Wow. What a story. I devoured it in one sitting. So many emotions packed into such a small book! This novella is the story of the author’s life told through fictional characters. I really liked that it was written this way. As heartbreaking as the story is, there is also that much hope in it too! I will forever be a Sophie Kinsella fan!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

This is a raw and honest story. The main character is an author who has a lovely life and feels quite lucky. Then she wakes after having surgery with no memory of how it happened. As she learns to walk and how to live with a terminal diagnosis, her outlook remains focused on the positive. This book will break your heart yet leave you hopeful.

Sometimes going in blind to a book only because you know the author or you like the cover leads to big surprises. For example, you might have no clue you’re about to read a novella or that it’s about cancer or that it’s mostly a true story about the author. I knew none of these things and was expecting a novel typical of Sophie Kinsella with lots of humor and a happy ending. Of course if you’re reading this review to find out if the book is worth reading you’ll know all these things going in. This was definitely not what I was expecting, but I’m glad I got to read it. It’s honest and real, and it’s written in a unique way with different types of writing like emails, articles, interviews, musings, etc to make it very different than a typical piece like this. I don’t have any first hand experience with this type of cancer, but I imagine it would be really comforting to read this if you or a loved one were going through something similar. It’s a quick hour-long read that makes you feel grateful and gives you perspective, and I think everyone could use some of that from time to time. I’m so sad to hear that this is based on Sophie’s real life, and I’m hopeful she’ll experience her own happy ending, however that looks for her. 🩷
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This fictional novella is semi-autobiographical, as the writer has actually gone through the same health crisis as the main character. The story is at times funny, scary, sad, terrifying and inspirational. There is a lot of love and bravery in these pages. My heart goes out to the Author and her family.

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.
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Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Eve is shocked to learn she has a brain tumor. She is scared. Her husband has not left her side. This book grapples with the different emotions that people go through when they get cancer and learning what's important in one's life.

"What Does It Feel Like?" is a fictionalized autobiography containing glimpses of the before and afters of Sophie Kinsella's diagnosis of brain cancer. I had no idea she was going through this prior to reading this novella. The book and chapters are short, but they pack a powerful punch of the realities Sophie has faced/continues to face.

I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed many of Sophie Kinsella‘s books, especially the shopaholic series, and went into this new book expecting the same. However, this book is very different from all her other ones. While it is fiction, Kinsella does say that it is somewhat autobiographical in nature and that’s what makes it not only different but heartbreaking. While it is a tragic story about Kinsella’s own experience with cancer, it has a positive, hopeful outcome.

There is no doubt that what Kinsella faced is a frightening experience that must have truly been extremely difficult for her to put down on paper yet she does it so confidently with her usual wit. She has courage and determination well beyond any human alive and is worthy of deep admiration.

I can only wish Kinsella, her husband and their five children the very best and hope she stays healthy and happy. I recommend this book for its realistic and raw portrayal of undergoing a diagnosis of brain cancer.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

What Does It Feel Like
BY Sophie Kinsella
What Does It Feel Like Could Be Accurately Re Named "Read Your Absolute Worst Nightmare, Ugly Cry Then Pee Yourself Laughing And RePeat". But That Would Be A Tad Long For A Snappy Book BY The Ever Talented Kinsella, While "What. Does It Feel like" Is A work Of Fiction The True Raw
Emotions Of The Author Poor Through Every Page
Of The Book. The Message Is Sobering Yet A
Harrowing Tale Of Pushing Back At Adversity with
All You Have.
It's Going To Make You Ugly Cry But Also Pee
Yourself, Definitely Worth A Read!

I had no idea Sophie was going through cancer. It's incredible that she wrote this novella mere months after her diagnosis and treatment. Parts of it were really emotional and heartbreaking, but it was overall optimistic with bits of humor.

What a moving and interesting way for Sophie Kinsella to tell her story in a fiction novel. She is such an optimistic and inspiring person. Hope she has continued positive scans and keeps sharing stories.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely.

Having recently gone through a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, I was a little fearful of reading Sophie Kinsella’s autobiographical novella of her own brain cancer diagnosis. Instead of triggering fear and panic this beautifully written story of Eve, a writer diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma, is heartbreaking but also honest, hopeful and uplifting. Through the fear of her diagnosis and difficult rehabilitation, Eve faces her circumstances with resilience, positivity and a wonderful sense of humour. As a longtime fan of Sophie Kinsella’s books, I am humbled by her strength and courage and wish her many healthy years, to enjoy doing the things she loves surrounded by her loving and supportive family.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group (The Dial Press).

In the first quarter of the book, we live Eve’s charmed life with her. She’s a successful author, married to a wonderful man and the mother of five children. Her latest book has been made into a movie and she’s had her own red carpet experience. But Eve’s life undergoes a major change when she’s diagnosed with stage. 4 glioblastoma, and she’s now focused on the day-to-day challenges involved with fighting her cancer. She takes us along with her on this new journey.
What Does It Feel Like is infused with Ms. Kinsella’s trademark positive attitude and humor in what was undoubtedly a very challenging book to write. The novella features short chapters, with the focus in the After section on an element of the illness or treatment. It’s poignant, heartbreaking, but also with funny moments.
Jodi Picoult calls this “the bravest book you’ll read all year” and I totally agree with her. In her author’s note, Ms. Kinsella wishes everyone a happy ending and I send the wish back to her.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dial Press/Random House for the opportunity to read What Does It Feel Like in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this one blind, thinking it was going to be a lighthearted fun read, and BOY was I wrong! Part fiction, but also autobiographical - this was a departure in terms of story line. It’s short, but packs a gut punch. Def check trigger warnings.

As a longtime reader of Sophie Kinsella, I was excited to discover her new autobiographical novella. It’s extremely moving and I devoured it in one sitting. I wish Ms. Kinsella the best and I hope she gets better soon!

Oh man did this novella make me emotional!! Sophie Kinsella took her real life cancer diagnosis and just absolutely broke my heart with a semi-autobiographical story told in vignettes of regaining memories and bodily functions. This is a completely new territory for her, so completely emotional and personal, and she smashed it out of the park! There are really no words other than thank you to Sophie for being brave enough to put this out into the world and share how it made her feel through the lens of a character very similar to herself.

Thank you so much to Sophie Kinsella and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella is a very highly recommended, heartbreaking, fictionalized, powerful account of the author's real life brain cancer diagnosis. Sophie Kinsella writes that the book "is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story."

Eve is a successful author, married to Nick, and mother to five children. The novel opens showing her success as an author, and then, abruptly, has Eve waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. Her patient, loving husband is always there to explain what happened and encourage her. She learns, and needs to be told this repeatedly, that she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma which is a cancerous brain tumor and had an eight hour long operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain. The narrative then follows Eve learning walk, talk, and write again, as well as explaining her illness to her children.

After the operation, the story is told through brief chapters. As Eve can't remember anything due to the loss of her short term memory, she must have everything repeated, everyday. Her determination and bravery is shown as she as she learns to walk and talk again, along with doing the most basic things. Her husband is admirably ever patient with her. She even has humorous passages among the heartbreaking ones. The fact that this is based on her real life experiences make it even more compelling, poignant and powerful.

Sophie Kinsella writes, "Why did I write such a personal book? I have always processed my life through writing. Hiding behind my fictional characters, I have always turned my own life into a narrative. It is my version of therapy, maybe. Writing is my happy place, and writing this book, although tough going at times, was immensely satisfying and therapeutic for me."

What Does It Feel Like? is an excellent, heartrending book. Tears are going to fall while reading, but it is definitely worth reading. Thanks to The Dial Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this arc of What Does it Feel Like by Sophia Kinsella.

This novel truly is unlike any other written by Kinsella; but it is equally as heartfelt and enjoyable. As an avid reader of Kinsella I’m used to over the top characters with over the top lives and self created issues. All of these things work out on the end because we all love the happily ever after in a novel and Kinsella is known for her feel good writing.

Eve, an author, is on top of the world. She has a great career, a loving husband, 5 adoring children, a movie deal, and a red carpet walk under her belt. She has proclaimed herself lucky but understands luck will inevitably run out.

After waking up in hospital with her head wrapped in bandages and experiencing short term memory loss she continues to live life on repeat like ground hog day. She’s turned into a version of 50 First Dates. Having been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and low odds of survival she realizes her luck maybe running out after all. With time, therapy, and support Eve learns to walk again, regains her recall, and continues to cherish what life has given her not what it’s taken.

Kinsella captures the spirit of illness, recovery, and compassion. The sense of community and gratefulness that comes with sickness and healing. Without giving any spoilers out, I can say even this non traditional novel by Kinsella shows readers the happiness in every ending.

Pub Date: October 8, 2024
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Sophie Kinsella is an auto-read author for me and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest book. This is unlike anything else I've read from her yet I was pulled in the second I started reading. It is deeply personal, heartwrenching, and beautifully written. I had no idea it was a fictionalized autobiographical version of her own life until I was a few chapters in and looked up if I had downloaded the book in its entirety or not. It's a short book (only 144 pages) and absolutely worth a read whether you're familiar with the author or not.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured this shorter novel and was blown away by Sophie’s courage to write her own story in fiction.

I clung to every word. Eve, the main character and an author, wakes up in a hospital, remembering nothing of how she got there - and not much else.

Her story shimmers with hope as she figures out what is most important to her and she answers the questions life questions.

Read it in one sitting and recommend it to everyone - with the pub date coming soon!!

All the feels.

Reading “What Does It Feel Like” by Sophie Kinsella felt as impactful as hearing devastating news about a loved one. The way she conveys the raw emotions and frustrations of her brain surgery recovery pulled me in from the very first page. Despite its brevity, the story is so powerful that I found myself finishing it in one sitting.

I had no idea Kinsella was diagnosed with glioblastoma, and discovering that this story was inspired by her own diagnosis made it even more moving. Her honest and heartfelt portrayal of the struggles she faced during her recovery made me deeply appreciate her willingness to share such a personal journey with her readers. I’m grateful she gave us this glimpse into her life and the strength it took to face such an overwhelming challenge.