Scan barcode
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Death of parent
gemloukay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sasha has reached the end of her tether with work. Her team is understaffed, the emails keep piling up and the joyfulness programme and mood board are a corporate joke. When she gets told that another person has quit, she loses it and after a series of weird (and yet believable) turns of events, promptly puts herself in hospital from walking head first into a brick wall. Literally.
When Sasha’s mum decides that a break to her favourite childhood holiday spot would do her good (complete with a 20 step wellness plan, kale smoothies and yoga), she embarks on a journey of self discovery. Finn also has found himself back at the beach of his childhood and is self medicating his woes with whisky, pizza and sarcasm. They also find themselves staying at the once swanky and now dilapidated hotel, with quirky staff and 1970s decor. Will they find themselves or maybe even find each other?
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were believable, the hotel was like Fawlty Towers and I was left with a feeling of wanting to visit the beach and learn to surf. Surfing guru Terry’s words of wisdom had me in tears and the ending was just perfect.
When Sasha’s mum decides that a break to her favourite childhood holiday spot would do her good (complete with a 20 step wellness plan, kale smoothies and yoga), she embarks on a journey of self discovery. Finn also has found himself back at the beach of his childhood and is self medicating his woes with whisky, pizza and sarcasm. They also find themselves staying at the once swanky and now dilapidated hotel, with quirky staff and 1970s decor. Will they find themselves or maybe even find each other?
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were believable, the hotel was like Fawlty Towers and I was left with a feeling of wanting to visit the beach and learn to surf. Surfing guru Terry’s words of wisdom had me in tears and the ending was just perfect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Dementia, and Grief
thebookishowl4's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Injury/Injury detail
aseel_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This has some full on aloud laughing moments, it was also pretty adorable at times, especially the stuff with Terry. I'm also glad she got her payback with that annoying work person. Of course, this was a typical work related depication of burnout, which is important but if only mine was so easily fixed with going on holiday and having work life balance 😔
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
enchanting_redhead's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have read Most of Sophie Kinsella’s books over the years and was always excited for a new one to come out. However, recently I feel like I have somewhat grown out of her writing style. Her characters now seem often over the top to me and do not resonate with me anymore like they used to.
The staff at the Rilston appears to me unrealistic and in a forced way lovable. Sasha, the main character, reminds me of most of Kinsella’s main characters. She has a hard time standing up for herself (in the beginning of the book) and resorts to ridiculous measures to avoid or fix her problems.
One thing that truly annoyed me though was the way Terry the surf teacher is described. He has become older and from the way he is described he clearly has some form of dementia. Instead of calling it dementia though, he is described as “not being quite right”. I don’t see this as helpful, but maybe I am missing something.
Overall it still is a good book and I had enjoyable moments reading it that touched me or made me laugh. But I might not read to many Kinsella books in the future.
The staff at the Rilston appears to me unrealistic and in a forced way lovable. Sasha, the main character, reminds me of most of Kinsella’s main characters. She has a hard time standing up for herself (in the beginning of the book) and resorts to ridiculous measures to avoid or fix her problems.
One thing that truly annoyed me though was the way Terry the surf teacher is described. He has become older and from the way he is described he clearly has some form of dementia. Instead of calling it dementia though, he is described as “not being quite right”. I don’t see this as helpful, but maybe I am missing something.
Overall it still is a good book and I had enjoyable moments reading it that touched me or made me laugh. But I might not read to many Kinsella books in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
thebruce's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcohol
Minor: Dementia
bmceleney's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Death of parent
katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
emilylovesgoodbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Death of parent
bringmybooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thank you to NetGalley, The Dial Press, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Ahhhh, Sophie Kinsella. Love it or hate it, there’s no in between (for me). This wasn’t one of my more recent favs (see: Party Crasher, which I LOVED), but I think for some of her die hard fans it’ll be just fine.
A couple notes:
The first 10% is classic Kinsella and I loved that
There’s a tiny bit of instalove, meh
A big part of the subplot is just that … sub(par)
This would make a fantastic movie but novelization didn’t hit right
If this gets made into a movie I will watch it for Herbert alone and that is not a lie
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol