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Love Unedited
It was the impossibility of him that kept her coming back.
Edna gave up everything when she fell in love with an acclaimed writer, leaving Australia and moving to New York, where the publishing and literary scene was the backdrop to their secret story.
When Molly, an Australian editor working in New York, discovers a novel by an anonymous author, she is drawn intimately into the story. She becomes determined to find the author and know how the story ends - not imagining that she will uncover shocking truths about her own life along the way.
A compelling literary mystery about desire, creativity, food, longing and the ever-shifting power dynamics of love.
'A unique blend of literary fiction, metafiction and romance, Love Unedited is a character-based novel that explores the minutiae of love and relationships in intimate and compelling detail . . . Celebrating life's highs and lows, this multi-layered novel is an ode to love in its various forms' Books+Publishing
Edna gave up everything when she fell in love with an acclaimed writer, leaving Australia and moving to New York, where the publishing and literary scene was the backdrop to their secret story.
When Molly, an Australian editor working in New York, discovers a novel by an anonymous author, she is drawn intimately into the story. She becomes determined to find the author and know how the story ends - not imagining that she will uncover shocking truths about her own life along the way.
A compelling literary mystery about desire, creativity, food, longing and the ever-shifting power dynamics of love.
'A unique blend of literary fiction, metafiction and romance, Love Unedited is a character-based novel that explores the minutiae of love and relationships in intimate and compelling detail . . . Celebrating life's highs and lows, this multi-layered novel is an ode to love in its various forms' Books+Publishing
- GenresFiction
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 14, 2025
Unfortunately I was not drawn to the characters or writing style in this novel. Thanks to publisher for ARC.
April 24, 2025
Love Unedited by Caro Llewellyn was a highly anticipated read for me, but it fell flat, unfortunately. I have read one previous book by Caro Llewellyn, her memoir Diving into Glass, and it also disappointed me. Love Unedited is her fifth book, but first novel.
There are three stories playing out in this novel. One of these stories is about Molly, an editor who is in possession of a partial manuscript by an anonymous woman who worked in publishing and previously wrote a memoir. The other two stories are about Edna. One is the manuscript that Molly is reading - so, a bit of meta fiction there - and the other is her real story.
My issue with this novel is that I didn't like Edna. I wasn't invested in her relationship, I didn't like her as a person, and once the full truth about who she was and what she had done was revealed, I actually despised her. I had an issue as well with a scene where Edna is dining in a French restaurant and when she goes to use the facilities, a waiter traps her in the cubicle and won't release her until she kisses him. He then exposes himself to her and demands she services him. This was portrayed as something exciting, one of her many sexual escapades. It was not exciting. It's actually sexual assault and it offended me that it was portrayed as anything other than that. But Edna seemed to be a siren. Men falling at her feet, no matter where she went. It was entirely unbelievable. By the end of the novel, I hated her.
Molly's story was far too slim. Not nearly enough page space was devoted to her. I won't read Caro Llewellyn again. She's definitely not for me.
Thanks, though, to @macmillanaus for the review copy.
There are three stories playing out in this novel. One of these stories is about Molly, an editor who is in possession of a partial manuscript by an anonymous woman who worked in publishing and previously wrote a memoir. The other two stories are about Edna. One is the manuscript that Molly is reading - so, a bit of meta fiction there - and the other is her real story.
My issue with this novel is that I didn't like Edna. I wasn't invested in her relationship, I didn't like her as a person, and once the full truth about who she was and what she had done was revealed, I actually despised her. I had an issue as well with a scene where Edna is dining in a French restaurant and when she goes to use the facilities, a waiter traps her in the cubicle and won't release her until she kisses him. He then exposes himself to her and demands she services him. This was portrayed as something exciting, one of her many sexual escapades. It was not exciting. It's actually sexual assault and it offended me that it was portrayed as anything other than that. But Edna seemed to be a siren. Men falling at her feet, no matter where she went. It was entirely unbelievable. By the end of the novel, I hated her.
Molly's story was far too slim. Not nearly enough page space was devoted to her. I won't read Caro Llewellyn again. She's definitely not for me.
Thanks, though, to @macmillanaus for the review copy.
March 26, 2025
“Writers often said they could be more honest in fiction than in memoir.”
Edna was a book editor gave up all that she knew when she met and fell for a famous writer, and moved her life and work to New York to be closer to him. We know of him as the writer, and never by his name. We know he lived the high life in New York, attending salubrious parties and literary events where he and Edna would see each other, with their tête-à-tête hidden from public view. Their relationship behind closed doors was full of heat and angst, and the reluctance of the writer to get close to Edna. We first meet Edna and the writer, older in age, when their paths cross at one of his last book tours where she reminisced about the tragedy of their love affair.
And then we meet Molly, in her thirties, living with her chef boyfriend. She is a book editor, given a manuscript to read by an anonymous author. She is intrigued to search for the author, whom she finds is closer to home than she thinks, and in more ways than one. She searches for this solution, we find out more about Molly and how her life has unfolded up until this moment. The dual narrative of this story between Edna and Molly are connected, and these touchpoints become more defined. Molly also finds out that this manuscript is much more than meets the eye. But can she be sure of its validity? Is the manuscript real? Are the chapters borrowed from others, as a way to compensate for the life now lost? How many women write their fiction based on a reality they don’t believe is interesting enough to share? A question that sat with me long after I finished Love Unedited. This is a book that moves back and forth across a time period and centres around two women working in the publishing world where the glitz and glamour can be a façade for hard work, loneliness and heartbreak.
Edna was a book editor gave up all that she knew when she met and fell for a famous writer, and moved her life and work to New York to be closer to him. We know of him as the writer, and never by his name. We know he lived the high life in New York, attending salubrious parties and literary events where he and Edna would see each other, with their tête-à-tête hidden from public view. Their relationship behind closed doors was full of heat and angst, and the reluctance of the writer to get close to Edna. We first meet Edna and the writer, older in age, when their paths cross at one of his last book tours where she reminisced about the tragedy of their love affair.
And then we meet Molly, in her thirties, living with her chef boyfriend. She is a book editor, given a manuscript to read by an anonymous author. She is intrigued to search for the author, whom she finds is closer to home than she thinks, and in more ways than one. She searches for this solution, we find out more about Molly and how her life has unfolded up until this moment. The dual narrative of this story between Edna and Molly are connected, and these touchpoints become more defined. Molly also finds out that this manuscript is much more than meets the eye. But can she be sure of its validity? Is the manuscript real? Are the chapters borrowed from others, as a way to compensate for the life now lost? How many women write their fiction based on a reality they don’t believe is interesting enough to share? A question that sat with me long after I finished Love Unedited. This is a book that moves back and forth across a time period and centres around two women working in the publishing world where the glitz and glamour can be a façade for hard work, loneliness and heartbreak.
March 21, 2025
“Pain is part of life. That way we all feel.”
It doesn’t take long to recognize beautiful writing in a book. I could immediately tell I was going to enjoy this book, and I did!
Edna, an editor gave up everything when she fell in love with an author, to continue their secret life in another country.
Molly, also an editor, discovers a transcript by an anonymous author and tries to track them down to find out how the rest of the story goes. However, she ends up finding a lot more than she ever thought!
Ahh it’s quite amazing what love makes us do. Love really is blind, as they say. Our hearts are won over even when we know we deserve better and Edna is such a great example of this. At times I was so happy for her, then I felt absolutely crushed as well.
This story is about desire, following your heart, regrets, grief, relationships, parenting and heartbreak. There are highs and lows, and the author’s detail in these moment’s really hits hard. Oh how I cried, I wasn’t expecting to, but it just happened.
I loved having some insight into the publishing world, I loved all the food references and restaurants visited, this story felt so real!
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and thought it was a beautiful story.
Thank you so much @macmillanaus for sending me this copy.
It doesn’t take long to recognize beautiful writing in a book. I could immediately tell I was going to enjoy this book, and I did!
Edna, an editor gave up everything when she fell in love with an author, to continue their secret life in another country.
Molly, also an editor, discovers a transcript by an anonymous author and tries to track them down to find out how the rest of the story goes. However, she ends up finding a lot more than she ever thought!
Ahh it’s quite amazing what love makes us do. Love really is blind, as they say. Our hearts are won over even when we know we deserve better and Edna is such a great example of this. At times I was so happy for her, then I felt absolutely crushed as well.
This story is about desire, following your heart, regrets, grief, relationships, parenting and heartbreak. There are highs and lows, and the author’s detail in these moment’s really hits hard. Oh how I cried, I wasn’t expecting to, but it just happened.
I loved having some insight into the publishing world, I loved all the food references and restaurants visited, this story felt so real!
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and thought it was a beautiful story.
Thank you so much @macmillanaus for sending me this copy.
July 14, 2025
Loved this. I was completely immersed in both Edna and Molly’s stories.
Edna’s love affair with the mystery writer was tragic and painfully relatable. Those moments of bliss and happiness, contrasted by the ache of knowing you’re not getting the full amount you want were perfectly illustrated.
Molly and Giancarlo’s story was a beautiful reprieve. A reminder that pure, thoughtful love can come once you leave the toxic one behind.
And the food descriptions!!! I’m starving.
The reveal at the end surprised me, and I loved how their stories merged. Beautifully written, unique, and emotional. This one’s really left its mark on me.
Edna’s love affair with the mystery writer was tragic and painfully relatable. Those moments of bliss and happiness, contrasted by the ache of knowing you’re not getting the full amount you want were perfectly illustrated.
Molly and Giancarlo’s story was a beautiful reprieve. A reminder that pure, thoughtful love can come once you leave the toxic one behind.
And the food descriptions!!! I’m starving.
The reveal at the end surprised me, and I loved how their stories merged. Beautifully written, unique, and emotional. This one’s really left its mark on me.
March 26, 2025
In this (partly biographical) debut novel, Edna falls for a famous writer and leaves Australia for New York. Fifty pages in we discover that the story is actually an anonymous manuscript being read by editor Molly.
As Molly searches for the author and the rest of the book, I was engaged by this literary mystery (although the twist seemed pretty obvious early on). An interesting read. 3.5 stars from me.
As Molly searches for the author and the rest of the book, I was engaged by this literary mystery (although the twist seemed pretty obvious early on). An interesting read. 3.5 stars from me.
March 27, 2025
Unusual love story with a twist at end. Bit hard to follow at times.
October 19, 2025
This book was surprisingly compelling and I thoroughly enjoyed following the literary mystery. Highly recommended
November 23, 2025
2.5 stars - as another reviewer wrote - I found the writing and story flat with very little emotional charge.
February 8, 2026
NAH, another one I only listened to the first 2 hours and the last one. Life is too short...
March 22, 2026
From the very first page to the very last, I loved every second of this book. Hooked me completely.
April 10, 2025
A love story, spanning decades, using the literary and publishing scene as a backdrop? Yes please! I pounced on this one but unfortunately it fell short.
There were elements of this novel that I enjoyed, notably the glimpses of cities (New York and Melbourne) and the subtle reveal of multiple plot lines. However, the different voices lacked distinction (which was problematic for one character, Edna, whose story is told in two parts - her lived experience and then what she writes in her memoir). As a result the novel is uneven and never really finds pace.
There were also some odd and completely unnecessary bits of info-dumping - about American politics, sustainable cooking, and fly-fishing - I wish Llewellyn's editor had been firmer!
2.5/5
There were elements of this novel that I enjoyed, notably the glimpses of cities (New York and Melbourne) and the subtle reveal of multiple plot lines. However, the different voices lacked distinction (which was problematic for one character, Edna, whose story is told in two parts - her lived experience and then what she writes in her memoir). As a result the novel is uneven and never really finds pace.
There were also some odd and completely unnecessary bits of info-dumping - about American politics, sustainable cooking, and fly-fishing - I wish Llewellyn's editor had been firmer!
2.5/5
March 18, 2025
I was completely hooked by this novel from the very first pages. I adored all the characters and appreciated how true they were about their love. The writing flowed, and I felt myself transported into these pages. I loved the glimpses into the publishing world and the many restaurants and meals that we shared with these four characters. To me, this was just a lovely story.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was perfect.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was perfect.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews