Jasmine Guillory’s By the Book serves as the second installment in Disney’s ambitious Meant to Be series, transforming the beloved Beauty and the Beast fairy tale into a contemporary romance set within the cutthroat world of New York publishing. After establishing herself as a formidable voice in contemporary romance with beloved standalones like The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and The Wedding Party, Guillory takes on the challenge of adapting a classic Disney narrative while maintaining her signature blend of humor, heart, and social commentary.
The Belle of Publishing: Character Development and Representation
The story follows Isabelle “Izzy” Marlowe, a twenty-five-year-old Black editorial assistant working at Tale as Old as Time Publishing (a clever nod to the original fairy tale). Guillory expertly crafts Izzy as more than just a Belle archetype; she’s a fully realized woman navigating the microaggressions and systemic barriers that exist within predominantly white publishing spaces. As the only Black employee at her company, Izzy’s struggles feel authentic and timely, particularly her constant internal battle between speaking up and staying silent to protect her career.
Beau Towers, our modern Beast, emerges as a former child star turned reclusive author who has retreated to his Santa Barbara mansion after personal tragedy. Rather than relying on physical transformation, Guillory focuses on emotional walls and trauma-induced isolation. Beau’s journey from bitter withdrawal to vulnerability feels earned rather than rushed, though some readers may find his initial hostility crosses the line from grumpy to genuinely unpleasant.
The supporting cast brings depth to this reimagined world. Michaela, Beau’s housekeeper, serves as a nurturing Mrs. Potts figure while maintaining her own agency and backstory. Izzy’s friendship with Priya provides necessary external perspective, though their text exchanges sometimes feel forced rather than natural.
Publishing Industry Authenticity: Where the Magic Happens
Guillory’s background shines through in her portrayal of the publishing world’s harsh realities. The depiction of Izzy’s daily grind—endless emails, thankless tasks, and casual dismissal of her contributions—rings painfully true. The character of Marta Wallace, Izzy’s demanding boss, represents the kind of gatekeeping that persists in traditional publishing spaces.
The author successfully weaves genuine industry details throughout the narrative, from the intricacies of manuscript development to the politics of book promotion. However, some elements feel slightly idealized, particularly the rapid pace at which Izzy’s career prospects change. The overnight transformation from struggling assistant to sought-after editor strains credibility, even within the fairy tale framework.
Romance and Relationship Dynamics: The Heart of the Tale
The central romance between Izzy and Beau unfolds with Guillory’s characteristic warmth and emotional intelligence. Their initial antagonistic dynamic gradually evolves through shared writing sessions and late-night conversations, creating believable intimacy. The author skillfully uses their collaborative work on Beau’s memoir as a vehicle for emotional connection, allowing both characters to reveal vulnerabilities naturally.
The romantic progression feels more organic than many fairy tale retellings, with both characters growing individually before coming together. Izzy’s rediscovery of her passion for writing parallels her opening up to love, while Beau’s willingness to confront his past traumas enables him to envision a future with someone else.
However, the power dynamics inherent in their situation occasionally create discomfort. Despite Guillory’s efforts to establish Izzy’s agency, the fact remains that Beau holds significant power over her professional future, which somewhat undermines the equality essential to a healthy romance.
Writing Style and Pacing: Guillory’s Signature Touch
Guillory’s prose maintains the accessible, conversational tone that has made her previous works so beloved. Her dialogue sparkles with authenticity, particularly in Izzy’s internal monologue and her exchanges with friends. The author excels at capturing the small moments that build relationships—shared snacks in midnight kitchens, comfortable silences during work sessions, and the gradual breaking down of emotional barriers.
The pacing stumbles occasionally, particularly in the middle section where the daily routine of writing sessions begins to feel repetitive. Some scenes could benefit from tighter editing, and certain plot points feel rushed while others drag. The climactic confrontation between Izzy and Beau, while emotionally resonant, resolves perhaps too quickly given the magnitude of their conflict.
Social Commentary and Contemporary Relevance
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its honest examination of workplace discrimination and the particular challenges faced by Black women in predominantly white professional environments. Guillory doesn’t shy away from depicting the exhausting nature of being the only person of color in professional spaces, the pressure to represent an entire race, and the careful navigation required to advance while remaining authentic.
The exploration of creative dreams versus financial security resonates strongly in an era of economic uncertainty. Izzy’s struggle to maintain her artistic aspirations while meeting basic survival needs reflects a reality many readers will recognize.
Series Context and Disney Connection
Within the Meant to Be series, By the Book by Jasmine Guillory stands as a strong entry that successfully modernizes its source material while maintaining the series’ commitment to diverse storytelling. Alongside Julie Murphy’s If the Shoe Fits (Cinderella), Zoraida Córdova’s Kiss the Girl (The Little Mermaid), Christina Lauren’s Tangled Up in You (Tangled), and Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Worth Fighting For (Mulan), Guillory’s contribution demonstrates how classic narratives can be refreshed for contemporary audiences without losing their essential magic.
The Disney partnership adds interesting layers to the reading experience, particularly for those familiar with the animated film. Guillory plants clever Easter eggs throughout—the publishing house name, character parallels, and subtle nods to iconic scenes—without allowing them to overshadow the original story she’s crafting.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Authentic portrayal of publishing industry dynamics
- Strong character development, particularly for Izzy
- Thoughtful examination of workplace discrimination
- Natural dialogue and relationship building
- Successful modernization of classic fairy tale elements
Areas for Improvement:
- Occasionally uneven pacing
- Some plot resolutions feel rushed
- Power dynamics in the central relationship could be better addressed
- Certain supporting characters lack full development
Comparison to Guillory’s Previous Works and Similar Books
Readers familiar with Jasmine Guillory’s earlier novels will recognize her trademark warmth and social awareness, though By the Book feels more structured due to its fairy tale framework. The work stands favorably alongside other contemporary romances that tackle workplace dynamics, such as Christina Lauren’s Beach Read or Talia Hibbert’s Get a Life, Chloe Brown.
For those seeking similar publishing industry romance, Beach Read offers comparable behind-the-scenes authenticity, while Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game provides a similar enemies-to-lovers dynamic in a professional setting.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Addition to Both Romance and Fairy Tale Retellings
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory succeeds admirably in its dual mission of delivering satisfying romance while updating a beloved fairy tale for contemporary readers. Guillory’s commitment to authentic representation and her skill at crafting emotionally resonant relationships overcome the novel’s structural weaknesses. While not without flaws, the book offers readers exactly what they seek from both romance and fairy tale retellings: the promise that love can transform lives and that happy endings remain possible, even in the most challenging circumstances.
The novel works particularly well for readers seeking diverse romance, publishing industry insider perspectives, or fresh takes on classic stories. While some elements may feel familiar to romance veterans, Guillory’s authentic voice and commitment to meaningful representation make this retelling feel both timeless and urgently contemporary.
Similar Books Worth Reading
- Beach Read by Christina Lauren – Writers finding love and inspiration
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Office romance with enemies-to-lovers dynamics
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – Contemporary romance with strong character growth
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Behind-the-scenes entertainment industry romance
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – Contemporary romance with social commentary
By the Book ultimately delivers a reading experience that honors both its source material and its contemporary setting, proving that the best fairy tale retellings don’t just update old stories—they reveal why those stories continue to matter.