Member Reviews
A wonderful story about burn out, stress and finding the way back.
Sasha walks away from her life in a comical way and goes back to a seaside town she hasn't visited in twenty years due to the death of her father. The hotel has fallen into disrepair. The people who work there are hilarious and quirky. The beach is still wonderful. She meets Finn who is also trying to recover from burnout.
The story is delightful. Romantic, quirky and absolutely wonderful.
I think Sophie Kinsella has a pretty distinct writing style. If you have read some of her books, maybe you’d agree with me. It feels as if you are the character, as every thought, every dream, every action is written out. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too much for me at times and this book shows that. It was slow paced and filled with a bit too much information that didn’t seem necessary. I had a hard time imagining myself in the scenario and it took awhile for anything to really play out. I was excited for this book because i, myself have dealt with my own burnouts but it just didn’t do anything for me.
Sasha is burned out from her job at a travel startup, so she escapes to the beach her family used to go to every year. Except it's the wrong time of year and the once grand hotel she always wanted to stay in is falling apart. And it turns out she's not the only one who's burned out - Finn (who of course is super hot) is sharing her beach. Will their poor first impressions change, along with their mental states? Send that kale smoothie back like Sasha should have done, and find out!
I have been a fan of Sophie Kinsella from the first time I read Confessions of a Shopaholic 17 years ago and I read every single one of her books. After reading The Burnout, I can truly say she has never disappointed me! I loved how real and honest of a character Sasha was, and the journey she had to take to recapture her joy in life. Sasha's feelings of burnout were incredibly relatable, and Kinsella did a great job portraying this modern-age reality. Definitely would recommend this for a both light-hearted and introspective read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I've read every book by Sophie Kinsella and I found the beginning of this book funny and very realistic and relatable. The pace of the book was a little slower for me, but I enjoyed learning more about Sasha and Finn.
I absolutely adored The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella. In her typical writing style, The Burnout is laugh out loud funny and unputdownable.
While The Burnout is ultimately a rom-com the story follows Sasha who is burnt out from her job at a startup and goes back to her favorite childhood vacation spot on a wellness retreat.
Sophie Kinsella is the queen of British “chick-lit”. Her writing style and humor is so unique. Sophie Kinsella has been my favorite British rom-com writer for over twenty years! The Burnout is not to be missed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/ The Dial Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sophie Kinsella is an auto-read for me so I was really excited to see a new book from her. This has the same funny inner dialogue that you can expect from her and I laughed out loud several times, but it was incredibly slow and I never connected to the story. I felt like some things took too long to uncover (not lending much to the story) while other things felt like they were wrapped up too quickly or were unresolved.
Sasha has professional burnout so she decides to spend time at a beloved childhood seaside destination. Though it isn't what she expected, Sasha's determined to make it work until a grumpy Finn turns up and they have to learn to share the beach.
The good: most of the side characters, some laugh out loud scenes, surf philosophy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh I just LOVED this book. It was funny and there was romance, and I loved watching the characters grow into stronger versions of themselves. I was absolutely thrilled to be able to have early access to this book! Sasha is absolutely burnt out from her job that just demands too much of her energy, so she heads to a resort on the sea that she used to go to as a child with her family in an effort to find peace, and maybe do some “healthy” activities. Her memories versus the reality of the current conditions of the resort are different however. Here, she meets just one other guest, Finn, who is a sour puss and at the resort for his own healing. Now, Sasha cannot relax because she has Finn The Grump getting in her way – until she is forced to get to know him after the appearance of mystery messages addressed to the both of them. I also appreciated this book because I frequently feel the burnout myself, and so I felt the characters were very relatable in that sense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – I received this arc free in exchange for an honest review.
Always fun to read a Sophie Kinsella book. Not quite as fun in the sense that it’s not abouta ditzy shopaholic but probably more realistic about a career woman that is stressed out and burned out. An enjoyable quick read and I loved the characters, the hotel that has seen better days, and the tribute to Terry, the heart of the story.
A new book by Sophie Kinsella is always a joyous occasion, and this one lived up to my expectations. My only complaint is that I thought it was a little too long. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Being a long time fan of Sophie Kinsella, I was so excited to see a new book (it's been a while since she published anything new)!
I have to say, this book did not let me down and I still love the writing style of Sophie Kinsella. Burnout is a big topic in today's society, so this book is very appropriate.
Our main characters - Sasha and Finn - are funny, relatable and down-to-earth. We also have a whole slew of side characters that do wonders for the story! I was really cheering out main characters on and loved the witty banter and and the enemies to friends to lovers trope.
With lots of character growth and self-realizations, I couldn't put this book down!
Sophie Kinsella writes closed-door rom-com like no ones else and I'm so glad she's back!
Can't wait to add this book to my physical collection!
Sophie Kinsella did a wonderful job of helping me identify with the main character. Who doesn't ever feel like they have burnout and want to toss it all for a different path??? Then throw in the cast of supporting characters in a quirky off-season hotel, and you have a wonderful read. I loved it to the very end... the weaves of doubt, awakening, and fun. Great quick read!
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for this ARC.
The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella was a delightful little read. I really felt transported to an off-season seaside holiday surrounded by a quirky cast of supporting characters.
While I connected to the premise of professional burnout and believe it to be a worthwhile topic for further exploration, I didn't find myself connecting with the characters on a deep level.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
3 Stars.
I'm so glad that one of my all-time favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella is still writing rom-coms! Happy to get my hands on her latest, "The Burnout". Loved this story of Sasha and Finn, both over-worked, who meet on a beach retreat from their childhoods and connect over their shared misery. Lots of quirky charm in the hotel & small town. And the surf-instructor/guru - chefs kiss! It's cute, funny, heart-warming and also a rather quick read. My sincere thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the complimentary DRC, my sincere pleasure to review
Sophie Kinsella's gift for writing books that bring the reader immense belly-laughs, light romance, and personal angst are on fire in "The Burnout". Read in one-sitting, the laughs have never been bigger, the romance sweeter, nor the person poignancy been better. Block off an afternoon and dive in. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House!
"How am I supposed to write down my aspirations when my only aspiration is stay on top of life and I'm failing at that"
Sasha is an overworked and overstretched employee at Zoose, a travel app. She ends up having a mental breakdown because honestly who wouldn't in her position. Fortunately, her mother steps in and sets her up to stay in Rilston Bay. The last time her and family were there was when her father was diagnosed over twenty years ago. Once there, she works on herself. Very Eat, Pray and Love but I felt more realistic. She also ends up meeting Finn, who like Sasha, is there to take a break from work because ....he may have gotten himself in a little it of trouble. From there they develop a sweet relationship while trying to work on themselves.
I found myself laughing so many times while reading the book. Sasha is quirky and hilarious. She had so many moments when she was working on herself that I marked because I could not stop laughing: "If you are stuck, just allow your soul to speak. Let your pen sit on the page, then write the first words that come to you. I rest my pen on the page, gaze out to sea, and find myself writing, A HALLOUMI AND FALAFEL WRAP." Died laughing.
And the hotel staff was a riot! I loved all the characters. They were a joy.
While I did enjoy the book, I felt like the book didn't pick up until 25% mark. It's definitely not the typical Sophia Kinsella books I've read in the past. I'd give it a solid 3.5 star rating
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read & review this book!
I really enjoyed how this book seemed to shed a much more realistic view on the boy meet girls and falls in love trope. It was a slow burn with a more realistic angle. I also really loved that it covered real issues that face many employees these days--- if only all employers had such grace! I loved that there was a little mystery and the resolution made me smil.e. But most of all, i loved every single character that worked at the hotel. I want this to be made into a movie ASAP because the characters are so entertaining, they will be perfect for a mini series or movie.
Definitely add to your must reads for this fall
This book will appeal to long time Sophie Kinsella fans AND to readers who are discovering her for the first time. Sasha takes a break from her high-stress London job after an "incident." She travels to the little beach town she'd loved as a child and books a stay in a hotel that has definitely seen better days. She's going to follow an app that promises a new her after just 20 days! She meets Finn, who is on a similar break, but not as interested in self improvement. This novel is simply laugh-out-loud funny with crazy situations and hilarious supporting characters. I look forward to recommending it.
Sparks fly in this novel about two burned out professionals who meet at a ramshackle resort on the British seaside. Sasha cannot bring herself to respond to another inane, “urgent” (but obviously not at all urgent) email or participate in the corporate employee joyfulness program. Everything takes too much effort.. She has hit a wall and flips out.
Armed with good intentions to drink kale smoothies, try yoga, and find peace, she heads to the seaside resort she loved as a child. But it’s the off season, the hotel is in a dilapidated shambles, and she has to share the beach with the only other occupant: a grumpy guy named Finn, who seems as stressed as Sasha.
Can Sasha get her life back together, find love and be able to tell her boss what is really going o in the office? A fun read as you find out the answer.
Sasha is burned out. She literally runs into a wall! This book is extremely funny, and holds some realism with a tech organization and the burnout that can happen. Sasha and Finn are cute together, and I really enjoyed this classic Sophia Kinsella book!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.