Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I am a huge fan of Sophie - I have read every book of hers. I remember hearing about her diagnosis when she shared it with the public and my shock. This book is beautiful- a story full of fear, hope, wonder, and resilience. How wonderful for Sophie to be able to write at this and share her very personal story in a meaningful way.

I found this story to be just right with its little snippets of main characters moments in time through the progression of the book. Perhaps I was biased, knowing that it was an autobiographical piece and knowing about the author's recent, shocking battle with cancer. But as an advocate for cancer research and patient support for many years now with several different organizations, I know that a person's cancer journey can be all over the map. This book captured many aspects of that experience wonderfully, with compassion, honesty, and courage. I was sad but I also laughed a lot. It felt real because while fictional, it was also a real story, and that definitely came through. Yes, it may have seemed like it jumped around a bit with the format, but I feel it added to the experience.

A poignant read that left this reader feeling hopeful despite the difficult topic! I felt it was a wonderful and very brave contribution by Ms. Kinsella in the midst of her own personal fight that will connect with a great many people who have themselves gone through or are going through a cancer journey or who have or had someone they care about face cancer. Well done, I will be recommending this book to a lot of people!

Such a well told story by one of my fav authors. It was a read since it was a mix of her own personal story and fiction. It was very well done and am hoping the author has her own HEA. Can’t wait to read more by her in the future.

Oh, my heart. I have a special place in my heart reserved for Sophie Kinsella/Madeleine Wickham. She was my very first foray into “adult” books. I remember absolutely tearing through Can You Keep a Secret? and how my world was forever changed. She helped shape me into the voracious reader I am and also introduced me to “chick lit” or “women’s fiction,” which are both beloved genres in my library. When I saw the press release about her illness, I was gutted. I simply cannot imagine a world in which Sophie Kinsella does not continue to release books that make me smile, laugh, misty-eyed, etc.

Some people are critical of this book for being different than her usual work, or of its length, or how it ended. Perhaps objectively, these things are true. But I don’t see this book as having been written for anyone else on this earth but herself. I imagine it must have been cathartic to put these words together - difficult at times but also a much-needed release, like when you finally pulled out that wiggly tooth as a kid after weeks of pressing your tongue to it.

It is a different book, but she is a different person after having gone through this. I commend her for being brave enough to try putting pen to paper, not to mention actually publishing it. This book is raw and unapologetically messy. It flits around and doesn’t follow conventional organization - but neither does life. It made me feel deeply. I stewed over it for a few hours after finishing. It is short, yes, but it says so very much all the same - about her journey, about her family, and about her character.

I so desperately wish that the author receives a very happy ending indeed. She’s given her readers so many over the years of her career. I really hope the universe recognizes that she is owed one now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed many of Sophie Kinsella's books in the past, so it was a no-brainer to pick this one up. I loved her Shopaholic series and read every one of them.

Description:
Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again—and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children—she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor—it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

My Thoughts:
This book is both heartbreaking and hopeful, devastating and uplifting. It is a look into a serious illness and the painful therapy required to recover, never knowing what the outcome will be or when it could end. It is a very personal story for Kinsella and my heart goes out to her. I applaud her bravery and her optimism! Eve's ability to keep a sense of humor throughout was remarkable to me - it would be so easy to become bitter and negative during the process. Best wishes to Sophie Kinsella and I love that she is healing and writing again!

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - The Dial Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I understand this book (more of a novella) to be semi-autobiographical, and I wish nothing but the best for the author. However, this book was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

This is a much shorter read than most Sophie Kinsella books but it sure packs a punch of emotion. As her most biographical story to date, Sophie still manages to bring some joy to a sad and unfortunate event. This was hard to read at times but Sophie still puts her happy ending magic on it. I really hope for the best for Sophie and her family. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. Heart felt and brace, I had no idea it was going to end like it did. Loved it.

Sophie Kinsella’s short story *"What Does It Feel Like?"* is a compelling dive into the complex world of emotions and how they shape our daily lives. Through her vivid and accessible storytelling, Kinsella invites readers to experience a range of feelings from joy and excitement to fear and vulnerability. The narrative feels both intimate and universal, making it easy for readers to see themselves in the characters and situations she portrays. Kinsella’s ability to capture the rawness of emotions without being overly sentimental is impressive, creating a story that resonates on a deeply personal level. This piece serves as a gentle reminder of the power of empathy and understanding in our connections with others. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Kinsella or new to her work, *"What Does It Feel Like?"* is a beautifully written exploration of what it truly means to feel—and how those feelings connect us all.

The strength it must have taken to write such an honest and personal book is unfathomable to me. It was both heartbreaking and amusing. I hope Sophie is able to write any more novels and continue to fight this horrible disease.
Thank you Netgalley and Randi House Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC early.

Short and beautiful. So hard to believe they she really went through this harrowing experience. Thank you to Sophie Kinsella for giving us readers this glimpse into her life and her struggles, which we all face even if they are not as intense as hers.

Wow! I flew through it and finished it in a couple of hours. In true Sophie Kinsella style, this a story, told with humour, that resonates optimism. This is a must read!
Thank You to NetGalley, Random House and Sophie Kinsella for the opportunity enjoy this ARC.

What a brave, raw, unforgettable book. Sophie Kinsella is famous for her well- written, light, relatable novels. But this book, written as the author herself ihas gone through the same devastating medical crisis, is a terrific work of art. Eve, the main character, is a successful novelist, who undergoes emergency surgery for a brain tumor. Not the most uplifting plots, but Kinsella makes Eve’s story one that all of us can learn from. I teared up, I laughed, I worried for her, I cheered her on. What a great read that all of us can learn from. Highly recommended and hope for Ms. Kinsella’s continued recovery.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

A short read but very impactful! This is a heavy hitter- so don't expect dry eyes when reading! I was so immersed in the storyline and couldn't stop thinking about it after finishing.

I love this book, it was very engaging and interesting to read.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy

I wasn’t expecting this ending, that’s for sure but what a great read. I give so much props to the author for writing this story, for sharing her story, I had no idea she had gone through this. The writing style is different than the authors usual style but it was still great. A relatable and likable character and such a relatable plot. Just so good.

I read this short story without realizing that it was based off of Sophie Kinsella's real-life experiences. When I discovered this, it really made me think about this book in a different way. What an eye-opening account of cancer from an excellent author.

Kinsella weaves her own story with such care & a surprising amount of humor. This felt a lot like reading someone’s private journal. It’s intimate, vulnerable and hopeful.

Full of heart and hope, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE is auto-fiction by beloved author Sophie Kinsella, best known for the Shopaholic series.

Told in shorts and snippets, Kinsella opens up about what it’s like to find out she has incurable brain cancer through Eve’s story, which is really Kinsella’s own. Throughout the novel, Eve never loses her sense of positivity and handles so much with humor. I laughed and cried and wish Kinsella and her beautiful family all the best.

This is a gorgeously written short novel and a must-read for all Sophie Kinsella fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a very short story that allows Kinsella to reveal memories of her own health battle in a way that allows her control of the events. I’m sure it took many brave days to pull the story together. Her words might give hope to others fighting cancer. I loved the use of the word “luckily.” That’s my best take-away from this story.
I think having it available on Libby or the Kindle would suffice, that the brevity might make the book lost on the shelf. An easy sell to someone going through or accompanying one going through a terminal illness.