Member Reviews
I liked this book quite a bit. It held my attention and at times it actually made me laugh out loud! Sophie Kinsella writes good stories with humor thrown in, and this is no exception. I received an advanced readers copy from netgalley , but my review is unbiased.
Sasha works for a Zoose. Her workload is insane and she can't keep up. She eats, sleeps and works day after day. Then one day she's told more work is being added to her already impossible workload. Sasha has a meltdown and finds herself headed to Rilston Bay to decompress and find peace. Rilston Bay is full of memories from her childhood as their family vacationed there for years until her father passed away.
Sasha finds that Rilston Bay no longer has the glamour of her past but she's going to make the best out of her circumstances. Things are quiet and calm until Finn appears along with messages in the sand.
The Burnout isn't exactly the work I am used to reading from Sophie Kinsella. It is funny and has mystery to it but something felt off. It's worth reading if your a fan of her books but I wouldn't recommend it as a first time read for her.
If there’s something Sophie Kinsella knows how to do is make me laugh at things that are already quite stressful for me daily!
I wouldn’t say I am burnt out from work but as a recent marketinggraduate entering the corporate work, I FELT THIS.
However, the little antics and situations makes it such a light read. I was scared it’d make me feel even more stressed out about work but I found the concept quite beautiful. Meeting at your “lowest” and rediscovering what you love.
The surfing was also quite cute it reminded me of Malibu Rising. This is overall such a good read for when you finish your 9 to 5 and want to think of anything BUT your 9 to 5. How does a book about professional burnout does it? Don’t know. But I love it! Just rating it 3 stars because I do wish the pace went faster at times.
#NetGalleyARC This was a fun read. I really like this author and this read brought me back to some of her earlier works. I really liked the theme of being overworked and trying to get back to being balanced and healthy. I think it's great that a male character also had the same issues and struggles, it made the characters more relatable. Definitely a great read.
I’ve read a few books from Sophie Kinsella now and I’ve really enjoyed them all! She is so good and finding the balance between humor, heartwarming moments, and adorable romance! Unfortunately I feel like a lot of us can really relate to the feeling of being burnt out so I could really see myself in these characters! It is always refreshing to read about characters who don’t have their lives all figured out. The romance was really cute and I was rooting for them as individuals and as a couple
Sophie Kinsella never disappoints - if you are ever in a need for a fun lighthearted read, grab ones of hers. The characters in The Burnout are fantastic and I could envision each scene easily in my mind. Sasha and Finn are both so unique with strong personalities, and I just so enjoyed their banter. Though predictable, it doesn’t matter, the story and unfolding is well worth the read. Deliciously entertaining with strong undertones of a persistent budding romance between two zany characters. So fun!
Sophie Kinsella delivers another relatable and enjoyable story with The Burnout. Most of us have had some version of burnout these days, though hopefully can recognize the signs before hitting the wall like Sasha!
I truly loved the essence of this book. This author never fails to transport me to another time and place; in this case a younger more driven life. I don't usually care for first person narrative but it works here. The word 'madcap' or phrase "laugh out loud funny" applies! Take a break and escape to Sasha's world, it will put a smile on your face and lighten things up if you need it.
This book was totally relatable! I’ve been experiencing the same type of burnout. This book was amazing. Couldn’t put it down!
This book was very relatable in terms of its descriptions of work and life burnout. She really nailed the apathy, detachment from loved ones and low feelings experienced with overwork. Some part were funny and touching but the book just did not capture the magic of the shopaholic series. An enjoyable read but I can’t really say much more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
Ahh I’m super torn how to rate The Burnout!! Sophie Kinsella has been one of my long term favorite authors (like close to 20 years I think!), and she’s an auto-buy author for me. But to be honest it took me a long time to get into the book and felt long and slow at times. Overall, I really loved the story and Sasha and Finn! It was sweet and nostalgic, and oh-so-relatable (who isn’t burned out??)! It had some of the classic Kinsella-Witt, but didn’t touch some of my favorite books of hers. The last 25% of the book I flew through in one sitting and especially loved.
Thank you Sophie Kinsella, NetGalley and random house publishing group for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are mine!
Sasha Worth, 33, is exhausted with her job as the director of promotions for Zoose, a travel app. She is overwhelmed by the never-ending emails she has to respond to people complaining and they pile up. Her boss is blind to the fact that they don’t have enough staff. So, one day she runs out and smacks into a brick wall. That’s when her Mom steps in and she and her doctor tell her she needs some time off for stress. So, she heads off to Rilston Bay even though it’s February. It’s a place she and her family loved to visit in the summer, but it’s been 20 years since she’s been there. She is going to stay at the once-glamourous Rilston Hotel. When she arrives, she is surprised to see that the hotel is now rather rundown with few people staying there. Her so-called Seaview is now boarded over as repairs are being done. But she also gets to use a little beach cottage so she can be on the beach and enjoy the view.
Finn Birchall is staying at the hotel too. When first meeting one another, it
is instant dislike as he is very irritable. So, they strive to ignore one another. That doesn’t last long when they find themselves using beach cottages next to one another.
Finally, they thaw somewhat as they realize they were both at the beach when they were children and begin to share many memories of the people and the place. Can they become friends and perhaps help one another through their problems?
This is a typical Sophie Kinsella book with quirky characters and funny instances that can’t help but make the reader relax and laugh. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up!
I’ve read a handful of Sophie Kinsella books—with several more waiting on my TBR—and she always makes me laugh. The Burnout is no different. We’ve all felt at the end of our rope at some point, and Sasha has reached her breaking point. She seeks solace somewhere nostalgic, making new friends along the way, and rediscovering who she is again.
I’m having a harder time reviewing this one because while I thought it started AND ended strong, the middle was a bit of a mix for me. There were parts I really enjoyed and parts that felt like they came out of left field (particularly one scene, which made me uncomfortable, for some reason). But I still enjoyed this one, overall.
The beginning of The Burnout has Sasha reaching her breaking point at work. She’s overworked, under-appreciated, and not taking care of herself. And there’s one particular outlandish scene that had me laughing out loud.
She ends up retreating to a beachside hotel she remembers from her childhood, expecting it to be much like she’s remembered it, but it’s a bit dilapidated and deserted. She decides to make the best of it, making new friends and meeting a fellow burnout, Finn, who’s desperate for his own solace.
I enjoyed the winter beach setting and the quirky hotel staff, but there’s a little bit of a mystery Sasha and Finn are trying to solve that felt weak to me, the reveal seeming anti-climatic. BUT, it’s just a side story, and there’s someone who’s connected to their childhood involved, which I found quite sweet.
It took me almost a week to read this one, which is not typical for a romance. It didn’t have that I-don’t-want-to-set-this-one-down feel to it for me. But I did still enjoy it. I just know it’s not one that I’ll remember for long. However, I’ve seen several of my fellow bloggers giving it higher marks, so it might just be a case of bad timing for me.
If you’re a fan of Kinsella’s books, you’ll enjoy The Burnout, as well. I think it’s worth the read for the hilarious opening and heartwarming ending, at least. I’m always happy to recommend a book that has me smiling!
I am a huge Sophie Kinsella fan and was thrilled to be given a copy on NetGalley to review. Sophie Kinsella never disappoints in making me escape and to laugh out loud. I loved the main characters and their quirks of Sasha and Finn and their common connection of their summers spent in Rilston Bay and burning out. Thank you Random House Publishing Group.
Sasha is, well, burned out. Her job is overwhelming. Her love life is non-existent. So when she literally attempts to join a convent to escape her life, her mom recommends that she instead go on a “wellness retreat” - yoga, green smoothies, exercise, grounding, the whole shebang. She decides to go to Rilston Beach, where her family went when she was younger and her father was alive. Her mom arranged for her to stay at THE Rilston Hotel, which was always to fancy for them to afford back then. But, the hotel doesn’t quite live up to its previous standards. And then an obnoxious Finn Birchall is also staying at the hotel and is interfering with her wellness journey. That is….until she decides he’s quite hot and not as obnoxious as she thought.
I thought it was good. It had kind of a slow start to me. The hotel staff were eclectic. There are rom-coms that I would recommend over this one. But, overall, it was a fun read.
Ever feel so burnt out from work and life that you try to literally run away from it all? Then, you’ll commiserate with Sasha.
✨ Book Review: THE BURNOUT by Sophie Kinsella ✨
🌊 Book Synopsis: Overwhelmed, overworked, and burnt out Sasha escapes to the British seaside town of her youth. She finds it a bit run down though and then has to share the solitary, off-season beach with another burnt-out office worker. As Sasha attempts her journey to wellness, and starts to wake up to life, she gets much more than she anticipates from the world around her and with her handsome “burnout buddy” Finn.
🌊 My Take: I started this book while juggling quite a bit at work and at home in preparation for a long vacation, so it was hard for me to get into at first. My real life was mimicking the story! Thankfully, vacation is lovely and there’s a wonderful happily ever after in this latest book by Sophie Kinsella. THE BURNOUT is about finding yourself, what brings you joy, and appreciating the people in your life. Read this for laugh-out-loud scenes, found community, and a deeply satisfying ending.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)
😘 Thank you to @TheDialPress @RandomHouse and @NetGalley for the eARC of this fun read.
I’ve enjoyed several of Sophie Kinsella’s in the past. When I started this one, it was hard for me to get into. It took about 80 pages into the story before I could get invested into it. The characters are likable and relatable. When Sasha comes across Finn seems like a real jerk. But, in reality is going through a tough time just as she is in their work life. They both meet up at the same hotel and that’s where they learn more about each other. More drama and then let’s just say it comes to a happy ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the first page, I was hooked. I related with Sasha over her burnout at work and couldn’t get enough of her time spent recharging at the Rilston. This book brought laughter and insight.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest nest review!
I have always loved Sophie Kinsella and can count on her for a light read that will make me laugh out loud. The Burnout was no exception. I could relate to the main character, Sadie, and she dealt with burnout at work. The characters were all very endearing. The book was funny, relatable, and an overall enjoyable read. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!
Sasha is tired, stressed and burned out from work and life. She thinks of becoming a nun and avoid all responsibilities.
To take a break from work, she decides to go to Rilston Bay, the place she visited every year during Holiday with her family. It’s been 20 years since her father passed away and since she last visited.
She meets Finn, who’s also taking a much needed break. They don’t get along at first, but they grow closer as they try to figure out some mysterious messages left by the beach. They start reminiscing of past experiences that make them feel at home. They realize it’s ok take a break and take care of yourself.
I felt so seen and happy after reading this. As someone in her 30s, and has worked in the corporate world, this was very relatable. It was heartwarming and it had an amazing focus on mental health. It’s a story about taking care of yourself, healing and finding joy in the unexpected.
Thank you Sophie Kinsella, The Dial Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
Out now!