What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella is a very highly recommended, heartbreaking, fictionalized, powerful account of the author's real life brain cancer diagnosis. Sophie Kinsella writes that the book "is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story."

Eve is a successful author, married to Nick, and mother to five children. The novel opens showing her success as an author, and then, abruptly, has Eve waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. Her patient, loving husband is always there to explain what happened and encourage her. She learns, and needs to be told this repeatedly, that she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma which is a cancerous brain tumor and had an eight hour long operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain. The narrative then follows Eve learning walk, talk, and write again, as well as explaining her illness to her children.

After the operation, the story is told through brief chapters. As Eve can't remember anything due to the loss of her short term memory, she must have everything repeated, everyday. Her determination and bravery is shown as she as she learns to walk and talk again, along with doing the most basic things. Her husband is admirably ever patient with her. She even has humorous passages among the heartbreaking ones. The fact that this is based on her real life experiences make it even more compelling, poignant and powerful.

Sophie Kinsella writes, "Why did I write such a personal book? I have always processed my life through writing. Hiding behind my fictional characters, I have always turned my own life into a narrative. It is my version of therapy, maybe. Writing is my happy place, and writing this book, although tough going at times, was immensely satisfying and therapeutic for me."

What Does It Feel Like? is an excellent, heartrending book. Tears are going to fall while reading, but it is definitely worth reading. Thanks to The Dial Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this arc of What Does it Feel Like by Sophia Kinsella.

This novel truly is unlike any other written by Kinsella; but it is equally as heartfelt and enjoyable. As an avid reader of Kinsella I’m used to over the top characters with over the top lives and self created issues. All of these things work out on the end because we all love the happily ever after in a novel and Kinsella is known for her feel good writing.

Eve, an author, is on top of the world. She has a great career, a loving husband, 5 adoring children, a movie deal, and a red carpet walk under her belt. She has proclaimed herself lucky but understands luck will inevitably run out.

After waking up in hospital with her head wrapped in bandages and experiencing short term memory loss she continues to live life on repeat like ground hog day. She’s turned into a version of 50 First Dates. Having been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and low odds of survival she realizes her luck maybe running out after all. With time, therapy, and support Eve learns to walk again, regains her recall, and continues to cherish what life has given her not what it’s taken.

Kinsella captures the spirit of illness, recovery, and compassion. The sense of community and gratefulness that comes with sickness and healing. Without giving any spoilers out, I can say even this non traditional novel by Kinsella shows readers the happiness in every ending.

Pub Date: October 8, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sophie Kinsella is an auto-read author for me and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest book. This is unlike anything else I've read from her yet I was pulled in the second I started reading. It is deeply personal, heartwrenching, and beautifully written. I had no idea it was a fictionalized autobiographical version of her own life until I was a few chapters in and looked up if I had downloaded the book in its entirety or not. It's a short book (only 144 pages) and absolutely worth a read whether you're familiar with the author or not.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured this shorter novel and was blown away by Sophie’s courage to write her own story in fiction.

I clung to every word. Eve, the main character and an author, wakes up in a hospital, remembering nothing of how she got there - and not much else.

Her story shimmers with hope as she figures out what is most important to her and she answers the questions life questions.

Read it in one sitting and recommend it to everyone - with the pub date coming soon!!

All the feels.

Reading “What Does It Feel Like” by Sophie Kinsella felt as impactful as hearing devastating news about a loved one. The way she conveys the raw emotions and frustrations of her brain surgery recovery pulled me in from the very first page. Despite its brevity, the story is so powerful that I found myself finishing it in one sitting.

I had no idea Kinsella was diagnosed with glioblastoma, and discovering that this story was inspired by her own diagnosis made it even more moving. Her honest and heartfelt portrayal of the struggles she faced during her recovery made me deeply appreciate her willingness to share such a personal journey with her readers. I’m grateful she gave us this glimpse into her life and the strength it took to face such an overwhelming challenge.

I was so honored and excited to read this book early. As the main character Eve is a successful writer that is diagnosed with incurable brain cancer, this book is very autobiographical in nature. Kinsella describes the style of this book as vignettes or ‘slices of life’. It is so simply and staggeringly beautiful in its raw, heart-aching, honesty. We are so lucky to live in a world where Sophie Kinsella exists and writes. I hope and pray she’ll get to keep sharing the work of her beautiful brain with us forever.

Thank you to Sophie Kinsella, Dial Press, Random House and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

"What Does it Feel Like?" is a mostly-autobiographical story of the author going from fame and red carpets to learning to live with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her struggles include short-term memory issues, difficulty walking and talking, anger and depression over her diagnosis, and fear for her family's future without her.

This book was a fast read but quite emotional for anyone who has had a loved one deal with a terminal illness or had to face one on their own. It's a lot of ups and downs, both hopes and fears for the future. A very reflective piece of writing for anyone reflecting on mortality.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

What Does It Feel Like, by Sophie Kinsella, is an absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking, yet hopeful novella!

I read this book without knowing anything about it. The author’s early Shopaholic books were a delight and I remember them getting me through some tough, career building years as a happy escape. I was surprised when this story moved into the main character’s, Eve’s, brain cancer storyline. And I was shocked when I found out at the end that it was autobiographical fiction, based on the author’s own health journey. As hard as the subject is, the author did a beautiful job telling the story in such an honest and hopeful way. I especially loved reading about Eve’s relationship with her husband and her non-bucket list plans. Highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy. I loved this one!!

Poignant book though I wish it had been longer - Quick read with all the emotions <3
4 stars
I do miss her earlier works though

Sophie Kinsella tells us the story of Eve. Eve wakes up one day in a hospital with no recollection of her life from the past few weeks. How did she get in the hospital. Eve quickly learns she had a brain tumor that required surgery and will require chemo and radiation in the future.
Sophie uses brief interactions from Eve's net few weeks to tell her story. At the end of Eve's story, you learn this is actually Kinsella's take on her present situation. She herself had surgery, chemo, and radiation due to a brain tumor. I love Kinsella's work and this also doesn't diapooint. Despite being an overall sad book, Sophie fills the book with sweet moments and laughter. She is a gifted story teller. This book is a very quick read but tells a powerful story. Special thanks to NetGalley, Sophie Kinsella, and Random House Publishing Group - The Dial Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 4.5 stars for me.
#WhatDoesItFeelLike #NetGalley

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors and I have read most of her books. I absolutely loved What Does It Feel Like, as odd as that sounds. Typically ; I love Kinsella's books for their over the top characters, ridiculous (in a good way) situations and humor this book however is very different. It follows the story of Eve a bestselling author who ends up having brain surgery and after has memory loss. The story follows her struggles and frustrations of not having her memory and having to learn everything over again.

Though this was not only a different than normal Sophie Kinsella book I found myself not being able to put it down at all. I kept cheering for Eve and for "everything to be okay". I absolutely fell in love with Eve's husband and loved reading about how patient and kind he was to her. Though it was an emotional book, I'll definitely keep it on my Nook to read again. I absolutely recommend!

This is a really special book. It is the fictionalized tale of the author’s own experience receiving a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.

From a glimpse at the life of a successful author who seems to “have it all” to a shocking switch to a hospital room where she has no memory of why she’s there, this novella takes us through the stages of life before and after diagnosis. The loving and painful conversations with her husband, tearful discussions and worries with her children, the story is told with humor, some sarcasm, love, and so much grace.

You’ll read this in one sitting and run through all of the emotions in that time. Ultimately we are left with hope for both the fictional and real life author. It was so brave of her to share this story.

This was such a beautiful, poignant book, especially knowing that, while it is fiction, it is based on Sophie's own extremely difficult experience.

This will be so helpful to anyone who wants to understand what a friend or family member is going through when they get a similar diagnosis. I wish I'd been able to read it about six years ago when a friend of mine had glioblastoma.

Thanks very much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to read a digital ARC in advance of publication.

What Does it Feel Like? By Sophie Kinsella

What a beautiful and heartbreaking book. The fictionalized version of the author’s own cancer battle, this is an honest story of the highs and lows of life, family and marriage. It is raw and emotional but still full of humour and love.

I really appreciated the honesty of what it’s like day to day for a caregiver, for the person in treatment and in hospital, and the real moments of support from others.

It’s a thoughtful novella that is sure to increase all our understandings of cancer, and also to connect with all of us who have ever dealt with a sick or injured loved one or been the one in need of help.

Highly recommend this one, unless of course this would hit a little too close to home. It doesn’t hold back and brought me to tears many times.

Thank you to @thedialpress for my @netgalley copy.

Ugh... a gut punch. I had to talk out my feelings about this book with my husband. I'm still reeling.

The most poignant novella I have ever read. I read this book from a very personal POV as an oncology nurse. And what a gift this book is as Sophie has based it from her own experience. I read it in one sitting; I laughed, cried, grieved, and hoped. Thank you Ms. Kinsella for sharing this with the world. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. I encourage everyone to read this story.

I've loved Sophie Kinsella since the first Shopaholic book, so this struck me as particularly brave and beautiful. I've just gotten to an age where my friends and family members are starting to suffer from these types of unthinkable diseases, and to read a novella written by someone who has dealt with it has been enlightening, gorgeous, and heartbreaking. I can not wish anything but the absolute best to Sophie Kinsella and her loved ones.

Eve Monroe, an author, thinks about writing her next book while going on a shopping spree and buying a dress she absolutely doesn’t need, but it’s just too stunning to resist. Her last book is being made into a Disney movie and just maybe she’ll wear that dress too the opening night festivities.

And then……she wakes up in a hospital bed with zero memory, a bandage on her head, watching doctors, nurses, and her beloved husband going in and out of her room, often asking her questions she cannot remember how to answer. Eve has had surgery for stage four gioblastoma and must go though extensive physical therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy, and still face a survival rate that is sobering. To say more would do a disservice to this at times heartbreaking and then at times immensely uplifting short novel which is autobiographical. Eve is actually Sophie Kinsella writing about her earth shattering cancer diagnosis two ago and her journey through unthinkable medical procedures, while determined to maintain a positive attitude and focus on the small pleasures life has to offer.

This beautifully written short novel had me on a roller coaster of emotions as I read it through in one setting. It was impossible not to feel that I was right alongside Eve/Sophie as she learned about her situation, found the inner strength to cope with and accept her treatment, and as she and her husband talked openly about the future for themselves and their family. Five brilliant stars and wishes of a strong recovery for this talented and courageous author. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/The Dial Press for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my review. Publication date is October 8,2024. You’ll want to read it.

So much emotion packed into such a little book! Both incredibly sad but incredibly hopeful at the same time. Just as the title implies, this book takes the reader inside the mind and experience of a woman with a malignant brain tumor. We see first hand what it feels like to be on top of the world, happy and successful personally and professionally, then have it all ripped away as the main character wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened to her. She has to relearn to walk, write, and remember. She becomes almost childlike in her disability, while remaining stoic in her hope.

What makes this book all the more poignant is that it's the real life experience of it's author, Sophie Kinsella. She writes this fictionalized autobiographical story as a way to process her own experience with glioblastoma, an aggressive and fatal form of brain cancer. I love Sophie Kinsella books, and learning about her diagnosis, prognosis, and now her horrific experience with cancer is just heartbreaking. I wish all the best to her and her family. ❤️

Thank you to The Dial Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella herself has battled glioblastoma for the past year, and is now doing okay. This is fictional, but must be based squarely in what she has faced. Eve wakes up in the hospital, and doesn't know what happened. We go with her as she learns of her diagnosis and how she deals with it, as well as how it impacts her relationship with her family and friends. As much as it is a heavy subject, the story is light and has surprising humor. It is also very short. Good read. #whatdoesitfeellike #sophiekinsella #advancedreadercopy #bookstagram #netgalley #lovetoread #readersofinstagram