Ugh. Just ugh. It’s so sad knowing this is based on Sophie’s own experience right now yet I feel so so grateful to have a sneak peek into her world. Forever grateful that Sophie shared this with us.

While this book is fiction, it is based on Sophie Kinsella's experiences and I believe it's practically a memoir. It's a very short novella and in many ways I wanted more, but for the most part, I feel like it is probably the perfect length, especially for where Sophie Kinsella is right now.

I've been following Kinsella since her Shopaholic days and I've always marveled by how she seems to have grown so much as a writer. I had no idea she was going through, not just cancer, but glioblastoma, which is an extremely aggressive and often deadly form of brain tumor. I feel like What Does It Feel Like was probably mainly a therapeutic experience for Kinsella to write.

But it also seems to be her way of telling us what she's going through and to bring awareness for what life with glioblastoma is like. Though I did know some details about the illness, I was extremely struck by the main character's experience with memory and her husband having to constantly break the news of her diagnosis for her.

This short book can likely be read in just an hour or two and should definitely be read by anyone who is a fan of Kinsella's writing.

Sophie Kinsella takes a bold and deeply personal turn in What Does It Feel Like?, crafting a novel that is both heartbreakingly raw and beautifully life-affirming. Unlike her signature rom-coms, this book delves into the deeply intimate and fragile moments of life, offering readers an unfiltered look at illness, memory, and the quiet beauty of everyday love.

Eve, a successful novelist, wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there, only to be told by her devoted husband that she has undergone surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. As she struggles to regain her sense of self—learning to walk, talk, and write again—she also grapples with how to explain her illness to her children, what her diagnosis means for her future, and how to hold onto the love and moments that truly matter.

The book is structured in brief, poignant anecdotes, each one carrying a weight of emotion and reflection that resonates deeply. Kinsella’s prose is simple yet powerful, making each scene feel intimate and real. Her signature humor shines through even in the darkest moments, making this novel both tear-jerking and uplifting in equal measure.

This is not just a story about illness; it’s a celebration of life, love, and the connections that sustain us. It’s a book that will break your heart and put it back together again, reminding us all to cherish the small, seemingly mundane moments that truly make life meaningful.

For fans of deeply emotional and reflective narratives like When Breath Becomes Air and Still Alice, What Does It Feel Like? is a must-read. It’s a book that lingers in your thoughts long after you turn the final page, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Powerful, poignant and full of personal pieces of the life of a well love author. This was a beautiful novella and you must have your tissue ready when reading it.

A short but incredibly powerful book - I appreciate Kinsella's fictionalized version of her real-life story of being diagnosed with a rare, serious form of cancer.

Sophie Kinsella has been a force in my life. She sparked my love of romance. Her early books made me laugh with the most relatable and lovely characters.

Now flash forward and Kinsella has written a deeply personal book. It’s heartbreaking to learn that she’s been diagnosed with brain cancer. It’s amazing to read this novel that has such a positive outlook. Loved it much.

I’ve been reading Sophie Kinsella’s books for decades now, spanning back to high school. While this was definitely a departure from the storylines and general tone of her backlist to date, it was an undeniable five stars! The writing was raw and honest, beautiful, heart wrenching and absolutely moving. The strength to draw from her personal experiences navigating a cancer diagnosis, essentially fictionalizing her own life events and sharing this so widely, is remarkable. The before and after vignettes, provide context and insight that enhances the story, and leaves you feeling so invested in the main character, Eve’s progress. The pace does not feel rushed and you’re able to really immerse yourself in the story. It may only span 144 pages but I wouldn’t call it a quick read as the depth within every single page encourages you to slow down and take it all in.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing group for sharing a digital review copy of this book with me!

This book absolutely broke my heart. We all knew about Sophie's diagnosis but hearing her slightly fictionalized version was just tear jerking to read. I can't recommend this book enough.

I’ve been a big fan of Sophie Kinsella since her shopaholic series many years ago! She is one of my favorite authors and brings us such relatable characters. This book continues her legacy of bringing sweet, compelling and complex characters to a thought provoking plot.

I loved this. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. There was something so raw about it. I worked in physiotherapy and occupational therapy for many years, and it brought back so many memories. It felt real. My heart broke so many times reading her story. And yes, Sophie Kinsella fans love their happy endings, and I'm glad this fictional story/autobiography got one.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Kinsella is a best-selling author who has deviated from her typical novels to write, "What Does It Feel Like?" This book is non-fictional, but loosely based on Kinsella's own health journey. The main character, Eve, is a well-known author who is living her best life. Eve has a successful career, loving husband, and adorable children. But one morning, she wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of how she ended up there. Thankfully, her husband is always by her side, patiently explaining to her that she had a cancerous tumor on her brain that had to be removed. This book takes us through the journey of Eve having to relearn everything all over again.

While the subject matter of this book was so heartbreaking, Kinsella never made it feel depressing and was, in fact, able to make her readers feel hopeful. This was a sweet, quick book to read and I enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Such a heart-wrenching story learning everything she went through when she was diagnosed. Very different from her other books but very raw and emotional.

Such an amazing quick read! I am literally at a loss for words! Just wow! That is all I can say!

I HIGHLY and I mean HIGHLY recommend this book!!

This was definitely a very quick read. This was autobiographical to what the author has went through and was just so heartfelt and touching, There was a lot of vulnerability and honesty in the journey and it was beautiful. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

This was a really beautiful little story. Would give it higher marks if it were longer, but the length meant it didn't make much of an impact. 😕 Definitely recommend though.

Sophie Kinsella has brought me so much joy and so much laughter throughout the years. Reading What Does it Feel Like? Was an entirely different experience, because this isn’t a story you can laugh through with your textbook happy ending. The bravery and strength Sophie has to put her personal experiences and fears into her writing and then share it with us, is unmatched.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE by Sophie Kinsella is both a departure from the usual feel-good chick lit rom com novel and somehow isn’t. A very creative way to channel her health experience into the framework that she is so well known for. I always read Kinsella to feel good – the stories and the characters in them just do that to me. So I was a little concerned to read this one at first because it has so much reality to it. I think that this novel is written with grace and humor and honesty. It reads very fast but it also makes you stop and think about what is most important. I loved it. I really hope that she has a good recovery and there are more happy stories in the future, including a happy ending to her real life story. I received an advanced copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella's novels, I was overjoyed to receive this ARC of WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishers, Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? tells the story of Eve and is based on Kinsella's own personal and medical journey battling brain cancer. It is moving and devastating, beautiful and heart-wrenching. Kinsella takes something so specific and private and, as she always does, weaves a beautiful story that anyone can appreciate. I highly recommend this book and am rooting for Kinsella's recovery.

This was such a different book than Sophie Kinsella’s usual rom com. Based on her actual life experiences. The main character is a writer who finds out she has a brain tumor. The story moves quickly and shows an inside look of right after surgery and recovery. The mental and physical toll that the main character experiences as well as family members. While there was a very serious tone to the book, it let me engaged and was such a powerful story to tell. There is definitely a story of hope here as well. Thank you Sophie Kinsella for sharing your story.

Read by Sally Phillips. Phillips delivered a wonderful performance engaging listeners in the story and drawing them in with the intensity of this story.

A beautiful story filled with raw emotion, grit and a determination to beat the diseases. Filled with amazing family and medical care givers.

My heart hurt while reading but so thankful to Sophie for giving us a glimpse of what she went through.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the complimentary copy.