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?

I’ll be honest, I was hella confused during most of NINEFOX GAMBIT 😬 This book’s saving grace was the cool world it’s set in and the protagonist’s conflict of conscience and descent into madness. The pacing was good in the first half, then lagged somewhere in the second half and I began to lose interest, and then it picks back up in the last 75 pages and redeems itself. Talk about a wild ride. I would have definitely appreciated a glossary of some sort. All that to say, I’m willing to continue on with the series in hopes that the science part (and the plot) becomes clearer.

In this Black Anastasia retelling, professional royalty “fixer” Beznaria Chetchevaliere goes on a mission to bring home her country’s lost princess and clear her family’s name. The only problem? This supposed lost princess wants nothing to do with the royal life! Makeda Hicks has just lost her job and her girlfriend, even though she’s the queen of fixing things and people, and she’s determined to put herself first. Bez walking into Makeda’s life isn’t part of the plan, and they try desperately to fight the attraction brewing between them. 

True to Alyssa Cole’s signature storytelling, this book was hilarious and a true homage to the idea of accepting yourself: fixing yourself doesn’t mean changing yourself but rather accepting yourself where you are and finding healthy ways to grow. Essentially, fixing yourself versus fixing the way you think of yourself. I found the ending to be a bit rushed and the pacing wonky in moments, but overall, I liked it and would recommend. HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS has both lesbian rep and neurodivergent rep.