The only criticism I have of this book is that it was too short. I read it in one sitting and wanted more. Bravo to Kinsella for sharing such a brave and heartfelt semi-autobiographical tale.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Eve is a successful writer who wakes up in a hospital bed after brain surgery. In What Does It Feel Like? Sophie Kinsella describes the ups and downs of Eve’s recovery. She has a very supportive husband and five children. The detail in this short novel is very insightful because Kinsella is writing from personal experience with glioblastoma surgery. It was a quick read. I really enjoyed it but because I have loved all of Kinsella’s other books it saddened me to hear the news of her illness. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Well I guess I need to start off by saying I knew nothing about this book expect I’ve loved every book she’s written so I jumped right in. At first I was a little confused because my time left in the book was so short so I looked into and quickly realized this was not her normal book. What a powerful short story that I believe all should read! Well done ❤️

It's hard to write this because it is somewhat of her memoir, and that's terrible, but the whole thing felt rushed. It was like the writing version of skimming a book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! What would you do? By Sophia Kinsella is an autobiographical work of fiction. When Eve, a writer, wakes up in a hospital bed, she is unaware of the significance that her husband, Nick, has to inform over and over again that she had a brain tumour and that they were able to remove it but that, unfortunately, it is a rare form of cancer that, in general, is incurable. I, while reading, felt both sadness but, in her typical way, the lighthearted, funny style of Sophia’s writing was also uplifting and made the diagnosis, treatment and funeral planning that much less somber. Eve’s outlook on life was nothing short of inspirational. Having not read the synopsis, I was a caught off guard at the nature of the storyline. It was much different than anything she’s ever written. However, upon reading the author’s note at the end of the novel, I was stunned to learn of it’s autobiographical nature and was awed by the author’s own inspirational and positive outlook on life. Overall, a short, bittersweet novel that I would recommend to others who enjoy her style.

I have been a HUGE fan of Sophie Kinsella since the very first Shopaholic book! Becky Bloomwood was one of the most hilarious yet utterly relatable characters ever created and for that Kinsella will forever be remembered.

Sadly this most deeply personal and autobiographical story about a woman who gets diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor is based on real events in her recent life. This was a raw but hopeful read, particularly poignant for me as someone who is also a brain tumor survivor.

But as Eve in this book always says, "It could be worse" - it could ALWAYS be worse and LUCKILY (iykyk), my brain tumor was benign and I am a 26 year survivor. While my life hasn't been perfect or without challenges, I am so grateful to have had so many years. Books like this one are what drive me and feed my soul and I wish Sophie many good days to come too!!

HUGE thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this story. It is one I will never forget and hit so close to home for me. I hope readers enjoy it as much as I have and am so grateful the author was able to find the energy and courage to share her story with the world.

Sophia Kinsella is one of my favorite authors, so I was honored when I was chosen to review her book early. I was devastated to read about her cancer diagnosis but grateful to hear she is on the mend. She writes this book as an autobiography in a sense through the fictional character of Eve and her journey of cancer. Though this novel is short, I was instantly rooting for Eve and her family.

I’ve been a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella since her first Shopaholic novel. I was shocked and so sad to learn about her troubles with a brain tumor and rough recovery. This reader is grateful she was able to share her scary experiences with her fans who are desperately hoping for her happy ending in real life.

Writing a review for this book is difficult. Not because it wasn't a great book, but because it's so heartbreaking and admittedly (from the author) to be semi-autobiographical. However it is beautifully written and should be read. I've read many Sophie Kinsella books for many years now and this is very different from her norm. This is about an author who is living her dream...until they find a brain tumor. We follow her through her recovery from surgery, short term memory loss, and then regaining a normal life. The writing is done so well that you feel the frustration the main character, Eve, feels when she can't remember a Christmas carol or if her kids came to visit. You also feel the sadness when she learns again, for who knows how many times, that it's cancer, from her loving husband. But you also feel the optimism as she makes progress.

Everyone should read this book. It's quick, maybe an hour to read. It has so many sad moments, but so many uplifting ones too. Even if you've never read a book by Kinsella before, give this one a go. There's been plenty of stories of taken care of an ill loved one, but very few from this point of view. I would not recommend reading it at work though, as there will be tears.

This review will be posted on Goodreads at the link provided, published as of 7/18, as this is submitted. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a beautiful story. Like everyone else, I have been a fan of Sophie Kinsella since her Shopaholic series and have read everything she ever wrote. This sparked my love of reading again. When I read about her health struggles, I felt as though it was happening to a family member and felt awful for her and her family. I am so happy to hear she is better and wanted to share her story with the readers. Just like all her other stories, this was beautiful and hope her health continues to improve always.

Oh this just broke my heart. I have been reading Sophie’s books since college (I’m 41 now) and the thought of her going through this journey is devastating. This is definitely worth the read if you can handle how sad it is.

A very quick but deep read. I think Sophie was brave to write about her diagnosis and cancer treatment through the character of Eve. I commend her for giving her readers this story and a glance into her illness.

In this book you follow Eve who suddenly finds herself in the hospital with no memory of why she was there. What follows is Eves emotional journey through finding out that she has glioblastoma and her struggle that follows with memory issues and movement problems. While this is not a true autobiography, Kinsella did base the character Eve on her own diagnosis with glioblastoma and the similar struggles. This was a brave book for Sophie Kinsella to write but also a hard book to read.

It feels almost terrible to say I enjoyed a book about her fighting brain cancer, but because it was written in that typical Sophie Kinsella style, you almost forgot about the heavy content. Broken up into smaller stories, she's able to highlight the lows and highs of her journey from the beginning to where she is now

It was a quick read, and she made you feel like you were experiencing it with her.

Thank you to Sophie for sharing such a personal aspect of her life with us.

Sophie Kinsella one of my favorite authors has written a heart wrenching novel about her battle with brain cancer.Her story told in this short novel had me weeping and at the same time I could not put it down.Sending best wishes to her and her family & in the darkness she still had moments of lightness and humor she never fails to entertain.#netgalley #dialpress

This book comes in at less than 150 pages and packs quite a punch.

I’m normally not a fan of this type of style - the kind that takes the reader on the journey by telling it through vignettes. But I think it worked here. I did end up crying twice, so even though we only get glimpses throughout the story it tugged at my heart strings.

If you’re used to Sophie Kinsella’s lighthearted romcoms with a guaranteed happily ever after, this one is going to be a huge change of pace… but the writing is still quintessential Sophie (quick paced,and easy to read) even though the story is so different.

I’ve been a longtime reader of Sophie Kinsella, but wasn’t aware of her cancer diagnosis, until I picked up this book. Knowing that this was her story (a fictionalized autobiography) definitely made this more impactful. Personally, I still would have preferred a more traditional novel style, but at the end of the day I can’t complain too much because this is Sophie’s story and she said she couldn’t imagine telling it any other way.

AND, this was an incredibly quick read that I finished in one sitting.

Suggested snack pairing: toast with good marmalade

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My review will be posted on my Instagram @bedtimesandbooks after the publication date (10/8/2024) per the instructions listed on the ARC

It’s incredible how such a short book can pack such a strong, emotional, punch.

What Does It Feel Like is so vastly different from Sophie Kinsella’s other books. It follows Eve, an author, wife, mother, friend, and human through her glioblastoma diagnosis. It’s written in a slice of life sort of way with texts/emails, memories, internal thoughts, and plenty of 5am manic conversations around death. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the ending, and won’t spoil, but was very content with the thought provocation.

This story is so special because while it may be fiction, it’s semi autobiographical. The authors note at the end from Sophie gives an insight into her recent glioblastoma diagnosis as well as all the elements true to her life (which is most)! What a vulnerable treasure Sophie is to have shared these words with us long time readers.

I will end this with saying this holds a special place in my heart. As one of the many people whose family’s have been affected by GBM it’s heartwarming and gut wrenching to see a book from the perspective of someone fighting it. I am forever grateful for SK taking precious time to fight and advocate for more awareness of GBM.

Whether an avid Sophie Kinsella reader or not, this story will rock you to your core.

As a longtime fan of everything Sophie Kinsella has written, I was excited, scared, and not emotionally prepared to read the novelization of Ms. Kinsella's very real fight with a brain tumor.

In this book, Eve, a very prolific and commercially successful novelist who wakes up one day in the hospital and doesn't know how she's gotten there - she has a malignant, large brain tumor.

Navigating knowing that she has an incurable illness with her husband and children, she realizes what's important and writes about it.

Knowing that this is a novelization of what Ms. Kinsella is going through just added more tears to the ones I shed for Eve and her family in this book. It's not just a great novel, it's a love letter to her family and just - gah - I'm crying while I type this.

Just read this book. That's all. Read it and then count your blessings.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Sophie Kinsella. This ARC was given to me for an honest review.

This is a short story . It is the authors account of her battle with brain cancer. This is heartbreaking and hopeful. It makes you appreciate the little things in life. I love this author and was appreciative to get a little glimpse into her private struggles. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I was not expecting this book. I have enjoyed Sophie Kinsella’s contemporary romances in the past, I’m not big on cancer books. I requested this based on the cover and author. It is definitely well written, and brave, but not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the Advanced copy. Book to be published October 7,2024.