Hollywood power couple Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance have teamed up with writer Hilary Beard to pen Friends: A Love Story (Kimani Press; $24.95).

Their inspirational journey of friendship that ultimately led to love will hit stores in January. JBG has obtained an advance copy of this magical book and we fell in love with their captivating love story.

The 404-page hardcover begins with Angela’s upbringing. She was born in New York in 1958 and lived with her parents in Harlem. Money was tight and her dad was even tighter when it came to giving her mother cash. Their marriage was strained and at times violent. As a result of her parents’ turbulent relationship and a second pregnancy, Angela was shipped down south to live with an aunt.

Written in alternating “he said, she said” chapters, Courtney talks about his childhood in Detroit where his big sister was almost kidnapped twice because she was such a pretty baby. Their parents moved to the suburbs and their house was about eight doors down the street from the Motown headquarters, better known as Hitsville. Courtney and his sister watched the stars go in and out of Motown, but they were too young to identify them.

Fast-forward to college. Angela went to Yale and Courtney went to Harvard. Angela was in her third year at Yale when she and Courtney met. He visited the Ivy-League school because he wanted to attend Yale’s drama program after he graduated from Harvard. Angela, Charles Dutton (Angela’s man at the time) and John Turturro -- all of whom were in the drama program -- met with Courtney to give him the 411 on the Yale experience. Courtney and his girlfriend applied and they both got into the Yale program.

For years, Angela and Courtney hung out in the same acting circles and were friends. They dated other people -- and their first date was a disaster. But as time passed, the two finally connected.

Friends: A Love Story is a celebration of black love. It gives a behind-the-scenes peek into how this celebrity couple navigated the fickle tides of fame while keeping their relationship fresh and true. There are references to actors, places and movies, like “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Space Cowboy” and ”What’s Love Got To Do With It” -- all familiar to the reader.

Girlfriend, Go to Amazon.com right now and pre-order this book; it’s going to be a best-seller. We're not the only ones who are ga-ga over this book, we hear magazines, like Good Housekeeping, People, More and Essence, are lining up to feature the book. Our friends at Black Expressions will also showcase it.