What Does It Feel Like? tells the story of how a famous writer, Eve Monroe, transitions from being a successful novelist to a cancer patient. The book is partly fiction and partly an autobiography by the author, Sophie Kinsella.

Eve Monroe, as a famous writer, seems to have it all. She has five beautiful children and a loving husband, Nick Monroe. But when she wakes up one day with no memory of what happened, even I, as a reader, thought I was diving into a thriller or mystery. However, as I kept turning the pages, I realized this was more of a recovery journey, focusing on Eve as she tries to regain her strength with the support of her family and friends while battling a rare, incurable disease—glioblastoma. She can’t trust her own mind, but she can trust her family. The moment when Eve comes to terms with her illness was truly tear-jerking.

This was my first time reading a Sophie Kinsella book, and I was completely shocked to discover that much of it was based on her own life. It was incredibly brave of her to share her story. I can’t even begin to imagine how tragic and heartbreaking the news must have been, especially for her family. I really admire her husband for being so supportive throughout her recovery journey.

Overall, this was a heavy, poignant, and deeply moving read. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a short, quick, and touching story about recovery from illness.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for giving me this beautiful ARC.

✨𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
📌 THE BRAVE SURVIVOR
📌 SUPPPORTIVE PARTNER
📌 THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
📌 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INSPIRATION
📌 NO SPICE

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6752653807

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.com/2024/08/13/arc-review-what-does-it-feel-like-by-sophie-kinsella/

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.

I don't know how you would give this book less than a 5. Sophie writes this from her own personal perspective as she went through this herself. It is semi-autobiographical as it details Eve's scary time dealing with a malignant brain tumor.

It is amazing that Sophie (Eve) is alive to write this book as this tumor has a high mortality rate. Such a great book about what that family dealt with during this time!

This was a really quick read. The fact that it is autobiographical makes it even more powerful. The story is heart breaking and poignant, and I would recommend it to others to read.

What Does It Feel Like?
by Sophie Kinsella
Pub Date: October r8, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From #1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an unforgettable story—by turns heartbreaking and life-affirming—of a renowned novelist facing a devastating diagnosis and learning to live and love anew.
This book deserves all the stars! I was moved by this
heart breaking, beautiful, raw, poignant, powerful, and inspirational story. This is an autobiographical novella although some events and facts were changed by the author. This is a must read but keep the tissue box nearby.
5 stars

A semi-autobiographical novella about an author diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. The story follows the little moments in their life, managing to find small bits of humor in the midst of grief. A deeply moving, poignant and heartbreaking story. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I’ve been a fan of Sophie’s books for years, so after learning of her rare cancer diagnosis I was interested to learn more from her novella. Which this is her most autobiographical novel detailing her journey. Anyone that has been through it either by someone you know or having cancer yourself, will find this emotional. I hope Sophie still has many years with her family. Her books have always put a smile on my face, but this one brought tears.

Beautifully written. The storyline makes you stop and think and is told perfectly. Thank you Netgalley and
Publisher.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I guess I should read descriptors more lol as I was completely unaware that this was only about 75 pages. I read it in the hammock in one setting oblivious that it was essentially truth until the author's note☺️ I thought it was engaging, believable and, at times, poignant. The memory loss section definitely resonated. I did expect more though. How did the family move forward when it became clear she had beaten the odds?

As posted to GoodReads

"What Does It Feel Like?" by Sophie Kinsella is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Through Eve's journey of rediscovery after a life-changing diagnosis, Kinsella explores the fragile nature of memory and the enduring strength of love. The author's raw, personal connection to the story shines through, making every word resonate with authenticity and emotion. This book is a poignant reminder to cherish the small moments in life and to find joy even in the face of adversity. Kinsella's ability to infuse humor into heartbreak is masterful, making this novel both a tearjerker and a heartwarmer. A must-read that captures the essence of what it truly means to live. We are all routing for your happy ending!

As someone who has lived through a parent receiving this exact diagnosis, this was difficult to read. “Eve’s” experience shines with authenticity (which makes sense), but this will be either be a painful or cathartic read for people who have been personally impacted.

I’ve been a Sophie Kinsella fan since I was 13 years old. I stumbled across a copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic in a thrift store while on a family vacation I didn’t want to take. I spent the rest of it holed up in the upstairs bedroom of my grandmother’s house, flying through the pages of that book and by the time I got home, I was hooked. The Shopaholic series colored my teenage years to the point that 3 different people got me the movie as a gift when it came out. I still read the series once every couple years and I fall in love all over again.

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I got the ARC of this book (because at this point, when I see Sophie Kinsella’s name, my eyes just kinda glaze over and I regain consciousness to a ‘thanks for your order!’ email) but I truly just cried my way through it. I had no idea that she was going through something like this and it is incredibly brave of her to share it with the world the way she did.

The concept of normal+ really resonated with me and I will always make sure to get the upgraded tickets and fancy snacks in honor of the woman who has brought me so much joy through the pages of her books.

This memoir, with fiction used Eve is so moving. Eve, a writer who discovers that she has brain cancer and her life treatments is so tender. This is so touching and uplifting with cancer and hope for a happy ending.

This was a hard book to read because it closely reflects th struggles the author is going through herself. If only she can write her own happily ever after. It's a quick read and very engaging.

What Does It Feel Like
By: Sophie Kinsella

I requested this book because I have been a fan of Sophie’s books for a long time. They always have a happy ending which has been so satisfying as a reader.
In this semi-autobiographical novella, we are introduced to Eve, a successful author who one day wakes up in a hospital and has no idea who she is. She slowly learns that she had an operation to remove a tumour from her brain and that she has stage 4 brain cancer. Like Eve, Sophie Kinsella also has stage four glioblastoma. During the story, Eve reminisces about her past and her life as an author. One story in particular stood out for me. Eve recalls a book signing at a bookstore when she announces her next book does not end happily. A reader wails but you are the queen of happy endings!
Sophie Kinsella's books have been her gift to her readers. She gave us our happy endings. But this book is not about us. Sophie said it was therapeutic for her to write this book and I can understand that. This book was about Sophie and what we as her readers can do for her…Let her write, what she needs to write and for us to celebrate this writing! It is a gift we can give back. So I will tell you honestly, I loved this little book and I celebrate all that Sophie Kinsella has given us, with gratitude. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this Arc in exchange for my honest opinion. And thank you to Sophie Kinsella for all your books.

What Does It Feel Like is a fictional but also autobiographical story of Sophie Kinsella’s journey with a rare brain cancer.

This novella was such a mix of emotions. Sophie’s Shopaholic series had gotten me back into reading back in the day and I loved her story telling.

This was different but even more compelling, heartbreaking and beautiful.

Major balling happened but so glad I got to experience this.
This story is about cancer and will not be a story for everyone but please give it a read if you can.

Thank you Net Galley, Sophie Kinsella and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This short novella was just so powerful and brave. The author, who is battling glioblastoma herself gave us a small glimpse into the challenges she’s facing with incredible selflessness. She’s an amazing writer and person. Thank you NetGalley for this powerful ARC.

Oh, this book. Honestly it was beautiful and heart wrenching and so moving. An absolute must read, especially for Sophie Kinsella fans!

This was a hard book for me to read. Not only is Sophie Kinsella a favourite author, and I am so sad about her diagnosis, but I am also a cancer survivor so a lot of this hit too close to home. Being such a Sophie Kinsella fan, I did want to read this though so I read it in small bits at a time. I’m sure Sophie Kinsella’s fans are going to like this one, despite the major amount of tears they may shed. It certainly was a tear jerker for me!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this.

HIGHLY recommend
5.0 stars

This is a semi-autobiographical fictionalized novel. Yes, this novel sounds complicated, but it really isn't. Sophie tells her personal story in a fictionalized way to protect HER privacy, HER husband's, and HER kids. I completely understand it and fully support it.

This is a story of Eve and her glioblastoma tumor, but it parallels Sophie's. It is a difficult journey and so very hard for the patient and the family.

Sophie Kinsella is able to synthesize the good, the bad, and the ugly about her cancer story in this very well-written, yet short novel. It was moving and powerful!

This review will be published:
• Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6718154127
• Books by Dorothea - https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2024/08/review-what-does-it-feel-like-ebook.html
Both reviews will be published on 8/20/2024

4.5/5 stars


Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. She announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed at the end of 2022 with glioblastoma (an aggressive form of brain cancer).

This novella tells a fictionalized version of what she has gone through. And my heart broke reading this story.

Eve is a successful novelist who has surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. This is such an unbelievably brave story to tell. It will definitely help readers be able to better understand what the author has experienced.

I really like when author's write what they know. I don't think that any other author could have written about this topic in such a meaningful way. I think that this book will bring so much awareness to this type of brain cancer.

This book is a quick read. But it will make you feel so much. It is a hard book to read. I want to cry for the author and her family. I am so thankful that her condition is currently stable. And I wish her so much love and support.