Sophie Kinsella's novella is very nearly a memoir; only a few key pieces have been changed according to the author's note. And that makes it all the more heartbreaking to read. "What Does It Feel Like?" would be a simple book to spoil, so I'll keep my review very high-level. Without going into too much detail, its main character is a writer very much like Kinsella who is dealing with a life-changing diagnosis, and the side effects cause her to relive her heartbreak over and over in a frustrating loop.

I couldn't imagine being in this character/author's position, but "What Does It Feel Like?" is so brave and real that it really answers the question in a brief glimpse into the life of Eve/Kinsella. It was a very fast read- almost too short- but knowing the circumstances, the brevity is understandable and the courage and effort to get down even the short book delivered must have been herculean.

Kinsella also offers us a brief glimpse into the lives of the characters around Eve who love her and are dealing with the devastation of her condition, but are also thrust into a position of needing to be very patient and very strong to support her.

"What Does It Feel Like?" is so different from Kinsella's other books. It is a short read, but it cuts deep, and the amount of time I spent thinking about it after finishing far surpassed the time I spent actually reading it. It's a hard book to get through, but it does have its tender moments, sweet and funny and touching moments that make it very human. While Eve's memory suffers throughout the story, I will remember Eve and this book for a long time.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced read.

It's hard to be critical of a piece of work that is majorly autobiographical. I guess I just wanted more to help me connect to the story. Overall, I enjoyed the short novella. I loved the mixed use of text, emails, and other communication besides what was happening in real time. I respect that her kids were primarily left out of the story, but it felt like that part of the narrative was missing for the audience. It made me struggle to connect to the narrative from a mother's perspective.

This short novella is unlike anything else Sophie Kinsella has written. It's sort of biography, sort of metafiction, about a successful author who is diagnosed with brain cancer, and how she deals with the aftermath of it, including her brain surgery and chemo and radiation treatments. In Kinsella's author's note she said that this book is very much based on her real life, as she was also diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022.

Wishing her speedy recovery! Her books are what keep me going from one terrible president to the next.

heartbreaking, poignant, raw. i don’t know how you couldn’t rate this five years. what a brave piece to write. thank you for sharing your story!

I have always read any and all books Sophie Kinsella has put out. I remember growing up with the Shopaholic series and was so excited to read her new book. I had no idea the struggles she was facing with cancer and this story had me bawling. The courage and bravery it takes to share her story, so creatively through Eve. The loving support of her husband and family had me in tears. Thank you for sharing your story Sophie and wishing you all of the health in the world. Although this story is short and so different from her other books, it is a MUST REAaD for everyone. Like Eve recognized in her story, live for every moment and be present. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be buying and sharing this with everyone. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy.

As a reader who started reading Sophie Kinsella books in her early 20’s I found myself drawn to the ethos behind What Does it Feel Like. Finding myself connecting with the familiar narrative voice of the novel felt comforting, but I knew the storyline would be challenging to grasp. The narrator is facing Cancer and the serious mental and physical changes that come from surgical treatment and radiation. I would recommend this novel to those who love Sophie Kinsella novels with the caveat that the author attempts to convert the real emotional impact of Cancer to the reader. I hope this text is cathartic to the author and those supporting anyone facing health issues and Cancer.

Eve Monroe is a best-selling novelist and mother of five children who wakes up one day and finds herself in a hospital with no memory of why she was there and what was going on. Her husband has to be the one to tell her that she has a stage 4 glioblastoma and had surgery to remove it. This is a story that he has to keep telling her as her short-term memory is affected by the surgery as are her motor skills. The last thing that she remembers was that she was at the opening night of the movie based on her best-selling novel, and now this. Her prognosis is not good. But Eve is a fighter and her 5 children need her. This book is a departure for Sophie Kinsella and for good reason. But I am not going to spoil the tear jerking ending of why. I want to thank Sophie Kinsella, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the amazing opportunity to read this amazing book.

A quick, yet poignant read. Definitely Kinsella’s most “serious”- and most personal- book. My heart aches for her!

Sweet story about overcoming obstacles.
At the very end of the story, you’ll learn how this story is based off the author’s own life. She actually does find the perfect dress when she doesn’t have a special occasion coming up and she does get brain cancer. That’s super scary!
Overall, I did enjoy this story. I just didn’t enjoy how choppy it seemed between each chapter. I kinda felt some of the chapters ended very abruptly. Kinda reads like diary entries. Some people like that though.

This is beautiful: lyrical and powerful. Not at all what I was expecting; I was unaware of the author's biography and how this connected. I thought I was going to read a romance--and while it wasn't what I expected at all--it is quite a love story. The relationship with her husband and his support through her illness is what we all would hope for. The scenes are tender and honest. Kinsella's love for her family and her life is evident. I lost my own mother to cancer, and while none of the details are the same, the essence rings true--normal plus. Kinsella was brave to share such fictionalized but intimate details of her journey, and I do believe this would be helpful to someone in a similar situation, maybe especially to the caregivers or loved ones. And even with my personal history, I found it comforting and not triggering. And I certainly wish for this family's happy ending. Thank you to The Dial Press/Penguin Random House/NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my review.

loved!!

full of joy and heart, i laughed, i cried, and i felt deeply for Sophie throughout this short read.

read in one sitting and i just cannot imagine what she is going through. especially as a mom and a mom to 5 kids. even though this is basically a fictional "autobiographical" story, Kinsella's humor and wit shown through these words a lot like her other books. her emotions and story are real and authentic and she has built such a life and community in her years.

highly recommend and ill be telling everyone about it!

What a poignant, heart-breaking yet uplifting story of a woman diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although this is a novel, it's really the author's own experience and journey. What a courageous story. Thank you to the author for sharing her sorrows and insight.

I have been a fan of Sophie Kinsella's books for many years. They are much less fluffy than you'd think, and are always true page turners.

But I was not a superfan, more of a "pick up her books when I find out there is a new one" fan. So I was shocked to read this novel based on her own experience with brain cancer. I had no idea she recently went through all this. I didn't even know she had five children. Through this book I was able to learn about how she got her big break as an author, endearing parts of her personality (THE DRESS!), and about her supportive and lovely family. But more importantly she explained her experience of waking up with no memory of why she was in the hospital and the days and weeks that followed, which included frustrating and lapses, but also humor and love.

This is a very short book and worth the read. Thank you to Sophie Kinsella for sharing her experience. I hope she continues to feel well and beat the odds.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press for this ARC!

"What Does It Feel Like" by Sophie Kinsella is a delightful and introspective novel that explores the complexities of emotions and human connections. The story follows Emma, a young woman navigating the ups and downs of her personal and professional life, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Kinsella's signature wit and charm shine through her engaging prose, making the narrative both heartwarming and thought-provoking. The characters are well-developed and relatable, adding depth to the story's exploration of feelings and relationships. Overall, "What Does It Feel Like" is a captivating read that combines humor and insight, leaving readers both entertained and reflective.

🌟 Just finished reading The One, and wow, what a journey! This isn’t your typical lighthearted read; it hit me right in the feels. 😢 The story follows Eve, a woman whose life takes a dramatic turn when she learns about her brain tumor. I found myself so connected to her that I just wanted to reach through the pages and give her a giant hug! It’s a heavy topic, but the way the author writes makes you feel all the emotions—joy, sorrow, hope, and everything in between.

And here’s the kicker: I had no idea that the talented Ms. Kinsella was sharing her own experience. Her bravery in opening up about such a personal struggle is nothing short of inspiring! 💖 If you're looking for a book that’s both heartbreaking and uplifting, with just the right sprinkle of humor, I highly recommend this one! It’s an emotional roller coaster you won’t forget, and it’s a beautiful reminder of the strength we find in tough times. Have you read it yet? Let’s chat about those feels! 📚✨ #BookLove #EmotionalReads #Inspiration

I have been a longtime fan of Sophie Kinsella's writing, and was happy to receive an advanced copy of What Does It Feel Like. This short novella is a departure from the light, fluffy, and humorous books Mrs. Kinsella is known for. What Does it Feel Like is a fictionalized, but very honest narrative of the author's life following the diagnosis of incurable brain cancer. The story follows her from waking in the hospital in confusion to learning to walk again and ends with a feeling of hope. Much of this story was incredibly sad and heart wrenching. I especially found the tender inactions between the main character and her husband touching. I wish Mrs. Kinsella all the best and hope she beats this. She is a bright light!

I was provided an advanced copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

I've been reading Sophie Kinsella since the first Shopaholic book came out. Her books have brought me so much joy over the years, and are an automatic read every time a new one comes out. Her books are consistently light, funny, and just fun to read.

What Does It Feel Like is not one of those books. Detailing the author's recent diagnosis and treatment for glioblastoma, the book is a lightly fictionalized autobiography of coming to terms with a devastating diagnosis. I'm not going to lie, I cried through pretty much the entire thing. It was just so raw and so real and Kinsella showed such bravery and vulnerability in sharing it with us all.

What Does It Feel Like? Is a short novel which resonates well beyond the last page. Sophie Kinsella has presented the reader with a very brave, passionate and personal story.

Enjoyed this short fictional novella that provided a glimpse into what Sophie Kinsella went through with her brain cancer diagnosis. This short story made me laugh and cry. I am routing for you Mrs. Kinsella!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella.

This is a semi-autobiographical novella about a writer, Eve, who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The tone of this book is quite different than her other books. I finished it a few days ago, but I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It was less of a story and more snippets of life after Eve’s cancer diagnosis and surgery. It was definitely very moving and emotional, but felt disjointed and unfinished. I felt like there was no main storyline and I was left wanting more. As a fan of Sophie Kinsella’s past writing, I was expecting another book similar to all her others, and this was definitely a different experience. Overall it was engaging and powerful, but felt incomplete.