By the Book is the second novel in the Meant to Be series. This is a series of Adult Romance companion novels that are modern re-imaginings of well-loved fairy tales. This is one of this authors best books in my opinion. It started off a little slow for me, but once it picked up I really loved it. Overall a fun and lighthearted read that rom-com lovers and fans of modern, fairytale retellings are bound to enjoy.

I was interested to see how beauty and the beast, the whole kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome thing, would translate into a modern story and it was actually done pretty well. It's a cute enjoyable story I'll keep an eye out for more from the author

A cute retelling of the classic beauty and the beast story. I love stories about readers and the love of books, it reminds me of how it felt to start working in the industry. I thought that the romance element was a bit rushed and felt like the author could have added more character development in the being rather than just at the end. This works well as a standalone (I actually had no idea it was part of a bigger series until after the fact).

Beau's character development was decently paced, I really loved his mother and his relationship with his family was complex and involved like all family relations and I thought it was just the amount of suspense to keep me reading on.

I would rate this title 3 stars as I found the relationship to happen too quickly for the retelling it is based on. my favorite element in beauty and the beast is the slow burn element and I felt this was missing from this book.

Jasmine Guillory is the queen of modern romcoms and this Disney-based story retelling is just as good as every other book she's written. By the Book is a modern LA-based version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, with a completely gorgeous, closed-off man instead of a beast. The story, which somewhat unrealistic, is completely addictive and cute and I couldn't put the book down, like every other Jasmine Guillory book.

another wonderful read by Guillory, who has such a deft touch and caring approach to all of her characters. highly recc!

I loved this modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast! It is more true to the original than the first in this series, If the Shoe Fits (which I also ABSOLUTELY loved!). I can't wait for the next one!

What a darling and creative retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I think a few scenes could have been edited out to keep the plot moving at a faster paste. I was so impressed with this retelling because it just seems like an uncommon retelling because of the actual story.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

By the Book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. While is it marked as book #2 in the Meant to Be series - they do not need to be read in order.

Isabelle is having a moment. She started her career right out of college as an editorial assistant. She was living the dream. Fast forward a few years - still in the same position with no forward movement. She is starting to get extremely frustrated and trying to figure out what is next for her. She overhears her boss talking about a bad boy that is supposed to have turned in his memoir by now. However, every time they try to communicate with him - no response. Isabelle decides to throw caution to the wind and suggest someone go to his home and have a talk with him. Her boss loves the idea and sends her to Santa Barbara to talk to him. Santa Barbara in the winter versus staying in New York for a few days - sign me up!!!

However, Beau Towers is not a pep talk kind of guy. After throwing her out of him home, Isabelle is more determined. When Beau's assistant falls in the driveway and Isabelle helps her back into the house, the situation changes and Isabelle can see by they way he cares for his assistant that there is more than meets the eye. So, she tries again and he caves.

As the story unfolds, Guillory does a great job painting the backstories of these characters to help the reader see how they have become who they are.

I loved this story, but I love everything that Guillory writes.

Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Just a little slow and unbelievable at some points. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As always, I am a huge fan of all things Guillory. This one did not disappoint! I loved the reimagining of beauty and the beast vibes!

I loved the first book in the “meant to be” series so I decided to give this one a shot. While I enjoyed it, I didn’t find it to be as compelling and unputdownable as the first. Jasmine Guillory is a hit or miss for me. I’ve loved some of her books, but dnfed others. This one was perfectly fine.

Well this was a JOY! A sunshine-y Beauty and grumbly beast made for an enjoyable summer read. I especially appreciated the weighty backstory Guillory gave both characters, and the literary setting was extra fun. High fives for making the most of the beloved library in this remix.

This was a fun, light, clean, romance retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It’s the second book in the Meant To Be series from Disney’s Hyperion imprint. The series engages popular authors to retell the Disney versions of fairytales. The first in the series was If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. Of these two, I enjoyed that one a great deal more than this one. That being said, this was cute, sweet, read quickly and included lots of Easter eggs for Beauty and the Beast fans …for example they sit down to watch a costume drama called This Provincial Life. 😂 This would make a great summer read! And even though I prefer If the Shoe Fits, this still gets a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating from me.

I loved this book so much. I love when books are about books and this did it so well. I loved everything about it.

DNF around 30% of the way in. The premise is great, but the protagonist is almost too lovely and too perfect for the story to pick up traction. Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book.
The setting is wonderful. It made me want to visit Santa Barbara.
I’m just tired of the “he hasn’t called me so what we shared must be over “.
The phone works both ways. A simple “I’m home.” would have stopped the angst.
Overall, a nice way to escape into a book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

By the Book is an amazing read that I totally adored! I was all in for the Beauty and the Beast theme. It is a read that definitely gives you all of the feels. I was team Beau and Izzy all the way. For the book lovers and booknerdigans out there, this one is for you.

Isabelle has goals and dreams when it comes to her career in publishing. She finds herself stuck and wanting more in her career. She finds the perfect opportunity to prove herself. When a high-profile celebrity has yet to submit his highly anticipated manuscript, Izzy takes this as an opportunity to prove herself, show her worth, and finally be recognized for her work. However, she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Beau Towers comes with more than meets the eye. He is guarded, standoffish, and takes rudeness to another level. She was certainly not ready for what he had to give.

And neither was prepared for the undeniable chemistry.

The meet-cute, banter, and discovery and vulnerability of both Izzy and Beau make for a great read. I enjoyed the story and how their journey to success unfolds.

Jasmine Guillory did an amazing job with the modern-day twist to an old tale that will have you wanting more and rooting for the “Happily Ever After”. By the Book is one to defiantly add to your list of reads.

By the Book is a contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Isabelle Marlowe is an editorial assistant at the Tale as Old as Time Publishing company in New York, but she feels frustrated with her job and wants to become a book editor. An opportunity to impress her demanding boss comes during a trip to a convention in Los Angeles.

Her boss, Marta, had signed Beau Towers, handsome former child star and son of two celebrities, to a book deal for his memoir. But it has been over a year and Beau has basically disappeared, retreating to his late grandparents’ mansion and ignoring all communications. Izzy impulsively offers to go talk to Beau in person.

Before disappearing, Beau was known in the tabloids for fights, model girlfriends, car accidents, even screaming at his mother during his father’s funeral. A nervous Izzy drives out to his house, but Beau refuses to see her.

His assistant walks her back down the drive, where the woman falls, injuring her leg, and Izzy has to help her back inside. An unkempt Beau walks in and angrily demands to know what is going on. After Izzy explains and introduces herself, Beau grudgingly allows her to stay the night and give him her “pep talk” during dinner.
Izzy lays out what she thinks are helpful tips for someone who is having writer’s block. Beau is rude and laughs at her, and she angrily leaves the table.

But the next morning she gets a text from her boss, who says Beau called to say Izzy had been very helpful, so Izzy is ordered to stay longer.

A smart, plucky heroine, Izzy disarms Beau, and he gradually thaws and opens up about his struggles writing his memoir. And as Izzy helps Beau, she starts working again on her own book. She also is enjoying staying in a beautiful house that seems almost magically well-stocked with delicious food and snacks.

As their relationship deepens, Izzy finds that she likes the man beneath the beastly facade. But a betrayal by a duplicitous coworker may put their relationship and book progress in jeopardy.

If I hadn't seen, I wouldn't have guessed that this book was the second in a series. Not a bad thing at all, it stands on its own very nicely and without needing to even nod at its predecessor. Great setup of the character before she meets her beastly author/love interest.

Received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

Cute retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I’m loving these contemporary retellings that are coming out! Love the little hints of the original hidden within. Some of this one was a little slow moving but it didn’t stop me from reading it or enjoying it.