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.

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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.

This book was exceptionally short, but it works because it is essentially about what matters. This is a fictionalized account of the author's health journey, and what inspiration and life changing realizations came from it. I absolutely love this author, and I love what she did with this book. This is an emotionally resonant read, but it gives such hope and it helps you see all the things to be thankful for. While sad, this is a wonderful journey of self-discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/The Dial Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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What Does it Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

It's a tear jerker. Seriously I sobbed. Make sure you know that and be prepared. It's worth it.

Looking for "inspiration," bestselling author Eve goes shopping and ends up buying this amazing dress she saw in the window with nowhere to wear it to. Love her, relatable. She rises to fame and even walks the red carpet, until suddenly, she finds out she has a brain tumor, forcing her to undergo an 8 hour surgery. Her world stops. This book broke me. Heartbreaking, honest, and real, the story of Eve's (Sophie's) brain cancer is one you will never forget. I tend to gravitate towards literary fiction with hard to tackle themes like death and grief, as these are concepts I personally have a lot of anxiety about, and I find they comfort me. What made What Does It Feel Like? different is that this is based on Sophie's own, true story, and reading this, her struggle broke me like it was my own. I felt it for Eve as much as I felt it for her husband and family. With Eve's short term memory loss, her husband continuously must explain what is wrong with her, and that is something so real and so raw that I'm sure many others experiencing similar situations have gone through. It is both comforting and heartbreaking. Also, somehow Sophie Kinsella succeeds in also adding humor and positivity. Eve's attitude and mood is actually relatively good throughout the story, and that proves how strong she is. As Eve says multiple times, "But you know. It could be worse." I'm praying for Sophie's recovery. Thank you NetGalley for this early digital copy!

What Does it Feel Like? Comes out on October 8th from Random House Publishing Group.

#whatdoesitfeellike #sophiekinsella #randomhouse #netgalley #bookstagram #fallbookpreview #arc

this book is a profoundly moving and touching narrative that explores the life of Eve, a renowned author facing a life-changing illness. Through a collection of sincere stories, the writer portrays Eve's path of relearning essential life skills and reevaluating her priorities. The book mixes sorrow and wit, offering a touching examination of love, perseverance, and the small, significant moments that shape our existence. This tale strikes a chord with genuineness and emotional intensity, presenting readers with a celebration of life despite challenges. "What Does It Feel Like?" stands as a tribute to the indomitable nature of the human spirit and the lasting strength of love and family bonds!

Clearly written from the heart, this is a touching story of a woman’s experience with brain cancer inspired by the author’s own life. I loved this even as it hit home for me as my sister had brain cancer. Sophie presents Eve in a genuine, vulnerable way, showing the nitty-gritty of the disease and also the hope she chooses to live with.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/The Dial Press for sharing this meaningful journey’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. Millions of thanks to Sophie Kinsella for bravely sharing this meaningful journey with us. BEAUTIFUL BOOK!

Trying to keep this from sounding like a parasocial outburst, but when I was sixteen, I moved to a different school bus route than the one I had been taking with my friends. I knew no one on this bus, so I would sit quietly alone. One day, I don't even remember how I got them, but I started reading the Shopaholic series during my trips to and from school. Sophies books not only became my happiness during those times, but also were the beginning of my love of romance and I will never be more grateful. In college, I was able to email her and interview her for my school paper. She's always been my go to happy book suggestions, and when (as an English major) the constant ice breaker question of "Who is your favorite author?" would come up, I usually answered with her.
13 years from my first experience with Kinsella, I am reading the most heartbreak and beautiful work. I just finished reading and the tears haven't stopped. She's still just as witty and has the same sense of humor that I love so much, but this was something that while I wish we didn't have to read, I feel honored to have done so.

Wow. What a beautifully written novella about brain cancer family,and residency. It is based on linsella's own life. I adored it. Despite the stage 4.diagnosis there us hope and looking forward to the future. A must read.

Heartbreaking, devastating, funny, life, affirming, admirable. The fictional story that is based off of the author’s true life is one that you both do and don’t want to read. She’s one of my favorite authors and to read what she and her family are enduring was heartbreaking. She weaves in humor in her classic Kinsella way. It’s hard to read about cancer but oh so important as well. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Devastating, hopeful, funny, heartbreaking, this chick-lit autobiography of Sophie Kinsella's life is all those things and more. This novella packs a huge punch. My heart goes out to Sophie Kinsella, her family and the people who love her. Many people don't enjoy hearing or reading about cancer but there are many important messages here.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this novella.

This is a fictionalized autobiographical novella written about Eve but is based on the real life struggles of Sophie Kinsella (the author’s note at the end talks about this) while she battles brain cancer. It is different than her usual books but I feel privileged to have this look into Sophie’s journey and battle with her cancer and I have immense respect for her. Her story is real and hard and reminds one that these things can happen to anybody. I can’t imagine having to relearn to do daily tasks we take for granted - especially thinking and remembering. The story is told with humor without losing its message. It’s a reminder to embrace life and never give up on hope. I rate this novella 5 stars for Eve/Sophie and the strength she has and a 4 for the writing.

Oh Sophie Kinsella. I don't know you, but I just want to give you the biggest hug!!

I've been reading your books all along, from the very first Shopaholic book through the past 20+ years, including your Madeleine Wickham books. Through your stories I have laughed often and heartily, and also nodded in understanding, shaken my head in surprise or dismay, and brushed tears from my eyes.

This book was no different, but oh, to know as I was reading that I was reading about you, the person, it just hit deep. A wife, a mom of five kids, oh my dear girl, my heart breaks for you even as I see and admire your strength and the loving connection of your family.

I champion you as an author, and I champion you as a person. I wish nothing but a return to full health for you in the comfort and safety of your family and friends.

As far as the book goes, this was a short book, but powerful and IMO very much worth reading, particularly for fans of Sophie herself.
Godspeed, Sophie. We're behind you!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a galley edition of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a miracle that this book has been written. Sophie Kinsella says it’s mostly autobiographical in the Author’s Notes, but she chose to write is as fiction to avoid a few differences with the details.

It’s an emotionally heart-warming story of a best-selling author, Eve Monroe, who has a loving husband, Nick, and five children. When Nick calls, she knows she should be writing but she is trying on an expensive dress at a luxury boutique shop. Will she tell him where she is?

The next thing she knows, she is in a hospital with Nick by her side. Something has gone terribly wrong. She learns she has grade 4 glioblastoma, an incurable brain tumor. Her thoughts quickly scramble to what will happen with her family and how can she survive the odds of this terminal disease? No one wants to stop and think that this could happen to them.

It’s a short book but one that is deeply felt about how someone can make it after eight hours of intense surgery to remove the tumor. She talks about her symptoms, how her life was rerouted and how she pulled through with the love of her family. I would have wanted to know more from her husband’s point of view or the role that her children played to get her back on her feet. However, this story made me feel influenced by how Eve – or rather Sophie Kinsella – was given lots of encouragement and a second chance with life thanks to her doctors, caretakers and family. I believe this book will reach out to others and give readers inspiration to those that especially need it.

My thanks to The Dial Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 8, 2024.

This book was the loveliest and most heartfelt book I have ever read. I did not realize until I set out reading it, that it was an autobiography of sorts, but it was so raw and real and heartbreaking. I cannot imagine how vulnerable you would have to be to put this book into the world, but I am so glad the author did.

I would recommend this 100 times over. I appreciated the novella format but did not realize that in advance either. The length makes the book very approachable. The cover and the art within the book are also lovely. I liked the different writing styles in the book (texts, v stream of consciousness v vignettes into personal interactions), and it made the book move super quickly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to enjoy this book!