It’s a miracle that this book has been written. Sophie Kinsella says it’s mostly autobiographical in the Author’s Notes, but she chose to write is as fiction to avoid a few differences with the details.

It’s an emotionally heart-warming story of a best-selling author, Eve Monroe, who has a loving husband, Nick, and five children. When Nick calls, she knows she should be writing but she is trying on an expensive dress at a luxury boutique shop. Will she tell him where she is?

The next thing she knows, she is in a hospital with Nick by her side. Something has gone terribly wrong. She learns she has grade 4 glioblastoma, an incurable brain tumor. Her thoughts quickly scramble to what will happen with her family and how can she survive the odds of this terminal disease? No one wants to stop and think that this could happen to them.

It’s a short book but one that is deeply felt about how someone can make it after eight hours of intense surgery to remove the tumor. She talks about her symptoms, how her life was rerouted and how she pulled through with the love of her family. I would have wanted to know more from her husband’s point of view or the role that her children played to get her back on her feet. However, this story made me feel influenced by how Eve – or rather Sophie Kinsella – was given lots of encouragement and a second chance with life thanks to her doctors, caretakers and family. I believe this book will reach out to others and give readers inspiration to those that especially need it.

My thanks to The Dial Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 8, 2024.

This book was the loveliest and most heartfelt book I have ever read. I did not realize until I set out reading it, that it was an autobiography of sorts, but it was so raw and real and heartbreaking. I cannot imagine how vulnerable you would have to be to put this book into the world, but I am so glad the author did.

I would recommend this 100 times over. I appreciated the novella format but did not realize that in advance either. The length makes the book very approachable. The cover and the art within the book are also lovely. I liked the different writing styles in the book (texts, v stream of consciousness v vignettes into personal interactions), and it made the book move super quickly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to enjoy this book!

I recently read another novel by Sophie Kinsella (The Burnout) and absolutely loved it, so I was really looking forward to seeing a new novel coming out by this author so soon after I finished her last book. This one is short, and it is maybe a different style from what Sophie Kinsella's novels usually are like, but it sure packs a beautiful, emotional punch in that short amount of time.

This story follows Eve who wakes up one day in a hospital with hardly any memory of what is going on, and we quickly come to find out that she had to have surgery on a brain tumor, and she now struggles with her short-term memory as well as navigating getting back to her life as a mother, wife, and author. Although this is a fictional story, it is heartbreaking to me to know that this is based off of Sophie's very real personal experience with glioblastoma and what she has gone through over the last years while battling her very own diagnosis and treatment.

You can really feel Eve's emotions as she navigates relearning basic things and deals with her memory loss as she tries to get back to where she was. Having this be written by an author who experienced this herself just adds so much extra emotion to the story from the frustrations, the heartbreaks, the anxieties, and the heartwarming moments as well. Sophie balances the tough moments with the beautiful, everyday moments that make life meaningful and uses the voice of Eve to do this. You can tell there is so much heart poured into this story, and it is equally heart-wrenching and heartwarming

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

My only complaint with this is that it was too short! An intense, emotional short novella that only gets crazier as you get to the end. Reading the author's note at the end almost had me in tears and explained a lot about the book itself. A must read for fans of Sophie!

Sophie Kinsella's novel What Does It Feel Like? is a deeply moving and poignant story that delves into the life of Eve, a successful novelist who is confronted with a life altering diagnosis. Through a series of heartfelt anecdotes, the author captures Eve's journey of relearning basic life skills and reassessing what truly matters to her. The novel's blend of heartbreak and humor provides a touching exploration of love, resilience, and the small moments that define our lives. This story resonates with authenticity and emotional depth, offering readers a celebration of life even in the face of adversity. What Does It Feel Like? is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and family.

As a long time fan of Sophie Kinsella, I was nervous to start this one. I worried that it would be too sad, but I didn’t feel that way while reading. There were sad parts (and the overall facts of the matter are heartbreaking) but I wasn’t torn up and left in despair. I appreciated this so much.
Thank you so much to the author for telling her fictionalized story of being diagnosed with terminal cancer. As sad as this is, her writing was still full of hope. What Does it Feel Like is told in snippets and slices of life. It was a great choice for this novella. I’m humbled that Kinsella is being so open, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

Eve is a successful novelist who her memory after removing her malignant brain tumor. It's semi-autobiographical and bittersweet. Different from the author's usual lighter novels. I cried while reading this one. However, there is a lot of subtle humor in it as well. Worthwhile reading...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Thanks Sophie Kinsella, NetGalley, and Random House for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Wow! While I usually read mystery and suspense novels, I love the Shopaholic series and was excited to read Kinsella’s latest novel. This is like an autobiography, but in fiction form. It’s a very short, binge-worthy read, which has you laughing, crying, and finding hope, as Kinsella shares about her experience with brain cancer through her character Eve. I liked the writing format, and the sprinkling of humour throughout such a serious book. I highly recommend checking this book out when it’s released in October. ❤️❤️❤️

I have been a fan of Sophie Kinsella since her shopaholic series that I’ve been reading since high school and absolutely loved! This new book is very different story that her usual stories this an autobiographical story. I’m not usually a fan of bio books but this one was done very well in fiction character author view point and her husband pov. As someone who has ad family members win similar situations kinsella keep her readers engaged in her story from the beginning. I’m pulling her recovery. Thank you #netgalley for arc and #SophieKinsell

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella is a fictionalized account of the author’s own journey since being diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. I read this collection of short stories in one tearful sitting. It’s heart wrenching, funny at times, hopeful and completely real. As someone who is also dealing with a cancer diagnosis, I easily identified with the FMC, Eve.
“I cycle through denial, despair, shock, grief, and then sometimes ridiculous happiness. I appreciate small pleasures so much more than I did, but then along comes the brutal knowledge again.”
A personal, heartfelt thank you to the author for sharing your story. I wish you a happy ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Available 10/7/2024

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

What a heart wrenching story of bravery and starting over. Mrs. Kinsella writes about something she has first hand knowledge of; battling brain cancer. I did not know that she was going through this and for her to tell her story in this fictionalized way had to be so hard to write and to finish. My own son died at birth and his autopsy showed that he was born with glioblastoma so reading about Mrs. Kinsell's diagnosis was triggering. She tells of all of the thing she has experienced and I just don't want to give anything away. This novella is her best and I have been reading her books since her first were published. Thank you #NetGalley for this brave novella. What an honor to review it.

I've read many of Sophie Kinsella's books and this is not the typical romantic comedy, everyone lives happy after type of book. It is nonfiction but the author notes it's somewhat autobiographical. This is the story of a woman diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. This is told from her point of view and throughout the entire process. From brain surgery and all the effects of that to radiation and chemotherapy. Hard to imagine writing about this while navigating her own way through this terrible disease with her husband and children by her side.

Count your blessings.

This novella was an interesting heartfelt read. It truly encapsulates the feelings of uncertainty of the unknown. A woman at the prime of her life receives shattering news and the processing of this news is honest.

Wow. I have been a Sophie Kinsella fan for now over 20 years. If she writes it, I read it. And wow what a personal glimpse into her own health struggles. While a short novel, it will tug at your heart and for me, ended in tears for her.

What a brave beautiful soul and I am honored to have been able to read a copy. I encourage everyone to give time this quick but powerful read into Sophie, but not Sophie’s, story. God bless you Sophie, stay strong!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this very moving story.

Publication Date set for Oct. 8 2024

Eve wakes up and discovers that she has had surgery to remove a brain tumour. Then she hears the word that everyone dreads, "cancer." Her tumour was cancerous and her form of cancer, stage 4 glioblastoma, is known for being agressive. Despite having to deal with memory problems and motor difficulties, Eve still tries to keep her optimism and hope. She has a loving family with a husband and five children. She wants to see them grow up and wants to be there for them. Through these vignettes and slice of life moments, we see how Eve pushes through the difficult moments in her life and learns to appreciate what she has.

What Does It Feel Like? is Sophie Kinsella's most autobiographical novel. As she had written in her acknowledgements, she is a private person and not the sort to write about her private life. So, it is much more natural to turn her own story into a fictional narrative. Like Eve, Sophie Kinsella also has stage 4 glioblastoma and has dealt with many of the same challenges in terms of memory loss and having to relearn to walk, talk and write again. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must have been for her to have gone from a bestselling writer to struggling to write her own name.

For those who have gone through cancer or know someone who has, cancer changes the way you see life. It removes you from your everyday realities almost instantaneously. Suddenly, there are chemotherapy appointments, or radiation appointments, blood tests, and a plethora of consultations. There are days when you feel as if you are full of energy, and other days you have to fight mentally to be optimistic. Little accomplishments like going for walks without being out of breath become big accomplishments. And having support from friends and family is crucial all throughout treatment.

This book was short and sweet. It tugged at my heartstrings. Even though there are many sad moments with little silver linings of humour, I still finished this book feeling hopeful for Eve and her family. There are new developments all the time in cancer research. It is always better to be hopeful and continue to believe in happy endings.

5 stars-Because this is real…it is raw, funny, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I applaud Mrs. Kinsella’s bravery in telling her own story of brain cancer. She is a survivor and I wish her all the best (and not just because I love her novels so much) but because this story has endeared her even more to me. Cheers to the happily ever after!

This was a heartbreaking read. I hadn't seen Kinsella's announcement, nor had I read the description of this book before requesting it on NetGalley. I thought, Sophie Kinsella- another light-hearted romance? Yes please!

Reader, do not make my mistake. This is a fiction book that Kinsella claims as "autobiographical."

I was not prepared for what this book actually was: a book about the main character who was just diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma. This book was a tough read when you've googled the backstory. All my love to the fictional Eve and the real Sophie Kinsella.

If NetGalley could enact a temporary "100 stars" rating system, I would be very grateful. I would grant the 100 stars to Sophie Kinsella's latest novella, What Does It Feel Like, and then we could go back to the regular 5 stars system. Ms. Kinsella's courageous deep dive into life with a stage 4 glioblastoma brain tumor, written as fiction, but unfortunately autobiographical, as Ms. Kinsella is battling this incurable disease herself, is an absolute triumph. With Ms. Kinsella's trademark writing style and signature humor, this book reads beautifully, candidly, thoughtfully. The hardest part is knowing that this is her story, her family's story, and a story clearly written for all of us who love her so dearly. Kudos to Ms. Kinsella for her bravery in creating this beautiful novella. This book is for everyone...fans of Ms. Kinsella, those who are not familiar with her many books, and even those who are curious about her disease. I am so incredibly grateful to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me an advanced eCopy of this story and I will be wrapping Ms. Kinsella in prayer and in love as her story continues to unfold.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
GENRE: Fiction - General, Women’s

If you are expecting a typical Sophie Kinsella book with a fun loving but absentminded heroine, this book is not it. I have loved Kinsella’s books since high school after discovering the Shopaholic series and enjoyed many of her other standalone.

This book diverts from her usual and takes a somber tone. It’s a semi-autobiographical as Kinsella herself experiences what our main character, Eve, does - a writer who learns she has an incurable brain tumor and struggles to relearn basic tasks, such as walking.

It’s an emotional read and I applaud Kinsella’s vulnerability in this book as she depicts the moments where she tells her children the diagnosis. It’s fairly short, written in vignettes and snippets from Eve’s life as she walks through this illness. We learn that life can change instantly and we must embrace the beautiful moments while we still have them.

Thank you to NetGalley and RandomHouse for this copy of the eARC. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see it published on shelves and readers everywhere. This book will make you cherish the life you have in front of you.

This semi-autobiographical novel is a series of small anecdotes telling Eve's story of being diagnosed with glioblastoma, recovering from intense surgery, and completing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Eve struggles with memory, learning to walk again, and sharing her diagnosis with friends and family.

This story is raw and personal with pure emotion shining through.