This was incredibly difficult to read in some ways, knowing that it’s mostly autobiographical. Eve Monroe, like Kinsella herself, suffered through a brain cancer diagnosis, where she had to go through an 8 hour operation, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. While they got the tumor, the prognosis for this aggressive cancer is terminal. Kinsella used this opportunity to write about her experience - including her recovery, her relationship with her husband and children, and with writing.

Despite the serious nature of this novella, it was also relieving to see Kinsella’s trademark humor and optimism shining through - and there is ultimately so much hope. What Does it Feel Like is a quick read, but it’s one that will stay with me.

Wow! What an amazing book! First off, shame on me! I did not read the summary of the book, and after reading all of Sophie's other books, I just went in blind knowing I was going to love it! Of course, I am thinking I am going to read a book that has me chuckling the whole way to Indiana from Florida. What I got was very different! I was sitting in the passenger seat hiding tears from my husband, kids, and dogs, and not from laughter! Even so, this is a book I will recommend to everyone I know! What a heartfelt, well written book that should make us all feel thankful for every moment we are given, and finding the positive in every situation. Sophie, I am sending so many prayers your way! Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what you and so many others are going through! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I received a free copy of “title” from the author, publisher, and netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. This book was raw, real, and so beautifully written! It’s my first book by Sophie, and I’ll definitely e reading more! Knowing it’s an autobiography makes it that much more stunning!

Oof- I didn’t know what this book was about when I received a NetGalley copy and also surprise, it was a short story! Beautifully written, emotional, and deeply personal (especially reflecting on my grandfather’s struggle with brain cancer).

Trigger warning: brain cancer.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella and was so saddened to hear of her cancer diagnosis. This book was brilliantly written and captured the essence of her past books beautifully. I am in awe of the fact that she was able to do this.

A sort of memoir-esque story by Sophie Kinsella and I devoured every page! Raw, real, and relatable, with an author’s note that’s sure to tug at your heartstrings. I applaud the author for creating a story based on her own personal battle.

I love Sophie Kinsella books. They captivate me and make me laugh. This was no different, at least in the captivating part. This book is about a famous author who suddenly finds herself waking up in the hospital. Her memory is fuzzy, especially with things she is just told. While this is scary all in itself, what makes it more devastating is what is causing the issue. She has a cancerous tumor on her brain. It is terminal, and most people with this specific diagnosis don't live past two years. What makes it even more heart-wrenching is she can't remember being told she has cancer. Her husband has to relive telling her every day, and she has to deal with the devastation every day. My heart continued to break into a million pieces as I read this book. What makes me even sadder is knowing this is fairly auto-biographical. Sophie is so brave to tell her story. While the book itself is short, it pacts a powerful emotional punch. It was so beautifully written. The fear, the worry, the love for her family, the determination....all of these emotions just jumped off the page. All I can say, this is a heartbreakingly beautiful book.

When I see the name Sophie Kinsella, I don’t bother to read the description; I know that I’ll enjoy it. Instead of a sweet romance, I was surprised to find a wrenching, vivid, and breathtaking recounting of the author’s (as told by the character “Eve”) experience with a brain tumor that necessitated learning how to live again. I haven’t been this wrapped up in a book in a long time. It’s just gorgeous, and I highly recommend it.

I loved Confessions of A Shopaholic as a kid and was so ecstatic to see Sophie Kinsella come out with a new book! What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella is a delightful, heartwarming exploration of emotions and the little moments that shape our everyday lives. Known for her witty and charming style, Kinsella crafts a collection of stories that are both lighthearted and deeply human. Thank you Sophie Kinsella, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and NetGalley for this ARC!

"What Does It Feel Like" by Sophie Kinsella is a delightful exploration of the ups and downs of love and self-discovery. Kinsella's signature humor and charm shine through as she weaves the story of a protagonist navigating the complexities of relationships, career, and personal growth.

The novel captures the essence of Kinsella's trademark style, blending witty dialogue with relatable scenarios. The main character's journey is both entertaining and thought-provoking, addressing themes of self-acceptance and the importance of following one’s heart. Kinsella's sharp observations about everyday life add depth, making the characters feel authentic and their struggles resonate.

The pacing is brisk, filled with lighthearted moments and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. Kinsella’s ability to balance humor with more serious undertones creates a well-rounded narrative that appeals to a broad audience.

Overall, "What Does It Feel Like" is a charming read that combines humor, romance, and insight into the human experience, making it a perfect choice for fans of contemporary fiction. Whether you’re looking for laughs or a heartfelt story, this book delivers on both fronts.

What Does It Feel Like? was a quick read that was absolutely gut wrenching. Sophie Kinsella is incredibly brave in confronting her diagnosis head on.

This was an easy yet emotionally charged read. It truly takes bravery to confront your own trauma and discover a silver lining. I've been a dedicated fan of Sophie since her "Shopaholic" series first came out, and this book was truly something special.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

This short story, inspired by Sophie Kinsella's real life experience, is raw, honest, and beautiful. Her chapters are small looks into what life is when a devastating diagnosis upends life and hangs an uncertain timeline. It's heartwarming to see the optimism and love throughout the book through her main character, Eve, and Eve's husband. Definitely read the author's note, as it provides some perspective- though the raw and honest emotions of the book had me googling to see if this was based on the author's life before I made it to the author's note. Beautifully written.

An absolutely devastatingly beautiful story. Although it is fiction, the author compares the book to her own life. It details the real impacts of a brain tumor and the relationship with family during a diagnosis. I cried, and I am not a crier!

In "What Does It Feel Like," Sophie Kinsella tells a short, yet powerful story about Eve Monroe and the complexities of navigating illness, family and lost memories. Eve wakes up in the hospital with no idea how or why she got there, and this story tells about her journey she takes to bring back her memories. Sophie Kinsella draws readers into a world where relatable characters experience the unexpected hardships of life, while also keeping it light with her signature wit. The emotions and humor are perfectly balanced, and it is a heartwarming, yet sad read. I’ve been a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella since I read Shopaholic series in college, so this book resonated long after the last page, especially after learning that it is a biographical fiction and Sophie experienced something similar to what Eve did.

A short story that packs an emotional punch! I loved the format, of short little scenes, text messages, dialogue etc. The afterword is not one to miss either.

Sophie Kinsella, you are the queen of all things. I appreciate this book so much because I know it was autobiographical. It could not have been easy to write especially since your brain needed so much retraining after surgery. You put into words something that can be completely unfathomable to comprehend. Thank you for sharing this story and for being so strong so that you could bring honesty to your writing. The fear is real. The love is real. And the hope tied everything together.
I can only imagine that recovering from surgery due to the removal of a cancerous growth on your brain is immensely scary and frustrating and what feels like an unfair turn of events. Kinsella uses her brilliant writing style to allow the reader a tiny understanding of what's it's like. I encourage everyone to pick this short story up and read it.

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella is an autobiographical fiction about an author dealing with a brain cancer diagnosis and her journey to recovery. This book hit me so hard, yet it was so difficult to put down that I read it in one sitting (it's a short book). Sophie Kinsella is one of my all-time favourite authors and I've read all her books. It was tough reading about all she went through but I'm absolutely grateful for her survival, her husband and children. And now I feel like rereading all her books. Thank you, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review shared on Instagram @thereadingmom.ng. Link below

What a real, raw and honest story from the first person perspective going through memory loss. Such resilience and support from all around her, which is so reassuring during such a difficult time.

I had no clue when I requested this book that it was about Sophie's story of what's been going on in her life the past year or so. To read what she's written about her brain tumor and long road to recovery is quite sobering yet she still manages to put a smile on your face. This was a very good read/listen and I'm so glad I did!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 8 October 2024