The Burnout

 I love this book, but I have 2 problems:
1. The font and formatted text hurt my eyes, so finishing takes so long. (I talk about this version of the book, I wish I had access to other options.)
2. I wish for a bit of a detailed ending 

Sophie Kinsella’s The Burnout is another delightful gem that effortlessly combines humor, heart, and life lessons. With her signature light touch, Kinsella introduces us to a story that feels both relatable and uplifting. The quote, “Pretty much everything I’ve learned in life, I learned from Terry,” encapsulates the wisdom hidden in everyday moments—a theme Kinsella beautifully weaves throughout the book.

The story revolves around a protagonist - Sasha - grappling with burnout—a feeling that so many of us know all too well. The constant chain of emails, endless calls, and never-ending documents at work can wear anyone down, and the main character’s struggles feel incredibly relatable, at least to me. Kinsella captures that all-consuming exhaustion and the yearning to break free with such authenticity that it resonates deeply.

One thing Sophie Kinsella does better than almost anyone else is writing those hilariously cringe-worthy “character is very embarrassed” moments. Whether it’s an awkward misunderstanding, an over-the-top reaction, or just bad luck, she somehow turns even the most mortifying situations into moments of pure comedy gold. In The Burnout, these moments provide just the right balance of levity to the heavier themes, making you laugh out loud while empathizing deeply with characters.

The setting of a run-down resort is a stroke of nostalgia, evoking the magic of childhood summers. The reunion of characters who once visited it as children creates a charming juxtaposition of past and present, and for anyone who’s ever returned to a place that holds treasured memories, it strikes a deeply personal chord.

This story reminded me of my own summers spent at resorts, the way they brimmed with innocence, adventure, and fleeting but cherished connections. Kinsella has a knack for taking what might seem obvious or even mundane and presenting it with a fresh, optimistic lens that feels anything but sanctimonious.

Her books always leave me feeling inspired, happier, and more optimistic about life, and The Burnout is no exception. It’s a perfect read for anyone seeking solace in the chaos, a reminder of life’s joys, and the beauty of rediscovering oneself through reflection, nostalgia, and a touch of whimsy.

4.5

Great dark days of winter read - sweet, light, uplifting

A nice palate cleanser

I've never related so much to a character before :')

I found the beginning of this book to be quite funny and relatable. I can definitely imagine it as a hilarious romcom. Overall, I had a good time reading it. However, I feel like it tried to weave one too many things that in the end felt a bit random and unsatisfying. Between the art thing, the mystery messages thing, the kayak incident, the health kick thing, the hotel drama, and the Terry thing, the actual romance didn't feel as fleshed out as I wanted it to be. And the message behind the story was spelled out so clearly and repeatedly that it felt like I was being talked down to. It's an ok enemies to lovers story, but it's not great. Fun and funny is how I would mainly describe this.

I will, however, keep the phrase “the ride is it” very close to my heart.

As usual, I wanted to save it up because she doesn't write nearly as much as I would like her to. But it is so hard, after laughing out loud with “would you like some brandy?” to Herbert and even if some of the moves are predictable, I think they make her signature and what can I say, I love the woman. Sasha and Finn have my heart just like every character she ever conceived.

I just finished the Burnout by Sophie Kinsella and here is my review.

When Sasha reaches her breaking point, she does it in a spectacular fashion. She quits her job and flees from the office to try and join a Convent. An intervention is needed.

Her mother sends her to a hotel they all used to go to as a child for some much needed R and R.

When she arrives the hotel isn't what she remembers and it's mostly empty due to the fact it is majorly off-season there. Everything is going fine until she has to share the beach with a moody man named Finn.


When weird messages start showing up on the beach, the two of them start to get to know each other and inevitably talk about why they are both so burned out. The chemistry between them starts fizzle and they both remember there is more to life than work.

I am already biased. Sophie Kinsella could rewrite the phone book and I would be first in line to buy it. This book had all the charm and brilliance I know and love from her work. This book pulled me in from the first word and left me with a full heart.

I love Sasha! Her dedication to trying to sort herself out and her super sweet heart... Finn is that grumpy man you can't help but love. I adored how they came together to solve the mystery of the messages on the beach. It was so cute.

The book reminded me that sometimes you have to walk away from something to get some clarity and perspective to be able to come back stronger. Loved the plot and the descriptions of the hotel! It was well paced and I loved every second.

5 stars!!

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for my gifted copy