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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
I wanted to carry on with this series because I enjoyed the first book by Julie Murphy. I liked that even though it was a re-telling of a fairy tale, it didn’t feel like it. Unlike the first book in this series, I was struggling with the re-telling side and connecting with the series.
This book is based on Isabelle, and she is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, still living at home with her parents, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, she is constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So, when she overhears her boss complaining about a high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to prove her worth and finally get the recognition she deserves. All she has to do is go to Beau’s mansion in Santa Barbara and give him a quick pep talk or three. How hard could it be? But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and – it turns out – just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story beings to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn’t there before.
I struggled so much with this book and I think it’s because we don’t find out why the rooms/floors were forbidden unlike in the original beauty and the beast, the west wing is forbidden because that’s where the rose is. In this book, we never actually get an answer as to why it’s forbidden, and it’s just brushed over. I know that Beau is supposed to be the beast and this big asshole, but he just rolled over way too quickly and became the loveable snowman way too early in this book for my liking. And again, Gavin being Gaston, and he wasn’t villainised enough, and he was defeated quite quickly, I wanted more from him and trying to knock down Isabelle. Also, these two main characters lacked chemistry, Beau was trying to have banter with Isabelle, and she took it the wrong way and a screaming match would start. For then, Beau having to do the apologising and blaming it on his past.
I liked Priya, I wanted more of her. I wanted her to tell Isabelle to grow a pair and to meet Beau and to like help get them together. I liked the publishing aspect and how the business works, and it sort of sounded a bit non-fictional with the writing tips. I would have loved more of what happened after she had moved publishing houses. I loved the aspects that come from beauty and the beast – the library, the rose garden and the Wi-Fi password.
This book fell below standards from the first book, but I will be carrying on with the series and I can’t wait to see the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
reminiscences's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Racism
chrissandrapherlv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
3.5
Closed door/Fade-to-black
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Death of parent
tyras_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
amberinpieces's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
cady_sass's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
annnakane's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness and Racism
n_loves_reading's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Death of parent
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
morganperks's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol