This one took me a second to warm up to, but my heart went out to Millie once I did. That’s how I find Lia Louis's writing — quiet and subtle, but so heartwarming and tender.

Here, Millie is a receptionist who has her drafted emails sent out to everyone. The problem? She has used her emails as a venting space, telling people how she really feels. Now that they are out there, how does she recover?

The story becomes a mystery of who sent the emails and why. It also has a bit of a sweet romance, but I saw it more as a journey of self-discovery for Millie.

Thank you @Atriabooks and @simonandschuster for the gifted digital arc. Thank you @simon.audio and @librofm for the gifted audiobook of Better Left Unsent.

3.5 ⭐️

Imagine all your unsent email drafts just disappearing one day because they were sent to the people they were written to. The angry emails to coworkers who annoy you, your emails to friends who are being crappy to you and the sad email to your ex who broke your heart and decided that he’d marry one of your coworkers instead of giving you the future he promised you. The premise alone made me sweat. I just kept thinking if this happened to me, I’d leave. I’d quit my job, get on a plane to anywhere and disappear for 2 months and hope everyone forgot it happened.
I absolutely loved this book. The author did a perfect job on explaining the aftermath of emotional abuse and the impact it has when you’re healing from something so traumatic and you’re blaming yourself since the abuser comes off like the epitome of perfection. It completely resonated with me.
The one thing I must criticize is the pace of the book. I’ve read this author before and I really love her stories and characters but her pace is very slow. There were days I put the book down and forgot about it, that’s how slow it was. I just loved the story so I couldn’t DNF. Ultimately, I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Legit my worst nightmare, kudos to Millie for dealing with it so well. I LOVED the plot of this story and the emails we see throughout the chapters as Millie tries to figure out how this happened (plot twist). However, for a book that is supposed to be a romance, I was left wondering where that romance was? Millie and Jack were so great but besides a few scenes of them together there wasn't much of their story being told. Thx Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review :)

I thought this was such an interesting blurb for a book and I enjoyed “The Key to My Heart” so much, but I found myself not loving it as I hoped I would… this one is a 3.5-star rating, rounded up to a 4. I still plan to go back and read her two earlier books because I’ve purchased them, but now they’re a bit lower down the TBR…

This one starts off very strong, with Millie writing her snarky comebacks and true feelings and leaving everything sitting in her email drafts folder, but suddenly a tech issue at work means going in the next day to an empty drafts folder and all those emails having been delivered… super interesting premise! Now she’s on an apology tour, at work and everyone else she knows, including her parents. When Millie starts interacting with a semi-regular coworker who didn’t receive the long-winded love letter she drafted because she got a bounce back (he changed his email), she feels ok to strike up a new friendship. Eventually an investigation into how her email was sent turns into finding out it didn’t go out on its own… there was no glitch.

Millie was not a very likeable character, and even though the story started strong, when you aren’t able to connect to the main character (weak and annoying) from the beginning and it’s single POV, it’s difficult. I powered my way through because I had to find out who the culprit was with the email situation, and if my guesses were correct (and I have a huge problem that I can’t DNF a book), but I’m seeing all over social media and reviews that I wasn’t the only person to have troubles connecting with this book.

I wonder if this would have been better in audio?

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and this is my honest opinion.

Better Left Unsent by Lia Louis would probably be classified as a contemporary romance novel but I was thinking of it more as a contemporary drama with a side of romance. And of course some of the story is in the form of reading emails that have been accidently sent.

Millie Chandler works as a receptionist where she sends and receives company emails daily. A few years ago Millie started a folder in her email account that are the words she’d love to say to others in her life but would never actually send them, a diary of sorts to deal with her emotions in the form of unsent emails.

One day Millie is called into the office and reprimanded for her over use of the email system. You see, there was a server outage and somehow the hundreds of random thoughts kept in that private folder have been sent to their unintended recipients. Things her boss never should have heard, relationship complications, family obligations and so on and so forth all being released has Millie’s life tossed into chaos.

Lia Louis is an author that I have read several times before and have always really enjoyed with the books being really emotional and pulling at the heartstrings so that is what I expected with Better Left Unsent. Unfortunately I didn’t really find that emotional connection that I had before with this novel so I was a little disappointed. The idea behind this one was good but as the story went along it got a little repetitive going back to the emails again and again as time passes and I would have preferred a bit more romance to balance out the drama. Overall, three and a half stars for me and fingers crossed the author’s next will be back to what I expected.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

4.5/5 stars

Better Left Unsent is a romantic comedy. It is my fourth book by this author.

Millie Chandler has worked as a receptionist at a sports broadcasting company for 5 years. She writes email drafts to almost every person in her life. She uses her drafts almost like a journal and she never intends to send any of her truest thoughts. In these emails she says everything that she is too afraid to tell her friends, family and co-workers. Then one day something terrible happens to these email drafts. And complete panic ensues.

I think that this premise is so fun. Everyone has either sent a text or email to the wrong person. The thought of something similar happening on a bigger scale is actually terrifying.

I really enjoyed seeing Millie try to deal with her work, family and friend relationships. I definitely enjoyed so many of the characters in this story. Her roommate and good friend Ralph was so kind. Her best friend Cate was a gem. Her boss and friend Petra was such an amazing boss. Her ex Owen was an interesting character. Her other boss Jack was so sweet and I just loved him.

The romance in this book was so good. And I really enjoyed seeing Millie try to get her life together. This was such a fun read.

I really liked this fun rom com by Lia Louis. Of course, I've liked everything of hers that I have read.
Millie Chandler has a very good way of working through her frustrations with other people. She writes emails. She would never send those emails. Of course, she wouldn't. Somehow, the emails get sent. Follow along nd watch how the situation works out. Lots of love for friends, family, and a very nice boss.

Dear Emmie Blue will always be one of my favorite novels, and I gave 5 stars to The Key to My Heart and Eight Perfect Hours, so I knew I would enjoy Better Left Unsent! Lia Louis always writes such heartfelt books, and this one is no different although it didn't pack the emotional punch as her previous books, sadly.

Millie Chandler's life blows up when every single draft email that she's written her co-workers, family, friends, and her sexy coworker crush (yikes) telling them every single thing she wishes she had the guts to say to their face accidentally gets sent! Millie never, ever planned on sending these, especially to Owen, the ex that she's trying to get over. What a horribly embarrassing thing it would be if it happened in real life, so I empathized with Millie!

I really liked Millie and enjoyed the other characters in the book (except for one). It was a joy seeing Millie grow and open herself up after being forced to be honest with those around her and the flirty banter/relationship with her new crush was lots of fun!

Like all books by Louis, it's entertaining, charming, witty, and well worth the read! I can't wait to read what she writes next.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A light read that I enjoyed as I pondered what would I do if all of my draft emails were sent? That’s exactly what happened to Millie when she used her draft emails as a sort of diary to her co-workers. Not the smartest use of her work email, but it did make for a good story.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I would definitely recommend this one to those looking for a fast easy read enjoyable read.

Do you remember the beginning of The Holiday when Iris is watching Jasper announce his engagement to all their colleagues? Better Left Unsent starts with that general sentiment.

The Holiday meets Usher’s Confessions but wholesome…. Are you intrigued? 😂

29-year-old receptionist, Mille Chandler, uses her draft folder to respond to emails the way she would if she’s wasn’t worried about peoples feelings, a diary of sorts. This worked out perfectly until an IT issue caused all her drafts to get sent. (The way my stomach sank when this happened!)

Now Mille is left to deal with the fall out after messages go to her parents, ex-boyfriend, co-workers, and friends. The messages aren’t mean, just very candid. Oh, and the kicker, many have been sent reply all.

After having a slight panic attack in the bathroom, Mille is left to grapple with the aftermath of her emails getting out. Tough conversations are had, and some relationships have been changed forever. The bright spot in her life becomes her co-worker Jack, who challenges her guilt and forces her to let go of the pressure to be perfect. Who are you helping by watering down your true thoughts?

Jack is the sweetest love interest- kind of like Jack Black’s character from the holiday but smoother if we are continuing with the comparison. He pushes Millie to do what makes her happy and likes her just how she is.

Jack in emojis
🫣☔️🍔🎞️🚪🍒🕯️💋🏕️⛵️🤵📧


Ralph & Cate were also shining stars for me. I could have read a full length novel on just those two. Ralph’s unwavering thoughtfulness and how Cate makes him blush. 🥰

I truly enjoyed this book; Better Left Unsent is equal parts heartwarming, tender and humor filled. Louis has taken my worst nightmare and turned it into a happy ending.

Read if:
✉️You ever wonder what happened after Usher made his “confessions”
✉️Your favorite character in The Holiday is Iris
✉️You enjoy a little low stakes mystery with your romance
✉️You enjoy seeing heroines kick toxic exes to the curb

I rated this one 4.5🌟

Thank you

Millie is a receptionist and has opinions that she expresses in unsent emails. I think we have all done that. Unfortunately, all of Millie's emails get sent one night and all kinds of stuff hits the fan. She sends emails to her ex, her friends, and many colleagues. I think this is a huge nightmare for people!

I have always enjoyed Lia Louis. This book is no different. She is so great at bringing humor into awkward situations. I enjoyed watching Millie's relationship with herself grow along with her camaraderie with Jack.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

Thank you Atria Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own. I’ve been a big Lia Louis fan since I read Dear Emmie Blue. This was not my favorite of Louis’ books but h still enjoyed it.

Millie is having what most of us would describe as the worst day ever when all of the emails she saves in her draft folder are accidentally sent. She’s used this as a way to express her feelings, but never planned on sending any of them. The emails go behind work to her friends, family, and exes. Millie deals with a lot of fall out in her personal relationships form this.

Despite feeling like the odd man out at work, she has the friendship, support and eventually more from Jack. Unfortunately he’s planning to leave the company in the near future so she’s afraid to start a relationship with him. I really like how Louis writes relationships and the way Millie and Jack developed from coworkers to friends to more.

The best part about this book for me was the overall theme/character development of Millie realizing how much better her life could be if she opened up and was honest with people—if she told people what they needed to hear and what she needed to get off her chest instead of stayed closed off and people pleasing. Truly I found that so well-done and empowering to read. I also thought Jack was super hot and enjoyed all the cute British-ness of the whole thing. It was sweet and quirky and I'd recommend it.

What a fun rom-com!!! Millie works as a receptionist for a large firm and in order to vent, she will write emails to people, but ofc leaves them all in her drafts folder.... until somehow they are all sent out (hundreds of emails, mind you- calling out everyone in her life). The premise of this book gave me anxiety because I have a genuine fear of emailing the wrong person something, but this was done in such a fun & light-hearted way that made my anxiety simmer down.

I love a workplace romance and this did not disappoint!!!!

Millie Chandler, 32, works as a receptionist for a large firm. To help her vent, she sometimes writes emails to various people and keeps them in her Draft folder. This is her way of responding to nasty people without actually sending a response. However, one day she enters the office to find that all of her emails in the Draft folder have been sent. She wants to sink through the floor. Now, she has to try and undo the damage that these messages have done.

Owen was the man she had planned to marry but he dumped her and moved out of the country. In her emai to him, she has told him she still loves him. Other responses were to friends that had been snarky with her. Now, she wonders if she has ruined these friendships.

Then, she talks to Jack, the CEO, and they realize they have a lot in common and enjoy one another’s company. We meet her good friend, Cate, who has just broken off her wedding plans and so Cate moves in with her and her roommate, Ralph. He’s a super nice guy.

There are a lot of funny instances in the book along with some quite sad ones. This is my first book by this author and while I think it could have been made shorter, I was intrigued by the characters and Millie herself.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

No one writes a romcom like Lia Louis. She’s been an auto buy author since her debut Dear Emmie Blue and was so excited to read her newest Better Left Unsent! Lia did not disappoint. I enjoyed the side characters and stories of Millie’s best friend Cate, Millie’s roommate Ralph, and Millie’s parents and how they were incorporated into Millie’s story. I also quite liked her coworker Jack & his ability to recenter when her folder of email drafts—thoughts she wrote out like a diary with no intention of ever sending—were mysteriously sent from her work computer. All her private thoughts and gripes were sent to their sources: co-workers, friends, and family.

First things first, I will read anything Lia Louis writes. Her books are full of humor, vulnerability, and heart! Better Left Unsent is a slow burn funny, endearing, work place romance. The main character, Millie, is relatable and you find yourself rooting for her along the way. If you love this one I highly suggest you check out her other books as well. Dear Emmie Blue has stayed on my mind for years. I can't wait to see what Lia Louis comes up with next! 4 stars

Easy breezy light read with a charming female lead that readers will truly root for! Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy that will be sure to put a smile on your face!

If you want to read a book that becomes a master class in anxious avoidance and “what the heck does he see in her?” this is the book for you.

I was initially enamored with the premise and even the first few pages… and then, unfortunately, the rest of the novel devolved into something else entirely. The pacing was glacial and repetitive, and the denouement was… kind of infuriating? I get what this novel was trying to accomplish, but I do not think it was successful.

I really enjoyed Cate, Petra, and Jack as characters, but I really, really wanted Millie to grow a backbone. Unfortunately, this was not the book for me.

The book starts with hundreds of Millie's draft emails being sent. Whenever she was upset at work or had a thought not fit for public consumption, she would write an email to the person and save it in her drafts folder, and she says it was sort of like a diary. In those hundred plus emails, she calls out her mom, her two best friends, and probably ever coworker. The message to her ex from the book description ends up with an audience.
I felt for Millie, and I really wished her ex would leave her alone.
The first part of the book was a little slower for me, but things picked up in the second half, especially as Millie began interacting more with a coworker she had a crush on.
The end was sweet. Good summer book.