Duty and the Beast

The tone feels light and fun even when dealing with serious themes, which is a tricky balance. I'm curious about what inspired that choice.

The small-town atmosphere really drew me in, but I wonder if that was based on real places or purely fictional. What made the author choose this kind of setting?

The relationship between the main character and the beast added so much charm and emotional depth. I'd love to know if this was inspired by personal experience or a creative idea.