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Ghost Writing #3
By the Book
From the bestselling author of Ghost Writing—winner of the 2025 North American Book Awards Gold Medal in Romance and a 2025 Shelf Media Top Notable Indie Book—comes By the Book, the story of Scarlett Sinclair, Callie’s devoted best friend. Set alongside the events of Ghost Writing, this novel steps behind the scenes to reveal Scarlett’s own sweeping, complicated love story—proving that while Callie fought for her happily ever after, Scarlett risked everything for hers.
Scarlett Sinclair is a romance novelist who knows exactly how love is supposed to work—on the page, at least. Off the page, she’s stuck. Her latest manuscript isn’t landing, her editor wants more of the same, and she’s quietly suffocating inside a life that no longer fits.
She meets Jonathan Levine at a literary reading for a book that isn’t hers, and the connection is instant. Jonathan is steady, successful, and principled—and, catastrophically, a corporate attorney for Scarlett’s publishing house. He believes in rules and careful boundaries, even as he falls for a woman who runs on instinct and emotion.
As their relationship intensifies, Scarlett wrestles with whether to deliver the book she’s contracted to write or risk walking away. Further complicating matters, her mother reveals a long-buried family secret—one that upends everything Scarlett thought she understood about her parents, her beloved Aunt Tess, and, especially, about herself.
Now, Scarlett must discover who she truly is, mend her family ties, and fight for a future with Jonathan. Following her heart could mean breaching her contract and risking both her career and the man she loves. Staying the course may cost her something even greater: the chance to live—and love—authentically.
Scarlett Sinclair is a romance novelist who knows exactly how love is supposed to work—on the page, at least. Off the page, she’s stuck. Her latest manuscript isn’t landing, her editor wants more of the same, and she’s quietly suffocating inside a life that no longer fits.
She meets Jonathan Levine at a literary reading for a book that isn’t hers, and the connection is instant. Jonathan is steady, successful, and principled—and, catastrophically, a corporate attorney for Scarlett’s publishing house. He believes in rules and careful boundaries, even as he falls for a woman who runs on instinct and emotion.
As their relationship intensifies, Scarlett wrestles with whether to deliver the book she’s contracted to write or risk walking away. Further complicating matters, her mother reveals a long-buried family secret—one that upends everything Scarlett thought she understood about her parents, her beloved Aunt Tess, and, especially, about herself.
Now, Scarlett must discover who she truly is, mend her family ties, and fight for a future with Jonathan. Following her heart could mean breaching her contract and risking both her career and the man she loves. Staying the course may cost her something even greater: the chance to live—and love—authentically.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2026
About the author
Danielle Smyth
4 books41 followersDanielle Smyth has dreamed of being a writer since childhood, and seeing that dream realized is the ultimate happy ending. When she’s not writing, Danielle runs a small business. Her favorite days are spent traveling, eating tacos, and reading with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 30, 2026
Oh this story is special. There are so many things I just absolutely loved. Im lucky enough to be married to a hot lawyer 😉 and this story surprisingly had so many fun little moments that made me think of the start of our relationship. Scarlett is the perfect character to make all of is scatter brained ladies feel seen and important. Their love story was beautiful, but I also loved how Scarlett stuck to finding joy in her work and life, she didn't settle out of convenience. The writing also felt so real to me, noone felt like an exaggerated character progression situation. They faced hard things and dealt with them even when it hurts. I'm so happy I've found this world and cannot wait to read more of Danielle Smyth's writing.
June 16, 2026
This story is everything. Jonathan is the perfect, sexy lawyer with a heart of gold who accepts Scarlett just as she is. He is loyal and will do anything for those he loves.
And Scarlett, oh my sweet girl. I relate to her on such a deep level. I just want to hug her throughout the entire book and tell her that nothing is wrong with her. That she is not “too much” and that I wish she could see herself through everyone else’s eyes. Her struggles of being so disorganized and “flighty” felt so relatable and reading this helped me to begin to realize that nothing is wrong with me. My brain just works differently. And that is perfectly okay!
While their relationship at times was frustrating because I felt that Scarlett was sabatoging herself, it was refreshing to see someone work through their struggles in a very relatable way.
If you’re looking for a fun office romance with a dose of mental health clarity, family drama, and some sexy spice, I highly suggest By the Book. Or anything else by Danielle. I have loved everything she has written so far and can’t wait to see what else she has brewing.
And Scarlett, oh my sweet girl. I relate to her on such a deep level. I just want to hug her throughout the entire book and tell her that nothing is wrong with her. That she is not “too much” and that I wish she could see herself through everyone else’s eyes. Her struggles of being so disorganized and “flighty” felt so relatable and reading this helped me to begin to realize that nothing is wrong with me. My brain just works differently. And that is perfectly okay!
While their relationship at times was frustrating because I felt that Scarlett was sabatoging herself, it was refreshing to see someone work through their struggles in a very relatable way.
If you’re looking for a fun office romance with a dose of mental health clarity, family drama, and some sexy spice, I highly suggest By the Book. Or anything else by Danielle. I have loved everything she has written so far and can’t wait to see what else she has brewing.
May 27, 2026
I loved this book!! It takes place at the same time as Ghost Writing just from Scarlett’s perspective which was really cool to see, especially since I had just read Ghost Writing! I loved the overlaps in the stories. (Though you could totally read this without reading the other one first.)
Our FMC Scarlett is bubbly and chaotic and has always felt like too much until she met Jonathan. Oh sweet precious rule following Jonathan, who loves every part of Scarlett, just as she is. He is the perfect picture of support and care. The way he takes care of Scarlett and others while trying to always follow the rules is just adorable.
In addition to the love story, I really enjoyed all the family dynamics. Seeing Scarlett and her family confront past trauma in a healthy way was so refreshing. My millennial heart also adored all the references to Dawson’s Creek, The Office, and mostly to Gilmore Girls. Sweet, naive Jonathan thinking he is a Dean. Oh no no no. He’s a Logan. Loved that so much!!
Read if you love:
💕 Great banter
💕 Secret relationship with some spice in the office
💕 Supportive lawyer MMC with slutty little glasses
💕 Bubbly and chaotic FMC who wears her heart on her sleeve
💕 Sweet, cute, fun time with spice
Our FMC Scarlett is bubbly and chaotic and has always felt like too much until she met Jonathan. Oh sweet precious rule following Jonathan, who loves every part of Scarlett, just as she is. He is the perfect picture of support and care. The way he takes care of Scarlett and others while trying to always follow the rules is just adorable.
In addition to the love story, I really enjoyed all the family dynamics. Seeing Scarlett and her family confront past trauma in a healthy way was so refreshing. My millennial heart also adored all the references to Dawson’s Creek, The Office, and mostly to Gilmore Girls. Sweet, naive Jonathan thinking he is a Dean. Oh no no no. He’s a Logan. Loved that so much!!
Read if you love:
💕 Great banter
💕 Secret relationship with some spice in the office
💕 Supportive lawyer MMC with slutty little glasses
💕 Bubbly and chaotic FMC who wears her heart on her sleeve
💕 Sweet, cute, fun time with spice
June 1, 2026
ARC Review
By The Book by Danielle Smyth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a fun, sweet, and deeply heartfelt romance, filled with witty banter, healing, self-discovery, and a love story that feels both tender and uplifting.
And Jonathan? He’s the definition of a perfect book boyfriend. Calm, charming, endlessly patient, and quietly supportive, he’s the kind of MMC who never tries to dim Scarlett’s light or make her smaller. Instead, he simply shows up, cheers her on, and loves her exactly as she is. Honestly, he’ll steal your heart.
What I loved most was Scarlett’s journey of learning to fully embrace herself. If you’ve ever felt too loud, too bold, too much, or like you needed to shrink yourself to fit into someone else’s expectations, this story is for you. It’s a beautiful reminder that we are never “too much”, we are already more than enough.
I also really appreciated the subtle exploration of possible neurodivergence within Scarlett’s character. It added such an authentic and meaningful layer to her story.
Comforting, thoughtful, and full of heart, this is the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after the final page.
✨ Available June 3rd! Add this one to your summer TBR. Jonathan is waiting. 💙📚
Thank you so much to author for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
By The Book by Danielle Smyth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a fun, sweet, and deeply heartfelt romance, filled with witty banter, healing, self-discovery, and a love story that feels both tender and uplifting.
And Jonathan? He’s the definition of a perfect book boyfriend. Calm, charming, endlessly patient, and quietly supportive, he’s the kind of MMC who never tries to dim Scarlett’s light or make her smaller. Instead, he simply shows up, cheers her on, and loves her exactly as she is. Honestly, he’ll steal your heart.
What I loved most was Scarlett’s journey of learning to fully embrace herself. If you’ve ever felt too loud, too bold, too much, or like you needed to shrink yourself to fit into someone else’s expectations, this story is for you. It’s a beautiful reminder that we are never “too much”, we are already more than enough.
I also really appreciated the subtle exploration of possible neurodivergence within Scarlett’s character. It added such an authentic and meaningful layer to her story.
Comforting, thoughtful, and full of heart, this is the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after the final page.
✨ Available June 3rd! Add this one to your summer TBR. Jonathan is waiting. 💙📚
Thank you so much to author for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 11, 2026
✨Book Review-BY THE BOOK by Danielle Smyth
Scarlett Sinclair, a published author, finds herself at a crossroads. Struggling to deliver the second book in her contract with Golden Hour Publishing, she begins to realize her creative roadblock is only the surface of a much deeper struggle. As professional pressures mount, Scarlett is forced to confront disappointments that stretch far beyond her writing career, touching her family relationships, and her self-worth.
Jonathan Levine, the handsome lawyer, enters her world unexpectedly. Their connection feels genuine, comforting; exactly what Scarlett needs. Until something unforeseen threatens to crash down around them.
By the Book is the third novel in Danielle Smyth’s Ghost Writing series, and it captured my heart from beginning to end. Scarlett felt so real to me. I saw pieces of myself in her. Her journey of self-discovery is inspiring, reminding readers that growth often comes through life’s most difficult moments.
What I loved most is how beautifully it explores relationships, not only romantic ones, but also the complicated bonds we share with family and the challenge of moving forward after being hurt by those we love. Scarlett’s story is one of resilience, forgiveness, and learning to trust herself and realizing she is “not too much” for people.
If you haven’t yet discovered Danielle Smyth’s writing, now is the time. Whether you pick up Ghost Writing, By the Book, or Beautiful Place by the Sea, you’re in for a reading experience. Each story brings characters who will enter your world and stay. I adored Callie & Will, Ivy & Oliver, but Scarlett & Jonathan hold a special place in my heart.
For me there is something about Jonathan. His loyalty, strong moral compass, and fierce devotion to the people he loves make him the kind of MMC who becomes a piece of you. Jonathan’s qualities along with Scarlett’s wit, vulnerability, and humor, create a pairing impossible not to love.
Thank you @danielle.smyth.books for inviting readers into Scarlett & Jonathan’s world. Their story made me laugh, reflect, and left me wanting more. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye. I sincerely hope their journey isn’t over. 💖
Scarlett Sinclair, a published author, finds herself at a crossroads. Struggling to deliver the second book in her contract with Golden Hour Publishing, she begins to realize her creative roadblock is only the surface of a much deeper struggle. As professional pressures mount, Scarlett is forced to confront disappointments that stretch far beyond her writing career, touching her family relationships, and her self-worth.
Jonathan Levine, the handsome lawyer, enters her world unexpectedly. Their connection feels genuine, comforting; exactly what Scarlett needs. Until something unforeseen threatens to crash down around them.
By the Book is the third novel in Danielle Smyth’s Ghost Writing series, and it captured my heart from beginning to end. Scarlett felt so real to me. I saw pieces of myself in her. Her journey of self-discovery is inspiring, reminding readers that growth often comes through life’s most difficult moments.
What I loved most is how beautifully it explores relationships, not only romantic ones, but also the complicated bonds we share with family and the challenge of moving forward after being hurt by those we love. Scarlett’s story is one of resilience, forgiveness, and learning to trust herself and realizing she is “not too much” for people.
If you haven’t yet discovered Danielle Smyth’s writing, now is the time. Whether you pick up Ghost Writing, By the Book, or Beautiful Place by the Sea, you’re in for a reading experience. Each story brings characters who will enter your world and stay. I adored Callie & Will, Ivy & Oliver, but Scarlett & Jonathan hold a special place in my heart.
For me there is something about Jonathan. His loyalty, strong moral compass, and fierce devotion to the people he loves make him the kind of MMC who becomes a piece of you. Jonathan’s qualities along with Scarlett’s wit, vulnerability, and humor, create a pairing impossible not to love.
Thank you @danielle.smyth.books for inviting readers into Scarlett & Jonathan’s world. Their story made me laugh, reflect, and left me wanting more. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye. I sincerely hope their journey isn’t over. 💖
June 3, 2026
The dedication of this book “If you’ve ever felt like “too much,”this book’s for you” is something that must reasonable with a lot of women (and men too), and this book carried an overall beautiful message while sticking to cute romance tropes. This book follows Scarlett who’s going through a tough time in her life, her career is struggling, and her relationship with her family is getting progressively worse. Her life is kind of at an impasse, even her love life because the cute sweet lawyer she’s falling for is working against her at the same company. This book is full of tension, comfort and hope, and Scarlett and Jonathan’s romance is the perfect example of a subtle but beautiful love. I also loved the contrast between Scarlett’s book “Love of my Life” and her actual life, and the way it portrayed her character development. While Noelle the main character in her novel finds struggles with things as her, Noelle’s happiness comes purely from her relationship and in the end her family troubles are not solved. However Scarlett’s character goes through dramatic shifts as she learns to accept herself and Jonathan is merely the dedicated lover who’s giving her little pushes along the way. There’s nothing I love more than an emotional read, and this book fulfilled my every desire. I give this a 4.5/5
June 3, 2026
When I first signed up for this ARC, it was the cover that immediately caught my attention. But once I received it, I realized there was a book before this one, so I immediately dove into Ghost Writer first — and wow, it was such a beautiful story. The romance, the yearning, the emotional connection… I absolutely devoured it.
So going into this book, I already knew I was going to love being back in this world, and I loved that it takes place alongside the same timeline as Ghost Writer, but this time focuses on Scarlett and her story. Watching her journey unfold was honestly so special. This book was about finding yourself, learning that you are enough, standing up for yourself, making difficult choices, and ultimately coming full circle.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but this story was incredibly sweet and emotional in the best way. And the love that Scarlett and Jonathan have for each other? Absolutely beautiful. Their connection felt so genuine, tender, and full of care. I loved every second of this story!
Thank you for the ARC!
So going into this book, I already knew I was going to love being back in this world, and I loved that it takes place alongside the same timeline as Ghost Writer, but this time focuses on Scarlett and her story. Watching her journey unfold was honestly so special. This book was about finding yourself, learning that you are enough, standing up for yourself, making difficult choices, and ultimately coming full circle.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but this story was incredibly sweet and emotional in the best way. And the love that Scarlett and Jonathan have for each other? Absolutely beautiful. Their connection felt so genuine, tender, and full of care. I loved every second of this story!
Thank you for the ARC!
June 4, 2026
5⭐️
So excited to have gotten to ARC read this book!
Danielle Smith does such a great job with witty banter and making quirky and lovable characters. This book explores the concept of loving yourself fully (quirks and all) and not allowing others to minimize you or presence.
The MMC is absolutely charming and you just fall head over heels for him. The FMC is so fun snd charismatic. This book delves into deep themes of self discovery and loving yourself while also being a relaxing read.
Need to add to your TBR!!!
So excited to have gotten to ARC read this book!
Danielle Smith does such a great job with witty banter and making quirky and lovable characters. This book explores the concept of loving yourself fully (quirks and all) and not allowing others to minimize you or presence.
The MMC is absolutely charming and you just fall head over heels for him. The FMC is so fun snd charismatic. This book delves into deep themes of self discovery and loving yourself while also being a relaxing read.
Need to add to your TBR!!!
May 20, 2026
This was my first Danielle Smyth book and I cannot wait to read more from her. Between her laugh out loud banter and adorably sweet and relatable characters I absolutely loved this book!
June 3, 2026
Such a cute story!
By the Book was such a cozy, hearttelt read - Easy to sink into, lovable characters, and the kind of story that Keeps you saying "one more chapter."
Definitely enjoyed this one!
I look forward to more work by Danielle Smyth when she continues to deliver books like this!
By the Book was such a cozy, hearttelt read - Easy to sink into, lovable characters, and the kind of story that Keeps you saying "one more chapter."
Definitely enjoyed this one!
I look forward to more work by Danielle Smyth when she continues to deliver books like this!
June 10, 2026
I’m so glad we got Scarlett and Johnathan’s story! This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. I loved how seamlessly it intertwined with Ghost Writing! The amount of selflessness and pure love that Johnathan shows captured my heart immediately. If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much for someone or have too much energy, this one’s for you! If you’ve ever had a disagreement with family and had to work through it, this one’s for you! Basically, if you love a captivating, swoon worthy, full circle romance then this is for you! Well done again Danielle Smyth!
June 30, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from the author.
If you love witty banter, a lighthearted romance, and just a touch of spice, this book is definitely worth adding to your list. One of my favorite parts of the story was the chemistry between Jonathan and Scarlett. Their banter felt natural, fun, and perfectly suited to their personalities, making their interactions some of the best moments in the book.
The romance itself was sweet, simple, and easy to enjoy without feeling overly heavy. I also found myself relating to Scarlett in several ways, and I think many women will see pieces of themselves in her character throughout the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and feel-good read with lovable characters, entertaining dialogue, and a romance that keeps you smiling along the way.
If you love witty banter, a lighthearted romance, and just a touch of spice, this book is definitely worth adding to your list. One of my favorite parts of the story was the chemistry between Jonathan and Scarlett. Their banter felt natural, fun, and perfectly suited to their personalities, making their interactions some of the best moments in the book.
The romance itself was sweet, simple, and easy to enjoy without feeling overly heavy. I also found myself relating to Scarlett in several ways, and I think many women will see pieces of themselves in her character throughout the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and feel-good read with lovable characters, entertaining dialogue, and a romance that keeps you smiling along the way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Scarlett is a romance writer who has a major writers block. She's feeling pressure from her publishers to continue with the epic romance stories and to dish out the same formula. The problem is, Scarlett is good at doing that on paper but not in real life. In real life she's crumbling and cannot seem to articulate her thoughts - at least in the way that people expect her to.
She then meets Jonathan at a book launch and is immediately enarmoured by him. Jonathan is a successful, charming and by all means off limits. He works as an attorney for Scarletts publishing house and any relationship between them is off the table–or is it?
Scarlett now has to navigate how to deal with upcoming issues and past trauma. Alongside her ever growing troubles, she's now faced with an attraction that she should not be having.
Here are some of my thoughts:
This book did not resonate with me that well. I loved the plot of the book and looked forward to how Scarlett and Jonathan navigated their relationship. Unfortunately I did not like Scarletts character. She seemed very quick to jump into decisions without thinking things through and without taking some time to just sit and down and breathe. I loved the mental health and neurodivergent representation in the book on behalf of Scarletts characters however I personally felt like it didn't feel organic and felt forced for the character.
The plot was great and I loved how gentle and caring Jonathan was. I loved how supportive he was and loved Scarlett no matter what.
It was also great that they had a contract and had an exit clause. It made me appreciate the fact that Jonathan was an attorney and would be something that they would do.
The plot with her mother and aunt were okay. It wasn't this whole big reveal because in the beginning chapter, Scarlett is already saying how she knows she's too much and people do not appreciate her much muchness, however knowing that and then getting extremely upset at her aunt when she left was not fair and did not make sense especially if she knew she was like that when she was younger.
Other than that I enjoyed the plot and scarletts journey to self discovery and what it means to be content with yourself and to never let anything deter you.
Thank you to the author Danielle Smyth for this arc in exchange for an honest review! And to beyondthebookspr for the opportunity to review this as well.
If you enjoy the following tropes then this book is for you:
> opposites attract
> workplace attraction
> conflict of interest
> bookish romance
> stoic/sunshine
She then meets Jonathan at a book launch and is immediately enarmoured by him. Jonathan is a successful, charming and by all means off limits. He works as an attorney for Scarletts publishing house and any relationship between them is off the table–or is it?
Scarlett now has to navigate how to deal with upcoming issues and past trauma. Alongside her ever growing troubles, she's now faced with an attraction that she should not be having.
Here are some of my thoughts:
This book did not resonate with me that well. I loved the plot of the book and looked forward to how Scarlett and Jonathan navigated their relationship. Unfortunately I did not like Scarletts character. She seemed very quick to jump into decisions without thinking things through and without taking some time to just sit and down and breathe. I loved the mental health and neurodivergent representation in the book on behalf of Scarletts characters however I personally felt like it didn't feel organic and felt forced for the character.
The plot was great and I loved how gentle and caring Jonathan was. I loved how supportive he was and loved Scarlett no matter what.
It was also great that they had a contract and had an exit clause. It made me appreciate the fact that Jonathan was an attorney and would be something that they would do.
The plot with her mother and aunt were okay. It wasn't this whole big reveal because in the beginning chapter, Scarlett is already saying how she knows she's too much and people do not appreciate her much muchness, however knowing that and then getting extremely upset at her aunt when she left was not fair and did not make sense especially if she knew she was like that when she was younger.
Other than that I enjoyed the plot and scarletts journey to self discovery and what it means to be content with yourself and to never let anything deter you.
Thank you to the author Danielle Smyth for this arc in exchange for an honest review! And to beyondthebookspr for the opportunity to review this as well.
If you enjoy the following tropes then this book is for you:
> opposites attract
> workplace attraction
> conflict of interest
> bookish romance
> stoic/sunshine
Review of advance copy received from Author
By the Book by Danielle Smyth
4⭐️
ARC Review
This was a cute bookish read involving a romance author struggling with her second book and a lawyer who deals with breached contracts who both work for the same company. This story was definitely an insta-love where both characters are obsessed with each other and was filled with flirty comments, banter, and themes of following your heart. Jonathan is such a dedicated man who fights for what (or who) he believes in and that is such a great quality to have. Scarlett is just trying to find her way in this difficult world of life while getting torn down from her publishing company.
Some possible triggers to be aware of with this book are a third act breakup, possible undiagnosed ADHD and parents who refuse to believe in testing and treatment, and feelings of abandonment.
While I don’t necessarily dislike a third act breakup (I watch hallmark movies and it happens in literally every movie at almost the exact same time and I still love them), this breakup made sense and actually did make my heart ache. When a book or movie genuinely makes me feel my emotions in my heart, it was done well. My only negative is that some of the arguments and conflicts felt a bit forced to add to the plot and seemed a bit overdramatic, to the point where I wasn’t on Scarlett’s side. However, maybe if I related to her more then it would have seemed more appropriate. I just felt so bad for Tess and Jonathan throughout the book cause I love them!
I especially loved the entire ending of the book when everything is getting patched up and relationships are getting mended with the attention they deserve. I thought it was written beautifully and the sensitive topics of mental health and family bonds were handled with such care and thoughtfulness. I loved seeing Scarlett grow and gradually learn to love herself. I’d recommend this book to anyone who has been told or feels like they’re “too much”, that “something is wrong with them”, or if you just feel like your passion is lost. Just remember: you’re perfect the way that you are and you deserve happiness.
Thank you to Danielle Smyth for this ARC for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
4⭐️
ARC Review
This was a cute bookish read involving a romance author struggling with her second book and a lawyer who deals with breached contracts who both work for the same company. This story was definitely an insta-love where both characters are obsessed with each other and was filled with flirty comments, banter, and themes of following your heart. Jonathan is such a dedicated man who fights for what (or who) he believes in and that is such a great quality to have. Scarlett is just trying to find her way in this difficult world of life while getting torn down from her publishing company.
Some possible triggers to be aware of with this book are a third act breakup, possible undiagnosed ADHD and parents who refuse to believe in testing and treatment, and feelings of abandonment.
While I don’t necessarily dislike a third act breakup (I watch hallmark movies and it happens in literally every movie at almost the exact same time and I still love them), this breakup made sense and actually did make my heart ache. When a book or movie genuinely makes me feel my emotions in my heart, it was done well. My only negative is that some of the arguments and conflicts felt a bit forced to add to the plot and seemed a bit overdramatic, to the point where I wasn’t on Scarlett’s side. However, maybe if I related to her more then it would have seemed more appropriate. I just felt so bad for Tess and Jonathan throughout the book cause I love them!
I especially loved the entire ending of the book when everything is getting patched up and relationships are getting mended with the attention they deserve. I thought it was written beautifully and the sensitive topics of mental health and family bonds were handled with such care and thoughtfulness. I loved seeing Scarlett grow and gradually learn to love herself. I’d recommend this book to anyone who has been told or feels like they’re “too much”, that “something is wrong with them”, or if you just feel like your passion is lost. Just remember: you’re perfect the way that you are and you deserve happiness.
Thank you to Danielle Smyth for this ARC for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and the author for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Scarlett is a romance novelist who is chaos personified. She’s always been too loud, too emotional, and too much. She meets Jonathan at a book reading, and they immediately hit it off. He is steady, disciplined, and Scarlett’s opposite. She can’t figure out her next novel and would love to walk away from her contract, while he is the contract lawyer for her publisher. Their banter and chemistry is magical, but a huge conflict of interest. Is their relationship worth it?
By the Book was an emotional read, and uncomfortable at times, because both Scarlett and Jonathan have unresolved family issues. Scarlett has always felt like she had to handle her issues herself, and after a family secret is revealed, she feels even more alone. Add that to her decision to breach the contract with her publishing house (her second novel is not something she wants to continue writing), and she may lose everything she wants.
Like a lot of high energy women, Scarlett is likely undiagnosed neurodivergent, and has always been made to feel like she’s too much. Jonathan continues to show up for her, regardless of her self perception and his own need to follow the “rules” — of his job, of his family, of relationships, and of taking care of others. He tries so hard to take care of her within his world of contracts and negotiation. The way he continues to show up for her even when his job is on the line is absolutely perfect and shows how gone he is for her.
Even through the discomfort (because don’t we all have family issues?), I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Scarlett and Jonathan.
Scarlett is a romance novelist who is chaos personified. She’s always been too loud, too emotional, and too much. She meets Jonathan at a book reading, and they immediately hit it off. He is steady, disciplined, and Scarlett’s opposite. She can’t figure out her next novel and would love to walk away from her contract, while he is the contract lawyer for her publisher. Their banter and chemistry is magical, but a huge conflict of interest. Is their relationship worth it?
By the Book was an emotional read, and uncomfortable at times, because both Scarlett and Jonathan have unresolved family issues. Scarlett has always felt like she had to handle her issues herself, and after a family secret is revealed, she feels even more alone. Add that to her decision to breach the contract with her publishing house (her second novel is not something she wants to continue writing), and she may lose everything she wants.
Like a lot of high energy women, Scarlett is likely undiagnosed neurodivergent, and has always been made to feel like she’s too much. Jonathan continues to show up for her, regardless of her self perception and his own need to follow the “rules” — of his job, of his family, of relationships, and of taking care of others. He tries so hard to take care of her within his world of contracts and negotiation. The way he continues to show up for her even when his job is on the line is absolutely perfect and shows how gone he is for her.
Even through the discomfort (because don’t we all have family issues?), I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Scarlett and Jonathan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy of By the Book as part of the author’s Street Team. This is my honest review.
This author continues to write characters that feel layered, complex, and sometimes frustrating in a very relatable and human way. She balances wit, humor, and banter with heavier, heartfelt topics so well. Even when specific elements don’t fully work for me, I still find myself invested in the characters and their journeys because they feel authentic and deeply human.
Jonathan was a standout for me. He presents as very buttoned-up, but there’s so much more beneath the surface that we get to see as his relationship with Scarlett progresses, and I loved that contrast.
I also appreciated getting deeper insight into Scarlett’s inner world and seeing events overlap with Callie’s story from a different perspective. It added interesting context, especially around things Scarlett didn’t fully reveal the first time around.
At the same time, I had mixed feelings about how heavily the story focused on Scarlett’s insecurities and ultimately felt like I didn’t get to know enough about her beyond them. I understood where those feelings came from and why they continued to surface, but I sometimes wished we saw more growth in her sense of security within her closest relationships.
Overall, Jonathan felt like the strongest presence in the story, even without a POV. In Callie’s book, I felt like I got to know Callie through multiple relationships and facets of her life; here, I sometimes felt like Scarlett’s insecurities took up too much of the space.
That said, this is a thoughtful, character-driven read with humor, heart, and emotional complexity (and a really great MMC)!
This author continues to write characters that feel layered, complex, and sometimes frustrating in a very relatable and human way. She balances wit, humor, and banter with heavier, heartfelt topics so well. Even when specific elements don’t fully work for me, I still find myself invested in the characters and their journeys because they feel authentic and deeply human.
Jonathan was a standout for me. He presents as very buttoned-up, but there’s so much more beneath the surface that we get to see as his relationship with Scarlett progresses, and I loved that contrast.
I also appreciated getting deeper insight into Scarlett’s inner world and seeing events overlap with Callie’s story from a different perspective. It added interesting context, especially around things Scarlett didn’t fully reveal the first time around.
At the same time, I had mixed feelings about how heavily the story focused on Scarlett’s insecurities and ultimately felt like I didn’t get to know enough about her beyond them. I understood where those feelings came from and why they continued to surface, but I sometimes wished we saw more growth in her sense of security within her closest relationships.
Overall, Jonathan felt like the strongest presence in the story, even without a POV. In Callie’s book, I felt like I got to know Callie through multiple relationships and facets of her life; here, I sometimes felt like Scarlett’s insecurities took up too much of the space.
That said, this is a thoughtful, character-driven read with humor, heart, and emotional complexity (and a really great MMC)!
June 4, 2026
Scarlett is an over the top, boisterous romance writer who has hit a bit of a wall. Jonathan is an attorney for the publishing house that holds the contract for Scarlett’s next 2 books; not only that but he’s HANDSOME, neat, and consistent. When they meet by chance at another author’s event, sparks immediately fly.
Despite both knowing that this relationship would be a conflict of interest, they dive in head first, although keeping it secret from the prying eyes of the publishing house. When Scarlett decides to break her contract, things only get harder because Jonathan is the one who handles the contract dispute. To add insult to injury, some new information has come to light about Scarlett’s favorite aunt that totally shifts her perspectives.
Scarlett has to decide what’s going to be best for her, and hopefully keep some of her relationships free from catching the wake.
TROPES:
Opposites attract
stoic /sunshine
Witty banter
Workplace romance
Conflict of interest
I really wanted to love this book. The storyline for me was totally there, however, I just could not love Scarlett the way I needed to in order to be totally on board. To me, she seems like a person who has more or less been given everything, but because she has likely undiagnosed ADHD she throws everyone under the bus and comes off as a total brat. I see what the author was trying to do here, and as a person who got diagnosed with ADHD in my late 20s I appreciate the representation, but it just felt disingenuous to me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Danielle Smyth for letting me read an eARC of your book!
Despite both knowing that this relationship would be a conflict of interest, they dive in head first, although keeping it secret from the prying eyes of the publishing house. When Scarlett decides to break her contract, things only get harder because Jonathan is the one who handles the contract dispute. To add insult to injury, some new information has come to light about Scarlett’s favorite aunt that totally shifts her perspectives.
Scarlett has to decide what’s going to be best for her, and hopefully keep some of her relationships free from catching the wake.
TROPES:
Opposites attract
stoic /sunshine
Witty banter
Workplace romance
Conflict of interest
I really wanted to love this book. The storyline for me was totally there, however, I just could not love Scarlett the way I needed to in order to be totally on board. To me, she seems like a person who has more or less been given everything, but because she has likely undiagnosed ADHD she throws everyone under the bus and comes off as a total brat. I see what the author was trying to do here, and as a person who got diagnosed with ADHD in my late 20s I appreciate the representation, but it just felt disingenuous to me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Danielle Smyth for letting me read an eARC of your book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I got this book as an ARC from Beyond the Books PR for free and in exchange for my honest review, which is posted below.
This story between Scarlett and Jonathan is a fast and heavy love story. I didn’t realize this wasn’t Ms. Smyth’s first book, but you don’t need to have read the others in the series to pick up with this storyline. The story is for the most part cute, has a medium amount of spice (more than I expected, actually) and as a millennial, especially a Gilmore Girls lover, I appreciated all the millennial coded anecdotes.
It’s tough when you’re excited to read a new book and it’s not really your cup of tea to decide what to say. Part of my issue was I found Scarlett to be rather insufferable and the writing of her to be both repetitive and stilted, like she was painstakingly spelling out what she wanted to say instead of just writing and letting it flow. From the beginning, the inscription says “For anyone who has ever been told they are too much” and then within the first five or ten pages, Scarlett is talking about how she’s too much, and then it becomes almost annoying in the repetition of that theme throughout. Scarlett and I wouldn’t get along in real life - she throws tantrums and over things that seem overly inflated, she sabotages herself and her relationships, stomping away instead of just handling it. My dislike of her made her hard to finish but I wanted to be able to be honest and uphold my end of the ARC agreement. I’m sorry it wasn’t any higher a rating from me.
This story between Scarlett and Jonathan is a fast and heavy love story. I didn’t realize this wasn’t Ms. Smyth’s first book, but you don’t need to have read the others in the series to pick up with this storyline. The story is for the most part cute, has a medium amount of spice (more than I expected, actually) and as a millennial, especially a Gilmore Girls lover, I appreciated all the millennial coded anecdotes.
It’s tough when you’re excited to read a new book and it’s not really your cup of tea to decide what to say. Part of my issue was I found Scarlett to be rather insufferable and the writing of her to be both repetitive and stilted, like she was painstakingly spelling out what she wanted to say instead of just writing and letting it flow. From the beginning, the inscription says “For anyone who has ever been told they are too much” and then within the first five or ten pages, Scarlett is talking about how she’s too much, and then it becomes almost annoying in the repetition of that theme throughout. Scarlett and I wouldn’t get along in real life - she throws tantrums and over things that seem overly inflated, she sabotages herself and her relationships, stomping away instead of just handling it. My dislike of her made her hard to finish but I wanted to be able to be honest and uphold my end of the ARC agreement. I’m sorry it wasn’t any higher a rating from me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had not read Ghost Writing before reading this so I wasn’t familiar with any of the characters but I honestly don’t think you need to be. This worked well as it’s own story and at no point did I feel like I was missing any information.
Scarlett has written a novel and is struggling to write the second in her three book contract. She has written it but is told it’s not what the publishers are looking for, she’s told it’s too much, something she’s heard all her life about her whole existence. When she attends a book signing by another author, she meets lawyer Jonathan, who works for the same publishing house, the very person she would have to deal with if she wants out of her three book contract. Despite the conflict of interest, Scarlett and Jonathan are drawn to each other and start dating in secret.
Scarlett is a wonderful person. She struggles a lot with her neurodivergence, always being told she’s too much but for the right person, she’s just enough. Jonathan is that person, he sees Scarlett for who she is, is constantly supporting her and despite their conflict of interest, he genuinely wants to help her and just be with her.
I loved watching their relationship evolve from their instant attraction through to a deeper connection. I hated when they fought, I wanted to shake Scarlett more than Jonathan but I also understood a lot of Scarlett’s issues and self perceptions.
I really enjoyed this book, I think I will track down Ghost Writing and read about Will and Callie as well.
Scarlett has written a novel and is struggling to write the second in her three book contract. She has written it but is told it’s not what the publishers are looking for, she’s told it’s too much, something she’s heard all her life about her whole existence. When she attends a book signing by another author, she meets lawyer Jonathan, who works for the same publishing house, the very person she would have to deal with if she wants out of her three book contract. Despite the conflict of interest, Scarlett and Jonathan are drawn to each other and start dating in secret.
Scarlett is a wonderful person. She struggles a lot with her neurodivergence, always being told she’s too much but for the right person, she’s just enough. Jonathan is that person, he sees Scarlett for who she is, is constantly supporting her and despite their conflict of interest, he genuinely wants to help her and just be with her.
I loved watching their relationship evolve from their instant attraction through to a deeper connection. I hated when they fought, I wanted to shake Scarlett more than Jonathan but I also understood a lot of Scarlett’s issues and self perceptions.
I really enjoyed this book, I think I will track down Ghost Writing and read about Will and Callie as well.
June 12, 2026
Thank you so much for the review copy....
4.5 Stars rounded to 5 stars....
As someone who loves books about authors, writing books and the publishing world, By the Book immediately caught my attention and it absolutely delivered the cozy, heartfelt reading experience I was hoping for.
This story follows Scarlett, a romance author struggling both professionally and personally and Jonathan, the lawyer connected to her publishing house who completely stole the show for me. Their chemistry was effortless from the start.. It felt natural, witty and gave their relationship so much charm..
But what surprised me most was how much this story focuses on Scarlett's personal journey. Beneath the romance is a story about self worth, identity, family secrets and learning that you don't have to make yourself smaller to fit other people's expectations. Watching Scarlett slowly learn to embrace who she is felt incredibly rewarding...
Jonathan was everything I want in a romance hero.. He’s supportive, thoughtful, emotionally mature and genuinely kind. Instead of unnecessary drama, the relationship is built on communication, respect and showing up for each other which made me root for them even more.
I also loved the publishing world backdrop ..
Overall, By the Book has one of the sweetest couples I've read in a while. If you enjoy romance authors as protagonists, forbidden workplace romance, witty banter and emotionally supportive love interests, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
4.5 Stars rounded to 5 stars....
As someone who loves books about authors, writing books and the publishing world, By the Book immediately caught my attention and it absolutely delivered the cozy, heartfelt reading experience I was hoping for.
This story follows Scarlett, a romance author struggling both professionally and personally and Jonathan, the lawyer connected to her publishing house who completely stole the show for me. Their chemistry was effortless from the start.. It felt natural, witty and gave their relationship so much charm..
But what surprised me most was how much this story focuses on Scarlett's personal journey. Beneath the romance is a story about self worth, identity, family secrets and learning that you don't have to make yourself smaller to fit other people's expectations. Watching Scarlett slowly learn to embrace who she is felt incredibly rewarding...
Jonathan was everything I want in a romance hero.. He’s supportive, thoughtful, emotionally mature and genuinely kind. Instead of unnecessary drama, the relationship is built on communication, respect and showing up for each other which made me root for them even more.
I also loved the publishing world backdrop ..
Overall, By the Book has one of the sweetest couples I've read in a while. If you enjoy romance authors as protagonists, forbidden workplace romance, witty banter and emotionally supportive love interests, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
June 4, 2026
Scarlett Sinclair is a romance novelist. Her first book was fantastic, but her second one isn’t going so well. Her editor wants her to write another book like the first, and she’s not feeling it. She meets Jonathan Levine at a book reading for a fellow author. He’s also the lawyer for the publishing company. He normally follows the rules, but not when it comes to Scarlett. As things heat up between them, Scarlett wrestles with whether or not to break her contract. On top of that, there is family drama for Scarlett. Scarlett is now tasked with figuring out what’s the best path forward for her.
This was a cute read. It’s part of the Ghost Writing series, which I have not read. I did not feel like I was missing out on anything not having read any other book in the series. Overall, I liked the book, but there were some things about it that kept me from being able to give it a rating higher than 3 stars.
The dedication was “For anyone who has ever been told they are too much” and I thought I was going to connect with the book. Unfortunately, the idea that Scarlett is too much was repeated over and over in the book. It almost felt like she was looking for Jonathan to keep reminding her that she wasn’t. It felt a little immature at times. Scarlett felt immature to me at times.
What amounted to Scarlett being “too much” was possibly undiagnosed ADHD. I am ADHD and both my kids are ADHD. While I appreciate what the author tried to do here with the neurodivergent rep, I struggled with some of the reactions to the possibility of ADHD. It felt like a step back in overcoming the stigma.
This book does have a lot of higher reviews, so take what I say with a grain of salt (like I always say!). Give this one a try if you like reading romance books!
This was a cute read. It’s part of the Ghost Writing series, which I have not read. I did not feel like I was missing out on anything not having read any other book in the series. Overall, I liked the book, but there were some things about it that kept me from being able to give it a rating higher than 3 stars.
The dedication was “For anyone who has ever been told they are too much” and I thought I was going to connect with the book. Unfortunately, the idea that Scarlett is too much was repeated over and over in the book. It almost felt like she was looking for Jonathan to keep reminding her that she wasn’t. It felt a little immature at times. Scarlett felt immature to me at times.
What amounted to Scarlett being “too much” was possibly undiagnosed ADHD. I am ADHD and both my kids are ADHD. While I appreciate what the author tried to do here with the neurodivergent rep, I struggled with some of the reactions to the possibility of ADHD. It felt like a step back in overcoming the stigma.
This book does have a lot of higher reviews, so take what I say with a grain of salt (like I always say!). Give this one a try if you like reading romance books!
June 3, 2026
I absolutely loved By the Book by Danielle Smyth!
This was such a cute, heartfelt story about love, self-discovery, and learning to embrace who you truly are. Scarlett is an author who struggles with how she's perceived by others and where she fits in, and I really connected with her journey. Watching her grow throughout the book and become more confident in herself was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And Jonathan? He was honestly the sweetest. I loved how supportive he was of Scarlett and how he loved her for exactly who she was. He constantly lifted her up when she needed it most, and their relationship felt so genuine and comforting. Their romance had me smiling the entire time.
And can we talk about all the Gilmore Girls references?! As a fan, I was obsessed. The comparison of Jonathan being Scarlett's Logan absolutely melted my heart.
The best surprise was finding out at the end that there's another book that runs alongside this story and tells Callie's love story. As soon as I finished, I immediately added it to my TBR because I need more of this world.
Overall, By the Book was such a warm, cozy, feel-good read that left me with a huge smile on my face. If you love charming romances, lovable characters, and stories about finding yourself and worth, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and Danielle Smyth for the ARC Copy of this book. I really did enjoy every moment of it!
This was such a cute, heartfelt story about love, self-discovery, and learning to embrace who you truly are. Scarlett is an author who struggles with how she's perceived by others and where she fits in, and I really connected with her journey. Watching her grow throughout the book and become more confident in herself was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And Jonathan? He was honestly the sweetest. I loved how supportive he was of Scarlett and how he loved her for exactly who she was. He constantly lifted her up when she needed it most, and their relationship felt so genuine and comforting. Their romance had me smiling the entire time.
And can we talk about all the Gilmore Girls references?! As a fan, I was obsessed. The comparison of Jonathan being Scarlett's Logan absolutely melted my heart.
The best surprise was finding out at the end that there's another book that runs alongside this story and tells Callie's love story. As soon as I finished, I immediately added it to my TBR because I need more of this world.
Overall, By the Book was such a warm, cozy, feel-good read that left me with a huge smile on my face. If you love charming romances, lovable characters, and stories about finding yourself and worth, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and Danielle Smyth for the ARC Copy of this book. I really did enjoy every moment of it!
June 9, 2026
Thank you to Beyond the Book PR for an advanced copy of this book.
3.5 ⭐ - This book was cute, light and exactly what I needed after some recently heavier reads. The references to Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls were right up my alley. And I really enjoyed Danielle Smyth's writing style.
Scarlett and Johnathan's relationship was fun and I thought their initial meeting was adorable. Their banter and interactions made me smile. I did think they fell for each other rather quickly but it didn't stop me from enjoying their journey. Part of me kept waiting for the other shoe to drop so that may be why I never fully connected to them as a couple. I also couldn't understand why they did some of the things they did since they were trying to keep their relationship a secret. It seemed counterintuitive. I was hoping for Scarlett and Jonathan to face more obstacles as well.
Some of Scarlett's behavior also bothered me (especially her interactions with her mom, aunt and roommate). Her over-the-top personality is meant to be a huge "problem" in the story, but for me it came off as immature.
However, I really enjoyed the ending and how it all came together. It all wrapped up perfectly, which is what I look for in a romance. I would be interested in reading Callie's story as well, especially since I see that they overlap.
Overall, if you're looking for a quick, fun (spicy) rom-com, this is one to check out.
3.5 ⭐ - This book was cute, light and exactly what I needed after some recently heavier reads. The references to Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls were right up my alley. And I really enjoyed Danielle Smyth's writing style.
Scarlett and Johnathan's relationship was fun and I thought their initial meeting was adorable. Their banter and interactions made me smile. I did think they fell for each other rather quickly but it didn't stop me from enjoying their journey. Part of me kept waiting for the other shoe to drop so that may be why I never fully connected to them as a couple. I also couldn't understand why they did some of the things they did since they were trying to keep their relationship a secret. It seemed counterintuitive. I was hoping for Scarlett and Jonathan to face more obstacles as well.
Some of Scarlett's behavior also bothered me (especially her interactions with her mom, aunt and roommate). Her over-the-top personality is meant to be a huge "problem" in the story, but for me it came off as immature.
However, I really enjoyed the ending and how it all came together. It all wrapped up perfectly, which is what I look for in a romance. I would be interested in reading Callie's story as well, especially since I see that they overlap.
Overall, if you're looking for a quick, fun (spicy) rom-com, this is one to check out.
June 10, 2026
If you’re looking for a sweet, heartfelt romance with plenty of bookish charm, By the Book is one to add to your TBR! 📚💙
Jonathan is the definition of a green-flag book boyfriend—attentive, patient, supportive, and an absolute sweetheart. And yes, those glasses definitely deserve a special mention. 🥵🤓 Scarlett was such a relatable heroine, especially for anyone who has ever felt “too much” or struggled to fit into other people’s expectations. Watching her learn to embrace exactly who she is made her journey all the more meaningful.
✨ Read if you love:
💙 Opposites attract
🩷 Bookish romance
💙 Stoic x sunshine
🩷 Secret dating
💙 Workplace attraction
🩷 Conflict of interest
💙 Vocational misalignment
I absolutely loved the publishing-company setting and the writers-block storyline. The chemistry between Jonathan and Scarlett was adorable, and their relationship had me smiling throughout. The romance felt warm, comforting, and full of heart.
The only reason this wasn’t a full five-star read for me was that I wished the spice had a little more intensity, and at times the chemistry felt sweeter than it did sizzling. That said, not every romance needs to be high spice, and this story shines because of its characters, emotional growth, and genuine sweetness.
Overall, By the Book is a charming, feel-good romance that will leave you giggling, kicking your feet, and rooting for these characters until the very end. 💕📖
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Jonathan is the definition of a green-flag book boyfriend—attentive, patient, supportive, and an absolute sweetheart. And yes, those glasses definitely deserve a special mention. 🥵🤓 Scarlett was such a relatable heroine, especially for anyone who has ever felt “too much” or struggled to fit into other people’s expectations. Watching her learn to embrace exactly who she is made her journey all the more meaningful.
✨ Read if you love:
💙 Opposites attract
🩷 Bookish romance
💙 Stoic x sunshine
🩷 Secret dating
💙 Workplace attraction
🩷 Conflict of interest
💙 Vocational misalignment
I absolutely loved the publishing-company setting and the writers-block storyline. The chemistry between Jonathan and Scarlett was adorable, and their relationship had me smiling throughout. The romance felt warm, comforting, and full of heart.
The only reason this wasn’t a full five-star read for me was that I wished the spice had a little more intensity, and at times the chemistry felt sweeter than it did sizzling. That said, not every romance needs to be high spice, and this story shines because of its characters, emotional growth, and genuine sweetness.
Overall, By the Book is a charming, feel-good romance that will leave you giggling, kicking your feet, and rooting for these characters until the very end. 💕📖
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
By the Book was such a fun, heartfelt, easy read and I absolutely flew through it in two days.
The witty banter, the golden retriever MMC, the chemistry, all so good! But what really stood out to me was Scarlett’s emotional journey throughout the book. Beneath the romance was a deeper story about unpacking trauma, healing, and learning that falling in love with yourself is just as important as falling in love with someone else.
I loved how Scarlett struggled with writing her second romance novel because she felt like there had to be “more” to a story than simply meeting someone and falling in love. In reality, what she was truly searching for was more for herself, too.
Jonathan was honestly one of the sweetest MMCs ever. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because he was almost too supportive and thoughtful… but no. He simply loved Scarlett exactly as she was. He encouraged her, supported her dreams, and never once tried to dim her light.
“Because you don’t need a spotlight to shine.”
Watching Scarlett slowly come into herself, reconcile with her past, and realize she didn’t have to make herself smaller for others was such a beautiful journey to read.
A quick, emotional, feel-good romance with depth, growth, healing, and one of the sweetest love stories I’ve read in a while 🤍
By the Book was such a fun, heartfelt, easy read and I absolutely flew through it in two days.
The witty banter, the golden retriever MMC, the chemistry, all so good! But what really stood out to me was Scarlett’s emotional journey throughout the book. Beneath the romance was a deeper story about unpacking trauma, healing, and learning that falling in love with yourself is just as important as falling in love with someone else.
I loved how Scarlett struggled with writing her second romance novel because she felt like there had to be “more” to a story than simply meeting someone and falling in love. In reality, what she was truly searching for was more for herself, too.
Jonathan was honestly one of the sweetest MMCs ever. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because he was almost too supportive and thoughtful… but no. He simply loved Scarlett exactly as she was. He encouraged her, supported her dreams, and never once tried to dim her light.
“Because you don’t need a spotlight to shine.”
Watching Scarlett slowly come into herself, reconcile with her past, and realize she didn’t have to make herself smaller for others was such a beautiful journey to read.
A quick, emotional, feel-good romance with depth, growth, healing, and one of the sweetest love stories I’ve read in a while 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a free ARC from the author, Danielle Smyth, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you so much for the opportunity!
I rated this book 4.75 out of 5 stars. I fell head over heels in love with these characters. Every character, including the supporting characters, had such depth and personality that I was sad to say goodbye! Scarlett is our FMC and she is a romance author signed with a romance imprint where our MMC, Jonathan, is legal counsel. The two meet at a book event for another author and the chemistry is palpable.
This is not a simple boy meets girl and didn't feel like a cookie cutter version of the classic tropes. By the Book felt fresh but also familiar in the best way. Reading this book feels like curling up on the couch with a blanket and bowl of chicken noodle soup. Although it was sweet and romantic, it also deals with some real conflict including family drama, workplace issues and neurodivergence.
I truly appreciated the attention and care that the author gave to the topic of neurodivergence and feel that she threaded the needle flawlessly. She made the topic understandable and relatable and I love the way that she brought it into the spotlight without making it the whole story.
If you are a fan of Abby Jimenez or the Gilmore Girls (you'll understand later), please do not walk but RUN to get this book!
I rated this book 4.75 out of 5 stars. I fell head over heels in love with these characters. Every character, including the supporting characters, had such depth and personality that I was sad to say goodbye! Scarlett is our FMC and she is a romance author signed with a romance imprint where our MMC, Jonathan, is legal counsel. The two meet at a book event for another author and the chemistry is palpable.
This is not a simple boy meets girl and didn't feel like a cookie cutter version of the classic tropes. By the Book felt fresh but also familiar in the best way. Reading this book feels like curling up on the couch with a blanket and bowl of chicken noodle soup. Although it was sweet and romantic, it also deals with some real conflict including family drama, workplace issues and neurodivergence.
I truly appreciated the attention and care that the author gave to the topic of neurodivergence and feel that she threaded the needle flawlessly. She made the topic understandable and relatable and I love the way that she brought it into the spotlight without making it the whole story.
If you are a fan of Abby Jimenez or the Gilmore Girls (you'll understand later), please do not walk but RUN to get this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved Ghost Writing and I loved this book as well. I appreciated getting to know Scarlett in her own right, and Jonathan is just the best book boyfriend ever! As someone who is neurodivergent, I think the author hit it right on the head with Scarlett. I've never felt so seen. I see some reviewers frustrated with Scarlett for her behavior, but I think this is how neurodivergence presents, plain and simple, and the fact that they're calling her "insufferable" but loving Jonathan further drives home the point that they don't live in a brain like hers. She's exactly like me and my friends who are neurodivergent/ADHD; ADHD is a lot more than having trouble sitting still. It also impacts your ability to regulate your emotions and to respond in a neurotypical way. Some people are really great at masking their ADHD, and Scarlett showed signs of being able to do that sometimes, but when she was stressed, it was more difficult. This is exactly how it works, and while that may be frustrating if that's not how your brain works, it's the reality for a lot of us with ADHD, and the character felt very realistic to me. Just wanted to toss that out there. I also really loved Tess and Margaret in this book; I'd love to see more of them. And the spice?! Oof. Loved it.
Review of advanced copy received from the author.
Review of advanced copy received from the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This summary immediately caught my attention, so I was thrilled when I received an ARC copy. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work quite as well for me as I had hoped.
Scarlett and Jonathan’s relationship develops very quickly, and I struggled to fully connect with their romance given the obvious professional conflict of interest between them. Throughout the story, it felt like nearly every area of Scarlett’s life was in turmoil—from her career to her family relationships—which made for a lot of drama but was sometimes overwhelming.
I also found Scarlett’s dependence on the people closest to her a bit frustrating at times. Her relationships with Jonathan, Tess, and Callie often felt very intense. There was a significant amount of back and forth in both the romance and the family dynamics, and I occasionally found myself wishing for more consistency in her decisions.
The story certainly kept me engaged, and I was curious to see how everything would ultimately unfold. While Jonathan ended up being my favorite character, I never fully connected with Scarlett, which made it difficult for me to become invested in the outcome of their relationship.
Overall, this was a 2.5/3 star read, but readers who enjoy emotionally charged stories with family drama, and complicated relationship dynamics may have a different experience.
Scarlett and Jonathan’s relationship develops very quickly, and I struggled to fully connect with their romance given the obvious professional conflict of interest between them. Throughout the story, it felt like nearly every area of Scarlett’s life was in turmoil—from her career to her family relationships—which made for a lot of drama but was sometimes overwhelming.
I also found Scarlett’s dependence on the people closest to her a bit frustrating at times. Her relationships with Jonathan, Tess, and Callie often felt very intense. There was a significant amount of back and forth in both the romance and the family dynamics, and I occasionally found myself wishing for more consistency in her decisions.
The story certainly kept me engaged, and I was curious to see how everything would ultimately unfold. While Jonathan ended up being my favorite character, I never fully connected with Scarlett, which made it difficult for me to become invested in the outcome of their relationship.
Overall, this was a 2.5/3 star read, but readers who enjoy emotionally charged stories with family drama, and complicated relationship dynamics may have a different experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2026
4⭐ 2🌶️
This is the perfect romance book for readers that love a sweet, heartfelt and cute story that has just a little bit of spice✨
Jonathan is the definition of the perfect green flag book boyfriend , he's attentive, calm and supportive, endlessly patient and a full blown charmer. Especially when he wears those slutty little glasses🤭
Scarlett was written for the people that grew up feeling like they were too much, too loud, too bold , too big for the world around you. Through her journey she learns to accept herself and her muchness, that she doesn't have to change or shrink herself to fit someone else's mold or expectations of who she should be.
The spice was very mild, to the point I wished it was a little bit more intense. I felt it was lacking in comparison to the general chemistry and tension Jonathan and Scarlett shared, and sometimes felt too stiff and awkward.
I understand many readers don't enjoy reading intimate scenes, I unfortunately am not one of them. I like my spice sizzling hot and the MCs feral for each other, this was more sweet than spicy and that's okay.
All in all it was a very enjoyable romance book, that will have you giggling and kicking your feet and see yourself in the characters. Definitely recommend 💕✨
Thank you to Danielle Smyth and Beyondthebooks PR for this ARC.📖
This is the perfect romance book for readers that love a sweet, heartfelt and cute story that has just a little bit of spice✨
Jonathan is the definition of the perfect green flag book boyfriend , he's attentive, calm and supportive, endlessly patient and a full blown charmer. Especially when he wears those slutty little glasses🤭
Scarlett was written for the people that grew up feeling like they were too much, too loud, too bold , too big for the world around you. Through her journey she learns to accept herself and her muchness, that she doesn't have to change or shrink herself to fit someone else's mold or expectations of who she should be.
The spice was very mild, to the point I wished it was a little bit more intense. I felt it was lacking in comparison to the general chemistry and tension Jonathan and Scarlett shared, and sometimes felt too stiff and awkward.
I understand many readers don't enjoy reading intimate scenes, I unfortunately am not one of them. I like my spice sizzling hot and the MCs feral for each other, this was more sweet than spicy and that's okay.
All in all it was a very enjoyable romance book, that will have you giggling and kicking your feet and see yourself in the characters. Definitely recommend 💕✨
Thank you to Danielle Smyth and Beyondthebooks PR for this ARC.📖
June 8, 2026
By the Book is such a sweet, lighthearted story that follows Scarlett’s POV as she and Jonathan fall in love. There were so many things about this story that I loved. It was the perfect poolside read (light and easy to get lost in), but when you look a little deeper, there is so much healing, growth, and depth to Scarlett’s journey.
Scarlett is an author struggling to write her second book. She is bubbly, creative, and full of joy, while also battling the inability to finish projects, being scatterbrained, and constantly feeling like she’s “too much” for the people around her. I absolutely loved the authenticity of Scarlett’s character from beginning to end. There were moments when I felt incredibly seen through her experiences. I loved and appreciated the way she was written and how her arc developed.
Jonathan is a lawyer who radiates green-flag energy. He is driven, thoughtful, dependable, and the complete opposite of Scarlett. In so many ways, Jonathan is everything Scarlett is not, but that contrast is exactly what makes them work so well together.
The storyline involving Scarlett, her mom, and her Aunt Tess especially resonated with me. Some of those family dynamics connected deeply with my own life, which made Scarlett’s journey even more meaningful to read.
This book was beautiful, heartwarming, and full of emotional depth. I enjoyed every second of it.
Scarlett is an author struggling to write her second book. She is bubbly, creative, and full of joy, while also battling the inability to finish projects, being scatterbrained, and constantly feeling like she’s “too much” for the people around her. I absolutely loved the authenticity of Scarlett’s character from beginning to end. There were moments when I felt incredibly seen through her experiences. I loved and appreciated the way she was written and how her arc developed.
Jonathan is a lawyer who radiates green-flag energy. He is driven, thoughtful, dependable, and the complete opposite of Scarlett. In so many ways, Jonathan is everything Scarlett is not, but that contrast is exactly what makes them work so well together.
The storyline involving Scarlett, her mom, and her Aunt Tess especially resonated with me. Some of those family dynamics connected deeply with my own life, which made Scarlett’s journey even more meaningful to read.
This book was beautiful, heartwarming, and full of emotional depth. I enjoyed every second of it.
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