The books I read during my formative years are the ones I keep coming back to as an adult, and I often find myself searching for similar themes in my current reads. Sophie Kinsella was a defining part of my late teens. As a bit of a wallflower, I found true happiness in stories—her heartwarming novels and hilarious characters saved me.

In her latest book, Kinsella draws from her own battle with stage four glioblastoma, and the main character, Eve, is inspired by her journey. Eve wakes up in a hospital bed, completely confused and with no memory of how she got there, after undergoing an eight-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Eve's relationship with her family, especially her husband, is the kind of real romance everyone dreams of—it tugs at your heartstrings.

In just about 100 pages, Kinsella captures the emotional rollercoaster of being diagnosed with an incurable illness and what the recovery journey feels like, all through beautiful snippets and vignettes of life. Despite tackling such a heavy topic, she maintains her signature narrative style and manages to keep things lighthearted with an element of humor. Her positive outlook through all her struggles is incredibly inspiring!

This book will break your heart, and piece it back together. You'll find yourself smiling through your tears, filled with a sense of hope.

I have been reading @sophikinsellawriter books for years. Becky in the Shopaholic series and Poppy in I’ve Got Your Number have alway been my favorite characters until I got to meet Eve in What Does It Feel Like.

“What Does It Feel Like? Is a fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.” -Sophie Kinsella

I devoured this in one sitting yesterday and although it is different from Kinsella’s signature writing told in more of a vignette and short story style, I loved it. This is a brave, thought provoking novella that contemplates and showcases heavier topics, but still makes you laugh. I think if you are going through something similar, it will make you feel seen and not so alone.

Thank you Sophie, for being so brave.

This one is out tomorrow.

Thank you @thedialpress and @netgalley for the early copy

5 stars

What a moving and unforgettable story. It’s beautifully written and filled with heart, following Eve’s journey of healing and rediscovery after a life-changing diagnosis. The book is both heartbreaking and uplifting, and reminds us of the importance of love, family, and finding joy in life’s simple moments. It will touch your heart and stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group, the Dial Press for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

What a fabulous read! Heartfelt, realistic and accessible. EVERYONE should read this! While the book is short, it packs a punch and will stay with the reader for a LONG time. May we all find "normal plus" and learn to appreciate and love our lives no matter the turns and twists it takes. Thank you to Sophie Kinsella for writing this beautiful, personal book and allowing us an intimate glimpse into her life. Thank you for the opportunity to review this ARC.

A poignant novella based on Kinsella's life. I read this in one sitting, grateful to have it in my hands, given that she's been diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma. I've always been a fan due to the humor and positive spirit she always brings to her romcoms (even when they get silly) and that carries through here as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A read that will linger in your mind.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘐𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦? is a novella based on author Sophie Kinsella’s personal experience with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. The book is a collection of vignettes that briefly describe novelist Eve’s diagnosis, surgery, cancer treatments, memory and cognitive issues, and physical and emotional struggles. This is a very short and quick but interesting read. I do wish some more detail and insight were given, but I understand that this is a deeply personal and difficult topic for the writer and she has overcome a lot to get to this point. I look forward to reading more of her work. Thank you to The Dial Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is completely different from anything I’ve come to expect from Sophie Kinsella, but it still has her humor and heart all over it. A sad but sweet story about a novelist struggling with the aftermath of her brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Here’s the kicker, this story is autobiographical, which adds to the emotional aspect of the story. I am a person that loves books and stories written in vignettes and snippets and so I really enjoyed that aspect of this book. I definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of Sophie’s, she really did put her heart into it.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the ARC.

A beautifully heartbreaking read, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? is a semi-autobiographical novella that takes readers through famous author Eve's journey as she faces a life-changing diagnosis of glioblastoma, inspired by Sophie Kinsella's own battle with the disease. It's a true testament to Kinsella's talent as a writer that she is able to weave moments of humor and lightheartedness into a situation that is anything but—I loved reading about how supportive Eve's family and friends were of her, and how she was still able to find joy in her everyday life even while struggling with something so devastating, and not lose her identity as a writer, wife, mother, friend, etc., to her illness. I wish Sophie Kinsella all the best, this couldn't have been an easy book to write, but I'm glad it was therapeutic and healing for her in some way. I hope she'll be healthy, happy, and writing many more wonderful stories to come! Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the ARC.

A beautiful and heartbreaking semi-autobiographical novella that follows the author’s own recent health experiences. The story follows a successful novelist Eve who wakes up one day in the hospital after brain surgery and major lapses in her memory day by day, all due to a large and aggressive brain tumor. With a troubling prognosis, Eve takes on the challenge with humor and heart, even as the question comes as to what will happen to her husband and children. Much of this is based on Kinsella’s past few years. Known for her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. This story explores her life since - as an author, wife, and mom.
Thank you to the Dial Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

At first I thought what on Earth am I reading but after getting to the end of this and reading the authors note I was shocked.

This deals with devastating news but also adds a bit of humor through it all. This is a short story (very short) but you get a glimpse into a family dealing with a medical crisis and how one copes through it all. Family support and love are keys to heartache and struggles.

Sophie Kinsella is synonymous with fun, frills, chick lit and humor. I have been a fan of her Shopaholic series and standalone novels for umpteen years. Her email newsletters are cheerful. Her stories are lighthearted yet with substance. So to read and review What Does It Feel Like? is a bit different.

This new novel is about a renowned author facing a devastating diagnosis. While it is fiction, it is Sophie Kinsella's most autobiographical work to date. This is true chick lit; heartbreakingly personal in less than 150 pages. Eve's story is her story and reminds me of my story.

Eve is a successful novelist that who wakes up in a hospital bed with no recollection of how she got there. Her husband explains that she had brain surgery to remove a large, malignant tumor. As Eve learns to walk, talk and write again, she recalls what is most important to her in brief anecdotes that will make you laugh, cry and reflect.

What Does It Feel Like? is a story of courage, strength, grief and a celebration of life. I am thankful for Sophie Kinsella's transparency. I hope it was just as therapeutic writing her story as it was for me to read it. She is a forever fave!

I recommend this new release to other Sophie Kinsella fans, those with a chronic illness and their loved ones. It may help you better understand their point of view or find comfort in knowing you are not alone. It's the book you didn't know you needed to read.

Happy Early Pub Day, Sophie Kinsella! What Does It Feel Like? will be available Tuesday, October 8.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

This book may be the definition of bravery, strength and love. I was unaware that Kinsella was ill - and that this book was written to help her process and grieve. She managed to write with humor, poise and a strength that I am truly in awe of. The book moves quickly and despite the difficult topics, is uplifting, happy and wonderful. She writes each chapter to help walk through the process of answering the most impossible of questions relating to sickness, grief and celebration. It is both uplifting and heartbreaking and just incredibly well done. Be prepared to laugh and cry as we follow Eve through her life as a successful author to how she should walk through during and after her diagnosis.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Aspiring novelists are encouraged to "write about what they know." While Sophie Kinsella is the author of over thirty books, with What Does It Feel Like she has written about what she unfortunately knows very well. Like her character Eve, Miss Kinsella was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, an almost always incurable form of brain cancer. What Does It Feels Like is a poignantly painful account of Eve's journey through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, all while knowing there is staggeringly high probability the cancer will return even with aggressive intervention. Eve has a devoted husband and five young children (as does Sophie Kinsella), and a successful career as a writer. Everything is going great until Eve wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there, or even rudimentary details such as the day of the week. What Does It Feel Like is a mere 144 pages, but it packs emotion in every page. Eve's recovery is detailed-she has to learn basic skills like eating, walking, and living with the short term memory loss that often accompanies brain surgery. Anyone dealing with a terminal diagnosis in private is very brave, but it is absolutely heroic for Miss Kinsella to share her story in What Does It Feel Like. For Eve and Sophie the future is uncertain as only 25 percent of glioblastoma patients survive more than one year. But both have an abundance of hope and courage in the face of this terrible disease. While a happy ending is not guaranteed for either, we can all pray that in five years Sophie will be alive and well, and can update us on Eve in a sequel that tells us What It Feels Like To Beat The Odds.

This review will be shared on Instagram Oct. 8th, 2024 when it is published and a link will be posted here. My review is already posted on Goodreads.

This book was so impactful for only being less than 150 pages. As a principle, I always admire writers who can write a really well written plot and characters in so few pages. This was no exception. Kinsella did such an incredible job through all of Eve's pain. As I was reading, I had the feeling that it seemed almost too real and once I got to the author's note I realized why. To write something akin to your own experiences made me really come to love Kinsella in many ways (this is my first book of hers!). It had the threaded throughout light humor even in the face of uncertainty. I cried at several points and overall I really just can't say anything more but I loved it.

What a gift!

An easy 5 stars!

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE
SOPHIE KINSELLA
October 8/24

When I started reading this book I thought it would be another cheery Sophie book, but my daughter told me it was based on Sophie’s life and what she and her family were going through and continue to every day.

It was an eye opener for me as I thought she must have such a great life what with several NYT Bestsellers, movies, etc. Just goes to show life can change in an instant.

Different read, but excellent story. Thank you Sophie ( Madeleine) for telling your story.

What Does It Feel Like? is a series of fictional, semi-autobiographical vignettes from novelist Sophie Kinsella. In this new book, Sophie explores her cancer diagnosis with honesty, humor, and positivity.

Protagonist Eve Monroe is a novelist who has achieved commercial success. She walked a red carpet and watched her beloved book become a film. When Eve receives a diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, she faces fear head on with the love of her family and friends. Eve faces challenges as she faces surgery and relearns how to walk, speak, and draw. Through each challenge, Eve exudes hope and patience.

Kinsella approaches the character of Eve with warmth, honesty, and unflinching bravery. Eve has many qualities that readers have come to know and love in Kinsella. Her warm sense of humor and penchant for looking on the bright side were imbued in each vignette. She doesn’t shy away from challenges she’s faced, like memory loss and relearning how to walk. However, her message is one of hope. Eve’s sweet moments playing Scrabble with her family and joking with her husband were heartfelt.

Kinsella added an author’s note at the end about her cancer diagnosis and reasons for writing What Does It Feel Like? As a fan of Kinsella, I could not be more in awe of her courage and determination. While this book is arranged differently from previous novels, Kinsella’s spirit and quirky humor is present throughout. This is one book Kinsella fans won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Dial Press for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

3 ⭐️
A super quick novella with a raw look at a life-altering battle with cancer, touching on the difficulties through brain cancer, surgery and recovery.

❤️‍🩹 It didn’t really get deep enough under the surface for me to connect with the MC on an emotional level (like I was part of the story, or felt a deep connection with her), but I was able to connect from the emotional and sympathetic perspective of having many friends and family having gone through these struggles.

I can’t say I would appreciate this book as much if this wasn’t such a personal story for Sophie. Otherwise, I would have enjoyed a longer book with more depth so I could really connect with the MC for such a tender topic.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Sophie Kinsella for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, Sophie Kinsella, and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of What Does it Feel Like? in exchange for my honest opinion. As a longtime fan of Kinsella, I was excited to dive into this book, though I didn’t realize it would be a short story or novella format.

Despite its brevity, Kinsella delivers a poignant tale of self-discovery in the face of adversity, exploring the emotional journey of Eve as she navigates her battle with brain cancer. What struck me most was Eve’s resilience; she maintains a remarkable spirit throughout her ordeal, openly processing her feelings with her family. Her ability to find light amidst darkness is both inspiring and relatable.

The narrative builds beautifully, leading to a powerful conclusion that reveals the deeper reasons behind Eve’s story. It’s a heart-wrenching moment that leaves you feeling both shattered and uplifted. Kinsella’s gift for weaving humor and poignancy together shines through, making this a beautiful and impactful read.

Overall, What Does it Feel Like? is a testament to Kinsella’s storytelling prowess. It’s a short yet profoundly moving exploration of love and the strength of the human spirit. Highly recommended!

Sophie Kinsella has been an author I have read for 15+ years since I was a teenager. She is an author I always read when a new book comes out, so I of course had to read this one. This short story was both beautiful, inspiring, and sad all at the same time. This felt like an authentic and raw telling of the author’s life these past 2 years in short captivating chapters. The ending is inspiring and honest, and so I will hope to read another book by her in the future.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Random Houses, Sophie Kinsella, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Maybe I have been living under a rock, but is this novella seriously how I am finding out Sophie Kinsella was diagnosed with brain cancer? Took me a long time to process this news.

While What Does It Feel Like? is technically fiction, Sophie does share that is the most realistic story that she has ever shared - an author grappling with her diagnosis, learning how to move forward with her life and career, and writing about what she knows. There is so much real, raw emotion packed into just a short little read.

If you are a lover of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series, looking for something short and sweet, or simply just looking for a good cry, this is exactly the book for you. I could not put it down because of the intense emotions, but it was also uplifting despite being heartbreaking at the same time?

Wishing nothing but the best for Sophie, and hopefully we will be reading more from her for years to come, but I cannot imagine the bravery it took to write something so close to home.