I love Sophie Kinsella. She has been a favourite of mine since my early teen years. Although this book is written much differently than her other books, it is the most raw and heartbreaking one yet. The story revolves around Eve, who is diagnosed with glioblastoma and needs to try and adjust to her new life. Written mostly in first person, it offers a vulnerable look into the mind of a person fighting cancer. I had tears streaming down my face more than once.
Kinsella opened up earlier this year that she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2022, and she said most of Eve’s struggles were her own.

Heartbreaking, raw, and real. I absolutely LOVE Sophie Kinsella and this book has climbed quickly to the top of my favorites. Her personal story inspiring the fiction made it so raw and emotional, I cried more than once. Eve's story about dealing with a brain tumor and everything physically, emotionally, and mentally is a quick read, only because I could not bear to put it down. When authors write what they know, the story sings off the page, and this is no exception.

This is a really tough book to review. This book is fiction but heavily based off the author's life and her experience of being diagnosed and living with brain cancer. Initially, I found the writing style really difficult to read and found it quite difficult to connect with the main character, however, enjoyed it more as the book progressed. It is a very short book with so much happening in such a short number of pages that every page turn felt a bit a jarring and abrupt but very symbolic to the chaos of a terminal cancer diagnosis. A lot of this book is written in a stream of consciousness where you get every thought that is going through the main character's head- which is very interesting but also a bit hard to read.

Overall, that is how I would sum up the book: interesting and hard to read.

I really applaud the author for the perseverance she has shown through her circumstances and writing such an intimate story about her experience. Additionally, big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was so heartfelt and I cried while reading this book! The story was so refreshing to read and the writing style was so beautifully done!

If you haven’t yet discovered the joy that is Sophie Kinsella’s 30+ novels, you’re seriously missing out on some of the most delightful and heartwarming stories ever written. Stop what you’re doing right now and grab one—I promise it’ll be worth it!

Whether or not you are a fellow Sophie Kinsella fan, let me give you a little warning: What Does it Feel Like? is going to tug at your heartstrings in a way you might not expect. It’s going to make you cry, yes, but it’s also going to fill you with hope and remind you of just how resilient the human spirit can be. And, if you’re anything like me, it might just inspire you to binge-read the entire Confessions of a Shopaholic series all over again!
What Does it Feel Like? is a uniquely personal and deeply moving autobiographical novel that delves into Sophie Kinsella’s battle with glioblastoma. The book is a beautiful tapestry of her inner thoughts and experiences, woven together with the wit, charm, and warmth that we’ve all come to love in her writing. Through the eyes of the main character, Eve, we’re taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

I’ll be honest with you: I spent about 69% of this book in full-on ugly-cry mode. But don’t let that scare you off! There’s also about 20% of the book that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like I was reconnecting with an old friend. And then there’s that last 11%—the moments where Sophie’s signature humor shines through, and I found myself laughing out loud, even through the tears.

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves Sophie Kinsella, or just appreciates a beautifully told story of strength, courage, and love. Sophie Kinsella is, without a doubt, the bravest women for sharing this incredibly personal journey with us, and I adore her all the more for it. So grab a box of tissues, settle in with your favorite cozy blanket, and dive into this unforgettable story—you won’t regret it!

I wish this book had been a full length novel instead of a novella. I would’ve loved for her to go deeper into what it was like to find out that she had cancer, and what daily life was like during recovery. But if she thinks a short story is the way to go I won’t argue. It was an emotional read and I hope she and her family have a happy ending.

This is one of the most heartfelt books that I have read this year.
I'm a big Sophie Kinsella fan. I've read all of her books, and the way her characters learn lessons with so much humor and poignancy (especially humor) is truly unique. She has brought so much to the world already through her books. When I learned that her newest book was semi-autobiographical, it impressed me even more that she had used her story to create something that would help others hope for a better future. Just as her other books have done, but this one is on a level of its own.

Eve is a successful author (famous for happy endings, as she notes). She feels that she truly has it all: five wonderful children, a loving husband, a career that has brought her fame and success. But the reader is plunged quickly into the main conflict of the book as Eve suddenly awakes in the hospital with no memory of what has occurred: She's been diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer and has had a tumor removed from the brain. Her memory is (understandably) faulty, so every time she awakes the reader experiences a glimpse of what happens: the shock at being in the hospital, the worry over where her children are, and her husband's pain as he reminds her yet again of what has happened.

But as sobering as this premise truly is, Kinsella's signature warmth and humor winds through it, and although she cannot promise herself, her family, or her readers the "happy ending" that they all want, she describes a more important lesson about what happy endings may truly be.
As I said, I was so impressed with Kinsella's bravery in writing part of her and her family's story for the world to read. Being brave and strong on your own in circumstances such as these is hard enough, sometimes impossible. But being able to convey strength and wisdom, in spite of your own fear, to bring hope to your family (and, in this case, your readers) is really remarkable. I wish Ms. Kinsella and her family all the best at this time, and I am so grateful to have been able to read this book.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Closer along the lines of a novella than a novel, Sophie Kinsella has fictionalized her own story and her battle with glioblastoma: a rare incurable brain cancer. It is short and told in little snippets where you get snapshots of her life at any given moment. The amount of humor packed into a book so full of what should be grief is astounding. Somehow, this book is filled with more hope than sorrow and more love than sadness. While you will feel your heart hurt for everything the protagonist, Eve, is going through, you’ll feel even more gratitude for the way she handles such a difficult and life altering situation.

I don’t want to go into too much detail with this review since this novel is so short, but I do want to say this: there are things we can control in life and things we can’t. This novel is an overwhelming affirmation that staying positive in a situation you can’t control often leads to, at the very least, a happy person. Eve’s attitude was everything. She could have been all doom and gloom and caused her husband and children to feel the same. Instead, she remained positive and left everyone in hopeful spirits. I think that is so so important and I truly loved reading this book.

Overall, this novel will pull at your heart strings and make you want to cry at the unfairness of it all, but also the beauty of overcoming hardships. A quick and easy read that will sit with you long after you’re finished. 4.5/5 stars rounded up for social platforms.

**The book review will be posted on my blog and other social platforms on the book's release day.

This is such a moving story. As someone who not only has family members that have passed due to cancer, some that are currently fighting cancer, and a close call with cancer myself this book had me so emotional. There were plenty of tears along with laughter. Have the tissues on hand as you follow Eve's through her journey and struggles along with her husband Nick.

It was interesting to read this book and thank you Sophie Kinsella for sharing your personal story with the world. I have read every Sophie Kinsella book and enjoyed every one of them. Keep staying strong Sophie, I hope a cure is found for you.

This book was so moving. Knowing that it was fiction but based very much on Sophie Kinsella’s real life story made it even more emotional for me, especially considering I’ve been a lifelong fan of her books and I’ve grown up with characters that she has written.

A short read, but an absolute whirlwind of emotion.

This review is difficult to write. What more can I add to such beautifully heartbreaking yet heartwarming words?

‘What Does it Feel Like’ is Sophie Kinsella’s fictionalized autobiography which follows Eve Monroe, a successful author, wife, and mother of five. The anecdotal prose brings you deep into the mind of Eve as she goes from walking red carpets, to waking up in a hospital bed with her recent memories stolen from her.

It takes us through the “real-time” thoughts and emotions of grappling with life altering news, loss of independence and the fears of the unknown, but above all else, holding dear what really matters in life - family.

This novella brought tears, laugher, and more tears. There was such an honest depiction of what it feels like to no longer be in the drivers seat of your own life, proving there are no secret spoilers to guarantee your own happy ending.

A perfect balance between the grim haze of an unknown future and the beautiful family dynamic of love, hope, and humor.

An EASY 5 stars. I will be thinking about this one for a long while.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: Oct 7, 2024.

To say I was surprised by this book would be an understatement. I had no idea what I was in for. 😢

Earlier this year, Sophie Kinsella revealed that she has been battling an incurable brain tumour since 2022. While What Does It Feel Like is a work of fiction, she describes it as her most autobiographical novel, with much of it drawn from her own experiences, with some details changed.

From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by her story. It's an uplifting and heart-wrenching narrative. 💔💔

If you're already a fan of Sophie Kinsella, this book will profoundly resonate with you. Even if you're not familiar with her work, you'll find yourself deeply moved by the raw emotion and honesty radiating from every page.

❤️Thank you, Sophie, for your courage in sharing this deeply personal story.❤️

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

I was immediately excited about reading this book by Sophie Kinsella, one of my favorite authors. What you will not find here is another Shopaholic book. Kinsella details her diagnosis with terminal brain cancer and life after diagnosis and treatment in a semi-autobiographical novella. Although this book clearly doesn't have her trademark lighthearted touch, there are moments of levity in the vignettes. I could feel the pain and challenges she was going through while I read about them on the page. This was a quick read; it only took me one sitting to get through it. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what it's like to be given a terminal diagnosis. I can only hope that things turn out well for Ms. Kinsella. She has contributed greatly to this reader's enjoyment and interest in books over the years.

Sophie Kinsella is one of the most beloved author's of our time known for hilarious and spunky characters who we can relate so well to. Just seeing her name pop up on NetGalley made me request this novella alone, but then you read the synopsis and you quickly realize this is unlike anything she has ever written before. An autobiographical book still told with her humor, but a much heavier topic, based on her journey navigating brain cancer. I am so sad to learn of her diagnosis and all that she has been through over the past two years, but I am so inspired by her ability to have a positive attitude throughout the process. I don't think I would be able to be that strong. What a wonderful role model, not only for other's going through something similar, but also for marriages. Her husband sounds like a true gem. I would read a whole novel solely based on their love story. I want to thank her for sharing her experience and for being so brave.

Pub. date: Oct. 8, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing group for my early copy!

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading Sophie Kinsella's novels since the beginning of the Shopaholic series. I have also loved her style of writing and the stories she is able to bring to life on the page. This book was wonderful. What a way to share with the world what she has been going through the past couple years. I appreciate how she tweaked her own story to match her writing style, but that it still came across as a very open and honest story.

⭐️ 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Kinsella, and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC!

This novella is a must-read for everyone. Though Sophie Kinsella presents it as fiction, it is largely autobiographical, reflecting her own experience of discovering she has cancer. The protagonist, Eve, wakes up one day with impaired memory, and the story unfolds through a series of fragmented scenarios that vividly portray her journey. It delves deeply into grief, rationalization, and the profound impact on her marriage and children, all while exploring the process of coming to terms with death.

This story is both heartbreaking and inspiring —I found myself in tears throughout the entire read. As someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one to glioblastoma, it brought back many memories for me.

Overall, this novella sheds light on the harsh realities of cancer. It is raw, real, and a powerful reminder not to take life for granted.

Thank you, Sophie, for your bravery in sharing your story

This is the most raw, realistic, and brave book I've ever read. When I read the authors note at the end of the book, I burst into tears. Having watched a very close family member being diagnosed with this exact disease, I can't even describe the importance of this book. I will be recommending it to everyone I know. What a beautiful, heart-breaking, and uplifting story. Thank you for sharing it with the world, Sophie Kinsella. Some of us needed to read it as much as you needed to write it.

I honestly can say this is abeutifully written novellas that will leave the reader in tears of joy, heartbreak, hope and (of course) humor. Going into the book I was not sure what to expect, I had seen on Good Morning American Kinsella and her husband sit down and give an interview about her recent Brain Tumor diagnosis. It was hard to imagine the author who has left me laughing out loud on airplanes while reading her books, could tackle such a personal and heavy topic like cancer.
This Novella reads like her personal stream of consciousness following her surgery to remove the brain tumor. It does not go into deep detail, she just invites us to understand what is going on.
The strength she showed and how she was able to remain joyful pulls at every emotion you have. When I closed the book, (if I was a cryer) I would have been sobbing happy tears.
I really can not do this Novella justice, but Kinsella has given us readers a gift with this book. Usually I would be thanksging Net Galley for this Advanced Copy Read, but I think they wouldn't mind if I gave my sincere thanks to Sophie Kinsella and her wonderful family for this book. Truly great insight.
Prayers to the Kinsella family