First, thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Sophie Kinsella is hit or miss with me. Some I really enjoy, others end up just annoying me. I thought I'd take a chance on her newest title and am so glad I did. The Burnout was delightful to read. I loved the characters, the setting, the storyline of a woman so stressed and burned out on work that she tries to join a convent and then is given leave after hitting a wall while running from the nun. Good humor, but backed up with a solid story and deeper emotions to keep you invested in the characters and their journey. Nice romance, feel good read that I woould happily recommend to friends.

Going into this, I'll admit that I was worried-ish about how much this one was going to be about burning out. That's a topic that just comes with a lot of feels. That said, this is really a book about what comes after that point and how to figure out what's next. Sasha has left a toxic work culture, and she's returned back to a beach where she spent many summers. She runs into Finn who's there for similar-ish reasons and also has a history with the beach. The story focuses on Finn and Sasha as individuals and together, as well as various characters they knew from back when. I appreciated that the story really does center Sasha and her journey throughout. It had some good reflections on the topic of burnout and just finding your way back to things and people. I adore Sophie Kinsella, and I'm excited for this book to be out in the world in October 2023 - on my birthday of all days! Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this upcoming release!

I have read a lot of Sophie Kinsella over the years, but The Burnout was the first in a long time that captures my interest in the same way as her earlier works. Relatable and relevant, The Burnout tackles the high-speed and soul-draining nature of today’s workplace and its toll on mental health and life balance.

Sasha is an overly-dedicated professional who finds herself drained to the point of no escape. Running out of options, Sasha finds herself taking a deep dive into a variety of extremes - including attempting to join a convent, looking for peace at a decrepit vacation resort from her childhood, and navigating the 20-steps of a life improvement app. Her adventures lead her to fellow burnout, Finn. Through a series of misunderstandings and awkward encounters, these two develop an unlikely relationship.

I don’t think this book is going to be a slam dunk for every reader, but it definitely has an excellent message about life, work, and the necessary balance between the two.

I was so excited to get the chance to read Sophia Kinsella’s new book, since I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by her. I found this book to probably be the most relatable one I’ve read so far. I love when characters go on a trip especially when it’s off season, I feel like it adds to the character’s charm.

Sasha was over worked and overwhelmed, like so many are this day and age. The fact that she packed up and took time for herself was motivating. I like the rate in which the relationship with the love interest progressed.

Overall I loved this one, just like I did all the others by this author.

Look, I’m biased, this is my favorite book of the year (and maybe ever? I need to give it some time as I just now finished it.)

Before going into this, I must warn you, you will want, no — NEED to drop everything you are doing and go to the beach.

“But it’s October Amanda what do you mean the beach will be horrible” NO! YOURE WRONG! If you are actually able to read this book without going to the beach for the hope that you’ll experience the serene bliss that The Burnout paints this out to be then you are a L I A R. I don’t know what this author did or how they were able to capture the feeling of summer and the perfect beach vibes in this book but they did it! They absolutely 100% did. (I did not enjoy my beach trip bc alas this WAS an ARC and it is peak beach season in Texas 😪)

But okay enough about the feeling of this books atmosphere. The characters in this book are all so, how do you say it, “quirky” but in a good way. And I’m sorry but you will get no more out of me because you MUST go into this book blind, you MUST because the ride is it! If I say more then I will only sour this experience for you!

In short, you should read this book if:
1.) You are burnt out yourself (pls take care of yourself <3)
2.) You’re at a point in your life that you just feel lost and as if there is just far too many decisions to make to get through a day
3.) Have lost someone important to you and are at a spot where you still don’t want to think about it but hate that because so many happy memories came from time with that person (I lost my dad at 20 and perhaps I have a bit of a bias for the main character bc I loved her thoroughly.)
4.) Have ever tried a cleanse or wellness challenge
5.) Love realistic romance in literature


And FINALLY, thank you to Random House, Sophie Kinsella, and NetGalley because I have found my comfort read and I CANNOT wait for release day so that I can go out and buy copies for each of my friends!! <3

I’m normally a HUGE Kinsella fan, so I was excited to get my hands on this early. sadly, this wasn’t a win for me. the book is a bit too slow and a little too long for what it offers. i liked the main character a lot, and burnout felt like a new theme for the author, so that was nice, but i missed some of the wild quirky moments we usually find in her books, and the art mystery wasn’t enough to fill that place for me.

thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this fun book.

Sasha Worth has had a breakdown at work. She ran out and literally hit a wall, ending up in hospital. The job was so stressful she couldn't function with a normal life. Her mother makes arrangements for her to travel to the hotel on the beach in Devon where the family had vacationed in her youth. She's to follow a 20 step list of get her life in control and drink kale smoothies and practice yoga. Sasha agrees, but the kale makes her sick and she can't do yoga. She meets the only other guest at the hotel, Finn Birchall. He's a grumpy, scowling man, nasty to her, mocking her kale smoothies and yoga. They argue with each other, but then reveal that they both had visited this beach in their childhoods and both taken surfing lessons from Terry, the local surf shop guru. Slowly they begin to like each other, and both begin to destress and enjoy their holiday, doing all the things they used to do twenty years ago. But there Sasha discovers that Finn has a secret that he hasn't revealed to her, and she has to step back.

This was a very enjoyable read, and I had trouble putting it down. I loved it!

This was a lovely story! I read it over a weekend and really enjoyed it. It is a tiny bit predictable, but that didn't spoil the book for me at all. I look forward to recommending this book to our library patrons.

This is a fun and easy read. I read it on the beach and flew right through — breezy, sweet and romantic.

Enjoy the ride! This was a wonderful contemporary, romance novel. I loved every minute of it. Sasha is overworked and losing it. She gets pushed to the brink and has to take some time off to regain her sanity. She ends up going to the coast where she used to vacation as a child. While there she attempts to find wellness but ends up meeting someone who pushes her buttons, Finn. Finn himself is also overworked and has retreated to the seaside to deal with his work issues. What follows is a laugh out loud novel with fantastic characters. I think this is a must read for anyone looking for a little romance, some laughs, and a great story that will touch your heartstrings.

Thank you to Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Sophie Kinsella you've dont it again!!

This book! The quirky hotel staff, the beach setting, the surf lessons that apply to life. I loved this! I needed a "beach read" to break up a few thrillers and lo and behold I got way more than a simple little beach read. The amount of times I highlighted sections of my kindle to save for later, the poignant life lessons, the profound simplicity found in nature and the constant ebb and flow of the ocean. Can you tell I loved this?!

The growth that our two main characters experienced, was a bit of a surprise. I expected flighty rom com, but I got depth and grit and real life challenges.

This was so good and such a pleasant surprise having so much more to it than an easy beach read!

Sophie Kinsella is one of my first author loves. I devoured the early Shopaholic series in my 20’s and have enjoyed her stand alone books ever since. I’ve come to expect a certain zany, likable female protagonist, friends to lovers story and The Burnout delivered. The setting was magnificent. I really loved the beach town description. I could definitely relate to Sasha’s feelings of needing to get away from it all and reset.
It sort of lost me at the ending. I love cheesy endings but this one was maybe a bit much. It won’t stop me from recommending this title and continuing to read Kinsella’s books though.

4.5 stars!

I haven’t laughed out loud while reading a book in a long time. I found myself doing just that throughout this book.

I loved the story line and all of the details and subplots that came together at the end.

I also loved the setting, it made me wish I was there (even if it was off season).

Lastly, I loved the characters. Especially the hilarious hotel staff.

I definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a cute, fun romance!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of The Burnout. You cannot go wrong with a Kinsella book. This was a quick read and very cute! I would highly recommend.

Loved this one - a fun and quick read but also dealt with some heavier topics like grief and or course burnout. I liked the setting in a beach town and the characters. There was a small side mystery that I found a bit distracting from the main story, but overall an entertaining read.

The main character was insufferable and I couldn’t get into it. Ended up DNFing and moving on. The concept was interesting but it was just not the best to read.

It's a comforting read. The book is about a woman named Sasha who needed to rest from “the burnout”. Going into a resort where there's something for her to do and relaxing in peace. She came across a man named Finn at the resort who was there to relieve stress. The book explains how to relax and take a break from the outside world, as well as finding some peace.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

Sophie Kinsella's books are like comfort food, no question. I have her earlier novels and reread them almost every year.

So when I saw this new book, of course I had to read it as soon as possible. I finished it in a couple of days and it was like seeing myself in Sasha. Burned out and barely treading water and with a to-do list I keep putting off.

My takeaway from this book is that manifesting works!

Overall this is yet another comfort food packaged as a sweet story. So what are you waiting for?

Pros: I’ve read many of Sophie Kinsella’s books because she is such a dependable author—I know that her books are going to be fun, fast reads. I think this book is perfect for someone who is burned out—just like the main character—and wants a mental vacation or for someone who is actually on vacation (especially if they are at the beach in the offseason like in the book). The enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes made for a fun contemporary romance.

Cons: None really—I think this book does just what it sets out to do. I may not remember it among the many books I read like it in the genre, but it was a fun reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House, the Dial Press for the opportunity to read this book.

3.5 stars

Pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book! Even though Sophie Kinsella is a very well-known author, I hadn't actually read any of her books before this one. I remember my mom reading and enjoying her first few Shopaholic books back in the early 2000s. I think I tried reading that series once but never made it all the way through.

As a (still) recovering burned out person, I related DEEPLY to this story and the main character Sasha's feelings. After a meltdown at her workplace, which is chaotic and full of toxic positivity, she is sent home on leave for 3 weeks. She decides to go away to a seaside town that she used to visit every year when she was a kid, armed with a 20 step plan for self-improvement. However, once she gets there, she realizes it's nothing like it used to be. She encounters many obstacles along the way on her healing journey - including another hotel guest, Finn, who is also struggling with life and came to the beach to escape. This forced proximity adds another layer to both of their complicated lives.

This was a fast and entertaining read that made me laugh out loud more than any other book I've read lately. I think I enjoyed it so much because I found it to be so honest and relatable, and how it approached mental health issues in a real yet funny way. Kinsella did a wonderful job developing the main character's voice and personality, along with quirky side characters that were easy to fall in love with. Even though romance was a strong storyline, it ran parallel with an equally strong storyline of self discovery. It was a bit predictable, but I think that's part of the charm of books like this. There were many heartfelt moments, some that even made me a little misty eyed. I really enjoyed Kinsella's writing style and I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC for review before publication!