Cat has always dreamed of living in London and now she is and she's working at what should be her dream job. But thing aren't exactly working out as she planned and somehow she's helping her dad with a new moneymaking scheme on the farm she grew up on. When Demeter, her London boss, shows up things take an unexpected turn. Full of life and humor and learning that life isn't always what it looks like on Instagram. Reading this is like talking to a friend. Highly recommended.

This is the one. Drama, intrigue, humor and love. Sophie Kinsella hit them all. I just loved it. Katie-Cat spirals up and down and back again in this latest adventure and I felt it all. The pressure of her office, the loneliness of her apartment and life, the silliness of instagram and the longing of love.
As she struggles through her challenges she fights her within herself and sees many different outcomes. Finding her way through them is complicated but she perseveres and and her Not So Perfect Life becomes what she really does want.

Kinsella's novels are the perfect treat - warm and witty, with humor and a bit of romance. I enjoyed how Katie grew and changed throughout the novel and how the novel took on the real impact catty, mean girl shenanigans can have.

This is one of my favorite my favorite by Kinsella! The main character is actually the most relatable of them all. Katie Brenner moves to London to strike out as a city girl after living her entire life in the country. Katie doesn't have much money and lives pay check to pay check. She works in branding helping make products more appealing to consumers. She is the junior and she is in awe of her boss who has the perfect life and is also a witch. When Katie is fired, she heads home while trying to figure out what to do about her life. Along the way she learns about perceptions, true friendship and identity.
As always Kinsella is funny and thoughtful at the same time. That is what makes her books great. The characters always suffer from something normal people do but then their lives get insane and out there, making us readers feel better about the scrapes we get into.
I also enjoyed that the love story took less of the time than in other books. While I enjoy a good love story, this one truly focused on Katie and her feelings for herself, her family, and who she was in contrast of who she thought she was. While these components are always in the Kinsella books, they often take a back seat to the overall love story.
An laugh out read, Kinsella truly connects with her readers and leaves us walking away happier about ourselves.

Sophie Kinsella has millions of books in circulation chock full of her signature chick-lit humor. Her easy breezy style and formula continue to work despite how fast the books hit the shelves. This time around, we meet ambitious and single 26-year old Katie, a farm girl who moves to her dream city of London but struggles to make ends meet even though she has landed a good job in a field that she loves. Just when she starts to feel comfortable there, things go awry and Sophie is fired by her nightmare of a boss, Demeter. Katie refuses to let this setback crush her ambition. The timing cannot be better even though Katie can’t see it through her anger. With no money and no prospect of a job, she heads home to her family’s farm, ashamed to tell her father and stepmother she’s been fired, telling them only that she’s on sabbatical. Her stepmother and father ask for Katie’s help in starting a new business, rolling out a ‘glamping’ operation on the farm which is where most of the rest of the story takes place.

And this is where the story takes off for me. Demeter re-enters Katie’s life, arriving at the farm with her snobbish family to glamp after reading a magazine promotion. She is completely unaware that Katie is running the show. Katie recognizes her ex-boss immediately, however, disguises herself and sets off to even the score.

“This is it. At last I’m going to get even. So Demeter wants rural? She wants a “taste of farm life”? She wants “authentic”? Well, she’s bloody well going to get it.” No good can possibly come out of that statement. Hang on for the ride.

The hijinks that follow are ridiculously funny. And of course, there is a bit of romance. What an entertaining read.

"Note: Will also be posting to Amazon, B&N, Powells once published.

I found myself extremely fortunate to receive an early copy of My Not So Perfect Life. Sophie Kinsella will always hold a special place in my reader's heart. Her series and standalones are favorites in my library.

My Not So Perfect Life followed Sophie Kinsella's familiar outline of a young, single country girl trying to find her way in a big city. Through new jobs, cool friends, trendy everything, all while trying to keep up on a tight budget, Katie Brenner is trying to make her way in an unforgiving world. I found that I connected with the characters extremely quickly (definitely one of Sophie Kinsella's amazing abilities). I wanted to be a part of the story and felt like I was. I may have even gotten a little choked up in some of the more endearing scenes.

We all know that people portray the side that they want you to see. But we also know, and need a reminder, that there is another side that makes them pure human and just like you. A side that gets hidden. Not everything is perfect. Even for the person who seems to have it all.

While My Not So Perfect Life was not one of my very favorites, it is definitely a good - feel-good book. You want Katie to find her way. You can imagine the scenes and situations she finds herself in. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you think that someone out there has it better than you.

Another fun, classic Kinsella--exactly what I was expecting out of this book and I really enjoyed it. The setup was enjoyable and not too romance heavy, instead focusing more on the main character's career goals and family, which I really enjoyed.

This was a story with a good conclusion to take from it, 'no one's life is perfect, so just be yourself'. I feel I got Kinsella's point but I hope I missed something that will spice up this book above average.

Katie struggles everyday to keep her dream life in London but it's too expensive and she can't even afford to breathe, much less have one of those expensive coffees she pretends to have on her Instagram account. She had no idea her boss-from-hell could make her life even less perfect than it already was.

This book started well, it's so easy to relate to Katie, trying to simply live while pretending it's all fine. But the story never really got me. It was a slow development, so I feel anything I say here will be a reveal.

In any case, the focus was ultimately to realize her boss's life was just not-so-perfect as her own. And this fell flat for me because for one the boss is far from charismatic or relatable—and this was on purpose. So any of her problems sounded like first-world problems to me. Especially because they were supposed to balance with Katie's, which, as I have mentioned, sounded like my very own. I won't say I hated the boss, I really didn't. I've had bosses like her before, so it was easy to find something to appreciate in her. It doesn't mean I found it in me to cheer for her well being, and this killed the book for me.

I find it commendable that Kinsella manages to write stories featuring romances and still not bet it all in the romance. However, the only way I see that I would have enjoyed this was if Katie and her boss were the main couple. Only blind love could really make you actively help such person.

Back to Katie, I liked her at first, as I said, but she didn't develop well. I mean, a part of her development was basically a cliché that if you are yourself you can win the world. She is hardworking so she deserves the best but this wasn't so believable to me. On the other hand, I do forgive it, it's good to get away to a world where this actually happens. But Katie was also just too immature at times, and that's the point that killed my love for her.

I'm glad to announce to those who like me enjoy romances that we do have a romantic interest. He doesn't appear much during the first half, so you'll have to hang in there. And he's not really bad. But he is definitely missing that swooning effect Kinsella's men have on me.

As you can see, this is a not-so-perfect story but it is a solid three-star. You won't hear me recommending it to anyone but I won't really tell anyone against reading it. It was a nice story with a nice flow. Except for the second third, I found it to be a fast read. It was actually good to read some nice chick-lit, I love those.

Couldn't really get into this book - Don't know if it was the story itself, or just not the right time. I do like Sophie's writing though, so I will definitely be on the lookout for another title.

I'm a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella. Okay, so I might have fallen out of love with the Shopaholic series after the last couple of books, but Sophie's standalone novels have always been brilliant reads. In fact, Twenties Girl is one of my all-time favourite chick-lit reads. Aside from the bestselling Shopaholic series, Sophie's books include The Undomestic Goddess, Can You Keep a Secret?, YA novel Finding Audrey and now, My Not So Perfect Life.

Katie Brenner is living the London life. She's given herself a new, chic nickname (Cat) and bagged herself a fab office job in marketing. She's stylish, eats out at great places and has a bunch of equally glam city friends. Basically, she's living the dream.

Except she's not. Despite the photos she's always sharing on Instagram, Katie is poor, is undermined by her boss who's impossible to please, lives in a flatshare, and doesn't have that many friends. In fact, Katie is totally faking it. Having always dreamed of moving to London from her rural home in Somerset, Katie is finally in the city she loves and is determined to stay there. Even if it DOES mean hiding her country-girl roots from her posh colleagues.

Though things begin to look up when she meets handsome, fun Alex. Not even a humiliating encounter with bitchy boss Demeter can burst her happy bubble. Or can it?

Just after finding out who Alex really is, Katie is fired from her job without warning, effective immediately. With no job and little cash, Katie makes a decision she really doesn't want to make...to head back to Ansters Farm in Somerset to assist her dad in setting up his latest money-making idea - a trendy new 'glamping' site. Katie's plan is to help until she lands herself a new job, then return to the big city to resume normal life.

That is, until Demeter turns up at Ansters Farm for a family holiday.

When Demeter doesn't even recognise Katie as the junior she recently fired, Katie's angry - and she's not about to pass up the opportunity to get her own back on her awful former boss, with some hilarious results. However, it soon becomes apparent that Katie's not the only one guilty of faking a perfect life in London.

My Not So Perfect Life is a wonderful read. As expected, Sophie Kinsella delivered her perfect combination for a great romantic comedy: witty writing, fun characters and amusing scenarios. Even though Katie is particularly silly at times, she's fun, relatable and easy to warm to. I loved her family too (her dad especially!) and admired Katie's determination throughout the book. Over the years there have been plenty of novels with the 'country girl moves to the big city' theme (it was highly popular at one time), and even though I expected this book to be similar, the ending surprised me.

I guess a lot of us can be guilty of wanting more out of life, or coveting a lifestyle we think is better or more glamorous. Social media, Instagram especially, allows people to display the life they want to the world, if they choose to. This was something I enjoyed about this book; the role that social media plays in Katie's life, as she tries to 'design' what she thinks that she needs to have.

Yet again Sophie Kinsella has penned another wonderful read. If you're looking for something funny, romantic, a little bit silly and heartwarming, then My Not So Perfect Life is...well, perfect.

Rating: 5/5

There is just something about Sophie Kinsella. There is a level of predictableness to her books but that is not at all a bad thing. I know I am going to laugh. I might cry. I will swoon. I will hug the book to my chest, smiling, at least once. Mainly, I know I am going to enjoy it.

My Not So Perfect Life had all of that and more.

I really loved the message in this book because I think everyone feels at some point that their life is in tatters. Especially in this day of social media envy. I know I see all the pictures, posts, Tweets, etc showing how my "friends" have got their lives together. And I've got cat hair in my food. So, yeah. I can relate to not feeling like I've got it together.

This book shows a "perfect" and "together" life then allows us behind the curtain to see the truth. And its comforting. Just as in the pages of this book, its nice to not feel alone in our daily struggles.

The characters were so much fun! Sophie Kinsella just has a way of making them feel like someone you already know.

The story itself had laugh out loud moments and scenes where I wanted to cover my eyes to hide from embarrassment on Katie's behalf. This was such a wonderful read and I will be recommending to everyone who needs a fun, entertaining hug from a book.

I have read Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series, and just loved them. I was very pleased that this book was as enjoyable as I thought it would be. It was a real page turner. I found it refreshing that the book took on the country girl trying to make it in the big city and just how difficult it is out. It was about the relationship of a daughter with her father, not wanting to be a disappointment. The story of a young woman finding that a things are not always as they seem and finding the goodness to help. Lastly, it was not your usual love story but it was a love story all the same. I would highly recommend.

**Review will be published to blog on 06 Feb 2017 at 10:00AM EST**

I chose this book because:

I used to read Sophie Kinsella all the time. I think I probably stopped after I thought I was reading too much chick lit, but after I finish this book, I’m gonna catch up with her books by reading all her novels published after 2010 (because I’ve already read all her novels published before then). You know I’m intrigued by any book to do with social media and/or finding "a truly meaningful life.” We’re all too familiar with what we’re leaving outside the crop. I wonder why Katie got fired and I wonder what was not-so-perfect about Demeter’s life (I don’t doubt that it was not-so-perfect, but what about it specifically?? dramaaaa).

Upon reading this book: //spoilers will be covered & revealed when highlighted by reader//

The book was very fast-paced, which makes sense as it took place in the modern world and the tech industry (design and marketing definitely fall into that category), and almost verged on rant-y, which suited my mood at the time I was reading the book. I could imagine myself occasionally feeling the urge to blog this sort of content, except that I try my best to keep my composure on here—probably safer for me to just rant to my friends haha… which I do… occasionally…

Katie’s social media platform of choice is Instagram. You can tell that it’s always on her mind and she’s always on the look out for what would make great content, whether its a snapshot of her experience or of someone else’s. One of my favourite scenes was when Katie went over to take pictures of someone else’s hot chocolate for Instagram. This was one of a few scenes where she actually described the lengths she went for her Instagram photos, rather than just flippantly mentioning that something would make great content. I would have loved to read more of these funny little anecdotes!

The glamping and the buzzwords… Totally on trend and I could completely imagine designers and marketers creating this and consumers eating it up. I’ve definitely watched a vlog or blog or two about glamping hehe.

"A beautiful, talented girl like you. Beautiful."

I’d like to think that if I heard that line, “beautiful” wouldn’t be the word I’d latch onto. I’m talented! I’m smart! I’m strong! I’m a feminist! Although tbh, if I heard that line, irl I’d probably fall for “beautiful,” as much as I’d hate to.

From the get-go, I knew that Katie and Alex would be a thing. For me, there was no suspense there; it was just a matter of time. //begin spoiler// (Also, you always know that when Person A breaks it off first because they think Person B is going to break it off, it’s always the case that Person B wasn’t going to break it off, but then Person A breaks it off because they don’t realise it and want to save themselves dignity and pain, and then Person B thinks it’s what Person A wants, so they keep quiet about it, and nobody gets what they want and it’s tragic sob sob until the end of the book when it’s happily ever after.)

"Look at the email address. It should be Demeter-dot-Farlowe at Cooper Clemmow.com. But this has been sent to Demeter-underscore-Farlowe at Cooper Clemmow.com. It’s a totally different email account."

Another thing. The faked emails. The possibility of that scheme working was highly improbable unless the victim was very technologically incompetent, which is unlikely for someone working in the tech industry. I mean, c’mon. It was down to mixing up a hyphen and a period in the email address? Who would mix that up?? Hardly a revelation. But in the midst of this, I did enjoy the moment when Demeter shared her vulnerable side and all the not-so-perfect parts of her life that Katie wanted. //end spoiler//

Overall, this was a solid, fun, feel-good read about an insecure modern day lady who blossomed into a boss lady. Even though many of us realise that we leave the not-so-perfect parts of lives outside the crop, away from our social media profiles, for some reason we sometimes forget that other people do that too.

#MyNotSoPerfectLife looks like me freezing in the corner of a ridiculously air conditioned cafe with a beautiful flat lay at my table. How about yours?

If you are looking for a funny and witty book then My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella is perfect.

Katie Brenner has wanted to leave Somerset for London her entire life. Growing up on a farm is not what she wants her life to be and she has been craving a life in the big city of London - she knows it will be the perfect life. When she finally gets there, life in London is not as perfect as she would like. Living in a cramped apartment with crazy flatmates and at a job where she is at the bottom of the totem pole is not what she has envisioned, but not one to give up she can pretend it's a perfect life. Then when she thinks it's going to get better it all ends when she is let go from her job by a boss who is crazy. Returning home to Somerset to help her family open a glampsite/B&B, she doesn't want to disappoint her dad so she doesn't tell the whole truth about being let go - that is until her former boss Demeter and Alex the guy she likes (and Demeter's boss) show up. Now Katie needs to figure out what's more important to pretend she has a perfect life - or admit that life isn't perfect but could be a whole lot better.

I have never read Sophie Kinsella's books before and I was really intrigued by the description of this one. Its funny, charming, smart and so well written that I am sure it wont be my last one. It is over 400 pages long but once I got started I just couldnt put it down. The dialog between all the characters was perfect along with the descriptions of both London and Somerset - I felt like I was there. There is a fun romance between Katie and Alex that was a lot of fun and the payoffs at the end were really well done.

All in all, I do recommend this to anyone who wants an escape this winter.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I find Kinsella's characters relatable and true to their hearts. These "every girls" always find their way, even if it takes a few funny tries. I always cheer for them and stay up way too late reading. Katie, the heroine of this novel, is another character to root on as she finds her place in the world.

I loved this book. Set in London & Somerset this is a funny, yet thoughtful novel that reminds me of early Jane Green. I couldn't put the book down; it was so readable and i think many will find it so. Enjoyable, very perceptive, witty & timely regarding peoples obsessions with their Instagram personas.

Funny and delightful as Kinsella's books always are, but with some added depth. Katie-Cat is a charming heroine.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I've never read this author before but her style of writing is amazing. The plot twists and turns made me want to keep turning pages. Would highly recommend reading this book.

Another winner from Sophie Kinsella! I loved Katie and the cast of characters in this book. The story had some great twists and turns that weren't anticipated, and I loved how the story ended. Five stars!

It’s been quite a while since I read a Sophie Kinsella novel, but I had fun with it. On the surface, it seems like a story you’ve read before—a country girl struggling to make it in the big city (London) with a diabolical boss. In the country, she went by Katie, but in her new job at the lowest level on a branding team, she wears nonprescription glasses and calls herself Cat (except when she slips and calls herself Katie). Her boss, Demeter, can’t remember anyone’s name, and calls her Cath.

The staff can’t stand Demeter. Neither can Cat/Katie, but she admires her talent and how she always looks and acts perfect, with the perfect huge house and perfect husband and two kids.

Cat/Katie gets laid off in a spectacularly dismissive manner, but she doesn’t want to admit to her father that her dreams of making it in London failed. She tries desperately to get a new job, but has no luck. Instead, she tells her Dad and stepmom that she is on a sabbatical so she can help them set up a new-agey “glamping” trip on the farm, in which wealthy folks can pretend to rough it in yurts without actually ever going without Wifi.

Over the course of the novel, Katie begins to see different sides of Demeter, sometimes wanting revenge and alternately seeing the dark side of “success.” Basically, that no one is exactly as they seem because we present what we want people to see us as (like pnlly posting happy my-life-is-so-perfect-and-great photos on social media). Katie comes to these same conclusions about herself, her friend, and her on-again-off again lover.

The humor and good writing make this a fun a read.