Jolene Smith is not easy to like. She is 33 and terribly lonely and isolated after a traumatic event in high school. At her job, where she's been for 8 years, she sits alone and doesn't interact with her co-workers. After work, she takes several buses to return to her dingy, messy apartment and drinks until it's time to go to work again. She rebels the only way she knows how: every time she sends an email at work, she adds in some nasty comments about the person she's sending it to, using a white font so the recipient won't be able to see it. She'll still feel the satisfaction of having sent it, though. This works until one day she forgets to use the white font when she purges her feelings. Next thing she knows, she's being called into her boss's office and threatened with being fired unless she undergoes harassment training from the new HR employee, Cliff. Once she's faced with the possibility of losing her job (even though she hates it and her co-workers), Jolene agrees to attend the training and mend her ways. Part of the new oversight involves monitoring software being installed on her computer. Once that has been done, she is startled to see that suddenly she has full access to all computers in the company. She can read emails, folders, files, phone logs, and even instant messages. She tries to alert Cliff to this, but he thinks she's upset at being monitored. Since Jolene feels her job is on the line, she decides it might be worth her while to monitor what people are saying about her.

In addition to having her suspicions confirmed that some people are working against her, she also becomes aware of the problems that other people are struggling with. She begins to not only open up to her co=workers in an attempt to appear more friendly, but she also starts to notice ways things could be done more efficiently in the office. Who knew spying could be so helpful?

Meanwhile, Joelene's Persian mother is determined to see her daughter make a good marriage match. That's why she's thrilled when it seems Jolene might have finally met someone. At the same time, Jolene feels herself drawn to Cliff as their anti-harassment training turns into carpooling and friendship.

I really enjoyed Jolene's snarky sense of humor when she allowed her guard down. At first, it was hard to like her as she constantly brushed off attempts at friendship or even cordiality. Still, her struggles to get her life in order while monitoring her entire office were quite amusing and touching. And I can totally get on board with her obsession with pastries!

I have realized I do not like office dramas. This felt flat to me, and I didn’t enjoy the main character. However I do think someone who has more experience in the corporate world might find this entertaining

In this story we follow Jolene who has some underlying issues with trauma and alcoholism that she so desperately needs to address. But albeit, that is just some of the facets of Jolene.

Jolene is kind, self loathing, a mom-pleaser, and pessimistically optimistic. She works an office job for a big corporate type, and there she has several office space type workers that fit your typical cliches- the good two shoes, the senile worker, the dead beat boss, your quiet male worker with no spine, and the overly nice HR rep guy.

Jolene who suffers some mild bouts of anxiety and her self loathing, she finds that sneaking secret messages in white ink to her coworkers normal emails gives her just the bit of something to merch in to a job she doesn’t particularly like. But she messes up once, and forget to ink her secret hidden text about her coworkers lunch room choices, and gets in trouble. There she is partnered with the companies new HR geeky nerd rep who will facilitate her probating training. At the start of this probation though, they need to install some software on her work laptop to monitor (I would have quit right then) and instead of doing that they irrevocably give her admin server permissions to see alll slack and email correspondence in her jobs company.

Insert here the hilarity that ensues with coworkers talking about you behind your back, the rumor of lay offs, and the plan to not only keep your job but also get promoted.

This book was written very well, and I found it remarkable from a corporate anxiety girly stand point. I laughed and chuckled, and this book actually gave me my first tear.

Giving it four stars because I found the ending to be a little unrealistic in my opinion. I would have loved to see a bit more audacity and good for her vibes! But overall I think this book was tailored more as a rom com with office space vibes.

Very cute, will definitely recommend.

Four stars, rounded up from three and a half

Maybe halfway through this book, I realized I hadn't checked my page count in quite some time. I *compulsively* check how much I have left to read. The highest compliment I can pay a book is when I lose myself in it; it happens rarely, even with the best stories.

Did this book break the mold? No. But it was funny and warm and relatable and just what I needed with *points to everything going on in the world*.

Note: If you work or have worked in an office, it could be a little triggering. Luckily my coworkers aren't this catty, and most of these characters find redemption. We are more than who we are in our private Teams chats.

I admit it was difficult to spend all my reading time about an uninteresting, uninspiring, petty, unfunny group of people, people that main character, Jolene, works with in her office for 40 hours each week. Until the new Human Resources manager, Cliff, arrives, her life was not only boring, but pathetic. How and why she stayed in that particular job with those people was not very clear.

Told in the first person, the novel has Jolene finally opening up and finding worthwhile things about some of her office mates, however, that made them more human as the novel went on. Nevertheless, it was not easy to keep reading about this uninspiring group of office co workers. Realistict people and realistic workplace, you might say.

That Jolene found her "true" self in the end helped, especially after working through her guilt about a past incident in her life that may explain why she remained so long in her current job. I was glad Cliff came to her rescue.

As I am the publicist for this book I am unable to provide an unbiased review. I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue comes out May 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A workplace drama with lots of dark humor and some unexpectedly beautiful moments about the secrets we all hide. Really enjoyed it.

Engaging, entertaining, and an automatic hand sell for fans of The Office. A recommended purchase for collections where lighter WF is popular.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Natalie Sue's debut novel, "I Hope This Finds You Well," is a delightful and insightful foray into the world of office culture, blending humor, romance, and a poignant look at the human connections that shape our lives. Set in the mundane yet complex environment of Supershops, Inc., the story centers around Jolene, an admin worker whose life takes a turn when she gains unintended access to her colleagues' private communications.

Sue's portrayal of office dynamics is spot-on, capturing the quirks, politics, and unspoken rules of the workplace with a keen eye for detail. Jolene's character is wonderfully developed; she's relatable and flawed, making her journey from an isolated observer to someone deeply entangled in her coworkers' lives both engaging and authentic. The novel excels in exploring the themes of loneliness and the desire for connection in a setting often characterized by superficial interactions.

The humor in "I Hope This Finds You Well" is one of its strongest points. Sue's writing is witty and sharp, with laugh-out-loud moments that lighten the narrative while still touching on deeper issues. The novel isn't just a comedy; it's a story with heart, exploring the complexities of relationships, both romantic and platonic, in the modern workplace.

The romance subplot, particularly between Jolene and Cliff, the HR representative, adds a charming and heartwarming element to the story. Their relationship develops naturally, with a mix of awkwardness and genuine affection that readers will find endearing. The way Sue weaves this romance into the larger narrative of office politics and personal growth is seamless and adds depth to the overall story.

Additionally, the novel’s exploration of ethical dilemmas, such as the consequences of Jolene’s access to private emails, is thoughtfully executed. It raises questions about privacy, honesty, and the lengths one might go to secure their job in a competitive environment.

"I Hope This Finds You Well" is a fresh and engaging read, perfect for fans of office comedies and contemporary romance. Natalie Sue's debut is a testament to her ability to craft a story that is as entertaining as it is meaningful, making this novel a delightful addition to the genre. It's a book that not only makes you laugh but also resonates on a deeper level, exploring the importance of connection in a world increasingly dominated by screens and superficial interactions.