By the Book (meant to Be, #2)

Isabelle "Izzy" Marlowe arrives for her first day as an editorial assistant at Tale as Old as Time Publishing (TAOAT), one of the biggest publishing houses in the world. She had hoped to work at a rival publisher, Maurice, under Josephine Henry, a Black editor who mentored her, but did not get that job and was instead hired by TAOAT editor Marta Wallace.

Two years later, Izzy is burned out. Marta piles on responsibilities without praise or mentorship, and as one of the few employees of color, Izzy is constantly asked to handle diversity-related tasks on top of her regular work. Her colleague Gavin Ridley, who previously held Izzy's position before being promoted to assistant editor, claims Marta confided that Izzy will not be promoted this year, possibly ever. Among Izzy's duties is sending biweekly emails to Beau Towers, a former child star and son of director Jim Towers and Black model Nina Russell. Beau signed a seven-figure memoir deal with Marta but has been unresponsive for over a year. Izzy's emails have evolved from earnest check-ins into playful messages she assumes no one reads.

Izzy and her friend Priya Gupta, another editorial assistant, attend a work conference in Los Angeles, where Izzy reconnects with Josephine, who senses she is struggling and offers to stay in touch. Izzy overhears Marta wishing someone would confront Beau at his Santa Barbara house and volunteers on impulse. She drives to Beau's address, a large pink stucco house. Michaela, Beau's assistant and cook, answers the door while Beau shouts his refusal from inside. As Michaela walks Izzy to her car, she trips and twists her ankle, and Izzy helps her inside. When Beau discovers Izzy still there, she pitches her case, but Beau sarcastically dares her to stay and give him daily pep talks. Izzy calls his bluff, and he retrieves her luggage.

Their first days are hostile. Beau mocks Izzy's writing advice at dinner, prompting her to walk out. Unable to drive after drinking wine, she retreats to a guest room and later finds a tray of food at her door with a note of apology from Beau. When Marta learns Beau emailed to thank her for sending Izzy, she instructs Izzy to stay through Monday. Beau gives a grudging tour of the house, declares several rooms off-limits, and receives Izzy's daily pep talks without engagement.

The turning point comes during a rainstorm. Izzy returns from a walk soaked and locked out. When Beau opens the door and laughs, she erupts, calling him a spoiled brat. After her shower, Beau delivers a sincere apology and reveals why his memoir has stalled: He discovered his entire life was built on lies, he feels cursed, and everything he tried to write felt wrong. He confesses he read all of Izzy's emails and even the memoirs she recommended. When Izzy asks if he is depressed, Beau admits he is. She offers to help him with his book, and he accepts. He gives her keys to the house and a car. They share wine and a period drama, establishing a warmer dynamic. Izzy privately decides that if she can coach Beau through his memoir, she will stay in publishing; if she fails, she will quit.

Izzy persuades Marta to extend her stay by one month. In Beau's library, a book-filled room that had been off-limits, they begin daily writing sessions. Izzy gives Beau a notebook and instructs him to write. He asks her to hold the notebook so he will not destroy his work. Over weeks, she transitions him from handwriting to typing, and they settle into a routine of nightly dinners and shared evenings. Izzy finds herself attracted to Beau but dismisses the feeling. When Beau shares his first pages, the writing is honest and strong. Inspired by giving him advice she has not followed herself, Izzy begins writing again during their sessions.

When Priya visits Santa Barbara for a cousin's wedding, she is convinced Beau has romantic feelings for Izzy. Shortly after, Izzy pushes Beau on emotional gaps in his writing, and he lashes out, telling her she is not even a writer. Izzy drives to the beach and considers quitting but realizes she is not ready to abandon her dreams. She returns to find Beau on the front steps. He apologizes thoroughly, then reveals the full story behind his anguish: After his father's death, Beau discovered that his mother had done the bulk of the writing on all of his father's acclaimed screenplays, including the Oscar-winning one. Everything his father told him during their bitter divorce, painting Nina as jealous, was a lie. Consumed with guilt over what he screamed at his mother at the funeral, Beau fled to this house and has been unable to call her since. Izzy tells him to write it all down and decides to stay.

At Izzy's encouragement, Beau texts his mother. On the beach, he asks why Izzy is not a writer. She confesses that Gavin read her novel and called it juvenile, destroying her confidence. Beau insists Gavin was sabotaging her and proposes that during library sessions, they must both write. Izzy agrees, and the joy of writing returns.

Beau's mother invites him to visit in Los Angeles, and Izzy drives with him for moral support. The visit is emotional and cathartic. While waiting, Izzy opens her old manuscript and realizes it is good. That evening on the beach, Beau says his mother was glad he had someone like Izzy. Izzy kisses him, and their romance begins.

Over the following weeks, they deepen their relationship and their work. Then Josephine emails Izzy about an open assistant editor position at Maurice, with an interview the following week. Izzy must leave immediately. Their last days are bittersweet: They dance on the beach, avoid discussing the future, and hug goodbye at the airport without kissing. Izzy cries on the plane.

Beau does not text. Izzy convinces herself the relationship was confined to the enchanted house. Her interview at Maurice goes well. Then Priya alerts her to an article with an anonymous TAOAT source calling Beau "not all that bright" and his manuscript unlikely to arrive. The next morning, Marta reveals that Beau submitted his complete manuscript and it is excellent. Marta praises Izzy's work, admits she tried to promote Izzy earlier but budget cuts prevented it, and offers to recommend Izzy to Josephine. Izzy realizes Gavin's claims about Marta not believing in her were lies.

On her desk, Izzy finds an overnight package: Beau's notebook with a Post-it reading "Read Me." In a nearby park, she reads it from the beginning. His very first entry confesses he is wildly attracted to her. Every subsequent entry documents his growing love, and the final entry explains that the notebook was always written to her. She rushes back to call him. In the lobby, Beau is standing with roses, having flown to New York. He tells her he loves her. She tells him she loves him too. They kiss. Gavin bursts out of the building, flanked by security guards, having been fired as the anonymous source. Beau warns Gavin never to speak to Izzy again. Gavin flees.

One year later, Izzy has accepted the position at Maurice. Priya, who reported Gavin's leak, was promoted at TAOAT. Izzy and Beau maintain a long-distance relationship. On his book release day, Beau brings Izzy breakfast in bed with a wrapped copy of his memoir. The dedication reads: "To Isabelle. I never would have been able to write this book if it wasn't for you. I love you." Michaela confesses she faked the ankle sprain that first day because she had a feeling about Izzy.