Beautiful and personal. This felt so raw and sudden which I’d imagine is how it feels when it becomes your own story with a sudden diagnosis with a poor prognosis. I’ve always enjoyed this authors books for a strong plot and strong female lead. I’m so glad I got to read this one as well. I’ll always remember this one.

My heart ached while reading this book by one of my favorite authors, who based it on her own life experience—her cancer diagnosis and journey back to normality after such an ordeal. The book is divided into chapters she calls "snippets" (unlike any of her other works) and is quite short. I can’t even begin to imagine the resilience it took to write about this experience—hats off to her! She also infused some humor, which brought a smile to my face but also made me a bit teary eyed!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC.

I’m not sure how to review this book other than to promise you that you will love it? I promise? Is that enough?

I don’t know. I love Sophie Kinsella books so when I saw that she had her new book coming out October 2024, and that it was based on her own experience with cancer, I was super intrigued. This doesn’t seem like her norm?, I thought to myself.

I highly, highly do not recommend reading this waiting for your eye doctor appointment. He will ask why you are sobbing. It will be embarrassing.

If you have ever experienced or known someone to go through cancer and treatment, this book will tear you straight in half. In the best way? I mean it.

Sophie is so straightforward but in a way that is funny and this book is choppy in that it’s reality and it’s just….

….really, really good.

Grief, anxiety, sadness, brought to you and still leaving you smiling. Well done Sophie. This raw, powerful, inspiring story will stay with me for a long, long time.

✨“Cancer is a buzzkill, what with the pills and the chemo and the dying.”
“Yes,” says Nick thoughtfully. “It’s a fucker. But luckily…”
Eve laughs, because “luckily” is their family watch word. Tack it on to any gloomy sentence, they have instructed their children, and you can turn things around, viz: It’s raining. But luckily, we’ve all got umbrellas. I hate hockey. But luckily, I also play football. I have incurable cancer. But luckily, my last scan was good. “Luckily,” reiterates Nick, “there’s always a cup of tea.”

……fuuuuuuuuuck 💔

This required reading releases October 8, 2024. Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Kinesella, and The Dial Press, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's tough to review Sophie Kinsella’s latest autobiographical book without feeling as though daggers are stabbing into your heart, with tears streaming down your cheeks, and barely holding yourself back from choking up.

What surprised me, however, was that despite honestly fictionalizing her own life story and changing some sequences of events, she never loses her positive outlook. This has always made me adore her novels, along with her amazingly unique sense of humor. There were several times when I laughed so hard I nearly fell off the couch and peed myself (which is why I always wear adult diapers before starting her books, just in case).

The chapters about her eight-hour brain surgery after being diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, dealing with short-term amnesia, learning to talk again, and using a Zimmer frame to walk without falling are hard to absorb. Yet, her uplifting writing tone—accepting things she cannot change and infusing them with honesty, optimism, and sarcasm—shows how incredible a writer she is. One particularly memorable moment is when the doctor asked her who the president was, and she jokingly replied, "Hugh Grant," before correcting herself to say he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which made me literally guffaw.

Two of my favorite chapters include the family Scrabble gathering and her early morning conversations with her husband.

Initially, I hesitated to start this book, fearing it would break my heart and devastate me as I read the fictionalized journey of author Eve, based on Kinsella’s own battle with a brain tumor and terminal cancer, including the entire radiotherapy and chemotherapy process. But after reading the book, I realized how wrong I was. My respect and devotion to the author only grew as I witnessed her bravery, power, and brilliant mind. Additionally, the book gave me so much hope and inspiration. I wished the author all the happy endings she highly deserves after giving her fans so many great laughs, happy tears, and immense hope that encourages them to trust themselves, believe that positive things happen, and overcome bad luck in their lives.

Her bravery and honesty inspire you to change your own life, starting with your perception. The universe needs more authors like Kinsella, who change our worlds by delivering humor and warming our hearts with full of positive possibilities. Her books have vividly colored my life with her humorous vision for the past 20 years. I love her works, adore her courage, and applaud her for doing the toughest thing: facing her fears, sharing her most private challenging moments, and pouring those feelings into her writing.

We need her words, her power of comedy, and the hope she delivers through her characters to help us keep going and embrace happiness.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/The Dial Press for sharing this meaningful journey’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. Millions of thanks to Sophie Kinsella for bravely sharing this meaningful journey with us.

Sophie has been one of my most beloved authors for so many years now. It was heartbreaking to hear of her diagnosis and so inspirational to learn of her fight against cancer. This brave woman, not only had to relearn some of the basic skills following her operation, but she wrote a book, a work of fiction, yet her most autobiographical work to-date.

This book is a novella, but there is so much emotion and determination packed into the 122 pages. Eve wakes up in the hospital, learning that her life has just turned upside-down, and with the grim diagnosis she will likely not be coming back to her normal life as a successful novelist and a mother of five. This book really puts things in a perspective and is a very thought-provoking read. It is painfully honest and personal, but Eve's (and Sophie's) perseverance and hope shines through. The audiobook was amazing and the afterword, recorded by the author herself, was touching and uplifting.

There was no question for me on whether I was going to read this book. I adore this author and if she was brave enough to write her very personal story, I was going to read it. Let's celebrate life with Sophie and send her our love and support 🙏 ❤️

When I first started to read this novella, I wasn't sure what to expect, as she likes to write stories with "a happy ending"******

After having an 8 hour brain operation on a tumor, Eve's life was turned upside down. Then the waiting for the test results and worring about her 5 children, sadly, the results turned out to be a rare form of a cancerous tumor.

Thankfully, (she loved that positive word) she had an extremely supportive and loving husband, who stood with her 100%, and over a board game of family Scrabble, she broke the news to their 5 bewildered children, and answering their questions.

At this time, I felt some tears run down my face, as I personally knew someone in this position, with a brain tumor, a that came by my job to personally tell me "goodbye" at only 27 yrs old.

So, think positive, enjoy today and hopefully Sophie and her family will also have a "happy ending"

This should be a must-read for everyone, as tomorrow is never promised.

Read this book and encourage others to do the same.

This will also be posted on Good Reads

Which is about a mom with brain cancer. It is semi-autobiographical and it blew me away to learn that one of my all time favorites, suffers from such a terrible and life threatening disease. The story details her journey, including the very raw emotion of the diagnosis and the horrific treatments. It is honest and gritty and real and so emotional. All the stars and admiration for her putting this out there for all of us to read. I read it in one sitting and thought about it for days afterwards. Thinking of Sophie Kinsella and her family and sending all the good thoughts their ways.

This book is short but immensely powerful.

Eve is a writer with such good luck: a flourishing career, a family, a husband who adores her. And then it all changes with a brain tumor. She is still incredibly lucky with her family and husband but now there is surgery, recovery, chemo and radiation...and the very fuzzy future.

This was a beautiful portrait of a person, eternally optimistic, who has to deal with some of the worst news we feel we could get. I empathized with Eve and her family having been through a similar scare with my own partner. There were many scenes that were familiar and brought up the fear, sadness and uncertainty.

I thank Sophie for sharing her journey: for having the courage to write about it and the courage to remain optimistic. I hope that only good luck continues.

I am not really sure how I can even review this book. I knew that this story was personal for the author, I knew that it was going to be heartbreaking, and I knew that she was going to tell Eve and Nick’s story in the most honest way possible. It was everything that I thought it was going to be.

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Sophie Kinsella’s writing. Was I looking forward to reading this book? Well, yes, it’s a Sophie Kinsella book, but it also made it more difficult because I knew that it was based on her own life. She did an incredible job of telling this story. For someone who is used to creating fictional characters with fictional storylines, how daunting must it be to open yourself up and tell a version of your own story. While it is in a different style than what I was used to from her, it worked perfectly. It pulled me into Eve’s life, her career, her marriage, her children’s lives, and her battle with cancer. I don’t think a page went by where I wasn’t wiping the tears from my eyes. It all felt real, too real. F cancer!

What Does It Feel Like? was a special story, an important story. The strength, the perseverance, the positivity, bravery, and the abundance of love was present throughout. I wish that this was solely a fictional novel, but then again, I wish that no one ever had to live through the reality of this disease. All I can say about What Does It Feel Like? is that it is a raw, unforgettable story that is told with the utmost bravery and candor. I sincerely wish for nothing but happy endings for this wonderful author and her family.

*5 Stars

This novella surprised me. At first I thought it might be a bit light/shallow, an established author doing glitzy things. I was very wrong, and welcomed the destruction of my pre-judgement. This is captivating and I most certainly shed some tears. A short, but meaningful piece! Loved the different writing styles, it broke things up nicely - allowed time for the reader to recover from heavier emotions or brought forth a change in feeling. Will be recommending!

This short, autobiographical novel is a courageous take on the author's own struggle with a brain tumor. One minute Eve is buying a dress she is hoping she will one day have a place to wear and then the next she is waking up in the hospital after surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Based on her life, Kinsella portrays such a depth of emotion and the struggle of learning to walk, talk and live with a diagnosis that is very grim. This is worth the read for anyone as we all know people who have lived and died with cancer diagnoses. The writing is beautiful and you really feel like you understand a little more what her life has been like.

The books I read during my formative years are the ones I keep coming back to as an adult, and I often find myself searching for similar themes in my current reads. Sophie Kinsella was a defining part of my late teens. As a bit of a wallflower, I found true happiness in stories—her heartwarming novels and hilarious characters saved me.

In her latest book, Kinsella draws from her own battle with stage four glioblastoma, and the main character, Eve, is inspired by her journey. Eve wakes up in a hospital bed, completely confused and with no memory of how she got there, after undergoing an eight-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Eve's relationship with her family, especially her husband, is the kind of real romance everyone dreams of—it tugs at your heartstrings.

In just about 100 pages, Kinsella captures the emotional rollercoaster of being diagnosed with an incurable illness and what the recovery journey feels like, all through beautiful snippets and vignettes of life. Despite tackling such a heavy topic, she maintains her signature narrative style and manages to keep things lighthearted with an element of humor. Her positive outlook through all her struggles is incredibly inspiring!

This book will break your heart, and piece it back together. You'll find yourself smiling through your tears, filled with a sense of hope.

I have been reading @sophikinsellawriter books for years. Becky in the Shopaholic series and Poppy in I’ve Got Your Number have alway been my favorite characters until I got to meet Eve in What Does It Feel Like.

“What Does It Feel Like? Is a fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.” -Sophie Kinsella

I devoured this in one sitting yesterday and although it is different from Kinsella’s signature writing told in more of a vignette and short story style, I loved it. This is a brave, thought provoking novella that contemplates and showcases heavier topics, but still makes you laugh. I think if you are going through something similar, it will make you feel seen and not so alone.

Thank you Sophie, for being so brave.

This one is out tomorrow.

Thank you @thedialpress and @netgalley for the early copy

5 stars

What a moving and unforgettable story. It’s beautifully written and filled with heart, following Eve’s journey of healing and rediscovery after a life-changing diagnosis. The book is both heartbreaking and uplifting, and reminds us of the importance of love, family, and finding joy in life’s simple moments. It will touch your heart and stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group, the Dial Press for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

What a fabulous read! Heartfelt, realistic and accessible. EVERYONE should read this! While the book is short, it packs a punch and will stay with the reader for a LONG time. May we all find "normal plus" and learn to appreciate and love our lives no matter the turns and twists it takes. Thank you to Sophie Kinsella for writing this beautiful, personal book and allowing us an intimate glimpse into her life. Thank you for the opportunity to review this ARC.

A poignant novella based on Kinsella's life. I read this in one sitting, grateful to have it in my hands, given that she's been diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma. I've always been a fan due to the humor and positive spirit she always brings to her romcoms (even when they get silly) and that carries through here as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A read that will linger in your mind.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘐𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦? is a novella based on author Sophie Kinsella’s personal experience with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. The book is a collection of vignettes that briefly describe novelist Eve’s diagnosis, surgery, cancer treatments, memory and cognitive issues, and physical and emotional struggles. This is a very short and quick but interesting read. I do wish some more detail and insight were given, but I understand that this is a deeply personal and difficult topic for the writer and she has overcome a lot to get to this point. I look forward to reading more of her work. Thank you to The Dial Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is completely different from anything I’ve come to expect from Sophie Kinsella, but it still has her humor and heart all over it. A sad but sweet story about a novelist struggling with the aftermath of her brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Here’s the kicker, this story is autobiographical, which adds to the emotional aspect of the story. I am a person that loves books and stories written in vignettes and snippets and so I really enjoyed that aspect of this book. I definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of Sophie’s, she really did put her heart into it.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the ARC.

A beautifully heartbreaking read, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? is a semi-autobiographical novella that takes readers through famous author Eve's journey as she faces a life-changing diagnosis of glioblastoma, inspired by Sophie Kinsella's own battle with the disease. It's a true testament to Kinsella's talent as a writer that she is able to weave moments of humor and lightheartedness into a situation that is anything but—I loved reading about how supportive Eve's family and friends were of her, and how she was still able to find joy in her everyday life even while struggling with something so devastating, and not lose her identity as a writer, wife, mother, friend, etc., to her illness. I wish Sophie Kinsella all the best, this couldn't have been an easy book to write, but I'm glad it was therapeutic and healing for her in some way. I hope she'll be healthy, happy, and writing many more wonderful stories to come! Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the ARC.

A beautiful and heartbreaking semi-autobiographical novella that follows the author’s own recent health experiences. The story follows a successful novelist Eve who wakes up one day in the hospital after brain surgery and major lapses in her memory day by day, all due to a large and aggressive brain tumor. With a troubling prognosis, Eve takes on the challenge with humor and heart, even as the question comes as to what will happen to her husband and children. Much of this is based on Kinsella’s past few years. Known for her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. This story explores her life since - as an author, wife, and mom.
Thank you to the Dial Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.