If you’re a romance reader, you know the drill with retellings. Usually, it's a predictable formula where a girl stumbles into a grumpy man’s house and—lo and behold—he’s actually just misunderstood and very rich. But By the Book by Jasmine Guillory does something much more interesting. It takes the bones of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and transplants them into the chaotic, high-stakes world of modern New York publishing.
Honestly, it’s a vibe.
Isabelle is a twenty-five-year-old editorial assistant who feels stuck. She’s one of the few Black employees at a major publishing house, overtaxed and underpaid, living at home with her parents because, well, NYC rent is a nightmare. Then comes the "Beast" figure: Beau Cave. He’s a high-profile celebrity with a massive book contract and an even more massive ego, and he’s currently hiding away in his Santa Barbara mansion while blowing past every deadline he’s been given. Isabelle, desperate to prove her worth, flies out to get a manuscript out of him.
It sounds simple. It’s not.
What By the Book by Jasmine Guillory gets right about work culture
Most romance novels treat the protagonist's job as a background detail—a place they go to look busy before the hero calls. Guillory doesn't do that. She captures the specific, grinding exhaustion of the publishing industry. You've got the endless emails. The feeling of being "lucky" just to have a seat at the table even when that table is costing you your mental health. Isabelle isn't just a "Belle" figure; she’s a professional woman dealing with a stagnant career.
When she arrives at Beau's mansion, she doesn't find a monster. She finds a man who is paralyzed by the pressure of his own fame and a project he can't finish.
The dynamic is shifts. It’s not about "fixing" a man. It’s about a collaborative creative process. They start working on the book together, and that’s where the real magic happens. Guillory uses the act of writing—the vulnerability of putting words on a page—to build intimacy. It’s a slow burn, but it’s earned because it’s built on mutual respect for each other’s intellect.
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The Santa Barbara setting vs. the New York hustle
The contrast in this book is everything.
You have Isabelle’s life in New York: cramped, fast-paced, and filled with microaggressions at the office. Then you have Beau’s estate in California. It’s lush. It’s isolated. It’s the "enchanted castle," but without the talking clocks. Guillory spends time describing the food—a staple of her writing style—and the atmosphere, making the mansion feel like a sanctuary rather than a prison.
People often complain that retellings feel forced. Like the author is checking off a list of tropes.
- The Rose? It's there, but it's subtle.
- The Library? Of course.
- The Grump? Beau fits the bill, but his grumpiness is rooted in anxiety, which makes him infinitely more relatable than a literal cursed prince.
Why this book hits different for Meant to Be fans
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory is part of the Meant to Be series, a collection of Disney-inspired romances written by various powerhouse authors. But where some of the others lean into the whimsy, Guillory keeps it grounded. She addresses the realities of being a Black woman in a predominantly white industry. This adds a layer of depth that you don't usually find in a lighthearted beach read. Isabelle’s internal monologue about her career trajectory is something anyone who has ever felt "stuck" will recognize immediately.
It’s also worth noting the pacing.
Guillory is a master of the "middle." You know that part of a book where nothing seems to be happening but you can't stop reading? That's her specialty. She focuses on the small moments—a shared meal, a conversation about a favorite childhood book, the way two people learn to exist in the same space.
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Let’s talk about Beau Cave
Beau isn't your typical romance hero. He’s a former child star who grew up in the spotlight and has some serious baggage because of it. He’s prickly and rude at first, sure, but he’s not abusive. That’s a line some Beauty and the Beast retellings cross, and it’s refreshing that Guillory avoids it. Instead, his "beastly" nature is really just a defensive wall.
Watching Isabelle dismantle that wall—not with "love" in some abstract sense, but with competence and directness—is incredibly satisfying. She doesn't take his nonsense. She holds him accountable for his work. It’s a partnership of equals, even if he has more money in the bank.
Real talk: Is it better than her other books?
If you’ve read The Wedding Date or The Proposal, you know Jasmine Guillory has a very specific voice. It’s cozy, food-focused, and generally low-angst. By the Book feels a bit more structured because of the fairy tale framework. Some readers might find the "working on a book" plot a bit slow if they’re looking for high-octane drama.
But if you want a story that feels like a warm blanket—one that acknowledges that life is hard and work is stressful, but connection is possible—this is the one.
The side characters are great, too. Isabelle’s family provides a necessary anchor, reminding us that she has a whole life and identity outside of her relationship with Beau. That’s something Guillory always does well; her protagonists are never just one-dimensional love interests. They are daughters, sisters, and professionals first.
How to get the most out of your reading experience
If you're planning to dive into this one, keep a few things in mind. First, don't expect a literal translation of the Disney movie. This is a "remix." Second, pay attention to the dialogue. Guillory is great at writing the kind of banter that feels like two actual humans talking, rather than "book characters" delivering lines.
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Key takeaways for readers:
- Embrace the slow burn: The romance takes its time, and the payoff is better for it.
- Look for the industry Easter eggs: If you’re a fan of the "books about books" trope, you’ll love the behind-the-scenes look at publishing.
- The food matters: As always with Guillory, don't read this while you're hungry. The descriptions of California meals will make you want to order takeout immediately.
Actionable insights for your TBR list
To truly appreciate what Guillory is doing here, consider reading it alongside other modern retellings like A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer or Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston. You’ll see how Guillory strips away the fantasy elements to focus on the psychological reality of the characters.
If you're a writer or a creative, take note of how Isabelle handles Beau’s writer's block. It’s actually a pretty decent masterclass in how to coach someone through a creative slump: break it down into small pieces, find the "why" behind the story, and stop overthinking the finished product.
Once you finish By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, the next logical step is to explore the rest of the Meant to Be series. Check out If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy for a body-positive take on Cinderella, or Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova for a Little Mermaid reimagining set in the music industry. Comparing how these different authors handle the Disney source material is a great way to see how diverse the romance genre has become.
Lastly, take a moment to look at your own career "stuckness." Isabelle’s journey is a reminder that sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone—or fly across the country to a stranger's house—to realize you deserve more than the entry-level scraps you're being thrown.
Next Steps for Readers
- Check your local library or Libby app: This title is widely available in digital and audio formats, and the audiobook narrator perfectly captures Isabelle's dry wit.
- Follow the "Meant to Be" series: If you enjoy the concept of modern fairy tales, look up the upcoming releases in this collaboration to see which classic story is getting a makeover next.
- Support Black romance authors: If Guillory’s style resonates with you, look into works by Talia Hibbert, Alyssa Cole, or Kennedy Ryan for more stories featuring nuanced Black protagonists and high-quality prose.
The publishing world might be tough, but finding a book that makes you feel seen is worth the effort. By the Book is exactly that kind of read. It’s smart, it’s grounded, and it’s a reminder that even the grumpiest beasts just need someone to actually listen to them.