By the Book: A Novel of Prose and Cons

In this debut YA rom-com, a teen obsessed with nineteenth-century literature tries to cull advice on life and love from her favorite classic heroines, leading to disastrous results when she falls for the school's resident Lothario. Despite her best efforts, she realizes that real life doesn't follow the same rules as fiction and must write her own happy ending.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

In this captivating YA rom-com debut, perfect for fans of Kasie West and Ashley Poston, a teenage girl immerses herself in nineteenth-century literature in search of guidance on life and love. However, her attempts to extract advice from her favorite classic heroines lead to disastrous consequences, particularly when she falls for the school's resident Lothario.

Mary Porter-Malcolm has dedicated herself to preparing for high school in a unique way: by extensively studying classic literature, hoping to navigate the friendships, romantic relationships, and drama that come with attending such an esteemed institution. When she notices her new friends falling prey to the same tactics used by characters in Austen and Tolstoy's novels, she steps in to create the Scoundrel Survival Guide. Using archetypes of debonair bad boys as warning signs, Mary aims to help her friends avoid potential heartbreak. However, despite her best efforts, she finds herself unable to follow her own advice and falls for a supposedly deceitful man—the same one she had warned her friends to steer clear of.

Real life, unlike fiction, does not adhere to the same rules, and Mary realizes that she must write her own happy ending. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to embrace her true identity and values. With determination and resilience, Mary overcomes obstacles and discovers the power of love and self-love. In the end, she emerges as a stronger and more confident individual, ready to face the challenges of the future with a newfound sense of purpose.

This captivating YA rom-com debut offers a refreshing and relatable perspective on the complexities of teenage love and self-discovery. With its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and heartwarming storyline, it will captivate readers of all ages.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 203 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780358668084