What a year 2019 has been so far! Busy, productive and full of fun and still time for me to knock out 4 books in January! YES! FOUR books in one month. Doesn’t look like February will allow for more than two but I am still doing great on my 2019 Reading Goal! For my third book read for 2019 I picked up a new book from an author I have LOVED for years. Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella was a must read for me as I have read nearly all of Sophie Kinsella’s books. She is one of my favorite chic lit authors.
Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
After ten years together, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, and beautiful twin girls, and they communicate so seamlessly they finish each other’s sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it’s casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years . . . and panic sets in.
They decide to bring surprises into their marriage to keep it fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me–from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to sexy photo shoots–mishaps arise, with disastrous and comical results. Gradually, surprises turn to shocking truths. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other at all.
My Review of Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
My first experience with Sophie Kinsella’s writing was the Shopaholic series – so funny. I absolutely love the way she writes real life humor. I find myself laughing as I read because I can totally relate to all of her characters. Surprise Me was no different. While there was a bit of seriousness in a few parts of this book it was a feel good novel that I found very easy to read and enjoy.
For anyone that has been married or in a committed relationship for years will relate to this novel. The characters have found themselves looking back on those vows they took at the alter – FOREVER. Forever is a long time…even in a happy marriage. To help the “same thing, different day” feeling Sylvie and Dan decide to start surprising each other with gifts and dates. While this starts off as a success (sort of) in the end it becomes clear that the support in a committed relationship is so important.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good light reading book with a good story line. While I would consider this a chic lit book with a ton of funny parts I did find myself relating very well to Sylvie. Marriage has it’s ups and downs and this books reminds me that marriage takes work and it isn’t always easy even if you can complete your partner’s sentences and thoughts.
Meet Sophie Kinsella
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. She first hit the UK bestseller lists in September 2000 with her first novel in the Shopaholic series – The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (also published as Confessions of a Shopaholic). The book’s heroine, Becky Bloomwood – a fun and feisty financial journalist who loves shopping but is hopeless with money – captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Becky has since featured in seven further bestselling books, Shopaholic Abroad (also published as Shopaholic Takes Manhattan), Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Shopaholic & Sister, Shopaholic & Baby, Mini Shopaholic, Shopaholic to the Stars and Shopaholic to the Rescue. Becky Bloomwood came to the big screen in 2009 with the hit Disney movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy.
Sophie has also written seven standalone novels which have all been bestsellers in the UK, USA and other countries around the world: Can You Keep A Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, Wedding Night, and My Not So Perfect Life, which was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for Best Fiction in 2017.
Sophie wrote her first novel under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, at the tender age of 24, whilst she was working as a financial journalist. The Tennis Party was immediately hailed as a success by critics and the public alike and became a top ten bestseller. She went on to publish six more novels as Madeleine Wickham: A Desirable Residence, Swimming Pool Sunday, The Gatecrasher, The Wedding Girl, Cocktails for Three and Sleeping Arrangements.
Sophie was born in London. She studied music at New College, Oxford, but after a year switched to Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She now lives in London, UK, with her husband and family.
Book 3 down!! On to a great 2019 of reading! I am excited for this journey and goal once again and hope I find some great books to give you reviews on. I have already started book 5 and it is another great one.
Make sure you check out my reading list for 2019 that I have planned so far.
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