Guillory is usually a must-read for me. I had a hard time getting into this one and felt it was missing the spark that usually draws me into her books. I did enjoy the modernization of Beauty and the Beast and finding all of the references to the original.

I normally love everything from Jasmine Guillory and was super excited to read this Beauty and the Best retelling. It was enjoyable but a little underwhelming. It did not have the same spark as some of her other writings. I did like the way she modernized this classic story though.

I teach a writing unit about fairy tale adaptations, so am always here for another take and potential inspiration or new ideas! This book seems to be loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, but not enough that I knew what was going to happen or felt that it was too predictable. I loved all the discussions of reading and writing and just general love for books. The depiction of the publishing industry was well done (I can't speak to how accurate it is as my knowledge of that industry is limited), but I felt that the lack of diversity and representation was portrayed well without being too overdone or the entire story. The only character I felt was a little over the top was the villain (I won't say anything more specific as I don't want to give any spoilers!) - it seemed like he was a bit of a caricature, although that is true to fairy tales! This was such a fun read and I will definitely check out the other books in the series.

*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet very low heat romance fromJasmine Guillory. I very much enjoyed Izzy and Beau’s romance and the setting in a house that gave a nod to the Disney movie. I was annoyed that we never found out what was in all the off limits rooms. That felt like a misstep.
Overall sweet, funny with low stakes and a lot of warm fuzzy feelings

Do yourself a favor and buy this book in May when it releases. This modern day rom-com twist on Beauty on the Beast was magical. I couldn’t think of a better author to have written it. I loved all the “Easter eggs” along the way. This book was perfect to me.

I though this book was too cute! The protagonist, Isabelle (Izzy for short) is the typical twenty something young woman, who is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life but, is completely lost. She started her dream job in publishing right out of college, but things aren't living up to the hype. She's the only black woman at work, she's constantly gaslighted by her colleague, and is still trying to win approval from her persnickety boss.

At a conference on the west coast, things take a turn. After a powerful conversation with another high profile black woman in publishing, an opportunity arises that she jumps on ASAP. A very difficult but famous author whom she's communicated with via email for years has still not sent in his manuscript, so, Izzy sets off on foot to get what her boss needs the most- the book.

The author is a mess. A hot mess to be exact. He's a grump, and has done no work on the manuscript he promised to deliver long ago. Izzy won't let this get her down. With small writing exercises and daily pep talks, she takes one step forward and two steps back but she is determined to over the author and to get her hands on the manuscript.

What starts out as a the story of the publishing beauty and her beast of an author, turns into the tale as old as time. The two begin realizing there's more to writing than it seems and you'll just have to tune in for the rest of the story. Cute, easy to read, and lighthearted, this is one I wouldn't miss!

Isabelle has been craving a career in writing and publishing for years and has finally landed herself a role at a solid firm in New York as an Assistant to a big wig publisher. Since she has started her colleague and the former assistant Gavin has tried to help her improve her skill set, to get better at her job and has even helped edit her own book- his feedback was rough. Her bestie at the firm, Priya has been cheering her on and encouraging her to go big.

Isabelle has been working on a huge book deal with a celebrity who has been in hiding for the past year or so, trying to get him to write his book, to no avail. While at a conference in California Isabelle's boss comments how she wishes she could go to this celebs door and just get him to write the book. Isabelle offers to do just that and does so.

Beau has been shut away from the world for over a year, and has agreed for some reason to write his story, to write a book. Isabelle, Izzy as her friends all her happens into his life in a way he never expects and inspires him to write his story. But will he ever finish? Will they publish it? How does Izzy do it?

Read Jasmine Guillory's By the book, a beautiful, sentimental, intense, emotional, inspiring novel that simply touches your soul. It is the best kind of story that leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired. The writing is brilliant and the characters are so well written that they come alive on the page.

I read this as a part of an ARC but I will be buying a copy for my bookshelf!

This was a delightful modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I loved all the nods to the Disney 90s film version, and I loved the relationship between Izzy and Beau.

Brilliant contemporary fiction, perfect escapism.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was literally so cute and my little fairytale loving heart fell absolutely in love with it. There were some predictable parts and of course some cheesy parts but that’s always good with the rom coms. Thank you for the ARC.

Jasmine does it again!! This author can't miss with her writing. What do you get when a book loving underappreciated publishing assistant and a bad boy first time author meet? The answer is a fantastic take on the loved fairy tale Beauty and The Beast. I want to stay in every world Jasmine Guillory creates with her books, the characters are like family and friends that you want the best for and miss once the story is over. If you think you are too old for fairy tales do yourself a favor and read By The Book.

An ambitious New York editorial assistant, feeling stalled in her career and tired of being one of the few Black professionals in her publishing house, decides to shake things up by traveling to California to help a young, infamously trouble-making celebrity write his long overdue memoir. A sweet, slow romance develops. I really look forward to recommending this book to romance readers who would just as soon do without the graphic bedroom scenes -- this author does a great job of creating an uplifting love story with relatable characters.

4 1/2.

I didn't read the first book in the series and that didn't affect the reading of this book.

This story has a Beauty and the Beast flavor, with Isabelle being Belle and Beau being the beast (Beau in French means beautiful, the male version of the word).

A few things irritated me in the beginning: the prologue (completely unnecessary) and the excess use of exclamation marks in the first few chapters.

Izzy works at a publishing house as an assistant and she's disillusioned with what was supposed to be her dream job. Things are just not going as she'd hoped. When an opportunity comes to work with a writer who's missed his deadline by a year, she takes it.

Beau absolutely plays a great beast when he meets Izzy. He bellows and he's rude and overall unpleasant. Izzy ends up staying to help Beau with his book and the more time they spend together, the more they discover how they like each other.

The story grew more on me with each passing chapter with the growth of the characters and the development of their relationship.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was the first of Guillory's books I have read and I truly enjoyed it. I loved seeing how she was going to work the Beauty and the Beast stuff in, but also how she made it her own story. The publishing industry setting was unique and sunny California was a nice break from the dreary Midwest winter for me too.

My first Jasmine Guillory read. Very good, quick, easy read. I admit the first chapter had me thinking this was more of a teen read, but the story grew and was interesting, enjoyable and well rounded. Do not miss this one, an excellent beach, vacation read.

By The Book by Jasmine Guillroy

Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing right out of college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, living at home, still an editorial assistant, and the only Black employee at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.

All she has to do is go to the author’s Santa Barbara mansion and give him a quick pep talk or three. How hard could it be?

————————————

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for an ARC of By The Book! Guys I literally LOVED this book. A modern retelling of Beauty and The Beast by the queen Jasmine? Sign me up! I’ve read a lot of Jasmine’s work and this one did not disappoint. I genuinely fell in love with Isabelle and Beau and their story. I love that it was set in Santa Barbara where I grew up going on vacation— I genuinely felt like I was there. This book was amazing. I cannot wait for everyone to read it!

5⭐️

I’ll start by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jasmine Guillory has a gift. When you start reading a romance, you know what you’re getting into. Early on you’re able to identify who is going to fall in love with who. But that’s not why you read it. You read it for the adventures of watching the romance build.

I’m also a sucker for any book about books. All you can do is root for Izzy to find her way and make her mark on the publishing world. This plot line really makes By The Book so much more interesting.

I absolutely love everything about Jasmine and her books. What better writer than her to write a modern day Beauty and the Beast story. I wouldn’t change a thing. Loved every word.

Oh the swoon factor here is high! Pure glorious guilty pleasure romance that just captures your heart! My Sixth Formers have an obsession with romance right now and this will be perfect for them!

What a wonderful escape. Pure Guilty but with a lot of fresh characters who stood out from all the other rom-com's I've been reading as original and well developed. Pure delight!