Scan barcode
purplepenning's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
My first Sophie Kinsella book! Other than being a bit longer than I anticipated (and probably more than a bit longer than the story needed), it was a solid pick! A funny, lighthearted, hopeful British romance with a good dose of "women's fiction" running through it and a even a smidgeon of mystery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
callidoralblack's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
tangerinecutie's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief 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
jenniferbbookdragon's review
funny
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
3.5
Sasha is burned-out, to the point of fleeing her workplace and pleading with a nun to let her join the convent (despite the fact she isn't Catholic). When her family finds out how far she has spiraled, then arrange for her to go to the seaside town they went to every summer when she was a child. In February.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, as I never wanted to read Kinsella's Shopaholic series. The quirky characters at the hotel and the surrounding community were fun, and once Sasha started connecting with the people around her she became much more interesting and relatable. The romance was equal parts funny and sweet, with the challenges common to the genre.
I predict an adaptation, probably on Netflix or Hulu.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, as I never wanted to read Kinsella's Shopaholic series. The quirky characters at the hotel and the surrounding community were fun, and once Sasha started connecting with the people around her she became much more interesting and relatable. The romance was equal parts funny and sweet, with the challenges common to the genre.
I predict an adaptation, probably on Netflix or Hulu.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
A character with dementia is portrayed with compassion, although the word dementia isn't used.katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
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
sariereads's review
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent