ROFL and thoughtful

I was very embarrassed at times reading this wonderful book in public, laughing out loud. It is very funny and topical, but makes so many points that we all have to pay attention to. I loved the ending, too. Highly recommended, 6 stars!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I loved this story! This book is for anyone who has felt burnt out from life! I loved the journey of Sasha and the way she was able to rebound after a tough work situation and find better balance in her life. And sweet Finn! Loved our MMC. The only thing I’d change about this book is alternating POV chapters with Finn. It would have been fun getting his perspective.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was another interesting novel by Sophie Kinsella. Sasha has hit her breaking point with work and has a bit of a breakdown. She decides to go to the beach where she had gone growing up but it is off season. She meets a man named Finn (who she sees being very rude to a toddler on the train) when she gets there, which makes her unhappy as she was wanting some time to herself so she can accomplish her 20 step program to a better her. Nothing at the hotel is as she remembers either but she decides to give it a go. Highly recommend reading this one to see how she turns out.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

*Title: The Burnout, a standalone///

*Release date: 10/10/23 read: 10/9/23///

*Author: Sophie Kinsella///

*Format: e-ARC///

*Page Count: 416///

*POV: h Sasha///

*Setting: London///

*Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction///

*Tropes:///

✅ work politics
✅ stress leave from work
✅ grumpy H/h
✅ sexual awakening

Look out for:///
⚠️️ mental health issues, death of a parent///

*Synopsis: Sasha has been doing the work of three people with no help in sight. She has tried to talk to the bosses to no avail. She has a total meltdown, goes to a convent to become a nun, and crashes into a wall. Her Dr. gives her 3 weeks stress leave where her mother books her @ Rilston Bay-a seaside beach her family visited every year. On the beach, she overhears Finn dictating apologies to his co-workers for his bad behavior and attitude. They are the only inhabitants at the hotel since it's February and off season. They don't get the best service with a skeleton crew and renovations but become the best of friends. ///


Characters:///

Sasha Worth-33, director of special promotions at Zoose-a travel app. She has lost her libido and has no desire for sex.///

Finn Birchall-36 lost himself w/ anger issues. He's avoiding therapy and is overworked too.///

Sascha's mom-estate agent///

Kirsten- Sasha's sister, has 2 kids.///

Stuart-Sasha's ex-boyfriend///


*Review: I had my own issues with work that I hated. It literally made me sick. It was such a toxic environment from management to coworkers. Burnout is a real thing that will make you question life and what you want out of it. I think Sasha needed therapy in addition to getting away. This reminds me of Happy Place by Emily Henry. Sasha and Finn have a special place surfing with Terry-a mentor and great teacher. ///

*Rating: 4/5 ⭐///

*Spice level- 1/5 🌶️///


Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC🧡! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions are my own. ///

This is one of those stories that will stay with you because of how bizarre the characters are. The Burnout was one of the quirkiest books I have read.

This was my first Sophie Kinsella book and it left me chuckling throughout a huge chunk of the story. I didn’t realize the author was from the UK so when I started reading the British dialect was a little much for me, not my typical read.

Overall I will say it was a nicely written and fast paced read that was enjoyable. Sasha and Finn were likable characters. The whole Rilston situation and the side characters there were a bit bizarre but they are what added the uniqueness of the story. Burnout is definitely a topic we can all relate to.

Meeting the one when you are both burned out...

Sasha is burned out...work has made her eye twitch. Well, flagged emails. So, its off to a getaway for Sasha. There, she meets Finn. He may have had a shouting incident. Or two. He's stressed and burned out. So, two burnouts meet on a beach. They share long talks. A slow simmer as these two work toward a healthy lifestyle. But the timing is off...I was ambivalent about reading a book about burnout. But this is a realistic but hopeful look at burnout. Maybe if we all have a Finn at the end of burnout?
Recommend.

Sophie Kinsella books are such a comfort for me. It’s like chicken noodle soup when you’re sick. Or cuddling underneath blankets on a rainy day. So I was really honored (yes I know it’s random) to receive an advanced copy of her latest book the burnout. I have to say tho, I was worried the first bit of the book because it didn’t seem like “her”

Sasha is overworked, exhausted and stressed out at her job and has a minor embarrassing flip-out at work. Her doctor says she need a holiday and she decides to take a vacation to the beach in England where her family would vacation as kids prior to her dad dying. Her journey to re-selfdiscovery is quite comical and relatable.

One thing I wish Kinsella did was make it a tiny bit more spicy. 3.5/5 stars!

Thank you net galley for this advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review

A truly delightful and laugh-out-loud funny read!

Exploring rediscovery, love, and finding meaning in the world, this was a breath of fresh air! Heartwarming and cheesy with so much joy!

I used to be a Sophie Kinsella fan so I was excited to read her newest book after not reading anything by her in a few years.. This book did keep my interest but overall the story was quite ridiculous. However, I like the main character and enjoyed the quirkiness of the old hotel and it's staff.

Sasha and Finn both find themselves back at the place they vacationed as kids. While a lot has changed about themselves and the town, they find it the perfect spot to find themselves. Both are seeking to find themselves after experiencing burnout. Overall, I found it enjoyable. I loved getting to know the town and the secondary characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for providing this ARC.

Kinsella brought her classic mishaps to this story about a woman and a man who were burnt out from work and life. I thought the characters thoughts and feelings about burnout were accurate and empathetic. I didn't like the relationship between Sasha and Finn--I wish they were more honest with each other earlier in the story, rather than waiting and wondering. Terry, the surfing teacher, was an inspiration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy.

this is such a sweet, fun, loving story! Sasha and Finn are both looking for a physical and mental break from life (which is very appealing to me at the moment 🤭) and they fine it and each other in their childhood vaca spot where they get some much needed R&R as well as some romance 🥰❤️

I loved their relationship from the start, how they both are trying, and failing to find some relaxation on their trip, clash a lot with one another, and once they become friends, and talk through what brought them there in the first place, they finally find some peace and relaxation 🥰

the mental health representation in the story was so good! I really appreciated seeing Sasha work through what she feels has turned her off of everything fun and enjoyable in life. Emotional mental physical fatigue is real, and we get to see both Sasha and Finn work to heal themselves, and find fun, sweet, loving companionship in each other too 🥰❤️

thank you for the arc!!!

The Burnout was such an amazing read. I think this has become my second favorite book by Sophie Kinsella.
First of all, we have a topic that a lot of people could relate to: burnout. Second of all we have interesting, complex but yet funny characters that are very relatable. I really liked Sasha and Finn and how they relationship started to evolve. I also liked the secondary characters.
It was such a fun read; everything that happened to Sasha involving the steps and with the hotel staff, it had me laughing for hours. But it was also so deep and really made me think about my life too. Were I in Sasha’s situation, what would I do?
I liked how she slowly got better and that it wasn’t a magical solution but that everything started to fall into place. I also loved the Terry part, his wisdom, the mark he left in people and specially what they did for him. It had me in tears.
Overall, it was a full ride and I truly loved it, it was so enjoyable and I did not want it to end because now I miss Sasha and Finn. So, if you have the chance do not hesitate and read it.

Oh, how I LOVED this book!! First of all, Sophie Kinsella is one of my auto-buy authors. I've read all of her books. If you've never read one, highly recommend the adorable Shopaholic series.

What was great:
❤️She writes such comical and lovably flawed female main characters, and Sasha was no exception. You'll love her!
❤️ The enemies, to friends, to lovers plot line was perfection.
❤️ I loved how the characters searched for joy through their shared childhood experiences.
❤️ There was such unexpected heart with the side character, Terry.
❤️ Loved the overall theme of second chances. It was such a feel-good story!

Bottom line: Perfect light, feel-good romance. Highly recommend!

4.5/5! Sophie Kinsella does it again with the burnout featuring two young working professionals, Sasha and Finn, navigating what there is to life outside of work. Both Sasha and Finn find themselves at their childhood vacation spot, past the brink of exhaustion, together they remember the beauty of their childhood favorite spot in this enemies to lovers slow burn.

This book was a perfect read on a cold rainy day, I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought provoking yet sweet enemies to lovers story.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Her job drove her up a wall, or rather, into a wall.

Sasha thought she found her dream job, but it turned into a nightmare due to staffing shortages and poor management. After her wall episode, Sasha was signed off work by the doctor. Looking for rest and relaxation, she returned to the quaint seaside town where she vacationed as a child, and there she found a fellow "burnout" named Finn, who would become a big part of her wellness journey.

I will never stop looking forward to Sophie Kinsella books. As expected, The Burnout was filled with Kinsella's signature over the top comedy, quirky characters, and lots of heart. I feel like many will be able to relate to Sasha's situation. Maybe their burnout wasn't job related, but they probably experienced this phenomena at some point in their lives. I loved the big message of learning to say "no" and being sure to make time for yourself.

It was wonderful that Sasha had someone to take this healing journey with. Finn had been asked to take a break from his job after several outbursts. He, too, was suffering from burnout. Though, they initially were put off by each other, they eventually bonded and opened up to one another. Sharing that load and giving feedback helped them both on the road to recovery and reclaiming their lives.

All that time together was bound to push them in a romantic direction, and I thought this was a great match. Their chemistry coupled with their honest discourse and snappy banter solidified my faith in this union. I especially loved when they talked about their childhood memories. Both remembered Rilston Bay fondly. It was their "happy place", and it was wonderful seeing them rediscover their joy and the charm of the town together.

I believe a quirky cast is required in every Kinsella book, and she really outdid herself with the Rilston Bay inhabitants. The hotel was staffed by quite a rag-tag bunch, and it was easy to root for them as they attempted to save the hotel. Cassidy was a standout who stole the show every time she was on-page and will no-doubt emerge as a fan favorite.

Overall, this was classic Kinsella. For me, that means lots of laughs, warmth, and happy feels.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been so burnt out that you’ve wanted to quit your job so badly that you try to join a convent, but when the nun rejects you (rude) and calls your supervisor (even ruder), you run away…and they chase you down before you accidentally run smack into a brick wall and blackout.

No? Just Sasha? Fair enough.

This was the first novel I’ve ever read by Sophie Kinsella and I loved it! I see so many books touted as romantic comedies and they are chock-full of romance but the comedy often just amounts to a couple of funny lines—that was not the case for The Burnout! Between the slapstick actions (I’m talking about getting dive-bombed by seagulls) and the hilarious side characters (The man, the myth, the TITAN), I actually laughed out loud so many times while reading this!

As a woman in my late twenties, Sasha felt so relatable. I mean, who hasn’t wanted to cry while seeing fifty unread, urgent emails in their inbox? Sophie hit the nail on the head of how difficult it can be to want to keep all the plates spinning without wanting the burden to fall anywhere else—and how that will always inevitably lead to burnout.

Additionally, I love a grumpy MMC and Finn fit the bill so well! His second introduction really tickled me and I knew I’d love him from then on! He and Sasha complimented one another so beautifully and I think their chemistry was one of the best parts of the book!

My minor complaint was that the drama near the end (with the mention of a past partner) felt rather forced. I think there could have been a single discussion that would have resolved that before it had time to fester <spoiler> and we would have been left with the very reasonable argument of why they couldn’t work at the time. </spoiler> I feel like there could have been a bit more to the reconciliation conversation but I still enjoyed seeing it all come together in the end.

All in all, I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Sophie Kinsella. If you’re looking for a quick, witty rom-com, look no further!

Thank you to Random House, The Dial Press, Sophie Kinsella, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

Sasha Worth has become completely and utterly burnt out at work and burnt out on life. She has hit the wall, quite literally. After being forced to take a break from work, she decides to recalibrate by holidaying in the old seaside town of her youth. It's off-season, but it's the beach. It's the sea, fresh air, space, and an old acquaintance she never met. Although he is totally off-putting and rude, they are drawn together trying to figure out just who is leaving mysterious messages on the beach. Just maybe, in solving the mystery, they'll finally realise that life is about living, loving, and sharing, 'No one remembers the wipe outs. They don't! People remember the triumphs'.

COMING TOMORROW!!

I’ve seen many books by @sophiekinsellawriter on Bookstagram but this is my first read of hers. This was such a cute read, though hit a little close to home with the sense of burnout.

This book has amazing characters—especially the secondary characters. They were so well developed and quirky, I wouldn’t get enough of them.

This was a laugh-out-loud book and PREACH for mental health representation. Too often we are overworked and overwhelmed in our day Iva and don’t realize how burned out we truly are, but feel like we can’t take time for ourselves. This book reminded me that not only is it OKAY to take time for yourself, but it is NECESSARY for your mental health and well being (two week break coming next month!!)

Read for
🍾Romantic comedy
🍾Mental Health Rep
🍾Amazing secondary characters
🍾Self help
🍾Childhood nostalgia
🍾Dislike to friends to lovers

Pub date: October 10, 2023

Thanks to @netgalley and @thedialpress for the e-arc in return for an honest review.

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When Sasha has a breakdown at work, her mother sends her away on a seaside retreat to recharge. The trip, however is nothing what she envisions, complete with terrible healthy food her mother has requested, and a grumpy guest, Finn. However, things are not always what they first appear to be, and Sasha leaves the trip completely recharged and ready for life!
Very well written with great character development. Nice fun read. Recommended for those who enjoy the genre or looking for a quick feel good novel.

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, The Dial Press in exchange for my honest review.