I am a Sophie Kinsella fan and requested this one just because of the author. This was not what I was expecting but I still loved it! What a brave story for her to tell! It is a sad but yet it is funny too.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my review!

As always Sophie gives us another great book! I truly enjoyed this one! Bravo! If you are a fan of her other books you’ll love this!

Eve who is the FMC in the novella of What does it feel like? is a writer shares when it comes to writing a book, it is best to be passionate about the topic. You definitely feel that when reading this book and it was quite heartbreaking to later find out that this story was based on what happened to Sophie Kinsella herself. The novella gives the reader a look into the life of what one could face when being diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma - the 8 hour surgery, experiencing short-term amnesia, having to relearn to speak, and using a Zimmer frame to walk - all while having lingering thoughts of what the outcome of this type of cancer could be. I loved the support that Eve had throughout this book where they were realistic about what was going on while remaining optimistic about the future. I enjoyed the structure of the book with the short chapters where it immersed you into the experiences of her life as she goes on this life changing journey. Grief is never an easy topic to talk about it, but she somehow manages to slip in quips that make you giggle to alleviate the heavy topic. It is packed with many emotions and Sophie Kinsella doesn’t fail to let the reader experience them while reading this book.

For me, it was impossible to give this book anything but a five-star rating. Before this, I had never read anything by author Sophie Kinsella. I had mused about her name, wondering if she was related to the Shoeless Joe author Ray Kinsella. But the description gripped me. And once I began reading I was immersed in the story. It amazes me that she could write so honestly and largely autobiographically about her brain cancer surgery ,rehabilitation therapy, and harrowing prognosis—and yet infuse the novella with a bright, winning chick lit vibe. I found it touching and well done.

A totally different book from Sophie Kinsella - this is not one of her usual stories.

Based on her own current situation, this is the story of Eve, a successful writer with a husband and 5 children. When Eve wakes up in the hospital, she has no understanding of why she is there. Her husband tells her that she has had surgery, to remove a large cancerous tumor from her brain - a stage 4 glioblastoma.

Eve struggles to understand the prognosis, as she struggles to regain her memory, learn to walk and talk again and get her strength back.

This was such a poignant, heart warming and heart breaking short book. But it is full of humor and hope and love. Eve has the support of her husband and family, and never looses her desire to fight back to regain her life. It helps us to understand her fears, for herself and her family, how difficult the rehab is after such a surgery and how positive her outlook is for the future.

I wasn't aware that the author had been ill, never mind the nature of what she had been fighting. While this book is fiction, it is her autobiography, with a few details and names changed. I can't imagine being able to write such a book, after such a personal fight. Sending all the healing vibes to the author. This is a very powerful book.

I saw this Sophie Kinsella book on NetGalley and requested the ARC. I requested an ARC and was so excited to get approved. I didn’t read the details on the story, I’ve read enough of her books to blindly know I going to love her book. About 15 minutes into the book I’m a little confused where the story is going and pulled up GoodReads. Turns out this is more an autobiography book. I was shocked, saddened and feel like a horrible fan of her work for not knowing this. The toll it must have taken to write this book. It’s personal and brave.
#netgalley #netgalleyarc #sophiekensella #penguinrandomhouse #thedialpress #thedialpressbooks

This novella is beautifully written and shares a powerful story. Although it is fiction, it’s based off the author’s real experiences. There were times when I giggled and times when I had tears in my eyes. Stories like this really make me appreciate all the good things in life. Thank you Sophie for sharing your story!

Eve is living her dream life as a successful writer, a wife and a mother to 5 kids. When she wakes up in the hospital with holes in her memory, she learns that she has had a brain tumor removed and realizes that maybe this isn't the first time she's woken up confused in the hospital.

Knowing that Kinsella wrote this as autobiographical fiction makes the story more poignant. Eve's perspective is flawlessly written since Kinsella writes herself as Eve. I was blown away by the quiet optimism that Eve showed through the treatment, despite her confusion. I secretly fear that if I were to be diagnosed with something terrifying that I would be a mean patient. I admire Kinsella's bravery, honesty, and humor in her circumstances.

I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

i saw the name sophie kinsella and i knew i needed this book. somehow i didn't realize it was a novella, and at first i was disappointed it wasn't longer, but after reading it i thought it was perfect. i wasn't expecting it to be so heartwarming and heartbreaking. as someone who has recently gone through some medical issues, i thought the way she conveyed the exhaustion was perfect. this is a book that will stick with you long after you read it.

I was shocked by the author's notes in the story. What an experience! I'm so glad Kinsella made it to the other side. What would life be like if you couldn't remember? How would that change your views on things? What Does It Feel Like? walks you through that scenario, and all the possibilities. My heart goes out to her and other survivors!

A fantastic look into the life of one of my favorite authors of all time. It was really brave of Kinsella to share her story with her audience. I had no idea going in that it was autobiographical fiction and was stunned to learn of her diagnosis and what she has been up to since.

A very quick, moving read for anyone who has had experience with cancer or loves this author and wants to hear her story.

I love love Sophie Kinsella's books. I have read so many of them and would read anything she writes. She writes about lovely characters who are so funny and entertaining. I usually laugh and feel good at the end with the HEA. This book was not that, it was completely heart wrenching. I bawled my eyes out reading this raw and powerful book. Sure, it is not 100% true, but man enough of it is to get all the feels reading it. You feel the pain and struggles that she is going through with her cancer battle. Do I have even more respect for her for writing this book, absolutely! This is a must read for anyone that has someone they care about who has faced or is facing a health battle. This is really behind the scenes of what someone after brain surgery is going through. She is so real and this book just drags you in from the first page. I thought I would start this book before bed and couldn't put it down until I finished the entire thing. It was just that extraordinary of a book.

I hadn’t read any of Kinsella’s novels previously. This appealed to me because of the content and so many rave reviews. What Does It Feel Like? is a novella told in short vignettes about Eve, a woman in her midlife with five children, being diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma (brain cancer) diagnosis. Unfortunately, this story was inspired by the author’s real-life diagnosis and experience recovering from surgery and living with brain cancer.

I read this in a couple of sittings as it’s riveting and pretty short. The author well illustrates the disorientation involved in recovery from brain surgery and the steps involved. I think it could have been more powerful if told in first person narrative. I would have also wanted it to be longer. It was hard to get a grasp on the experience and characters because they were shown in brief bursts. I appreciated the optimism of Eve and her husband and enjoying the small moments of life.

Kinsella has survived longer than many with the same diagnosis, but her future is not guaranteed. What really brought this to life for me was watching an interview with Kinsella and her devoted husband. They are such a picture of love and care. I would recommend this if you’ve enjoyed novels by Katherine Center or Lisa Genova.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Random House and to NetGalley for the Arc of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
In 'What does it feel like,' Sophie Kinsella, Queen of chick lit, author of the Shopaholic series (and many more similar/styled books), decides to take a step back and embark on a wholly different path. In this novella, Ms.
Kinsella puts a voice, albeit with a 'fictionalized spin, to her harrowing journey in discovering she had a brain tumor in, quite literally, the prime of her life.
We are with her (and the main character in the story) as she is told (and told and told and retold, ad nauseam) that she had a brain tumor and had surgery. It is beyond amazing that Ms. Kinsella could even attempt this writing feat much less pull thoughts and words together as her memory was damaged due to the actual tumor and the resultant surgery. She had a glioblastoma, which is most often terminal.
I will say, this book was rawly hilarious and such a good time in its honesty and truthfulness. Never a dull moment for sure!
Five stars all around!
hooray and cheers to Ms. Kinsella for sharing her (somewhat fictionalized) healthcare experience with her readers. Keep up the fight!

I was interested in reading this book solely because it was a Sophie Kinsella book. It was not even close to what I had expected. It all came together when I read her Author’s Note. I wish the authors note would have been at the beginning, not as the end as it typically is. Still a great read.

Amazing and powerful. I was not ready for the author note.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a powerful novella and is unlike any of Sophie Kinsella’s previous books. It’s fictional, but is based off of her experience with cancer. I read this in one sitting, and it was so beautifully written. I appreciate how vulnerable she was in her writing and how the love for her family was portrayed. Although it was difficult to see what she went through, I loved her strength and optimism throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review. And thank you Sophie Kinsella for sharing your story.

Amazon review will be added on release day.

Wow. ‘Eve’ went through so much and made an incredible recovery. I didn’t initially realize when I requested this, that it was based on Sophie’s life. Completely moved!

Heartbreaking story of author, Evie, who is diagnosed with glioblastoma and her journey as she faces, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This story is semi autobiographical and it reflects the author's own journey as she fights the same battle. Beautifully written.

Emotional, real and raw autobiographical yet fictional story of the authors real life diagnosis with a brain tumor. Just read it and bring your tissues. It’s short and it deals with a scarey diagnosis and treatment but in the most hopeful way possible.