The Burnout

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 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.