Attachments
In 1999, Lincoln O'Neill's job is monitoring employee emails at a newspaper. He finds himself falling for Beth, whose funny email conversations with her best friend he's supposed to report. A sweet, witty office romance.
About This Book
Attachments is a contemporary romance novel by Rainbow Rowell, first published in 2011 by Orion. It runs 323 pages. Readers can expect secret identity, slow burn.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Secret Identity
- Published
- 2011
- Length
- 323 pages
Reading Options
Attachments
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- In 1999, a newspaper employee assigned to monitor company emails finds himself falling for a woman whose private correspondence he is tasked with reporting.
- Fans of epistolary-style romances
- Readers who enjoy workplace comedies
- Lighthearted
- Features Secret Identity
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers who dislike ethical dilemmas in romance
- Ethical premise may be polarizing for some readers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Balanced
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate comfort, high humor.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: General romance readers
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Set in 1999, the story follows Lincoln O'Neill, who works in the IT department of a newspaper. His job involves reading employee emails to ensure they are used appropriately. When he begins reading the emails between two best friends, Beth and Jennifer, he finds himself drawn to Beth's personality and wit. Despite the ethical breach, he continues to monitor their correspondence, leading to a complicated emotional connection that develops through text long before the two meet in person.
Central Conflict
Lincoln must navigate the moral dilemma of his job, which requires him to report the very emails he has become emotionally invested in, while hiding his secret attachment to Beth.
Setting
1999, newspaper office
Strengths
- Strong, clear central hook
- Distinctive late-90s setting
- Focus on dialogue and wit
Consider before reading
- Ethical premise may be polarizing for some readers
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Rainbow Rowell
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Orion
- Published
- 2011
- Length
- 323 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781409116288
Attachments: quick answers
- Who wrote Attachments?
- Attachments was written by Rainbow Rowell.
- When was Attachments published?
- Attachments was first published in 2011 by Orion.
- What genre is Attachments?
- Attachments is a contemporary romance novel, with secret identity, slow burn.
- How many pages is Attachments?
- Attachments is 323 pages long.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inReading Options
Attachments
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
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