By now, I know to associate Sophie Kinsella books with reads that are fun, cozy, and also, incredibly predictable, and that’s exactly what The Burnout did. The Burnout follows marketing executive Sasha Worth, as she’s struggling with too much work, unsupportive management, and poor work/life balance. After a meeting gone poorly, an attempt to join the nunnery, and a collision with a wall, Sasha’s heavily encouraged to take some time off. She ends up returning to a seaside resort, Rilston Bay, that she used to go to as a child, excited to go to a place that once meant so much to her, only to find out that it’s completely different. Not only is it the off season, but the hotel is in shambles, and they’re convinced that Sasha is a high-maintenance city girl who only survives off of kale smoothies, yoga, and other healthy lifestyle choices. Her only other company, aside from the seaside resort’s overeager staff, is a curmudgeon named Finn, who seems to be just as stressed out as she is. As they start receiving messages addressed to “the couple on the beach”, with a date next to it, Sasha and Finn are forced to start talking about everything: their burnout, what led them here, and most importantly, what happened that day.

I found The Burnout to be filled with comedic moments, while also tackling heavier ones — I wish we talked more about burnout, as well as toxic positivity. Sasha’s mom, while well-intentioned, sends Sasha off to the seaside resort, and masquerades as Sasha’s PA to let the staff know that she’s super healthy in a “drinks a kale smoothie daily” and “survives off of noni juice” way, and has her following a lifestyle improvement app. While all of those things can help in alleviating burnout and are methods of self-care, they don’t necessarily always work, and aren’t the only cure. Sasha’s burnout felt like a looming shadow throughout the book, a third character who was constantly getting in the way of her own happiness. Sasha’s arc was really relatable, and I spent a good chunk of the book just wanting to wrap her in a hug and tell her to rest. While I loved Sasha, it took a while for Finn to grow on me — I wish we’d seen more of him, and I do think that the pacing in The Burnout was a bit off. The last 10% in particular flew by, and I wish the book was just longer, so we could see even more of his own burnout, and his own journey as well. Still, I loved how Kinsella portrays different types of burnout, and shows how burnout affects people differently. Sasha and Finn’s dynamic was also so lovely to read about — I loved how Sasha broke Finn’s walls down, how the two conspired together with the hotel staff, and were secretly trying to figure out what the importance of their secret messages were. Sasha and Finn made each other better, and even though one of my least favorite tropes is in The Burnout, I think it was done spectacularly, and in a way that was necessary for both characters to grow and heal.

Whew, I felt this book in my soul. Burnout is so hard to deal with. I have loved all of Sophie Kinsella's books, and love this one too. You really root for the main characters to get to the other side of the burnout and lead better lives. (And I hope that for all of us readers in that same situation too!)

Classic Sophie Kinsella. A funny rom-com filled with heart, joy and likable characters. Sophie can do no wrong.

The Burnout is a hilarious, relatable book about a marketing professional, Sasha, who is forced to take a break from her job after a burnout-induced meltdown.

In hopes of re-discovering happiness, she takes a trip to the beachy vacation spot from her youth for some R&R… and to complete a 20-step wellness program from the internet. While Rilston Bay Hotel is a bit different than she remembers, it’s run by a wholesome, quirky staff who make for a memorable stay. There, she also meets fellow burnout, Finn, and reconnects with Terry, her insightful childhood surf instructor.

All I can say is target audience reached! As someone who has worked for multiple startups over the last 5 years, this book accurately portrays startup culture: wearing multiple hats, hard work being rewarded with more work, and the burnout that comes with it.

I appreciate how Sophie approached mental health and recovery after burnout. She baked in the perfect amount of humor and snark. Her characters were realistically flawed and I loved seeing their character growth as they fought to unlearn toxic behaviors which led to their burnout.

Man, what I wouldn’t give to have a stay at Rilston Bay Hotel and grab some fish and chips on the beach! (Although, maybe I’ll skip the Noni juice… #sasharecommended)

I loved this book. The characters were all so great, I absolutely adored the staff at the hotel and all their unique, lovable personalities. I haven't read a Sophie Kinsella book since I was a teenager but I enjoy her writing just as much as an adult!

What a lovely story about two people who burned out at work and are trying to find themselves again, off season at a historic hotel that's a bit worse for wear. Great characters and a fun story.

Sophie Kinsella is back with her latest book, a delightful and hilarious read that captures the essence of her early works. With its laugh-out-loud comedy, heartwarming romance, and thoughtful representation of mental health awareness, this book is a true gem.

From the first few chapters, I found myself uncontrollably laughing, nearly falling off the couch with each burst of humor. The antics of the characters were simply uproarious, from the nun-chasing scene to the hilarious moments at Pret a Mange. The introduction of the Rilston Bay Hotel crew, including the nonstop apologizer Simon, the overly sensitive Nicolai, the energized aspiring freelance panty business owner Cassidy, and the nap-taking, shoulder-leaning, slow-walking Herbert, added even more comedy to the story. And let's not forget the weirdest text messages sent by the hotel app! It's safe to say that this may be the funniest book by the author.

But it wasn't just the humor that captivated me. I also adored the concept of two burnout characters seeking solace in their childhood happy place and reconnecting with their surf teacher, who became their mentor and hero. Their slow-burn romance, sizzling attraction, and journey from enemies to friends to lovers kept me hooked throughout the story.

Sasha Worth, the marketing prodigy and director of special promotions at Zoose, finds herself drowning under the pressure of her job. As the emails pile up and her work-life balance crumbles, she experiences burnout and loses her appetite for life. But a reservation made by her mother takes her back to Rilston Bay, where she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Along the way, she encounters a dilapidated hotel, a grumpy yet attractive guy named Finn, and a shared experience of burnout. Together, they form an unexpected friendship and unravel the mystery of strange notes and gifts left by a couple.

Their shared experiences of burnout and the need for healing create a bond between Sasha and Finn. Their friendship evolves as they embark on a quest to solve the mystery of the notes and gifts left by a couple, despite their insistence that they are not meant for Sasha and Finn themselves. Alongside their journey, they rediscover the joy of surfing and embrace the thrill of riding waves, providing moments of excitement and personal growth.

Overall, this book is an entertaining and uplifting romantic comedy that strikes a balance between laughter and heartfelt moments. Sophie Kinsella's storytelling prowess shines through as she explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of connection. I highly recommend this book as a delightful escape filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and a reminder of the importance of finding joy and healing in unexpected places.

I extend my sincerest thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press for granting me the opportunity to read and review this captivating book.

I will never skip a Sophie Kinsella book. If you you want a good romantic comedy Sophie Kinsella will deliver. This is an opposites attract story that makes you want the best for the characters. There is some good heartfelt soul searching in this story. While it has some serious vibes it also mystery, humor, love and friendship mixed in.

We follow Sasha, a young woman who is spending some time at the beach in winter to deal with some severe burnout and depression due to some craziness at her job. She is staying at the hotel she admired in her childhood, but its glory days are over. It is falling apart and staffed by some quirky but endearing characters. As she works through her issues and her bucket list from a wellness guru she befriends Finn, a young man staying at the hotel to heal from problems of his own. It was an entertaining story and a pleasure to follow Sashas journey. Thank you to NetGalley for an early look. It will publish October 23, 2023.

I absolutely loved this book! I laughed and cried. Sasha and Finn forever!

The supporting characters are delightful and I would love a spinoff book that focuses on Cassidy and the hopeful return of The Rilston to being a successful, but still kooky, hotel. All the staff are gems.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Random House Publishing Group! I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my bookshelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book was really cute. I honestly got a little bored in the beginning because the love interest didn’t even show up until 23% in. Then things started to happen and the story started to move more but it was so slow.

I did feel like there were some plot holes…like what happened between him and Olivia? And the ending was so abrupt I kept trying to turn more pages and realized that was it!

All in all it was very cute but I felt like it was lacking a spark.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella is a timely novel about finding yourself again after getting lost under the immense pressures of the modern workplace. A marketing executive at the massively popular travel start-up Zoose, Sasha Worth is drowning under too much work and poor management. She snaps, tries to join a convent, and ends up running into a (literal) brick wall. At the encouragement of her mom and sister, Sasha takes three weeks off work and travels to her childhood holiday destination Rilston Bay.

But Rilston Bay isn't what she remembers, and the once glamourous hotel is falling into disrepair. Not to mention, Sasha's well-meaning mother has posed as her PA and represented that Sasha is a health nut, so she can't even gorge herself on good food & drink while she's there. Her vacation is again thrown into chaos when she finds out a mean-spirited man from the train is one of the very few other guests at the hotel, and he's coopted her rock.

Finn Birchall is also completely burnt out - the circumstances around his mandated break from work are a bit vague, but he seems to be reacting much like Sasha. After a few tense interactions, they broker a peace and decide to explore their old haunts together. The more time they spend together, the more Sasha realizes she's coming alive, and she also starts to fall for Finn.

I like Sophie Kinsella, but I sometimes find her FMC to be a little too quirky and hot mess-ish. That's not the case here. Sasha is a qualified and smart marketing exec who suffers from having completely incompetent superiors. She also doesn't fall into the usual trap of throwing herself at a man who doesn't deserve her. Finn may be a mess, but he's kind and their relationship feels on equal footing on balance.

I quite enjoyed this one. It's not perfect, but for what it is, it's a great read. Anyone looking for an escape from the capitalist nightmare we're all living in will quite enjoy this one. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella is a great contemporary romance that I really enjoyed.

I really enjoyed this opposites attract, coming together, through extenuating circumstances and a similar escape location, from different backgrounds and perspectives. This developing romance between the main two characters was engaging and entertaining.

Sasha and Finn are fun characters with heartfelt, sometimes serious and sometimes humorous, interactions and with the bit of mystery and obstacles tossed their way, find some of the answers they were seeking in the end.

4/5 stars


Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, The Dial Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/10/23.