you're right. it's an e-reader that you can email any epub file to and it'll read it. if you don't want to pirate, there's a functional store. what more do people need?
Except when you can't, like literally yesterday: subscribed to Asimov's, sent ePub, got a link, clicked a link, "that link is not valid". Repeat, same message. Why? Who knows?
Can you clarify what you mean by "got a link"? If you're using Send to Email, there shouldn't be any links involved. You just, well, send an email to the designated address with the ePub attached, and it shows up in your library shortly after.
FWIW I have been using that feature for well over a decade, with several hundred third party books in my Kindle library, and I haven't seen what you described once. Is the sender on the pre-approved list in Send to Email settings?