Wonderful and perfect. She has made a terrific and thoughtful fiction over what was and is a challenging situation. Very inspiring!

This was such a heartbreaking read. When I requested the ARC, I had no idea that this was a fictionalized version of the author's life. I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella which was what drew me to the book. Upon reading I immediately picked up that this was different than her typical books, yet the humor and her writing style was still present throughout. I cried through most of it, and then was floored to get to the author's note and find out that the character of the book was based on her. This was really heartbreaking and also still full of the humor and good storytelling that is a hallmark of her other books. I highly recommend this!!!

I have read every Sophie Kinsella book since the first Shopaholic one. This one was quite a bit different but no less wonderful. You feel for Eve and go through so many emotions for her and her family. I really realized what is important in my life. Such an amazing book that makes you feel so much.

This novel fully captures the overwhelming whirlwind that is a cancer diagnosis. The author’s own diagnosis and personal experience made this novel even more searing and heartbreaking.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214312329

"What Does It Feel Like" has a gorgeous cover and interesting plot in that it concerns the real-life journey of author Sophie Kinsella who announced her diagnosis of Glioblastoma last year. This was not like her typical book, but I expected that, and wanted to learn more about her experience. I would recommend this for fans of Kinsella as well as readers who are drawn to learn more about others' journeys through dark times. This story will lead you through her initial battle and surgery. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Pub Date: Oct 8th, 2024

Expect to laugh a little, cry a lot, ponder the meaning of life and finish this book hoping you’re able to live a life full of “normal plus.”

If you have not read one of Sophie Kinsella’s 30+ novels, you are absolutely missing out. In fact, you should stop what you’re doing and go read one now, don’t worry I’ll wait…

Ok, so now that I have you, a Sophie Kinsella fan, I should probably warn you that this book is going to break your heart. It will also give you hope. And it is probably going to make you want to re-read the Confessions of a Shopaholic series.

What Does it Feel Like? is an autobiographical novelization of Sophie Kinsella’s battle with glioblastoma. Written as a collection of inner thoughts and anecdotes, you’ll be taken on a journey of grief and self-discovery as the main character Eve learns to live after her diagnosis.

I spent 69% of this book crying my eyes out, about 20% of this book feeling nostalgic and wanting to re-read the entire Shopaholic series, and 11% of this laughing my ass off.

An absolute must read. I absolutely love Sophie Kinsella and I think she is the bravest queen for writing this.

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

What Does It Feel Like?
4/5 Stars

This fictional-but-semi-autobiographical novella follows Eve, an author recently diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma - a terminal brain cancer. Told in snippets of her experiences from surgery, to being a year out from it, we get an exposed depiction of what it is like to live inside the ill brain of someone going through all the stages of grief. A shorter novel than most, it’s a quick read.

What I Liked-
THE FEELS: It’s quite surprising to read about hard things like this happening to people you know (or are, at least, aware of). It’s a painful but humorous accounting of the life that Sophie is now living, and how she is trying to get through the worst of it. It punches you in the gut. And it should. It hurts. But it also has a delightfully uplifting message about taking control of your reactions to things, even when you can’t control the outcome.
THE STYLE: I thought the snippet-y prose of this book was the perfect way to let us glimpse into Eve’s thoughts and feelings. It made it feel diary-like and personal.

Triggers: Cancer, talk of death.

Conclusion: I really enjoyed this, which feels terrible to say but I’m sure most will understand what I mean when I say that. I do not enjoy the topic of the story, or what Sophie is going through, but I can appreciate that she took the time to put her feelings down on paper for us readers, because that’s a very vulnerable place to put yourself.

Good Quote: “And right at that moment, this is her only aim in life, the only happy ending she wants. Just to keep going.”

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House / Dial Press for providing an ARC of this book. This book releases October 8, 2024!

Do you want to ugly-cry? This auto-biographical short story will do the job. I was heartbroken when Kinsella announced her diagnosis of Glioblastoma last year. This story will lead you through her initial battle and surgery.

I read with shock about Kinsella’s struggle when she posted it on social media.
Her newest book, much shorter than her usual offerings, chronicles her journey but through a more fictionalized lens.
I zipped through the pages and my heart broke. There’s no rhyme or reason why things like this happen.
I hope by writing this book the author gained a small modicum of support and catharsis and comfort for a truly heartbreaking experience.

5 stars

I've been wanting to read Sophie Kinsella for a while, but this a book I wish she never wrote. It's a semi-autobiographical tale of a writer and mom of 5 who is diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. It hurts my heart to think of what she and her family are going through. I wish her all the best.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Dial Press for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I had no idea what to expect from this story. Sophie is one of the best writers, and this book and story are brave. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really liked this novel by Sophie. You could tell how personal it was in her writing. The characters felt real and it was like you were reading out of a journal. I think it was a really good length, not too long and not too short. Very quick read. I would recommend to anyone who has experiences with being very sick or would like to know what life is like for people with terminal illness. The hospital scenes were very realistic. Thanks NetGalley and Publisher!

I am thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and Random House so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.

Wow, I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. I must have been sidetracked and read a different description to another book that I attributed to this one. I thought I was getting a fun romance and what I got was a unique reading experience that made me get weepy.

This is technically a work of fiction but it is based off the authors experience with much of it having happened to her. It’s heart wrenching on one hand but inspirational on the other. I love the unique style of it almost being a journal of sorts with different excerpts from her life going on in addition to the 1 person narrative.

While one needs to be in the right headspace to read this due to the heavy topic of Cancer, I highly recommend putting this quick but poinant read on your TRB for when it comes out October 8th 2024

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

It's tough to review Sophie Kinsella’s latest autobiographical book without feeling as though daggers are stabbing into your heart, with tears streaming down your cheeks, and barely holding yourself back from choking up.

What surprised me, however, was that despite honestly fictionalizing her own life story and changing some sequences of events, she never loses her positive outlook. This has always made me adore her novels, along with her amazingly unique sense of humor. There were several times when I laughed so hard I nearly fell off the couch and peed myself (which is why I always wear adult diapers before starting her books, just in case).

The chapters about her eight-hour brain surgery after being diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, dealing with short-term amnesia, learning to talk again, and using a Zimmer frame to walk without falling are hard to absorb. Yet, her uplifting writing tone—accepting things she cannot change and infusing them with honesty, optimism, and sarcasm—shows how incredible a writer she is. One particularly memorable moment is when the doctor asked her who the president was, and she jokingly replied, "Hugh Grant," before correcting herself to say he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which made me literally guffaw.

Two of my favorite chapters include the family Scrabble gathering and her early morning conversations with her husband.

Initially, I hesitated to start this book, fearing it would break my heart and devastate me as I read the fictionalized journey of author Eve, based on Kinsella’s own battle with a brain tumor and terminal cancer, including the entire radiotherapy and chemotherapy process. But after reading the book, I realized how wrong I was. My respect and devotion to the author only grew as I witnessed her bravery, power, and brilliant mind. Additionally, the book gave me so much hope and inspiration. I wished the author all the happy endings she highly deserves after giving her fans so many great laughs, happy tears, and immense hope that encourages them to trust themselves, believe that positive things happen, and overcome bad luck in their lives.

Her bravery and honesty inspire you to change your own life, starting with your perception. The universe needs more authors like Kinsella, who change our worlds by delivering humor and warming our hearts with full of positive possibilities. Her books have vividly colored my life with her humorous vision for the past 20 years. I love her works, adore her courage, and applaud her for doing the toughest thing: facing her fears, sharing her most private challenging moments, and pouring those feelings into her writing.

We need her words, her power of comedy, and the hope she delivers through her characters to help us keep going and embrace happiness.

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.

I didn’t realize that this is basically an autobiography but am honored to have been able to read a review copy of Sophie’s story. Sophie is a wonderful story teller and great at keeping even the hardest topics light.

Wow! This is more like a very short story read time was about 2 hours. It was not written in the typical Sophia Kinsella style, and had a MAJOR curveball throuwn at the reader. If you are an avid reader of Sophie Kinsella you will be shocked!

A poignant account of a year in the life of a young novelist with a devastating illness, this short novel will captivate you.

This short autobiographical novella describes the life of a best-selling author after she is diagnosed with brain cancer. Like all of Kinsella’s work, this book is witty and quick; I finished it in one sitting. It is also a really deft handling of a difficult topic.

A very informative shocking novel and autobiographical unfortunately. Wow! Leave it to Sophie to describe her life in such expressive, honest lingo too. Loved it but was saddened at the same time.

My heart is breaking reading Kinsella's fictional account of her own battle. What started as the author's trademark cheeky prose turned into Eve's worst nightmare. As a writer, she's lost her words and struggles to pen her thoughts Unknowingly, I was reading Kinsella's story and I'm keeping her family in my prayers.

I've been a fan of Kinsella's since her Shopaholic novels and was stunned to find out she's undergoing brain cancer. Her bravery telling this story and the wit she displayed is a testament to the author's character. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #WhatDoesItFeelLike in exchange for an honest review. At times, it was difficult to read but you'll count your blessings and hold your family close upon its completion.