She used to be idealistic, and she got her dream job, and now she’s disillusioned with it, and is trying to figure out her place in the world. I thought a lot about who Izzy would be-what drove her, what she loved about her life and what she didn’t, what she struggled with, and why she would end up knocking on this beastly guy’s front door. It meant so much to me to be able to write a Black Disney princess. I’ve always loved Disney princess movies, and it was so exciting to have a princess like Belle, who loved books as much as I always have. Jasmine Guillory: Oh, I watched the movie over and over with my sister and cousins. Nerdist: What was your personal connection to Beauty and the Beast prior to writing By the Book? Were you already a fan? Do you have a favorite memory of the film? To celebrate the release we chatted to Guillory about Beauty and the Beast, reimagining a classic tale, and creating romance that feels real and achievable.

So when her boss needs someone to wrangle a beastly author at his secluded Santa Barbara mansion, Izzy jumps at the chance. Overworked and underpaid, it’s hardly living up to the dreams she had in college. Our hero is Izzy, a young Black woman in publishing. Continuing Disney’s “Meant to Be” series, the novel reimagines Beauty and the Beast.

Now she’s taking on one of the most beloved Disney movies of all-time in her new story By the Book. Since she released her debut novel The Wedding Date, Jasmine Guillory has carved out a space for herself as a powerhouse romance writer.

Books by jasmine guillory