i write often and libreoffice writer is difficult to say the least, not because of lack of features but a lack of most ‘little things’ and ‘tweaks’.

I think you're missing the fact that you are doing more 'expert' things than most here. The majority of the time, my wife opens a document she made once, saves as a new file (no, she's not using templates - don't get me started), and writes her invoice. She then PDFs it and sends it via email.

She does the same thing with Calc and a previously made blank "monthly calendar". Opens the blank, saves for the client, enters in the days and renames the month at the top, notes what she'll be doing for them on each day with an hour estimate, PDF and email.

That is the kind of thing most people do.

Yeah, LibreOffice stuck with the old UI/UX for better and worse. Luckily we do have a nice selection of Office Suites in addition to them. OnlyOffice, WPS Office, Collabora, KDE Calligra, Softmaker Office… surely there's one for everyone on Linux.

Personally I like OnlyOffice.

I would say give onlyoffice a try. It's not FOSS but does have free tier for home use and it's what I go to for non-main work computer. Beats libre imo.