Sophie Kinsella never disappoints. I loved this book. I will say that her main characters all have the same feel, but there is something comforting in that to me. It’s like a Hallmark movie during the holidays.

Quick, light, and laugh out loud material we are used to from Sophie Kinsella. The perfect summer read. Although a lot happens in the time frame, it is still easy and light to follow along with. Family trope with a second chance romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella for me to preview.

I have to admit that this wasn’t my favorite Kinsella book. While I am a huge fan and always on pins and needles for her next book to come out, this one fell short a little. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments and those quirky situations you expect a Kinsella main character to find herself in. I just felt something was missing and I can’t really put my finger on what it was. Still a solid 3.5 ⭐️

Sophie Kinsella is a pioneer of the “chick lit” category and The Party Crasher further proves it is a well deserved title. Effie is working through life being dealt blow after blow. As she is dealing with these, she runs into the love of her life from years ago and finds herself in an all new battle

Synopsis:

Effie's beloved parents get divorced, and she's now estranged from her father and in a feud with his younger, hotter, gf, Krista. Greenoaks, the house she has grown up is sold and Krista throws a grand "house cooling" party, which Effie declines to attend but ends up sneaking in. Effie overhears conversations, makes discoveries, and begins to see her family in a new light. Then she runs into Joe--the love of her life, who long ago broke her heart, and who's still as handsome and funny as ever--and even more truths emerge.

Review:

This is typical Sophie Kinsella: fun, light-hearted and makes you laugh. I loved the focus on family ties and how objects/places can mean so much when you've made memories with them. Effie was kind of immature but we see her self-reflect and grow as the book goes on. I can only imagine that a divorce can be hard on a family, and this book looks at that in a relatable and light-hearted way. Effie gets into some pretty funny situations - I would love to see this as a movie!

Thanks to Netgalley, Random house Publishing and Sophia Kinsella for this ARC. I loved the Shopaholic series, so since then I’ve read all of this authors books. Shopaholic series was laugh out loud funny ! I wasn’t as crazy about the other stand alones that were written. Till this one ! I loved the quirky characters and some of the craziest laugh out loud moments are back for me with this new book . Loved it ! Welcome back into my reading world Sophia Kinsella ! 5syars for sure.

This somehow may be my first book by this author. The banter was great and the characters were likeable but the story felt a little too zany for my tastes.

Thanks so much for the review copy. I found the antagonist too Whiney and moody for my taste. Will still continue to read this author, though. Thanks again for the review copy.

This one was typical Sophie Kinsella, and in typically fashion I did read it all in one sitting. It was funny, it was engaging, and the characters were funny and flawed. The ending was satisfying and hopeful. I recommend this one!

I’m a long time fan of Sophie kinsella and this book was another winner for me.

A creative plot about a youngest daughter sneakily “party crashing” at the house cooling party of her family home.

The wit is subtle but hilarious and each character is uniquely their own. A fun, quick read!

The Party Crasher

by Sophie Kinsella

Check them off your list—the elements you anticipate in a Sophie Kinsella novel. You will find them in The Party Crasher.

1. A wacky, but lovable protagonist: Effie (AKA Euphemia or Ephelant).
2. Interesting setting: Greenoaks isn’t just any old house. It’s amazing. It has character. It has a turret! It has a stained-glass window. Visitors often call it “eccentric” or quirky” or just exclaim, “Wow!”
3. Broken romantic relationship: What happened to Joe years ago that he would just drop Effie without an explanation?
4. Dysfunctional family: Mimi, the beloved stepmother, and Dad have an announcement one Christmas that changes everyone’s life.
5. Siblings: Bean, the always positive peacemaker.
Gus who is clearly unhappy in his relationship with the domineering Romilly.
6. Mystery: Where are the missing Russian stacking dolls?
7. A house-cooling party: Doesn’t everyone have one when they move?
8. A gold-digger or two: Perhaps the flashy Krista and/or her flirty sister Lacey?
9. Humor in both situations and characters: Maybe a protagonist dressed in black sneaking through her own house with a little Mission Impossible music thrown in for good measure?

I enjoyed The Party Crasher, and I recommend it for light-hearted fun with a background of serious themes and issues.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: General Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Notes: Includes some casual swearing

Publication: October 12, 2021—Dial Press (Random House)

Memorable Lines:

For all that I loved him, I never got to the core of Joe. I never reached his innermost Russian doll. He always kept a part of himself locked well away.

I had no idea my brother and sister were so secretive and duplicitous. I’m shocked and I will tell them so, at some point, when I’m not hiding from them under the console table.

She sounds cynical. Her face is tight and jaded. She looks as if her expectations of life have sunk so low, she’s not going to bother having any anymore.

A light fun read that left a little to be desired. This story centers around whose family home is about to be sold off after her father remarries. While I liked Effie, I found the story to be way too over the top and didn't much care what was going to happen which made it hard to like the story itself.

I used to love Sophie Kinsella but think it's time for me to part ways with this author.

The Party Crasher is a humorous, witty family romcom reminiscent of all of Sophie Kinsella's novels. At times the book can be fairly predictable but that does not make it any less enjoyable to read. I liked reading about Effie's changing relationship with her family and ex as she searches for a secret treasure. Overall, great Kinsella book that will leave me searching out her next to read also.

This story had every bit of Sophie Kinsella all over it. It contained the familiar quirky, determined, ridiculous, but lovable characters. I loved Bean! She was such a sweet character and I wished the story centered around her more. Effie was completely stubborn and by wanting to prove a point, she ‘missed out’ on saying goodbye to her childhood home with her family. They do have their own celebration in the end but still. I recommend this for a light read, but you may feel frustrated with the main character at times. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this e-ARC for my honest review.

Not my favorite of her books.... its a little different and not what I was expecting. I miss the old Sophie Kinsella voice - like original Shopaholic books..

I definitely related to this main character , she was a little immature and deeply connected to her childhood and memories. I loved that this book was really about realizing your parents are imperfect people. This wasn’t necessarily a romance, it was very much a side plot. And this did drag for me a bit at the end. But very sweet novel about family. Reminded me of Bridget Jones

There are times that we wish we could be a fly on the wall at a party or an event. We'd love to hear the discussions without having to be a part of them. In Sophie Kinsella's latest novel, The Party Crasher, one woman ends up doing just that - but she doesn't love what she hears...

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com - and aired on Shelf Discovery

As always, Sophie Kinsella delivers the most delightful book! I have to see, being able to explore the house through Kinsella's words has been one of my favourite reading experiences of 2022. Yes, Effie and her siblings are very entertaining characters that I wanted to spend time with, I also loved the house- I think it was a stand out character on its own. I don't know how she does it, time and time again!

There is the Sophie Kinsella I know and love! A couple of her recent books have missed the mark for me, but this one brought me right back to why I love her!! It is so cleverly done to literally have pretty much the entire story take place in one evening’s party. She masterfully weaves the love and memories that occurred in a family that is now seemingly broken and a home that is being sold all throughout the book as Effie crashes a party at her childhood home. The last party that their family will have there before it is sold. And oh my word. She does it again with Joe. And sweet Bean. And Gus. Ugh, my heart. I just really enjoyed this one. Even more than I expected! It’s such a beautiful tribute to family and childhood and growing up and siblings and love.