Thanks for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I love Sophie Kinsella books and couldn’t wait to read this one. Fair warning… this is not a shopaholic type book. This is very different from her usual light hearted fare. I had no idea the health struggles she has faced and I think this book did a great job of seeing it through her eyes. Honestly, a little sad and hard to read at times. However, I recommend it to all of her fans.

A very short read. I had no idea of this authors struggles and I wish her all positive thoughts and healing. This was a great insight into her struggles. So impressed with her tenacity and endurance, and writing!

A fictional story based on real life events, I can’t say this is what I was expecting. The book makes you feel like you’re dropped in on intimate moments, but ultimately lacked depth.

Este no es un libro, es un relato de lo que Sophie ha estado pasando desde que fue diagnosticada con glioblastoma de grado 4 en el 2022. Es corto, pero desgarrador, doloroso, inspirador y esperanzador.


Sophie, gracias por compartir tu experiencia y de todo corazón espero que todo salga bien para ti, para tu esposo y tus hijos. Eres una mujer increíble.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, The Dial Press, and Sophie Kinsella for an advanced copy of What Does It Feel Like? in an exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was truly honored to have been selected as a reviewer for this one.

Even though I mostly enjoy horror and thriller novels, anything Sophie Kinsella writes will always hold a special place in my heart. I've been following her work since I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic back when I was in high school (which was roughly 20 years ago now), whether it's following the shenanigans of Becky Bloomwood or any of the characters from her numerous standalone novels. Somehow, each book arrives at a time in my life when I need a laugh or a character that I can relate to with the struggles that I'm going through. This novella was no different, even though I knew this one was going to be vastly different from her others, rawer and more personal. Somehow, I was still able to relate to her struggles and find comfort in her words.

Without reading the author's note at the end, I knew this was going to be more autobiographical. From the reference to "writing what you know," the nod to her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, to her diagnosis/surgery/chemo/recovery (based on interviews), it was obvious that this was not her usual lighthearted fiction novel. I really appreciated her vulnerability, and I admire her even more for her courage and optimism through it all. The way she still found a way to inspire others, and still have a happy ending full of hope despite how difficult things had gotten is nothing short of miraculous. She beat the odds to write another book when most people wouldn't be able to, and she was able to still be her hopeful/positive self and spread that positivity to everyone else.

This novella was truly special, and once again I was blown away. I read this in one sitting. I laughed at the jokes. I sobbed. I'm forever grateful to Sophie for giving us another inspirational, comforting story. This novella will be one that I will reread when I'm going through difficult times, because it will remind me that by taking things one day at a time and having hope, I can still have my happy ending.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC of this title.

Beautiful. Inspiring. Insightful. Sophie Kinsella amazed me with this book. First, it is a short story...less than 150 pages....but the characters were incredible. The author mentioned how closely this book followed her own path and I definitely think that added to the beauty of it. The layout made for a fast, amazing read. I don't give out 5 stars but well done, Sophie Kinsella, and you deserve my five stars!

Based on the author's battle with brain cancer, this novel tugs at the heartstrings while being interwoven with Kinsella's witty brand of humor that is purely her own.

Wow, what an inspiring & beautiful, somewhat autobiographical novella by Sophie. I want to preface by saying Sophie is by far one of my most favorite authors. I have been reading her books for years, and every time a new book comes out it is an automatic buy for me. I had read about Sophie’s cancer in a People magazine article and immediately began to cry. I couldn’t imagine a world without her words and “happy endings.” I was so happy to receive this book and read her story. I am in awe at her bravery and optimism and sharing it with us, her readers. This book will have you in tears and reminds you everyday is a gift. It is such a good reminder to stay positive throughout any obstacle you face in life. It was (as all her books) written so beautifully, sarcastically and heartfelt. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sophie. Just thank you for sharing your amazing journey!
Thank you to Netgallery and Random House Publishing Group for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A quick read. This book is written in a different style of writing than a traditional novel. Instead of a fluid story that follows a chronological storyline, it’s snapshots of moments remembered. The style seems fitting as the main character Eve wakes up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. She later finds out that she has had surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor. Eve struggles with her short term memory as well as the tension between grief and hope. This book reminds me that there can still be moments of laughter and joy in the midst of hard things. And there is always place for optimism.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

I feel so honoured I got to read an early copy of What Does It Feel Like by Sophie. I fell in love with her books in the early 2000s when her Confessions of a shopaholic released. I’ve since then read all her books so of course I had to read this one!!

My heart broke to hear of Sophie’s cancer diagnosis and I really enjoyed the story of Eve and how her journey of diagnosis affected her and how life continued for her.

I feel people who have been diagnosed or cared for a love one will be able to relate to this book and know they aren’t alone.

This novella brought many tears. It follows Eve who was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. It explores her life with her husband and 5 children after her diagnosis in a brutally honest way. She share her hopes and sorrows for missing the milestone’s in her child’s lives after her death. Eve does not remember her cancer diagnosis, surgery, and many medical appointments. She had to learn how to walk again. Eve honestly shows how one struggles with cognitively to talk after brain surgery. It delves in explaining the cancer diagnosis to her children and handling their emotions. It examines planning her own funeral and to have or not have a bucket list. This novella is an autobiographical account of the author’s story. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy to read.

Initially, I found the pacing a bit jarring. I was aware it was a novella, but the chapters felt disjointed, and I thought the pacing could have been improved. But what do I know?

Despite this, I quickly became engrossed in the story, which was basically an autobiography of Sophie’s battle with cancer. It was a rollercoaster of emotions—scary, funny, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at once.

I particularly loved the portrayal of the husband, who is clearly inspired by her own partner. I hope she remains cancer-free and defies the odds. Though brief, this work delivers a powerful emotional impact.

Wow wow wow - What a beautifully written piece - I only wish it was longer. Eve's story is Sophie Kinsella's story and she wrote her tragedy into a beautiful story. The relationship between her and her husband was so touching as was the way she wrote of her children. Her strength, both physical and mental, is inspiring. On a personal level, I pray she has longer with her kids and her family.

Thank you very much to Sophie Kinsella and to Netgalley, and to the publishing house, for having had the opportunity to preview this novella. It touched my heart deeply, I have been reading Kinsella since the first book, and will continue to read everything she publishes, even her shopping list. This novella unfortunately has a somewhat sad theme, which affects the author directly, but despite this the author's style remains the same, with a few more tears.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

That was not what I have expected. It was so raw and powerful and gut-wrenching. It is an extremely intimate piece of writing and truly cathartic. It is the author’s own life story fictionalised to a degree but no less if not more heart-breaking. I can only express my deepest respect to this author for putting to the pen all the pain but also all the optimism she experienced.

This novella tells a fictionalized version of Sophie Kinsella's journey with brain cancer. It is stunning, it is gritty, and it is absolutely worth reading.

The main character, Eve, is a successful novelist who has surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. .Although the story is fiction, it is a thinly- veiled autobiography of Kinsella. She has changed the names and minor details, but overall the story is of her battle with brain cancer. It is a short book, but the subject matter is serious. Despite addressing the subject of incurable brain cancer, the story has many light moments, and even some comedic ones. If you are expecting the usual, light-hearted Sophie Kinsella, you are going to be surprised. This is NOT the usual. This is so much more.

Oof. This was a hard read. It was so short and it took several hours to really absorb this story.

I have followed Sophie Kinsella's novels since 2005 and have read everything she has written multiple times. She has been my favourite author for 20 years and her cancer announcement devastated me. Her prognosis has weighed heavy on my mind over the last months.

I knew that What Does It Feel Like? was meant to be somewhat autobiographical, but I did not anticipate the emotional ride that this book was. I am so hopeful that Sophie will live out her days and watch her children grow up, whether while continuing to write or not. I will deeply miss her wit and whimsy should she choose to retire, but I am so grateful for Eve's story, and every other heroine's story that came before her.

Sophie Kinsella is truly one in a million. This deeply personal novel was incredible. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us.

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella
Publishing date - 10/08/24
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages - 144

This is an autobiographical novella although some facts and events were changed by the author. Living high on the success of her new book , Eve wakes in the hospital facing a cancer diagnosis. Be sure to read the Author’s note at the end. This is a must read! Such an emotional read!! 😭

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this e-arc.

What an amazing emotional read. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows this book touched on all the feelings. Living high on the success of her new book Eve wakes in the hospital facing a host of problems and a cancer diagnosis. Be sure to read the Author’s note at the end. This is a must read.

Great and engaging book with interesting plot line. I loved how the main Character went from the highest of highs in life to the lowest of lows in the second half. I wish the book was much longer and had more detail about the aftermath. Reading the Afterward, and finding out the book was based on the authors real life, made it even more interesting and made me reread the book again.

A must read for Sophie Kinsella fans!