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.

👸🏻ᗷOOK ᖇEᐯIEᗯ👸🏻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
By The Book by Jasmine Guillory

By the Book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but in modern time. Izzy, works in the publishing world and even thought she thinks it’s her dream job she is realizing is not a dream any longer.

Beau can be annoying, rude and unpleasant. Things change when Izzy decided to help him finish his book and stay in his Santa Barbara home. Things turn around when they get to know each other and spend time… Izzy realizes that he is different than what he portrays.

Their sessions turn into a friendship and a romance they didn’t think could happen. The way they help each other find themselves and their voice is special.

Although I love Disney stories and love The Beauty and the Beast I don’t enjoy retells as much. I feel like even though they are modernized, they lose that touch all the stories have. I did enjoy the book and the story line and I’m looking into her other books as well.

Do you enjoy the Disney original books or do you enjoy a retell as well?

Thank you @netgalley and Hyperion for the ARC.

I loved this modern version of a fairy tale! So many cute similarities to Beauty and the Beast with very likable characters. Isabelle and Beau are a fairy tale couple come true!

I absolutely adore Jasmine Guillory. But when I read one of her books, I expect it to bring a certain amount of heat. This one does not. It’s a Disney-fied version of her. I loved Izzy and Jasmine Guillory provides representation like no other in her descriptions. But Beau was too odd and reserved for me to like him as a character. Definitely four stars for the happiness I feel just cracking open a Jasmine Guillory book.

I'll be honest, I DNF'd this book. Something about it didn't work for me and I couldn't put my finger on it until I realized that it was a play on Beauty and the Beast. It's not a trope that I can get behind and neither is the power dynamic and disparity between Izzy and Beau. Her career depends on him writing his book and he takes advantage of that and of her.

This was a great retelling of beauty and the beast.
I absolutely love Belle and just had to go out and buy a copy for my
collection. I just recently bought another book by the same author.
completely in love

📚 My review for By The Book by Jasmine Guillory. First shoutout to #NetGallery for giving me an advanced digital copy

Swipe for synopsis

Guys, I love love love me some Jasmine Guillory! It’s something about the light hallmark feel of her books, that restore my faith in all of humanity lol. This book was just ok to me, it was a slow burn with no spice at all. I was kind of prepared for this, because its a Disney retelling, but it did really make the book drag. For me it gets a 3.5/5 .

Read this book if…
💜 You love Disney retellings
💜 You love an adorable female MC
💜 You love a grumpy male MC
💜 You love hallmark movies
💜 You’re obsessed with all things snacks
💜 You love a slow burn romance

SN: Slowly, I’ve been collecting funko pops! They are so adorable and a little addictive.

QOTD: Do you collect funko pops? If so which one is your favorite?

4 out of 5 stars. If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This was a fun retelling of "Beauty and the Beast". The story and characters were engaging, and the story was mostly light and fluffy (which was just what I needed).

I loved this book. Jasmine is a master at writing romance and this Beauty and the Beast retelling was so fun!

I've read most of Guillory's novels now, and this one ranks towards the bottom. It was just okay. While I like fairytale retellings, this one felt lackluster. It could have been the younger age of the characters that ,made this feel like new adult rather than adult contemporary (NA is not my cup of tea).

Love love loved this one soooo much!! I adore this writing style and story telling, permanent smile on my face kind of romance.