a compelling thirst sequence
• Centering Black joy and everyday romance in storytelling
• How the Liquid I.V. partnership fit into the book rollout
  • Events and summer reading
• Which Guillory characters spark the most reader swooning?
• Memorable “thirst” moments across her books
• Writing after burnout: rediscovering craft and courage

On a gray Montauk afternoon, romance readers and press gathered at Hero Beach Club for a seaside launch that felt more like a lesson in chemistry than a typical book party. With the ocean as a backdrop and a creamsicle-flavored drink in hand, bestselling author Jasmine Guillory read from her newest novel and talked about what it takes to write desire—especially the kind that lingers long after the page is closed.

Flirting Lessons marks a shift for Guillory: it’s her first queer romance and, by her own account, the story that rekindled her passion for writing. The event—hosted by Liquid I.V.’s Club Quench—blended summer vibes, a curated reading list, and a conversation about why *thirst* matters in modern romance.

Montauk launch: a beach event that mixed books and brand energy

The Club Quench gathering felt intimate and intentional. Journalists and fans sampled Liquid I.V.’s latest Orange Vanilla Dream flavor while Guillory shared an extended scene from Flirting Lessons, letting the banter and tension rise naturally in front of the crowd. The brand also unveiled a summer reading list tailored to sun-soaked trysts and plot twists, reinforcing the partnership’s focus on pairing hydration with leisure reading.

Why Flirting Lessons represents a turning point for Guillory

After a prolific stretch that left her creatively drained, Guillory stepped back from publishing for a couple years. The idea for Flirting Lessons simmered during that break, and when she finally returned to it, the process reinvigorated her.

She describes the book as the project that “made me love writing and romance again.” That renewed enthusiasm is evident in the novel’s tone: playful, reflective, and rooted in emotional curiosity as two characters explore what flirting can reveal about themselves.

Exploring desire on the page: the anatomy of a “thirst” scene

Guillory thinks of thirst as more than physical yearning—it’s a combination of anticipation, context, and the small, teasing moments that spike a reader’s pulse. In her view, the most effective scenes build slowly, giving readers background and reason to care before delivering the payoff.

Key ingredients for a compelling thirst sequence

• Character context: Readers need enough information about who these people are and why their connection matters.
• Slow escalation: The tension should grow through looks, banter, and near-misses rather than instant gratification.
• Obstacle or timing: If characters can’t be together immediately, desire gains weight and drama.
• Mutual teasing: Playful recognition from both parties—like noticing someone reach for something—adds heat.

“It’s not just the yearning; it’s that little bit of teasing and the way two people signal they’re paying attention to one another,” Guillory explained, underscoring how subtle cues often matter more than bold gestures.

Centering Black joy and everyday romance in storytelling

Guillory has long been drawn to stories that showcase ordinary, joyful moments within Black communities—family dinners, celebrations, and the small details of daily life. She argues that while media often spotlights struggle, there’s a rich vein of narratives about love, humor, and togetherness that deserve equal attention.

Growing up an avid reader, Guillory noticed few books reflected her own world. That absence informs her work now: she writes characters who inhabit familiar neighborhoods, family dynamics, and everyday pleasures, creating space for readers to see themselves in uncomplicated, happy moments.

How the Liquid I.V. partnership fit into the book rollout

The Montauk collaboration wasn’t random. For Guillory, pairing a reading experience with a hydration brand made practical sense—especially during summer events when staying refreshed can be a challenge. She joked about losing track of hydration during long writing sessions and appreciated a partner that matched the relaxed, social energy of a beach launch.

Events and summer reading

• Brand activation: Club Quench delivered a branded environment where readers could sample flavors while listening to an author read.
• Curated lists: Liquid I.V. released a summer reading guide that echoed the event’s playful, romantic tone.
• Engagement focus: The collaboration emphasized fun, accessible ways to promote books outside traditional bookstore tours.

Which Guillory characters spark the most reader swooning?

When asked which fictional figures make her—and many fans—weak in the knees, Guillory pointed to a couple of recurring types: the confident flirt and the unexpectedly endearing charmer.

• Taylor (Flirting Lessons): A self-assured flirt who knows how to use charm. Guillory admires that bold energy and the way it teaches another character to open up.
• Ben (While We Were Dating / The Wedding Party): Initially a minor presence who quickly became a favorite, Ben arrived on the page fully formed—warm, charismatic, and undeniably flirtatious.

Guillory admits she tends toward characters who are good with people: generous, playful, and emotionally available when it counts.

Memorable “thirst” moments across her books

Readers of Guillory’s catalog can point to several classic scenes that capture her knack for slow-burning desire. She highlighted a few favorites that still make audiences swoon:

• The Wedding Date: The early, small-moment intimacy when a character lifts his shirt—brief but loaded with context and chemistry.
• Drunk on Love: The book opens with a spontaneous hookup that becomes complicated the next day when the characters discover a workplace connection, turning proximity into prolonged tension.

Those scenes showcase Guillory’s preference for tension that festers—moments that linger because of timing, circumstance, and sustained proximity.

Writing after burnout: rediscovering craft and courage

After producing several novels in quick succession, the pandemic left Guillory reassessing how she wanted to work. A deliberate pause helped her avoid burnout and ultimately led to a project that felt both fresh and personally meaningful. The gap between releases allowed new ideas to mature and gave her the headspace to approach romance with renewed curiosity.

Flirting Lessons, with its queer central relationship and focus on playful intimacy, is evidence of that regained creative energy: a book that invites readers to savor small gestures, celebrate Black love in its everyday forms, and remember why reading romance can feel like a quietly transformative experience.

You might also like:

• Exploring Love: Why Romance Audiobooks Are My True Passion
• Josh Heuston Off Campus star wasn’t prepared for obsession with steamy hockey romances
• Every Year After on Amazon Prime Video: everything we know
• Rich girl summer: how to pull off a luxe look and lifestyle this season
• Off campus vs the deal: 8 key differences between the books