I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of Surprise Me and this is my honest opinion.
Sylvia and Dan have been married for 10 years, they have beautiful twin daughters and fulfilling careers. A visit to the Doctor for a health check shocks them when he tells them they have at least 68years left to live and be together.shocked they wonder how they will cope with dealing with each other over such a long time, worrying about being bored etc.
So starts Surprise me, Sylvia decides if they keep Surprising each other it will stop the marriage from going stale. As each surprise occurs things don't quite go to plan leading to many laugh out loud moments for the reader.
Sylvia then begins to become suspicious of Dans behaviour, thinking he is having an affair, and overhears parts of a conversation Dan has with her mother which increase her suspicions.
As usual Sophie Kinsella has written an extremely enjoyable book, though I must admit at the start I thought it started rather differently to her previous books and wondered if I would enjoy it as much, more fool me, I should of had more faith, another complete winner.
My thanks to net galley and publisher Random house for the opportunity to review this book.

I am a fan of Sophie Kinsella, specifically The Shopaholic Series, so I was excited to read this book. I really like how the couple was taken aback by the news they received from their doctor and how they went about trying to keep things in their marriage fresh. I felt like the story veered in a whole other direction at the end though, kind of like it was two stories in one book. Otherwise, it was an interesting book and I would recommend it to all women’s fiction lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley for advanced copy of this book. Unfortunately, I did not care for this book at all. I am a die hard Kinsella fan, and couldn't wait to read this. However, it fell flat.I did not feel the premise of "68 more years together" was interesting or realistic. I don't think it was even that out of ordinary, if we live long enough we could all be married for almost that amount of time. I felt it had potential when they began trying to improve their marriage, but that was not enough to save this book for me. The plot with the all wondrous father felt immature and silly. The mother just drove me crazy. Both mother and daughter completely juvenile. The husband, Dan, had no personality. I was not surprised when Sylvie thought he was cheating on her because it was strange he had a relationship with the old flame. However, when we found out he was not cheating, I didn't find myself relieved for Sylvie. She brought most of this on herself. Overall, I did not feel I was reading a typical Kinsella book, and found myself disappointed after a few chapters, with no change through the entire book. With that said, I will continue to read her books because I will not let this book mar my feelings of an amazing author.

I can always count on Sophie Kinsella for an entertaining read, but this one was a little more serious in subject matter, and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Sylvie and Dan seem to have a fairly idyllic life - they have been happily married for 7 years, have twin girls, jobs they both love, and the type of marriage where they can finish one another's sentences. But a physical shakes both of them up when the doctor examining them casually mentions that between their healthy lifestyles and the advances in medicine, they probably have another 68 years of marriage ahead of them. Sylvie decides what they really need is to reintroduce some surprises to their marriage - after all, how can you keep things fresh when you can practically read your spouse's mind? - so she initiates Project Surprise Me. Soon she and Dan are springing little surprises on one another - between the surprises that seem to keep going wrong, unexpected shakeups at her work, and Dan's resentment of Sylvie's recently deceased father, Sylvie begins to wonder if their marriage will survive.

Surprise Me is a sweet and heartwarming tale of being awakened to the imperfections in those we care most about, how far we'll go for love, and appreciating the things we take for granted before they are gone. Fans of Sophie Kinsella will find a winner in this story.

It was a nice easy read, bit silly, bit fun. Not as good as some of Sophie Kinsella’s but ok.

I'm so glad I received an ARC from the publishers via netgalley. That doesn't effect my opinion in any way.


I've been a fan of Sophie Kinsella for years and I was super excited to see she had a new book coming out! At first I had a really hard time connecting to the book and the characters, Sylvie and Dan. After being told they're healthy at a check up and they may have sixty eight more years together they panic. My husband personally is my best friend and I love spending time with him. I'd love to have that time. When I mentioned it to him he felt the same. So I was a little iffy at that point. And with the initial surprises they do to keep it interesting.

But as the surprises went on and the twists came in I definitely became more interested and invested. I tried to guess ahead at the ending but I was surprised with what eventually became the "twist". I started to like Sylvie more and really enjoy the book.

Four out of five stars for the rocky start for me!

Add this one to your To-Read list because you are going to love it. Sophie Kinsella’s new book, Surprise Me, is exactly what you expect from this author, a funny, endearing main character plus some good intentions that of course, go awry. I read this one quickly, its very cute and fun and the perfect escape for a few hours.

After ten years together, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, and beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly they finish each other’s sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it’s casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years . . . and panic sets in.

They decide to bring surprises into their marriage to keep it fresh and fun. But in their pursuit to execute Project Surprise Me—from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to sexy photo shoots—mishaps arise, with disastrous and comical results. Gradually, surprises turn to shocking truths. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all.

Sophie is such a skilled writer, drawing readers into the story and keeping us intrigued with how things are going to play out. Fans of women’s fiction will love Surprise Me.

What to say about this book?

Despite giving it 2 stars, I can say that there were a few things I did like. I do enjoy the way Kinsella writes as she avoids that trap of giving way too many details, making the story overly boring and long for no reason. She also has a way with dialogue and always infuses some humor in her books.

My problems with this book are twofold - 1) the premise is absolutely ridiculous - so ridiculous that I can't even suspend my disbelief. 68 years together OMG???? because you will live to be super old - yup, pretty silly. 2) I hated the Sylvie and the mother characters so much that I wanted to scream. They both had the mental capacity of 15 year olds and neither had one redeeming feature. Also, Sylvie was soooo whiny and it was constant!

Also, while I realize that characters who cannot speak up for themselves are a great way to propel a story forward, they are also a great way to piss off your readers. Between Dan, Sylvie and her mother - absolutely NONE of them EVER opened their mouths to speak up for themselves nor did they open their mouths to ask basic questions or to share how they felt about anything. The result? a bunch of silly plot lines with weak characters who just let everything go, even if it meant confusion, misunderstandings and pain. I hated that part so much.

Please Sophie Kinsella, can you write a book with humor AND smart characters AND smart plotlines? It seems as though you cannot do all 3 at the same time and that is such a shame.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Kinsella, and Random House for the chance to read the ARC of Surprise Me.

I would like to start off by saying that I love Sophie Kinsella's novels. I've read every last one of them, including Madeleine Wickham novels. I have enjoyed all of them.

This novel was problematic for me. It was well written, the plot was planned perfectly, but I was anxious and agitated the entire time I was reading. Sounds like a personal problem, I know. I read this novel in one shot because I HAD to know how it ended. I HAD to be appeased. Is that a good thing? Absolutely. It keeps readers invested. Even though I was satisfied with how the novel ended, I was still not happy with how it got there. I felt angry at characters. Upset with them. But hey, as I said, it sounds like a personal problem ;) It made me feel things, and that's also something that a good writer does.

I would absolutely recommend this novel to fans of Ms Kinsella's books, or books of the same style or genre.

Thanks to Netgalley I was able to read an ARC from one of my favorite "fun" authors. I look to Sophie Kinsella to entertain me and make me laugh. I had been disappointed in the last two books I have read by her. (My favorite is still The Undomestic Goddess) While this got a bit tiresome and I wanted to wring Slyvie and Dan's necks--communicate please!---I still enjoyed it for a fun diversion. I needed something light to read after plodding my way through 1984 by George Orwell for a second depressing time.

Great tale of how “until death do us part” can bring on a while different thought process. Great read with lively and lovely characters.

Sophie’s books are always a joy to read and this is no exception. This book covers a lot of different topics from previous works, whilst also maintaining the lighter tones and laugh out loud comedy moments we’ve all learnt to love over the years. The words are well crafted and come to life on the page so vividly you’ll feel instantly connected to Sylvie and love seeing how her story plays out.

I was favored with an advance copy of this novel through Netgalley. How would you feel if someone told you that you had 68 more years of marriage left? Dan and Sylvie didn’t take it so well because it sounded like a very long time to them. They already correctly predicted what the other would order at a restaurant. So they decided to surprise each other which went all kinds of awry. But as other parts of their lives, work at the museum for Sylvie and family obligations for Dan, took over, the surprises got put on the back burner. Or did they?

This is a delightful take on marriage and family. Sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and other times poignant and sad. But it’s also a learning experience for the married characters and for the reader should they choose to follow the subtle advice given by the author. I think everyone should read this book.

hank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I must start off by saying I was really surprised and thrilled to be approved for this title. Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors and I have read all of her books and have never been disappointed. This book was no different and was fantastic!

This book features a couple - Sylvie and Dan. They are happily married with twin girls. Their marriage seems unshakeable until they visit a doctor who pronounces that they are extremely healthy and will have at least another 68 years together. This sets them in a panic. The thoughts and ideas they came up were absolutely hilarious. I laughed aloud at some of their antics. Then there were moments which just made me feel warm inside. This is the thing about Sophie Kinsella's books, they are funny but not fluffy. I always feel like I can relate to the characters and feel really sad when the book ends. I was also in a bit of a rut and this book cheered me up immensely. If you want a feel-good book that will make you laugh, then this is the one for you.

This is a winner as usual. Well done to Sophie Kinsella and the publishers.

Thank you to Netgalley anfpd the publisher for this ARC. I’m a long time fan of Sophie Kinsella. I love the Shopaholic series and Can you keep a secret is an all time fav. I’ve enjoyed Ms. Kinsellas recent books, Twenties Girl and My not so perfect life, but not as much as her earlier writing. Surprise Me has brought me back to once again flying through a book because it’s so great. Sylvie and Dan are great and I really enjoyed the story of the happily married couple with children, yet a wonderfully chaotic life, It was finally a Kinsella book I could relate to.

I enjoy Kinsella’s fun chick lit but I found this to be very slim. The start of the book lingers far too long on a remark made by a physician about potential longevity. We then learn about the ridiculous ways Sylvia tries to spice up her marriage.

Another thin plot is how Sylvie is able to modernize and monetize her job in a little known museum. We meet the kind of male who usually is attracted to the Kinsella heroine, but that plot is also dropped. The meat of this book lies in the suspicions that Sylvie’s Husband Dan is having an affair. It is repetitive and unrealistic and ends with the discovery that her idolized father was involved in a rather sordid relationship.

A very disappointing turn from the usually fun Kinsella.

Surprise Me: A Novel by [Kinsella, Sophie]

Kinsella is my favorite mind-candy read next to Liane Moriarty. This book was great fun.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing and Sophie Kinsella for my ARC of Surprise Me. I’m always grateful for any ARCs which come my way but particularly so when it’s an author that I already love. I’ve been a huge fan of Sophie’s books since I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic and I love her Madeleine Wickham books too. Surprise Me was just as much a treat as her other books, funny, witty, honest and in places bittersweet.

Sylvie and Dan have been together for 10 years, they have 2 beautiful daughters and jobs they enjoy, they’re so close they finish each other’s sentences and know exactly what the other one is thinking. But then a routine visit to the doctors gives them a shock. With the record of good health in their families they are likely to live for another 68 years. Suddenly, the idea of being married for another 68 years doesn’t seem that appealing and for the first time in their lives together Sylvie and dan start having ‘problems.’


The story that follows is equal parts funny and sad as in order to keep their marriage alive Sylvie and Dan try to surprise each other with several failed attempts! If it could go wrong, then it somehow does.

I loved the characters in the book and the battle Sylvie has with herself as she tries to find herself among the perceptions other people have of her. The storyline is sad in places and despite quite a big build up I didn’t figure out what was about to go wrong. I really enjoyed Surprise Me and look forward to its release!