Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham

Holly Denham has a lot on her plate. It's her first day as a receptionist at a busy London corporate bank and, frankly, she can't quite keep up. Take a peek at her email and you'll see why: what with her crazy friends, dysfunctional family, and gossipy co-workers, Holly's inbox is a daily source of drama. But it's the laughter, friendship, and a hint of romance that keep Holly going.
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Last month my book club read Wally Lamb, so for July we wanted a "lighter" read. Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham certainly fit that description. This book is daunting at 665 pages, but is a very quick read because it is formatted entirely in emails. The story revolves around Holly who has just started a new job at a bank in London. It is obvious from the beginning that she is new to this type of work. She soon makes friends with her co-worker Patricia, and becomes involved with a banker from upstairs. Drama ensues as her relationship becomes troubled, a friend from her past becomes a total bitch, and a former boyfriend shows up at the same company. Along the way she also emails her best friends and her family, who have much drama in their lives. It is obvious throughout the novel that Holly has some secrets in her past that only a select few know about. The reader isn't let in on those until near the end.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, but it didn't have much depth. It was a bit predictable. I felt like I got to know the characters, but I never developed a deep affection for any of them. I would recommend this if you are looking for a light, entertaining read.


Interesting fact about Holly's Inbox. It was actually written by a man named Bill Surie. He owns a secretarial firm in London and thought up the book while looking at the emails of a woman he had fired. Here in an interesting article with the author: NY Post Article - Interview with Author Bill Surie