I had a little bit of a hard time getting into this book in the first few chapters and was thinking I was not going to like it as much as her other books, but I continued reading and actually did end up enjoying it. Once Katie goes back home to help her dad and stepmom start their "glamping" business, that's when I found myself really laughing out loud. Some not-so-likable characters that I ended up liking at the end. Another fun Sophie Kinsella book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Good heavens, I love Sophie Kinsella books! This one is one of her best yet, with fun characters working in the crazy world of publishing. Add in family, and the wonderful world of England... It's a winner all around.

I’ve been a fan of Kinsella’s books for years, particularly the Shopaholic series, so I was excited to read her latest. It did not disappoint.

Katie “Cat” Brenner grew up in the British countryside (Somerset), but she always longed to make a name for herself in London in the advertising business. However, she soon learns that life in London as not as she imagined. She has annoying roommates, no money, and a difficult boss who can’t even remember her name. When things start to fall apart for Katie, she is faced with making some difficult life decisions. Is it possible for her to find that “perfect life” after all?

While Katie is a bit naïve at times, she is, overall, a smart, resilient heroine. The characters, in general, are flawed, but relatable. Kinsella’s signature humor is evident, though there are deep, meaningful scenes, as well. This is not just a fluff chick lit tale. While there is a romantic angle, it’s not as dominant as it is in some of Kinsella’s other books. There’s even a bit of mystery thrown in. If you’re looking for a fun, light read, this is one to check out.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

In My Not So Perfect Life, we meet Katie Brenner who seems to have a pretty fabulous life...at least that's what she portrays on Instagram. She's got a job she (mostly) loves, is living in London, her dream city, and has recently developed an oh so little crush on a guy she's just met. In fact, if you believe her Instagram feed, she's also frequenting posh restaurants and taking in all the London hot spots. Question is, is that her real life??

As is often the case, things in Katie's "real" life aren't all that rosy as her boss Demeter is somewhat of a disorganized nut who seems to be on the verge of a breakdown at times. Her apartment is crap and for the most part she's financially broke. When things at work go from bad to worse, Katie decides to make some changes in her life. Where those changes will lead her, especially when life throws her some curveballs, is anyone's guess but many readers will definitely enjoy finding out.

I want to preface the rest of my review by saying that I've read ALL of Sophie Kinsella's standalones and have given all of them a 3 star rating or better. I was thrilled when Netgalley approved my request back in the fall as I've literally been waiting since the spring of 2014 when Wedding Night was published (5 stars from me) for her next standalone. So...it pains me to say that for many reasons this book didn't work for me. While I think it started off fairly strong in typical Sophie Kinsella style with quick dialogue, snappy prose and such a complete readability in terms of how she presents a story, by about 35% I found myself debating about putting it in the DNF pile and moving on. What I feel was the biggest obstacle for me was that it was narrated in the first person perspective by Katie. In my opinion, Katie whined a lot, went off on random tangents, and just seemed to blather on and on so often I found myself hoping for a break from her. Not to mention some of her "revenge" tactics I found extremely immature and too over the top which resulted in me liking her even less. Ultimately, I think it was my extreme lack of connection to Katie that caused me to have issues with the whole story. For me, when I combine the first person narration with what I felt was A LOT of unnecessary "filler" in terms of her parents farm and the goings on there, it became a disappointing read. I did, however, continue reading with the slight hope that perhaps I would feel different after I saw how it all played out but in the end this story just didn't work for me. All that being said, I'll still be waiting impatiently for her next standalone. Here's hoping it comes sooner rather than later!

This book surprised me a bit.

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and I figured out what was happening to Demeter very quickly. It was easy to see that this book mixed different author's influences, but it worked for Ms Kinsella. I was charmed instead of annoyed.

What also surprised me is that I really thought that Katie would take the more emotionally draining way out of this mess (stay in the country), but I'm glad she went back to what she truly wanted in her life.

*ARC supplied by publisher.

This novel begins and ends with the premise that the lives we present online as well as the lives of those we follow is not the whole truth. Online lives are the more perfect parts of our existence, not the whole picture. The main character, Katie, is a young woman in a beginner's job, living in London. She is trying to remake herself in London from her country beginnings. Life in London has always been her dream.

As is the case for most dreams, the reality does not match the fantasy built in Katie's mind. She feels very unsatisfied in her job and while she admires her boss, Demeter, she also at times resents her. Katie eventually loses her job and has to move back home. This gives her time to reevaluate her choices. I won't describe more of the plot but do recommend giving this book a read.

This novel was a really fun read but also had substance to it. It provoked an array of emotions in me while reading. Katie was a very relatable protagonist and her story was well written. I could easily see this novel being turned into a movie. This is the first book I have read by Kinsella, but it will not be the last. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

I'm a HUGE fan of Kinsella and this latest novel of hers DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I read nearly the entire book on a flight home and laughed out loud more than once (or maybe more than ten times). True to Kinsella, the bigger picture and theme of this book is one that affects us all. Comparison is a dangerous game, especially in light of the social media highlight reels we are all so keen to judge a person by. I adored Katie Brenner and her relatable struggles with identity--and I was rooting for her budding co-worker romance despite their bumpy beginning. All in all, this book is one I will recommend to many friends and loved ones. I gave a contented happy sigh on the last page and am already looking forward to Kinsella's next work of brilliant fiction.

An absolutely perfect slice of entertainment, best downed with something fizzy and sweet. For fans of JoJo Moyes and Lauren Weisberger. Or for those who want to jump into the not-so-perfect shoes of twenty-something Cat/Katie finding herself in contemporary, upper-crust London.

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella; release date February 7, 2017; published by Random House; ISBN 9780812998269

Katie 'Cat' Brenner is living her dream life in London, or at least that's what she wants her family and friends to believe when they see her Instagram photos. Everyone else's life is perfect so why would they want to know about her excruciatingly long commute, horrible roommates and underwhelming job? When an unexpected change at work forces her to return to her family home in the countryside, Katie is forced to reevaluate her life, her priorities and along the way learns an important life lesson: not everything is as perfect as it seems.

Sophie Kinsella has such a knack for creating lighthearted and fun stories, with relatable and likeable characters. It's one of the main reasons I come back to her books every time. With My Not So Perfect Life, Sophie Kinsella has captured perfectly the society we live in today, where the appearance of happiness, success and perfection is so much more important than the messiness and unglamorous reality of everyday life.

A fun, entertaining and (surprisingly) thought provoking read. I absolutely recommend to pick this one up from your local library or bookstore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (The Dial Press) for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Every now and again, I like to indulge in this little genre known as chick lit. Some argue it has no substance, that the stories are fluff. I disagree. The stories can be well written and quite entertaining. So whenever I see a new chick lit novel by author Sophie Kinsella, I do not think twice before picking it up. She's never let me down! And this new release is no exception.

Part love story, part workplace drama—My Not So Perfect Life is a look at how social media obsession paints a false judgment. Lives look perfect on Instagram and Facebook, but are they really? Katie "Cat" Brenner's life is a daily struggle. Odd flatmates that stock up on whey. No posh townhouse or glam job. Katie is so low on the professional totem pole, that her boss makes her dye roots in the office. Then out of nowhere, Katie is fired. Now what will she post on Instagram? Katie retreats to her family's farm giving London a break. But unexpected guests and a possible new romance may help Katie's real life match her social media posts.

My Not So Perfect Life is the perfect chick lit read this winter. Happy Pub Day, Sophie Kinsella.

LiteraryMarie

I am a very casual fan of the "chic-lit" genre. I compare reading too much of it to watching too many episodes of The Bachelor on TV. It numbs the mind. Needing to read something different than my usual genres though I decided to take a chance on this book and author. I had heard of Sophie Kinsella and her Shopaholic series but had never taken the time to read them. I was quite surprised to find My Not So Perfect Life an entertaining and engaging read.

There were parts of the story that I found to be a bit slow. The initial setup of the story in London and again in Katie's hometown seemed to be a bit lengthy. After I got through those parts though I found the story to be a quick read. It was easy to get into the story and stay involved. Katie and Alex seemed to have a very genuine relationship and I enjoyed the times they spent together. They complimented each other well and their chemistry was easy to see without being too much. There are also twists and turns in the story to keep things interesting.

My favorite thing though is that this story isn't just mind-numbing fluff. There is an actual theme to the story of people putting up a front or only showing others what they want them to see. Katie wants the perfect life she thinks everyone around her has when in reality the very people who she thinks has it all really don't. They are faced with challenges and struggles just like everyone else. I have two favorite quotes from the story but my favorite one is this: "Every time you see someone's bright-and-shiny, remember: They have their own crappy truths too." I think this is something we would all do well to remember because it is so true.

Sophie Kinsella has won me over with this book. I like her writing style and her ability to tell an entertaining story and keep it real and honest. I like the way she inserts a life lesson into the story and does it in a way that isn't preachy or in your face. It's just an added bonus to a really good story.

I was already recommending this book to people before I had even finished it. I will continue to recommend it to people and hope they get as much enjoyment from the story as I did. This is a book for the keeper shelf and one that I can see myself rereading in the future.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

My Not so perfect life by Sophie Kinsella was a really great read. I found it funny, cute, and entertaining. I'm glad to have discovered Sophie Kinsella and really enjoyed her writing. I have a feeling she's going to be one of my favorites!

4****

I was so excited to see a Sophie Kinsella book for review, she's one of my favorite authors. This book didn't disappoint, I loved it. It was funny, sweet, cute, and all of the other adjectives like those, just what I like in a good 'chicklit' story. Katie is an amiable character that you can't help but root for and hope she finds her Prince Charming. I kept picturing this book as a movie and feel Bridget Jones' dad would be perfect as Katie's dad. This would be the perfect book for a holiday, rainy weekend cuddled up by the fireplace, or any other time you want a charming story!

Cat/Katie is living her dream! She's living in London, working for a branding agency and has the most handsome boss ever. Her supervisor, Demeter, is slick, elegant and totally unaware of her and her work. Cat has moved away from her father and stepmother in the country and she is determined to make it big in the city but things become complicated and her life is turned upside down. Reading a Sophie Kinsella novel makes you feel like you're having a drink with a good friend, gossiping and laughing together in your own little world. I highly recommend this funny, engaging story that take you to the UK for a great time! All you have to do is go to the station, your ticket is waiting for you!

My No So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella is now available from Dial Press, an imprint of Random House Publishers. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I’m just going to say it. My (Not So) Perfect Life is just pure fun! If you’ve ever been a fan of Sophie Kinsella, you are in for a treat. I’ve liked her books since the very beginnings of the Shopaholic series so I was so happy to see this book show up for review.

Who wouldn’t love a perfect life? I know I would! No more bills, chores, lots of fun times with friends, no weight gain?? It sounds amazing but as we all know, that is not reality. Katie Brenner is determined to make her life in London utterly amazing. After growing up in farm country in England, she wants something different. She is sure that her her current job will yield something a lot better. After all, she works with the very talented Demeter. Sure, Demeter is a bit bossy, a bit forgetful and sometimes just downright mean, but Katie (or Cat as she goes by at work) is sure that Demeter will be the perfect mentor for Katie’s future success. Unfortunately, things definitely do not go as planned. Soon, Katie finds herself sacked and back home in the country. To make matters worse, soon Demeter shows up, family in tow, ready for a relaxing time in the country at her father’s rustic resort, the place where Katie is currently working while she is on “sabbatical” (or so she tells her Dad). Before Katie realizes it, she is learning that the perfect life does not exist. You just have to make the best of what you have.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors to reach for when I need a pick-me-up or a lighthearted book I know will end well for the main character. I didn’t even have this book on my radar until it showed up on Netgalley but I am glad I gave it a chance (especially because her last book wasn’t the best for me). Katie is very similar to me. My instagram sometimes tries to be cooler than I actually am. While I’d love to have a sort of active social life, I’m more of a homebody than anything. Katie wants to excel at her job (again, me) but that’s not always easy when coworkers get in the way. Katie’s life has lots of ups and downs, much like real life, so her experiences really resonated with me.

I also enjoyed her time back in the country as she tries to get her life back under control. Her relationship with her dad is super sweet and I really liked the effort she made to make his “resort” a success. While Katie tries to reach high in life, I never thought of her as a snob at all. Yes, she’d love a custom made coat but she’s not afraid of hard work at all. She is bright with good ideas, she just had to learn to speak up when the time was appropriate.

And of course, like all great Sophie Kinsella books, there is a sweet romance. Katie meets Alex while employed under Demeter’s reign and she is smitten. He is kind of like a little kid in that he loves trying out all kinds of crazy new gadgets and toys but he also has the appeal of a gentleman in how he treats Katie.

There is just a lot to like in this book. It has Kinsella’s trademark humor and yes, her slightly stereotypical characters. But those elements don’t really bother me. I always know what I’m getting when I read one of her books and there is great comfort in that fact. This book has a lot of re-read potential too! So, all in all, I’d say that My (Not So) Perfect Life is pretty much all around fantastic. If you’ve liked Sophie Kinsella’s books in the past, chances are you are going to really enjoy this story too.

I really enjoyed this book! I have been reading a lot of psychological thrillers lately so I was needing a change. This was a light-hearted, funny read that I didn’t want to put down. I love how most of the book revolves around her annoying boss and her job instead of focusing on the romantic side of the story. Don’t get me wrong—I am a huge fan of Romantic Comedies—the Hallmark Channel is my go to on my days off, but I just wanted something I could enjoy and didn’t have to dissect every word. Kinsella has always been a fav author of mine because I know I can count on something that will keep me entertained.
I really enjoyed Katie as a character. She may have been trying to keep up appearances and put a bit too much on her plate, but that’s what made this such a good story. She created Cat, who is trendy, fashionable, and lives the fabulous London life. In reality, she is Katie, a sweet farmer’s daughter who is just trying to fit in. She is creative, funny, and is trying to find herself. The story is one that made me smile and laugh out loud. There are so many times in life where we put on a happy face and try to make things seem better than they really are. I mean, how many of us have dealt with a know-it-all boss, crappy roommates, or parents that you don’t want to disappoint. We’ve all told a little white lie at some point. I love the message knitted into the plot and, overall, it’s such a charming read!

I used to love chick lit books, but I've started to avoid them often - as I got older I found them annoying. that said I loved the Shopaholic books so I jumped at the chance to read this! overall I found it entertaining and enjoyable and it was a quick read - just the kind of book I was looking for at this point.

I was given the opportunity to read an electronic copy of My Not So Perfect Life via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Katie Brenner, a farm girl from Somerset, longs for the high society life that living in London can provide. Reinventing herself and working at an entry level research position for Cooper Clemmow, a branding and strategy agency, Cat (as she is now called) strives to be more like her boss Demeter. Sometimes, life just does not turn out like you planned...

Because of the Shopaholic series, I was so excited to receive My Not So Perfect Life via NetGalley. The quirkiness and humor filled dialogue that made the series a success was largely absent in this latest offering by author Sophie Kinsella, to my chagrin. Katie embodies some of the personality traits of her very famous predecessor, but the author just did not take her far enough. The book itself tended to ramble on and would have been more successful with a few less pages. The outcome was foreshadowed early on, so by the middle of the book, I was just reading to determine if I was correct. Although I did like Katie, the character does not have the staying power that Becky did. My Not So Perfect Life was a good read, but not as great as I was expecting.

This was classic Kinsella for me. I did find the very beginning a little slow going. But by Chapter 2, I was hooked and it was smooth sailing from there. It had edge, it had gumption, it had romance, it had grace. I would definitely recommend this book.