Relatable and witty, this rom-com explores burnout and finding joy again. Sasha’s escape to a seaside town brings peace, unexpected romance, and a reminder that rest is just as important as ambition. Kinsella fans will love the mix of humor and heart.

Review: The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

The Burnout leads us into the humorous world of Sasha, a woman whose hectic corporate lifestyle ultimately catches up with her. This story is filled with burnout, recovery, and the strength of human connection.

From the beginning, so much wit and lightheartedness shine through. Sasha's inner thoughts are entertaining and neurotic. The novel's honest portrayal of burnout is a strength. Rather than depicting a dramatic breakdown, it shows a gradual descent into emotional numbness.

Burnout is a witty and emotional romantic comedy that reminds us that sometimes, the most effective way to discover ourselves is to relax and stop forcing the issue.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press for providing a free advanced copy for my honest review!

Had lots of laughter and sadness wrapped up into one story. I felt for the main character (Sasha) and what she was going through at work (hello, I-quit-my-job-because-me-too from over here!) and how it impacted her daily life. However, some parts were phenomenally written while others just seemed… whiny. I struggle with whiny characters and they didn’t exactly feel like it matched the character build from the beginning. That being said, I still really enjoyed the premise of this book and really connected with the plot/storyline. I also really enjoy Sophie’s writing in general, and that was still true with this one. Thank you for the opportunity to read as an ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 STARS

The Burnout was a delightful, fast-paced escape that swept me away from reality. The plot moved briskly, holding my attention from beginning to end without a dull moment. Sophie Kinsella once again delivers her signature wit and charm! The characters were quirky, relatable, and full of personality, making it easy to stay emotionally invested.

I was hesitant to write this review because I ADORE Sophie Kinsella. She is one of the queens of chick-lit! She always writes with so much heart and humour, that even the most bizarre of situations is acceptable because she has the power to just make things work. However, I wasn't engaged with this book, and I found myself unable to continue past 35% into it. This doesn't deter me from her work. She's still one of my favourite authors of all time, and I'll still read everything she releases!

This did feel a little burnout 101, but it was still a quick, lighthearted read with strong enough bones underneath the fluff.

Quirky, quippy and comforting.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy of The Burnout. All opinions are my own.

Well this book found me at the perfect time. I have loved Sophie Kinsella’s other books and this one was no different. Great writing, great story. Loved the development and ending. Really recommend! 10/10

I have loved other books by this author but this was a bit of a letdown. I did not' find the characters believable nor did i like the overall storyline. I think we all can say that this was not her best.

I have conflicting feelings about this book. On one side, I found it quite hilarious and found myself wanting to keep reading. On the other side, I found it so boring. I could have skipped a good amount of the book and still knew exactly what was happening.

Sasha has a bit of a break down at work, life has gotten the best of her and she is burnt out. So she heads to a seaside resort she loved as a child to try to find peace and wellness. Unfortunately, the hotel is not as it once was and is in fact in shambles plus she has to share the beach with a grumpy guy named Finn, who is just as stressed as she is. Soon mysterious messages show up on the beach that look like they are meant for Sasha and Finn, so they are forced to talk and they begin to help each other through this exhausting time.

Is this book trying to be a rom-com, is it a mystery, is it a contemporary fiction? It was all 3 wrapped in one I guess. The audiobook was fantastic. I loved the narrator and I think if I would have read the book, I wouldn't have liked it as much. The narration really set the characters.

Hands down my favorite part of this book was the hotel staff. They made the story and had so many great humorous quips. Sasha and Finn, on the other hand, were more secondary characters to me. I had more qualms with Sasha, than I did with Finn. She was pretentious and couldn't communicate with anyone. The "love" between Finn and Sasha didn't feel real. They had only known each other for like a week and then they were in love. I didn't buy it, zero chemistry.

The ending was a bit lackluster. Their whole love and relationship was the thing I could have done without in the book. I know it was included to help Sasha grow and find herself or whatever, but I would have rather it have been a friendship. Anyways, the hotel staff really saved the book for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Sophie has always been a must read author for me and I was so excited to be approved to read this. After being approved, I heard she was ill and I wish her good health in the near future. This was a really funny book that made me laugh out loud numerous times throughout. I really appreciated being able to laugh with all the craziness going on in the world. Do yourself a big favor and read this the first chance you get.

This book felt more like women’s fiction than romance. This is not a complaint but a change in expectations. Sasha's growth was more central to the plot.
This is a hilarious read that reminded me of when I started feeling burnt out by my old job. The book tried to inspire me to surf, but it didn’t succeed. This is the only time I’ve thought a third-act breakup was appropriate. As cute as the couple is, they need to work on themselves before getting into a relationship with anyone.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for my honest though

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Burnout" is a delightful contemporary romance that captures the anxieties of modern life with humor and heart. Sophie Kinsella introduces Sasha, a relatable protagonist who is feeling burnt out and desperately needs an escape. When her paths cross with Finn, a fellow city dweller seeking solace at the same idyllic beach town, their connection sparks unexpected sparks.

Kinsella masterfully crafts a charming "grumpy sunshine" romance, with Sasha's vibrant energy contrasting perfectly with Finn's more reserved demeanor. The story explores themes of self-discovery, finding balance, and the importance of embracing joy amidst the chaos of everyday life.

"The Burnout" is a lighthearted and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and anyone seeking a feel-good escape.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #randomhouse #theburnout #sophiekinsella

This book has been on my Netgalley for a bit and I haven’t picked it up. I haven’t been into romance in a minute, so I’m not the right person to review it anymore.

In a world that prioritizes output and progress, The Burnout shares the challenges of constantly trying to achieve. In order to treat her burnout, Sasha finds herself in a small town filled with nostalgia and a great cast of characters. Here Sasha meets Finn who is also looking to cure his burnout, and the two bond while ignoring the spark between them.
With this story, Kinsella was able to balance both Sasha’s character arc with the romance plot perfectly allowing for the true messages behind the story to really shine through. I really enjoyed this read and will definitely be looking forward to other books from this author.

This book started out stronger than it finished. It had good characters and I laughed aloud more than a few times. It was a quick, enjoyable read.

The Burnout is a romance where two people working through their burnout try to escape to the same seaside retreat. When they keep getting in each other's way to find their peace, they get pushed together by notes they keep finding on the beach. Eventually, they realize they have feelings for each other and must decide what to do with it.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella is a fun contemporary romance. Kinsella creates a creative fictional heroine in the character of Sasha who is tired of her job and decides she needs a change of scenery. Finn is as stressed as she is and seeks time at the beach that they both visited as kids. I recommend The Burnout to lovers of grumpy and sunshine romances with a little mystery. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I've been a fan of Sophie Kinsella for years and adore her work!

When I read the summary of "The Burnout", I knew I had to read it, not because Sophie wrote it, but because it resonated with me in that moment. If you've ever felt unsatisfied with your career and overwhelmed to take the next step, this is a must-read. I truly felt every page of this story and wished I could transport myself to Sasha's beachside getaway, imperfections and all.

And if I haven't convinenced you yet, just consider the opening scene: a wild chase down the street by scheming nuns!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

There are some books that come around at the right time, making you reevaluate how YOU live your life.

This was the case for me with The Burnout from Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella is an OG for me, so it was a pleasure to read this timely (in many ways) novel.

Highly recommend!

*The Burnout* by Sophie Kinsella is a witty and heartfelt exploration of modern life’s pressures and the importance of self-care. The story follows a woman, Clara, who finds herself on the brink of burnout after juggling a demanding career, family expectations, and personal stress. Kinsella’s trademark humor and relatable characters shine through as Clara navigates the challenges of finding balance and reclaiming her well-being. The novel delves into themes of mental health, self-worth, and the importance of taking a step back. While Kinsella’s lighthearted writing makes it an easy read, *The Burnout* also offers a meaningful message for readers seeking comfort and reflection.