When I found out that By The Book by Jasmine Guillory was a contemporary retelling of my favorite princess story, Beauty and the Beast, featuring two Black protagonists, one of whom is a grumpy writer with writer's block and an impending deadline, and the other the quirky editorial assistant who must help him make progress on his memoir, I immediately had it shipped to me. A Black Beauty and the Beast retelling set in the publishing industry? Sold. 

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✨ While this was not Jasmine Guillory's finest work (and it's low on the spiciness, for those looking for Guillory's signature steam), it was a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling that delivered what I needed it to. Some of the nods to the Disney fairytale were subtle, and only if you're absolutely obsessed with the movie like I am will you get them, while others were quite obvious for those who would miss the more subtle hints. Isabelle and Beau both have some growing to do at the start of the novel, and their working relationship is nothing if not rocky in the beginning. It's through forced proximity and a common goal that they begin to open up to one another and help each other work through the mental roadblocks that are holding each other them back. 

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✨ If you're someone who likes contemporary retellings, I'd recommend this one to you. Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate the subtle genius of the cover?