Sasha works for a horrible, understaffed startup in London. Also, she doesn't know how to say no. This culminates in her having somewhat of a nervous breakdown. Her mother sends her to a beachside resort to relax and recover, the resort where the family used to spend idyllic summer vacations. What mom doesn't realize it that the resort is now a shabby, impoverished relic, barely furnished and staffed. Sasha makes the best of it, healing alongside another guest, an equally burned-out man who, it turns out, remembers those childhood visits. They share memories of the surf camp and halcyon days on their board in the water, as well as the maxims of the old surfing instructor. As the two of them heal and come back to health, a romance is born, but there are obstacles.

The very best stories give the reader a sense of hope about life, and this one did that. The book was a romance, but so much more. I was sorry to see it end. It was so good. I LOL'd a number of times, and when I came to the scene where Sasha finally rides a wave, it was so beautiful I had to read the whole thing aloud to my husband, and I could barely get through the end, choking back tears. Sophie Kinsella did such a great job of metaphoring surfing to life. This book was a privilege to read.

The Burnout is, as the title suggests, a contemporary romance about two strangers who return to the beach they loved as children, to try to recover from work burnout.

Sweet, funny, full of heart and filled with only good things, this book was typical Sophie Kinsella. I loved it, maybe could have used more 🌶🌶🌶🌶. 4.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A one sitting book for sure! Sophie Kinsella’s leading ladies are always quirky, broken in some way and hilarious to read about. Sasha has been trying to keep the marketing department going for months with no help from the well-being officer who is stalking her at work and criticizing her for her lack of involvement in the joyful mess program. One day she cracks spectacularly and finds herself on a wellness break in her favorite seaside town. There she meet a cranky, man who steals her favorite rock and just won’t leave the beach so she can actually dance like no one is watching. What follows is classic Kinsella storyline and comedy.
Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC.

The Burnout follows Sasha who is completely burnt out at her job and goes on a trip to a vacation site from her childhood. The premise of the story is great as most of us can relate to feeling burnt out! The story itself was fine and cute, but nothing overly exciting or engaging. I found the book to move very slowly at times, but also felt like parts that could have been better explained just weren’t. Overall this was an okay read so I would give it 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

This is probably one of my new favorites books by Sophie kinsella. I related so much to Sasha feeling over worked and stressed out at work and not sure what to do with your life. I also loved the romance in this book it was everything. When this book officially comes out I’m buying myself a copy.

Lately this author’s books are hit or miss for me. I enjoyed this one, even though it kind of wrapped everything up super quick at the end. It was sort of half womens lit, half romance.

Refreshing Escape from Burnout: “The Burnout” by Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella’s “The Burnout” offers a delightful and relatable escape into the world of Sasha, a woman who has reached her breaking point. This novel expertly explores the struggles of modern-day burnout, while infusing the story with humor, self-discovery, and a touch of romance.

From the opening pages, readers are immediately drawn into Sasha’s world, where the weight of daily responsibilities and the monotony of corporate life have left her feeling drained and disconnected. Kinsella effortlessly captures the essence of Sasha’s frustration, bringing to life the all-too-familiar challenges of balancing work, personal life, and mental well-being.

As Sasha embarks on her journey towards rejuvenation, she finds herself at a seaside resort, seeking solace and rediscovery. However, the resort is far from perfect, and she must share her retreat with Finn, an equally beleaguered individual. The dynamic between Sasha and Finn is captivating, as their shared exhaustion and contrasting approaches to overcoming burnout create a compelling tension throughout the narrative.

One of the book’s strengths lies in Kinsella’s ability to weave moments of introspection with lighthearted banter and comedic situations. The witty dialogue and clever exchanges between Sasha and Finn serve as a refreshing counterbalance to the weighty topic of burnout, offering readers much-needed laughter and levity.

Furthermore, the beach setting plays a significant role in the story’s progression, providing a serene backdrop for Sasha and Finn’s exploration of their personal struggles and hidden passions. The incorporation of mysterious messages written in the sand adds an intriguing layer of intrigue and mystery to the narrative, driving the characters to confront their own burnout head-on.

“The Burnout” also excels in its exploration of the deeper themes of self-discovery and the search for fulfillment. Through Sasha and Finn’s interactions, the novel raises thought-provoking questions about the meaning of success, the importance of reconnecting with one’s true passions, and the transformative power of genuine human connection.

Overall, Sophie Kinsella’s “The Burnout” is an engaging and uplifting read that tackles a timely and relevant topic with wit, charm, and a touch of romance. It serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care, seek balance in life, and find solace in unexpected places. If you’re looking for an escape from the pressures of everyday life and a story that resonates deeply, “The Burnout” is an excellent choice.

Overwhelmed and overworked, Sasha Worth is suffering from a severe case of burnout. After hitting a wall (both literally and figuratively), she heads to Rilston Hotel, the seaside resort she loved as a child, to relax and recharge. It’s the off-season, though, and the fancy hotel she remembers is now in a dilapidated shambles, and she has to share the beach with the hotel’s only other occupant, Finn, a grumpy guy who seems just as burnt-out as Sasha. How is Sasha supposed to commune with nature when Finn is sitting on her favorite rock? Or drink her kale smoothies while he is getting pizza delivered to the beach? When curious messages appear on the beach, seemingly addressed to Sasha and Finn, the two are forced to talk. As they share their experiences of burnout and fond memories of childhood holidays in Rilston Bay, an unexpected friendship forms.

In the wise words of Sasha Worth, “All the stars. All the stars.” This was such a delightful book—an entertaining and inspiring romantic comedy that has both humorous and heartfelt moments. It is a truly hilarious and realistic take on workplace burnout. I loved the main characters, but the side characters stole the show. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments, and I would love to read another book set at the Rilston Hotel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. We meet Finn and Sash who are both burnt out from their jobs. They end up spending time together and learning a lot about each other. The characters were really likable and the story was very relatable. This book was a quick read and I couldn’t put it down. This is the first book I read by Sophie and I’m looking forward to reading more books by her. Thank you NetGalley, Sophie and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. The Burnout will be published on October 23,2023!

Sasha and Finn, both suffering from extreme stress and burnout, meet at a seaside hotel that they both fondly remember from childhood. The hotel has seen better days, but its loyal employees add to its charm. They go from avoiding each other, to developing a friendship, to maybe something more. There are many laugh out loud moments along the way.

This book was an entertaining escape that was easy to finish in one sitting. It was a very light, fluffy read, perfect for summer. It was a bit obvious where the storyline would go, but it was an entertaining and uplifting way to get there!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mildly interesting but similar to most of Kinsella’s novels and characters, their is a frenzy and runaround to get anywhere in the story. I love the concept of the novel and think it is so relevant to times now, but I felt it moved slowly and felt a bit repetitive.

When two adults are “Burned Out” from excessive work stress and the go to recover in an isolated beach town on the English coast…..we can guess where this is headed. Yes, it goes there. But, Kinsella makes even a predictable storyline a lovely read.

Of course, the characters are very likable. Kinsella writes with great clarity, so I certainly felt I was there with them. I tasted the funny food and visualized the broken down hotel where they were staying. A very sweet subplot revolves around them recalling being there together during a frightening incident when they were children.

SO, Kinsella fans will enjoy this beach vacation story during their beach vacations! Thank you Netgalley for this charming Kinsella novel.

This was a book about two people who are burnt out from their jobs (who can’t resonate with this - although their burnouts went extreme) that escape to a small beach town they went to as kids. This book definitely had me laughing out loud, and I loved Sasha as a character. I WISH this was dual POV, because I really wanted to know more of Finn’s story and his mindset. The supporting characters at the Rilston were excellent - I want a follow-up story on Cassidy! Overall, cute book … dual POV and a stronger ending (and epilogue) would have made this 5 stars!

StoryGraph review is in link. Thank you for the book!!!

I really enjoyed reading this and I felt like it encompassed the feeling of a burnout.

I am a long time Sophie Kinsella fan and her latest book, The Burnout did not disappoint! From the first few sentences, I found myself relating to the main character, Sasha, and within no time, I started rooting for her to come out the other end of her anxiety ridden, overworked, overwhelming situation. By the time the character Finn was introduced, I was hoping against hope they could come together to help heal each other by the end of the book. This book was so heartfelt and truly hilarious! I literally laughed out loud several times while reading! I loved getting to know Sasha, her family, the characters at the hotel, Finn and the townspeople, and many more characters in The Burnout! I didn't want the book to end and find myself thinking about the book and characters even days after reading the last page, hoping that a sequel will eventually come out in the future describing many more journeys to the sea and surf lessons with Terry!

I have been In a huge life funk lately, and The Burnout was exactly what I needed. The characters are all so relatable and I really felt for Sasha; in fact I felt LIKE Sasha. The plot was hilarious but also serious and it takes a talented author to be able to make you feel all of the emotions. This book found me at the right time and I think it will help others find themselves as well. All of the stars!

"The Burnout" is a sheer pleasure, perfect for a vacation/beach read. Kinsella's stories are accessible, with likeable characters set in unique situations, and great escape reads. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Burnout by one of my all-time favorite authors. Sophie Kinsella has once again written a romance with interesting characters who kept me engaged throughout. I rooted for the main characters and the quirky side characters while trying to figure out the answer to mysterious situations taking place on the beach plus in the past. There’s a whole lot of fun taking place in her latest novel which I predict will be another Sophie Kinsella bestseller.

By now, I know to associate Sophie Kinsella books with reads that are fun, cozy, and also, incredibly predictable, and that’s exactly what The Burnout did. The Burnout follows marketing executive Sasha Worth, as she’s struggling with too much work, unsupportive management, and poor work/life balance. After a meeting gone poorly, an attempt to join the nunnery, and a collision with a wall, Sasha’s heavily encouraged to take some time off. She ends up returning to a seaside resort, Rilston Bay, that she used to go to as a child, excited to go to a place that once meant so much to her, only to find out that it’s completely different. Not only is it the off season, but the hotel is in shambles, and they’re convinced that Sasha is a high-maintenance city girl who only survives off of kale smoothies, yoga, and other healthy lifestyle choices. Her only other company, aside from the seaside resort’s overeager staff, is a curmudgeon named Finn, who seems to be just as stressed out as she is. As they start receiving messages addressed to “the couple on the beach”, with a date next to it, Sasha and Finn are forced to start talking about everything: their burnout, what led them here, and most importantly, what happened that day.

I found The Burnout to be filled with comedic moments, while also tackling heavier ones — I wish we talked more about burnout, as well as toxic positivity. Sasha’s mom, while well-intentioned, sends Sasha off to the seaside resort, and masquerades as Sasha’s PA to let the staff know that she’s super healthy in a “drinks a kale smoothie daily” and “survives off of noni juice” way, and has her following a lifestyle improvement app. While all of those things can help in alleviating burnout and are methods of self-care, they don’t necessarily always work, and aren’t the only cure. Sasha’s burnout felt like a looming shadow throughout the book, a third character who was constantly getting in the way of her own happiness. Sasha’s arc was really relatable, and I spent a good chunk of the book just wanting to wrap her in a hug and tell her to rest. While I loved Sasha, it took a while for Finn to grow on me — I wish we’d seen more of him, and I do think that the pacing in The Burnout was a bit off. The last 10% in particular flew by, and I wish the book was just longer, so we could see even more of his own burnout, and his own journey as well. Still, I loved how Kinsella portrays different types of burnout, and shows how burnout affects people differently. Sasha and Finn’s dynamic was also so lovely to read about — I loved how Sasha broke Finn’s walls down, how the two conspired together with the hotel staff, and were secretly trying to figure out what the importance of their secret messages were. Sasha and Finn made each other better, and even though one of my least favorite tropes is in The Burnout, I think it was done spectacularly, and in a way that was necessary for both characters to grow and heal.