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.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to @RandonHousePublishingGroup-RandomHouse The Dial Press and @NetGalley for the ARC.
I love all of this authors books. I like that they are cute and witty and always end with the lady finding true love. I can always depend on Sophie Kinsella to lighten my day.
Fun read. Perfect for the beach or just anytime.

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 .

I really liked it at first. I struggled through the middle and thought the end was good. Ava and Matt immediately connect and all is well until they go back to real life. Then the problems start. Ava was optimistic and positive to a fault. I felt like it got bogged down in the middle because it was like listening to a teenager talk about the boy she just met, how they are in love, their going to get married. Obstacles? Bah! They don’t matter because they are in LUUUV. It might have been in the wrong mood when I was reading, but I thought it was obnoxious, unrealistic and over the top. Any time the main characters group of friends voiced their objections to her I was nodding right along with them. But, I’m glad I kept going. The characters grow up a little along the way and I ended up liking the choices Ava makes. The end was really sweet and really enjoyed her friends.

What do you do when you fall in love with the perfect guy in the perfect setting? You go back to the real world and realize that you can’t exist in a bubble. This is what happens to Ava and Matt when they return to London and their real selves. Can they remember what it is they love about each other or will the annoyances and differences get in their way?

Sophie Kinsella always makes me laugh and Love Your Life was no exception with some good messaging around it.

This book was really hard for me to get through. It did not hold my attention and I had a really hard time remembering what had happened between sittings. I think that if you are looking for a very easy read that you want to read all at one time this might be a good choice for you. I do think the idea of the book is an interesting one and that some would enjoy this book. It just was not the book for me.

Oh boy, the beginning of this was super cringe-worthy, I wasn't sure whether I would be able to continue. I'm never been a fan of insta-love, but fortunately Kinsella didn't dwell on this for long. Love Your Life is about the hard parts of a relationship: how do two very different people amicably live together?

Ava has her issues (primarily, an inability to finish anything), but Matt's hangups seemed to overshadow her problems. Honestly, at the half-way point I was expecting them to break up, and expected the endgame romantic interest to arrive on the scene. But this is a Romance, and so I felt like Kinsella had them hash out their differences in a mostly-believable manner.

But I also agree with Topher and Nihal that Harold the beagle is an absolute bastard.

Love me, love my dog: upbeat heroine steals the show🤗

I come back to Sophie Kinsella novels time and again because there's such a broad thread of optimism woven into the tone of the story, usually inspired by the heroine. Love Your Life is definitely one such story and I loved the enthusiasm and positivity Ava puts into everything she does.

This is a story of opposites Ava and Matt attracting in an idyllic setting and then coming back to their real, everyday world. Their lives are not as compatible as they had hoped but they both give their romance a shot despite ominous signs that they are not made to last as a couple.

I actually liked Ava much better than Kinsella's Becky of the Shopaholic series. Whereas Becky was obsessed with possessions and the high she derived from shopping, Ava is a champ at rescuing discarded objects and not really materialistic. Rescued dog, rescued furniture, rescued plants, rescued books: Ava is committed to her friends, her dog Harold and her boyfriend. She's scattered and has difficulty honing in on one project to achieve but she's got a good heart and you want her to be happy.

It's been awhile since I've read a Kinsella romance and I was really delighted I picked this one up.

Thanks to publishers Random House/The Dial Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Love Your Life is a quirky, tongue-in-cheek, wildly absurd rom-com in true Sophie Kinsella style. She has such a unique voice as an author, that all of her main characters, regardless of the plot, feel familiar. They are wacky, somewhat simple-minded, eternally optimistic females with a penchant for organic, earthy living choices.

In this particular story, the main character Ava, attends a writing retreat, one of her many pursuits that she rarely follows through on, and meets a man. She immediately falls head over heels in love and they publically declare their commitment to one another. They soon find themselves facing the harsher reality of life back in the real world, along with their many differences they were unaware of.

A majority of the book, which became increasingly tedious, was spent showcasing their blatant differences as we watch their love affair fall apart in grand fashion. It’s rather ridiculous because 99% of their behaviors, interactions and responses would never occur between people in real life. Frankly, I lost interest because it’s a very long book and much of it felt not only repetitive, but also far too silly. The conclusion did little to save this story for me. Suffice it to say that it all wrapped up quite neatly. Lessons were leaned, friendships restored and everyone got the HEA, in one way or another, despite all odds.

I know that many will enjoy this story, because Sophie Kinsella does write in a humorous, unusual, playful manner. You can’t help but laugh at the antics of the characters and the outrageous dialogue and behavior and the moral message she weaves into her craziness. True, you must suspend any kind of belief when reading her stories, but they are quaint, quirky and unusual from other books. It just seems that after having read all of her previous works, if you’ve read one, you’ve basically read them all. I find that personally, I require a little more substance and believability in my fiction.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Ava's gone through a romantic break-up, but is focused on getting the most out of attending a writer's retreat in Italy and hopefully finishing her novel. Everyone is anonymous at the retreat, revealing no personal information, and Ava, going by "Aria," meets "Dutch," an attendee at a martial arts retreat that has been canceled. They hit it off, and when the retreat is over they head back to the real world hoping to make a success of their relationship. There was plenty of humor, charm and fun in this story. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors and I’m so thrilled to be able to share her newest release with you all!
•
Love Your Life is the “happily ever after” after a vacation romance novel ends…or is it? Ava and Matt met on an anonymous writing retreat (where they went by “Aria” and “Dutch”), and after a blissful week of writing, food, and Italian sun, they return to their regular lives, determined to make it work. When the reality of London life comes crashing down on them, can they learn to love each other’s lives?
•
I loved the premise of this novel. We’re treated to the real-life challenges of a budding romance, in classic Kinsella style – it’s hilarious, and I didn’t want to put it down. Ava and Matt are both frustrating at times, and that’s part of the charm of this novel: you can see that they’re both right at different times. Although the book is written from Ava’s perspective, it felt very equally balanced between her and Matt.
•
One highlight of this novel is the friendships. Both Ava and Matt’s circles are full of funny, heartfelt, and warm characters. I adore the supporting cast, especially Sarika, Nell, and Topher. Each character could have their own spin-off, and as always with a Kinsella novel, the neat ending still leaves you wanting more of these delightful characters.
•
This romance transcends tropes, and can’t be placed in a neat box. That’s part of what makes it such a unique, enjoyable read. We don’t often see the relationship after the “romance novel” phase ends, and it’s a refreshing twist on the genre. I give this read four out of five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Love Your Life will be available on October 27th! Thank you to @thedialpress for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ava and Matt meet at a writers retreat in Italy as Dutch and Aria and fall in love, but when they return to their normal lives, they realize they couldn’t be more different. They have to try to navigate being with each other as well as integrating their lives together and it isn’t as easy as they suspected.
When they get home, Matt returns to work at his family business and it’s clear to everyone but him that he is miserable. Ava is all over the place with her career and has no clear plan. Because they never discussed personal things while on the retreat, each new thing that pops up feels like a huge blow to the other. When Ava meets his parents, they are uninviting and basically just want him back with his ex. He doesn’t like staying at her place, and she doesn’t like staying at his, but she makes more sacrifices than he does. He’s broody and moody and I usually love that, but something was off here.
I really loved the premise of this book, but some things just kissed the mark for me. I’m not sure if it was the dog that was talked to like he was human, or Ava’s indecision, or Matt’s lack of confidence with his family, but maybe it was all three. There was also a lot of side characters it was hard to keep up with the names of everyone.p
If you are looking for a light hearted rom com, this book is for you.

Sign up for writing workshop in Italy. Check. Stay anonymous. Check. Use fake name (Aria) and wear uniform of shapeless pajamas. Check. Eat delicious vegetarian meals. Check! Fall madly in love with the also anonymous Dutch. Check???

Coming off a long term relationship, Ava is not ready for the computer, algorithm based dating program her friend Sarita uses. Instead, she chooses to stay home with her delightful rescue beagle Harold, her rescue furniture, her rescue books and her rescue plants. Get the picture? She registers for the writing conference hoping she will finally finish her novel. And then she meets Dutch, the dark haired, handsome man of her dreams. They abandon the workshop for bistros, beaches, wine and conversation and fall instantly in love.

But then reality intrudes. They go back to London, where Matt, formerly Dutch, is met by his chauffeur. It turns out he’s the wealthy heir to a dollhouse empire. He’s also, as it turns out, pretty tightly wrapped, preferring an OCD level of neatness, very strange modern art and …meat. Vegetarian Ava is flighty, disorganized, creative and unable to complete a single project. They have nothing in common except passion. Will that be enough to hold them together?

Sophie Kinsella owns the romantic novel and Love Your Life is one of her best. Ava and Matt’s love story is made so much better by the secondary characters. Ava depends on her friends Sarita, Nell and Maud while Matt has Topher and Nihal. And Ava’s dog, the irrepressible Harold, nearly steals the story. A star is born! Love Your Life will leave you smiling. A big thank you to Sophie Kinsella! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Sophie Kinsella for this ARC.

Book Review: Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: Oct 27th

Ava is a scatterbrained young woman who always has a bunch of projects in the air & one of those is to write a novel. So she goes on a writers retreat to Italy & while there she finds love w/one of the other guests.  Their love affair is perfect at the retreat. They are compatible in every way or so they thought.  Once they return home inconsidently to the same town their differences in real everyday life start to show. Can they figure out to love their differences together or are they destined to part ways?

I am a HUGE Sophie Kinsella fan & eagerly await every novel & always love them!!!!!!  I read this latest one in one day & loved it just as much as all her others. I wasn't sure about Ava at first but I grew to love her & was rooting for her happiness to work itself out. I highly recommend this book.  Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for my early review copy.

I have basically given up on this one. I didnt find that itt help my attention so well and I kept forgetting I was reading itt. I will probably take a physical copy out of the library to try again.