Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I have read some from Sophie Kinsella, but not all of them. This was a delight, and I was happy to receive and read it. I think I'll be reading more of her previously published titles. This was really cute, about marriage and family. The characters were well done, and this was not only funny, but touching. It also felt real.

Compared to the first books this is a little bit boring, it drags and drags for a while and then, as a long time reader of Sophie Kinsella, I was waiting for the final clarification and of course there was and the regular happy ending, but in a way I was a little bit disappointed just because.

Paragonati con i suoi primi libri, questo non é il solito spumeggiante romanzo dove é facile scoppiare a ridere almeno una volta per ogni pagina, anzi mentre aspettavo la chiarificazione finale da dove sarebbe emerso il regolare e tipico finale felice, mi sono accorta che mi stavo annoiando. Quindi direi che questo libro mi ha un po' deluso, forse perché piú noioso o forse perché.

This author never disappoints — she puts terrific characters in believable situations, and she lets them (and the reader) feel just the right amount of discomfort. When a young couple’s doctor tells them on their tenth anniversary that they’ll probably live long enough to be married 68 years, they panic: how will they keep it fresh? But their manic, hilarious (and expensive) attempts to surprise each other come dangerously close to breaking them up. A fun read.

Sylvie and Dan are married with twins, but on visiting a doctor they find they are so healthy they have a possible 68 years together. Panic sets in and neither is sure how they should feel, on one had that great but on the other, that’s a long time. To keep their marriage alive and to stop it getting dull, Sylvie decides they should surprise each other.What happens is typical of most women and Sylvie can’t not know when Dan tries to surprise her and nothing goes to plan.
The book is funny, caring and heartfelt. It deals with emotions and family, it is powerful to make the reader think, but not to strong to feel you are being preached to. The characters are warm and friendly along with cuckoo where some are concerned. I seriously loved Mrs Kendrick who Sylvie works for & found myself thinking of ways to drag in the 21st century but keeping the tradition she loves. Totally brilliant & easy read, completed in one day. Read all Sophie Kinsella books and this Is another one of hers that I would definitely recommend.

Sophie Kinsella always creates such fun and believable characters and this book is no exception. I snorted I laughed so loud. I’m never disappointed with her books and I highly recommend this one.

Imagine getting your annual physical and learning that you and your husband are both so healthy that you are going to have 60+ more years of marriage together. That’s a lot of years. It can make one pause and think about how many more meals they will have together, how many more times they will have sex with the same person and hope that you continue to make one another happy and satisfied for all those decades. Forever is a long time.

Kinsella’s witty characters, Sylvie in particular can’t help but freak out a little bit. She wants to spice up the marriage. After all she and Dan know everything about each other and are perfectly able to complete each other’s sentences. She decides that they need to start surprising each other and that its when the fun really begins.

The surprises don’t always delight, they aren’t always appreciated but they are certainly memorable. Sylvie gets so wound up. She lets her imagination run rampant and quite possibly her husband isn’t who she thought he was after all. Kinsella takes us and her characters on a funny emotional roller coaster ride and it’s a surprise for sure!

I received an advance review copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a well-done novel that starts off with a light, chick-lit tone. Sometimes you just need a book that has a humorous take on life and love. After Dan and Sylvie, who have been together for ten years since they were twenty-two, are told by their doctor they can each live to be one hundred, they have mutual breakdowns thinking about how they will possibly fill that much time together. Already, they can finish each other’s sentences and they seem to be able to read each other’s minds. So, to keep things fresh, they decide to make an effort to surprise each other. No easy feat when they are parents to rambunctious five-year-old twin girls and busy with careers of their own.

For a time, this does seem like a frothy novel about keeping the spark alive in marriage before it becomes a deeper look at relationships between family, husbands and wives, work, and yourself. It’s when this novel goes deeper that I really enjoyed it.

They start off by surprising each other with exotic lingerie and sex in unlikely locales, but ultimately they surprise each other discovering that there is infinitely more to learn about each other—and themselves.

This book is touching and funny and fun. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to review this novel.

"Surprise Me" by Sophie Kinsella

Unlike some other books by Sophie Kinsella, this book is a standalone.

I was attracted to this book firstly because of the author, and second the description. A young couple who comes to the sudden revelation that they have the rest of their life together (68 years with one person). It was fun to read what they went through to improve and renew their relationship.

The secondary story is an undertone of a historical scandal that comes forward again. This underling story kept the lives of the characters interesting.

It was a nice, light read but I wasn't 'wowed' by the story. Certainly give it a read!

Netgalley #SurpriseMe
Book Published: February 13, 2018
Review Published: January 19, 2018

This is my second Sophie Kinsella book and I really enjoyed it. Her writing is fun and fresh while taking on an undertone of seriousness about some serious matters.

Sophie Kinsella does not disappoint. This is a funny clever book. Fun reading and lots of good laughs.

No other author provides an escape from reality for me quite like Sophie Kinsella, I’ve been a fan of hers for years and picking up one of her books is always a treat for me. Her books are pure, lighthearted, entertainment and are always fun, and though I didn’t like Sylvie as much as my beloved Becky Bloomwood I did enjoy her and lost myself in her story easily.

This definitely had Kinsella’s signature charm and wit, she has the ability to craft quirky, lovable heroines who are the every woman that any of us can relate to. Sylvie is a typical wife and mother living a typical life and her struggles in her marriage were all too familiar. Her and Dan have been together for ten years and are happy enough, but they find they can always improve on that happiness, right? Enter project surprise me and in true Kinsella style hilarity ensues.

I found parts of this to be predictable but sometimes there’s comfort in predictability. I may be annoyed if I can spot a twist in a thriller but in a lighter, easy read, I’m not bothered and I surely wasn’t here. I suppose that’s because I was lost in the story and just having such a good time reading this, but whatever the reasoning was I adored every page.

Surprise Me in three words: Witty, charming and amusing.

Surprise Me was just an all-around delightful read. This novel was brimming with all of the humor, interesting, charming characters, and clever, witty writing that I expect from a book by Sophie Kinsella, but it was also filled with so much heart. I am always drawn to books about married life, and this one piqued my interest and captivated me right from the very beginning.

When we exchange wedding vows with our significant other, I think that we all believe that the relationship will last forever, but how long is forever? When Dan and Sylvie Winter learn that they are the epitome of good health, they also discover that they could have another sixty-eight years left to live. While this news would sound good to most people, Dan and Sylvie didn’t exactly rush off to crack open a bottle of champagne to celebrate. They immediately begin to worry, do calculations, lose sleep, and dwell on how stagnant and monotonous their lives will become. But if they can come up with ways to surprise each other, this will keep their marriage vibrant and interesting, right? Well…it certainly made it entertaining for readers.

What made this book work so well was that it was all very relatable. Sylvie and Dan were a normal couple with all of the normal responsibilities, challenges, and family woes – with some added shenanigans to make it interesting, of course. After ten years together, their marriage was solid, but their lives had become predictable and routine. The story is told from Sylvie’s point of view, and I loved being inside her head and witnessing everything unfold from her perspective. Despite all of the mishaps and miscommunication, this couple’s journey was rife with sincerity and love.

I think I spent the majority of my time with a smile on my face, laughing, or reading passages to my husband. I was completely invested in this couple’s marriage. While much of the story was lighthearted, there was also a deeper emotional aspect to it. I’m not sure if there are many authors who can make me teary-eyed one minute and then have me giggling a couple of pages later. Surprise Me had sweetness, sexiness, angst, tension, and even a few shocking revelations. Sophie Kinsella even ended up surprising me!

*4.5 Stars

Sylvie and Dan are *that couple.* They finish each other’s sentences, read each other’s minds, and know everything about each other. At their annual checkup, the doctor informs them both that they are in extraordinary health and will live a full, long life together - 68 more years. To keep things fresh and add a little mystery, Sylvie suggests Project Surprise Me, and after a few failed surprises, a real marital mystery unfolds.

Not my favorite Sophie Kinsella book. As always, the characters are really fun and the writing is great, but I felt like the plot of this one was a little more predictable and not that exciting (especially given it's a book called "Surprise Me"). Still an enjoyable read, but I didn't fly through it like I have some of her other books.

Based on the reviews, a lot of readers loved this book. While me on the other hand hmm... I'm not on board with this one. The characters are likeable and very real. Sylvie and Dan were blessed with long life. Sylvie got so focused around her family life, that she didn't notice What is lurking hidden behind.
The book was funny and entertaining, but there are times that the book is boring that I skipped or skimmed through the pages. I almost did not finish, however I kept on reading thinking that I love her previous books and that this book deserves a fair review. It has its ups and downs, and sadly the story just keeps going down. Would I recommend this book? Probably not. I am a big fan and still am, I felt very honored to be given this chance to review her book. It makes me sad to give this a low rating and unfortunately, I can't give this a 👍.

3.5 out of 5. It was a good read but not as good as her previous novels.

I love to read anything by Sophie Kinsella so I was excited to receive an advance copy to review. This book started out a little rough to get into and seemed to be somewhat confusing at times. I stuck it through and was pleasantly surprised and relieved to see the story come together. Once again, the author was able to weave a truly enjoyable story, just give yourself a little time to delve into the tale, you won't be disappointed.

I am usually a big fan of Sophia Kinsella's stand alone novels. And I was super excited to get this ARC. However, I was not a fan of this novel. I felt like the book had alot of unneeded fluff and I found myself skimming it just to be done. It wasn't horrible but often times it was super boring.

When you have been married to someone for a long time, it is easy to become complacent and believe that you know everything there is to know about your spouse. But do you really? Can we ever know all there is to know about another person? Surprise Me! explores this question and the ties that bind us for better or worse. Dan and Sylvie seem to be the perfect couple. Sylvie is princess pretty and she and Dan both have good jobs, a lovely home and beautiful twin daughters. However, a ripple in the seemingly perfect pond of their marriage grows ever wider after an annual doctor’s visit when they discover that their good health may enable them to live to one hundred years of age or possibly even longer. Questions about the meaning of aging, how couples adjust and readjust their relationship as they age, and what exactly is a perfect marriage are all asked in laugh-out-loud scenes. Handled by another writer, these questions could become ponderous and even maudlin, however under the deft hand of Sophie Kinsella these questions become totally relatable and hilarious. This is absolutely the funniest book that I have read in some time and I have been recommending it to everyone. Put this one on your reading list now!!

Gotta love me some Sophie Kinsella. The plotlines of her books never fail to amaze, and the quirk and comedy of the writing is always guaranteed to be a winner.

I've been a fan of Kinsella for years, and I have to say that while this isn't her best, it's certainly up there. The progression of the story was surprising, but satisfying. I'd read the excerpt well over a month ago and it got me really excited for this. I was expecting a story consisting of just hi-jinx after disaster of husband and wife trying to one up the other with surprises to keep the marriage fresh. I was pleasantly surprised (pardon me) to find that not only was there a much more deeper thread winding through the story in regards to couples and marriage, but there was also a larger character changing plotline that gave the story a big twist. I'll admit, I somewhat guessed the twist that came, but nowhere near the extremes and consequences of what played out. Kinsella downright astounded me with the last half of this story. It was weirdly intense for such a light start and hard to put down.

As far as main characters go, I think this is a change for Kinsella. This is the first novel where the main character is married with children. And before you pounce on me, yes, I'm aware Becky, star of the Shopaholic series is too, but it took a few books to get to that point. I have a feeling it's almost a glimpse into Kinsella's own home life, and I quite enjoyed that. While the focus is not on a twenty something, independent working woman trying to fall in love, this was no less better. The focus of Sylvie already being in love and established in life was a nice change. I really enjoyed being inside Sylvie's head. Kinsella's written voice is as strong as ever, but sometimes I do wish she would switch it up a little or tone it down a bite.

While I thought the entire story would be just hi-jinxes and disasters, the first half filled with it was a delight. There are few authors that make me laugh out loud while I read, and Kinsella did not disappoint. Where she gets her idea, I'll never know, but I'm envious to say the least.

While an enjoyable read, this isn't my favorite of Sophie Kinsella's stand alone books. There's a lot going on - many different plots that do eventually blend together, but it takes a while to get there. I found less laugh out loud moments in this book than one of her other titles such as Undomestic Goddess or My Not So Perfect Life. I think that might have to do with the main characters. Sylvie didn't leap off the page in the way Becky Bloomwood does, and Dan seemed kind of one dimensional. However, there is something magical about Sophie Kinsella's books. Even if they're not my favorite I still have a hard time putting them down! Once I started this book I wanted to keep devouring it!