Book Review: By The Book by Jasmine Guillory

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By The Book read like a fairytale and I am doubly honored and glad that I finally got around to reading this beautiful title. This is my first book by this amazing author and I am sure that this will not be the last.

The plot played loosely with the Beauty and the Beast story and this heartfelt nod to the fairytale will live with me forever.

Also See: Beauty and the Beast: 22 Retelling That Absolutely Shake Things Up A Little

It had the elements of the original fairytale—the enormous library, a secretary cum housekeeper named Kettle, and, of course, the brooding, temperamental protagonist forced to wine and dine with an unsolicited visitor.

The affection between the protagonists built up slowly and was feeling in all the ways that matter.

I appreciated how layered and textured the plot was, and loved that the author established the plot without eroding the characters’ personal development.

The author showed the gentle progression of the affection between the leads on one hand, and on the other, how they blossomed on their own.

I have an big issue with authors that inadvertently romanticize codependency, so I appreciated this beautiful take.

Related: 13 Steampunk Retellings That Will Absolutely Sweep You Away

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