What Does It Feel Like? is a deeply moving read that left a lasting impression. The story follows Eve, a character whose life takes an unexpected turn from happiness to challenging times, yet she continually finds reasons to be joyful. As a reader, I felt truly connected to Eve’s journey and admired her resilience in facing each day, even when life grew difficult. I kept turning the pages, eager to know her fate, only to discover it was an autobiographical fiction piece. Knowing that this was inspired by author Sophie Kinsella’s own life was both surprising and touching—her courage and openness are remarkable. Having read all of Kinsella’s work, I was expecting a lighthearted escape, but this novel brought so much more. Parts of the story reminded me of my mom’s own journey with cancer, and I think that personal connection made it hard to rate this a perfect five. But I am grateful to Kinsella for sharing her “mess” as a powerful message for others. Her authenticity and strength shine through, making What Does It Feel Like? a poignant reminder of the power of vulnerability and the importance of sharing one’s story. Thank you for this heartfelt contribution to your readers, Sophie. Stay strong!

Thank you, #Netgalley and #RandomHouse Publishing Group for the ARC!

As a TBI survivor from a car accident and my father having fought and lost his battle to a brain tumor, this book hit me in all the feels. It was very hard for me to get through since I cried a lot while reading it. i think it is important and was a great way for Sophie Kinsella to process her feelings as she is going through her battle with brain cancer. I admire her greatly and I am thankful I got to read this ARC.

I adored this story! Sophie Kinsella did an amazing job with this. She was confident and brought her readers a personal story even though it is written as fiction. This was a quick read but brings the reader all the emotions. As we follow Eve through her journey- we experience her joy, her heartbreak and most importantly, her hopefulness. All the praise for this book! Thank for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in return for my honest opinion!

Sophie Kinsella’s What Does It Feel Like? is an achingly beautiful exploration of resilience and rediscovering life’s simplest joys. Through the journey of Eve, a novelist facing a life-changing diagnosis, Kinsella delivers a narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is uplifting. With her signature wit woven into moments of profound vulnerability, Kinsella captures the emotional complexity of learning to live and love with newfound appreciation. This novel is not only a testament to Kinsella’s storytelling but also a deeply personal reflection, making it one of her most powerful works yet. Prepare for tears, laughter, and a poignant reminder of life’s fragile beauty.

Sophie Kinsella claimed that this book is fiction but it is her "most autobiographical work to date." She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022 but made a public announcement about it in April. Sophie praised her care team and said she is stable through tired.

I love Sophie’s writing as usual and this book was so good, although a bit emotional knowing that much of this is based in reality.

Synopsis:

Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again — and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children — she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor — it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

Sophie Kinsella, the queen of rom-coms, takes a surprising turn in What Does It Feel Like? This isn't your typical laugh-out-loud read. Instead, it's a heartfelt and honest exploration of life, love, and a serious illness.

Kinsella, bravely sharing a piece of her own story, introduces us to Eve, a novelist facing a brain tumor diagnosis. Now, this could have been a heavy, depressing tale, but Kinsella's signature humor shines through, even in the darkest moments. It's like she's found a way to sprinkle fairy dust on a serious topic, making it easier to swallow.

The book is a rollercoaster of emotions, taking readers from tear-jerking moments to laugh-out-loud anecdotes. Kinsella's writing style is as comforting as a warm blanket, and her ability to capture the nuances of family dynamics is truly impressive.

While the ending might leave you wanting a bit more, it's a realistic portrayal of life's uncertainties. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, hope and love can prevail.

If you're looking for a book that's both heartwarming and heartbreaking, What Does It Feel Like? is a must-read. It's a testament to the power of human spirit and a reminder that even in the toughest times, we can find strength, humor, and love.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC
At first I was a little confused what is going on as this is not a typical Sophie Kinsella book. Once I actually also read the ending part from the author, this all made sense and I can only say wow. How brave of her to come out and tell us about what happened to her and what she went through. What a gripping read and so emotional!

I was never much of a recreational reader growing up, but the first book I ever read “for fun” was The Undomestic Goddess, a 2005 book by Sophie Kinsella.

I’ve been dragging my feet to write the review of What Does It Feel Like since it’s such a raw depiction of the struggles Sophie has been battling. While the novel is fiction, it’s obviously connected to Sophie’s own experience to fight for her life while embracing her family.

Reading this book felt like reading the diary of a close family member. I laughed, I cried, and I prayed Sophie will be around for a few more decades to enjoy her life and keep writing books we all love.

I have always been a fan of Sophie Kinsella, and this book is no exception. This story is so raw, emotional, and heartbreaking. I had to take breaks between some of the chapters to get myself in the mindset to finish the story. It is so well written. This book will cause you to feel a range of emotions, but it is absolutely worth it to read it. I will recommend to others and look forward to future titles as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. Sophie Kinsella has done it again with great writing style. This book is a fast paced read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. This book is in stores for $22.00 (USD).

This was a really emotional book for me as I have experienced cancer from the loved ones point of view. Where I watched someone who I love dearly fight against cancer. This occurred when I was very young and the one line that hit me the hardest from the book was “And the worst thing would be if their children heard a clumsy version from someone else. Some well-meaning friend or neighbor.” This is because I was the person who knew something was wrong and found out from someone else in not the best way. Reading this story was hard but it’s nice to have know more about how a person who has cancer is feeling.

The story is based on Eve, a famous novelist, who gets a life changing diagnosis that turns her and her families life upside down. She wakes up in the hospital with no memory of what happened, on more than one occasion; almost like a bad version of the movie Groundhog Day. Without giving too much away, the book follows Eve and her family throughout her diagnosis and recovery.

This was a quick read for me. I literally started and finished the book in a day. There are times the reader will laugh and grab tissues. I would recommend this to anyone that is dealing with set backs or a tough diagnosis.

"What Does it Feel Like?" was a compelling read. Following Eve, a successful novelist who becomes diagnosed with cancer, this story definitely pulls at the heartstrings.

What makes it so much more emotional is knowing that this based is Sophie Kinsella's life. Told in anecdotes, I felt like it gave an insight into being a cancer patient in a creative way.

Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for selecting me for this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow. Just wow.

This book follows Eve (who is based on Kinsella) and her diagnosis of brain cancer and how much it alters her life. This book is a celebration of life filled with warmth and humor.

What an emotional, raw, and inspirational read. I almost have no words to describe this book. It was hands down the best novella I’ve ever read. This was so heartbreakingly beautiful. I laughed, I cried, and I was just overwhelmed by how good this book was.

📘: What Does it Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella
🗓️: October 8, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Kinsella, and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a quick read, but a sad one. It’s autobiographical and gives the reader insight into what the author has been going through.

I really enjoyed reading this beautiful and brave story. I read it in one sitting. Sophie put her heart and soul into her own personal short story, while keeping her humor.

Prolific romance author has written a semi-autobiographical novella featuring an author who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma after her own similar diagnosis. This was a moving story of coming to terms with her diagnosis, dealing with telling her children about her fate, but still remaining upbeat. The story is cleverly told through a mix of prose, texts, and emails as she and her family communicate with those around them. I appreciated how she shared experiences such as waking up with memory loss and how her husband had to deal with telling her about her diagnosis multiple times because of the memory loss.

As a long-time Kinsella fan, it was a bittersweet read - knowing that the novel was loosely telling the tale of Kinsella's own life, but also it was done really well and in a way that made you hopeful that she will be able to make the most of whatever time she has left. I wish we could have gotten more of the story but I also respect Kinsella's wish to keep some things private.

This was a quick read and well worth the time, especially for fans of Kinsella's.

What a deeply personal and emotional story.

Eve is a wife, mother and bestselling author who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She has surgery but her memory isn’t what it used to be. The struggle and obstacles of overcoming this and trying to remain positive is awe inspiring. You won’t be able to put this book down. I highly recommend reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella felt like a punch in the gut once I realized this was a fictionalized story based on her own experiences with brain cancer. The story starts with Eve waking up from brain surgery not knowing what happened and how she got in the predicament she was in. It went from there with the deep emotions, setbacks, and incremental triumphs experienced as she healed from the surgery. The story broke my heart for Sophie Kinsella and her family with everything they've been going through. I've been a fan of Sophie Kinsella's books since the first Shopaholic and I'm so glad she was able to write this book and I hope for many more in her future.

This a beautifully raw heartbreaking read. It’s quick to finish and will leave you thinking long after your done reading.