This was so heartbreakingly beautiful and sad. I was left sobbing and left feeling so empty.

It’s so hard to rate a book that happens to be so much of the life of the author.

This book will make you hold those close to you even closer. It was very moving. Especially knowing how this book was based on the author's personal experience with brain cancer. I loved how it was mainly told from her perspective and how she dealt with it all. It had some humerous aspects too, so it wasn't all serious. That she was able to write this after all she's been through is amazing and inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this eARC.

What Does It Feel Like? is a devastating romantic comedy. Based on the author's experience with a brain tumor, this tells the ups and downs of being diagnosed with a terminal illness and how the support and love of those around you shape your healing process. It was moving and heart-wrenching.

Absolutely heartbreaking yet somehow optimistic, this story that is very reflective of the life of the author is definitely one to read. I have enjoyed Kinsella’s books in the past, and this short story certainly contains her normal wit and banter. Most importantly, however, it is filled with her story of having a brain cancer that required surgery and a long rehabilitation time. I found myself crying along with the story, but left smiling through the tears. Highly recommend to anyone who is affected by cancer, or who is going through something dreadfully “unlucky” but who is looking for a bit of levity. My favorite part of the story was the “normal plus” ideation, and it is one that I’m going to instill into my own life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

I love Sophie Kinsella’s writing style. She is one of those authors that I turn to when I need something fun to read. When I saw that she had written a novel about her struggle with a brain tumor, I wasn’t sure if I could make it through. I lost my own mother from brain cancer and it remains a hard topic for me. I can say that I am so grateful for her honesty. I know this was a fictionalized view of her journey but it was still very authentic and real. The emotional journey was worth the read.

Ugh. Just ugh. It’s so sad knowing this is based on Sophie’s own experience right now yet I feel so so grateful to have a sneak peek into her world. Forever grateful that Sophie shared this with us.

While this book is fiction, it is based on Sophie Kinsella's experiences and I believe it's practically a memoir. It's a very short novella and in many ways I wanted more, but for the most part, I feel like it is probably the perfect length, especially for where Sophie Kinsella is right now.

I've been following Kinsella since her Shopaholic days and I've always marveled by how she seems to have grown so much as a writer. I had no idea she was going through, not just cancer, but glioblastoma, which is an extremely aggressive and often deadly form of brain tumor. I feel like What Does It Feel Like was probably mainly a therapeutic experience for Kinsella to write.

But it also seems to be her way of telling us what she's going through and to bring awareness for what life with glioblastoma is like. Though I did know some details about the illness, I was extremely struck by the main character's experience with memory and her husband having to constantly break the news of her diagnosis for her.

This short book can likely be read in just an hour or two and should definitely be read by anyone who is a fan of Kinsella's writing.

Sophie Kinsella takes a bold and deeply personal turn in What Does It Feel Like?, crafting a novel that is both heartbreakingly raw and beautifully life-affirming. Unlike her signature rom-coms, this book delves into the deeply intimate and fragile moments of life, offering readers an unfiltered look at illness, memory, and the quiet beauty of everyday love.

Eve, a successful novelist, wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there, only to be told by her devoted husband that she has undergone surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. As she struggles to regain her sense of self—learning to walk, talk, and write again—she also grapples with how to explain her illness to her children, what her diagnosis means for her future, and how to hold onto the love and moments that truly matter.

The book is structured in brief, poignant anecdotes, each one carrying a weight of emotion and reflection that resonates deeply. Kinsella’s prose is simple yet powerful, making each scene feel intimate and real. Her signature humor shines through even in the darkest moments, making this novel both tear-jerking and uplifting in equal measure.

This is not just a story about illness; it’s a celebration of life, love, and the connections that sustain us. It’s a book that will break your heart and put it back together again, reminding us all to cherish the small, seemingly mundane moments that truly make life meaningful.

For fans of deeply emotional and reflective narratives like When Breath Becomes Air and Still Alice, What Does It Feel Like? is a must-read. It’s a book that lingers in your thoughts long after you turn the final page, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Powerful, poignant and full of personal pieces of the life of a well love author. This was a beautiful novella and you must have your tissue ready when reading it.

A short but incredibly powerful book - I appreciate Kinsella's fictionalized version of her real-life story of being diagnosed with a rare, serious form of cancer.

Sophie Kinsella has been a force in my life. She sparked my love of romance. Her early books made me laugh with the most relatable and lovely characters.

Now flash forward and Kinsella has written a deeply personal book. It’s heartbreaking to learn that she’s been diagnosed with brain cancer. It’s amazing to read this novel that has such a positive outlook. Loved it much.

I’ve been reading Sophie Kinsella’s books for decades now, spanning back to high school. While this was definitely a departure from the storylines and general tone of her backlist to date, it was an undeniable five stars! The writing was raw and honest, beautiful, heart wrenching and absolutely moving. The strength to draw from her personal experiences navigating a cancer diagnosis, essentially fictionalizing her own life events and sharing this so widely, is remarkable. The before and after vignettes, provide context and insight that enhances the story, and leaves you feeling so invested in the main character, Eve’s progress. The pace does not feel rushed and you’re able to really immerse yourself in the story. It may only span 144 pages but I wouldn’t call it a quick read as the depth within every single page encourages you to slow down and take it all in.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing group for sharing a digital review copy of this book with me!

This book absolutely broke my heart. We all knew about Sophie's diagnosis but hearing her slightly fictionalized version was just tear jerking to read. I can't recommend this book enough.

I’ve been a big fan of Sophie Kinsella since her shopaholic series many years ago! She is one of my favorite authors and brings us such relatable characters. This book continues her legacy of bringing sweet, compelling and complex characters to a thought provoking plot.

I loved this. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. There was something so raw about it. I worked in physiotherapy and occupational therapy for many years, and it brought back so many memories. It felt real. My heart broke so many times reading her story. And yes, Sophie Kinsella fans love their happy endings, and I'm glad this fictional story/autobiography got one.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Kinsella is a best-selling author who has deviated from her typical novels to write, "What Does It Feel Like?" This book is non-fictional, but loosely based on Kinsella's own health journey. The main character, Eve, is a well-known author who is living her best life. Eve has a successful career, loving husband, and adorable children. But one morning, she wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of how she ended up there. Thankfully, her husband is always by her side, patiently explaining to her that she had a cancerous tumor on her brain that had to be removed. This book takes us through the journey of Eve having to relearn everything all over again.

While the subject matter of this book was so heartbreaking, Kinsella never made it feel depressing and was, in fact, able to make her readers feel hopeful. This was a sweet, quick book to read and I enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Such a heart-wrenching story learning everything she went through when she was diagnosed. Very different from her other books but very raw and emotional.

Such an amazing quick read! I am literally at a loss for words! Just wow! That is all I can say!

I HIGHLY and I mean HIGHLY recommend this book!!

This was definitely a very quick read. This was autobiographical to what the author has went through and was just so heartfelt and touching, There was a lot of vulnerability and honesty in the journey and it was beautiful. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

This was a really beautiful little story. Would give it higher marks if it were longer, but the length meant it didn't make much of an impact. 😕 Definitely recommend though.