Jasmine Guillory is a favorite and she delivers again with great dialogue, chemistry, plus a love story that we can all root for. I loved that the heroine is intelligent,smart and learns about her own worth throughout the novel before the happy ending. A solid and engaging read.

Not my favorite of hers but still enjoyable. Felt a little trite but perfectly fine. Probably went into it with expectations that were too high.

I am a sucker for books about books and reading, and this one did not disappoint! Even better, it is a loose re-telling of the most bookish fairy tale of all time, Beauty and the Beast,
Izzy is a charming and bubbly Beauty who is an editorial assistant with a sense of humor. Beau is a gruff and reclusive Beast who is struggling to finish (or start?) his long-awaited memoir. That "something" between them is undeniable, and happily ever after seems more than attainable the more they get to know each other.
Recommended for adults. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Hyperion Avenue, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Isabelle loves books and stories and works as an editor’s assistant at Tale as Old as Time. She longs to be an assistant editor, to help people tell their stories, and to write her own books. While on a trip to California, she makes a home visit to Beau, a recluse celebrity, to check on his progress with his memoir for her boss. After a rocky start, she agrees to stay on to encourage him along the way. This is an enjoyable romance, without being graphic. Romance, friendship, family, and books! (Plus, fun nods to a movie version of the story!)

I love Jasmine Guillory and this is her take on beauty and the beast. And it's about writing, and making your way. I like what she did with this retelling

I love books about books! Unfortunately, I didn’t love this one. Guillory has a following, but after several attempts, I must admit that I am not part of it.

The love story lacked tension and chemistry. The characters fell flat. I just didn’t love it.

I love Guillory’s writing style. Thanks so much for the review copy. I look forward to reading more of her books

This book was brilliantly written, tropes and all. The characters were well developed, the plot was predictable (but not in an overwhelming way). I’d recommend this book for fans of Guilloroy, or folks looking to read about romance that is also tied to discovering oneself in the process.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't finish this one. I wasn't connecting with the romance and didn't feel the usual spark, chemistry and wit I get from Guillory's other stories.

I loved the idea of this concept and I know it's one of a selection of books recreating fairy tales by different authors, so it's possible this break from the author's typical writing style is what didn't work for me.

This book was cute. I love this series and that different authors are each writing books. This book, though based off Disney stories, was it's own stand alone book. The book was cute, engaging, and complete with romance.

This does not feel like a typical Jasmine Guillory book and its really upsetting how much I did not enjoy this. I continue to be a Jasmine Guillory fan but the retelling of Beauty and the Beast just did not work for me.

A modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast was bound to draw me in, and this one was a total winner! I loved all the references to characters, places, and iconic parts of the original princess movie, especially the villain. By the Book by Jasmine Guillory features Isabelle who works for Tale as Old as Time publishing in NY and heads to Santa Barbara, CA to get celebrity bad boy turned hermit, Beau, to finish-eh, start-his memoir. Their story was so fun to follow and the book overall was one that made me happy with nostalgia for my favorite childhood princess and a modern twist. I’m not usually one into fairy tale retellings, but this one was so enjoyable I plan to pick up the other books in the Meant to Be series.

A sweet little romance story that spins a retelling if Beauty and the Beast. It’s a lovely read that takes your mind to far off places and turns you into a real life Belle.

beauty and the beast as a modern day retelling?! YES PLZ. 😍 this was even more bookish than the Disney movie i loved as a kid, and definitely was a fresh and new spin on the storyline, while keeping so many great nods to the magic and the heart of the story. it was CUTE!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— really liked it

I'm a longtime fan of Guillory's adult novels and had high hopes for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, however, ultimately this one fell flat for me. Perhaps it's that I read a similar book right before i picked up this one, and it ultimately executed better, but overall I didn't love the pacing of the voice of the main character and though I tried to push through, marked By The Book as a DNF at the halfway point .
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advance copy.

It took me forever to get into this one but once I was a few chapters in I had no idea why I struggled so much. This is a great rom com type book. The Beauty and the Beast inspo was light but easy to see. I liked the little nods to the the story throughout. The characters were well-developed. 3.5 stars!

This was such a cute romantic love story. I loved the little fairytale references like her talking to the bathtub and going inside the library and feeling as if it were welcoming her. Izzy and Beau’s relationship is one that they both stumble upon and gradually realize their growing “friendship” is something to hold on to.

By The Book is the second book in the Meant to Be series, where authors reimagine fairy tales for an adult audience. In this one we get a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
I’m not a huge fairy tale fan but I do like retellings. It doesn’t make sense to me either!

This was a cute lighthearted romance. No spice so don’t expect that.
I did like that it’s a retelling but not an exact copy. The author sprinkled some Disney references and I really enjoyed that.

I did feel like the couple lacked chemistry. As friends they were perfect, I just didn’t fully believe the romantic aspect.

Overall it was a cute read and I recommend it if you love all things Disney and romance.

This is a fun rom-com. I liked the little tongue-in-cheek references to Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

If you’re looking to read more BIPOC authors and you enjoy contemporary romance, I’ve got a winning read for you. By the Book is Jasmine Guillory’s entry in Disney Publishing’s Meant to Be series, where authors reimagine fairy tales for an adult audience. The second in the series (following Dumplin’ author Julie Murphy’s reimagining of Cinderella), Guillory interprets Beauty and the Beast through the eyes of Isabelle, a young editorial assistant who must tame her recalcitrant writer, Beau, and help him compose and submit his (very late) memoir to her publishing house.
Of course the “beastly” hero is a grump who has no desire to write an autobiography, and of course there are plenty of “forced proximity” machinations where Izzy has to stay with Beau in order to keep her job. As someone who loves books about writing, I thought the best parts of the book were Izzy’s daily writing tasks for Beau: anyone who has ever thought about writing a memoir could use her tricks for avoiding writer’s block.
I must say that the constant references to the Disney Beauty and the Beast film did grow a bit tiresome. Guillory may have meant these to be Easter eggs, and she clearly understands the assignment, but I found that these nods drew me out of the book. Some examples: the WiFi password is Lum1ere!, the library has a rolling ladder that encompasses one wall, and Izzy wears a long yellow dress and wonders if “the teacup and candlestick will start, like, singing and dancing.” I may be too familiar with the Disney movie, and another reader might gloss right over these nods to Belle and the denizens of the Beast’s castle.
In any case, the developing relationship between Izzy and Beau is charming, along with the way she teases out his life story. I’ll definitely read more of Guillory’s work, with or without the fairy tale. 4 out of 5 stars.