“What Does it Feel Like” is not a typical Sophie Kinsella book. Instead of a whimsical, plucky main character who thinks with her heart versus her head, the reader is immersed into a fictionalized version of the author’s own life.

The main character, Eve, a fictional version of Sophie, is a writer who learns she has an incurable brain tumor and struggles to relearn everyday tasks. Though the topic is sober, the author explores it with her traditional wit and quirky perspective. I imagine Sophie wrote this story as part therapy as well as a way to share her experience with her readers. It’s difficult to find fault with any author who shares her experiences so bravely. My one complaint is the story’s briefness. The reader wishes for a happy ending but with an incurable the best one can do is keep living, which is exactly what Eve/Sophie do.

Four stars.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella is a humorous look at the world of incurable cancer. Eve Monroe, a brilliant author, has everything going for her, a new novel, a new movie and a great family. When she wakes up not remembering much of anything, her adoring husband Nick is by her bedside, telling her she just had an 8 hour surgery to remove a malignant tumor from her brain. As this novella continues you find yourself rooting for Eve's full recovery, even though her odds aren't good. An in depth look at glioblastoma from one who knows. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t realize this story was going to be loosely autobiographical. I was expecting a light hearted book
And instead I’m reading at the beach crying.

Eve is a successful novelist who is diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. As she is learning to walk, talk, and write, she is also struggling with how to tell her children about the diagnosis and what the future looks like for her. This was a great short novel that I read in one sitting.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review. Publication date Oct 8, 2024. 5⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was an amazing and quick read novella. I have read many of the authors other books and was excited to read this Novella. It was an amazing celebration of life. I think the author did a great job fictionalizing her own personal health journey and turned it into this work of art. I enjoyed the format of the novella wiht short chapters and little snippets of her experience. I would reccomend this book to others!

3.5, rounded up at the last minute due to the author's note.

The entire time, I kept thinking "this should've been written in first person". Even if it wasn't a true story, it felt like it should've been presented as such. Though the feeling that this was a memoir was pervasive, especially with the meta elements (a female author who penned a book about being a London shopaholic, which was subsequently adapted into a hit Hollywood movie), and the intricate, intimate details of discovering one's diagnosis, grieving, adapting to the condition. It is undoubtedly authentic-- I remember my own family member being diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, looking up the grim prognosis, and managing seemingly endless treatments. But the third person narrative here kept me at a distance, especially in the first half. I think that even if Kinsella had kept with the fictional cast of characters, it would've been far stronger had she written in first person.
I did, however, really like the second half of the book. As it gets into the menial morning conversations between the protagonist and her husband, the inside jokes that only someone who has experienced such a grim condition can make.
I had no idea Kinsella has been dealing with this-- such a shame-- and I wish her all the best.

This is the emotional journey through Sophie Kinsella’s real-life diagnosis and treatment of a grade IV glioblastoma. She writes with a hint of humor, even though this diagnosis affected her whole family, her writing career and, of course, every detail of her life.

This is a brave endeavor that not many of us would be willing to undertake. She’s raw in her telling of it and you will find yourself in tears while cheering her on simultaneously.

Whether or not you’ve gone through something similar, you should read this book. It’s short enough to read in one sitting. Five big stars. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC.

This book was a great quicker read. I loved the characters, it was a little bit of sad read, due to the truth behind the story. It was written in a way that still made me laugh and didn’t feel too heavy. I love Sophie Kinsella books and I was glad I was picked and given a chance to read this ARC.

What Does It Feel Like? is aptly titled as it puts the reader in the mind of Eve as she deals with the diagnosis and ensuing battle with a brain tumor. What made it even more emotional is knowing that the story is autobiographical. I appreciated Kinsella's raw honesty and glimpse into character's (and her) personal struggle on this journey. A must read for all. Make sure to read the author's note at the end which will leave you inspired and in tears.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this advanced reader's copy.

A mostly autobiographical short story, I had no idea the author was going through something as heartbreaking and devestating as this. I appreciated the setup of the book and chapters, I could hear her voice loud and clear!

While going in knowing what the book is about and hearing it "first hand" was inspiring it felt rushed. I give credit to the story and love Sophie Kinsella's work. A quick read that will have every emotion you have come to the surface.

This book is a gift—a big, beautiful gift packed into the compact elegance of a novella. It’s short and sweet—yet deep and sharp. Entertaining and heartwarming in true fashion, but also nothing like her previous works. Good news? We get the most personal book we’ve ever received from Kinsella through this amazing autobiographical work. Horrible news? Well, shoot. She endured this life-threatening diagnosis and subsequent experience, and, oh my word, I literally had no idea. She’s STILL enduring it all. This book broke my heart and had me holding my breath. Thank you, Sophie—for the years of making us laugh and now for the honor of letting us cry with you. This one will stick with me. I loved it.

What Does It Feel Like? is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.”—Sophie Kinsella
 
Eve wakes up in a hospital bed with no recollection of how she got there, what day it is or why she has no memory.

Eve has been diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer and has had her tumor removed but it has been determined her cancer has no cure. And the prognosis isn’t great.

This short novella takes us on eves journey or rather the beginning of it as she navigates her new lifestyle as well being a writer and mother to her five children.

Sophie Kinsella speaks from her heart. She told us, the readers, the fans, her story of her own brain cancer diagnosis even when she’s remained private for most of her life. It’s a beautiful, sad, and raw story that I highly recommend you grab when it debuts in October. Wishing Sophie healthy vibes.

Extra special thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

Whew! This almost felt too intimate to read. It’s basically the author’s autobiography and personal accounts of dealing with brain cancer told in a novella. The story walks through Eve’s before illness to going through diagnosis and surgery and treatment and the after. It read almost like a journal and a personal glimpse into her new life. A definite read with tissues.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I've been a reader of Sophie Kinsella books for 20 years or so, and I love her wit and optimism. This is not Shopaholic, this is not a rom com, but just as Kinsella has always invited us into the world's she's created and we feel right at home...this time, she's invited us into her real world, and we feel like we could be friends and maybe we should sign up for a mealtrain or send a card or search for that lip-balm our other cancer-surviving friend found comforting. (Note - it's fiction, but it's as autobiographical as she's ever gotten and the details that matter are true).

This is a tears-down-your-face short read, but it will stick with you. Despite how heavy it is - how real, how raw - there's still wit, and charm, and a whole lot of optimism. I want to play Scrabble with Eve and her family, I want normal plus for as long as I get it.

Thanks you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I did not know anything about this book when I requested an early copy. The author and the cover made me think that it was going to be light and funny as Kinsella's other books. The first few chapters also led me in that direction and then -bam!- the reader is full in the drama and emotion of the diagnosis and post surgery rehab. I am glad that I went into it without knowing the book details, and how the story was loosely based on the author's personal journey, as it had a much bigger emotional punch for me.

There are very emotional parts to this story - as can be imagined. There are also moments of humour and hope, including the author's note at the end.

This is a short book and I hope that one day I get to read a real version of 'Hey Big Spender' as it sounded great. (the book/movie within the book)

'Five children. Five bundles of love. And five bundles of grief.'

'Cancer is a buzzkill, what with the pills and the chemo and the dying.'

(from the author's note)
'And finally, I wish everyone reading this a very happy ending.'

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read basically all of Sophie Kinsella’s books and love her as an author. This is a fictionalized story about her real life health struggles. Quick read, but relatable to anyone going through the same things or eye opening to others. I appreciate her giving readers an inside into her life and struggles. Worth the quick read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The author of a very popular book series turned movie, Eve Monroe, is diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Follow Eve and her family as they navigate the process of making decisions, treatment, recovery, and what to do next.

This novella or short story is a partially fictionalized autobiography of Sophie Kinsella's real diagnosis, treatment, and recovery so far. Tough for her and her family, but an author does what an author does. She wrote about it. While this writing is not like her other books, the feelings come across, and knowing that it's her story, the differences in writing style can be overlooked. This is heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time.

This story is beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. Reading about the character and her parallels to the author brought tears to my eyes, I loved this book and the strength it probably took to write this is amazing as well.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. What Does It Feel Like is her latest book. As I expected, I loved it. Pick this one up.

“What Does It Feel Like?” is the most heartfelt novella depicting Eve and her family’s journey through her cancer diagnosis. This authentic story will be read in one sitting, and there will be tears - at least that was the case for me. Sophie Kinsella has said that this is an autobiographical story of her personal experience told through a fictional lens. I loved the nod to the Shopaholic series and Kinsella’s usual storytelling charm.

I am forever grateful to Sophie Kinsella for introducing me to Romantic Comedy literature many years ago and for this deeply personal story. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.