Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee — Fairy Tale Retellings

Once Upon a Shelf

Clean romance for the fairy tale lover in all of us. Always PG. Always heartfelt.

Silver Quill Award Clean Read ✓

Ella

A Cinderella Retelling

Reserved yet resilient, Ella Blakeley lives without hope of escape — until a royal ball changes everything. Even without mice, magic, or fairy godmothers, Ella might discover a life better than she ever dreamed.

Available on Bright Haven Shop at Amazon

Clean Read ✓

Ella's Will

Cinderella — Will's Story

Will Hawkins is just a stable boy. How can he hope to woo Ella when his competition is the prince? Witty, romantic, and impossible to put down — this companion novel is the other half of the same love story.

Available on Bright Haven Shop at Amazon

Clean Read ✓

Always Ella

The Stepmother's Origin Story

Nobody is born wicked. The beautiful Victoria Noble has lofty dreams — but none involve becoming a villain. A poignant prequel and a powerful reminder that redemption is never walked alone.

Available on Bright Haven Shop at Amazon

Gold Quill Award Clean Read ✓

Finding Beauty in the Beast

A Beauty & the Beast Retelling

Princess Rose's fiery temper keeps every suitor away — until Corbin offers a simple rose. A clever, subversive twist where the princess is the beast, and love works in mysterious ways.

Available on Bright Haven Shop at Amazon

Clean Read ✓

Awake at Widmore Manor

A Princess & the Pea Retelling

A violent storm. A sleepless night. A test. Granted refuge by her childhood friend, Emma must reconcile her past and discover what being home truly means. Part of the "Once Upon a Regency" series.

Available on Bright Haven Shop at Amazon

New to Jessilyn's world? Begin with Ella, then follow Will's story in Ella's Will. Or jump in anywhere — each book stands beautifully on its own.

Browse All Books at Bright Haven →

What Readers Are Saying

“I have always favored Cinderella tales and retellings and Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee has written a splendid and delightful twist on this beautiful story.”

Amazon Verified Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Ella

“This is how the story should have always been. There are insights into human nature explained from different points of view, in enlightening ways.”

Amazon Verified Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Ella's Will

“Such a fresh take. Having 'Beauty' as the 'Beast' added so many layers and delivered such a meaningful and poignant message. Jessilyn truly has a way with words.”

Amazon Verified Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Finding Beauty in the Beast

“Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee has proven four times that she can do a perfect fairy tale retelling with new depth — making each story superior to the original.”

Amazon Verified Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Awake at Widmore Manor

Which Fairy Tale is For You?

Answer three questions and we'll find your perfect Jessilyn story.

What kind of hero speaks to your soul?

Your ideal fairy tale setting?

What fairy tale theme moves you most?

Ella

Reserved yet resilient, Ella Blakeley lives without hope of escape — until a royal ball changes everything. Your perfect fairy tale starts here.

Read It Now

Or browse all of Jessilyn's books ↓

Ella's Will

Will Hawkins is just a stable boy — but his loyalty and love make him unforgettable. Witty, romantic, and impossible to put down.

Read It Now

Or browse all of Jessilyn's books ↓

Finding Beauty in the Beast

A clever, subversive twist where the princess is the beast. Princess Rose's temper meets Corbin's quiet heart — and love works in mysterious ways.

Read It Now

Or browse all of Jessilyn's books ↓

Awake at Widmore Manor

A violent storm, a sleepless night, and a test. Emma Widmore must reconcile her past and discover what being home truly means.

Read It Now

Or browse all of Jessilyn's books ↓

The Author Behind the Magic

Once upon a time — somewhere between laundry piles and bedtime stories — Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee fell in love with fairy tales and the belief that they still matter. She reimagines classic stories through the lens of real life, where courage and love are the truest magic of all.

Her debut novel, Ella, received the Silver Quill Award from the League of Utah Writers, and her third novel, Finding Beauty in the Beast, earned the Gold Quill Award, both in YA Fiction.

A passionate advocate for young writers, Jessilyn loves encouraging youth to pursue their creative dreams and has visited schools throughout Utah and surrounding states.

A graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in English, she grew up in Southern California in a family of music lovers, movie quoters, and sports fans — and now lives in Utah with her science-teaching husband and their five hilarious, incredible boys.

As you read this, she is probably folding laundry… or should be.

Raised in sunny Southern California
BYU English grad, class of 2004
Utah resident, Rocky Mountain backdrop
Mom of FIVE boys (yes, five)
Writes delightfully girly books

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Bringing Stories to Life

Jessilyn is passionate about encouraging young writers to find their voice and pursue their creative dreams. She has visited schools throughout Utah and surrounding states — bringing fairy tales to life and inspiring students to believe in the magic of their own stories.

Author Talks

The story behind the stories, and why fairy tales still matter.

Writing Workshops

Hands-on encouragement for young and aspiring writers.

Book Signings

Meet Jessilyn and get a personally signed copy.

Library & Event Appearances

Bringing the magic of reading to your community.

Book a Visit →

Send a Note

Jessilyn loves hearing from readers! She'll do her best to respond — though with five boys running around, give her a moment.