WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? by Sophie Kinsella focuses on the protagonist Eve, an author who has everything going her way -- a doting husband, loving children, and a vibrant career after she writes a blockbuster. Then all fades to black and we learn she is on the other side of a brain tumor which has impacted her short term memory. She must re-acquire basic skills and struggle with the shortened outlook a stage IV diagnosis suggests.

In the author's note, Kinsella reveals that this is an autobiographical novella, as she herself was diagnosed in 2022 with brain cancer and used the writing of this to process her experience. She casts it as fiction to allow freedom to concoct scenarios when her memory has failed, but she has pulled heavily from her own life. In what must have been an excruciating and unnerving time of life, in writing this, Kinsella allows readers into the very real feelings and reactions, and her vulnerability is no small thing to readers who may face their own diagnoses and will benefit from the example of hope this provides.

(Thank you to Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was also lucky enough to receive an ALC from PRH Audio.

Wow this book might be quick but it is a powerful read. Props to Ms. KInsella for being vulnerable enough to share her story and turn it into an inspiring fiction novel. This book is beautiful. You will laugh and you will cry.

I also enjoyed the audiobook version of this book, thanks to PRH Audio for granting access!

Sophie Kinsella's What Does It Feel Like? is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that'll tug at your heartstrings. It follows Eve, a novelist who wakes up in a hospital with no memory of her life. Yeah, pretty rough. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. Eve's got a supportive husband and a love for life that's stronger than any tumor. Watching her navigate her new reality, learn to walk and talk again, and rediscover what truly matters is both inspiring and heartwarming.

Kinsella's writing is simple and relatable, making it easy to connect with Eve and her struggles. The short chapters keep the pace moving, and you'll find yourself laughing, crying, and cheering her on throughout the book. If you're looking for a feel-good story that'll remind you to appreciate the little things, What Does It Feel Like? is definitely worth checking out.

This was a deeply personal and moving book that explores the author’s journey through life after having surgery for the removal of a large, malignant brain tumor. The story is both heartbreaking and uplifting while Kinsella shares her experiences with such raw honesty and vulnerability.
It was a very short read and I couldn’t put it down. Despite the subject matter, there are a lot of moments of humor and wit. The writing was engaging and it touched my heart.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I was really surprised by this short and impactful story! It is both heartbreaking and uplifting and makes me want to drop everything and spend the day with my family. I was surprised to read that it’s inspired by true events and that makes it even more powerful and inspiring. I would definitely recommend to anyone that likes short fiction based on true stories!

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE
Sophie Kinsella

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE to die before your story’s end? Before you can tell your side, before your plot twist, before you can live out all the dreams you’ve saved for your future self, for when the time is right, or better, or when you have a second to take a breath.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE to be diagnosed with a terminal illness? WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE to leave your children without their parent, your partner without a hand to hold through the hard times, through the good times, through the death of the only person they have ever loved?

Sophie Kinsella knows.

She is a romance author and what is so interesting is that her life’s work will not end in happily ever after. It will end next year. If she is lucky.

We are not in control; we are not in charge. Our life is in the hands of fate, our story is something we cannot write entirely by ourselves. This book is the ultimate reminder that tomorrow is not a gift we are given. The only breath you are promised is the one you’re taking now. And now can end at any time.

The most I want to say to Kinsella is thank you, the least is I’m sorry.

It's short, it will take under an hour of your time, and it could change the way you see things, which is worth every second.

It’s a must-read if you are familiar with her work. It’s a must-read if you have put your dreams on layaway. It’s a must if your life was ever anything worth living at all.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press for the opportunity to provide feedback.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a heartfelt and touching novella. It's the story of Eve, a character based on the author, who is grappling with the terrifying diagnosis of terminal cancer. The story unfolds in vignettes, and even though it is a short novella, it gives a deeply emotional view into Eve's life both before and after her diagnosis. Kinsella has long been one of my favorite rom-com authors. Her humor and hopefulness shine through in this work, even with this terribly sad and personal subject matter. I hope Kinsella can continue defying the odds for a long time to come.

A brilliant job by this amazing author of optimistic women’s fiction. Kinsella has entertained her readers for years, but in this book, she tells the real story of her cancer, glioblastoma. A life filled with five children, a husband and her writing, Eve begins to stagger and fall, resulting in brain surgery for a tumor. The story recounts how she had to relearn basic everyday life, and approach it with determination. The author is providing a service for many experiencing this heartbreak, and does so with her usual humor and humanity. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was such a great story! It was sad, heartbreaking and brought tears to my eyes at time but also deeply touched on many emotions of love and family. I loved it!

What Does It Feel Like is a novel, but also a very close parallel to Sophie Kinsella's lived experience. Eve Monroe, best-selling author, wife and mother to 5 children, wakes one day in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. Her devoted, loving husband, explains to her that she has had surgery to remove a tumor from her brain. Eve has no recollection of anything that occurred to bring her to this point, and it is a lot to swallow. While Eve learns to walk again, talk again, write again and while she goes through therapy and chemo, she also re-learns what is important to her. With a positive outlook despite the challenging medical picture, Eve shows us how it is done...how to keep living even if life might be short.

This novel is heart-wrenching and amazing. It is only 144 pages, but each page packs a punch. This is nothing like Kinsella's previous books, although her humor does come through, despite the difficult, raw and personal book she has written to help people understand this illness. She even throws in a tip or two on how to survive the challenges it brings into a person's life. Through short vignettes, we watch as she discovers and re-discovers what has happened in her life, and watch as she puts one foot in front of the next throughout her recovery.

I highly recommend this short but powerful read.

Thank you to Netgalley and The Dial Press for the opportunity to read this e-galley.

Wow! An amazing testament. If you’ve read any of her books read this! I can’t even imagine what strength it took to put this out in the world.

How do you possibly rate a book that is written about someone’s real life experience?! Five stars, obviously!!! But, seriously— What Does It Feel Like? by THE @sophiekinsellawriter is so impactful. She has taken her real life experience and made it into a novel. At the end, there’s an author note from Sophie and she shares what she changed or didn’t. This read with give your perspective AND make you cry. I am so glad I took the time to read this having read all of her other books. It really warmed my heart and made me so happy she is here!

Beautiful and difficult read that mirrors the authors real life struggles. This was really well written was usual but definitely need a box of tissues next to you while you read this!

Title: What Does It Feel Like?
By: Sophie Kinsella
Pub. Date: October 8, 2024

Genre:
Women’s Fiction

Trigger Warnings:
Grief, Cancer, Anxiety, Memory loss

Summary:
Eve Monroe is a novelist, living her best life, when she suddenly awakens in the hospital. With no recollection of why she’s there, Eve begins the long journey through her diagnosis of a cancerous brain tumor.

Review:
This is by far the tougher book I have ever reviewed. As a long time reader of Sophie Kinsella's, this autobiography is achingly beautiful! I love her writing, and her story pulled on my heart strings. Her talented narration is felt, every emotion rendered, as she tackles the news of her future. The reader personally feels the hope of her husband, and the love of her children through her own words. This book is exquisitely agonizing!

Be ready for themes of hope, honesty, happiness, and immense love of family!

Authors writing similar to:
Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

Thank you Sophie Kinsella, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#SophieKinsella
#Whatdoesitfeellike
#RandomHousePublishingGroup
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

Thanks to Random House | The Dial Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is really distinct from the other Sophie Kinsella novels I've read. She transforms her own experience with cancer into a fictional story, which allows her to share a deep connection with the main character. The dialogue feels very authentic and relatable.

I would recommend this book to anyone facing a difficult diagnosis, as it offers a hopeful message. Sophie Kinsella is known for her happy endings. Although it's a novella and lacks extensive exploration of the treatment process, readers can still connect with the character's challenges and reflect on her family's viewpoint.

. I would highly recommend this book. A very intense, moving and personal story that touches your heart and grabs at your emotions. The author explores the cancer journey through the eyes of a cancer patient with a view to the impacts on family and friends. .

I did not read anything about this book before starting and was surprised by the subject, which was very different from Kinsella's usual. I did not know she was sick, but it was so raw and heart rending, I knew before the author's note it had to be true.

I wasn't sure what to make of the synopsis and the fact it was a novella but dang... This was some serious writing and pack one heck of a punch.

Eve is a wife, mother and best selling author when the unthinkable happens.. She has a brain tumor and after treatment, her memory isn't working so well at all.

Trying to navigate her life with her family and christmas while relearning things she had previously known... MY HEART ACHED and Eve kept her sense of humor and it just made me tear up.

This isn't a complete work of fiction. Eve is loosely based on Sophie Kinsella and what happened to her. I had no idea but as someone who has read evry books shes ever written, you can tell this book had more depth because its so relatable to herself.

I devoured it in one sitting.

I am glad i got the chance to read it.

4.5 stars

Eve has made a career out of writing and is at the top of her game when suddenly she wakes up in a hospital bed unsure of how she got there. Eve has terminal brain cancer and while the operation was successful to remove the tumor, the chances of recurrence are very high. She is learning how to put her life back together after being entirely derailed by cancer.

This book showcases the raw and real emotions that come from a diagnosis like Eve's. I am saddened that this book is very autobiographical in nature as Sophie Kinsella's own story. Her writing has always been some of my favorite and I am hopeful that there are many more beautiful books to come in a long happy life for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for my arc. This was a fictional short story of Sophie's own life since a life-chnaging event.
I could feel it was extremely vulnerable and personal and she did an amazing job of telling her story!

As I've said before, I'll read even a grocery list by Sophie Kinsella and now the bar is even higher. I hope she never stops writing.