Loved this. Charming, predictable, lovely. Also one of the only times my name has been used for a main character! I'd never read Sophie Kinsella before but it felt very contemporary and I flew through it. Would read SK again for sure.

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

A hilarious, heartwarming and fun filled rom-com!

Thanks NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam for both the physical and e-ARCs!

Synopsis -

Sasha is done with her work taking over her entire life. She has now hit a wall both literally and metaphorically. Off to the seaside resort of Rilston, where she used to spend her childhood summers, Sasha is ready for some R&R - as she follows the 20 steps challenge with some yoga, meditation and manifestation in search of peace. But the only problem is the other guy taking up her favorite spot and rock on the beach - Finn and the mysterious messages addressing them.

Review -

Kinsella has been a go-to author for mewhenever I feel jaded with heavier reads or when in a slump. She has done it again with this perfect rendering of enemies to lovers trope with the story of Sasha and Finn - brilliantly employing her gift of looking at the funny/bright side of any serious situation.

Kinsella has chosen a very relevant, important subject matter as the base - burnout. Given the kind of world we live in, our busy lives, work related stress and a million things more, it's so easy to get burnt out, lose the bigger picture and perspective of what we want from life.

Sasha, I found was so relatable. Inundated and hopelessly drowning in her professional life, she forgets what fun and enjoyment are. She has no time for friends or love. As she heads to her beloved summer place of Rilston, what starts as a lost cause, slowly begins to turn around.

I loved Sasha and Finn's initial chicken fights, snarky banter and the pull between them despite the hostility. Kinsella slowly builds up their chemistry and as their romance blossoms - together they embark on a journey of self-transformation; confront their pasts and gradually learn to manage the present and embrace the future.

Impossible not to mention the hotel staff. They bring in all the entertainment as Sasha gets herself into some awkward, laugh out loud situations with her 20 step shenaningans. Add in Finn's wit, sharp sarcasm and cheeky sense of humor- it only gets better with all the more fun.

Believe it or not! Surfing lessons can be life lessons itself and we have Terry to thank for - the surfing coach Sasha & Finn had all those years ago! What a man of simple, practical wisdom! As he himself says, we all need to remember one thing about life - "The ride is it!"

I was so glad to see Sasha & Finn meeting good old man Terry, however different his current circumstances. My heart was so full with joy when the whole community of Rilston revolving around Terry's surfing lessons, comes together in the end. It just goes to show how resilient we humans can be & the wonders a human network can achieve!

Highly recommend if you love an uplifting read!

A fun, entertaining read from Sophie Kinsella. Some giggle out loud moments but also little bits of wisdom, as expected from this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

I’m not going to lie, the start of this book where we meet Sasha and experience her burnout did have me a little stressed out. I think I just related to her so much that my heart rate went up and I was a little short of breath because each and every email and interaction that she experienced, I experienced for her as well and I could just empathise with the way she was feeling. So if you’ve ever felt somewhat overwhelmed at work or felt like there weren’t enough people to make doing your job possible then this book is most definitely for you!

This book isn’t all about burnout though. This book has some classic Sophie Kinsella elements that we know and love. As already mentioned, Sasha is extremely relatable and easy to get along with. I love the fact that she can be silly and serious all at the same time but she pretends that she has it all together because that’s what society expects of women her age. But then there’s this massive nostalgia element for her as well as she heads to the holiday resort she went to as a child for some much needed R and R.

I enjoyed travelling to an ‘off season’ British holiday resort with Sasha. It was a great location for this story because it really does put her and her needs at the forefront. There is no sunshine and holiday makers to distract her and we don’t have to imagine packed beaches. In fact the opposite meant that you could clear your mind with Sasha looking at the waves, feeling the cold sand and the sweeping winds. I really enjoyed the fact that Sahsha got to rediscover this setting through very different eyes and in a very different way to how she went there as a child.

Then we do have to have the romance aspect of a Sophie Kinsella romcom. Finn is a great antidote to Sasha’s hopefulness. They are equally burned out (or so they think) and so they have this in common but don’t seem to be able to find any other common ground until a mystery from their past starts to become prevalent in their present, particularly through mysterious messages on the beach. I liked Finn because he was honest and I think that is a rarity these days. I also loved the rest of the cast of the novel, the hotel staff, the Devon locals and of course Sasha’s mum-they were great antidotes when things in Sasah’s world start to get a bit dark.

I really enjoyed this novel, it felt very classic Sophie Kinsella and I would definitely recommend cosying up with it this autumn and being whisked away to a Devonshire beach for some therapy of your own!

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors for a very good reason she always writes a funny, heartwarming story that grabs you right from the start.
Sasha is slowly disappearing her work is ruling her life there are never enough hours in the day and her emails are out of control and something has to give. I don’t want to ruin the read with what happens next but the Rilston is an unforgettable place to stay and helps Sasha in a lot of ways. A fantastic read as always

This is a book I did not want to end. Honestly I fell so in love with this story. The characters, the location just everything was just beautiful.
This story really captures your heart and stays in your head. There definitely needs to be a second book because I'd love to hear more from these character and I'd love to find out what way the hotel was restored because I bet it will be so lovely.

As someone who has been a fan of Kinsella since the early “Shopaholic” days, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review her latest release, 'The Burnout.'

The character of Sasha, the protagonist of this book, was thoughtfully created, resulting in a relatable and memorable persona. Furthermore, the supporting characters were equally entertaining, making the narrative engaging throughout.

The storyline, which revolves around the theme of personal growth and progress, contributes to the overall feel-good nature of the book, providing a source of inspiration and positivity for the reader. Additionally, the book's humorous and light-hearted moments are enjoyable and will appeal to a broad range of readers, irrespective of their preference for the romance genre.

Personally, I found myself laughing out loud at various points in the book and finishing it quickly, as the story was so engaging.

To conclude, I highly recommend this book as a mood-boosting read that offers a great deal of enjoyment and is well worth the time investment.

Well this was just fabulous! I'm a big Sophie Kinsella fan anyway but this one just hit the spot.
I felt so bad for Sasha she was under so much stress with work that i'm not surprised she cracked!
I really loved reading about her stay at the Rilston and all the silliness that was going on there, It really was just like faulty towers and gave me so many laugh out loud moments.
There was just so much to enjoy and I loved that there was also a bit of romance!
Highly recommend!

This is a very enjoyable and entertaining read. As someone who never seems to have the time to finish my never ending list of tasks, I felt that could relate to Sasha a little.
I loved the location in Devon and there was a great cast of characters. There was plenty of humour, some romance and heartwarming moments. This book is very well written and I found it very engaging.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book. I think readers will relate to the main character.

Sasha, after having more work to do in her job, finds herself completely burnt. She’s so tired and is advised to take a break.

So Sasha decides to go to the place from her childhood to have a holiday and recuperate.

Whilst there she meets someone she remembers, but didn’t actually spoke to him. He’s not that nice and polite, they together, try to solve the mystery of the messages that are left on the beach.

Maybe, in doing this, they’ll realise that life isn’t all about work, there’s so much more to do.

I highly recommend this book.

An entertaining read from Sophie Kinsella. Funny enough to make the reader giggle out loud, as expected from this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

I did like this - it was funny and romantic and I loved the off-season seaside resort setting - but I found Sasha the protagonist absolutely infuriating. It was incredibly frustrating that she didn’t have the confidence to ask for what she wanted, in her job and her love life but also in the small things like going along with the food the hotel and her mother organised for her that she didn’t want.

I am a big Sophie Kinsella fan so I was very excited to read this book.

The book is set in the UK. This is a romantic comedy with a bit of a fun mystery.

The narrator is 33 year old Sasha. She is overworked and completely overwhelmed with life. She works for a travel app and is doing the job of multiple people.

She desperately needs a vacation and decides to go on a wellness adventure at the seaside resort that she loved as a child. It is the off-season and the hotel is in bad shape. But of course the staff at the hotel is full of the most hilarious supporting characters.

Sasha needs to learn how to manage her life without feeling stressed all of the time. The book includes a fun romance. And Sasha and Finn are enemies and friends and there is so much witty banter.

The seaside setting was wonderful. However it did take a while for the story to really get going. But once it did I really enjoyed it. In typical Sophie Kinsella style we have another quirky heroine. And the book is full of funny moments. A definite must read if you are a fan of the author.

A good read well written I like the characters you love or hate them or may be a bit of both it a fun and funny read a bit of a rollercoaster it enjoy it a lot

I haven't picked up a Sophie Kinsella book in quite some time, so it was a delightful return to her writing with "The Burnout." This novel truly captivated me from start to finish. The characters within its pages were well-crafted and took us on an engaging journey that left a lasting impression.
What struck me most about "The Burnout" was its ability to evoke a sense of relatability. We've all experienced that overwhelming feeling of burnout at some point in our lives, and this book masterfully resonated with the struggles we face. Kinsella's storytelling made connecting with the characters and their experiences easy. Moreover, the book strikes a perfect balance between addressing the challenges of burnout and delivering a heartwarming and uplifting message. It doesn't just dwell on the difficulties but also explores the resilience and strength that can emerge from such situations. This positive outlook on overcoming burnout sets it apart from many other books on the subject.
Overall, "The Burnout" is a feel-good read that not only entertains but also offers a mirror to our own lives. It's a testament to Sophie Kinsella's talent in weaving relatable narratives, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and enjoyable literary experience.

I enjoyed the latest of Sophie Kinsella's books. She can always be relied on for a believable. funny and heart warming tale.

Sasha is feeling completely overwhelmed at work - so much so that she attempts not only to join a convent but also literally hits a brick wall when things finally get too much. Her house is a mess, her love life is non-existent and work is a whole other place from hell altogether. She's signed off work for 3 weeks to help her get herself back together, and decides to recuperate at her childhood family holiday destination in Rilston in Devon. Whilst there, she meets a host of eccentric but loveable characters, in the hotel where she is staying, but most importantly meets a rude and obnoxious guest who is also there with his own issues. Sparks fly and together they find out what's important in life.

At first I didn't think I'd be able to read this book - Sasha's feelings at work pretty much echoed my own, so it felt a bit raw. However, it certainly gives you hope that there can be a spark of light at the end of the tunnel. Kinsella's books always make me laugh, and this one also gave brilliant evocative descriptions of a seaside location, and made me yearn to get to the nearest beach to feel some sand between my toes and breathe in the sea air. As you would expect, there are happy endings all round so I felt satisfied once I'd finished it. It's a really easy read too, the author has a way of drawing you in so that you always want to read just one more chapter.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I literally adored this book. I always love Sophie's books and this one is no exception. It was fun and very funny. I liked the fact that even though it was predictable it didn't quite happen in the way you thought it was going to. I liked the way the characters were joined by their past events. Although they didn't know it. I also liked all the messages in the sand and what they came to mean. It was a really good book and I don't want to say too much to spoil it. But you are in for a treat.

Anyone who’s ever felt like they’ve hit a brick wall as regards their professional and personal lives will be nodding along to Sophie’s new read. Protagonist Sasha has had enough: her work is all consuming (and not that enjoyable), her social life is non-existent and she finally comes to the realisation that things needs to change. In the need for revival, Sasha heads to a Devon hotel, a much loved reminder of happier days – but things there have also altered dramatically. While there, she meets uber grumpy Finn, who’s got his own issues to deal with. Sasha wants to spend time in nature, Finn wants to eat pizza on the beach. But when messages start appearing on the sand, they’re forced to chat. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, but also there’s a timely reminder of experiencing life…

I’ve been a Sophia Kinsella fan for a long time, and I really enjoyed The Burnout. There was just a little something missing for me to give it full marks, but it wasn’t far off. It’s a clever, nuanced exploration of stress, anxiety, being unhappy and overworked, and I thought Kinsella did a great job of conveying all these emotions through Sasha and Finn.

If you’ve read books by this author before, you’ll know to expect humour, heart, and a good helping of romance. The Burnout offers all this and more, and it becomes a slow and steady journey of healing and self-discovery.

Sasha and Finn are both relatable characters, and I loved getting to know them and to see their relationship unfold. The setting of a small town holiday hotel resort is also fantastic, and it reminded me of my childhood holidays to Scarborough — I don’t think I ever encountered a creepy puppeteer, though!

The Burnout is well written, engaging, and laugh out loud funny. I personally think it’s a return to form for Sophie Kinsella, and I’m already looking forward to her next book. As far as romcoms go, she’s still one of the very best authors out there!

Reading The Burnout feels like being thrown in the most perfect, nostalgic experience of watching your favorite romcom. It made me genuinely laugh out loud! It made me feel so seen to watch Sasha slowly recover her love for life after such a bad burnout, and the ending was SO satisfying.