Reviewer: @afro_mom_reads (Instagram)
“I Hope This Finds You Well” by Natalie Sue is a delightful exploration of office culture and workplace dynamics, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! ☺️📖
The story centers around Jolene, an anxious admin who inadvertently gains access to her colleagues’ private emails. This unique premise allows her—and the readers—to see beyond the surface of office interactions, revealing the complexities and vulnerabilities that lie beneath.
The book cleverly balances humor with poignant moments, making it relatable for anyone who has navigated the often chaotic world of office life. The characters are well-drawn and authentic, showcasing the diverse personalities and relationships that can flourish (or falter) in a professional environment.
What struck me most was how the novel captures the essence of agency culture—where collaboration, competition, and personal struggles intertwine. Jolene’s journey resonates with anyone familiar with the highs and lows of working in a fast-paced setting, reminding us that behind every email and meeting is a story waiting to be told. Overall, Natalie Sue’s debut is both entertaining and insightful, making it a must-read for those who appreciate a nuanced look at workplace dynamics.
A great holiday read and a book to gift to work colleagues and friends working in office environments. 🤭💖
Reviewer: @betweenthecovers_cj (Instagram)
Rating: 4/5
“I know what life I’m supposed to live; I have Pinterest. Obviously, this isn’t it.”
Witty, funny, heartwarming and all the office gossip packed into a great debut novel!
This was a unique take on loneliness, office politics and the pursuit of a big full life. I highly recommend if you want a good laugh and a dose of reality 💻✨
Thank you @jonathanballpublishers for my copy!
Reviewer: @roelia_reads (Instagram)
#BookReview I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (full review on my #bookblog)
I Hope This Finds You Well is a wild, entertaining journey. It captures the real and raw moments we all encounter, blending tragedy and fun. So, if you’ve ever worked in an office, grab a glass of (South African) wine, settle in, and let Sue’s words resonate with your own experiences. I found this book utterly delightful – trainwreck humour at its best.
Five reasons to read this book:
👩💼 Relatable Office Humour: 🤣 Whether you’ve worked in a cubicle or a corner office, this book captures the absurdities of office life. Expect laugh-out-loud moments that hit close to home.
👩💼 Emotional Rollercoaster: 😢 From bitterness to hopelessness, loneliness to embarrassment, this novel delves into the raw emotions we all experience. It’s a cathartic ride through the highs and lows.
👩💼 Flawed, Endearing Characters: 🙌 Meet Jolene, our relatable protagonist. Her social anxiety and poor choices make her frustratingly human.
👩💼 Unconventional Writing Style: 📝 Natalie Sue’s witty, heartwarming prose keeps you turning pages. The humour is both true-to-life and delightfully surreal.
👩💼 Compassion and Mental Health: 💙 Sue’s diverse cast includes characters with mental health struggles. Their stories remind us to be kinder, more understanding.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for this copy! #EBRecommends
Published by HarperCollins Publishers / Jonathan Ball Publishers
Reviewer: @masters.library (Instagram)
Rating: 3/5
Book Review 💌
I hope this finds you well By Natalie Sue
We read this for our September book club pick for @wellandreadclub and the general consensus about this book was that it was an okay read but it had the potential to be so much more 🥲
Back to the book, the author tired to touch on too many themes and topics in this book, which in some cases it can work well but in this case I found myself asking a lot of questions like “And the point of that was?” Or “and what else?”. I found a lot about this story unrelateable, and just not engaging enough. 🫠
I really tried to root for our FMC but some, actually most, of her decisions were questionable and I really wanted her to have her “redemption” moment but nothing. However the side characters in this book were interesting and brought more life to the story and the story itself was an easy and quick read. 💞
If you looking for an easy, quirky story to read this one’s for you. 🩷
Thank you @jonathanballpublishers for gifting me with this review copy 💌
I Hope This Finds You Well is available at:
