Reviews

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

thebookishlibrarian's review against another edition

After ten years of marriage, a trip to the doctor has sent Sylvie and Dan into a panic when they find out they could potentially be married for another 68 years. Upon hearing this, the couple devise a plan to keep their relationship fresh, and call it Project Surprise Me. They decide to surprise each other in little ways. Soon, the project is in full swing, and they start to realize they might not know each other as well as they originally thought. It was refreshing to read a romance novel about a couple who has already established their relationship.

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

missymoo's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I don't think the book was bad it's just not for me. I didn't feel engaged with the characters I found the most interesting dynamics the art house but that was a side story. None of it felt really developed. 

gr33ntea's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.5

aejohnson85's review

2.0

The main character was hard to like and I found the story hard to connect with. Kinsella’s books are more often misses rather than hits to me anymore. Not sure if this is a reflection on her writing or if I have just outgrown her novels....

colleens_conclusions's review

3.0

I received Surprise Me as an EARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I normally LOVE Sophie Kinsella books aside from one other one. I was excited when she announced that she was having another book come out this year and fell in love with that cover. I mean, look at that cover. That looks like nothing could go wrong, right? The colors are just so pretty and it's cute. The description drew me in also.

But...the first few chapters almost ruined the whole book for me. (Spoiler alert) I just could not understand why Sylvie all of a sudden was like... oh.... I have to be married to my husband for 68 more years? REALLY? Oh my gosh! Whatever British term fits oh my gosh would be good here too. Bullocks? Bloody hell? (Pardon my french there. I really wanted an excuse to sound like Ron Weasley.)

Anyway, she kept going round and around and by chapter five I almost gave up. But I kept pushing through. The surprises parts were really cute, and I did like how her attitude changed towards the last few chapters.

I also really liked Dan as a character and Toby really grew on me. I just wished the beginning could've been written better, but overall I was glad I pushed through that first beginning. It was a fast read for me.

This book was a three out of five star read, but Sophie Kinsella still rates high on my list of authors.

cmrobe06's review against another edition

4.0

While this was not my favorite Sophie Kinsella, it still had a lot of the qualities that I love about her books, a strong and quirky female lead, lots of humor, and a few twists and turns.

racyspacy's review

4.0

Not as fun as her others

brandidean's review

4.0

Not my very favorite Kinsella book, but right up there. I liked it as much as My Not So Perfect Life, and MUCH better than Wedding Night. And unlike in Not So Perfect, I appreciated that her characters were growing older, finally. They’re in their 30s, which clearly gave her some new territory to explore.

doerthe's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

albanueva's review against another edition

4.0

I really needed a feel-good, chick-it to cheer me up, and that's exactly what I got. This is a light, funny and surprisingly moving book. Truly recommended!