Thank you Random House and NetGalley and Sophie Kinsella for the ARC for my honest review.

What Does it Feel Like? is a short read, semi-autobiographical about a writer famous for writing happy endings who is diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Each chapter is a different experience, and deals with what it's like to go from plastic chair to plastic chair in hospital waiting rooms, creating bucket lists or not, or sharing the devastating news with her five children,

This book is very different from the author's previous books, which I have read most of. That is because it is her most personal. I am glad that she felt she could tell this story to her beloved fans.

Both full of heart break and hope. I've read many of Sophie Kinsella's books, her Shopaholic books were some of my favorites. When I first came across this book, I was thinking it was another of her stand-alones. But it was even better than anything she's written.

Kinsella opens up about one of the hardest times anyone goes through. Through the eyes of a fictional character, she shares her actual experience. In a very short time span she delivers to the reader, how it feels to be both the person diagnosed with cancer but also a glimpse into what those who are closest to her may feel.

Beautifully written, thank you to the author for sharing her experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House/The Dial Press for the ARC.

4 1/2 stars. Very short read. I enjoy Kinsella’s books. She always makes me laugh out loud and changes my mood. When I received What Dies It Feel Like? as an ARC read I was excited to begin my laughs.
What a row of emotions turn.
- I did not know it was an autobiography mixed with fiction. I am rooting for Eve and loving her strength and courage and giving her husband the husband of the year award.
When I finish the novel and read Sophie’s notes, I am overrun with emotions. I place my hand and my heart and feel it pulsing through my veins as I wrap around my head what I just read.
A powerful read about not giving up, remaining positive, having courage, and wanting the Happy Ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC read in exchange for my review.
Many many thanks to Sophie Kinsella for her books and an applause for writing this one.

I’ve been a Kinsella fan since her first Shopaholic book. Her books have made me laugh and made me feel; this one made me cry. I wish her and her family all the best.

This book is both heart breaking and inspiring. To find out that this is a book similar to what the author has been going through makes it even more raw. Eve never loses her sense of positivity in this book and handles so much with humor. I have been a fan of Sophie for years and I loved that she choose to share her story in this way.

4/5 Stars ⭐️

What Does It Feel Like is my first read by Sophie Kinsella, and I’m certain it won’t be my last. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in one sitting, but this novel kept me completely hooked from start to finish.

What makes this story particularly compelling is that it’s a work of fiction inspired by the author’s own real-life experience with a brain tumor. This deeply personal connection adds emotional depth, making the protagonist's journey feel all the more poignant and real.

Kinsella masterfully balances serious themes with lighter moments, maintaining wit and humor even amidst the gravity of the subject matter. The result is a heartfelt, thoughtful story about resilience, love, and finding light in the darkest of times.

And despite the intensity of the topic, the book still delivers a surprisingly happy-ever-after (HEA) ending, which left me with a sense of hope and satisfaction. If you’re looking for a heartfelt story that will tug at your emotions and leave you feeling uplifted, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

A beautiful short story not so loosely based on Sophie Kinsella’s real life cancer treatment. What a special treat to be given the ARC from Netgalley to read and review.

When I started this I was picking up pieces that made me feel like she was talking about herself but I didn’t actually realize until the end and I read the authors note. Sophie Kinsella has always been one of my automatic buys right since the first Shopaholic books!

This is a beautiful story of the before and after of brain cancer and how the FMC learns to function again, learns to live life to make herself and family happy and to not take a day for granted.

This is a heartbreakingly beautiful book. Sophie Kinsella's What Does It Feel Like is an autobiographical fiction novel about her cancer diagnosis. While this differs from her previous novels, this is still just as good. If you love Sophie Kinsella you have to read this.
Thank you to Sophie Kinsella, Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This novella publishes October 8, 2024.

If Sophie Kinsella writes it, I'm going to read it. I absolutely loved this book. If you're looking for a book where you feel something this is it. I laughed, I cried and I will be reading this again.

I am a Sophie Kinsella fan and requested this one just because of the author. This was not what I was expecting but I still loved it! What a brave story for her to tell! It is a sad but yet it is funny too.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my review!

As always Sophie gives us another great book! I truly enjoyed this one! Bravo! If you are a fan of her other books you’ll love this!

Eve who is the FMC in the novella of What does it feel like? is a writer shares when it comes to writing a book, it is best to be passionate about the topic. You definitely feel that when reading this book and it was quite heartbreaking to later find out that this story was based on what happened to Sophie Kinsella herself. The novella gives the reader a look into the life of what one could face when being diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma - the 8 hour surgery, experiencing short-term amnesia, having to relearn to speak, and using a Zimmer frame to walk - all while having lingering thoughts of what the outcome of this type of cancer could be. I loved the support that Eve had throughout this book where they were realistic about what was going on while remaining optimistic about the future. I enjoyed the structure of the book with the short chapters where it immersed you into the experiences of her life as she goes on this life changing journey. Grief is never an easy topic to talk about it, but she somehow manages to slip in quips that make you giggle to alleviate the heavy topic. It is packed with many emotions and Sophie Kinsella doesn’t fail to let the reader experience them while reading this book.

For me, it was impossible to give this book anything but a five-star rating. Before this, I had never read anything by author Sophie Kinsella. I had mused about her name, wondering if she was related to the Shoeless Joe author Ray Kinsella. But the description gripped me. And once I began reading I was immersed in the story. It amazes me that she could write so honestly and largely autobiographically about her brain cancer surgery ,rehabilitation therapy, and harrowing prognosis—and yet infuse the novella with a bright, winning chick lit vibe. I found it touching and well done.

A totally different book from Sophie Kinsella - this is not one of her usual stories.

Based on her own current situation, this is the story of Eve, a successful writer with a husband and 5 children. When Eve wakes up in the hospital, she has no understanding of why she is there. Her husband tells her that she has had surgery, to remove a large cancerous tumor from her brain - a stage 4 glioblastoma.

Eve struggles to understand the prognosis, as she struggles to regain her memory, learn to walk and talk again and get her strength back.

This was such a poignant, heart warming and heart breaking short book. But it is full of humor and hope and love. Eve has the support of her husband and family, and never looses her desire to fight back to regain her life. It helps us to understand her fears, for herself and her family, how difficult the rehab is after such a surgery and how positive her outlook is for the future.

I wasn't aware that the author had been ill, never mind the nature of what she had been fighting. While this book is fiction, it is her autobiography, with a few details and names changed. I can't imagine being able to write such a book, after such a personal fight. Sending all the healing vibes to the author. This is a very powerful book.

I saw this Sophie Kinsella book on NetGalley and requested the ARC. I requested an ARC and was so excited to get approved. I didn’t read the details on the story, I’ve read enough of her books to blindly know I going to love her book. About 15 minutes into the book I’m a little confused where the story is going and pulled up GoodReads. Turns out this is more an autobiography book. I was shocked, saddened and feel like a horrible fan of her work for not knowing this. The toll it must have taken to write this book. It’s personal and brave.
#netgalley #netgalleyarc #sophiekensella #penguinrandomhouse #thedialpress #thedialpressbooks

This novella is beautifully written and shares a powerful story. Although it is fiction, it’s based off the author’s real experiences. There were times when I giggled and times when I had tears in my eyes. Stories like this really make me appreciate all the good things in life. Thank you Sophie for sharing your story!

Eve is living her dream life as a successful writer, a wife and a mother to 5 kids. When she wakes up in the hospital with holes in her memory, she learns that she has had a brain tumor removed and realizes that maybe this isn't the first time she's woken up confused in the hospital.

Knowing that Kinsella wrote this as autobiographical fiction makes the story more poignant. Eve's perspective is flawlessly written since Kinsella writes herself as Eve. I was blown away by the quiet optimism that Eve showed through the treatment, despite her confusion. I secretly fear that if I were to be diagnosed with something terrifying that I would be a mean patient. I admire Kinsella's bravery, honesty, and humor in her circumstances.

I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

i saw the name sophie kinsella and i knew i needed this book. somehow i didn't realize it was a novella, and at first i was disappointed it wasn't longer, but after reading it i thought it was perfect. i wasn't expecting it to be so heartwarming and heartbreaking. as someone who has recently gone through some medical issues, i thought the way she conveyed the exhaustion was perfect. this is a book that will stick with you long after you read it.

I was shocked by the author's notes in the story. What an experience! I'm so glad Kinsella made it to the other side. What would life be like if you couldn't remember? How would that change your views on things? What Does It Feel Like? walks you through that scenario, and all the possibilities. My heart goes out to her and other survivors!

A fantastic look into the life of one of my favorite authors of all time. It was really brave of Kinsella to share her story with her audience. I had no idea going in that it was autobiographical fiction and was stunned to learn of her diagnosis and what she has been up to since.

A very quick, moving read for anyone who has had experience with cancer or loves this author and wants to hear her story.