Anne Corey, an English professor at Fairfax College in Southern California, is blindsided when she learns her ex-fiance, Adam Martinez, is the new college president. She already has a tough year ahead of her, with a grueling class schedule and a serious attempt to get her book, an academic work about 19th century women authors, published. Amid awkward run-ins with Adam, petty students trying to raise their grades, and more publisher rejections than she can count, Anne barely has time to feed her cat, Jellyby. On top of all of that, her perfect sister is avoiding the inevitable: their father needs to move into a nursing home. Things are busy, to say the least.

But when literary hot-shot Rick Chasen takes a position as writer-in- residence, students and faculty alike are smitten. Anne is surprised when she and Rick quickly begin a casual yet super sexy relationship, fueling the gossipers in the English department with new fervor. And low and behold, a publisher finally takes her book proposal seriously! But for some reason, Anne is bothered by the fact that Adam seemingly isn't interested in the exciting things in her life, and she's even more bothered that she still cares so much about what he thinks...

A charming tribute to Jane Austen's Persuasion! This academia-filled take on the classic and beloved novel really works. At times cheeky, downright hilarious, as well as heartfelt and romantic, Julia Sonneborn's BY THE BOOK is a lovely and entertaining novel. Anne Corey is a great update of Anne Elliot: relatable, funny, and tenacious, flaws and all. There are a couple of enjoyable side plots, including one dealing with a Hollywood actor and Anne's amusing best friend. Overall, this is a breezy, contemporary retelling of a cherished classic!