Ever had one of those days at work where you’re convinced your coworkers are secretly plotting to drive you insane? Where the endless stream of emails feels like a personal attack on your sanity? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because Natalie Sue’s debut novel “I Hope This Finds You Well” is about to validate every single one of your office-related neuroses – and make you laugh until you cry in the process.
The Plot: From Invisible to Invincible (Sort Of)
Meet Jolene, our reluctant heroine and expert at flying under the radar at Supershops, Inc. She’s perfected the art of being invisible, venting her frustrations in white-text email postscripts that no one can see. It’s a foolproof system… until it’s not. When one of her snarky messages is exposed, Jolene finds herself in hot water with HR and under the watchful eye of the suspiciously friendly Cliff.
But wait! Just when you think Jolene’s career is circling the drain, an IT mix-up grants her access to everyone’s private emails and DMs. Suddenly, our girl has a front-row seat to all the office drama, secrets, and impending layoffs. What’s an anxious admin to do? Save her job, of course! And maybe, just maybe, learn to connect with her coworkers along the way.
The Characters: A Lovable Bunch of Weirdos
Sue has assembled a cast of characters that feels like every office you’ve ever worked in, cranked up to eleven:
- Jolene: Our socially awkward protagonist who’d rather eat glass than make small talk at the water cooler. She’s relatable, flawed, and secretly hilarious.
- Cliff: The HR guy who’s way too nice to be trusted. Or is he? (Spoiler alert: he’s dreamy)
- Caitlin: The office overachiever who’s either Jolene’s nemesis or potential BFF. It’s complicated.
- Rhonda: The long-suffering admin assistant who knows where all the bodies are buried (metaphorically… we think).
- Gregory: The boss who… well, the less said about Gregory, the better.
Each character is delightfully quirky and painfully human. You’ll recognize bits of your own coworkers in them, which is both hilarious and mildly terrifying.
The Writing: Snark with Heart
Natalie Sue’s writing style is a breath of fresh air in the world of romantic comedies. It’s sharp, witty, and packed with the kind of observational humor that’ll have you nodding along and thinking, “Oh my god, YES.” She nails the absurdity of office life, from the passive-aggressive email chains to the mind-numbing team-building exercises.
But what really sets “I Hope This Finds You Well” apart is its heart. Underneath all the snark and shenanigans, there’s a genuinely touching story about loneliness, connection, and learning to let people in. Sue balances the humor with moments of vulnerability that’ll hit you right in the feels when you least expect it.
The Romance: Swoon-worthy and Slow-burn
Let’s talk about Cliff, shall we? The romance between Jolene and the too-good-to-be-true HR guy is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. Their banter is top-notch, and watching Jolene slowly let her guard down is both frustrating and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of romance that’ll have you yelling “Just kiss already!” at the book while simultaneously wanting to savor every moment.
The Themes: More Than Just Office Hijinks
While “I Hope This Finds You Well” is undeniably hilarious, it also tackles some pretty heavy themes with surprising grace:
- Loneliness and Isolation: Jolene’s struggle to connect with her coworkers hits hard, especially in our increasingly digital world.
- Anxiety and Self-doubt: Sue’s portrayal of Jolene’s anxiety is painfully accurate and deeply relatable.
- The Ethics of Privacy: The book raises some interesting questions about boundaries and trust in the workplace.
- Finding Your Voice: Watching Jolene learn to stand up for herself is incredibly satisfying.
Comparisons and Context
As a debut novel, “I Hope This Finds You Well” is impressively polished. It sits comfortably alongside other workplace comedies like “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne and “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren. Fans of Sophie Kinsella’s brand of relatable, quirky heroines will also find a lot to love here.
The book also feels particularly timely in our post-pandemic world, where the lines between work and personal life have become increasingly blurred. Sue captures the weird intimacy of knowing your coworkers’ lives through screens and the struggle to maintain boundaries.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Read for Anyone Who’s Ever Wanted to Scream into the Void (But Settled for a Strongly Worded Email Instead)
“I Hope This Finds You Well” is the kind of book that’ll make you laugh, cry, and seriously consider quitting your job to pursue your dream of becoming a professional llama groomer (just me?). It’s a love letter to all the awkward introverts out there, a cathartic release for anyone who’s ever wanted to tell their coworkers exactly what they think, and a reminder that sometimes the best connections come from the most unexpected places.
Natalie Sue has knocked it out of the park with her debut. It’s smart, funny, and surprisingly tender. You’ll fly through the pages, alternating between cackling with laughter and furiously highlighting passages to send to your work bestie.
Fair warning: you might never look at your coworkers the same way again. And you’ll definitely think twice before hitting “send” on that next office-wide email.
Pro Tip: Maybe don’t read this one at your desk. Your uncontrollable laughter might raise some suspicions.