This was my first introduction to Sophie Kinsella's work and she has made me a fan!
The story centers around Katie, a young woman trying to make it in big city London. She lands a position in a firm where she encounters bosses and fellow workers of all ilks. Obviously, there is a love interest, but what makes this book especially unique is the freshness and sensitivity Kinsella brings to the story.
Looking forward to her next book already!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and chose to provide an honest review. This book started slowly and is not an original premise but the characters are real. It points out that not everything is as it appears and we don’t all get what we wish for and if we do, it may not be exactly as we anticipated. I enjoyed the girl from the farm trying to make it in the city. I posted this on 2/7/2017, also

Quite possibly my favorite book by Sophie Kinsella - definitely my favorite of all her characters! Katie represents all of us who have with big dreams but life doesn't always progress how we want it too. Her roommates, her flat, her job...nothing quite like she has aspired to, but she makes the best of the situation (and maybe paints things a little rosier to her family and friends.) Situations change, and she handles them the best she can with a good spirit. No wishy-washy heroine here (mostly) - she is plucky and smart! I would love to see a sequel with more from Katie.

My review will be on www.hayleyreviews10.wordpress.com shortly.

Sophie Kinsella has written another delightfully amusing novel. Perfect for those looking for a beach or airplane read or to just enjoy some mind candy.

I can't remember the last time I read a book by Sophie Kinsella, but the cover of My Not So Perfect Life caught my eye on NetGalley and I couldn't resist. That was an excellent decision because this book is a gem! Katie Brenner may look like she has the perfect life, but that isn't the truth of the matter. She shares a tiny flat in London with terrible roommates, isn't valued at work and can barely afford her already frugal lifestyle. She keeps hoping things will change, and they finally do - just not in the way she hoped. Her glamorous boss, Demeter, fires her, and she has to move back home to help her dad set up a glamping business. An opportunity to get back at her boss presents itself... what will Katie do? Honestly, this book was a joy to read. It's got a little bit of everything - workplace drama, supportive family relationships, charming setting, hilarious situations, an adorable romance and an empowering message. The romance wasn't the main story, though it was a wonderfully swoony addition, and I appreciated that Katie's personal growth was the focus. Plus, I loved the way the book dealt with the filtered and idealized version of life versus the messy reality. I'm So Obsessed With It and can't recommend it highly enough!

This is the first of Kinsella's book I read and I've to say I regret not reading her other books before.
I loved this book so much that I really whished I had read something by the author sooner.
I could really relate to Katie, I mean Cat....or whatever. I have lived away from home, Struggling with living on my own, sometimes broke and also been without a job for a period of time: So, I could really feel connected to Katie. And reading how she was trying to overcome that and how she always had her mind set on her goals was completely awesome.
Besides, she was hilarious, her voice was unique and funny. I thought it was a great story, fresh and gripping with very interesting characters; I really liked the writing style, the plot and...everything! I truly enjoyed it and I highy recommend it!!!

Occasionally, when I am done with a super serious book, I like to change it up and read something predictable that ends with “happily ever after.” Sophie Kinsella’s, My (Not So) Perfect Life is funny, enjoyable, and uncomplicated. The novel’s central message is although life is not perfect, it’s still pretty damn good. It’s up to us to own it and make the best of it. I appreciate Kinsella’s consistent sense of humor and found myself laughing out loud throughout the novel. (I think this book would make a cute romantic comedy). If you enjoy funny chick lit, you will be pleased.

I would like to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Think Devil Wears Prada, but with a stronger protagonist and a nicer antagonist. And parents who live out in farm country. And a cute guy. With a tasteful tattoo.

Sigh.

Katie loves her job -- and London -- but not so much the people. Good thing for her, then when she's needed at the family "farm" and actually has an opportunity to show her marketing skills and get a little sweet revenge. And fall in love. Action on the farm reduced me to tears of hilarity, and I literally read while brushing my teeth because I needed to see out the rest of Demeter's bespoke resort activity. Well done you, Katie!

I appreciate that Kinsella put family at the heart of this story - Katie's family, Demeter's family, and the true family at the London office. Though I always adore a satisfying romance, this might be one of the first times I eagerly anticipated the next friends-and-family move over the the next romantic move.

So... there was more than one happily ever after in My Not So Perfect Life. What went around came around, to the winning pleasure of Katie, her friends, her family, and her man. We won't talk about the losers.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1919809579
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/02/20/review-my-not-so-perfect-life-by-sophie-kinsella/

Sometimes I like to find a book that's just easy and entertaining to read. I thought My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella definitely delivered for me.

Katie Brenner from rural Somerset has managed to create her "perfect" life as Cat Brenner in London. Just follow her on Instagram and you’ll see – fab new look, dream job, and spectacular London at her feet. So what if Cat chooses to leave out a few images? Like her tiny room and weird roommates, the nonexistent social life, too tight budget, and terrible commute.

Cat is determined that since she should have as charmed a life as her super successful boss, Demeter, she’ll fake it ‘til she makes it. And it seems like it’s working! She’s invited to socialize with her co-workers, meets handsome firm partner Colin and Cat finally gets Demeter to notice her work and is sure her career is ready to takeoff. But instead, Cat is fired. Devasting news, just when she was sure it was all going to become just like she dreamed.

Even when Cat goes back to Somerset and back to being Katie, she doesn’t reveal to her family of friends. She jumps in to help her Dad build a “Glamping” business at the farm, the current scheme in a long line of get rich plans. But this one is working, with Katie and her step-mother keeping a tight leash on the operations. Katie soon finds out that most everyone she’s been trying to impress or emulate has their own problems, and many much larger than hers.

This book was a quick and fun read, and pointed out the folly of trying to create an illusion for the world while letting it get in the way of finding your own true self.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for opinion.

Another win for Sophie Kinsella! Funny story about a farmer's daughter trying to make it in the big city!

I'm a huge Sophie Kinsella fan, so I was so excited to get her latest book. An it was as good as all of her books are, but it was a little different than the usual Shopaholic fare.

Katie is from a small, rural town. After growing up without any money, she is itching to move to the big city and live the glamorous life that she see on Instagram. So Katie moves to London and reinvents herself on social media into a glamorous career girl who lives an exciting life with her many friends.

The reality is that she has gotten a job that pays her nothing, and she spends her time taking pictures of things she hasn't bought, food she hasn't eaten and places that she doesn't live in.

Katie has a budding romance with the the company owner's son, and things seem to be looking up when she suddenly finds herself fired by her boss from Hell, Demeter.

Katie heads back home where she begins to help her dad and stepmom create a "Glamping" site on their farm. As they start to build up business, who should show up but Demeter along with her perfect husband and children. She doesn't even recognize Katie, which makes a revenge plan easier to carry out.....

This was a fun read, but it also had a little more "real life" in it than the normal Kinsella novel. It's always a risk when a best selling author strays from their formula in any way, but this was a home run. And a timely reminder to live your life, don't instagram it.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! Sophie Kinsella has hit another home run! If you are currently a fan of Ms. Kinsella you will not be disappointed and if you are just being introduced to her prepare to be a fan!

This is the story of Katie who grew up on a farm in a small town. She has changed her hair, style, the way she speaks and even her name to "fit in" in London. She tells her dad and step mom that she has a fashionable life in London with a great job, nice apartment and wonderful friends. The truth is that Katie or Cat as she goes by in London is barely getting by, sharing an apartment with 2 other people and has a "crazy" boss. I can't give to much away but you should read this book!

I've read all of Sophie Kinsella's books and was eagerly awaiting the release of this latest book. I have to say I was not disappointed - it's a really lovely book.

I loved the character of Katie - she is a little more grown up than Becky from the Shopaholic books - but only just! She is trying to be a London girl and leave her Somerset roots behind, including her accent. Using Instragram to portray to the world her fantastic life in London - or not. This aspect of the book is bang on trend, with so many people living a life through Instragram that does not exist.

When everything finally goes wrong for Katie (or Cat) in London she goes back to Somerset and helps her Father and Step Mum set up a glamping business. I loved this aspect of the book, reading all the planning details, and who wouldn't want parents just like Mick and Biddy.

When Demeter (her ex-boss) arrives at the glamping site the book takes a truly wicked sense of humour turn - fantastic retribution. Just laugh out loud funny, as is a lot of the book. The story changes pace from this point on as Katie realises all may not be what she thought it to be in London. I loved it even more and couldn't wait to find out what was going to become of Katie - would she be a London or Somerset girl. Some of it is true chick lit - some of it predictable. However, it's a great read and perfect to enjoy for some relaxation time.

A story of Katie who lived in the country and has up sticks and moved to a perfect life in London. She works at her dream job and although its tough and not a perfect life, she is in London and its the start of her dream life. That is until she is sacked... Katie goes back to her dads farm and helps him and her step mom start a new business. What follows is an absolute brilliant book full of laugh out loud pages, descriptions of areas and mouthwatering foods. The whole book was pure brilliance in true Sophie Kinsella style. I really loved every page and would recommend everyone goes and gets it. It will brighten the darkest of days and give you some good ideas on helping Karma be a bitch <3

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors and never lets me down. This was a warm, funny & wise read. Couldn't put it down from start to finish. Everyone has read a fairytale story, girl struggling in London trying to make ends meet, but not many authors can make it funny and heartwarming. Would definitely recommend.

It's a re reader, meaning I will be re reading over and over. I loved it and you will to. If you like Sophie Kinsella you will love this one too.

It took me a while to get into this book, but I thought the story picked up as the novel went along.

Cat (really Katie) Brenner has found a job in branding in London, the city of her dreams. Any day now, she’ll be living the life of her dreams, too, but until then she fudges a little bit in her social media posts about how terrific her life in London is. In truth, she doesn’t have enough money, she lives in a crappy apartment with weird roommates, and her demanding boss Demeter makes her job unpleasant. Her goal to have a life that mirrors Demeter’s so-perfect existence is sidetracked, though, when Cat is fired. Unable to find a job, Katie must go back to live on her father’s farm, where she helps him start a new glamping business. Katie’s branding expertise makes the venture an expected success. When Demeter shows up for a family vacation, though, Katie learns that there’s no such thing as a perfect life.

That’s really the moral of the story—that if we think anyone’s life is perfect, we’re just fooling ourselves. Social media also comes in for some criticism as a crutch that people use to pretend their lives are better than they are.

The first part of the book—Katie’s London misadventures—was a little hard for me to relate to, as was her pretend life on social media. I’ve never aspired to a glamorous life, so that level of longing for a posh lifestyle didn’t really resonate with me. Nobody I know uses social media like that, either. (We’re as likely to be using Facebook to complain about our latest misadventures as to show off.)

Once Katie lost her job, the story picked up for me. I enjoyed Katie’s interactions with her family and the details of their glamping business. Katie’s revenge on Demeter when she visits the farm was particularly funny. The romance really picks up steam in the second half of the book, too.

Although it has a message, this isn’t a particularly deep read. It was amusing, however, and is well worth picking up if you’re looking for a chick lit novel to read.

An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors of all time, and this book only cemented that opinion! I've always enjoyed her standalone books the most, so I was so excited for a new one and was eager to dive in!

Kinsella has an uncanny ability to make me fall head over heels in love with her characters, and Katie (yes, KATIE...you'll get it when you read it hehe) was no different! I loved her quarks, her charm, her definitely not so perfect (yet perfectly imperfect) life! I saw myself in her, my friends in her. I could related in some ways to her struggles, and I adored her humor. The love story was full of the typical twists I've come to expect from this author and I was wrapped up in the romance. But most of all, I enjoyed the message of this book, which is so incredibly relevant in today's world. The image people present on screen can be profoundly different than what they're actually experiencing, and it's good to remember that.

I've never read a Kinsella book that didn't bring a smile to my face and absolutely brighten my mood! This one kept me up late at night, turning the pages, because I just HAD to see how everything tied together in the end, and I loved every second of it!