Reviews with content warning for Racism - By the Book

Izzy is the tokenized Black girl in her workplace and quickly realizing that her career in editing will be rife with challenges. She bites off more than she can chew with her first big assignment. To prove herself and get her moody, distant client’s book in the hands of her publishing house, she falls into a situation she was never prepared for.

Beau has a dark past and wants nothing to do with Izzy pushy ways but somehow they also end of living together to finish his book. He’s got his own stuff to deal with and heal from and he spends most of the book running from that emotional reckoning.

It’s a sappy, romantic, and predictable Beauty and the Beast retelling (no fur I promise) that really gives the Black girls something to root for.

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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cady_sass's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Books about books are my love language. This is perfection. I’m not even upset that there’s no spice, it’s so good. Brought tears to my eyes! Grumpy/sunshine done right

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annnakane's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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thefairfae's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

By The Book

5/5
⚠️CW: Very light mentions of racism and death of a parent⚠️

This is one of the first romance books I've ever read! I've read books that have a romantic sub-plot but never a full on romance book and my god was this an amazing one to start with! Jasmine Guillory is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely adore this book! Izzy and Beau are just so loveable as characters! They both have such realistic flaws and it makes you fall in love with them even more! Not to mention the fact that Izzy's job is book publishing and she is a total book worm! Like name a more relatable character! I'll wait... I also really like how when there was an argument they actually sat down and talked to each other! If there is one thing I hate more than anything it's when conflicts that could be resolved by sitting down and having an adult conversation drag on for years. That didn't happen in this book and I love that!

AND OMG THAT ENDING!!! WHEN IZZY READ THE JOURNAL I LOST IT!

<333 You need to read this book immediately! This is probably one of my new favorite books! Just writing this review is making me smile SO much just thinking about the book!!! God it's amazing!

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jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A book about a book with a love story woven around the pages as they come to life this book was so easy to fall in love with. With diverse representation with BIPOC characters as well as addressing societal/ structural issues of racism at parts and portrayed important messages while doing so this book is so thought out and well written.

Izzy and Beau enemies to friends to lovers arc is so engaging and the way the book is used to reveal the depths of the love at the end honestly brought tears to my eyes. Couldn’t reccomend more. A great intro to romance too as it isn’t anything to much , more just some kissing and hugging etc when it does elaborate

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morganperks's review

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emotional funny inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

That journal. I am a puddle

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wildflowerleahg's review against another edition

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3.25

"Was this one of those limited-time, fairy-tale romances, one of the ones that happened because of a castle and a curse and lots of magic, but that would vanish when real life started again?"

This was cute. I've been waiting to read this book since I found out the second book in this series was gonna be a BatB retelling. Overall, the story is really cute. If you enjoy adaptations and books about books this will be up your alley. I think my major annoyance was the under developed characters and repetition,. Often, it would feel like we awe building up to something and then the conflict was just gone. I also, didn't realize that Gavin was supposed to be the Gaston stand in until the LAST 10%. I think overall, as a BatB retelling telling its good. Very sweeet and I can't wait for the next in the series!

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