Wow. Wow in all the ways one can exclaim ‘wow’.

“Wow, that was good!”
“Wow, what a tough read.”
“Wow…I can’t imagine…”
“Wow, this is really hard.”
“Wow, I’m really feeling a lot.”
“Wow, she’s a brilliant writer.”
“Wow, she’s still managing to make this funny!”
“Wow. I hope she gets her happy ending IRL. So much.”

Sophie Kinsella says this is her most autobiographical book ever. Because it’s her story. Fictionalized in parts, but the true story of her own diagnosis and journey to fight a rare form of brain cancer. I’m absolutely gutted because it’s real, but also inspired for the very same reason. This novella is raw, vulnerable, simultaneously light and heavy, simple and complex. An opportunity to walk in the shoes and the mind of someone living with cancer, it answers the question “What does it feel like?” in beautiful, heart-wrenching, and even funny ways.

This novella has a different writing style than Kinsella usually uses, however, it still has the same wit and humour she is known for. What Does it Feel Like is a bit of a heartbreaking read, but it is still so full of hope. A reminder that each day we have on this earth is a blessing. I am thankful for this glimpse into Kinsella's life, and hope that she will be able to keep writing against all odds.

Sophie Kinsella’s What Does It Feel Like is a poignant, powerful and painful recap of her battle with brain cancer. The story is told with her usual wit and quirkiness but it is difficult to read as she and her family wrestle with their new realities. How brave of her to share this journey with her readers!

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.

With her trademark wit, humor, and positivity, Sophie Kinsella’s newest (and semi autobiographical) novella is sure to be a hit!

I requested this ARC because Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors of all time and I love all of her books. I had no idea what it was about prior to picking it up. Color me absolutely SHOCKED to learn that Sophie Kinsella herself was diagnosed with glioblastoma (an aggressive form of brain cancer). The character in this novella parallels what Sophie Kinsella herself went through, as this story details a young woman with brain cancer having a tumor removed and the fallout from that.

It was an unbelievably powerful story. While a very short and quick read (it probably took me all of 30 minutes to read), her strength and resilience shines from every page. And her husband! The warmth and care between the two of them was very sweet to read about.

While undoubtedly a heavy and sad topic, the story itself had plenty of moments of lightness and sweetness as well. It was a beautiful little story. I highly recommend it!

I loved this. My heart breaks for Sophie and others that are going through this. It was sad and funny, I loved feeling the strength that the family had. I’m thankful that Sophie allowed us a glimpse into a very vulnerable time in her life. I don’t know what else to say, knowing this is real makes it hard for me to judge the writing. I liked the story and read it in one sitting. I wanted more.

Content warning: 1 single F bomb, trigger warning: cancer

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

At 144 pages, this was a short read. However, the small number of pages did not negatively impact all of the feelings portrayed in this book. It is heartbreaking, inspiring and beautiful. The fact that this book is based on the author’s life makes these feelings even stronger. The author notes this is not the typical style she writes books in, but I greatly enjoyed how it was written, in a series of chapters, messages from family and friends and experiences. Despite it being on the shorter side, this book will take up plenty of room in your heart and is 100% worth reading.

Wow. I didn't know what to expect with this novel, but as I continued to read it I realized it felt very personal and I had a feeling the author had a deep connection with this material. It was confirmed when I read the epilogue. I had NO idea about her diagnosis! This is a quick read and a deeply personal story. I enjoyed it.

I am sobbing as I write this review.

Sophie Kinsella is the reason I’m such an avid reader. With her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, she reinvigorated the reader in me. A romance that could make you laugh out load, featuring the most relatable character ever? I could not get enough!

Fast forward ten years, and like so many of us, I was heartbroken to hear of her brain cancer diagnosis; a type of brain cancer that my beloved aunt had as well. But reading this gorgeous novella, a mix of autobiography and fiction in epistolary form, I know one thing to be true. Sophie Kinsella can do anything she sets her mind to. And I believe in my heart, she will get her wish to “just keep going.”

Thank you Random House and Dial Press for the advanced copy.

Sophie Kinsella has long been one of my favorite authors. I have read and enjoyed every single one of her books and those written under her other name, Madeline Wickham. So when I saw the news that she had glioblastoma brain cancer, I was immediately devastated for her. This short book is a peek into her life before and after her diagnosis. It tells of her strength during such a hard time and I was sad to see it end so quickly. Wishing all the best for Sophie!

Oh My Goodness! I just want to give Eve/Sophie a big hug and say THANK YOU!! This book is such a sweet account of a horrible disease. I love that Eve was so positive through her treatment and experience with cancer. I love that her husband, kids, and friends were so supportive. I love that she is so honest in the parts of her recovery that she writes about. I have always enjoyed Sophie Kinsella's books, and I devoured this one quite quickly. I'm sad, but thankful for all of her works of fiction, and this autobiographical one, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading What Does It Feel Like?

Although this is a short book, it was amazingly done. I had no idea the struggle Sophie Kinsella went through and I understand this is a work of fiction based on fact. But this hit hard and kept the punches going. It really is the bravest book you'll read all year. It was fabulously done and amazingly written and I can't wait for the general public to get their hands on this book.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

This is a difficult review to write. I did not read any media releases or other reviews prior to reading this book. Essentially, I went into it unbiased and blind to the subject matter. All I knew is that it was a new Sophie Kinsella book.

As I finished this book, I was bewildered - why was it so short? Not novella length, but it was also not a full novel either. Upon reading the end notes, I was shocked to learn that this book is a semi-autobiographical work and that this is a fictionalized account of the author's personal experience.

Which kind of changes everything. It shouldn't, but it does.

Honestly, how do you give a bad review of someone's life story when they had brain tumor?

Here's where I stand with it: I applaud Sophie for being brave and writing down her experiences. That takes a ton of courage.

That being said, did this book need to come out now? There's not much of an ending; the book just kind of leaves off and only when you read the end notes do you confirm it's her personal story.

I feel this book could have waited a year or more to come out. It was too short, too choppy. Almost like it was a personal diary, not a novel or autobiography. I mean, if you are going to write about this experience why not make it a true autobiography, starting with her very first book?

I wish Sophie all the best in her continued recovery.

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella is told in a series of vignettes about a writer diagnosed with brain cancer. It takes you on the author’s journey through her own thoughts as the character Eve tries to accept her new life with cancer. This is a hard book to read but so also do amazing. I highly recommend this book.

Wow what an emotional and beautifully told story. Hard topics so well done. Eve’’s story had me feeling all of it. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC,

This book is so unique from the other books written by Sophie Kinsella but then you read her author's note and understand why. This is written as a fiction story but is also autobiographical. Her writing style has always been effortless and easy to read and What Does It Feel Like is no different. There were times in this story that I laughed and cried. The way she wrote Nick and their love for each other grabbed my heart strings.

This story is for all readers but especially those dealing with health struggles or difficulties in their life where they need that reminder to stay positive and have hope. It also emphasized the importance of having strong support around you as well.

Such a poignant story of Eve and her family during her battle with brain cancer. This novella was a very quick read but it was packed with a moving portrayal of recovery. I’ve always loved Sophie Kinsella’s novels and this is no different. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

What Does It Feel Like was a raw and touching story! Thank you to Sophie Kinsella for bearing her soul on these pagesa and being so vulnerable to share them with us!


Thank you to Negalley and Random House for this e-ARC!

This novella made me really think about what is important in life and how things can change in an instant. Sometimes we always get caught up in our lives and what they will look like in the future that we forget about being in the now.

Going into this I had no idea that this was based on real life experiences from the author and that made it an even more emotional read. Having read all of Sophie Kinsella’s novels I was unaware of what was going on in her personal life. She is a true inspiration as a working mom who can be faced with devastating tragedy but continue to push forward!

Thank you for sharing your story!

Beyond beautiful. Such a good read that I enjoyed! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I hope the author is able to writing additional books bc I will def be reading. Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Heartbreaking yet genuine. Sophie Kinsellas books have been a part of my life for what truly feels like forever and this one broke my heart open. Thank you for giving us a glimpse. 5 stars.