Fleeing your job and ending up in the seaside resort of your childhood holidays.
The posh hotel of your memory is faded and rundown but you meet Finn. Also escaping from his work situation and burnout.
Sasha and Finn are antagonistic towards each other but that changes as the revisit childhood haunts.
Can romance develop and survive?

I think most of us can relate to feeling completely burnt out in life, and Sophie Kinsella has captured that perfectly in her latest novel, whilst still including plenty of laughter and a heartwarming story. I really enjoyed the cast of quirky and unique characters, as well as the romance element.
Overall a lovely light read!

"I'm wondering almost detachedly how long a human can cry for. What if I can't stop? Freak woman sobs for a year; doctors mystified; Kleenex makes compassionate donation. But no one cries forever."

I’ve read Kinsella novels for a very long time, and usually I think they’re a lot of fun — lighthearted, entertaining and fluffy so they’re always a great time. But this is absolutely fabulous and it’s clear that her stories have grown and evolved with her — capturing the voice of our tired generation and creating something so relatable you’re not sure whether to laugh or cry. From workplace stress, aggravating mothers, and unrealistic expectations; the burnout was such a cathartic read.

Sasha and Finn were so charming. Sasha was painfully relatable and I found so much understanding in her and her deep conviction that the next app she downloads or planner she fills out will be the one to finally get her life on track. And as we see her and Finn in the town they used to visit as kids the relationship between them feels so natural and beautiful as it sneaks up. There were tiny moments where they annoyed me at times, but I always found myself warming up to them and their ridiculous antics again in no time, as things consistently go from weird to worse in a hilariously chaotic mess that can only happen in a book and a little mystery that unfolds in between the pages.

From the first line I connected right away and started giggling to myself about how absurd it is to be a adult today acting like we know what on earth is going on and as we get to know the zany cast of characters in the small sleepy town of Rilston, everything becomes comedic gold but as always there’s that real streak of heart that we know and love.

sophie kinsella never misses! love the romcom of it all and i found it very relevant to life these days - would definitely recommend to anyone look for a fun, easy read!

I haven't read a Sophie Kinsella book in around 15 years and was looking forward to settling into the comfort of reading a much loved author from years gone by. This is exactly what Sophie does best, great book - funny easy to read - with a good mix of likeable characters and a nostalgic storyline. We meet Sasha an overworked single woman, who after a meltdown, takes time off from her job and goes back to Rilsdon Bay where she used to spend time with her family in the summer holidays. She feels burnt out and needs to relax. Whilst there she bumps into another guest and at first they don't seem to like each other, but when strange messages are left on the beach things might not be exactly as it seems. I really liked the characters here and got me thinking about my own hectic life and maybe its time to slow down for a bit! Love when a book makes me do that. I will be recommending this book to others and looking out for more new ones from Sophie/

'I'm sweating through my shirt. My fingers are on fire. I have a million other urgent emails..., I do not have a sec'!

Sasha Worth has become completely and utterly burnt out at work and burnt out on life. She has hit the wall, quite literally. After being forced to take a break from work, she decides to recalibrate by holidaying in the old seaside town of her youth. It's off-season, but it's the beach. It's the sea, fresh air, space, and an old acquaintance she never met. Although he is totally off-putting and rude, they are drawn together trying to figure out just who is leaving mysterious messages on the beach. Just maybe, in solving the mystery, they'll finally realise that life is about living, loving, and sharing, 'No one remembers the wipe outs. They don't! People remember the triumphs'.

Neurotic and chaotic. So Sophie Kinsella. 'The Burnout' is a rom-com that verges on the hysterically ridiculous at times. It's the perfect, light-hearted vacation read, which will give you a giggle and not take much in return. That said, there are warm, fluffy undertones of love and kindness that leave a warmth within your heart.

This was such a fun and entertaining read and it will make a brilliant movie!
Two people meet both suffering from burnout. Something a lot of people can relate to! Is this the right time for romance?

Sasha Worth is director of special promotions for a travel company called Zoose. She's doing the job of three people and soon it will be more seeing that people are leaving the company left right and center.

Joan, the empowerment and well-being officers' approach because her level of engagement in the employee joyful program was not high enough,  was the last straw to break the camel's back. Sasha had enough! She is "Worth" more! (see what I did there 😆)

Who has time for online aspirations mood boards when your email folder is overflowing?!
Her brain kicks into survival mode and tells her to get away and that is exactly what she's going to do but how bad is it if the nuns don't even want you (maybe it's the fact that she is not Catholic)?!
This is how Sasha ends up in Rilston Bay on a wellness break. a Place with many happy memories where she spent her childhood on holiday with her family.
It is out of season so it is just Sasha her  20-step program, her foam roller and yoga mat, and healthy food..... if she can stomach it!
Unfortunately, soon tranquility is broken by an oaf of a man who intrudes on her beach and obviously, the sparks start to fly!

I loved all the side characters, some hilariously funny, and also the little nuggets of wisdom throughout the book.

"Why are you worrying about the sea? The sea sure as hell isn't worrying about you."

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Sasha is tired and overwhelmed at the office because of the amount of work piling up.
After an embarrassing incident she decides to take a break.
Her mother mentions a seaside resort where they went when Sasha was a child so she travels there for a holiday and some quiet time.
Some laugh out load moments and comical situations in this novel that kept me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was invited to read a Netgalley copy of this book from Penguin Random House South Africa.
I was overjoyed! I came across news of the book when I took leave from work for my burnout recovery and had been waiting eagerly for the release.
If you've ever struggled with Burnout, you'd be able to relate to these characters. Sasha works in Marketing at a start-up (as someone who does the same, this book made me feel VERY seen). But after one too many staff leave, Sasha is left feeling overwhelmed. Eventually her family steps in and tries to get her to go on holiday. But her dreams of rest and relaxation are interrupted when she realises that 1) the hotel that she is staying at is in shambles and 2) the other guy, Finn is a grumpy man who snaps at kids.
Sasha is determined to make the best of the experience and it isn't long before she and Finn start to become friends. Finn is also burned out but he doesn't talk much about it.
I loved this book because it made me feel so seen. As someone who struggles with burnout (especially around this time of year), I thought this book was well-written and paints an accurate picture of what burnout looks and feels like. I
I spent the first half of this book, constantly highlighting quotes that I could relate to.
This was a fun, feel-good book that I finished in one go. Pick this up as your next summer read or even if you just want to escape reality.

Sophie Kinsella is definitely back with an almighty bang. What a gorgeous book. Everyone needs a big dose of Sophie’s writing style, and this delivers in an abundance.
There’s an array of amazing characters, that you quickly get drawn into and a heartwarming plot.
I loved this book, I’m just gutted to have finished it.

This is such a brilliant read, so typical of Sophie Kinsella with fabulous main characters in genuine type scenarios but with some utter maniacal magic thrown in. Starting with the wellness manager from hell to the most mortifying scene in Pret via a convent, A&E then the utterly joyful Rilston Hotel which has the absolute ineptness of the Fawlty Towers staff yet they are all so sweet and service orientated that you can’t help loving each of them. It’s not just the main characters, Sasha and Finn that I loved but every single character has something about them although the dynamics between Sasha and Finn were sensational. The setting of a seaside resort in the winter season could have been bleak but there was so much warmth it was great and the uplifting moments involving Terry the surf teacher really added a beautiful dimension. This is wacky, very tongue in cheek in part but joyful and uplifting with so much humour and some of the best characters ever.

This is vintage Sophie Kinsella at her very best. I absolutely loved every single word of it.

The staff at the Rilston hotel are totally hilarious, the various app notifications, the over the top manager, they are all so eager to please, but it has what I would assume to be a slightly Fawlty Towers esque feel to it (I've not technically watched any).

And the dynamics between Finn and Sasha are fabulous. From them fighting over a particularly comfy rock, to insisting on sitting other sides of the dining room, as they are definitely not a couple, its sheer brilliance. Add in the very memorable scene which started with a joyfulness programme at work, ended up with Sasha running into a brick wall, with some utterly film comedy gold moments in between. Not to mention the scene in Pret, which is also very funny.

And those are just a few examples of things to watch out for, while Sasha returns to the Rilston, to recover from Burnout, and Finn is also there for similar reasons. And as they slowly get to know each other, something really lovely develops.

And Sasha's plans for this "wellness break" are so amusing. Ok just about everything tickled me in this book.

It's funny, it's entertaining, it would make a fabulous film, and its completely fabulous!

Thank you to Transworld and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.