How much do your coworkers annoy you? What’s the worst thing you’ve done? Well, Jolene, our anti-hero, can top it. What starts as a reprimand for putting blistering but unnoticeable text in emails ramps up to more accidentally sinister spying.

Is it uncomfortable? At times! Do you think she’s going to get away with it? I got caught up in the writing and really thought everything was just going to be fine. (Spoiler: it isn’t and it is.). Is it funny, groanworthy, and sad all at the same time? Yup. Just like everyone’s actual life.

What starts as a snarky, jaded office-drama-laden comedy ends as a book about compassion and growth. As a mood reader, it took me a little while to officially dive in to the book but once I officially started, it was easy to finish!

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would recommend to friends and my book club.

Jolene accidentally gains access to her entire office's emails and messages. Coincidentally she also needs to save her job and this is the perfect opportunity to gain info to do that. Also, there's a hot new HR rep in town.

This book was so fun and actually funny and heartwarming! I was having such a good time reading it. There were times I wanted to scream at the main character but I really ended up loving her. If you miss The Office, or love drama, check this out.

This was an absolute riot, I devoured it in one sitting. When Jolene gets put on an HR course correction, everything goes awry - in the best way possible. From amazing side characters to a very cute budding romance, to a lovable if overbearing family, this has everything one could want for a summer read. Definitely recommend!

This was a fast, character-driven read about Jolene, who is unlikeable at first but quickly becomes more sympathetic as we understand the motivations behind her behavior. The same goes for her coworkers, whose layers are revealed as the story goes on.

This book was such a surprise! ‘Even after reading the premise, I wasn’t’ prepared for the way the author told the story. It was a fresh tale, with a little allusion to The Office and maybe Parks and Rec. I was invested in the characters fairly quickly and kept coming back because I wanted to see what was going to happen. I feel like the author does a good job of highlighting the precariousness of office relationships - hate/love all mixed into the inability to say what’s really on your mind. It also reminds us that while we may not always get along with other people, we are all people with our own problems, and people are usually acting a certain way for a reason. Thank you. NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this delightful book

This book is The Office meets a Jesse Q Sutanto book (sub Persian culture for Asian culture). Natalie Sue did such a good job of having you relate/get into the protagonists head that I ended up feeling uncomfortable MYSELF for a lot of the book (as the lead character does) instead of rooting for her.

The book is about a woman, Jolene, who hates her coworkers. When she sends them emails she sends hidden rage messages in white text at the bottom. When she gets caught, part of her probation is computer monitoring but they mess up and give her access to everyone’s inboxes and slacks. The story goes into how she uses that info to try and improve her work life .

It could have been a little shorter as I felt like some of the middle dragged on slightly, but overall I enjoyed the book. All of the side plots and references tied up nicely, which is not always the case with books.

Jolene Smith, a 33-year-old Iranian Canadian, has worked at Supershops Incorporated for eight years. During that time, she has generally stayed to herself and only discussed work-related issues with her coworkers. She adds a text comment in her emails with an invisible white font that expresses her actual thoughts as a way to deal with the stress of her job as an administrative assistant and conflicts with her coworkers. Sadly, a thoughtless error on her part lands her in hot water; as a result, she must attend sensitivity training with Cliff, the new HR gut, and her internet and office email usage are restricted. However, due to an IT error, she can view her coworkers' emails and direct messages, giving her insight into what's happening in the office and how everyone feels about one another. Even though she first chooses to let HR know about the confusion, she gradually starts making use of the facts she discovers. Finding out about the challenges and secrets of her coworkers motivates her to reflect on her own life and set out on a path of self-discovery.

The format of this book is something that I thoroughly enjoyed. There are DMs and emails, and the story is told in the first person. The author writes from the heart and with humor. Character development and a realistic portrayal of interpersonal relationships outside of the job are the novel's strongest points. The supporting cast, including the unlikeable ones, is realistic and well-developed. I thought the author did a great job of pulling everything together and skillfully integrating the subplots into the main story. With tact and compassion, the author tackles touchy subjects like addiction, mental health, trauma, and terminal illness. Jolene has a difficult trip ahead of her, and her tragic past saddened me. Jolene is a character that many will find unlikable for a multitude of reasons, but I thoroughly enjoyed her.

Overall, I enjoyed the themes that the author presented and how they were executed. For what the story was, I enjoyed the ending and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the literary fiction genre.

Binge-worthy. Humorous. “I Hope This Finds You Well” by Natalie Sue follows Jolene as she finds herself in a workplace conundrum. When her emails get flagged due to suspicious activity, she soon discovers she has access to her coworkers’ emails and instant messages. With a cheat code to the office, she crafts a mastermind plan for how to win in the office, including winning over the new HR member, Cliff.

I loved the breezy chapters and cute title names. Jolene was utterly relatable and had the most entertaining thoughts. This book reminded me of “The Office” and brought flashbacks of my days fresh out of college working in the corporate world. I loved its nod to how despite our best efforts, we only see the version our coworkers show us and don’t know the battles they’re fighting.

First 5-star book of the year! Thanks @williammorrowbooks and @netgalley for the Advanced Reader’s E-Proof! Run, don’t walk to read this book (out now)! What a gem of a debut novel!

Build Empathy and I HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL by Natalie Sue

Cover of the book I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue, used to teach the concept of building empathy
Jolene has been working at Supershops for eight long years. For all that time, she’s shown up, done her work, and left – barely getting to know her colleagues and experiencing no passion for the job. Maybe it’s the company, possibly it’s Jolene (who has her own history), but also, Jolene hates working at Supershops because her co-workers are annoying. Take the three she sits with: Rhonda, who wastes altogether too much time bragging about her adult son; Armin, who is intentionally killing Rhonda’s plant; and Caitlin, an aspiring social media influencer who spends a good portion of her day gossiping and complaining.

But wait – are Rhonda, Armin, and Caitlin really that bad? Does Jolene know anything about the people she works with for forty hours each week? Would Jolene see them differently if she gave them empathy?

Empathy is the ability to feel and understand another person’s life from their perspective. Empathetic people are generous, better able to forgive and help others, and less aggressive. Before jumping to harsh conclusions, empathetic people wonder if there’s information they don’t know that would impact their judgments. Because they have a charitable perspective, empathetic people tend to be happier.

Empathy, luckily, is a skill that can be learned and strengthened. Here are ways to build empathy:

Pay Attention: Consider both diverse cultures and specific experiences. The more you know about another person’s situation, the easier it is to see things from their perspective.

Read Fiction: The only way to understand stories is to recognize motivation and human interaction. Relating to characters is a non-threatening way to practice stepping into someone else’s shoes.

Ask Questions: Open-ended, curious, and supportive questions help you understand the other person better and reinforce genuine interest in them.

Look for Alternatives: If you make negative assumptions about someone, stop yourself and accept that you might be wrong. Then, list other (gracious) assumptions that could be right.

This book was not what I was expecting but I liked it! The main character was very relatable and I liked how she changed throughout the book

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for early access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

What a delight this was to read. Let's admit it, Jolene was quite hateable in the beginning (despite being comical). If you read on, you will find there is a reason she keeps people at a distance. The character development that ensues perfection, and we get a satisfying full arc. The side characters were also fantastic and multifaceted. Caitlin can burn in hell tho. I said what I said.

Prose were great, no complaints to file here. My only issue is that this was less about plot, and more about vibes. The vibes were Dunder Mifflin Paper, so it was sometimes hard to read due to the sheer awkward tension. Its still five stars from me. What can I say, I liked The Office. I'm usually a plot girly, but this was giving and I cannot wait to see what Natalie Sue puts out next.

This was a unique experience, that I can't really match to any other books. There was drama. Comedy. Romance. This one is worth the read imo.

The Good, the Bad and the Warhammers


Thank you Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


The good: the author did an incredible job with mental health inclusion (social anxiety, PTSD). One of my favorite parts of the book were the (Feyre from ACOTAR) type of bodily descriptions:
“My stomach turns to acid.”
“My heart almost falls out of my vagina”

I also found it interesting to read about Persian customs and the “auntys”


The bads: It took me a long time to finish this book because I couldn’t stay focused. It would have been a great audiobook. I also felt like it changed directions too many times. I think the author tried to make Jolene’s childhood a huge part of the story but I felt like it didn’t fit and we could have avoided that whole piece.

ughhh the warhammers. My husband is a warhammer nerd and I hate that it was added into my escapism but Jolene trying to understand it was hilarious- I’ve been there- I’ve had similar conversations with my husband.

ARC Review: Publish Date 5/21/20241
Thank you Net Galley for letting me read more books!

As a corporate gal for the last 13 years, this was so spot on. It is dry, sarcastic, dark, witty, and charming. It paints a very accurate picture of office bureaucracy and politics, drama and disdain. Even down to the burnt popcorn. At the heart, it is about people and how easy it is to overlook humanity and fill it with judgement. I Hope This Finds You Well drives home the idea that you just never know what is going on with someone underneath, so maybe don't judge.

Jolene, our main protagonist, is carrying some serious childhood trauma, a weight that leads her to spend all her non-work time alone, in her dingy apartment, nursing her drinking problem and depression. The only thing she has is her shitty corporate cubicle and yet, she has spent all her years working there not getting to know anyone, silently judging everyone from her little cube. She is forced to change how she sees the people she works with when an IT blunder grants her unlimited admin access, and she discovers her job is at risk. Takeaway? We are not our jobs. Sue writes Jolene’s mental health situation with such honesty.

The cast of characters were written with a lot of depth and Sue uses the office stereotypes as a starting point but goes so much further in what makes them tick. The slow-burn romance between the office HR guy, Clif, and Jolene, is heartwarming and sweet. Jolene’s family, her Persian roots, and her relationship with her fellow office Persian, Armin, was awkward and hilarious. The past-retirement Rhonda, self-imposed office party planner busy body (don’t we all have one?), is spot on. Caitlin, the office beauty queen, wow did I feel for her when her depth was uncovered. The only person that can F&$% right off is Gregory, the boss. He is, as every bad corporate boss is, irredeemable.

I enjoyed this. Jolene’s choices were not always my favorite, but the honesty and realness of her character and the characters around her helped.

4 stars.

(Thanks to @williammorrowbooks #gifted.) 𝗜 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 by debut author Natalie Sue is an interoffice story that will leave you with a smile on your face. Jolene has worked at Superstores, Inc. for the last 8 years. She hates it there and survives by having as little contact as possible with her co-workers. When she’s really feeling feisty, Jolene writes snarky/mean comments to others at the end of emails, but she makes the font white. Her little secret, her way of getting revenge works well…until she’s caught.⁣
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On a sort of probation, Jolene must take sensitivity classes and her email is severely restricted only there’s a mix-up. Instead, Jolene suddenly has access to everyone’s email and company DM’s. She can see all their emails to each other, the personal emails they get, what the higher ups are planning, and what her office mates are saying about her. Jolene can’t resist using this little unethical perk and so the fun begins!⁣
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I enjoyed this book very much. Jolene is one of those quirky characters who become endearing. She reminded me of Enid from 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 and Eleanor in 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘦. There’s just something about a lonely, damaged woman finding her voice, and those office settings work especially well. Though I chuckled throughout, there were parts of the story that felt a little slow and repetitive. Still, it was very cute (maybe a tad too cute), and throughout the story I was there rooting for Jolene. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Jolene tells her coworkers exactly how she feels about them in her emails, except she puts it in white font so only she knows it’s there - but one time she forgot to change the font and now she’s on probation and her computer needs to have a special program where HR is pings whenever she writes certain words. Except the new HR guy Cliff has downloaded the wrong program and now Jolene has the ultimate access - she can read everyone’s messages and chats, so she knows EVERYTHING: what people think of her, their personal secrets and that there are about to be layoffs. Jolene needs to use this new access to save her job. Except now that she’s sees the other side to her coworkers she sees that no one is always what they seem and she begins to forge relationships with them for the first time and she’s also starting to really like Cliff, so those are annoying complications.

I ended up really enjoying this one; while I didn’t think it was as funny as the quotes promised it to be, it was funny in that sad guy in Office Space way. Personally I think the audio may be the way to go for this one because it’s fast and funnier than reading it (for me), however, the book had a great cadence as well, I just enjoyed the audio. I thought the author gave each character great quirks and once you had their backstory many of them became more relatable and I really thought the story came together in the end; were it not for Jolene’s traumatic backstory I think I would call this a comedy. Rather than be disappointed that this wasn’t funny enough I would say that there was more depth than a simple funny book.

3.75 rounded to 4

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC

3.5 stars, rounded up. I thought that this book was good but slightly uneven - parts are very funny, and the storyline is definitely interesting. But there are some plot holes left un-dealt-with (the main character's drinking, for example) and the romance novel part was mostly background. I really liked the characters and was definitely rooting for Jolene and Cliff, though, so I'm glad I read it.

I adored this book and all of the characters. It's a workplace comedy drama that also covers some tough topics and issues. I loved the message that everyone we know is likely going through difficult stuff whether we're aware or not. Highly recommended for those who love great, quirky characters, workplace settings, or overbearing (yet loving) families.

Prior to reading this I saw comparisons to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (which I definitely agree with!) and Fredrik Backman’s books (which is a little unfair because he is really so good).

This was not quite as lighthearted or funny as I had hoped it to be but it definitely had heart. Our lead character, Jolene, has a good bit of social anxiety which has led to her isolating herself at work and making some assumptions about the character of her fellow employees.

I did also really enjoy the reveal of each person’s back story and it was a good reminder that you really can’t know what someone else is battling. I thought the banter between Cliff and Jolene was often very good, but it sometimes felt at odds with how Jolene was otherwise being portrayed.

My favorite characters were Rhonda and Miley. Seriously I just wanted good things to happen for them! Jolene, on the other hand, was often really frustrating and it felt like the author was really torturing her own characters by putting them in their own way.

Ultimately I think this could have done with some shortening, and in the end it was a “like” not a “love.”

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

3⭐️

This book ended up being very different than what I expected! I went into it ready for an office satire, which really appealed to me as someone working in a corporate office a few days per week. While I did see some of that, the lighthearted tone I was expecting quickly changed as the story went deep into human connection, anxiety, and loneliness. It really turned into an emotional journey. While sometimes those books can be a bit of a slower read for me, I couldn't stop turning the pages of this book to find out what happened next. Also -- my man Cliff. What a gem. He was the character I related to the most. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author!

I have been reading so many thrillers recently, that this book was a nice change for me. It’s a heartwarming story about Jolene, a sad, lonely, and misunderstood woman stuck in a job going nowhere and still reeling from traumatic events that occurred when she was in high school. It’s not all depressing however as Jolene finds herself stuck in comical situations that are hard to extricate herself from. There were just enough ha-ha moments to counteract the sad ones. Throughout the book, events finally lead up to Jolene needing to make a change or continue to go through life afraid to connect with other people due to her repressed past emotional fears. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC and allowing me to post an honest review.
#NetGalley #ARC #HopeThisFindsYouWell #WilliamMorrow