What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis

by Melissa DeRosa

From the frontlines of the COVID crisis to the real events behind the meteoric rise and unfathomable fall of Governor Andrew Cuomo, one of the most powerful women in New York State government history shares her gripping and candid story for the first time.
When COVID-19 hit the United States, New York governor Andrew Cuomo was thrust onto the national stage, hailed around the globe for his leadership. Alongside him every step of the way, Melissa DeRosa quickly became a household name. In her riveting memoir, DeRosa details her journey as a young woman in politics rising to the highest levels of government, writing with raw honesty and vulnerability about the personal challenges she faced—a failing marriage, infertility, death threats, misogyny—while navigating unprecedented professional landmines along the way. DeRosa gives readers a front-row seat to the white-knuckle ride from the epicenter of the deadliest pandemic in US history to the never-before-told story behind the #MeToo scandal that rocked a nation and brought down a governor.
Perfect for readers of Huma Abedin’s Both/And, Marie Yovanovitch’s Lessons from the Edge, Katie Couric’s Going There, and Katy Tur’s Rough Draft, What’s Left Unsaid is a powerful story of resilience in the face of adversity. DeRosa’s unvarnished political memoir provides fascinating, behind-the-scenes access to the inner workings of state and US government during one of the most consequential periods in our nation’s history—bringing readers into room after room where decisions are made, hardball politics unfold, and crises play out.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Politics, Autobiography, Biography

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buckle up for a raw, unvarnished behind-the-scenes memoir as Melissa DeRosa, Chief of Staff to New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, shares the multiple challenges of navigating fluid situations: COVID, George Floyd protests, states rights vs federal rights, MeToo movement, and sexual harassment allegations.

Overall 3.5 stars.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a political animal from New York, this book was riveting. And it’s a reminder of the high octane performance of the Cuomo administration.

As a New Yorker, it was tough to relive COVID through this book, and how strenuous it was to relationships and mental health.

As someone who admires Andrew Cuomo, it’s another glimpse into his philosophy.

As a human being, it is incredible how vulnerable and honest Melissa was about the mental exhaustion she lived with. That honesty is not easy.

As a family man, I love to hear how DeRosa’s family edified her at her lowest.

Great book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the COVID pandemic, I religiously followed Cuomo's daily briefings as a way to stay sane during a lonely, dark, and turbulent time living in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Witnessing how New York handled the pandemic compared with the rest of the nation further hardened my resolve to return to the NY metropolitan area as soon as possible. Melissa DeRosa quickly assumed celebrity status during a time when I lived alone and was unable to see family or friends. I was eager to read her book to gain insight into those turbulent times.

I enjoyed the tidbits she shared about the world of New York politics and appreciated her insights into the personal struggles she was going through in the midst of COVID (marital woes, stress and anxiety, attempting to freeze her eggs) and how she used work as a way to distract herself from her personal life. As a former workaholic, I could relate.

You definitely need to take this book with a grain of salt since parts of it read like an Andrew Cuomo reelection campaign. I admired Cuomo's handling of the pandemic (who else was handling it?) but do believe his level of interaction with the women around him is no longer OK in a modern era, and that his many political enemies sought to capitalize on that weakness to remove him from office (IMO rightfully so.)

I wouldn't read a Cuomo book, but I was happy to read DeRosa's since she was willing to get personal about her many shortcomings without apologizing for who she is. I listened to the audiobook she narrated and greatly enjoyed that aspect of the read also.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didnt expect to like this book or its protagonist as much as I did. Keen insight into the rough and tumble of NYS politics and the personal sacrifices that are made in the name of ambition and the public good.

[Frank Lanzillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this a 5 star rating but deserves 10z. Melissa’s narrative confirmed what I had hoped was true with the Cuomo administration. It is an honest depiction of what “actually” happened and gives truth to all the untruths.
The lack of guidance through Covid on the national level with the incompetence of the Trump administration and the self-serving agenda of Tish James. Totally useless individuals, in my opinion!
The sexual harassment claims against Cuomo were totally without merit and substantive evidence. It actually saddens me that the whole situation occurred.

I recommend this as a must read for anyone interested in a truthful account of the NY agenda with the Covid agenda and aftermath.

[catherine sorrentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent she helped this city by being there for Governor Cuomo

I would vote again for Governor Cuomo and would hope Melissa would be right by his side again. This book exposed all the lies.

[Norma Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely enjoyed this book. I was a fan of Andrew Cuomo primarily because of his leadership thru COVID . The daily briefings for me was must see TV . Governor Cuomo and his staff laid out the plan that got us thru this terrible time. They were factual, realistic and very comforting!!! No thanks to the federal government who seemed to make matters worse.
When all these allegations began to surface I was devastated because I could not believe it was true! Never believed it was true and always felt it was a political ploy. I am totally glad I read this book because it verified what my intuition was telling me. Bravo to Ms De Rosa for your candid portrayal of your own experience and vulnerability thru this crisis.
On a side note I live close to La Guardia Airport and whenever I travel thru it I say ,”Thank you Governor Cuomo and his staff!! “ !!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this is a book of contrasts: Progressive ambition, coupled with lockdown style Covid policies; vulnerability and hubris- but boy, does this lady have an enemies list! She’s incredibly ambitious and I am interested in what her next act may be.

[Carey Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent listen- Melissa narrates this book and makes it all that more powerful. She has important things to say her about the press, power and women. We need to hear her. Great book!

[Francine Wilbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. She really lays it all out there. Politics is such a dirty business.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh read to get the full story of Cuomo downfall. The author was unlikeable and full of herself. Can’t imagine having to work with her everyday.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a former New Yorker and going through the pandemic with the rest of the world, I deliberately stayed away from the news as much as possible and got my lay of the tones directly from my friends and family that still lived there during the time this book takes place. I was shocked to understand what happened to Governor Cuomo and also shocked about how ineffective de Blasio had been. I was also unaware that stop-and-frisk was a Bloomberg policy (I’d thought it was Guiliani’s). This too surprised me.

Anyway, it was a well written memoir, and it made me glad that I never had an interest in politics.

[Alison LaLond Wyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy political drama, you have to read this. Even though we know from the news how Andrew Cuomo’s administration ended, I couldn’t get enough of Melissa DeRosa’s perspective. DeRosa definitely has some enemies, and I haven’t read their sides of these stories, but she - for the most part - paints the players as three-dimensional, layered, human characters. (One exception is Kathy Hochul, whom DeRosa throws under the bus with all her might.)

[Francisco Reivax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and an absolute great read. Thank you! Thank you so much Melissa DeRosa for turning your personal journal and notes into this book ! Reading your book was important to this reader to be able to re-live the unprecedented times of the NYC pandemic through the lens of the experience lived by one of the top NY State Administrator who team - rowed the many oars that permitted so many of us to survive the exploding Covid-19 emergency of 2020-2022.

Now I know that each day at 7:00 PM in March, April and May 2020, when I was banging my wooden spoon on my saucepan, making noise with thousands of other New Yorkers to thanks the medical corps for their amazing work, I was also thanking Melissa DeRosa and her administrative team for organizing the whole operational response ....

Now I know that on March 9, 2021, when I went with my two loved ones to the Jacob Javitt Convention Center to receive our first anti-Covid vaccine, it was possible thanks to Melissa DeRosa and Governor Andrew Cuomo team of experienced administrators to have made possible the complex logistics of the vaccination set up ...

Melissa DeRosa, Governor Andrew Cuomo, your executive team, your families and the whole "kitchen cabinet" advisors, thank you for your work.

[Bay Ridge Jack · Rating 1 out of 5]

What trash. A seemingly smart woman, with a behind the scene view at the NY political landscape. DeRosa does a nice job of laying out the issues faced by NY during COVID. She’s overly protective of Cuomo, which is not surprising, but so many of her talking points are inaccurate or embellished. Where she loses all credibility though, is the 1,000 times she says “it’s Trumps fault”. She can’t be taken seriously while she belittles the Governors multiple accusers rather than just question their accusations. Does not seem like a very good person. Her defense of the indefensible is nonsense. The Governor is perfect, she’s a hero, and Trump and the Republicsnsc and Democrats were out to get them. Who do you believe? Not her.

[Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been on my WTR for awhile. Now that the former governor is a candidate for mayor, the timing is spot on.

Who said there are three sides to every story?

Governor Hochul and Mayor Cuomo?

EDIT: Thinking about this book, given the primary is June 24, and early voting begins June 14, 2025. It may take about a week afterwards for ranked-choice results.

EDIT: Then there were three . . . including the former Governor. Who will become Mayor of the city? A must read before Early Voting begins (October 2025)

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Unflinchingly honest. I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this book but I wanted to hear from Melissa. I am very impressed with her honesty in this book. A very interesting read.

[Heather]

Melissa DeRosa was Andrew Cuomo's Chief of Staff when he was Governor of New York dealing with the Covid crisis. It's an interesting book detailing how the early days of the pandemic changed everyone's lives and the true fear that ran through all Americans communities, homes, work places etc. We all remember watching Andrew Cuomo and his nightly news detailing / updating the world on how many New Yorkers died each day. Scary times, sad times.

Melissa is a top talent aide and lives for her work, probably around 38 at the time of this story. She has worked for Cuomo for years (maybe 8), has a long history within the political realm and understand political thinking, political process and government both large and small. She is sharp as can be, driven and one to be taken very seriously as credible. This book was a daily living journal of sorts of a daily course of meetings, staff characters, staff relationships and also the Cuomo family background. Andrew's younger brother is Chris Cuomo which is odd that he is a FOX news personality (given that the Cuomo family are such Democrats). Andrew Cuomo is detailed in his level of consideration and care regarding every single New York resident. He never leaves the state for more than 24 hours (even when traveling abroad) as he doesn't like to be away from his constituency given that he is the Governor.

Andrew Cuomo comes off as an absolutely excellent leader and outstanding person in this book. He lives and breathes the state of NY. He seems to be a great father and great brother (12 years apart between the Cuomo brothers), effectively becoming a 2nd father to little Chris Cuomo as their father was also a NY Governor in a much demanding job and time in history. Melissa is a self admitted workaholic who knows just about everyone who really matters in her world of work and government and is happy to show that in detail in this book.

The book tells how each state was dealing with differing roadmaps for managing Covid because the guidance per the Trump administration was so lacking. We all saw that from the news so that isn't a surprise. I would have loved to learn more about the Fauci impact on the high level information passed along to all 50 states. This is a book that goes into much detail about how they needed to gather respirators from the country folk of NY to send to the cities because early in the pandemic that's where all the deaths were mostly occuring.

The book also goes into lots of details to defend Andrew Cuomo's charges of sexual harassment which seem to be entirely off base. This is a guy who hugs everyone (just like Joe Biden) and each women who was found "on the internet troll" basically says, yes he touched my sleeve at a wedding we both attended and suddenly that is sexual harassment. A case of the Me Too movement reaching too far? Could be, I will never know. But Cuomo is a guy who really cares about people at his core. Thank heavens we still have leaders like that in this world.

[Carolyn Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive a copy of Melissa DeRosa's book in the mail. It was like receiving a message from a friend, one I met during the COVID epidemic.

Like so many living in New York - and in other states like Texas where I live - I tuned-in online each day for Governor Cuomo's COVID briefings. Those were the most informative and professional briefings on the status of COVID available at the time. I listened intently, and I gained great respect for the integrity of former Governor Cuomo, Melissa DeRosa, and the Governor's leadership team. The briefings gave me hope. Melissa remarks in the book that through her eyes, "I saw the goodness of Americans who volunteered to put their lives on the line to help one another. The selflessness of the essential works. And proof that the will to put the collective over the individual still very much exists within our society."

This book shares both personal and professional behind-the scenes details about what working in a Governor's administration was like. "Was our office a demanding work environment? Absolutely. Was I a demanding boss? You bet .... But I never pushed anyone harder than I pushed myself .... Our team was most definitely not a good career choice if you prized work-life balance." With a high stress career myself, I understand this well.

Emergency after emergency meant almost 24 hour work days and relentless media scrutiny for the Cuomo team. And despite some impressive accomplishments for the State of New York, forces from both sides of the political spectrum began to come after them. Then-President Trump was certainly in the pack. "The President wants you on the sidelines in this [2020] election," Melissa observed. If you are a student of politics, you will absolutely not want to miss Melissa's insightful accounts about the tactics used by both the far Left and far Right - as well as the media - to derail Governor Cuomo.

As a relatively new fan of the Governor and his team, I was shocked to learn about the sexual misconduct allegations against him that have since evaporated into thin air. At the time, I just couldn't believe them to be true. "Government really needs to function today. Government needs to perform. It is a matter of life and death - government operations. And wasting energy on distractions is the last thing that state government should be doing." And then he resigned. That final speech said a lot about Governor Cuomo's character. And I was very sad that day.

Through his daily briefings, Governor Cuomo became, "the nation's de facto COVID commander in chief." I felt he deserved the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his leadership, and I still do. As I write this review, the nation gears-up for another Presidential election. I urge you to read the book for incredible insights into the tactics of political adversaries and the media. There is much to learn here!

[Susan D'Entremont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will you find this book interesting if you don't live in Albany where many of the characters are household names? I'm not sure.

Is the author, as some people say, full of BS? Maybe. It is often a one-sided view, but it is also an interesting inside view that we don't get much from surface stories in the media.

Full disclosure: I was not a fan of Andrew Cuomo long before the pandemic. I don't think I ever voted for him in the Democratic primary. Living in Albany, I heard many things about how difficult he was to work with. In the very blue city of Albany everyone might have voted for the Democrat in a general election, but there was more affection for Governor Pataki, a Republican, as an administration to work under if you are a bureaucrat.

When the first sexual harassment charges against Cuomo came out, I said that they could be true, but I also could totally believe that it was a set-up because so many people hate Andrew Cuomo. I had heard a lot about the toxic work environment under the governor, but I hadn't heard a whisper of sexual harassment until these cases. Which doesn't mean it didn't happen. After reading this book, I still don't know. I looked up much of what DeRosa discusses in the book, and there WERE tons of holes in the investigation, and it is embarrassing for the press how much they didn't check or corrorobate.

For me, the most interesting part of this book was the first part when she discusses dealing with the COVID crisis. We are so quick to forget what things were like then, and I enjoyed learning about all the behind-the-scenes communications between leaders as they were trying to figure out what to do. Looking back there was bumbling, but most people behaved heroically with the knowledge and resources they had at hand. It drove home that government is sometimes very necessary even if it doesn't always get everything right.

Like the author, I believe government is important and can do a lot to improve people's lives. The Cuomo administration did accomplish a lot, although some of that may have happened because of their bullying tactics. I am afraid that reading this book will make even more good people shy away from politics. The cut-throatedness of it stands out in this book.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, which I am rounding up to 4 stars overall.

I am not from New York, I am not even American. However, like everyone else, I also went through Covid-19. I picked up this book because I wanted to read a account of what happened, from the political frame. I wanted to know about the hard decision made, and how it affected those making them.

You will get all of that here. Melissa gives a honest, sometimes difficult account of what it was like to work alongside Andrew Cuomo during the Covid pandemic. As a member of his staff, she had to help with all of the tough decisions and she lays it out here; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

One thing I really liked were some of the stories Melissa shared during her time. My favorite, which is a spoiler, was when she told the Governor that she was struggling with isolation and perhaps depression. Her husband was in California during their "trial separation", and she was living in a hotel. She was not getting decent meals, she was not sleeping, she was not doing well. Suddenly, the Governor's staff was moved into his mansion. This was framed as "making sure he was safe"; I took it as he heard what she was expressing, and was trying to help. Maybe I read too much into it too much but, I choose to believe this was done to help his staff during the pandemic. I also liked what she was able to share in terms of what was happening behind the scenes politically. If you are looking for a heavy political book, this is for you.

The reason for my 4 star overall review is the fact that I found parts of this book a little dry. I understand it was meant to be all about the Covid pandemic told by someone at the center of it politically but, I could have used a bit more of Melissa the person here. I feel like it was all politics and none about the person who was writing the book.

[Debra Belaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first few chapters of What's Left Unsaid and stopped. I was waiting for my audible book with Melissa DeRosa to come out on November 28, 2023. I'm so glad I waited to hear from Melissa DeRosa own words and hearing from her as if she was talking right to me. Melissa sharing her private life and what she had experienced with her husband Matt and losing her grandma. With so many thoughts she was feeling and experiencing through the covid pandemic. She takes you step by step through each problem that arose for herself, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state of New York. She explains very thoroughly that let up to the Governors and her resignation. I bought two books one back in April and I purchased her autograph book also. She is such an amazing writer and a leader in her own right. I would recommend following Melissa DeRosa on all her platforms and catching up with her on the latest podcast and news that she is on. Every person who supported the Cuomo administration and #TeamCuomo should purchase a copy of her new memoir What's Left Unsaid. It is riveting and the facts are told from the person who lived it. Thank you Melissa DeRosa for this book, we needed to hear from your own words.

Thank you,
Debra Sapienza Belaska

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blew my mind. I wasn't a fan of Andrew Cuomo's before Covid. He played hardball politics and was farther to the right than I would have liked. However, during Covid, I was extremely grateful for his leadership, his standing up to Trump, his calmness and dedication. New York was lucky to have such a leader during the pandemic.

DeRosa's memoir covers the first year of Covid and Cuomo's political demise from a fascinating vantage point - as Secretary to the Governor. I couldn't put the book down - it reads like a thriller, filled with insider information on New York State politics. I will never see Tish James, the New York State legislature, New York Times, and #MeToo in the same light.

If I knew for certain all that DeRosa states in this book was true, I'd give the book five stars. I do want to thank her and Cuomo's leadership team for all they did during a very difficult time.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

As someone not all in on any political party, I found parts of it mentally exhausting. To sum up, Cuomo is amazing, Trump is the worst, also other Democrats who aren't Cuomo are out to get him too.

My impression- Cuomo wanted to write a book, and now DeRosa did it for him. I felt like there were maybe a handful of paragraphs about DeRosa's personal life, but for the most part, it was about her work, Cuomo, COVID (although much of the vaccine was skipped), and then her naming each one of Cuomo's accusers and disagreeing with how they could be victims.

With the DOJ still involved, and Cuomo actively suing NYS AG, this seems like poor timing. Also, there was little ownership for mistakes.

If you love Cuomo, by all means, go for it, but otherwise I would not recommend it, and I'm totally baffled by its high ratings.

[Andrew M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book ... finally, an explanation about the rapid descent of Andrew Cuomo, after I was so happy and proud for what Melissa and his team accomplished during COVID. Admittedly, the Trump vindictiveness retriggered me a bit, but I got past that to really appreciate the incredible amount of dedication and energy from these *true* patriots ... it also changed my view of Trish James by 180 degrees. And I thought NJ politics was harsh! I do hope the Cuomo lawsuit finally clears his name ... and Melissa, if you ever decide to run for anything, and I can vote or help campaign for you, let me know!

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

DeRosa does an OK job of recapping the COVID years in New York State. However, rather than showing real introspection and reflection on the failures of Andrew Cuomo, she instead attempts to rehabilitate a disgraced governor by downplaying his many faults and minimizing credible accusations.

Her smears of the Attorney General are unbecoming. This book, at times, read like it was meant to improve sentiment toward Andrew Cuomo as he considers a reentry to politics.

[Beverly Hallfrisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am waffling on a rating; somewhere between 3 and 5 stars so 4 stars it is. It was dramatic and engaging but leaving me feeling like the world is just a dumpster fire beyond redemption.
At times this was less memoir and merely a recounting of historical events; i.e. "setting the record straight".
There were also small things that brought me out of the narrative. E.g., who still uses blackberries?!?

[Lee Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inside look at politics from the Cuomo admin is a detailed view of the chaotic times in the Cuomo governor’s office around Covid, the press, the dog eat dog politics and the toll dedication can take on personal life.  DeRosa shows life behind the curtain of what we read and hear.  You don’t have to be a political junkie to enjoy this one.

[Zenae Zukowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows how fast the media spins stories regardless of facts confusing the public. Everything I researched, learned, and connected the dots from this time all confirmed in this book, and then some. A few years later, people still believe in what they want to see over following the trails of facts and data.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've started out devouring the book, absolutely entranced by the description of the Covid times from inside office.
But once it became about the SM, it became boring to read.

Also, it was a bit off to have every chapter ending the same way, as the world was ending by the biggest thing ever just to have a bigger one next chapter.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book.