I received an ARC of this book, thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley.

I think many of us have heard the advice to help work through our own thoughts and feelings by writing letters/emails to people that we never intend to send. I've done it myself. So the premise of this book is very, very clever - what if you'd been taking this advice quite often, and wrote over 100 emails that you didn't send, except that one day, they actually were sent? What a nightmare! Of course, it hinges on the idea that Millie was dumb enough to go ahead and put the person's email address in the "to" field, which makes sense when she's replying to someone, but less when the email is not a reply. But without her making that dumb move, there's a lot less plot, so it's fine, we'll roll with it.

I really enjoyed reading what happened next, as it's not just about what happens when you're totally honest with other people about their behavior and the ways they're hurting you or others, but also what happens when you're honest about who you really are. And then there was this snowballing effect, where certain truths unearthed more truths from the recipients, and some people hated and vilified Millie, while others cheered for her, and she had to decide which of those reactions were actually warranted. She also eventually had to dig even deeper and consider possible truths that were not in those emails because she hadn't even admitted them to herself.

My only real quibble was with the love story, which was rushed. This is very common in romances, but I still don't love it. It was a perfectly good love story, the two just had very little time actually getting to know each other before it was declared love. On a happier note, there's a side plot love story that's really sweet and cute.

All in all, I really enjoyed this. It was mostly a light read, but smart enough to give me food for thought, as I considered some of the things I say to people in my head or even in my own unsent letters, and what would happen if I actually said them.

Absolutely LOVED. Lia Louis’ books are always wonderful but this was a favorite. I loved Millie and the story and just everything about it. This book has it all. Romance, comedy, self discovery, even a bit of mystery. Read it!!

Millie Chandler, the sweet but sad receptionist at Flye wakes up to what she deems a life shattering mishap, where ALL of her private email drafts are sent. The worst part of it? They were never meant to be read, especially not by the recipients. The modern day equivalent of your diary being passed around the school or office. These emails set off a chain of exposed secrets between her family, friends & coworkers. The biggest blow is the response to her ex’s engagement announcement (in which she sent to the entire staff of Flye). When the wedding is called off, Millie decides to make it her mission to get Chloe & Owen back together & down the aisle.

While this wasn’t the emotional & heartbreaking story I’m used to from Lia Louis (I’m looking at you 8 Perfect Hours & The Key To My Heart), I really enjoyed this book. It did seem a bit long at times and there were parts I didn’t think were necessary until the ending where I found all of them to be necessary to Millie’s journey.

I loved the development of the relationship between Millie & Jack. I didn’t find it to be your standard romance story. There were times where Millie made ridiculous choices (hello, night of Jack’s farewell drinks) & the way he reacted made me like his character even more. He possessed the qualities you’d look for in a mature partner. Did anyone else get Big from SATC vibes when Millie got the full inbox of emails from him?!

I also really enjoyed many of the other relationships in Millie’s life. Her friendships with Cate & Ralph seemed so genuine. The way they rallied around her (even with the emails blowing up Cate’s own personal life) was truly special.

I truly enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Publishing & Lia Louis for the opportunity to read this ahead of its May 2024 release!

I hate to say this but I dnf at 66%. I was hoping to love this story. It had a lot of potential, but the story was just really slow. I was hoping the relationship would have hit sooner or something else would have happened sooner. I also hate that it started to get repetitive as you got closer to the end. I hope others like this book but it wasn't for me and this was my opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this in advance.

I really loved the characters in this book. The concept was original and well done. I didn’t love how slow the story progressed. By the end I found myself struggling through the paragraphs of repeated reflections from the main character.

"Because while we're in the shade, we know the light will come eventually if we just wait a little longer."

Another amazing novel by Lia Louis! While this one reads more like adult fiction than a romance, I believe you'll fall in love with Mille, her friends, Cara and Ralph, the relationship she has with her parents, and of course, Jack. Helllloooo, Jack. Highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rounding up to 4 stars because how cute this book is. The flirting, the friendships. I was really stressed this week and whenever I needed a distraction, I turned to this book, and for that I'm grateful.

I didn't ever feel very engaged by this book (and I wasn't able to get through her most popular one, Dear Emmie Blue) so I think she's just not an author for me.

Better Left Unsent is such a wonderful, sweet romance. Millie is completely relatable as a receptionist who writes email drafts (with no intention of sending them) to let out all of her frustrations. When those emails accidentally (maybe?) get sent out, her entire world is turned upside down and it forces her (and her email recipients) to take a good look at the choices they have made. Jack is an absolutely swoon-worthy leading romantic interest. I will never look at rhubarb the same again!
All-in-all, this is a fantastic read that is sure to bring a smile to your face!

I really enjoyed this sweet British romance about how what seems like the worst thing to happen to us can actually lead to the best. Millie and Jack are adorable together. Lia Louis is becoming a new fave of mine.

I’ve been a Lia Louis fan since reading Eight Perfect Hours years ago. So when I got access to an arc of Better Left Unsent, I jumped at the opportunity to read this delightful book early. I loved the unique premise of this book and the cast of characters I got to meet as Millie navigated her worst nightmare becoming reality. I loved Millie! I could see myself in her hesitation and fear and loved watching her reclaim her story. Also Jack deserves all the heart eyes! 😍 (There’s this thing with a rhubarb farm that will live rent free in my mind for a long time to come…) There was some repetitiveness to the story, but overall it was a fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

*Thank you to Lia Louis, Netgalley, and Atria for an e-arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Huge fan of Lia Louis' Dear Emmie Blue, so I was quite excited to read her newest offering. Admittedly there were a lot of characters so it took me a while before I could make sense of them all, but once I got the hang of it, the story flowed more easily. Love both Millie and Jack. Owen makes my blood boil. Really wish Millie had come to her senses WAY sooner than she had, but I guess that's part and parcel of this romance. All in all a solid good read.

Thank you Simon & Schuster, Lia Louis, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC of Better Left Unsent!

The emotional journey that this wonderful story takes you on is something that is so personal and well crafted in a medium that allows you to enjoy the giddiness that it provides, while also slowly planting the seeds of the true message behind the story. While it is not your typical RomCom that many may think it potentially may be, it allows you to follow the unraveling effect of letting life happen and seeing where the current takes you; for better or for worse.

Our story takes off with Millie who is experiencing what one would easily label a horrific nightmare/stress dream. Coming into work on a regular day, to be pulled into a meeting with leadership, and finding out that all of her saved email drafts (professional and personal) were sent out overnight. Emails that should have never seen the light of day ranging from nonsense to snarky replies you so wish you could send to the colleagues that make you want to pull your hair out to the dreaded “reply all” to the whole company saying you still love your ex-boyfriend who works at the company and his now fiancée that, surprise, works there as well. Millie’s life that has been in a plateau for the past two years has now completly plummeted before lunch.

The reader now gets the luxury of watching someone gain resiliency, confidence, and care for themself by doing the most daunting task of making it through a terrible situation. You get to follow the journey of Millie not only witnessing the bomb that has imploded internally for her, but the ones she has set off in other peoples lives that she never intended.

Walking along side Millie as she navigates all of these hardships is an experience that leaves you growing yourself. Through watching everything unfold, while enjoying perks of funny moments, heart warming growth, and maybe a new and exciting relationship with the most attractive guy in the office, you get small kernels of wisdom and knowledge that reminds you that everyone is a forgivable human being and seeking the constant validation and acceptance of the masses may do you more harm than good.

Better Left Unsent provides the joys of romance, but sets you up to emotionally connect with these flawed characters and really absorb their lives and see the bigger picture. Going into this novel thinking it is your typical RomCom will leave you missing such imporant messages that can deeply impact you on multiple levels. I had such an enjoyable experience with this story and the ending really brought everything home for me. It is one of my favorite books that I have read this year so far!

This was very cute. I tend to really like British romance novels, and the messy heroine/guy who helps her get it together is a common one. I like the unique take on it, and Millie is very likeable. Some of the plot is ridiculous and there are parts of it that are SO British that it was hard for this American to follow (though that's okay) but overall, it was great. Solid 4 stars.

I received a free copy of the ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this book. Loved the chemistry between Millie and Jack. Owen sucked, a lot. My one peeve was that Millie took way too long to realize that she was better than that jerk. She didn’t listen to her friends and that went on too long, but sweet ending and I liked the emails back and forth being shared and what was sent out to everyone that caused the whole mess.

I breezed right through this book and absolutely LOVED it. I think it was such a cute and easy read. I can definitely see my patrons at the library loving this one too.

"So many ways to torpedo your career and your love life…So little time." What a delightful tale!

Two years ago, thirty-year-old receptionist Millie Chandler had her heart spectacularly broken in public. Ever since, she has been a closed book, vowing to keep everything to herself—her feelings, her truths, even her dreams—in an effort to protect herself from getting hurt again.

But Millie does write emails—sarcastic replies to her rude boss, hard truths to her friends, and of course, that one-thousand-word love declaration to her ex who is now engaged to someone else. The emails live safely in her drafts, but after a server outage at work, Millie wakes up to discover that all her emails have been sent. Every. Single. One.

As every truth, lie, and secret she’s worked so hard to keep only to herself are catapulted out into the open, Millie must fix the chaos her words have caused, and face everything she’s ever swept under the carpet.

After all of her email drafts are mysteriously sent, Millie has to deal with the fallout of all her inner thoughts, frustrations, and desires being made known to the people she planned to tell.

This book was delightful. I adored Millie, her good friends, and JACK. I love that Jack gave Millie the push she needed to really remember who she is and what she wants in life. That treehouse scene will live rent free in my head for a long time!

Parts of this were repetitive and I wanted Millie to just let some things go, but I do love that she learns from her experiences and allows them to help her grow and find happiness.

*Strong language throughout, some innuendo

A big thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions herel are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for allowing me to read an ARC of Better Left Unsent by Lia Louis, in exchange for my honest review.

So many stars!

I loved this book! Start to finish, loved it! This story had just the right amount of everything; snark, wit, romance, heartbreak, and a little bit of whodunit.

I highly recommend picking this book up and finding a quiet place and plenty of time to read.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC through NetGalley!

Overall, this was an enjoyable book. Millie files away her inner thoughts in her draft emails until the day they are accidentally sent out to all of her coworkers, friends and loved ones. I think this is a great storyline, but I did feel that her remorse over something that wasn’t her fault went on a bit long. When she did finally start to move on and live her life, I loved her interactions with her friends and romantic interest, Jack. I would recommend this book with a little patience in the middle.