Book ~ "What Does It Feel Like?" (2024) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again - and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children - she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor - it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

Eve is an author who after changing the focus of her latest book becomes even more successful after it is made into a movie. She has every thing she wants ... a loving husband, five children and a career. Then one day she wakes up in the hospital and has no idea why. It has been discovered that she had a brain tumor and it was removed. She has a long healing process and has to learn to walk again, can't remember things or conversations that happened yesterday and the survival rate is on average 12 months (hopefully longer). She's lucky that she has a supporting and loving family to help her get well.

It wasn't until I had finished this book that I discovered that "Eve" is actually the author, who was diagnosed in 2022 with a brain tumor and these are the things she has been living through since then. I liked the writing style and it's broken up in story form, emails, texts, etc. I wish the author all the best in her recovery.

Book ~ "The Burnout" (2023) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Sasha has had it. She cannot bring herself to respond to another inane, “urgent” (but obviously not at all urgent) email or participate in the corporate employee joyfulness program. She hasn’t seen her friends in months. Sex? Seems like a lot of effort. Even cooking dinner takes far too much planning. Sasha has hit a wall.

Armed with good intentions to drink kale smoothies, try yoga and find peace, she heads to the seaside resort she loved as a child. But it’s the off season, the hotel is in a dilapidated shambles and she has to share the beach with the only other a grumpy guy named Finn, who seems as stressed as Sasha. How can she commune with nature when he’s sitting on her favorite rock, watching her? Nor can they agree on how best to alleviate their burnout (manifesting, wild swimming; drinking whisky, getting pizza delivered to the beach).

When curious messages, seemingly addressed to Sasha and Finn, begin to appear on the beach, the two are forced to talk - about everything. How did they get so burned out? Can either of them remember something they used to love? (Answer: surfing!) And the question they try and fail to ignore: what does the energy between them -flaring even in the face of their bone-deep exhaustion- signify?

Sasha has a busy job and is overwhelmed ... the company she works for is badly run and she finally has enough. She takes a couple weeks off and, though it's February, heads to the beach town where she and her family spent happy times when she was a child. She has plans to decompress by eating healthy, doing yoga and finding herself. She is staying at the hotel that was too expensive when she was younger. She was expecting it to be the same but it's become rundown over the years and in need of investors to reinvent it.

Finn is also staying at the hotel. He and Sasha didn't hit it off well at first but found common ground when they discovered they were both suffering from burnouts at work and had both spent time around the town when they were children ... they had even taken surfing lessons from the same guy. They start enjoying spending time together and become friends.

It's been a while since I've read one of this author's books and I thought it was okay. It's written in first person perspective from Sasha's point of view. I liked the first part more than the second. It was nice seeing Sasha and Finn get to know each other as friends and help each other over their burnouts. It turned for me when within a couple days they became intimate and Sasha was in love with him (really?!) and more obsessed with him than herself.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

I found it silly but in a funny way the way the staff at the hotel were so over-the-top friendly and catered to her every particular need (like kale smoothies, healthy meals, no booze, etc.). Who they thought was her PR person making the requests was actually her mother trying to be helpful and Sasha didn't have the heart to tell them any different. Instead she would sneak into town and stock up on junk food and wine.

Book ~ "Surprise Me" (2018) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have all the trimmings of a happy life and marriage; they have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. However, a trip to the doctor projects they will live another 68 years together and panic sets in. They never expected "until death do us part" to mean seven decades. 

In the name of marriage survival, they quickly concoct a plan to keep their relationship fresh and exciting: they will create little surprises for each other so that their (extended) years together will never become boring. But in their pursuit to execute Project Surprise Me, mishaps arise and secrets are uncovered that start to threaten the very foundation of their unshakable bond. When a scandal from the past is revealed that question some important untold truths, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all. 

Sylvie and Dan are both thirty-two, have been together for ten years (married for seven) and have five year old twins.  When their doctor tells them they are healthy enough to have another 68 more years together, they are freaked out.  To keep things alive and exciting, they decide to plan surprises for each other, which comically don't have the effect they had anticipated.

Sylvie's father had been larger than life and everyone idolized him.  He passed away in a car accident two years ago and Sylvie and her mother are still grieving CONSTANTLY.  Sylvie can't understand why Dan doesn't grieve for him as well.  Sylvie still wears her hair long long long because that's the way Daddy like it.

Sylvie is working for a small museum that still functions as if it's still the 1980s ... the owner refuses to function with modern conveniences and make them use a fax machine, share a computer and write everything in books.  When the owner's nephew turns up, Sylvie is sure he is there to close the museum and sell the land to condo developers.

I've read a lot of Kinsella's books over the years and they are usually a fun escape.  This one started out that way but got really serious about halfway in.  Instead of getting closer together, something is ripping Sylvie and Dan apart.  It's written in first person perspective from Sylvie's point of view.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

I wasn't overly crazy about the main characters.  I found it weird that Sylvie and Dan had married until "death do us part" but freaked out at the thought of having to spend the next 68 years together.  I thought it was a bit much how Sylvie worshiped her father and held Dan to the same standard, which was tough for him considering Sylvie came from money and Dan didn't (and he refused to accept any of her family's).  Sylvie's mother (Sylvie called her "Mummy") was very annoying and stuck-up and didn't seem to have any sense of reality (and everyone let her).  Dan seemed like a nice guy but put up with her snotty family.  Sylvie's boss and nephew were stereotypical in that she was a rich dotty elderly woman and her nephew was the young jerk with no appreciation for the past.  I did like the neighbours, Tilda and her son, Toby ... they added some humour to the book.

Book ~ "My Not So Perfect Life" (2017) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

Ok, so the real truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.

But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

Until her not-so perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams? Or try to get her job back? Does Demeter - the woman with everything - have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.

And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway? 

Katie grew up on a farm but her dream was to work in London, have a great job and fabulous friends.  She does indeed move to London and becomes "Cat", gets a low paying entry level job, shares an apartment with two odd strangers and can't afford to have a glamourous life.  Just when things couldn't get any worse, her boss, Demeter, fires her.  Unable to find another job, she heads back home to the farm and helps her parents start a glamping business until something else comes along.

The business is a success and and Katie is shocked to discover that Demeter and her family are vacationing at their glampground.  Demeter doesn't recognize Katie so she takes this opportunity to get revenge.  But Katie discovers the real Demeter and she realizes the Demeter doesn't have it all after all.

Though I've read a lot of Kinsella's books, it's been a couple years since I read one.  I've been reading a lot of heavy murder mysteries lately and was looking for something light ... and this did the trick.  I liked the author's writing style and found the storyline predictable but fun.  Her father and stepmother were caring and humorous.  It's written in first person perspective in Katie's voice.  As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

Book ~ "Shopaholic to the Stars" (2014) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) has stars in her eyes. She and her daughter, Minnie, have joined husband Luke in LA - city of herbal smoothies, multimillion-dollar yoga retreats, and the lure of celebrity. Luke is there to help manage the career of famous actress Sage Seymour - and Becky is convinced she is destined to be Sage’s personal stylist and go from there to every A-list celebrity in Hollywood! But things become complicated when Becky joins the team of Sage’s archrival. 

How will charming and supportive Luke deal with this conflict? Is it possible that what Becky wants most will end up hurting those she loves most?

Becky, her husband, Luke, and their daughter, Minnie, are living in LA because Luke has a client there, actress Sage Seymour.  Becky dreams of becoming a stylist to the stars ... she just has to figure out how to get access to them and convince them to hire her.   Her best friend, Suze, and her family come for an extended visit which provides Becky with the opportunity to show Suze around and hoping land a spot on the red carpet.

Though I've read a few of Kinsella's books over the years, it's been a while since I've read a "Shopaholic" book ... the last was Shopaholic and Baby in 2007, which I wasn't too crazy about it.  I liked the series in the beginning and thought Becky was funny and ditzy.  Over the years, though, Becky, despite being married and having a child, hasn't matured and has become more self-centred and self-indulgent.  She's more annoying than funny.

I found the book long and boring.  I didn't like the characters and couldn't feel any emotion for them.  Becky was all about Becky and anyone her age and with her responsibilities would never make the choices she made and get into the situations she got into.  She's lucky that Luke puts up with her and funds her hair-brained ideas.  Speaking of Luke, though he is physically there, he is rarely emotionally there.  Their daughter Minnie is a spoiled brat with little discipline.  The rivalry between actresses Sage and Lois was tiresome.  The hijinks that Becky got into with and without Suze weren't amusing.

The author left this book with a crazy cliffhanger that could break up two families that I could care less about and this will be my last "Shopaholic" book I'll read.

Book ~ "Wedding Night" (2013) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London’s fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she’s completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates - just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago. 

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive - but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben’s colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend’s career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better  ... or worse.

This is the story of two sisters, Lottie and Fliss.  Lottie has been dating Richard for a couple years and suspects he's going to propose to her ... but he doesn't.  Hurt and humiliated, she breaks up with him.  Fliss is going through a divorce.  Daniel, her ex-husband, has already moved on but is still pestering her with demands.  They have a son together, Noah, so Fliss will always have Daniel in her life.

When Ben, a beau from 15 years ago, connects with her and spontaneously suggests they get married, Lottie agrees.  Knowing how impulsive Lottie is after a break-up, Fliss, as the big sister, does all she can to stop the wedding.  Unfortunately it happens anyway and Fliss' next move is to ensure the honeymood doesn't go as planned so Lottie can have her marriage annulled rather than having to suffer through a divorce.

It's been a couple years since I've read a Sophie Kinsella book and for the most part I enjoy them.  I know what to expect and this one didn't disappoint.  It's a light fun silly read and at times you have to leave your sense of belief at the door and go along for the ride.

The story is told in first person, with the point of view shifting back and forth from Lottie to Fliss (the name is at the beginning of the chapters so you know).  You have sisters going through different situations so it was good to be able to get into their heads and see what their thoughts were.  Fliss is the more serious and level-headed of the two (though not by much at times) while Lottie is more impulsive.  It's obvious that Fliss cares about her sister and is used to picking up the pieces.

As a head's up, the language at times is for mature readers.

I'd recommend this is you are looking for a fun light read.

Book ~ "I've Got Your Number" (2012) - Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ I've lost it. The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It's been in Magnus's family for three generations. And now, the very same day his parents are coming, I've lost it. The very same day. Do not hyperventilate Poppy. Stay positive!!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry the ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her 'happy ever after' begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring but in the panic that followed, she has now lost her phone. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton doesn't agree. He wants his phone back and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents ... she soon realises that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

It's been a couple years since I've read a Sophie Kinsella book.

They basically follow the same format ... they are light and not very deep. It took me a couple chapters to get into it, probably because it's fluffier than what I've been reading lately.

I'm glad I stuck with it because I enjoyed it. I like the characters, especially Poppy and Sam, and the story itself.

One thing that annoyed me, though, is the use of footnotes ... there are 112 in total. As much as I enjoy Jen Lancaster's books, she uses this technique too. I find I lose the flow of the book if I have to keep looking down to see what's in the footnote and then look back up to find my place again. Either include them in the paragraph or get rid of them.

A lot of the book is made up of texts and emails ... how did we ever communicate with others before?!

If you are looking for something light and fun, you should check it out. As a warning, the language might offend some.

Book ~ "Twenties Girl" (2009) Sophie Kinsella

From Amazon ~ Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?

When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie–a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love and the right way to dance–mysteriously appears, she has one last request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years and Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara, on the other hand, has a number of ongoing distractions. Her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she’s just been dumped by the “perfect” man.

Sadie, however, could care less.

Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from each other along the way.

I've enjoyed Kinsella's other books so wanted to like this one. I didn't like Lara ... she was pathetically trying to get her ex-boyfriend, Josh, to go back to her. And Sadie was annoyingly self-centered.

I felt like giving up after a couple chapters but I stuck with with it. I'm glad I did because Lara stopped being so pathetic and Sadie stopped being so annoying and I enjoyed the story.

Compared to Kinsella's other stories, it's fairly deep and not as frivolous, and long (more than 460 pages).

Book ~ "Remember Me?" (2008) Sophie Kinsella

From Amazon ~ When twenty-eight-year-old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she’s in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident—in a Mercedes no less—Lexi has lost a big chunk of her memory, three years to be exact, and she’s about to find out just how much things have changed.

Somehow Lexi went from a twenty-five-year-old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband—who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mind still stuck three years in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she … well, seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all.

Suddenly Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

A quick fun read! And that's what exactly you expect from a Kinsella novel. So I'd recommend it if that's what you are looking for.

I liked Lexi before and after her accident. And I liked the rest of the characters too, though her mom and sister were a bit annoying. The happy ending wasn't a big surprise.

Wouldn't it be wacky to wake up and find that you've lost the last three years of your life?

Book ~ "Shopaholic & Baby" (2004) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Hail the return of Kinsella's airhead heroine, Becky Bloomwood, now married, pregnant and working as the head personal shopper for a brand-new London boutique. 

In this latest installment of the Shopaholic franchise, the commercially insatiable Bex shops for two in every upscale baby shop and catalogue in London, snags a celebrity ob/gyn and leverages a pair of the moment's "most coveted" boots to negotiate a home purchase. Complicating an otherwise uneventful pregnancy, Becky suspects her husband, PR biz-wiz Luke Brandon, is having an affair with her hot doc (who also happens to be Luke's ex-girlfriend) so she hires a detective with predictable madcap results.

For chick lit lovers with babies of their own, Kinsella mines a rich vein by tweaking 21st-century glossy mag obsessions: from sonograms to the hottest baby strollers to tricked-out birthing rooms. Kinsella's ode to baby blues is both sly and slapstick - and for now, at least, Becky is more lovably Lucille Ball than annoyingly Paris Hilton.

I enjoyed the other books in the series.

Though this one hasn't changed the successful format, I found Becky a bit annoying in this one ... her self-centeredness and self-indulgence didn't strike me as cute. Really, who needs five prams?! I know, I know ... that's the character of Becky.

Would I recommend it? Not really.  Maybe if I was a mom, I would have enjoyed it more.

Book ~ "Undomesticated Goddess" (2005) Sophie Kinsella

From Amazon.com ~ Samantha Sweeting is on the verge of partnership at the prestigious London law firm Carter Spink, the Holy Grail of her entire workaholic life. But when she finds she has made a terrible costly mistake just before the partnership decision, she's terrified of being fired. In a fog, she stumbles out of the building and onto the nearest train, which drops her in the countryside, where she wanders to a stately home. The nouveau riche lady of the house mistakes her for the new housekeeper and Samantha is too astonished to correct her. Numb and unable to face returning to London, Samantha tries to master the finer points of laundry, cooking and cleaning. She discovers that the slow life, her pompous but good-hearted employers and the attentions of the handsome gardener, Nathaniel, suit her just fine. But her past is hard to escape, and when she discovers a terrible secret about her firm, and when the media learns that the former legal star is scrubbing toilets for a living, her life becomes more complicated than ever.

A fun read! It's the latest by the author of the Shopoholic series (which I find very funny).