I’m a big fan of author’s works and her last two books “ I owe you one” and “ Surprise me” were a little disappointing for me. ( Actually since I’ve read “ I’ve got your name”, I haven’t found any of her books so much adorable. I truly missed her optimistic, clumsy but likable heroines and smart,funny, feel good stories like first books of Shopaholic series and “ Can you keep a secret”, “Twenties girl”) But as I take out my phone, I see that it’s from Seth, the guy I had a date with last week. The one who said nothing, the whole evening. Nothing.

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of I Owe You One , an utterly delightful novel about a woman who ditches her dating app for a writer's retreat in Italy - only to find that real love comes with its own filters. Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest reviewWhen the main characters returned from Italy, they were much different characters than the people they started out as, especially Ava who we read about briefly before the trip. These changes were not due to a difference of vacation versus real life. I feel Ava's personality and her character as a whole was drastically altered from the character we read about in the beginning of the book. Girls Night In (2004) (an omnibus of novels, along with many authors including Meg Cabot and Jennifer Weiner) Hello, Ava. After consideration I have decided our relationship is not something I can continue with.

My first Sophie Kinsella book. I’m trying to read sunnier books in 2021 and finally giving a Sophie Kinsella a chance (after many recommendations, even though they’ve never appealed to me before). I eye-roll very deliberately toward the phone. Although I know he can’t see me, I have this very slight theory that you can somehow convey emotions through your phone.

Need Help?

Sophie Kinsella has sold over 40 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries, and she has been translated into over 40 languages. Ava, wanting to finish that novel she's been working on for a bit too long, goes to a writer's retreat at a monastery in Italy where the participants are not allowed to know each other's real name or identity. The focus, after all is on writing, not who you are or what you have done, right? Ava takes the name of Aria and "cute guy" calls himself Dutch! Aria and Dutch definitely notice each other and ditch class for an afternoon at the beach. It seems to be 'love at first sight'! You see, Eva/Aria is a hopeful romantic who believes in the old fashion ways of finding love, not the on-line stuff that seems so impersonal! She now sees 'hearts and flowers' with Dutch - seriously she does!

Anyway, so it’s been a learning curve. When Harold first arrived at my flat, he had a freak-out. He was quite clearly saying, “What have I done, agreeing to live with you?” And I had similar wobbles. There was quite a lot of howling, on both sides. But now I can’t imagine life without him. Yet here I am, planning to leave him for a week. Without giving away the plot I have to say there were several unique heartwarming aspects I loved most. One is Ava’s dog, Harold, who is a character unto himself. Another is Ava’s close friend Nell. Nell has a serious illness and all her friends rally around her. Her disability is presented always in a realistic, kind and well-considered way. As someone who has had my own health challenges in the past, I love to see disabled characters thriving in books, particularly romantic books like this one. And my final two favorite things were the two main characters. As always, Kinsella creates a magical and vibrant world in which you can totally lose yourself. I always emerge happier after reading one of her colorful novels, which are always a little deeper than they first seem. The premise ended up being preposterous and unbelievable. How could anyone fall in love in less than a week, plus do it without knowing not one thing about the other? Not even their real name? I can’t take you to Italy, Harold,” I say, swallowing hard. “I’ve told you that. But it won’t be long. I promise. A week. That’s all.” There's another friend whose whole thing is asking people for favors all the time, which is really weird. I think it's supposed to be humorous, but it's literally the character's entire personality that she's just always asking people to do things for her. There's another friend who is described as ugly when we first meet him because he's "hulk-like" and has acne. Then, every time after that when he is mentioned, we get a reminder that he has super bad acne and is super ugly - in case you didn't remember from all the other times it was said. You WILL know that he's ugly and has acne.Ava herself is so immature, overly hyper, and desperate to be “in love”. I thought I was reading about a high school child rather than a grown woman. Her only redeeming quality is her love for dogs. Actually, not one of the characters were likable except Harold the dog and maybe a few of Ava’s friends. The best thing about reading Love Your Life was that I got to buddy read it with my friend Amanda (her thoughts are similar to mine, if you wondered). I eye-roll very deliberately towards the phone. Although I know he can’t see me, I have this very slight theory that you can somehow convey emotions through your phone. (I haven’t shared this theory with anyone, because most people are quite narrow-minded, I find. Even my best friends.)

Sophie’s latest novel, Surprise Me, published in February 2018, presents a humorous yet moving portrait of a marriage—its intricacies, comforts, and complications. Surprise Me reveals that hidden layers in a close relationship are often yet to be discovered. As if he can read my mind, Harold gives a sympathetic whine and rubs his nose against my leg. You see? If that doesn’t prove the world is interconnected, then what does? I can’t take you to Italy, Harold,’ I say, swallowing hard. ‘I’ve told you that. But it won’t be long. I promise. A week. That’s all.’

Select a format:

A sweet, mishap-filled look at what it takes to create lasting love between two people with separate lives. Whether you're a fan of Sophie Kinsella, or just in need of a bit of escapism, her latest novel offers a whole lotta love and a little light relief, which is what we all need right now. Heat I was witness to a crime and now I need to give very specific, detailed evidence about something I can’t remember. Shit.