I urge anyone who is a diehard Kinsella fan, and finds the writing style awkward, to push through! There's a reason it's written the way it is, and the author's note at the end answered every question I had. You can feel her healing through her written words, and I wish her a very happy ending as well.

I have read Sophie Kinsella for so long that I feel like I know her personally and this book delves deeper than ever. What Does It Feel Like? Is Kinsella’s most autobiographical story to date.

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.

The writing style of this one is so so so unique and is written in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating grief. This one may be short (sitting at just over 100 pages) but boy it packs a punch. And while it may be a heavier topic; we still see our beloved Kinsella charm, quick whit and sense of humour sprinkled throughout.

I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

This review is based on an ARC of What Does It Feel Like? which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Random House/Dial Press).

I've been a Sophie Kinsella fan going on a decade now. What Does It Feel Like? is unique to Kinsella's bibliography in that it is autobiographical, or, rather, a fictionalization of her own story. The writing, pacing, and plot are familiar of this author, though with a little twist; this novella leans more toward snapshots or vignettes of chapters as opposed to a full-fledged timeline. Alongside the theme of amnesia, however, I find that this piecemeal style works well.

Knowing that Eve's story is Sophie's own story--struggles, triumphs, worries and all--made the emotion of the story flare just that much more. You never really realize how real fiction is until you are faced by a true story... My heart broke for Eve, for Sophie, for all those who have to face something as terrifying and uncertain as a terminal diagnosis. What Does It Feel Like? moved me.

And yet, with typical humor and sparkle, Kinsella also made me laugh, inspired, showed what strength, determination can look like. As a person with many of my own struggles--medical and otherwise--Kinsella always reminds me that happiness is a choice. It may not be easily attainable, but if we are determined enough, there is always joy to be found.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Madeleine <3

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. She gets 5 stars for the joy she has brought me. Her books get me through tough times. I wish her and her family all the best.

I think I have read every one of Sophie Kinsella's books. I can always count on her for a laugh and feel good story. I am so thankful I got to read her new novella, What Does It Feel Like. It is the fictional version of her personal story of going through the diagnosis of a fatal brain tumor. I read it in one sitting. Thank you Sophie for sharing this story and for all your other work through the years. Prayers to you and your family. ❤️

If you have ever enjoyed a novel by Sophie Kinsella, if you've laughed out loud at the antics of her characters, if you appreciate Kinsella's wisdom and wit, this book is for you. Heart-broken and heartbreaking, realizing the truth behind this novel reminded me of what a gifted writer is Kinsella. She could have delivered this news with a press release and let it be, but she obviously loves her readers and wanted share in a unique way. That she had the strength to write this will forever astound me.

Thanks to Dial Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I’ve always enjoyed the author’s work and this is no exception. I didn’t realize this was a novella when I started reading it, but it really worked perfectly. This is a semi-autobiographical story about Eve, who wakes up in the hospital and doesn’t remember what has happened. As the reader, we feel for Eve as she struggles to remember her kids, has to relearn how to walk, and even something as silly as remembering the lyrics to Christmas carols. Even thought it’s a very heavy subject, there are still light-hearted moments. I highly recommend reading this!

I didn’t know. I was dying to read Sophie Kinsella’s latest book because I thought it would be written in the same style as her others. I was ready for comedy, romance, her “I Love Lucy” style of antics and goofiness. Instead, I learned that this book is different. It is her personal story of her cancer journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. It is still hopeful ad witty and fun. It is just also heartbreaking and sad. As one of her biggest fans, I am sending prayers for a total recovery. Her books are a gift to the world.

thank you to netgalley, random house publishing group, and the dial press for this arc!! WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? publishes on october 8, 2024.

REVIEW ↡
sophie kinsella is one of my top favorite authors of all time, so getting the chance to read an early copy of this book was such a dream come true for me!!!

while this is a fiction novel, it is hugely inspired by sophie’s life and experience being diagnosed with glioblastoma. her writing and ability to capture such depth in just over 100 pages was really impressive. i was fond of how she drew parallels with her own life in such clever ways, like how she mentioned the SHOPAHOLIC series and other familiar anecdotes. this story is heartbreaking, but also offers warmth, comfort, and humor. i really enjoyed it and highly recommend reading it!!

I received a free copy of, What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Sophie is one of my favorite authors and this book was unlike anything she has written. Loved it.

What Does It Feel Like? written by Sophie Kinsella was such a heart breaking, beautiful, raw, poignant, powerful, and inspirational story. This is an autobiographical novella although some events and facts were changed by the author. It's so hard to review Sophie's novella without getting chocked up, but this story was so deeply moving, heart breaking, but so beautiful at the same time. I just want to take a minute to send all of my love and hugs Sophie's way. I deeply applaud Sophie for sharing her humor, bravery, and optimism with her readers. Despite fictionalizing her own life story and changing some events, Sophie never lost her light at the end of the tunnel. I had no idea Sophie had a brain tumor, but I just want to send all my love to Sophie and her family during this difficult time. Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Sophie never lost her sarcasm and humorous writing. Sophie, thank YOU for sharing your powerful story with all of us, my thoughts and prayers are always with you. I never knew this novella would be so heart breaking by looking at that beautiful cover, but I sobbed reading this story more times that I can possibly count. Please do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book immediately.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Although this is an autobiographical, names and certain events have been changed. Eve Monroe is a mother of five children and a beautiful but loving wife to her husband. Eve is a successful but lovable novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there or what happened. With her husband never far from her side, Eve learns that she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma which is a cancerous brain tumor. It took doctors and surgeons eight hours to surgically remove Eve's brain tumor. As Eve wakes up from her operation and moves forward with her everyday life, she can't remember anything, she can't write, draw, and remember her favorite Christmas carols, this is so difficult for Eve, but she never lost hope during these difficult times. As Eve slowly starts gaining her memory back she googles facts about brain tumors, some facts Eve learns are incurable and aggressive, and scary survival statistics. The most important thing Eve holds close to her heart is long walks hand in hand with her husband and her beloved children. Eve also had trouble learning how to walk and talk again, she couldn't form coherent sentences without getting her words jumbled up.

What Does It Feel Like? deserves nothing but five stars, but I feel like my review will never give this author the justice and love she deserves. I want to say the author's note was deeply heart breaking but it was super positive. Sophie, thank you for sharing your powerful journey with all of us and pouring your soul and bravery into this memorable autobiography. There were times were I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee myself, there were times where I cried so much I didn't think my heart would be pieced back together, but with Sophie's humorous writing and hopefulness, at the end my heart was put back together again. There were so many memorable moments shared in this story, but I think the best was Eve's Scrabble family game night where she cherished time with her beautiful children, I also thought the early morning conversations with her charming husband was so touching. Despite the fears Eve had, she never lost hope, even reading the survival statistics Eve made the most of her time and never let fear take over, no matter how scared she was to face the next day, not knowing what it would bring. Despite reading this novella in one sitting, it took me a few days to get my thoughts together, but as I'm sitting her writing this review, the tears are flowing again.

Keep your tissues handy! I'm glad this was a shorter read because it absolutely wrecked me. Even though this story was fictionalized, it's impossible to deny its real-life ramifications. Sophie Kinsella's writing has meant so much to me for decades, and I hope this novella is not the last we read from her. I wish her and her family the happiest ever after.

Thank you to Random House for the advanced reader copy!

I received a free copy of, What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book gave me all the feels, I could not imagine having a brain tumor, and all that goes along with it. The memory loss, the pain, learning everything over again. Its so hard to be that person and so hard for the loved ones. This is not just a story either though, the author has a brain tumor herself. This was a tough read but a really great read.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. I started her hilarious Shopaholic series just after college and have read most of her books since. My heart broke for her when I learned Sophie had been diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2022.

This novel is different from her others. While it’s still fiction, it’s based on her experience being diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Told in brief chapters and small snippets that you can read in an hour or so, What Does It Feel Like? is brave, sad, funny and uplifting. I love her writing and was inspired by her story. Sending her all the good thoughts and wishes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is an emotional book based on the author’s personal diagnosis. Her story is real with all the emotions felt by her, her family and friends. She was extremely brave to open up herself in such a way and I applaud her courageousness. Once I started this novel, it was very difficult to put it down. All aspects of the diagnosis are on full display. Well written and best wishes to the author on your battle! Thank you to Penguin Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced earn of the book. All opinions expressed are my own. #WhatDoesItFeelLike? #SophieKinsella #NetGalley

In full disclosure, I was unaware of Sophie Kinsella's diagnosis of glioblastoma before reading this book.

I've seen the word "brave" in other reviews and I can't help but reiterate it. That's the only word to describe a book where you are essentially the main character struggling to adapt to this new life.

We meet Eve (a best-selling author), briefly pre-brain surgery and get a glimpse of her charmed and happy life. We then jump to post-brain surgery and we find out, along with Eve, all the events that have transpired in the previous days and weeks. Little things clued her husband, Nick, into recognizing something about his wife was off. And when Eve awakens from brain surgery, she has no recollection of what happened, why she is there, and where her life is about to lead.

Sophie Kinsella does a phenomenal job of making the reader feel like we are living life alongside Eve, feeling her fears, recognizing the concern in her family and friends around her, questioning our own lives.

It's a short read, but an excellent one if for no other reason to just be thankful for what we currently have in life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

What Does It Feel Like? is a fictionalized autobiographical story, in which Sophie Kinsella shares about her real-life brain tumor and terminal cancer diagnosis. It diverts from Sophie’s typical work, yet for such a heavy topic, was still injected with her trademark light-hearted humor.

This book was very SHORT, making for a quick read. The length, for me personally, kept it from diving deep; however, this kind of vulnerability is tough and I commend Sophie for her bravery and wish her nothing but the best and continued good health in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

TW: not a normal Sophie Kinsella novel. This is a very short collection of vignettes that she’s transformed her real like health situation (brain cancer) into fiction. It’s more autobiographical fiction. It’s raw and knowing it’s based off her experiences makes it very emotional.

Incredible, read it in one hour, and balled my eyes out. Such an emotional and still very uplifting description of Eve copping with the diagnosis of her cancer and her life afterwards. Hoping to live life full of “normal plus” 🥹

No spoiler!

This is my first book of Sophie Kinsella and I had no idea what I was getting into with this book.

Eventually as I have just finished reading this fantastic book, I feel so honoured to meet Sophie Kinsella in her most autobiographical work to date.

I was so moved by Eve‘s (aka Sophie) story, how she kept going and I am in awe what a wonderful tribe Eve has created during her lifetime. Those five kids are so adorable, her husband is a gem! Obviously, her work has been awarded many times and I promise that I will devour each of Sophie Kinsella‘s books!

This novella is a must read from an author that is passionate about writing, about her family and her readers. I cried many tears, but I appreciate Kinsella‘s openness and vulnerability as she’ll help so many of her readers.