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You’ve Got Mail
It's been fun, but I think we should stop seeing each other. Thanks for a great laugh x
When Grace Wharton is dumped by email from a relationship she isn't even in, she adds it to the list of ways her life hasn't quite panned out: twenty-five, single, and working a dead-end job she doesn't enjoy. She fires off an angry response to Mr Obnoxious - how dare he try to dump someone over email?! - knowing that telling off a random stranger online means she has reached an all-time low.
Everything changes when her boss asks her to go to a big sales conference to secure an important client. Her partner is Jack Lockett, company Casanova and Grace's long-time crush. What's more, he seems very interested... But Mr Obnoxious keeps sending her emails and Grace keeps replying. Only to make sure he doesn't send any more heart-breaking emails, obviously.
Grace's life has suddenly gone from stagnant to brimming with possibilities. But is it all too good to be true?
A witty, charming and all too relatable debut romcom, You've Got Mail is perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Joanna Bolouri.
When Grace Wharton is dumped by email from a relationship she isn't even in, she adds it to the list of ways her life hasn't quite panned out: twenty-five, single, and working a dead-end job she doesn't enjoy. She fires off an angry response to Mr Obnoxious - how dare he try to dump someone over email?! - knowing that telling off a random stranger online means she has reached an all-time low.
Everything changes when her boss asks her to go to a big sales conference to secure an important client. Her partner is Jack Lockett, company Casanova and Grace's long-time crush. What's more, he seems very interested... But Mr Obnoxious keeps sending her emails and Grace keeps replying. Only to make sure he doesn't send any more heart-breaking emails, obviously.
Grace's life has suddenly gone from stagnant to brimming with possibilities. But is it all too good to be true?
A witty, charming and all too relatable debut romcom, You've Got Mail is perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Joanna Bolouri.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2021
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341 people want to read
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February 19, 2021
#WARNING THE BOOK CONTAINS A SCENE DIPICTING MILD SEXUAL ASSUALT WITH FURTHER DISCUSSIONS THROUGHOUT THE BOOK #
You've got mail is an easy feel good rom com I could so this as a movie and I would watch it. Although I'm a psychological thriller girl the occasional laugh to break it down is great.
Grace is works for a window sells company with best friend Daisy who she also lives with, along side Etta. Grace hates her job and I'd on her final warning but when she is sent to a conference with Jack the guy she's had an office crush on for like ever she starts to get excited. However the trip goes terribly wrong and Jack makes her sear she won't say why. Meanwhile she has recieved an email from a stranger dumping his girlfriend. She ends up corresponding with him and then finds herself telling him whay he should say. This becomes somewhat a hobby as once word gets out how good she was people start to pay her.
As I said this is a rom com. The protagonist is a day dreamer. As Grace is narrating throughout its quite funny to her what she's thinking and where she goes internally. I'm no psychiatrist but I would say she shows clear signs of borderline personality disorder. However Grace's inner monologues are quite hilarious at times. Although I did wish she would concentrate in conversation ad I wanted to know what others were saying
Her friends are over protective but for a good reason Jack is a slimball but Grace doesn't see it her friends wish Grace would focus and walk away from unhealthy self destructive relationships I.e Jack and focus on her. But she loves him and cannot see how poorly he treats her. I thought the book with go from bad boy goes good. It doesn't which actually was better but it was hard to read in parts esp when they go to the conference.
In all honesty this isn't the type of book I would normally buy let alone read but I'm glad I did. If your mind works like mine you will guess the twist in chapter 2, if you don't it is a lovely surprise. Tgis book has loads of mixed reviews but it's exactly what it's says it is so if this is your genre read, if like me you need a break from the heavy stuff this is a light and easy book to read in between . If you like Tracy Bloom you will love this . Happy to give 3 🌟 stars.
Thank you to netgalley, the author and publishers for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
You've got mail is an easy feel good rom com I could so this as a movie and I would watch it. Although I'm a psychological thriller girl the occasional laugh to break it down is great.
Grace is works for a window sells company with best friend Daisy who she also lives with, along side Etta. Grace hates her job and I'd on her final warning but when she is sent to a conference with Jack the guy she's had an office crush on for like ever she starts to get excited. However the trip goes terribly wrong and Jack makes her sear she won't say why. Meanwhile she has recieved an email from a stranger dumping his girlfriend. She ends up corresponding with him and then finds herself telling him whay he should say. This becomes somewhat a hobby as once word gets out how good she was people start to pay her.
As I said this is a rom com. The protagonist is a day dreamer. As Grace is narrating throughout its quite funny to her what she's thinking and where she goes internally. I'm no psychiatrist but I would say she shows clear signs of borderline personality disorder. However Grace's inner monologues are quite hilarious at times. Although I did wish she would concentrate in conversation ad I wanted to know what others were saying
Her friends are over protective but for a good reason Jack is a slimball but Grace doesn't see it her friends wish Grace would focus and walk away from unhealthy self destructive relationships I.e Jack and focus on her. But she loves him and cannot see how poorly he treats her. I thought the book with go from bad boy goes good. It doesn't which actually was better but it was hard to read in parts esp when they go to the conference.
In all honesty this isn't the type of book I would normally buy let alone read but I'm glad I did. If your mind works like mine you will guess the twist in chapter 2, if you don't it is a lovely surprise. Tgis book has loads of mixed reviews but it's exactly what it's says it is so if this is your genre read, if like me you need a break from the heavy stuff this is a light and easy book to read in between . If you like Tracy Bloom you will love this . Happy to give 3 🌟 stars.
Thank you to netgalley, the author and publishers for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
January 25, 2021
Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my e-copy. ‘You’ve Got Mail’ follows Grace as she gets dumped by an email from a relationship, she wasn’t even in. What follows is the narrative from the perspective of twenty-five years old Grace who lives with her two friends, hates her job and doesn’t really know what she wants to do with her life.
‘You’ve Got Mail’ had a nice premise and offered a great opening for a rom-com, but unfortunately, I haven’t liked it as much as I thought I would. I often felt that the narrative felt not completely thought through which left the characters dry – though I have enjoyed many interactions between Grace and her two best friends, Daisy and Etta. Their friendship, as well as friendship with a charming Harry living in the same building, were probably the best parts of ‘You’ve Got Mail’ for me. Grace herself hasn’t felt like a character I could fully connect to, even though I’m exactly at the same age as she and we have some things in common.
Overall, while it wasn’t a book for me, it may appeal to those looking for a light-hearted read with a lost heroine.
‘You’ve Got Mail’ had a nice premise and offered a great opening for a rom-com, but unfortunately, I haven’t liked it as much as I thought I would. I often felt that the narrative felt not completely thought through which left the characters dry – though I have enjoyed many interactions between Grace and her two best friends, Daisy and Etta. Their friendship, as well as friendship with a charming Harry living in the same building, were probably the best parts of ‘You’ve Got Mail’ for me. Grace herself hasn’t felt like a character I could fully connect to, even though I’m exactly at the same age as she and we have some things in common.
Overall, while it wasn’t a book for me, it may appeal to those looking for a light-hearted read with a lost heroine.
May 29, 2021
2.5
A good premise, but poorly executed. The narrative was stilted and felt unpolished. I couldn't connect with the mc at all, and don't get me started on the main love interest of the book 🙄 I guessed the sender of the 'Dear John' email within a couple of chapters.
Long drawn out, and the majority of the mc's issues could have been sorted with some open dialogue between the characters.
The only redeeming quality that the book had was the friendship between Grace, Etta, Harry and Daisy.
A good premise, but poorly executed. The narrative was stilted and felt unpolished. I couldn't connect with the mc at all, and don't get me started on the main love interest of the book 🙄 I guessed the sender of the 'Dear John' email within a couple of chapters.
Long drawn out, and the majority of the mc's issues could have been sorted with some open dialogue between the characters.
The only redeeming quality that the book had was the friendship between Grace, Etta, Harry and Daisy.
February 8, 2021
DNF at 21%.
And so my dismal reading record for 2021 continues ...
This sounded such fun, Grace Wharton gets dumped by email - by a complete stranger, although how he emailed her work email address by mistake is a mystery. I suspect, and suspected right from the start, that the email was deliberately sent by someone trying to get to talk to Grace. Grace starts up a snippy conversation with said anonymous dumper - frankly I enjoyed that but there was too little of it and too much of the other stuff.
Grace works for a window company which was named after the founder and recently renamed to the founder's initials after paying exorbitant sums to a consultant, the initials? C.O.W., oh how we laughed, not. Grace has worked there for years, hates it, makes absolutely no effort and routinely deletes/throws away work documents without bothering to do anything with them. Her boss is her BFF and flatmate but she even tunes her out at work. Strike one. Hate your job? Look for another one but do the job they pay you to do.
Grace is also gaga over Jack Lockett, a guy in her office. Despite being a complete slacker and bad at her job, Grace is picked to go to a prestigious conference with Jack and make a presentation (make or do? both sound wrong). Even when working side-by-side with Jack she still pays absolutely no attention to anything he says, she is on her way to the conference and she has absolutely no idea of the content she is supposed to deliver!
I truly, honestly wanted to punch Grace in the face for being such a stupid C.O.W. (okay that worked for me) and frankly single-handedly putting the cause of feminism back 20 years. Why anyone would want to date her, work with her, or be her friend I cannot fathom. Anyway, I predict that the mysterious dumper is either Jack or Grace's platonic friend/flatmate Harry. Probably totally wrong on both fronts.
Anyway, I picked it up and put it down three times, and for me three times is the charm, although it was ridiculously early in the book I had enough and gave up at 21%.
I received a free copy of his book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
And so my dismal reading record for 2021 continues ...
This sounded such fun, Grace Wharton gets dumped by email - by a complete stranger, although how he emailed her work email address by mistake is a mystery. I suspect, and suspected right from the start, that the email was deliberately sent by someone trying to get to talk to Grace. Grace starts up a snippy conversation with said anonymous dumper - frankly I enjoyed that but there was too little of it and too much of the other stuff.
Grace works for a window company which was named after the founder and recently renamed to the founder's initials after paying exorbitant sums to a consultant, the initials? C.O.W., oh how we laughed, not. Grace has worked there for years, hates it, makes absolutely no effort and routinely deletes/throws away work documents without bothering to do anything with them. Her boss is her BFF and flatmate but she even tunes her out at work. Strike one. Hate your job? Look for another one but do the job they pay you to do.
Grace is also gaga over Jack Lockett, a guy in her office. Despite being a complete slacker and bad at her job, Grace is picked to go to a prestigious conference with Jack and make a presentation (make or do? both sound wrong). Even when working side-by-side with Jack she still pays absolutely no attention to anything he says, she is on her way to the conference and she has absolutely no idea of the content she is supposed to deliver!
I truly, honestly wanted to punch Grace in the face for being such a stupid C.O.W. (okay that worked for me) and frankly single-handedly putting the cause of feminism back 20 years. Why anyone would want to date her, work with her, or be her friend I cannot fathom. Anyway, I predict that the mysterious dumper is either Jack or Grace's platonic friend/flatmate Harry. Probably totally wrong on both fronts.
Anyway, I picked it up and put it down three times, and for me three times is the charm, although it was ridiculously early in the book I had enough and gave up at 21%.
I received a free copy of his book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
February 24, 2022
I read this one after reading another book who supposedly had the same setting (exchange of mails and then boom you realize you knew the person all along). I really liked the other book so I was excited about this one.
And boy, was I disappointed.
I'm saddened to say that I didn't find one single thing to really like in this book. Not even the friendship between the girls and Harry. I found some of the interactions to be obnoxious and painful to read.
Grace is not relatable at all. Having a low self-esteem is something I struggle with as well, and constant jabs at myself is a daily thing. But Grace, oh god save me. It was painful, annoying and I sadly wanted to make her head do a 360 degrees multiple times. I've had enough of characters who can't stop comparing themselves to their friends or coworkers, putting themselves down constantly. Y'all want me to feel bad about myself too or something?
Jack is maybe the only well written character as he is a really good asshole. He does the job, and he does it well, sadly. I felt like the book was mostly her relationship with him. Like we barely had anything of Harry and he turned out to be the main love interest? I'm sorry but "lol".
Too much pages wasted on details I felt weren't needed. I didn't even care for the emails part... Nothing came out of it really. Writing was alright but painfully boring for most of the book.
It took me a while to finish it as I kept pushing my reading time for it. The concept was interesting but poorly done. No character had any type of personality. I ended up liking Susan for fudge sake...
Disappointed, greatly.
And boy, was I disappointed.
I'm saddened to say that I didn't find one single thing to really like in this book. Not even the friendship between the girls and Harry. I found some of the interactions to be obnoxious and painful to read.
Grace is not relatable at all. Having a low self-esteem is something I struggle with as well, and constant jabs at myself is a daily thing. But Grace, oh god save me. It was painful, annoying and I sadly wanted to make her head do a 360 degrees multiple times. I've had enough of characters who can't stop comparing themselves to their friends or coworkers, putting themselves down constantly. Y'all want me to feel bad about myself too or something?
Jack is maybe the only well written character as he is a really good asshole. He does the job, and he does it well, sadly. I felt like the book was mostly her relationship with him. Like we barely had anything of Harry and he turned out to be the main love interest? I'm sorry but "lol".
Too much pages wasted on details I felt weren't needed. I didn't even care for the emails part... Nothing came out of it really. Writing was alright but painfully boring for most of the book.
It took me a while to finish it as I kept pushing my reading time for it. The concept was interesting but poorly done. No character had any type of personality. I ended up liking Susan for fudge sake...
Disappointed, greatly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Grace Wharton doesn’t care about her job, or much else for that matter- but she does care when she’s dumped by email, despite being single. I really liked the idea behind this book, and a lot of the plot really did appeal to me. However I found Grace a very difficult narrator, Her constant self deprecation and catty comments about other women make her very difficult to like in parts. I do understand that Grace’s low confidence was part of the plot, but some of her inner monologue really grated on me. The side characters, such as her two best friends, provided some of the better moments in the book, and I don’t feel that Grace’s poor behaviour towards them was ever really redeemed.
All in all, a really nice idea but quite a long winded novel and a difficult main character.
Grace Wharton doesn’t care about her job, or much else for that matter- but she does care when she’s dumped by email, despite being single. I really liked the idea behind this book, and a lot of the plot really did appeal to me. However I found Grace a very difficult narrator, Her constant self deprecation and catty comments about other women make her very difficult to like in parts. I do understand that Grace’s low confidence was part of the plot, but some of her inner monologue really grated on me. The side characters, such as her two best friends, provided some of the better moments in the book, and I don’t feel that Grace’s poor behaviour towards them was ever really redeemed.
All in all, a really nice idea but quite a long winded novel and a difficult main character.
February 14, 2021
This is such a wonderful light read. I loved the romance and felt the email conversations added great humour and fun. The characters are engaging and relatable (apart from the obvious) and I was willing for Grace to have the confidence to find her one. It was great to see her grow and develop as a character and Etta and Daisy were just the best, best friends.
January 4, 2022
A good original plot
An enjoyable slow burning read, with the character going through a real rollercoaster of a ride. Romantic, fun and a nice piece of clever escapism.
An enjoyable slow burning read, with the character going through a real rollercoaster of a ride. Romantic, fun and a nice piece of clever escapism.
January 14, 2021
Sometimes Things Happen For A Reason... 🤔
Grace dumped by email, enraged in the way in which it was carried out, until she remembers she wasn't actually seeing anyone. Initially filing the email where it deserves to be, in the delete box, after catching up with her bff's/flat mates eventually decides to respond to the sender... and from there it begins.
For Grace love is blind, as is often the case, she can see the flaws in others treatment of their partners, but can't see she's better than the man she's pursuing. From receiving a wrong email.... Giving the sender her esteemed opinion... To writing 'Dear John' emails on behalf of others. You've Got Mail is a great light hearted read, following Grace's ups and downs through love, work and at times friendships. The final twist I'd got before the end, story did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Grace dumped by email, enraged in the way in which it was carried out, until she remembers she wasn't actually seeing anyone. Initially filing the email where it deserves to be, in the delete box, after catching up with her bff's/flat mates eventually decides to respond to the sender... and from there it begins.
For Grace love is blind, as is often the case, she can see the flaws in others treatment of their partners, but can't see she's better than the man she's pursuing. From receiving a wrong email.... Giving the sender her esteemed opinion... To writing 'Dear John' emails on behalf of others. You've Got Mail is a great light hearted read, following Grace's ups and downs through love, work and at times friendships. The final twist I'd got before the end, story did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 28, 2021
I was gifted this e-book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book grabbed me, being dumped by a mysterious stranger through email out the blue, being in a job she hated and having a crush. I thought I was in for some serious romance and self discovery. However, this book just did nothing for me. My aim with this review isn't to bash the book or tear it down, there is every chance you will enjoy this book, these are just my opinions on my experience reading the book.
Starting with the characters, I struggled to connect with Grace just in general. She came across very immature, more teenager that mid-twenties adult. I found it stranger her only interest was getting drunk or when she'd next get drunk. She just didn't feel real and very unlikeable. When the potential love interest came into play, I got nothing from it, just fickle, weird narrative. Which is a shame as there was a great concept around manipulation and victim blaming in there. Grace also came across super naive and there wasn't enough done to build and connect the events throughout the book for them to feel real. The only time Grace felt likeable or real was when she was emailing Mr Obnoxious.
I didn't really feel much romance in the entire book, which is fine but there were so few moments between Grace and Mr Obnoxious that it didn't quite feel like the connection was there at times. I don't know, there was just that something missing for me. The side characters, well I didn't learn much about them and I understand after getting to the end sort of why that is but it does present all the characters at time as not caring for each other, in which case why are they friends. This does start to make more sense as we actually learn something about Grace that isn't alcohol but its pretty much at the end. I do wish we had more of the openness that end of book Grace at the beginning to help us connect to her struggles.
I did like some of the themes presented in this book even if they weren't presented in a way that didn't suit my reading style. There are themes of manipulation, victim blaming, assault, low self-esteem verging on a type of depression and bullying that can really hit home with readers but like I said they just didn't feel real to me at parts. The last 15% of the book seemed to do a 180 and the writing, plotline and characters all suddenly developed into real people and interesting pros as part of Graces transformation but it's almost too little to late. Part of that 15% is tackling the themes I've mentioned and in that respect I did start to enjoy the narrative as everything seemed to become more rounded.
I really do wish I liked this book more, but unfortunately it just didn't hit the mark with me. Others will definitely love this book as it does cover some important themes. I'd love to hear what others what to say on it as it could give me a better perspective.
The synopsis of this book grabbed me, being dumped by a mysterious stranger through email out the blue, being in a job she hated and having a crush. I thought I was in for some serious romance and self discovery. However, this book just did nothing for me. My aim with this review isn't to bash the book or tear it down, there is every chance you will enjoy this book, these are just my opinions on my experience reading the book.
Starting with the characters, I struggled to connect with Grace just in general. She came across very immature, more teenager that mid-twenties adult. I found it stranger her only interest was getting drunk or when she'd next get drunk. She just didn't feel real and very unlikeable. When the potential love interest came into play, I got nothing from it, just fickle, weird narrative. Which is a shame as there was a great concept around manipulation and victim blaming in there. Grace also came across super naive and there wasn't enough done to build and connect the events throughout the book for them to feel real. The only time Grace felt likeable or real was when she was emailing Mr Obnoxious.
I didn't really feel much romance in the entire book, which is fine but there were so few moments between Grace and Mr Obnoxious that it didn't quite feel like the connection was there at times. I don't know, there was just that something missing for me. The side characters, well I didn't learn much about them and I understand after getting to the end sort of why that is but it does present all the characters at time as not caring for each other, in which case why are they friends. This does start to make more sense as we actually learn something about Grace that isn't alcohol but its pretty much at the end. I do wish we had more of the openness that end of book Grace at the beginning to help us connect to her struggles.
I did like some of the themes presented in this book even if they weren't presented in a way that didn't suit my reading style. There are themes of manipulation, victim blaming, assault, low self-esteem verging on a type of depression and bullying that can really hit home with readers but like I said they just didn't feel real to me at parts. The last 15% of the book seemed to do a 180 and the writing, plotline and characters all suddenly developed into real people and interesting pros as part of Graces transformation but it's almost too little to late. Part of that 15% is tackling the themes I've mentioned and in that respect I did start to enjoy the narrative as everything seemed to become more rounded.
I really do wish I liked this book more, but unfortunately it just didn't hit the mark with me. Others will definitely love this book as it does cover some important themes. I'd love to hear what others what to say on it as it could give me a better perspective.
February 9, 2021
Thanks to Kate G. Smith, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this advance review copy.
Grace is a single 20 something who lives with her two best mates Daisy and Etta, and her weekends are spent either shopping with the girls or rolling out of bed with a hangover, making recovery breakfasts for her flat mates and their incredibly good looking neighbour Harry.
.
Stuck in a job she doesn't like (at company that sells windows!) the only real benefits of her boring career are the fact that her team leader is her best mate Daisy, the free breakfast pasties she grabs each morning and the eye candy that is Jack Lockett in sales. However everyone knows that Jack is the biggest flirt known to man and having been stung by thinking he was interested in the past - she's finally learnt her lesson - or has she?
One morning Grace receives a 'Dear John' email at work breaking up with her. For a minute she accepts it as yet another rejection, before remembering that she's single and that this email was clearly meant for someone else. So angry about the way this mystery 'Mr Obnoxious' has treated the intended recipient, Grace decides to reply and put him in his place. Regular interactions follow leading to other strangers approaching her for relationship advice and guidance on how to let people down gently!
When Grace is asked to go on a sales pitch and prove herself with none other than Jack Lockett himself, Grace finally gets to spend some quality time alone with him - is he the Lothario everyone says he is? Or does he have another side? Can Grace focus on business and prove to her boss that despite her lack of enthusiasm she is actually good at her job or will she be distracted by Jack's charms and the constant ping of her emails?
You've Got Mail is a light-hearted book, which at the time of reading was very much needed and a great distraction from breaking news updates. I enjoyed following Grace's journey and her interactions with other characters from her friends to Jack - who I absolutely loved to hate.
Grace is a likeable but somewhat frustrating character - incredibly naive and constantly doubting herself - something which is most likely due to her upbringing with an incredibly controlling mother that constantly put her down. Whilst part of me wanted to scream at her for making bad decisions and struggling to see the wood for the trees, I could also totally sympathise with some of her choices - let's face it - we've all been blinded by love (or lust!) before!
Is You've Got Mail predictable? Yes it is, but does that detract from the story? Not at all. If you're happy to not take things too seriously and are looking for distraction from 2021 and all its bought so far, You've Got Mail is a frustrating yet amusing stumble through the love life of Grace Wharton.
A 3/5 stars from me.
Grace is a single 20 something who lives with her two best mates Daisy and Etta, and her weekends are spent either shopping with the girls or rolling out of bed with a hangover, making recovery breakfasts for her flat mates and their incredibly good looking neighbour Harry.
.
Stuck in a job she doesn't like (at company that sells windows!) the only real benefits of her boring career are the fact that her team leader is her best mate Daisy, the free breakfast pasties she grabs each morning and the eye candy that is Jack Lockett in sales. However everyone knows that Jack is the biggest flirt known to man and having been stung by thinking he was interested in the past - she's finally learnt her lesson - or has she?
One morning Grace receives a 'Dear John' email at work breaking up with her. For a minute she accepts it as yet another rejection, before remembering that she's single and that this email was clearly meant for someone else. So angry about the way this mystery 'Mr Obnoxious' has treated the intended recipient, Grace decides to reply and put him in his place. Regular interactions follow leading to other strangers approaching her for relationship advice and guidance on how to let people down gently!
When Grace is asked to go on a sales pitch and prove herself with none other than Jack Lockett himself, Grace finally gets to spend some quality time alone with him - is he the Lothario everyone says he is? Or does he have another side? Can Grace focus on business and prove to her boss that despite her lack of enthusiasm she is actually good at her job or will she be distracted by Jack's charms and the constant ping of her emails?
You've Got Mail is a light-hearted book, which at the time of reading was very much needed and a great distraction from breaking news updates. I enjoyed following Grace's journey and her interactions with other characters from her friends to Jack - who I absolutely loved to hate.
Grace is a likeable but somewhat frustrating character - incredibly naive and constantly doubting herself - something which is most likely due to her upbringing with an incredibly controlling mother that constantly put her down. Whilst part of me wanted to scream at her for making bad decisions and struggling to see the wood for the trees, I could also totally sympathise with some of her choices - let's face it - we've all been blinded by love (or lust!) before!
Is You've Got Mail predictable? Yes it is, but does that detract from the story? Not at all. If you're happy to not take things too seriously and are looking for distraction from 2021 and all its bought so far, You've Got Mail is a frustrating yet amusing stumble through the love life of Grace Wharton.
A 3/5 stars from me.
July 8, 2022
Rating: 1.5/2 bc i'm feeling very generous
Date read: 23 Jun 22 - 27 Jun 22
Would recommend to: nobody, please don't read this
[big spoilers will be marked, little ones might not be]
this had a nice premise (the whole email writing cute british thing), but it didn't live up to that at all. this is supposed to be a rom-com. i regret spending 2 hours on this and not quitting sooner.
firstly the characters were really annoying to say the least, especially the main character. i literally can't remember her name (yes she was that uninteresting), I only remember that she seemed to have no interest in her job and no ambition to work anywhere else. her work ethic was absolutely terrible, she always showed up hungover and late, and she didn't work at all. she only wanted to drink and shop all day. (like i knew uk drinking culture was bad but i didn't know it was this bad??)
the side characters (her friends etta and the other girl whose name i can't remember again) seemed to have the same personality, they were as flat and as uninteresting as cardboard. i was going to suggest combining the two girls together to create one character with a more layered personality, but then i realized that it was still going to be boring since 0 + 0 = 0.
the supposed main love interest, was also very boring. i estimate about 5% of the book was him and the main character actually interacting, because he was so boring that he couldn't carry a conversation. i have no idea how he managed to be love with the main character.
also, the plot was distributed very weirdly. most of it was not a romance despite it being marketed as a romance.
i also thought there would be cute banter for the email-writing part but unfortunately not. i guessed the email-writing person really easily and i think that it was a weird part of the story.
lastly i think the author tried to be funny and relatable to make it a romantic comedy but sorry i can't relate to someone who has literally no ambition in life and drinks all day.
bottom line: this book tried to be sophie kinsella but failed miserably
Date read: 23 Jun 22 - 27 Jun 22
Would recommend to: nobody, please don't read this
[big spoilers will be marked, little ones might not be]
this had a nice premise (the whole email writing cute british thing), but it didn't live up to that at all. this is supposed to be a rom-com. i regret spending 2 hours on this and not quitting sooner.
firstly the characters were really annoying to say the least, especially the main character. i literally can't remember her name (yes she was that uninteresting), I only remember that she seemed to have no interest in her job and no ambition to work anywhere else. her work ethic was absolutely terrible, she always showed up hungover and late, and she didn't work at all. she only wanted to drink and shop all day. (like i knew uk drinking culture was bad but i didn't know it was this bad??)
the side characters (her friends etta and the other girl whose name i can't remember again) seemed to have the same personality, they were as flat and as uninteresting as cardboard. i was going to suggest combining the two girls together to create one character with a more layered personality, but then i realized that it was still going to be boring since 0 + 0 = 0.
the supposed main love interest, was also very boring. i estimate about 5% of the book was him and the main character actually interacting, because he was so boring that he couldn't carry a conversation. i have no idea how he managed to be love with the main character.
also, the plot was distributed very weirdly. most of it was not a romance despite it being marketed as a romance.
i also thought there would be cute banter for the email-writing part but unfortunately not. i guessed the email-writing person really easily and i think that it was a weird part of the story.
lastly i think the author tried to be funny and relatable to make it a romantic comedy but sorry i can't relate to someone who has literally no ambition in life and drinks all day.
bottom line: this book tried to be sophie kinsella but failed miserably
March 23, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an arc copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
You’ve Got Mail follows Grace who one day receives an email where she is dumped, however she isn’t in a relationship. The email clearly was sent to the wrong address and not worded well. Annoyed by this message she emails back to give this guy a piece of her mind and a little advice on how to handle the situation better.
This synopsis pulled me in straight away. Sadly, whilst the emailing of Mr Obnoxious is a running thread throughout the novel, and my favourite part of the story, there just wasn’t enough of it. I would argue that more time is spent with Grace going on a work trip with a guy from her office and what goes on between them. I really disliked said guy she goes on the trip with and therefore for most of the book I just felt angry and frustrated as the guy does not treat her well and she can’t see it.
There were elements I liked about this book like the emailing and I was surprised by something involving the guy she was emailing at the end of the book. However, too much time was spent and wasted (in my opinion) on a different plot line and character which I hated. If the book had focused more on the emailing back and forth, I think the book could have had the same message and our main character could have still learnt how to love herself and realise she is worthy and deserves better but the story would have felt less rushed, more developed and I would have enjoyed the reading experience much more.
You’ve Got Mail follows Grace who one day receives an email where she is dumped, however she isn’t in a relationship. The email clearly was sent to the wrong address and not worded well. Annoyed by this message she emails back to give this guy a piece of her mind and a little advice on how to handle the situation better.
This synopsis pulled me in straight away. Sadly, whilst the emailing of Mr Obnoxious is a running thread throughout the novel, and my favourite part of the story, there just wasn’t enough of it. I would argue that more time is spent with Grace going on a work trip with a guy from her office and what goes on between them. I really disliked said guy she goes on the trip with and therefore for most of the book I just felt angry and frustrated as the guy does not treat her well and she can’t see it.
There were elements I liked about this book like the emailing and I was surprised by something involving the guy she was emailing at the end of the book. However, too much time was spent and wasted (in my opinion) on a different plot line and character which I hated. If the book had focused more on the emailing back and forth, I think the book could have had the same message and our main character could have still learnt how to love herself and realise she is worthy and deserves better but the story would have felt less rushed, more developed and I would have enjoyed the reading experience much more.
March 2, 2021
I started this book after reading a more serious and dark murder mystery novel so I appreciated this lighthearted romance.
I could completely relate to Grace and her friends. Who didn't live for the weekend and going out with friends in their early twenties? I just didn't have a gorgeous upstairs neighbour. But that must really only happen in romcoms, right?
I think most of us have had something similar to a Jack in our lives at one stage or another. He's a total arse and his character became even more dislikeable as the story went on. I cringed for Grace, wishing she would open her eyes.
There are a few very nice and sweet scenes between Grace and her friend Harry. I couldn't help but hope he was responsible for the emails. Grace's relationship with her friends was lovely and I liked how the four of them were a tight unit. Grace does keep people at arm's length to some degree and this is something I could relate to as well.
This was a really fun and cute RomCom. It is more lighthearted rather than laugh out loud funny but it was a quick read and I found myself unable to put it down. I read it in one day and I loved it
I could completely relate to Grace and her friends. Who didn't live for the weekend and going out with friends in their early twenties? I just didn't have a gorgeous upstairs neighbour. But that must really only happen in romcoms, right?
I think most of us have had something similar to a Jack in our lives at one stage or another. He's a total arse and his character became even more dislikeable as the story went on. I cringed for Grace, wishing she would open her eyes.
There are a few very nice and sweet scenes between Grace and her friend Harry. I couldn't help but hope he was responsible for the emails. Grace's relationship with her friends was lovely and I liked how the four of them were a tight unit. Grace does keep people at arm's length to some degree and this is something I could relate to as well.
This was a really fun and cute RomCom. It is more lighthearted rather than laugh out loud funny but it was a quick read and I found myself unable to put it down. I read it in one day and I loved it
January 11, 2021
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just adored this debut novel. My heart was so full when I had finished. While I was reading though my heart ached and soared in equal measure for Grace. Talk about highs and lows! I got Bridget Jones vibes while reading this book.
I just loved Grace and her friends. I love that she wasn’t in a particularly fulfilling job, that she wasn’t taking the best care of herself and that she was feeling pretty underwhelmed about things. This all made her so much more interesting and relatable than characters that have it all figured out. It was wonderful to witness Grace grow. She went through some difficult experiences and came out the other side beautifully.
I’m stunned and thrilled this was a debut novel because it was amazing and I’m so excited to see this author go from strength to strength. I laughed, I cried and I wished I was at the some of the same parties and events that I was reading about. Surely that is exactly what anyone wants from a book?
I just adored this debut novel. My heart was so full when I had finished. While I was reading though my heart ached and soared in equal measure for Grace. Talk about highs and lows! I got Bridget Jones vibes while reading this book.
I just loved Grace and her friends. I love that she wasn’t in a particularly fulfilling job, that she wasn’t taking the best care of herself and that she was feeling pretty underwhelmed about things. This all made her so much more interesting and relatable than characters that have it all figured out. It was wonderful to witness Grace grow. She went through some difficult experiences and came out the other side beautifully.
I’m stunned and thrilled this was a debut novel because it was amazing and I’m so excited to see this author go from strength to strength. I laughed, I cried and I wished I was at the some of the same parties and events that I was reading about. Surely that is exactly what anyone wants from a book?
February 18, 2021
*****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
I had high hopes for this - the blurb sounded fun, I love a penpal type situation, I love an enemies to lovers type thing - but this just isn't that. The heroine's banter with her friends is the best thing about this, but it it's just full of horrible people making bad decisions and doing bad things. I love some competency porn in my books and Grace is emphatically *not* that. Her attitude to her job made me have real problems wanting to spend time with her and engaging with her as a heroine. I made it to 2/3s before I skipped to the last few chapters to see if it got better/how it ended.
And trigger warning for a sexual assault as well.
I had high hopes for this - the blurb sounded fun, I love a penpal type situation, I love an enemies to lovers type thing - but this just isn't that. The heroine's banter with her friends is the best thing about this, but it it's just full of horrible people making bad decisions and doing bad things. I love some competency porn in my books and Grace is emphatically *not* that. Her attitude to her job made me have real problems wanting to spend time with her and engaging with her as a heroine. I made it to 2/3s before I skipped to the last few chapters to see if it got better/how it ended.
And trigger warning for a sexual assault as well.
March 6, 2021
Not the book I originally thought it would be interested in, it was more focused on the self discovery of the the main character rather than love.
Grace works for a window distribution company and doesn't exactly love her job but does the minimum to get by. A Dear John email lands in her inbox one Friday which sends her into a spin as she doesn't have a boyfriend plus sending an email to finish with someone is just mean. After discussing it with her friends she opts to reply to the email on Monday.
In between getting sent on a work conference to land a client with the sales playboy, she emails back and forth to Mr Obnoxious (as she has called him). Falling for the charms of the playboy, a sexual assault from the new client, secrets and lies lead to Grace completely overwhelmed.
Grace works for a window distribution company and doesn't exactly love her job but does the minimum to get by. A Dear John email lands in her inbox one Friday which sends her into a spin as she doesn't have a boyfriend plus sending an email to finish with someone is just mean. After discussing it with her friends she opts to reply to the email on Monday.
In between getting sent on a work conference to land a client with the sales playboy, she emails back and forth to Mr Obnoxious (as she has called him). Falling for the charms of the playboy, a sexual assault from the new client, secrets and lies lead to Grace completely overwhelmed.
February 8, 2021
Heartwarming, romantic, and oh so funny
I just loved this tale of Grace and all her foibles. She was relatable, we've all been there in jobs we don't like falling for the wrong sort of people. And I couldn't help but feel for her. There are laugh out loud funny moments and times when I cried.
The group of friends made me long for long afternoons in pubs or chats on the sofa with my own friends. They were fab, especially harry!
The story of Grace was not without its ups and downs and it was great watching her become stronger as the book went on.
If definitely recommend this as a quick, fun, romantic read.
I just loved this tale of Grace and all her foibles. She was relatable, we've all been there in jobs we don't like falling for the wrong sort of people. And I couldn't help but feel for her. There are laugh out loud funny moments and times when I cried.
The group of friends made me long for long afternoons in pubs or chats on the sofa with my own friends. They were fab, especially harry!
The story of Grace was not without its ups and downs and it was great watching her become stronger as the book went on.
If definitely recommend this as a quick, fun, romantic read.
July 9, 2023
I liked the premise but the lead came a little 'on your face'.
Pros:
• The Plot: I think the plot of leading helping people with their problems was definitely an interesting one.
• The Situations: Nice fun scenes and characters for a rom-com.
Cons:
1. The lead's personality: I don't know why the author continuously tried to show the lead as a bad friend.
2. Plus, You can see that the main romance is not going to end up anywhere. So, you add a second love interest out of the blue? I wasn't the biggest fan of the romance.
Pros:
• The Plot: I think the plot of leading helping people with their problems was definitely an interesting one.
• The Situations: Nice fun scenes and characters for a rom-com.
Cons:
1. The lead's personality: I don't know why the author continuously tried to show the lead as a bad friend.
2. Plus, You can see that the main romance is not going to end up anywhere. So, you add a second love interest out of the blue? I wasn't the biggest fan of the romance.
January 26, 2021
2 1/2 stars. I did not really connect with this story as much as I had expected to and ended up skim reading after 50%. Maybe it’s because she felt quite young but I could not relate with Gracey at all. Her “voice” did not resonate with me and the premise as per the blurb was not as engaging as I expected it would be. I also didn’t feel any chemistry at all between her and either of her potential love interests. I did like the friend circle with Etta and Daisy and think the author has a good writing style. Might suit other readers but for me.
February 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, it was refreshing to read something upbeat and fun compared to the serious thrillers I’ve currently been reading! I liked the characters and loved the friendships portrayed in the story. Often I got frustrated with main characters Grace as she is so full of self doubt and doesn’t see things for how they truly are but this nicely improves throughout the story and all comes together at the end- as expected with this genre!! It was an easy, sweet read, perfect Valentine’s Day reading and I laughed out loud a couple of times too!! A harmless, rom com read!
February 18, 2021
This book. I cannot decide if I even liked this book; the protagonist is infuriating and at every turn I wanted to slap her silly. That said, I couldn’t stop reading this book. I stayed up all night and into the wee hours of the morning to finish this book. I think I hate read this. The premise is fun and the ending is good if predictable, but the protagonist drove me insane. There was some insight into why she might be the way she is, but it came a bit too little too late for me.
March 4, 2021
This book was exactly what I needed! It had so many highs and lows and was so well written. I loved the story Grace went through, and am I the only one who guess who Mr O was after a certain point. So happy I was right though! The friendship between Grace, Etta and Daisy was something everyone needs and I loved getting more and more involved in their story. Jack is also garbage and needs to get in the bin where he belongs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
A really nice, light-hearted romcom.
I loved the relationship between Grace, Daisy and Etta. They were the best kind of friends.
The book touched on some tougher issues and I'd have liked that to have been explored a bit further, especially the impact of the relationship Daisy has with her mother but I understand that this was perhaps not the right platform for it.
It's written really well, I raced through it. Just my type of read.
Harry you are my first book boyfriend of 2022.
I loved the relationship between Grace, Daisy and Etta. They were the best kind of friends.
The book touched on some tougher issues and I'd have liked that to have been explored a bit further, especially the impact of the relationship Daisy has with her mother but I understand that this was perhaps not the right platform for it.
It's written really well, I raced through it. Just my type of read.
Harry you are my first book boyfriend of 2022.
January 22, 2021
This was approved to me yesterday, so when I was this I changed my next read to this. And I am so sad for doing this because I just didn't like this book.
I thought this would be totally different read. But no. This was a little boring for me. And two guys... Jack and Harry don't like them.
Not not for me.
3 stars.
I thought this would be totally different read. But no. This was a little boring for me. And two guys... Jack and Harry don't like them.
Not not for me.
3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2021
IThe premise of this book sounded really promising and I was excited to receive an advance copy but it didn't live up to my expectations. I was expecting a lve story that unfolded via an email mistake but this didn't happen.
The main character Grace was pathetic and irritating and from early in the book I disliked her. She was shallow and didn't deserve the friends she had. As for her obsession with Jack are real women that shallow.
A big disappointment
The main character Grace was pathetic and irritating and from early in the book I disliked her. She was shallow and didn't deserve the friends she had. As for her obsession with Jack are real women that shallow.
A big disappointment
January 31, 2021
The story - ⭐
The writing - ⭐
Overall - ⭐
Usually in a romance you like the main character... I couldn't bloody stand ANY of the characters in this. Every single person was just awful, the main character was the worst, just completely self absorbed.
And what was that ending?! No. Just no.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The writing - ⭐
Overall - ⭐
Usually in a romance you like the main character... I couldn't bloody stand ANY of the characters in this. Every single person was just awful, the main character was the worst, just completely self absorbed.
And what was that ending?! No. Just no.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2021
I love the concept of this book but for me, it didn't deliver.
Toxic relationships, opinions on the fact that you have to be above a certain bra size to be classed as a woman rather than a 'girl' and just a rather annoying character. It was fine as a book but it had the potential to be so much better.
Toxic relationships, opinions on the fact that you have to be above a certain bra size to be classed as a woman rather than a 'girl' and just a rather annoying character. It was fine as a book but it had the potential to be so much better.
April 8, 2021
2.5*
I'm in two minds about this book: I was a bit annoyed about Grace's attitude and naiveté, the way she let people treat her (even her supposed best friends were quite mean sometimes), unsympathetic characters and some editing errors that bugged me (wonder i/o wander; didn't wanted i/o didn't want or hadn't wanted).
But the HEA did make me feel warm & fuzzy in the end.
I'm in two minds about this book: I was a bit annoyed about Grace's attitude and naiveté, the way she let people treat her (even her supposed best friends were quite mean sometimes), unsympathetic characters and some editing errors that bugged me (wonder i/o wander; didn't wanted i/o didn't want or hadn't wanted).
But the HEA did make me feel warm & fuzzy in the end.
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