Love Your Life is everything you would expect from a Sophie Kinsella novel: short, sweet, and swoony! Love Your Life centers around a unique concept: Ava meets the love of her life at a writer's retreat. Matt is a great guy (he could even be *the one*) but, when they get home from their unplanned romantic getaway they discover that they might not be so compatible after all. While their romantic chemistry is still there, their lives are so incompatible, it is hilarious. Ava and Matt want to make things work… but at what cost? Be sure to pick up this book if you are looking for a light and fun(ny) read! Added bonus: absolutely adorable dogs and killer BFFs!!

DNF @ 20% I just can’t buy in to the main protagonist. She seems stupid and vapid. I like her friends WAY more than her. I like her DOG more than her. And my dislike of her yields my dislike of Dutch - she seems like an “any guy will do” type person and so I can’t buy into him either. I used to LOVE Sophie Kinsella but I think there’s just better and smarter romance out there these days that the same old tricks don’t cut it anymore. Thank you for the advanced copy - I just couldn’t get into it.

This was a cute, fun rom-com of a book that I enjoyed reading. I found parts to be laugh out loud funny and generally enjoyed this lighthearted book. While I found certain aspects of the characters and their incompatible lives to be a bit exaggerated at times, it didn't significantly detract from the book for me. My one criticism is that the ending wrapped up SO quickly - there was so much action and I wanted a little more depth to that last part of the story! Otherwise, I think fans of Sophie Kinsella (or anyone looking for something light and breezy to read right now) will definitely enjoy this next release!

Sophie Kinsella’s stories are a hit or miss for me and unfortunately this is another miss. The insta-love between the two characters happens very quickly but then all the drama and differences between the characters were enough that I lost interest in the story and wondered why they even kept trying. Ava was pretty immature and one of my pet peeves is when people don’t finish what they start and maybe that was part of my issue with the story so maybe others will enjoy it but I did not.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

There is something so splendid about picking up a Sophie Kinsella book. You know that it will be the perfect mix of laugh out loud funny and realistic yet endearing romance. When I start reading, I know I'm in for a treat. Love Your Life was just the book I needed during this stressful time in our lives.

Ava has recently booked a stay at a writers retreat in Italy in hopes of finally taking time to finish her novel. The attendees aren't allowed to give their real names or any personal information to the other attendees so that they may only focus on their work. While not on the lookout for romance, Ava does meet "Dutch". Their romance blossoms in this unique bubble of the writers retreat, but doesn't give them much opportunity to learn about what their lives are like back home. When they return home, Ava and Matt a/k/a "Dutch" have a lot to learn about each other. As you might imagine, that is just the beginning of all the fun in store for you when reading Love Your Life.

I truly enjoyed this novel so much and appreciated the break from reality to just dive into Ava's world. It isn't often enough that I read a book that is laugh out loud funny and I love Sophie Kinsella for providing me those moments. Love Your Life is a really fun and rewarding read.

I received this book courtesy of Dial Press Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors, and I love how every single one of her stories are wonderful and unique in their own ways, AND they are absolutely keeping up with the times! Love Your Life is the story of Ava and her modern struggle with.. you guessed it.. dating, and dating apps? What?

An all too familiar world we live in, especially now. During these uncertain times of quarantine and social distancing, how is anyone supposed to me the one? It’s a super funny, relatable, adorable novel. I didn’t want it to end, and now who knows how long I’ll have to wait for Sophie Kinsella’s next book! They’re always a wonderful treat to look forward to.

Love Your Life has the humor we like, the smiles we want out of a story, and the romance we are always looking for! Both in real life and in our favorite books lol!

Love Your Life might come at just the right time for a lot of readers. It’s filled with hope, a beautiful story of inner strength and self love.

A feel-good, breezy romcom, Sophie Kinsella’s Love Your Life stars Ava and Matt, who meet at a writers’ retreat in an idyllic Italian coastal monastery. The rules of the retreat demand anonymity from one’s fellow writers and separation from one’s everyday life, and that plus the holiday atmosphere mean the pair fall in love without even having learned one another’s real names. They’re so in love, surely this is the real thing, right? But when they return to London, certain they’ll find a way to make the relationship continue into their real lives, they realize that maybe a romantic meet-cute is only the beginning.

This is the first of Kinsella’s books I’ve read, and I get the hype now. This book was just plain fun. It’s easy, it’s readable (for 432 pages, it sped by), it clips along hitting all the satisfying points with just enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. The characters are a bit over the top, in a good way. This is most clearly with the leads, flighty, optimistic Ava and stolid, logical Matt, but there’s a fun ensemble of side characters helping them out. You can’t ever really fault Love Your Life as slow or dragging; in fact, the opposite is more true, since the ending comes crashing through like a roller coaster taking a sudden nosedive (so much time passing and events happening in so few pages!). Still, it’s a fun read with engaging characters and genuine conflict, perfect for reading on holiday or by the beach, ideally a summery Italian beach with the love of your life.

(Content warning for animal injury late in the book.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the advance review copy!

At a writing retreat the students are urged to use a fake name and share no details of their life. Ava 'Aria' meets 'Dutch' and it's attraction at first sight. When she finds out the attraction is mutual and they start a relationship, Ava finds it hard to continue writing her novel without adding details of her new relationship.
After the retreat ends, things become more complicated. 'Dutch' aka Matt is the wealthy heir to the family business and constantly in communication with his father about work...sometimes at inopportune moments. Ava is addicted to her Whatsapp account, keeping constant contact with her close group of friends, even during sex. They seem to have absolutely nothing in common and their idyllic romance in Italy seems farther and farther apart from their real lives. Can they work out their differences or was it not meant to be?
Ava's super flighty always optimistic attitude was a little annoying. The fact that she expected him to give up his apartment and become vegetarian made me mad. But I love how attached she is to her dog, Harold. The humorous bits about the trouble he gets into were the best parts of the story.
Thank you to The Dial Press and Sophie Kinsella for the copy of this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

When I want to read a fun, upbeat romance, Sophie Kinsella has become one of my go-to authors. Love Your Life, her latest novel, is about what it takes to make a relationship work. After a whirlwind holiday romance, Ava and Matt must figure out how to continue their relationship. This book has romance, hilarious situations, and an endearing group of characters. It would be a wonderful read while you're cooped up in your home.


What I Liked:

Romance:

At first, I didn't quite buy how quickly Ava and Matt hook up during a writing retreat in Italy. While the romance was idyllic, I was put off a bit by how quickly the couple declared their undying love for each other. But, this is the set up for the rest of the book. How can they really be in love when they hardly know each other?

But, as they learn to navigate each other like they were visiting exotic countries, they find out if they can really love each other. I think this is a major thing for most couples to figure out. Can sexual chemistry be the only thing to sustain a couple? How much do you need to have in common?


Hilarious Situations:

As Ava tries to learn more about Matt, she must entered the mine-field that is his family, his unusual roommates, and an array of exes. This leads to many really fun situations. Ever the optimist, Ava tries to find the best in each situation. This can't be easy as his mother is still enamored with perfect Genevieve, the Instagram-ready ex who has ingratiated herself into Matt's family. I really loved the Harriet's House convention where Ava finally comes to understand just how much Matt's family business has become a cultural phenomenon. And Ava's meet up with Matt's aunt (in a sauna) has got to be one of the funniest things I've read in a while.


Friends:

Both Ava and Matt have friends that are a big part of their lives. Ava's friends are supportive and fill the gap where Ava's parents should be. There's Maud, who is always asking for a favor, Sarika, who is addicted to dating apps, and Nell, who is strong, but does need help with managing her chronic illness. They are loud, funny, and opinionated. Matt's friends seem to be exact opposites of Ava's besties. Topher is a tech guru who is obsessed with robots, and the internet, and Nahil, who, besides being very kind, doesn't like people. Matt and his roommate's flat is a total man-cave, complete with strange art and a color scheme that could best be described as modern gothic. I loved how Ava and Matt learns to appreciate each group, and each group interacts with the other.

Thank you to Random House, Dial Press, and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 Stars!

Sophie Kinsella does it again (were you expecting anything different?)! Ava decides that an Italian retreat is exactly what she needs to get her life back on track. Leaving behind her adorable dog she packs up and heads to a writers retreat where you're required to live under a pseudonym throughout the duration of the program. Ava quickly develops feelings for Matt and they decide to give the relationship a go once they leave the retreat. What makes this story great is that it breaks the trope of a fantasy vacation affair and shows what it's like once you return back to your normal life. Sometimes relationships aren't easy, and when they leave the comfort of the writers retreat, reality shines a new life on Ava and Matt.

I am a big Sophie Kinsella fan, so naturally I was very excited to read an ARC of "Love Your Life". The story stars Ava and Matt, two people who have an instant connection at a writer's retreat, where they use fake names. Once they're reunited back in their "normal" lives in London, readers are taken on a journey of hilarious ups and downs, and heartfelt conversations. If it weren't 40* where I live right now, I would definitely recommend this as a classic beach read due to its' funny, light subject matter.

This was very cute and exactly what fans of Sophie Kinsella have come to expect from the author. Main character Ava reminds me a lot of Becky from the Shopaholic series- she's perilously idealistic and kind, and trusts others to her detriment. The ending takes a bit of a turn and there's a plot element I didn't really care for, but this was generally a fun and sweet story.

I am a huge Sophie Kinsella fan, I read everything she writes good and not so good, so you can imagine I was super excited to get an advanced reader’s copy of this book. This book started off so strong, but I was left struggling with how I felt about this book.

This book begins when Ava leaves London to go to a writer’s retreat in Italy. When she get’s there the instructor has said that she does not want people to get personal with each other and in fact you will pick an anonymous name to go by, while they are in the program. Ava becomes Aria and she quickly develops a crush on Dutch. During the week they have a love affair for the ages and have decided they want to make this relationship work permanently.

When Ava “Aria” and Matt “Dutch” get back they struggle to get accustomed to this new relationship while they in their real worlds. They have agreed to no baggage, however that quickly breaks down as they discover things about each other.

Per usual, Kinsella gives us a lot of humor, and I found myself laughing a lot. However, this is where I was torn, once they are back in London, I found Matt to be significantly lacking, and could not understand why Ava stayed with him. It felt like she was always questioning everything that was related to him.

This has a typical romance trope, so she eventually does come to her senses and dumps him, but of course Matt does redeem himself in a big way, which totally saves the story for me. This is a fun read, if you know going into this, you will probably not like Matt except for the bookends of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:⭐️⭐⭐️.5/ 5 stars

I needed a little light romantic fiction in my life and Sophie Kinsella’s new book was exactly what I needed. I loved the Confessions of a Shopaholic series - it was so funny and even the movie! This story follows Ava who heads to Italy for a writer’s retreat where you do not disclose your real name or personal history to the other attendees so you can focus on your writing and keep your own creative energy/ideas. Ava’s friends (who she is very engaged with in this book) believe in the dating algorithms where you can pinpoint the perfect relationship. Ava believes in just pure chemistry and NO dealbreakers. In Italy, of course, she meets “Dutch” who exudes everything she would want in a partner and they have a whirlwind romance - without even knowing each other's names, age, jobs, etc. Back in London, they try to maintain their relationship after reality sets in - where they know what the other is really like. Ava is carefree, a strict vegetarian,loves aromatherapy, has a very naughty untrained dog Harold, and likes to rescue books, furniture, etc. “Dutch” aka Matt comes from a wealthy family that owns Harriets Dollhouses, has recent ex gf that is parents love(of course), serious job with long hours, uncomfortable bed, and intolerance for dogs in the bed. This story follows the struggles to adapt a relationship based on just pure chemistry when you throw in other usually “deal breaker” traits into a relationship.

There were a few parts of the book that made me laugh so out loud - I really loved Matt/Dutch and his character mainly because he has that “Darcy”esque trait - it also reminds me of Dharma & Greg, that show from the late 90s where the lawyer falls in love with that hippie yoga teacher Dharma. The story was a fun quick read - The only con for me was how annoying Ava was - just her inability to just look after her own safety and not be so unfocused. It’s her character flaw, I get it but even I was thisclose to breaking up with her myself. Also, I found it a bit unbelievable that a man that was a bit well-off to have so many roommates over the age of 30? Maybe that’s just me.. ?

Thank you to @dial press and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! This book is out Oct 27th!

I can always count on Sophie Kinsella’s books to put a smile on my face. Love Your Life was just another example of why I enjoy her novels. It was lighthearted, fun, witty, and had a great cast of characters that kept me entertained.

One of the elements that I always appreciate is this author’s ability to create interesting, quirky characters. They are always characters that I am able to connect with on some level. Yes, their antics and personalities are sometimes over the top, but they are there to entertain us, bring some levity to our own lives and, honestly, who couldn’t use a good laugh these days? But most of all, the characters are likable and have me cheering them on, wanting them to get their happily ever after. All of the characters are wonderful. The secondary characters are equally as entertaining and likable, and I felt as though I could see myself having a glass of wine and chatting with them, too.

Ava is a bubbly, positive, dog-loving woman. She has eclectic taste, and her personality is as bright as her wardrobe and design choices. She has ambition, however, with her propensity for finding new interests and hobbies, her attention is sometimes pulled in different directions. She’s a romantic at heart who believes that it is completely possible to find a connection with someone authentically, apps not required. Did I mention that she loves dogs? Her true love is Harold, her precocious Beagle, who in her eyes does no wrong. Oh, but in everyone else’s eyes, he certainly does!

When Ava meets Matt at a writing retreat in Italy, they actually meet as Aria and Dutch. Since this retreat requires them to focus on writing and not getting distracted by getting overly acquainted with their fellow classmates, they not only have pseudonyms, but they are not allowed to discuss their real lives. This set up works out well for Aria and Dutch. Their attraction is strong, and they get along famously in their little romantic bubble, however, when they return to London with their actual names and real lives, things aren’t quite as easy. Their differences are plentiful, and their compatibility is not as clear cut. Were they too different to last long term? I certainly wanted to find out.

As always, Kinsella delivers a story that is full of heart, hijinks, mishaps, and plenty of humor. There is never a dull moment in this novel. I was invested in the story and the characters from the first page until the last.

I enjoyed Ava’s growth within this story. She had preconceived notions about falling in love and finding her proper match, but she realized that she had to be content and comfortable with her own life without needing to change or have her partner change to suit her. Ava loved her life and her quirks. But if I had to guess, I would still say that she loved Harold the most.

I’m already looking forward to the next book by Sophie Kinsella.

*4 Stars

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sophie Kinsella has always been a comfort women's fiction/romance author for me. Her writing is full of humor and flows well. This one was no exception. My issue with this book was the plot. Ava and Matt fell in love during a week long retreat using fake names and knowing nothing personal about each other. Then they are determined to keep their "relationship" going after heading back home. Turns out, they pretty much have nothing in common. I wasn't really buying their relationship and Ava was really annoying to me. I kept waiting for them to break up and I thought she would end up liking one of his roommates. It was like a train wreck that you couldn't stop watching (reading in this case). The only thing that really redeemed it for me was their friends. I loved how they all came together in times of crisis to support each other, no questions asked.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.


If anyone is looking for an example of how good communication is key to a relationship and bad communication can almost ruin it – this is it. As I read the book, I couldn’t help but feel that if Ava and Matt had only talked earlier before their differences piled on top of differences and became almost insurmountable, things would have been a lot easier for their relationship. But then watching them in action is the reason for the book. It’s too bad that I got more and more annoyed with both of them as the book progressed. I think readers will either like or dislike the book based on whether they feel Ava is endearing and fun or maddening and annoying.


The “opposites attract” trope is full on here. Ava is exuberant, free spirited, and spinning into eighteen directions at the same time. Her beloved dog Harold (who has never had an obedience lesson in his life but who desperately needs them) fits her personality. Matt on the other hand is quiet, controlled, logical, and at many points of the book totally bewildered by her. He sticks it out and rolls with the punches.

I would have loved to have spent some time in Matt’s calm POV because to me Ava, while having good intentions, is exhausting. Ava is judgmental. Ava is demanding. Ava is delusional. Ava is preachy. Sometimes Ava’s “I’m so quirky and optimistic” vibe got on my last nerve. Ava’s a bottle rocket with a perpetually lit fuse just waiting for Matt to disappoint her so she can get frustrated with him then hiss at him in undertones while pretending everything’s hunky dory. In her head, Ava invents how she thinks things are and then acts surprised and miffed when she realizes that this isn’t reality. She seems to think all she has to do is announce to Matt how he should change his life and he will.

Ava is also the bane of the existence of other dog owners who manage to keep their beloved furry pets from totally destroying some one’s home and belongings or starting things with other dogs in public. Ava seems to feel that Harold is expressing himself and being free spirited but I think he’s a menace and I’m a dog lover. One of her friends also has unsupervised children I would flee from if I saw them coming. Matt can be pill, too, as he usually doesn’t say much and has the backbone of a wet noodle.

Yet Ava is also a supporting friend who will drop everything at a moment’s notice and help. She and her (often rude, weird) friends put up with each other’s foibles and issues and back each other (sometimes loudly, bolshy-ly, in your face-ly in ways that made me cringe) as best friends do. She also sees that Matt is miserable and cares enough to eventually track down and nail what is behind his family and job issues because getting the information from Matt is like pulling teeth. When Ava and Matt finally erupt about all the things the other does that infuriate them, I can’t help but feel they’re both right – because they are. How will things be solved? I didn’t know because up to this point, they really haven’t communicated at all.

Honestly this part is problematic for me as we get the dreaded “Seven months later” followed by “Six months later” chapter headings. Then Ava tells us in retrospect what has happened during those months. It’s the ultimate “tell don’t show.” It’s like a long epilogue followed by another long epilogue. Ava and Matt finally do talk (and it was about time!) and actually seem to listen (though how long this will last is any one’s guess). There are “I’m sorrys” but then with a sprinkling of fairy glitter, most of the rest of their problems are magically explained away. Voila, HEA. I felt a bit shortchanged. No, I felt a lot shortchanged. D

📖BOOK REVIEW📖

🌟🌟🌟💫 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

Love Your Life is my first Sophie Kinsella book (I know..I’m appalled too) and it was a very cute story. Love Your Life tells the story of Ava and Matt who quickly fall in love while at a remote writers’ retreat where they are not allowed to use their real names or any personal information. Their love affair in this bubble seems perfect until reality sets in. Once back in London, the two begin to realize just how different they are. Can they overcome their differences and rediscover what made them fall in love in the first place?

Although very predictable, this book was an easy, enjoyable read. The characters, particularly the friends, were a highlight. I laughed out loud many times and loved the banter. However, I wish I was more invested in the romance. The story hinges on an “insta-love” connection between the two and that is unfortunately one of my least favorite romcom tropes. I became frustrated with Ava because of how she acted in some situations which took away from my love of the book as a whole.

Overall, Love Your Life is a sweet, easy to read love story with great dialogue. I will definitely be checking out Sophie Kinsella’s backlist. Make sure to pick up a copy of Love Your Life when it releases on 10/27/2020!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Kinsella’s new rom-com Love Your Life follows Ava, a young woman who has very strong opinions when it comes to love and romance. Ava is not a fan of dating apps and the power of the almighty algorithms. A romantic at heart, she believes that the path to love can only be found out in the real world, not behind a computer screen. She is therefore beyond thrilled when she meets the man of her dreams while she’s in Italy at a writing retreat. The philosophy behind the retreat is that nothing should get in the way of writing, especially nothing personal. Therefore, the participants go by fake names and reveal nothing personal about themselves to the rest of the group. Ava and Mr. Perfect can’t resist each other and end up spending nearly the entire retreat together, skipping classes, cliff diving, and yes, having passionate sex. The romance is everything Ava could want it to be, and when, at the end of the retreat, she learns that Mr. Perfect’s name is Matt and he lives in London not far from where she lives, life couldn’t be better. Or could it?

Once the real world encroaches on her fantasy, things with Matt aren’t nearly as perfect as Ava thought they were. What appeared to be perfect compatibility in Italy suddenly appears to be the exact opposite. Ava and Matt don’t have the same taste in food, art, music, décor, and even in mattresses. She meets his parents and they’re awful to her and constantly throw the name of Matt’s ex in her face. Ava puts on a brave face and tries to pretend that everything is still picture perfect, but deep down, she starts to wonder if she and Matt have anything at all in common. Ava wants her Italian fantasy romance back, but since that’s not possible, she knows she and Matt need to figure out if they have a path forward.

Love Your Life has a lot of things going for it. It was of course very entertaining to watch Ava and Matt try to navigate the awkwardness of their relationship and I was also a huge fan of Ava’s crazy rescue beagle, Harold who was an adorable scene stealer, and of each of their quirky friend groups. Their hilarious banter and comical antics had me chuckling to myself every time they appeared in scenes. I also found both Ava and Matt quite likeable, although I do have to admit that Ava could be a little frustrating. I loved her big heart and especially her need to rescue things, be it animals, old furniture, discarded houseplants, etc. She was such a lovely and colorful character, but at the same time, that huge heart and her desire to always look on the bright side of things made her seem almost ridiculous at times when she was trying to pretend to everyone (and to herself) that her relationship with Matt was perfect. Thankfully Ava finally does open her eyes and eventually shows some growth as the story progresses. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have enjoyed the story nearly as much.

Even with my initial frustration with Ava, I still found Love Your Life to be a charming and fun romance, sure to please all you romantics out there. 3.5 STARS

Having heard a lot of buzz about Sophie's books I guess I came to this book with high expectations. I was intrigued with the the writer's retreat in Italy and the sudden attraction to Dutch, but once they got together, even before they returned home I already found it difficult to see things unfold after they fall in love within days of meeting each other but knowing nothing other than their attraction. Back home things begin to unravel the moment they land and find out their real names (I know, but I read on).meeting family and friends only make things more uncomfortable but not more so than finding out he still works closely with his ex. At this point I would have really felt for Ava but I found I didn't really like her and her tween attitude and actually was feeling for Matt. I decided to finish the book just hoping it would turn around and luckily it got a bit better, but the overall damage was done and felt disconnected with them both. Really wanted to like it more.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest review .