Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.
I have always been a huge Sophie Kinsella fan and have always waited for her books to come out!
This was is different- but in an amazing way. Sophie is such a brave woman and author to tell her story in such a way. There are so many emotions at every level. And then I had to keep reminding myself that this is her story! Bravo, Sophie. This will stay with me for a long time.

For some reason, I didn't realize that this book was only 144 pages. That totally threw me off, but with that said, this novella was amazing! I met Sophie Kinsella at a book signing several years ago in NY. I was so sad to hear back in April 2024, that she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This book is an autobiography of her story starting at the time of diagnosis. While it was heartbreaking, it also had moments of humor. Throughout the whole book, you can see the love that her family and her have for each other. Such a great little book!

A big thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Kinsella is an author that's been with me ever since Confessions of a shopaholic came out. As a fashion student, it was mind blowing to read a book and feel so very seen by a character and Kinsella's writing style was just perfection for this genre.

That being said, reading this book was very emotional. And yet I feel grateful to have read it. I enjoyed the different writing style, it felt so very appropriate in this case. 💚

Although part of the title of this book is “A Novel”, as the author explains in an Afternote, it is mostly autobiographical, with some names and dates changed, but otherwise a reflection of the author’s recent experience.

Sophie Kinsella was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor in 2022, and subsequently underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a great deal of rehabilitation. She decided to write about her journey through disease and recovery, because it is what she knows now, and because her writing is “her happy place.” It is for her readers as well.

As she explains through her fictional character Eve Monroe, she has the most aggressive form of brain tumor, one that only 25 per cent of patients survive more than one year past diagnosis, with a median survival time 14 months.

So she tells us some of what she has gone through - but never in a depressing way; rather, it is in her trademark light, self-deprecatory style. She writes of her love for her family and their incredible support for her; her struggle with rage and guilt over her bad luck; her gratitude for all of her previous good luck; and the irony of how, unlike when she writes fiction, she cannot determine the outcome or be in charge of the universe. She writes: “Fate’s the boss. And there are no teasers. All we can do is wait and see what happens.”

Her only aim now, she avers, is just to keep going: “She’s been super-lucky in life . . . then super-unlucky . . . so maybe the next swing will be towards luck.”

Evaluation: This brave, warm, at times funny, and ultimately optimistic thinly-veiled biography is like a love letter to all of Kinsella’s fans. And readers will love her back for it, more than they already have for all she has given to them through her work. I am so grateful she could return to her writing after her ordeal, and hope she remains in her "happy place" at for as long as possible. Fans will not want to miss this heart-felt offering.

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I’ve been reading books by Sophie Kinsella for so long. I found this story so vulnerable and real. Thanks for sharing your journey.

I urge anyone who is a diehard Kinsella fan, and finds the writing style awkward, to push through! There's a reason it's written the way it is, and the author's note at the end answered every question I had. You can feel her healing through her written words, and I wish her a very happy ending as well.

I have read Sophie Kinsella for so long that I feel like I know her personally and this book delves deeper than ever. What Does It Feel Like? Is Kinsella’s most autobiographical story to date.

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.

The writing style of this one is so so so unique and is written in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating grief. This one may be short (sitting at just over 100 pages) but boy it packs a punch. And while it may be a heavier topic; we still see our beloved Kinsella charm, quick whit and sense of humour sprinkled throughout.

I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

This review is based on an ARC of What Does It Feel Like? which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Random House/Dial Press).

I've been a Sophie Kinsella fan going on a decade now. What Does It Feel Like? is unique to Kinsella's bibliography in that it is autobiographical, or, rather, a fictionalization of her own story. The writing, pacing, and plot are familiar of this author, though with a little twist; this novella leans more toward snapshots or vignettes of chapters as opposed to a full-fledged timeline. Alongside the theme of amnesia, however, I find that this piecemeal style works well.

Knowing that Eve's story is Sophie's own story--struggles, triumphs, worries and all--made the emotion of the story flare just that much more. You never really realize how real fiction is until you are faced by a true story... My heart broke for Eve, for Sophie, for all those who have to face something as terrifying and uncertain as a terminal diagnosis. What Does It Feel Like? moved me.

And yet, with typical humor and sparkle, Kinsella also made me laugh, inspired, showed what strength, determination can look like. As a person with many of my own struggles--medical and otherwise--Kinsella always reminds me that happiness is a choice. It may not be easily attainable, but if we are determined enough, there is always joy to be found.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Madeleine <3

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. She gets 5 stars for the joy she has brought me. Her books get me through tough times. I wish her and her family all the best.

I think I have read every one of Sophie Kinsella's books. I can always count on her for a laugh and feel good story. I am so thankful I got to read her new novella, What Does It Feel Like. It is the fictional version of her personal story of going through the diagnosis of a fatal brain tumor. I read it in one sitting. Thank you Sophie for sharing this story and for all your other work through the years. Prayers to you and your family. ❤️

If you have ever enjoyed a novel by Sophie Kinsella, if you've laughed out loud at the antics of her characters, if you appreciate Kinsella's wisdom and wit, this book is for you. Heart-broken and heartbreaking, realizing the truth behind this novel reminded me of what a gifted writer is Kinsella. She could have delivered this news with a press release and let it be, but she obviously loves her readers and wanted share in a unique way. That she had the strength to write this will forever astound me.

Thanks to Dial Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I’ve always enjoyed the author’s work and this is no exception. I didn’t realize this was a novella when I started reading it, but it really worked perfectly. This is a semi-autobiographical story about Eve, who wakes up in the hospital and doesn’t remember what has happened. As the reader, we feel for Eve as she struggles to remember her kids, has to relearn how to walk, and even something as silly as remembering the lyrics to Christmas carols. Even thought it’s a very heavy subject, there are still light-hearted moments. I highly recommend reading this!

I didn’t know. I was dying to read Sophie Kinsella’s latest book because I thought it would be written in the same style as her others. I was ready for comedy, romance, her “I Love Lucy” style of antics and goofiness. Instead, I learned that this book is different. It is her personal story of her cancer journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. It is still hopeful ad witty and fun. It is just also heartbreaking and sad. As one of her biggest fans, I am sending prayers for a total recovery. Her books are a gift to the world.

thank you to netgalley, random house publishing group, and the dial press for this arc!! WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? publishes on october 8, 2024.

REVIEW ↡
sophie kinsella is one of my top favorite authors of all time, so getting the chance to read an early copy of this book was such a dream come true for me!!!

while this is a fiction novel, it is hugely inspired by sophie’s life and experience being diagnosed with glioblastoma. her writing and ability to capture such depth in just over 100 pages was really impressive. i was fond of how she drew parallels with her own life in such clever ways, like how she mentioned the SHOPAHOLIC series and other familiar anecdotes. this story is heartbreaking, but also offers warmth, comfort, and humor. i really enjoyed it and highly recommend reading it!!

I received a free copy of, What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Sophie is one of my favorite authors and this book was unlike anything she has written. Loved it.

What Does It Feel Like? written by Sophie Kinsella was such a heart breaking, beautiful, raw, poignant, powerful, and inspirational story. This is an autobiographical novella although some events and facts were changed by the author. It's so hard to review Sophie's novella without getting chocked up, but this story was so deeply moving, heart breaking, but so beautiful at the same time. I just want to take a minute to send all of my love and hugs Sophie's way. I deeply applaud Sophie for sharing her humor, bravery, and optimism with her readers. Despite fictionalizing her own life story and changing some events, Sophie never lost her light at the end of the tunnel. I had no idea Sophie had a brain tumor, but I just want to send all my love to Sophie and her family during this difficult time. Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Sophie never lost her sarcasm and humorous writing. Sophie, thank YOU for sharing your powerful story with all of us, my thoughts and prayers are always with you. I never knew this novella would be so heart breaking by looking at that beautiful cover, but I sobbed reading this story more times that I can possibly count. Please do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book immediately.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Although this is an autobiographical, names and certain events have been changed. Eve Monroe is a mother of five children and a beautiful but loving wife to her husband. Eve is a successful but lovable novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there or what happened. With her husband never far from her side, Eve learns that she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma which is a cancerous brain tumor. It took doctors and surgeons eight hours to surgically remove Eve's brain tumor. As Eve wakes up from her operation and moves forward with her everyday life, she can't remember anything, she can't write, draw, and remember her favorite Christmas carols, this is so difficult for Eve, but she never lost hope during these difficult times. As Eve slowly starts gaining her memory back she googles facts about brain tumors, some facts Eve learns are incurable and aggressive, and scary survival statistics. The most important thing Eve holds close to her heart is long walks hand in hand with her husband and her beloved children. Eve also had trouble learning how to walk and talk again, she couldn't form coherent sentences without getting her words jumbled up.

What Does It Feel Like? deserves nothing but five stars, but I feel like my review will never give this author the justice and love she deserves. I want to say the author's note was deeply heart breaking but it was super positive. Sophie, thank you for sharing your powerful journey with all of us and pouring your soul and bravery into this memorable autobiography. There were times were I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee myself, there were times where I cried so much I didn't think my heart would be pieced back together, but with Sophie's humorous writing and hopefulness, at the end my heart was put back together again. There were so many memorable moments shared in this story, but I think the best was Eve's Scrabble family game night where she cherished time with her beautiful children, I also thought the early morning conversations with her charming husband was so touching. Despite the fears Eve had, she never lost hope, even reading the survival statistics Eve made the most of her time and never let fear take over, no matter how scared she was to face the next day, not knowing what it would bring. Despite reading this novella in one sitting, it took me a few days to get my thoughts together, but as I'm sitting her writing this review, the tears are flowing again.

Keep your tissues handy! I'm glad this was a shorter read because it absolutely wrecked me. Even though this story was fictionalized, it's impossible to deny its real-life ramifications. Sophie Kinsella's writing has meant so much to me for decades, and I hope this novella is not the last we read from her. I wish her and her family the happiest ever after.

Thank you to Random House for the advanced reader copy!

I received a free copy of, What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book gave me all the feels, I could not imagine having a brain tumor, and all that goes along with it. The memory loss, the pain, learning everything over again. Its so hard to be that person and so hard for the loved ones. This is not just a story either though, the author has a brain tumor herself. This was a tough read but a really great read.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. I started her hilarious Shopaholic series just after college and have read most of her books since. My heart broke for her when I learned Sophie had been diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2022.

This novel is different from her others. While it’s still fiction, it’s based on her experience being diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Told in brief chapters and small snippets that you can read in an hour or so, What Does It Feel Like? is brave, sad, funny and uplifting. I love her writing and was inspired by her story. Sending her all the good thoughts and wishes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is an emotional book based on the author’s personal diagnosis. Her story is real with all the emotions felt by her, her family and friends. She was extremely brave to open up herself in such a way and I applaud her courageousness. Once I started this novel, it was very difficult to put it down. All aspects of the diagnosis are on full display. Well written and best wishes to the author on your battle! Thank you to Penguin Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced earn of the book. All opinions expressed are my own. #WhatDoesItFeelLike? #SophieKinsella #NetGalley