I'm so glad I received an ARC from the publishers via netgalley. That doesn't effect my opinion in any way.


I've been a fan of Sophie Kinsella for years and I was super excited to see she had a new book coming out! At first I had a really hard time connecting to the book and the characters, Sylvie and Dan. After being told they're healthy at a check up and they may have sixty eight more years together they panic. My husband personally is my best friend and I love spending time with him. I'd love to have that time. When I mentioned it to him he felt the same. So I was a little iffy at that point. And with the initial surprises they do to keep it interesting.

But as the surprises went on and the twists came in I definitely became more interested and invested. I tried to guess ahead at the ending but I was surprised with what eventually became the "twist". I started to like Sylvie more and really enjoy the book.

Four out of five stars for the rocky start for me!

Add this one to your To-Read list because you are going to love it. Sophie Kinsella’s new book, Surprise Me, is exactly what you expect from this author, a funny, endearing main character plus some good intentions that of course, go awry. I read this one quickly, its very cute and fun and the perfect escape for a few hours.

After ten years together, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, and beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly they finish each other’s sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it’s casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years . . . and panic sets in.

They decide to bring surprises into their marriage to keep it fresh and fun. But in their pursuit to execute Project Surprise Me—from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to sexy photo shoots—mishaps arise, with disastrous and comical results. Gradually, surprises turn to shocking truths. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all.

Sophie is such a skilled writer, drawing readers into the story and keeping us intrigued with how things are going to play out. Fans of women’s fiction will love Surprise Me.

What to say about this book?

Despite giving it 2 stars, I can say that there were a few things I did like. I do enjoy the way Kinsella writes as she avoids that trap of giving way too many details, making the story overly boring and long for no reason. She also has a way with dialogue and always infuses some humor in her books.

My problems with this book are twofold - 1) the premise is absolutely ridiculous - so ridiculous that I can't even suspend my disbelief. 68 years together OMG???? because you will live to be super old - yup, pretty silly. 2) I hated the Sylvie and the mother characters so much that I wanted to scream. They both had the mental capacity of 15 year olds and neither had one redeeming feature. Also, Sylvie was soooo whiny and it was constant!

Also, while I realize that characters who cannot speak up for themselves are a great way to propel a story forward, they are also a great way to piss off your readers. Between Dan, Sylvie and her mother - absolutely NONE of them EVER opened their mouths to speak up for themselves nor did they open their mouths to ask basic questions or to share how they felt about anything. The result? a bunch of silly plot lines with weak characters who just let everything go, even if it meant confusion, misunderstandings and pain. I hated that part so much.

Please Sophie Kinsella, can you write a book with humor AND smart characters AND smart plotlines? It seems as though you cannot do all 3 at the same time and that is such a shame.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Kinsella, and Random House for the chance to read the ARC of Surprise Me.

I would like to start off by saying that I love Sophie Kinsella's novels. I've read every last one of them, including Madeleine Wickham novels. I have enjoyed all of them.

This novel was problematic for me. It was well written, the plot was planned perfectly, but I was anxious and agitated the entire time I was reading. Sounds like a personal problem, I know. I read this novel in one shot because I HAD to know how it ended. I HAD to be appeased. Is that a good thing? Absolutely. It keeps readers invested. Even though I was satisfied with how the novel ended, I was still not happy with how it got there. I felt angry at characters. Upset with them. But hey, as I said, it sounds like a personal problem ;) It made me feel things, and that's also something that a good writer does.

I would absolutely recommend this novel to fans of Ms Kinsella's books, or books of the same style or genre.

Thanks to Netgalley I was able to read an ARC from one of my favorite "fun" authors. I look to Sophie Kinsella to entertain me and make me laugh. I had been disappointed in the last two books I have read by her. (My favorite is still The Undomestic Goddess) While this got a bit tiresome and I wanted to wring Slyvie and Dan's necks--communicate please!---I still enjoyed it for a fun diversion. I needed something light to read after plodding my way through 1984 by George Orwell for a second depressing time.

Great tale of how “until death do us part” can bring on a while different thought process. Great read with lively and lovely characters.

Sophie’s books are always a joy to read and this is no exception. This book covers a lot of different topics from previous works, whilst also maintaining the lighter tones and laugh out loud comedy moments we’ve all learnt to love over the years. The words are well crafted and come to life on the page so vividly you’ll feel instantly connected to Sylvie and love seeing how her story plays out.

I was favored with an advance copy of this novel through Netgalley. How would you feel if someone told you that you had 68 more years of marriage left? Dan and Sylvie didn’t take it so well because it sounded like a very long time to them. They already correctly predicted what the other would order at a restaurant. So they decided to surprise each other which went all kinds of awry. But as other parts of their lives, work at the museum for Sylvie and family obligations for Dan, took over, the surprises got put on the back burner. Or did they?

This is a delightful take on marriage and family. Sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and other times poignant and sad. But it’s also a learning experience for the married characters and for the reader should they choose to follow the subtle advice given by the author. I think everyone should read this book.

Sophie Kinsella's latest book is here and once again, she does not disappoint!

Sylvie and Dan have it all - two beautiful daughters, jobs they love, a nice home, and a marriage that others would be jealous of. They know each other so well that they don't even have to finish each other's sentences to be sure they know what the other is going to say. But when a routine medical visit gives them the news that they are both going to live such healthy and long lives that they can look forward to another 68 years together, they are thrown for a loop.

It's not that they don't look forward to spending that time together but when they truly think about it, they wonder just how they're going to keep all the romance and bliss alive. I mean, if they are already in such a routine, how will they keep the next six decades from being boring? So they come up with a plan, starting immediately, to put some oomph back into their lives. It's simple really, they just have to come up with wonderful little surprises they can do for each other on a regular basis.

But what starts out as a great idea turns out not to be so easy after all. Mishap after mishap falls upon them as they try to surprise each other but can't seem to get anything right without the others involvement. And with big changes happening at her job, Sylvie finds herself overwhelmed. And when the biggest bombshell that could ever happen hits her family, Sylvie isn't sure if their marriage is going to make it through the next few weeks, let alone 68 years.

Sophie Kinsella needs no introduction. If you haven't read any of her books, I question where you have been and what you have been doing. She's figured out the formula for writing fabulous and fun books without them ever feeling formulaic. I always look forward to her newest book and am so rarely disappointed (I just pretend that the last few books of the Shopaholic series didn't happen.) And this book takes its rightful place among her best work.

This book had a much deeper feel for me than her past books. For me, it was a much more touching book and the characters and overall tone of the book felt more mature. But there's no need to worry because her trademark wit is still there and there are just as much fun and hijinks. This was a quick, light, weekend read for me and is the book that broke me out of my weeks-long reading slump, something I can always count on Kinsella do. This book is another gem.

hank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I must start off by saying I was really surprised and thrilled to be approved for this title. Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors and I have read all of her books and have never been disappointed. This book was no different and was fantastic!

This book features a couple - Sylvie and Dan. They are happily married with twin girls. Their marriage seems unshakeable until they visit a doctor who pronounces that they are extremely healthy and will have at least another 68 years together. This sets them in a panic. The thoughts and ideas they came up were absolutely hilarious. I laughed aloud at some of their antics. Then there were moments which just made me feel warm inside. This is the thing about Sophie Kinsella's books, they are funny but not fluffy. I always feel like I can relate to the characters and feel really sad when the book ends. I was also in a bit of a rut and this book cheered me up immensely. If you want a feel-good book that will make you laugh, then this is the one for you.

This is a winner as usual. Well done to Sophie Kinsella and the publishers.

Thank you to Netgalley anfpd the publisher for this ARC. I’m a long time fan of Sophie Kinsella. I love the Shopaholic series and Can you keep a secret is an all time fav. I’ve enjoyed Ms. Kinsellas recent books, Twenties Girl and My not so perfect life, but not as much as her earlier writing. Surprise Me has brought me back to once again flying through a book because it’s so great. Sylvie and Dan are great and I really enjoyed the story of the happily married couple with children, yet a wonderfully chaotic life, It was finally a Kinsella book I could relate to.

I enjoy Kinsella’s fun chick lit but I found this to be very slim. The start of the book lingers far too long on a remark made by a physician about potential longevity. We then learn about the ridiculous ways Sylvia tries to spice up her marriage.

Another thin plot is how Sylvie is able to modernize and monetize her job in a little known museum. We meet the kind of male who usually is attracted to the Kinsella heroine, but that plot is also dropped. The meat of this book lies in the suspicions that Sylvie’s Husband Dan is having an affair. It is repetitive and unrealistic and ends with the discovery that her idolized father was involved in a rather sordid relationship.

A very disappointing turn from the usually fun Kinsella.

Surprise Me: A Novel by [Kinsella, Sophie]

Kinsella is my favorite mind-candy read next to Liane Moriarty. This book was great fun.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing and Sophie Kinsella for my ARC of Surprise Me. I’m always grateful for any ARCs which come my way but particularly so when it’s an author that I already love. I’ve been a huge fan of Sophie’s books since I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic and I love her Madeleine Wickham books too. Surprise Me was just as much a treat as her other books, funny, witty, honest and in places bittersweet.

Sylvie and Dan have been together for 10 years, they have 2 beautiful daughters and jobs they enjoy, they’re so close they finish each other’s sentences and know exactly what the other one is thinking. But then a routine visit to the doctors gives them a shock. With the record of good health in their families they are likely to live for another 68 years. Suddenly, the idea of being married for another 68 years doesn’t seem that appealing and for the first time in their lives together Sylvie and dan start having ‘problems.’


The story that follows is equal parts funny and sad as in order to keep their marriage alive Sylvie and Dan try to surprise each other with several failed attempts! If it could go wrong, then it somehow does.

I loved the characters in the book and the battle Sylvie has with herself as she tries to find herself among the perceptions other people have of her. The storyline is sad in places and despite quite a big build up I didn’t figure out what was about to go wrong. I really enjoyed Surprise Me and look forward to its release!

I always enjoy reading Sophie Kinsella books and was delighted to receive an advanced copy of Surprise Me. I really enjoyed this book about marriage, trust and family. I liked the characters especially Sylvie and her twin daughters. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments. A feel good book that will make you smile. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Sophie Kinsella! She is truly a sure thing in my book so I was beyond excited when I saw Surprise Me on Netgalley…I was like hells yeah! The moment I was approved for this book I dove right in and didn’t stop until the very last word!
Sylvie and Dan have been together for ten years and they made their life very comfortable. They have amazing jobs, amazing twins and an amazing relationship. They believe that their marriage is perfect…..all was amazing until they both realize they are together ….for….the….rest…of….their…lives!
So they decide to bring back the spark and execute “surprise me”. I loved this concept! They start sending steamy photos to each other, unexpected restaurant dates but then some surprises turned into secrets and a scandal that makes them question their future!

Surprise me was amazing! I really enjoyed this humorous yet serious book! Sophie knows how to fill her pages with every emotion! That is what I love about her stories! They are life with ups and downs, laughter and tears and best endings EVER!!

Sophie Kinsella is a master storyteller known for multiple laugh out loud women's fiction stories. She continues this tradition with her new novel, Surprise Me. This time her story takes a more serious note as she dives into the concept of marriage. Although humor still abounds, I found Surprise Me to be a deeper social commentary on contemporary relationships. Even though this novel features adult characters, it is never the less, a coming of age story. I loved reading about protagonist Sylvie's journey of personal and interpersonal discovery.

This didn't finish up at ALL like I had thought it would....it truly was a surprise! In true Sophie Kinsella fashion, however, you'll find yourself spiraling through a range of emotions along with the protagonist. Her books are very real-life, the characters are easy to relate to, and the storylines are interesting. All I'll say about the ending is, you'll think you know it, but you don't.

After ten years of marriage, a trip to the doctor has sent Sylvie and Dan into a panic when they find out they could potentially be married for another 68 years. Upon hearing this, the couple devise a plan to keep their relationship fresh, and call it Project Surprise Me. They decide to surprise each other in little ways. Soon, the project is in full swing, and they start to realize they might not know each other as well as they originally thought. It was refreshing to read a romance novel about a couple who has already established their relationship.

Surprise Me
Sophie Kinsella
Available: February 13, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
While I have yet to meet a Sophie Kinsella book that I have not lked, I kind of scratched my head with this one a few times. Maybe it’s because my own father passed away when I was 13 so I never placed him at hero status in my mind and compared all men to him. Maybe it’s because I was never coddled like an infant long after I became an adult. Sylvie does have a great heart and undergoes an epic transformation throughout the novel – both inside and out.
What I loved: My favorite part was when Sylvie was describing a relationship to her mother-in-law; the description of two stores with the entertwining chapters to make one story made me tear up as well. I think the metaphore is so accurate – each person still needs to have their singular, stand alone story that gives them meaning and their own identity, yet when their chapters are entertwined, its something beautiful to read.
What I didn’t love: I think Sylvie’s parents are real pieces of work – it seems like outward appearances mattered far more than how you acted. Dan wasn’t a favorite for a while – if you keep someone in a little box and protect them from everything ; then they are just going to live within the confines of the box and not continue to grow.
What I learned: Some photos are best left to the professionals.
Overall Grade: B+

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