By The Book by Jasmine Guillory was such a fun story! It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but it's not a scene for scene remake, it is an original story with hints and flavors of the fairytale and movies. There are completely adorable references to the versions of this fairytale that we know.

I am a sap for books about books! Books about reading, writing, editing, and publishing books, books about libraries, sign me right up!

Izzy works at a publishing house, she is compliant, keeps her opinions to herself, and is just trying to make it in the publishing world. She finds herself at the magical house of Beau, a reclusive, uncommunicative author who needs to finish a memoir. Beau is grumpy and curt, a total Beast. And Izzy is having NONE of it! She finds her voice and ends up staying to help Beau with his book. Over time they become friends, books are written and edited, the house works its magic, there is surfing, a snack cabinet, and love.

Izzy and Beau confront pieces of themselves. They grow. They become better human beings. I loved this book, and I will be reading it again!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is such a perfect romance read for the book nerd. This is Guillory at her finest and I loved everything about it. I didn't want it to end.

This book was a super cute light easy read. I really liked the subtle homage to Beauty and the Beast, like the wifi password. I also enjoyed how she was able to make you feel like Izzy was imprisoned with out actually imprisoning her.

This was a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast and I really enjoyed the way that Jasmine Guillory included elements of the original fairytale. There were cute little Easter eggs throughout the story. I do feel like this was way more PG and immature than I expected. This felt more like a teenage romance with the way they acted and the arguments they had. Also, the set up for their continued interactions was completely unbelievable. I had to do the biggest eye roll because there was no way that would have happened in real life. I did like the way Isabelle and Beau talked out their disagreements (even if they were a little repetitive). Overall it was a quick easy read, but it just didn’t live up to Jasmine Guillory’s past works.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC to review.
#bythebook #Netgalley

❤️ I enjoyed this modern retelling of beauty and the beast. it felt like it’s own unique story while incorporating enough elements from the original to resonate and feel nostalgic. the bookish themes were everything and I appreciated the perspective of a block woman in publishing.

❤️ the setting had me ready to get on a plane and fly to California and I definitely got lost in the magic of the house!

💔 the pacing of conflicts and their resolution felt a bit rushed and a few components of the story were wildly unrealistic (but I guess that’s part of the fun!).

overall it was a cute and happy read, but nothing that will be super memorable. it was fun to read and I’m glad I read it.

This book is just as wonderful as you hope it will be. It has enough little dustings of Beauty and the Beast references while keeping the overall trope, and yet enough heart and reality to keep up with her other wonderful contributions to contemporary romance.

Ms. Guillory does not disappoint. Her books are amazing and the character development is top-notch. I need to remember that I can't put her books down so starting her books at 11 pm is not recommended. Well Done!

Thank you for this ARC! I just loved this book! I read it in under 48 hours and it was a delight from start to finish. The characters were charming and likable, making you root for each one of them. All the publishing world and bookstore details were such a joy to read. There was just enough drama to keep things interesting, but romance and love prevailed. If you are a fan of romance books, this one will not disappoint!!!

BY THE BOOK was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.
All the stars for this fun, breezy, light, fast paced rom-com that I simply couldn't put down.
I love how Jasmine Guillory brought this story to life
The characters and plot swept me up and I felt immersed in the charming and magical world.
Isabelle was smart, witty, beautiful, and went for what she wanted. 
The chemistry between Izzy and Beau is terrific, parts of the dialogue had me freaking smiling from ear to ear!
This story kept me completely entertained and I could not put it down - which is probably why I finished it in one sitting. 
So many elements just came together perfectly and created a PHENOMENAL, sweet romance.
A delightful page-turner. I enjoyed every moment.

Hyperion Avenue,
I can't thank you enough for this eARC!
I will post to my blog and platforms close to pub date!

Very cute! This was pretty tame and there is no heat, but it was a fun read. I liked book 1 more, but this was a good follow-up for the serious and was a good reimagining of the beauty and the beast story.

My first NetGalley ARC! 🥳
This book was so stinkin’ cute. Izzy and Beau were the perfect romantic escape couple that make you want to change your life. It was a liiiiiiiittle predictable and there were times where I wanted them to fall in love faster (forgive me). Overall it was entertaining and for sure a book I’d recommend to someone else.

I am a huge Jasmine Guillory and fairytale fan, this book was such a delight to read. I loved that it gave nods at the fairytale but was still completely it’s own story. I got this as an arc (thank you again to the publisher), and can’t wait to see it in print. This is a must read for all rom-com lovers.

A very fun and romantic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. :) Izzy (Isabelle) is an sunny, cheerful editor assistant who tries to encourage grumpy writer Beau to finish his novel. They complement each other wonderfully because they are opposites. They go through a wonderful journey of falling in love. Lots of romantic tension and chemistry. Jasmine Guillory writes terrific contemporary romances and this is another wonderful example of her writing!

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

What a great story set in a beautiful location! The story was great on its own, but was enhanced by its allusions to Beauty and the Beast.

I always wonder what those of my favorite fairytale characters do in modern world. Does Rapunzel open a hair dresser chains and Sleeping Beauty works for designer company or Snow White prefers a commune life with her dwarves?
Well, “Meant to be “series keep growing on me. Because it gave life to those amazing fairytale characters in the real world!

Firstly “if the shoe fits” attracted my whole attention :the plus size beauty, shoe designed Cindy’s story who works with her evil stepmother was written by Julie Murphy and now one of my truly favorite romance authors : the one and only Jasmine Guillory joins the series with fascinating retelling of my all time favorite Disney story: “Beauty and the Beast”

This time Isabelle ( called as Izzy, but she’s still Belle) works for TAOAT Publishing Company ( acronym for “ Take as Old as Time”)as aspiring editorial assistant doing everything in her power to get the promotion she truly deserves but it seems like the company’s diversity policy remained from ancient times just like its name. She’s the only black girl who tries to prove she’s doing great job as like the other employees of the company, dealing with ultra annoying Gavin’s antics.

When her boss Marta shares her problem about a very popular author who gives the company hard time by not turning his memoir manuscript on time, she accepts the challenge, going to the mansion of the author located in California to negotiate with him face to face!

Of course their first meeting gives us the vibes of two favorite tropes: enemies to lovers and the sunshine meets the grump. That isolated, grumpy, exhausted author Beau is adamant to be big challenge against her promotion. But luckily Izzy doesn’t give up so easily.

As they spend more time together, they realize both of them suffer from their own losses in the past. There are so many common points help them easily connect a true friendship bond. Izzy gets an extension for him to finish the memoir consisting of his bad boy years.

Their attraction and chemistry were palpable. The fairy tale references were perfectly inserted including a magical kettle, a marvelous library, rose garden, Wi-fi password.

The character development was good. Both of the MCs were dealing with their inner demons but they were still strong, likable, connectable characters.

I only get bored because of extra slow burn progression of their romantic involvement. But overall the author did a marvelous job to retell and also adapt this classic fairytale into our modern world love story with representing diversity, inequality at work space, mansplaining.

Giving my 4 magical, heartfelt stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I have always been a sucker for a good reimagined fairytale and this book started very strong. However, once we started getting to the denouement, it felt like the effort put into the story was dwindling and so did my interest.

By the Book: A Meant to be Novel by Jasmine Guillory is a wonderful and fun contemporary romance that is the second book in an adorable series of contemporary spins on classic fairytales from one of my favorite authors!

I loved this fun, adorable, flirty, and relaxing contemporary romance that gives several references and nods to the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. I love how the author incorporates some of those concepts without allowing it to overpower the contemporary concept. The balance was just perfect and she allowed the new storyline to hold its own and shine.

Izzy (Isabelle) and Beau are great main characters. Both are realistic, charming in their own ways, and compliment each other well. I enjoyed their paths, their chemistry, their progression, and of course their ending.

I most certainly will read more from this series in the future.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hyperion Avenue for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/3/22.

This book was cute. Definitely not my favorite by this author and the Disneyfication was a bit too much at times but it was a fun read. My major problem with it honestly was that the egalley was difficult to read; the type was very small and it was in a format that made it difficult to enlarge.

I was very excited to get to read this book early! I love Jasmine Guillory books.
I had very high hopes for this book and I may have aimed a little to high. It’s a fun book and great character development but doesn’t hit my top 3 for this author.

This book is very tame on the steam meter compared to her others. Cute romance but a very slow burn!

If you enjoy other books by this author, you will enjoy this one!

Loved this book. Although it is an interpretation of beauty and the beast it still felt like an accomplished romance novel.