Surprise Me

I've been putting off reviewing this for SO LONG which is silly because I keep talking about this book, too--the premise REALLY stuck with me, and philosophically, this might actually be the most thought provoking of Kinsella's books.

But anyone who knows my book tastes knows that Sophie Kinsella is my favourite author in the whole entire world (other than Gabrielle Zevin, of course, let's not get carried away.) I don't expect her to be thought provoking, but I expect to laugh out loud. And of course, this had me laughing out loud constantly.

Sylvie is a significantly different character to Kinsella's normal titles, perhaps more similar to later Becky-the-Shopaholic books, but I appreciated that she felt less as though she'd been picked show more up from other novels. I adored the kids so much. So so much.

This isn't the best Kinsella book (ahem, CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?), but I think it's the best of her more recent books and I'm really glad to kind of see that evolution.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (thank you, Dial, I think I literally cried tears when I received the invite!)

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review to come

SOPHIE KINSELLA WHY ARE YOU A PERFECT HUMAN BEING show less

Surprise Me did just that. For the record, this was my first Sophie Kinsella book and I went into it expecting a light chick-lit read. And, no surprise, that’s how it started out. What I didn’t expect was for the main character to show as much personal growth as she did or for the story to touch so skillfully on several real-world topics while holding onto its fun and witty vibe. The author gave a nod to Jenny Colgan in the Acknowledgments section and I wouldn't be surprised if those who enjoy Colgan’s writing would also enjoy this.

My thanks to Random House Books and LibraryThing for an ARC to review.

Sylvie and Dan are so compatible. They can predict what each other are going to do or say. They finish each other’s sentences. They’re so happy together, right? So it would seem until a doctor tells them that they’re both in incredible health and likely to live another 68 years, give or take. Good news or have they just been sentenced to 68 years of same old, same old, with nothing new to look forward to? In order to keep things exciting, they plan to surprise each other, keep things interesting and unpredictable. As Sylvie’s friend Tilda advises, surprises have a way of going wrong. Sylvie and Dan discover this pretty quickly as he buys a sweater in a terrible color for her, gets her a snake, and takes her to lunch with connect show more with an old friend who isn’t really that much of a friend. Sylvie’s surprises don’t go as well either, especially the hilarious photo shoot for boudoir pics where Tilda’s son walks in.... well, you get the picture. As the story progresses, Dan becomes more distant, and Sylvie is convinced he is having an affair after one of his surprises when she first learns of his old girlfriend, Mary.

Every time I read a Sophie Kinsella book, I find myself very uncomfortable. As each story progresses, and I get to know and like/love the characters, I find a way to deal with my distress and connect with the story - I have to know how it all ends! Kinsella is masterful at creating that tension, but also at creating heart and humor in her characters and their lives. This is a fun beach read, good to pick up after reading something more serious, easy to get through in a day or two. show less

I received a free copy of this book from the Librarything Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.

I am becoming a big fan of Sophie Kinsella. Surprise Me is the second of her books that I've read and I knew before I started reading that I was in for a treat. I really love how intelligent and well written the story was. My perception of the characters completely changed toward the end of the story and it was so cleverly done that I couldn't stop thinking about it. The story was simultaneously funny and serious which is how I think life tends to go for me so much of the time. The story was also insightful and thought provoking. This would make a great choice for book club discussions.

Sylvie and Dan have been together for so long that they can finish each other's sentences. One comment from their doctor at their annual visit that they'll likely have almost 70 more years of marriage throws them into an emotional tailspin. They vowed to be together forever so they decide to cope by surprising each other with random and fun ideas. However, the biggest surprise ends up unveiling a huge secret. Will they still be together forever?

Typical of a Sophie Kinsella book, Surprise Me had my cheeks either aching in pain from laughing so hard or burning from secondhand embarrassment from Sylvie's mishaps. Sophie Kinsella has also crafted a wonderful tale by portraying several of the different types of love through varying show more characters. Eros (sexual) love with Sylvie and Dan, Philia (friendship) love with her neighbor Tilda, Storge (familial/parental) love with their daughters, Agape (altruistic) love with their elderly neighbors on the other side, and Ludus (playful and/or flirting) with Robert. These many characters blend into a fun plotline that hit me with a MEGA surprise plot twist.

I highly recommend this book for any adult looking for a fun romance that balances the seriousness of the effects of grief and misunderstandings. My favorite characters were the elderly couple that lived next door and had such pure love and both came across as genuinely sweet.

I would not recommend this book for anyone who might be triggered or offended by the following: grief, parental death, sexually suggestive scenarios, and foul language.

Please note: an electronic ARC of this novel was generously provided through the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

A special thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have also had the pleasure of reviewing My Not So Perfect Life and couldn't wait to read Surprise Me. Sophie Kinsella, you've done it again! I absolutely adore your writing and your words make me smile. (If you haven't listened to one of Kinsella's books, I highly recommend it, especially if narrated by Jayne Entwistle.)

This witty and at times emotional novel takes a closer look at marriage and how we can still be surprised by those we think we know best. Sylvie and Dan have been together for ten blissful years. They have a lovely home life complete with twin girls, fulfilling careers, and an envy worthy relationship. A trip to show more the doctor predicts that they will live for another 68 years—this gives new meaning to "until death us do part" when it spans seven more decades together.

To keep the marriage alive, Project Surprise Me is born. The couple will surprise each other to keep things fresh and exciting. But is seems that each "surprise" exposes the flaws in their relationship and drives them apart.

Sylvie seemingly enjoys her work at a museum even though there are some pretty archaic systems in place—the owner, Mrs. Kendrick resists technology and Sylvie chalks this up to as charming. Mrs. Kendrick's nephew, Robert, takes an interest in the operations of the museum and questions their methods and systems. Is he trying to close down the museum and turn it into two-bedroom condos?

Facing changes both personally and professionally, Sylvie experiences a tremendous amount of growth. She adored her late father and has kept up the Princess Sylvie persona he created as a way to honour him, when in actual fact, she is doing herself and her family a disservice because she is not being true to herself.

I fell in love with the supporting cast of characters, this is really where Kinsella excels at writing. The tender exchanges between Sylvie's neighbours John and Owen were some of the most beautiful writing in the book. One of my favourite quotes is when John says "Love is finding one person infinitely fascinating."

Kinsella's latest work is charming, thoughtful, and simply delightful. show less

I can always count on Kinsella to make me laugh when I need a pick-me-up. This novel has her classic heroine, full of vim and vigour, insecurities and unbridled imagination. There are some comic scenes that made me laugh out loud and although Sylvie's epiphany was predictable, there was enough narrative tension and enjoyable quid pro quo to keep the story going. Delightful as always.