By the Book
By the Book by Amanda Sellet
Romance, Contemporary
Star Rating
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Summary
In this clever YA rom-com debut perfect for fans of Kasie West and Ashley Poston, a teen obsessed with nineteenth-century literature tries to cull advice on life and love from her favorite classic heroines to disastrous results -- especially when she falls for the school's resident Lothario.
Mary Porter-Malcolm has prepared for high school in the one way she knows how: an extensive review of classic literature to help navigate the friendships, romantic liaisons, and overall drama she has come to expect from such an "esteemed" institution.
When some new friends seem in danger of falling for the same tricks employed since the days of Austen and Tolstoy, Mary swoops in to create the Scoundrel Survival Guide, using archetypes of literature's debonair bad boys to signal red flags. But despite her best efforts, she soon finds herself unable to listen to her own good advice and falling for a supposed cad - the same one she warned her friends to stay away from.
Without a convenient rain-swept moor to flee to, Mary is forced to admit that real life doesn't follow the same rules as fiction and that if she wants a happy ending, she's going to have to write it herself.
Review
Amanda Sellet's By the Book is a somewhat-charming YA contemporary novel with a literary twist. It follows Mary Porter-Malcolm, our bookish heroine who views her world through the lens of classic literary works. As she begins to navigate her first experience at a public high school after being homeschooled, she applies the lessons she has learned in her beloved novels to real-life situations.
Let's start with what worked well. The novel's strongest element was its overarching love letter to literature. Mary's extensive knowledge of classic books and her habit of making "scandalous lessons" lists adds a unique touch to the narrative. Readers who enjoy Jane Austen, the Brontë's, or Edith Wharton will appreciate the many references woven into the story. The friendships formed in the novel also stand out, as Mary finds a group of girls who embrace her quirks and support her as she begins to step out of her comfort zone. Additionally, Sellet's writing style is light and engaging, which makes for a pleasant reading experience. The literary references mixed with touches of humor brings charm to the story.
Now, what didn't work. Despite its promising premise, By the Book sometimes struggled with its pacing. The story takes quite a while to build momentum, and some plot points feel slow and predictable, particularly Mary's romance. While sweet, the romance lacks depth, making it less compelling than the book's exploration of friendships and self-discovery. Another drawback is Mary's character development. While her bookish personality is endearing, her rigid literary worldview occasionally makes her feel out of touch. Some of her judgments about people based on literary archetypes seem exaggerated, even for a character meant to be overly immersed in books. A bit more nuance in her personal growth would have made her transformation more satisfying. The inclusion of the letters at the beginning of each chapter was also a mixed element. While they were meant to serve as witty, literary inspired warnings or reflections on the upcoming events, they often felt unnecessary and disrupted the flow of the story. I found myself losing interest, or skipping the letters all together. Instead of adding depth, they sometimes repeated ideas already clear from Mary's narration, making them feel more like decorative additions rather than a meaningful enhancement to the plot.
In parting, By the Book is an enjoyable read for lovers of classic literature, if you can put up with the slow plot progression, lack of romantic depth, and decorative additions of the letters. The novel does not quite reach its full potential, despite the witty moments and lighthearted situations. If you enjoy bookish heroines and YA contemporary with a literary twist, it's worth a read -- but be warned, it may not leave a lasting impression.
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