I have grown to love Sophie Kinsella's writing and books and this piece did not disappoint. The romance is on point, the writing is perfect, the characters are lovable; what else could you want?! I highly recommend this book to new and old Kinsella readers alike!

The only other Sophie Kinsella book I've read was 20 years ago. I thought I'd try another one. Unfortunately-LOVE YOUR LIFE did not work for me. At all.

I wanted a fun rom-com. This wasn't it. I found both of the main characters to be insufferable. I didn't care for them on their own much less together. If there was chemistry between them I didn't feel it. I did feel how unsuited they were for each other and had no incentive to root for them to get/stay/end up together. The whole pacing and development of their relationship and growth was off.

My favorite character was Harold, the dog. That kind of says it all.

It's hard to say if this book is indicative of her books since it's only the 2nd I've read. I'll try another title, but will rely on trusted reader friends for a recommendation next time.

I requested this book because I have always enjoyed Sophie Kinsella's books. I liked this one too, although it is not my favorite. I thought it was a little bit long, at 432 pages, especially to read on a Kindle. That said, I took a break at about 40%, read two other books and came back and couldn't wait to finish this. Ava and Matt find that it doesn't work to just take each other at face value, you have to get to know a person, their faults and quirks, and go from there. I enjoyed all the characters, they all seemed to integrate nicely. But it wasn't until almost the end, when Matt and Ava were looking at the gifts that their friends gave them, when I thought..."there is the Sophie Kinsella I have been looking for in this novel."

Matt and Ava meet and fall hard for one another fast- too fast perhaps- at a writing retreat in an Italian monastery. Well, she's there to write, he's meant to be studying martial arts. See, they are very very different personalities. She's a bit scattered and a collector of abandoned things like her much loved dog Harold. He's a control freak who works for his parents' toy company and lives with two roomies in a brutalist apartment filled with ugly art and robots (his roomies, btw, are nicer than he is, really). While this is meant to be opposites attract, you will begin to wonder why they continue to bother with one another since nothing is in sync. So it won't be a surprise when they do eventually split and Ava goes back to Italy for a bit. This is a Kinsella novel, though, so you know there will be a happy ending = but what kind. Ava's got great friends, Harold is sort of a hoot (and he really does need to be trained), and all in all, it's a romp that is sometimes a bit too frenetic. That said, I read the whole thing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For Kinsella fans and those who like rom-coms.

This is a cute little rom com, a quick read. The fun of it is found in the humor of Sophie Kinsella. She has drawn some quirky characters here, who are charming, kind, so good to their friends, but also kind of odd. I think the charm of the book is actually the group of odd (and maybe exaggerated??) characters who come together and support each other and love each other.

Another light-hearted and humorous read from Kinsella. I can always count on her books to make me laugh and take me away from it all, at least for a while.

I am torn writing this review because I feel like there are three very different parts of this book to review. I read this book in two sittings. The first half and then the second half. I loved the beginning of this book - the Italian writing retreat is giving me all the travel vibes and even her wonderful group of friends. Ava and Matt have such a great start - falling in love and not knowing anything about each other. But then when she gets home all of a sudden the author is showing the main characters worst traits, as if through the eyes of their love interest. I was so confused. I went from loving both of the characters to hating both of them. I found them both annoying and frustrating. I would have broken up with both of them countless times during the second half of this book. If I wasn’t reading this for NetGalley, I may have and often thought about DNFing it. But I powered through and the last 10% brought me back to what I felt at the beginning of the story. I’m not sure if the ending really made sense overall but I was happy with it at least? So there were parts I loved and parts that drove me up a wall. Now I’m thinking if I had unlimited free time I would re-read this and see what I thought afterwards but alas there are too many books and too little time. I did enjoy the majority of it and the two different worlds Kinsella creates. The settings - especially their houses are so well described that you can easily picture the characters in their natural habitat. By all means give this one a try. If you enjoy Sophie Kinsella - this is very much her style of writing and I do, just prepare yourself for some mid-book frustration but push through because the ending makes it worth it.

*Thank you NetGalley for my copy!

I love Sophie Kinsella! This didn't disappoint! It had everything you want in her books. Wit, great characters, and a hilarious storyline. I loved the friends and their stories as well. I would definitely recommend!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella has all the quirky charm of the Shopaholic series with the addition of an adorable dog to love and a cast of new characters to get to know.

What I Loved

I love that it is hard to choose which character is my favorite because I adored them all. Even the support characters are so well-developed that they leaped from the page into my life. They each have a unique voice to go with their authentic list of foibles and charming attributes. It is a group of friends that you want to go out for a drink with after a grueling day of work, as they will have you laughing your way out of your bad mood in no time.

I do not usually love instant love stories. And, though on the surface, this story looks like this is an instant love story, below the surface, it is not and ultimately follows a more reasonable timeline. Even though Ava and Matt declared their love within days, it takes the whole novel for real, lasting love to develop. And what a crazy laugh-out-loud journey it is.

I also love that the story started quirkily, went on to grow rather frustrating, but ended on a poignant note that brought a tear to my eye. This is a story about love and what makes two people work as a loving couple. There is not just one type of relationship that works, though. For one friend, it is someone who checks off all of her boxes. For another friend, it is finding someone who shares her disdain for people in general, and for Ava, it is about finding someone who is not just like her but is different in a way that complements all her quirkiness. The only question being, will they be able to figure that out for themselves.

I so enjoyed Harold, the rescue Beagle. He is so spoiled and undisciplined that he provides many of the laughs throughout the story.
However, I did agree with Matt that he needed a bit of training – let’s face it, a dog that steals a whole steak when someone is holding it on a platter is definitely in need of learning the word no. But I can also sympathize with Ava’s approach. Harold is her heart, and she wants to make his life full of the love she feels he was denied when he was left on the side of the highway. I think anyone who has rescued an animal that has had a rough start in life can understand.

To Read or Not to Read

This is a definite read as it will make you laugh, cry, and see all that life has to offer.

Sophie Kinsella books are a delight and will make you full-out belly laugh a lot of the time. It is no different with Love Your Life.

In need of a sabbatical Ava goes to a monastery in Italy for a romantic-fiction writing retreat, a place she can clear her mind and work on her historical romance book. This should be easy since no personal information is to be shared and they aren’t allowed to know each other's real names. This becomes a challenge when a different retreat being held at the monastery is canceled. Soon Ava is finding it much harder to concentrate on writing her book when Matt of the martial arts group joins in on the writing retreat. They soon find the attraction mutual and are in a love bubble.

The majority of this book is about what happens when they are out of the bubble of Italy and the realities of their real lives and personalities are brought to life. This part where we get to know them in their everyday setting is full of strange anticipation. At times their personalities were so different I was worried for them. Ava was so optimistic and a bit unreasonable that at times she was blind to the truth. At times their character growth was tense to watch. That being said it was still full of humor and what I really love about this book are the secondary characters in Ava and Matt’s life. Their friends make the second part of this book enjoyable as each has their own distinct personality and quirks. Each of them helps the atmosphere as you navigate through the sometimes blindingly optimistic Ava and the gruff stark Matt.

Overall the beginning and the end were the strongest. You get to see them fall in like in the beginning and in love in the end. The middle was the tough part. Not that it wasn’t enjoyable because it was but it was like seeing a train crash coming and you knew it had to happen. Love your Life keeps you in anticipation of what's going to happen character wise and relationship wise. It’s realistic, but full of humor, and It was overall a joy to read and see the outcome of their relationship with their friends by their side.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

This was definitely one of my favorite standalone books from Sophie Kinsella, especially recently. I loved the two main characters, but all their friends made this book so much more enjoyable. The characters just felt so real with their own little plots and I loved it. This is the perfect fun, light read for this year and when you need a sweet story to keep you company.

LOVE YOUR LIFE by Sophie Kinsella is another charming and witty read by the author. Filled with her trademark humor, quirky characters, and unique plot, fans are going to love this read! While some of the book dragged a bit for me (especially in the middle), when I think about the story as a whole, I can’t help but love it. I’ve been reading Kinsella’s books for years and while I loved some more than others it all comes down to this: no matter what the book, Kinsella has a unique writing style that just resonates with me as a reader. So, I will continue to read all her books and more than likely love each one of them.

In LOVE YOUR LIFE readers will meet Ava and Matt. When the two first met and fell in love they knew nothing personal about each other. They were both at a writing retreat where all personal information was said to take away from the experience, so they left their “baggage” at the door and fell in love with little personal information on each other. But when back in the real world, the two realize that the fairytale they were living in while in Italy doesn’t follow them back home and they must learn to love each other quirks, faults, and all, or be apart. Which one will they choose?

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗜 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞

✪ I loved Ava’s dog Harold and the part he played in the story. He was certainly a nuisance as he gets away with everything (including snatching sandwiches from her friends, attacking purses because they appear threatening, and ripping up Matt’s shirts) but he is also a bright spot within the story. I’m an animal lover so if animals are essentially secondary characters, you know I’m going to love them!

✪ Ava, while slightly scatterbrained, is such a loveable and warm character that her faults become nonexistent (almost anyway). Sophie knows how to write endearing characters and she always makes her female leads like this. I think this is why I always come back for more.

✪ The plot: The book examines relationships after the fairytale. You know when you first meet someone and start to fall in love in that bubble? Then slowly the real-world seeps in? This is that book. It’s realistic, intriguing, funny, and full of heart!
✪ The secondary characters! I loved Ava and Matt’s friends. Each of them had their own quirks and I remember fondly laughing at their antics. It’s so nice when secondary characters make a book feel whole and these ones did just that. Sophie even adds in small personal touches to them, like chronic illness. They felt perfect for the story.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜 𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗡'𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞
✪ There wasn’t much I didn’t like about this book but there were a few things that lead me to giving it less than 5 stars. For one, Matt was stone cold at times and it made me feel like he didn’t care for Ava as much as she cared for him. I know that’s not true because he showed his emotions at times, but it was so scattered that it felt almost forced.

✪ These two fell in love so fast! Actually, TOO FAST! I’m not a fan of insta love stories and that’s exactly what went on in this story. I honestly don’t find it realistic at all.

Other than these small things I think this is going to be another hit from Kinsella! It’s a sweet, charming read with loveable characters, a unique plot, and humor that will make anyone laugh! I highly recommend it.


𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have read all of Sophie Kinsella’s books and am a huge fan! I was excited about this one, but it wasn’t her best work, in my opinion. the characters felt a little one-dimensional to me, and the story a little far-fetched. I usually crack up at Kinsella’s books, but this one wasn’t as witty and sharp as some of her others.

I love a good book by Sophie Kinsella, which both, keep you laughing and thinking as she sets up a scenario which is both comical, and thought provoking at the same time.
Her story lines, always make me feel the inner struggles of the characters and how they go about wading through the differences.
The two main characters, Ava and Matt are as polar opposite as you can get, which presents us with a wonderful adventure as they get to know each other.
If you like to laugh at or with the characters as their deeply flawed personalities are exposed, this is the book for you.
Wonderful read. Great characters and story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of this book.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase your copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088QLHYX5/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Everyone loves a Sophie Kinsella book. There are so many of them, we love them all. This one did not disappoint. This one addresses dating in the current time period, sans Pandemic. I cannot even imagine having to figure out this whole dating thing during a pandemic. If they aren’t safe during a pandemic, do you want to date them outside of it? Wash your HANDS!! This again brings me to the question- How do you really know someone? When you meet in a bubble, can you stay in the bubble? Can you find love when someone doesn’t check all the checkboxes that you thought you wanted?
This book has so many funny quotes and situations…” I… cannot date anyone who thinks butternut squash soup has a soul”. Are you kidding me? I cannot believe you do not think that the soup has a soul, LMAO. I literally was DYING with that line. There are so many dog situations that too had me in stitches! Good thing this book is about vegetarians! Would you be able to date someone who ate meat if you were a vegetarian? Interesting question. The main character sets out to find someone to date and ends up meeting someone in an unexpected way. There are so many mishaps along the way. You will definitely be amused with this book!

Love your life by Sophie Kinsella made me absolutely hate my life every time I had to pick this book up. This was my first novel of hers and quite possibly my last. Ava goes to Italy for a writing retreat to help inspire finishing her novel. She meets a man on this retreat and they instantly fall in love and she basically blows off her expensive writing course. The love was so cheesy, unrealistic, and my eyes rolled so hard that my eyes almost got stuck that way. The pacing was extremely fast in the beginning, not just with Ava and Matt but also with events occurring - it was ridiculous.

Ava herself is so immature, overly hyper, and desperate to be “in love”. I thought I was reading about a high school student rather than a grown woman. Her only redeeming quality is her love for dogs. Actually, not one of the characters were likable except Harold the dog and maybe a few of Ava’s friends.

Anyway, after this retreat Ava and Matt return to London only to discover they have nothing In common. Oh no. Who would have thought such a thing could happen? Once they enter back into the real world, they discover they have nothing in common and struggle through a crappy relationship. Matt was a dry desert with no personality. I found myself cringing through the whole book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced readers copy of this book.

I have been a fan of Sophia Kinsella’s since reading Can You Keep a Secret, so I was exciting to hear about her new release. And once I read the book synopsis of Love Your Life, I knew that I was in for this one.

A girl travels to Italy and falls for a man while on a writers’ retreat? I love it!

Unfortunately, everything good about this novel ended with the book synopsis and this book turned into a big disappointment.

I will say that the writing itself is good, however everything about the story and the characters is just one big train wreck.

It’s one of those books that you hope just starts off a bit odd but will gain traction after the first chapter or two but this one just kept going downhill for me.

This book is based on a case of instalove that is not only unbelievable but just plain overkill. I can definitely get behind a love story where two characters have this instant attraction and fall hard for one another but there was no chemistry between Ava and Matt and nothing to convince me that they suddenly were madly in love with one another after seeing each other and one afternoon of cliff diving.

The amount of time that Ava went on an on about how she couldn’t stop thinking about him and how much she was so in love was nauseating.

I couldn’t even buy why Matt was in the retreat and what he saw in Ava either.

But even though things were completely ridiculous at the retreat, they didn’t get better once they returned to “real life.”

I appreciate the advanced reader copy from NetGalley, but unfortunately I don’t recommend this read.

Love Your Life was super entertaining, typical Sophie Kinsella - and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. it was cute, fun characters, light romance, plenty of laughs. absolutely perfect for 2020.

Kinsella has done it again! Hilarious, thought provoking, and sweet with a twist. LOVE YOUR LIFE is just what we all need to ensure we love our lives a little bit more this pandemic.

3.5 Accept The Real Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free- A Quick Review
Sophie Kinsella's Love Your Life takes the idea of being on vacation from who you are...to another level. We have Ava who is tired of the push to meet people online and how frustrating it can be. It is all apps, algorithms, statistics of body types and age...and no humanity.

She has had enough. The last breakup was the thing to push her to do what she has always wanted. With a wish to be a romance novelist, she decides to go to Italy for a writer's retreat to finally finish it. She is so determined, she will leave her beloved dog, Harold, and supportive friends.

The Rules of this retreat is that you are not allowed to use your real name or any personal real information. In other words, you can become someone else...Any One You Wish To Be...And Ava decides to become Aria.

Others from a canceled martial art retreat program come to her location and they also take on the "rules" while they are there.

Our new Aria meets this new "Dutch" and things start to take a very interesting turn...a freedom, a willingness to do things that are not the usual for our gal, and before you know it, Romance with a Capital R is happening along with a captial S for Sexy times.

Now the story would be fine with all of this, but the real story is when these pretend Aria and Dutch return back to who they really are, Ava and Matt. It is back in their usual environments, obligations, likes/dislikes, and habits that take this tale to the happily ever after in the end.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.