I thoroughly enjoyed this this book!😄 Surprisinly, this is the first time I have read Sophie Kinsella’s work and I was well pleased with it! It was fun and had quirky characters that I grew to love. This story goes deeper than that and it faces what is deep behind face value and trust issues one faces. This novel was full of unexpected surprises and was truly heartfelt. I am glad that I picked up this book and finished it within a few sittings!😁📚💙💯

Not my favorite Kinsella book. I liked the shopaholic series a lot better.

Have you ever wondered what happens after the happily ever after? Does the happy couple that we just invested in for 300 pages really make it? I am so happy that Surprise Me the latest rom com from Sophie Kinsella looks at romance on the other side - after real life sets in.

Dan and Sylvie have been together for 10 years, happily married they can finish each other's thoughts and are comfortable in the silence. Raising 2 twin girls they are what every couple strives for. Then during their yearly routine physical reality sets in even more when they are told they could live for another 68 years - this sends both Dan and Sylvie in a downward spiral trying to keep their marriage fresh. This leads them to try to surprise one another with new and different things they haven't tried in the past, of course amid the comedy of errors that happens in this crazy scenario secrets start to emerge leading them to believe that their marriage may not be as idyllic as they once thought and maybe they really don't know each other.

I love Sophie Kinsella's writing style - told completely from Sylvie's POV we get to deep dive into her insecurities and secret thoughts that were witty, sad and in some cases heartbreaking. Ms Kinsella takes her readers on a grand adventure that truly shows what real life and love really looks like - and what could happen to a marriage if the parties aren't really talking and most of all listening. The writing is fast paced and kept me giggling all the way through, but there were also points that had me sad for Sophie and Dan. I was rooting for this couple to realize the mistakes they were making and rooting for them in the end. An ending by the way I was certainly not expecting at all.

All in all if you are looking for a romance that dives into what happens after - then don't look any further then Surprise Me.

I have read other books by Sophie Kinsella and this is the first book that I have had trouble getting into. I didn't feel a connection with the characters at all, and was unable to finish the book.

Surprise Me was a well written, witty book that was filled with laughs. There were several parts in the book that I could have done without, but overall it was an entertaining story.

I think maybe my taste in books have changed in the past few years because seem like lately I have not been enjoying Sophie Kinsella's books as much as I used to or maybe I am just getting too old.

I found the story to be ok. I found the main characters are dumb and they just frustrated me so much because of it.

I am so disappointed that I haven't liked this one.

I am sad to say that I am giving this 2 out of 5.

I have read all of Sophie Kinsella's books. I enjoy a light, fun chick-lit book and was expecting the same. It started out that way, but took a bit of a serious turn in the middle. This is a standalone book about Sylvie and Dan Winter. They are thirty-two and have to go for a physical for their health insurance. When they are told they will live to be over 100, they realize that means at least 68 more years together. This is a bit nerve wracking for them. How will they keep things interesting for that long. This is when Sylvie comes up with a great idea, Project Surprise Me. They both start planning surprises for one another and in typical Kinsella fashion, things go wrong. Sometimes it is humorous, sometimes embarrassing, but always surprising. That is, until things start to go wrong and Sylvie realizes Dan is keeping secrets that appear to be stressing him out. When she begins to snoop and eavesdrop, she comes to the conclusion that she does not know Dan as well as she thought. Is he having an affair? Is he gambling? Are they in debt? Is he borrowing money from her mother? What is the secret that seems to be pulling them apart.

Sylvie tells this story in first person so we never get to see what Dan is thinking or doing. As the story progresses, we see "Princess Sylvie" become responsible in her job and family life. She sees a side to Dan and her parents that she did not know was there. This was not the light and airy story I was expecting, but it was a satisfying read. If you are a Sophie Kinsella reader, you will see the somewhat scattered ditzy female you are used to, and in this case, she really grows and gets it right at the end. A good novel for a lover of chick-lit.

Dan and Sylvie Winter, both age 32, have been together for 10 years and married for 7 years. They are the parents of 5-year-old twin girls and appear to be quite happy together. But when a doctor conducting their physical predicts a long life and long marriage for them, they’re shocked at the probability of another 68 years of marriage. Both of them have a hard time with the concept of spending so many years together. Therefore, they decide to make some changes in their lives where they keep their relationship fresh by treating one another to little surprises here and there. Some of the surprises end up being a bit strange and over the top. In one instance, the surprise isn’t a real surprise.

Sylvie comes from a wealthy family and her father was killed some years ago in an accident. She and her mother always remember him as a giant of a man and Dan always seems to take a back seat with they are together.

When Sylvie starts to suspect Dan’s friendship with an old flame as meaning he is having an affair, she is shocked and decides to confront both of them and find out what is going on. Could this signal that their marriage might be over?

In some ways, this is a typical ditzy type book by this author. I have enjoyed her Shopaholic books and some others. However, I found this book to be so ditzy that it failed in my book. Usually, she has a lot of humor in her books to offset the ditzy, but this time the combination was missing. However, I know others will enjoy the book and understand that the premise is trust in a marriage.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

*Romance week!

Would you believe that this is my first book by author Sophie Kinsella?! I own a few of her Shopaholic series that I picked up at library sales but haven't gotten around to reading any yet.

This is a standalone book and starts off well with lots of laughs. Sylvie and Dan Winter, both aged thirty-two, visit a new doctor for their physical. He jokingly tells them that because they are in such good health, there is a good chance they will live to be 100 or beyond, meaning they could be married for 68 more years. Sixty-eight more years?! To the same person?! That sends them both into a tizzy!

What can they do to keep their marriage fresh for that long? "We need surprises. That's what we need. Surprises." But as Sylvie's best friend and next-door neighbor Tilda tells her, "Surprises have a bad habit of going wrong."

And things do start going wrong: Sylvie's happy life starts to unravel. How well does she really know Dan? Is he keeping secrets? Is their happy marriage a sham?

The last half of the book takes a much more serious turn. Sylvie relates this story in first person narrative, auto-correcting herself as she does, so it's interesting to watch the rather spoiled Sylvie grow as a person and challenge herself in her marriage, her job and some of her fundamental beliefs. She learns the correctness of the Latin proverb "vincit qui se vincit: she conquers who conquers herself."

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an arc of this fun new book.

whenever i read a sophie kinsella book, i inevitably find myself laughing out loud at least once. there are some moments of pure physical comedy in surprise me, and they lightened the at times highly emotional subject. sylvie and dan have been married for years, after a physical, their doctor informs them that they have sixty-eight more years of matrimony to look forward to.

suddenly they find themselves thinking of the long road ahead. and are slightly concerned by the monotony. so they decide to surprise each other to keep things interesting.

and, while surprises sound good in theory. the reality is that they are not always good. and sylvie and dan learn this lesson quickly. and when additional tension arises, sylvie begins to suspect that she's getting the worst kind of surprise.

it's not what she thinks, but the truth isn't good either. there are some surprising emotional twists in this novel, but as always kinsella counterweighs the heavy with some truly delightful comedic moments. at times the scenes from the marriage are a bit too real, the arguments a hair too familiar. but that realism is what makes this something more than chick lit.

**surprise me will publish on february 13, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/random house publishng group (the dial press) in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn’t really get into this book. I’ve read a few books by Kinsella, but have to say that this one didn’t keep my interest past a few chapters :-(

I received the free eBook from NetGalley and the Publisher for an honest review.

I was lost in the flowery, bushy and blooming with color lush Coulee with five of my Traveling Sisters. We all settled in at different spots and times in the juicy, delicious berry bushes in the lush coulee. We were surrounded by color, charm, and quirkiness with this story and these characters and we gobbled up this story as fast as we could. At times the seriousness got a little prickly for us in the thorny bushes with our likable and loved characters.

Like Norma, I am a big fan of Sophie Kinsella but somewhere in the flurry of thrillers, I forgot how great it is to read one of her books and how she always brings on a feel-good feeling with her signature wit and charm. I have not yet read My Not So Perfect Life but I have now bumped it up my list to read soon.

Surprise Me is a bit different from other books by Sophie Kinsella's girl meets boy storyline and in this one, she explores a marriage. We meet our very likable main characters Sylvie and Dan at a Doctors appointment and the doctor predicted that they will live long enough to be married 68 years more. This sends some fear of routine and boredom to them and they decided to spice things up by doing a few surprises for each other. This brought on some laugh out loud moments that could be heard from us within the coulee and we really enjoyed discussing this and some of our own stories of surprises with each other. Along with the fun, there is some seriousness to this story and it has some layers to it and we see a deeper side to this story. We start to see Sylvie and Dan grow apart and come together as a couple.

Sophie Kinsella does such a fantastic job of creating some likable, colorful and eccentric characters here. She does a great job developing an interesting and quirky character with Sylvie who we loved following along within the coulee. I highly recommend this clever, witty and charming story that just might surprise you with how deep and layered it is.

Published: February 13, 2018

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House, and Sophie Kinsella for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book to read and review!

All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereading.wordpress.com

I've always been a Kinsella fan but I feel like the Shopaholic series has kind of run its course, or maybe I've outgrown it. So I was happy to see a new character who is at a similar place in its life as I am.

Sophie and Dan, who are the perfect happy couple the visit the doctor and find out they are healthy and could live to 100, which give them 68 years of being married. Both start to panic a bit when they worry maybe the spark will dim after that much time. So Sophie cooks up the idea to start to surprise each other in the marriage - whether it be with dates, gifts or in the bedroom. Some are high notes and some surprises fall short, but it's cute to see how they come up with their ideas.

However, Sophie gets a surprise of her own when Dan comes back in contact with an old girlfriend and Sophie suspects that there is more to it than just innocent meetings. Chaos ensues as she follows the evidence to find out that Dan is involved in something much more secret than an affair that he'd be keeping from Sophie for quite some time!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

3.5 stars

I've been reading Sophie Kinsella books since she first started writing as Sophie Kinsella instead of her pseudonym and I don't think I've missed one since! While this was not my very favorite of hers, it was enjoyable nonetheless.

This book was a bit of a departure from her previous books in that she abandoned her "single girl, blundering" typical storyline (not typical in a bad way, just saying..) for a tale about a married couple and what happens when they look to the future of their marriage and what it means to say 'forever'.. and how to keep that fresh when you feel like you already know all there is to know. Like she says, Surprise Me! :) Surprises come, some sweet and silly and some that will give you a pause.

I will always grab a book by Sophie Kinsella and know that I am in for a good read and a fun time.

Sophie Kinsella has made me laugh out loud ever since I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic. My husband always knows when I'm reading one of her books because I simply can't stifle my giggles. Surprise Me definitely had me in stitches.

Dan and Sylvie are celebrating 10 years together. Their marriage is one for the books. They finish each other's sentences, can communicate without even speakings and have two beautiful twin daughters. How could life get any better? Things take a slight turn when during a routine physical for life insurance, they receive the news that their health is so excellent, they should have 68 more years of wedded bliss. Dan and Sylvie never really thought about it like that and it isn't long until they begin overthinking those long 68 years together. Sylvie vows to keep things interesting by instituting Project Surprise Me so that their lives together will never get boring. Well, boring it is not! The various mishaps and events that occur are truly laugh out loud funny.

At the heart of the Surprise Me though is a beautiful story of love and personal growth. I love how Sophie Kinsella can create these hilarious relatable characters that show true heart as well. This one really is worth the read because not only will it make you laugh, it will warm your heart as well and we all need a little of that.

I received this book courtesy of Dial Press Random House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really exited to read this book because first, I loved sophie kinsella, i read most of her work and enjoyed it every single time. She has a talent to write books with characters that women can relate to, that are funny, and loveable. Second, The description of the book made me want to read it and escape in the story. I really enjoyed reading it, but found that some parts were too slow… We know from the first chapter that something will happen and shatter sylvie’s existence, and it felt like forever before it does happen. I found myself skipping a few pages to get to the point. But other than that, I did enjoy the book.

Not my cup of tea. I didn’t care for the writing style or the overall plot.

3.5 stars

My advice when you pick this book up is to view it as you would a rom-com movie. Turn off your inner critic and just have fun with it.

I confess I had a slight problem with the premise: a young couple panics when their doctor tells them they will likely live to be over 100, which would mean another 68 years together. If you're happily married who wouldn't be delighted at that news??? (True story: As I'm writing this review a news reporter is on TV interviewing a couple who have been married for 73 years! Synchronicity! )

But Ok, the couple decides to spice things up by planning surprises for one another. As you would imagine, things don’t always go as planned. Very amusing. The last half of the book turns a little more serious with lessons to be learned about married life, and the ending is as you would expect from this genre.

All in all, a light, enjoyable, predictable book and a nice break from more serious heavy reads. I liked it but not as much as the only other book I've read by this author, My Not So Perfect Life.

* thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an e-galley of the book

4 Surprisingly Delightful Stars!

SOPHIE KINSELLA has always been one of my favourite go-to authors, so I was pretty excited when I was approved to read her latest novel, SURPRISE ME.  I have enjoyed all of her books and to me they are such a treat to read inbetween reading so many thrillers.  I like to be able to just relax and enjoy the humour within the storyline.  SURPRISE ME definitely surprised me and I kind of liked the idea of Project Surprise Me too except for one of the surprises that Dan gave to Sylvie in the book which had me totally creeped right out!   

SURPRISE ME by SOPHIE KINSELLA is a charming, warm, humorous and a feel-good story that even had a touch of mystery to the storyline and a surprising twist.

SOPHIE KINSELLA delivers an engaging, lighthearted and entertaining read here with well-developed and likeable characters.  The storyline even had an element of seriousness to it with some thought-provoking issues that took me a little by surprise as I wasn’t expecting that at all.  I loved it though!

To sum it all up it was an engaging, fun, moving, fast-paced, and an enjoyable read that surprised me, made me laugh and had an ending that made me smile! Would recommend!

Published: February 13, 2018

Thank you so much to my fellow Traveling Sisters for another wonderful reading experience!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House, and Sophie Kinsella for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!