Skip to content
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

Books to Thrive: Best Books Summaries

  • Self Help
  • Leadership
  • Psychology
  • Health
  • Philosophy
  • Memoir & Biography
  • Fiction
  • History
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Travel Books
Search a Book Summary:
by Book Title or its Author


 

Follow Us

What Does It Feel Like? Summary & Review

 Posted in Fiction 0 Likes 423 Views
TwitterFacebookPinterestRedditVKLinkedinMixPocketOK.RUWhatsAppTumblr

✨ Never Miss a Life-Changing Books Summaries ✨

Join 3,000+ thriving readers at BooksToThrive.com who are leveling up their lives with powerful personal growth content.
Receive weekly book summaries, actionable self-help tips, and productivity hacks — straight to your inbox.
🚫 No fluff. No spam. Just wisdom that works.

Join 366 other subscribers

📚 Love Books but Short on Time?
Join our YouTube channel for quick, powerful book summaries that help you learn faster, grow smarter, and stay inspired!
👉 Subscribe now and never miss a life-changing idea!
🔔 Hit the button for your daily dose of wisdom!
What Does It Feel Like? Summary & Review

Book Summary Contents

  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Book Introduction – A Celebration of Life Amid Struggle
  • 3 What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella Quotes
  • 4 About the Author – Sophie Kinsella
  • 5 Table of Contents (Estimated)
  • 6 Chapter Summaries
    • 6.1 1. The Awakening
    • 6.2 2. A Diagnosis Remembered, Forgotten, Remembered Again
    • 6.3 3. The First Steps
    • 6.4 4. Family Conversations
    • 6.5 5. Moments That Matter
    • 6.6 6. Love in the Little Things
    • 6.7 7. Laughter in the Dark
    • 6.8 8. What Does It Feel Like?
  • 7 Key Takeaways
  • 8 What Does It Feel Like? Summary & Review & Analysis
    • 8.1 Strengths:
    • 8.2 Weaknesses:
    • 8.3 Ideal For:
  • 9 Book Details
  • 10 Explore More Like This
  • 11 Get Your Copy
  • 12 Attachments & References

Introduction

What does it feel like to lose everything you once took for granted—your memory, your mobility, even your words? Sophie Kinsella’s powerful new novel, What Does It Feel Like?, offers a profoundly personal answer. Best known for her witty romantic comedies, Kinsella takes a poignant turn with this semi-autobiographical story that captures the emotional rollercoaster of illness and recovery. In this heartfelt narrative, we follow Eve, a successful novelist, who awakens post-surgery to find her world utterly changed.

This What Does It Feel Like? summary unpacks the novel’s themes of resilience, grief, and love, blending storytelling with deeply personal insight. Readers seeking a moving exploration of life’s fragility and beauty will find comfort, inspiration, and connection within its pages. Whether you’re a fan of Kinsella’s earlier work or a new reader drawn to emotionally rich fiction, this novel promises an unforgettable journey.


Book Introduction – A Celebration of Life Amid Struggle

In What Does It Feel Like?, Sophie Kinsella departs from her trademark light-hearted romances to share her most personal story yet. The novel centers on Eve, a bestselling author who wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband gently informs her that she’s undergone brain surgery to remove a malignant tumor.

What follows is Eve’s raw, emotional, and often humorous path to recovery—learning to walk, speak, and write all over again—while contemplating how to break the news to her children. Told through fragmented but powerful anecdotes, the book reflects on the simple pleasures that remain when everything else is stripped away.

This novel is not just about illness—it’s about resilience, human connection, and rediscovering what really matters.


What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella Quotes

  1. “What does it feel like to have five children?” people ask, and all she can say is, “The same as having one child, times five.” The work is multiplied, the worry is multiplied, the joy is multiplied, the love is multiplied.

  2. “I don’t need to do any more of that stuff. I just need to be around. Have fun with the children. Have fun with you. See friends. Small pleasures.”

  3. “You’re not the boss anymore. Apparently not. Fate’s the boss. And there are no teasers. All we can do is wait and see what happens.”

  4. “Fate’s the boss. And there are no teasers. All we can do is wait and see what happens.”

  5. “But when it comes to this, all we want, above anything else, is a spoiler. We desperately want the doctors to give us the spoiler, but they can’t, because they don’t know either.” (2 likes)

  6. “I’m a novelist. I’m used to being God. I decide on the ending before I begin.”

  7. “And right at that moment, this is her only aim in life, the only happy ending she wants. Just to keep going.”

  8. “It warms her, to think of herself as part of a community, even if it’s not a community she would have chosen to join.”

  9. “Visualize going into a bookshop and finding the perfect book. […] Then write that book. And above all, write the truth. […] I mean write the truth about life, whatever genre you’re in.”

  10. “It doesn’t matter if anyone knows the answer, it can be good to ask the question anyway. And then we can all think about it and talk about it, maybe.”

  11. “If you buy the dress, the occasion will come.”

  12. “You have incurable cancer, my beautiful Eve. But you keep forgetting and I have to keep reminding you and these are the hardest moments of my life.”


About the Author – Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is the internationally bestselling author of the Shopaholic series, as well as numerous standalone novels including Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, and I Owe You One. Born Madeleine Wickham, she began her career as a financial journalist before turning to fiction. Known for her charming, humorous style and relatable characters, Kinsella has sold over 45 million books worldwide.

In 2024, she publicly revealed her diagnosis of glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer, making What Does It Feel Like? her most vulnerable and authentic work to date.

What Does It Feel Like? Summary & Review
Author’s image source: wikipedia.org

Table of Contents (Estimated)

  1. The Awakening – Eve’s return to consciousness

  2. A Diagnosis Remembered, Forgotten, Remembered Again

  3. The First Steps – Relearning basic skills

  4. Family Conversations – To tell or not to tell

  5. Moments That Matter – Memory, joy, and connection

  6. Love in the Little Things – Intimacy and devotion

  7. Laughter in the Dark – Humor amid grief

  8. What Does It Feel Like? – Answering the unanswerable


Chapter Summaries

1. The Awakening

Eve wakes up disoriented, her mind fogged. She doesn’t know where she is or why. Her husband gently explains the surgery, sparking a confusing mix of fear, vulnerability, and hope.

2. A Diagnosis Remembered, Forgotten, Remembered Again

Due to short-term memory loss, Eve must be reminded over and over again of her condition. This chapter explores her internal struggles with the weight of her illness.

3. The First Steps

In rehab, Eve battles to reclaim her physical abilities. Walking, writing, and talking become milestones of perseverance, with emotional ups and downs that test her spirit.

4. Family Conversations

Eve wrestles with the heart-wrenching decision of how and when to tell her children about her illness. The emotional weight of motherhood takes center stage.

5. Moments That Matter

This chapter zooms in on seemingly trivial moments—like buying a dress or playing a board game—and magnifies their emotional significance.

6. Love in the Little Things

Eve finds strength in the everyday affection of her husband. Their quiet, steady relationship becomes an anchor in her turbulent recovery.

7. Laughter in the Dark

Despite the bleak circumstances, Eve’s wit shines. This chapter brings in the signature Kinsella humor, showing how laughter can be a form of healing.

8. What Does It Feel Like?

The final chapter poses the question the book has been exploring all along. Eve, and by extension Kinsella, offers a poignant reflection on living with illness, memory, and meaning.


Key Takeaways

  • Life is in the details: Small, everyday joys can carry immense emotional weight.

  • Illness doesn’t define identity: Eve remains herself despite the cognitive challenges.

  • Family is a cornerstone of strength: Love and support are essential in healing.

  • Humor can coexist with grief: Laughter provides emotional resilience.

  • Writing as therapy: Eve—and Kinsella—use writing to make sense of life’s pain.

  • Memory is fragile but meaningful: Even partial memories shape our perception of life.

  • Grief is non-linear: The journey through illness and recovery isn’t a straight path.

  • Facing the unknown is brave: Eve’s choice to be present for her family shows quiet courage.


What Does It Feel Like? Summary & Review & Analysis

Sophie Kinsella’s writing in What Does It Feel Like? is stripped down, intimate, and courageous. Her usual wit is present but more subdued, taking a backseat to deeper emotional resonance. The narrative structure—short, self-contained anecdotes—mirrors the fragmented way memory and trauma often work, making the experience feel authentic.

Strengths:

  • Deeply emotional and personal

  • Honest portrayal of illness and recovery

  • Beautifully written and paced

  • Balances grief with moments of levity

Weaknesses:

  • Short length may leave some readers wanting more detail

  • Nonlinear format might feel disjointed to some

Ideal For:

  • Fans of character-driven, emotionally rich fiction

  • Readers navigating illness, grief, or caregiving

  • Long-time Kinsella fans looking for something more personal and raw


Book Details

  • Title: What Does It Feel Like?

  • Author: Sophie Kinsella

  • Publication Year: 2024

  • Publisher: The Dial Press

  • Pages: Approx. 144 pages

  • Language: English

books to thrive book summaries

Explore More Like This

Check out our summaries of:

  • Count My Lies Summary – A Gripping Tale of Lies, Obsession & Deception
  • Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl Summary: A Profound Journey Through Hope, Humanity, and History

Get Your Copy

  • What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
  • Explore Similar Books

Attachments & References

  • Amazon’s book page
  • Goodreaders’s book page
  • Author’s image source: wikipedia.org
  • Book Cover: Amazon.com
  • Quote sources: Goodreads
Tagged Sophie Kinsella, what does it feel like summary

Post navigation

Beach House Rules Summary: A Heartwarming Tale of Resilience →
← Is She Really Going Out with Him? Summary & Review

Related Posts & Summaries

Here One Moment Summary
0 1302

Gripping & Emotional Here One Moment Summary – Unlock Fate’s Secrets!

Heart-Stopping & Hopeful: My Deep Dive into Liane Moriarty's "Here One Moment Summary" Okay, let’s...
Posted in Fiction
Julie Chan Is Dead Summary
0 586

Julie Chan Is Dead Summary: A Twisted Dive into Influencer Culture

Introduction In an era where social media dictates reality, Liann Zhang's debut novel, Julie Chan...
Posted in Fiction
Vicious Circle Summary
0 285

Vicious Circle Summary A Heart-Pounding Descent into Revenge & Redemption

Gripping Vicious Circle Summary: Justice, Revenge & Survival! When I cracked open C.J. Box’s Vicious Circle,...
Posted in Fiction
Last Shield by Mary Stone Summary and Review
0 454

Last Shield Summary and Review Gripping FBI Thriller Revealed by Mary Stone

  Introduction: A Killer Among Them Last Shield by Mary Stone plunges readers back into...
Posted in Fiction
Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary
0 654

Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary Shattered Hearts & Magic by Stephanie Garber

Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary – The Thrilling Journey of Love, Betrayal, and Fate...
Posted in Fiction
Fall With Me by Becka Mack Summary
0 606

Fall With Me Summary: Love, Growth & Second Chances by Becka Mack

Introduction: Why Fall With Me Captivates Romance Readers Love rarely arrives when expected, and that’s...
Posted in Fiction
The Tipping Point Summary
0 938

The Tipping Point Summary: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell

Introduction The Tipping Point Summary: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm...
Posted in Psychology
Supercommunicators Book Summary
0 515

Supercommunicators Summary: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection?

Introduction Supercommunicators Summary explores the transformative ideas in Charles Duhigg’s groundbreaking work on communication. In...
Posted in Self Help
The Light of All That Falls summary
0 278

Unforgettable Finale! Gripping The Light of All That Falls Summary Revealed

Heart-Pounding & Mind-Bending: My Deep Dive into The Light of All That Falls Summary by...
Posted in Fiction
Emotional Intelligence Summary
0 676

Emotional Intelligence Summary: Mastering the Key to Lasting Success

Introduction to Emotional Intelligence Summary Mastering the Key to Lasting Success, Relationships, and Personal Growth...
Posted in Psychology

Top Posts & Summaries

  • Project Hail Mary Summary & Review: A Sci-Fi Survival Epic Unpacked
    Project Hail Mary Summary & Review: A Sci-Fi Survival Epic Unpacked
  • The Last House on Needless Street Summary: Twisted Thriller Unraveled
    The Last House on Needless Street Summary: Twisted Thriller Unraveled
  • My Friends Summary – A Masterpiece of Emotional Storytelling
    My Friends Summary – A Masterpiece of Emotional Storytelling
  • The Lost Passenger Summary: A Gripping Tale of Survival and Reinvention
    The Lost Passenger Summary: A Gripping Tale of Survival and Reinvention
  • The Perfect Marriage Summary: A Gripping Thriller
    The Perfect Marriage Summary: A Gripping Thriller
  • Jasmine’s Secret: I'm Here to Help Summary & Twist
    Jasmine’s Secret: I'm Here to Help Summary & Twist
  • Heart-Pounding 12 Months to Live Summary: Justice vs. Death
    Heart-Pounding 12 Months to Live Summary: Justice vs. Death
  • Speak to Me of Home Summary: Jeanine Cummins’ Multigenerational Masterpiece
    Speak to Me of Home Summary: Jeanine Cummins’ Multigenerational Masterpiece
  • The Book of Lost Names Summary A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Courage
    The Book of Lost Names Summary A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Courage
  • The Book Thief Summary: A Story Told by Death, Written by Life
    The Book Thief Summary: A Story Told by Death, Written by Life

Random Posts & Summaries

Homeseeking Summary
0 439

Homeseeking Summary: A Heartbreaking Tale of Love, Loss, and the Search for Home

Introduction: Homeseeking Summary & Analysis "A single choice can define...
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop Summary
0 485

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop Summary

Introduction: Finding Solace in Pages and Second Chances Welcome to...
All the Sinners Bleed Summary
0 436

All the Sinners Bleed Summary: A Gripping Tale of Corruption

Introduction: All the Sinners Bleed Summary In All the Sinners...
The Midnight Library Summary
0 567

The Midnight Library Summary: A Journey Through Regret

Introduction: What If You Could Live All Your Possible Lives?...
The Grapes of Wrath Summary
0 508

The Grapes of Wrath Summary: A Timeless Tale of Struggle and Hope

  The Grapes of Wrath Summary: Why The Grapes of...
Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary
0 654

Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary Shattered Hearts & Magic by Stephanie Garber

Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary – The Thrilling Journey...
The Stranger in the Lifeboat summary
0 320

The Stranger in the Lifeboat Summary by Mitch Albom

Soul-Stirring Mystery: Essential The Stranger in the Lifeboat Summary What...
Throne of the Fallen Summary
0 531

Throne of the Fallen Summary: Dark Romance and Sinful Secrets

Introduction: What Is Throne of the Fallen and Why Everyone's...
It Starts with Us Summary
0 353

It Starts with Us Summary Hope & Second Chances

Heartfelt It Starts with Us Summary: Love After Trauma Why...
Never Lie Book Summary
0 740

Never Lie Summary A Novel by Freida McFadden

Introduction to Never Lie Summary a Novel by Freida McFadden...
Glow of the Everflame Summary
0 619

Glow of the Everflame Summary: A Thrilling Fantasy Romance by Penn Cole

Introduction: What Makes Glow of the Everflame a Must-Read Fantasy...
The Black Kids Summary
0 342

The Black Kids Summary: A Powerful Tale of Race and Privilege

Introduction: The Black Kids Summary: A Powerful Tale of Race...
Lead Smart Summary
0 849

Lead Smart Summary How to Build and Lead Highly Productive Teams

Introduction Lead Smart Summary How to Build and Lead Highly...
Love's Most Wanted Crenshaw Kings Summary
0 381

Love’s Most Wanted Crenshaw Kings Summary & Deep Dive

Love's Most Wanted Crenshaw Kings Summary: Secrets, Love & Redemption...
Kiss The Villain Summary
0 583

Kiss The Villain Summary: Dark Romance Unraveled

Introduction to Kiss The Villain Summary Kiss the Villain Summary:...
Outlander Book Summary
0 464

Outlander Book Summary: An Epic Love Story Across Time

Introduction: What if you could travel through time and find...
The Negativity Fast Summary
1 813

The Negativity Fast Summary – Boost Positivity and Success

Introduction The Negativity Fast Summary:The Negativity Fast by Anthony Iannarino...
Disappoint Me Summary
0 499

Disappoint Me Summary: A Sharp, Tender Portrait of Queer Love

Introduction to Disappoint Me Summary A Love Story That Cuts...
Keep It in the Family Summary
0 508

Keep It in the Family Summary: A Chilling Domestic Thriller by John Marrs

Keep It in the Family by John Marrs is a...
Penitence Book Summary
0 519

Penitence Summary: A Tale of Guilt and Unbreakable Bonds

An Unforgettable Story That Asks: Can We Ever Truly Be...

Find Us

Categories

  • Business
  • Fiction
  • Health Books
  • History
  • Leadership
  • Memoir & Biography
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Self Help
  • Travel Books

Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Contact Us

    Follow US

    Books To Thrive

    Book To Thrive Best Books Summaries: suggests a focus on books that are aimed at helping individuals grow, succeed, and improve their lives.

    It implies that the content on the site is geared toward personal development, self-help, or resources that contribute to thriving in life.

    We convey a message of empowerment and progress through reading and learning.

    Our mission is to provide curated summaries and reviews of transformative books that inspire success, self-improvement, and thriving in every aspect of life.

    Archives

    • July 2025 (64)
    • June 2025 (268)
    • May 2025 (324)
    • April 2025 (23)
    • March 2025 (18)
    • February 2025 (9)
    • January 2025 (3)
    • December 2024 (12)
    • November 2024 (11)
    • October 2024 (48)
    • September 2024 (29)

    New Books Summaries

    • Killers of the Flower Moon Summary: America’s Dark Secret
    • My Raw Burn Book Summary of Kara Swisher’s Tech Betrayal
    • Sociopath Summary Inside a Mind That Feels “Nothing” (But Isn’t Evil)
    • Get It Together Summary Raw Truths on Trauma Driving Political Fringe!
    • Geography’s Power: Guns Germs and Steel Summary
    • The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine Summary: Heartbreaking Truth
    • Fired Up Summary: Unleash Your Courage & Live Fully Now!
    • Small And Mighty Summary 12 Forgotten Heroes Who Built America!
    • Sensitive Summary: Stop Hiding Your Superpowers – Thrive Now!
    • God of Malice Summary Unlock the Darkness

    BooksToThrive.Com

    Discover more from Books to Thrive: Best Books Summaries

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading