Interview with Isabel Jolie, Author of Only the Devil

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Only the Devil?

Only the Devil grew out of a question that wouldn’t leave me alone: what does greed look like when it’s clean, legal, and wrapped in suits instead of violence? The Sinful State series explores the deadly sins through modern power structures, and for this book—greed—I was drawn to white-collar crime. Financial crimes devastate lives quietly. They ruin retirees, families, and veterans without a single gunshot, and the people responsible often walk away untouched. That imbalance fascinated—and infuriated—me. I wanted to write a story where greed isn’t just about money, but about temptation, justification, and the moments where good people are offered life-changing choices at an impossible cost. Add a protector hero who’s seen what power does to people, a heroine who refuses to look away, and suddenly the line between right and wrong gets very personal.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Only the Devil, what would they be?

I don’t have theme songs for each character, but the theme song for the book is “Money” by Pink Floyd.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Romance has always been my favorite genre to read. It’s the only one that consistently keeps me up too late, telling myself just one more chapter—and then finishing the book in a matter of days instead of weeks. I’ve realized the same thing is true for TV shows: if there’s a couple I’m invested in, I’m all in. I want the tension, the obstacles, and that moment when everything finally clicks into place. That’s exactly why I write romance. My recent books fall into romantic suspense, which I love because it challenges me to weave emotional intimacy and high-stakes danger together. For me, the suspense raises the emotional payoff—and the romance makes the danger matter.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

When He Guards by Cynthia Eden, Hunted in Calusa Cove by Jen Talty, and Cold Heat by Toni Anderson.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

One of my favorite scenes to write is a quiet one. Daisy is overwhelmed and emotionally raw, and she tries to use physical intimacy as a way to avoid dealing with everything she’s feeling. Jake sees it immediately—and instead of taking what’s offered, he slows her down, grounds her, and insists she talk to him. There’s no sex in the scene, but it’s deeply intimate. For me, that moment captures who Jake really is: protective, perceptive, and far more emotionally present than he gives himself credit for. I remember finishing that scene and realizing I’d fallen a little bit in love with him myself—and that’s usually how I know a scene is working.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I’m not sure I’m quirky so much as consistent. My dog and cat supervise me all day, I always have a notepad within reach, and my morning coffee usually gets reheated more than once. I also love writing with a candle burning—it’s a small ritual, but it helps me slip into the world of the story.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I keep two quotes on my bulletin board, and they balance each other perfectly. The first one is simple: “There is no losing. You either win, or you learn.” I don’t even remember where it came from, but it’s the one I glance at when I start spiraling about having made a wrong choice. It reminds me that every step forward counts—even the messy ones. The second one is completely different and always makes me smile. It’s from a hotel coaster and reads: “There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” It’s absurd and dry and oddly comforting—and a good reminder not to take everything quite so seriously.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I’d want readers to remember how the book made them feel when they closed the final epilogue—that deep, settled warmth that comes from a romance that’s been earned. With Only the Devil, that feeling is tied to safety, devotion, and the relief of knowing that after all the danger and moral gray areas, these two people truly chose each other. If readers close the book smiling and wishing they could spend a little more time with Daisy and Jake, that means everything to me.

Isabel Jolie is the author of the new book Only the Devil

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