NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Part love story, part workplace drama, this sharply observed novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world.“Sophie Kinsella keeps her finger on the cultural pulse, while leaving me giddy with laughter. I loved it.”—Jojo Moyes Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, … longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud.
Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.
Sophie Kinsella is celebrated for her vibrant, relatable characters and her great storytelling gifts. Now she returns with all of the wit, warmth, and wisdom that are the hallmarks of her bestsellers to spin this fresh, modern story about presenting the perfect life when the reality is far from the truth.
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Sophie Kinsella keeps her finger on the cultural pulse, while leaving me giddy with laughter. I loved it.
There’s no denying that Sophie Kinsella is one of the best romantic comedy writers around, and My Not So Perfect Life only solidifies her position as queen of the rom com genre. In her latest novel, readers meet Katie. 26 year-old branding professional, full of ideas, and bottom of the totem pole. She is at once desperate to impress her boss, Demeter, and desperate to fit in with the girls she works with. Her parents would love nothing more than for her to move closer to home, but she believes her dreams live in London.
When Katie loses her job unexpectedly and HAS to move home, she gets involved with her dad’s latest business venture: glamping. What results from this is hilarious, romantic, and very real. Katie is one of the most real characters I’ve read in a Sophie Kinsella novel, and this one was just as much about finding yourself as it was about the romance.
If you’re new to Sophie Kinsella or a long-time fan, you’ll find something to love about My Not So Perfect Life!
Question of the week on Buzz: What’s a good rainy day read? Definitely Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life!
Working in the behavioral health field, I see how people present themselves while in the waiting room and then I see the real deal once in my office. The difference can be as extreme as night and day. Lesson? Everything ain’t always as it seems.
It’s just as easy to pass flattering judgments on people as it is to pass those of the more disgruntled sort. People who seem like they have the best life ever rarely do behind closed doors. Let’s face it, no one has a perfect anything. My Not So Perfect Life is a prime example of this train of thought. It was light, funny, heartfelt, unfair, revengeful, a little bit mysterious, redemptive, and real. This book was a joy to read (via audio) and I would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of chick-lit. Kinsella groupie or not, check it out!
My favorite quote:
“I think I’ve finally worked out how to feel good about life. Every time you see someone’s bright-and-shiny, remember: They have their own crappy truths too. Of course they do. And every time you see your own crappy truth and feel despair and think, Is this my life, remember: It’s not. Everyone’s got a bright-and-shiny, even if it’s hard to find sometimes.”
I utterly and completely loved this novel, it was a So Perfect Romantic Comedy!
This was one of the most anticipated books of 2017 for me, having waited for a new standalone Kinsella for 4 years, and it went beyond expectations.
A few pages in, I was already crying for how much I was laughing (yes, the panini incident). Besides unrelenting humor, the story had all the charm, sweetness, and a sprinkle of mystery of the best works from Kinsella.
I adored all the characters in this book. Katie-Cat was a wonderful protagonist to follow. With her country-girl insecurities, “tragic” moments, little pranks, and her big heart. I adored her and loved following the story from inside her head.
Alex made for the perfect book-boyfriend. He’ll sweep you off your feet.
Demeter and all her idiosyncrasies, were the icing on my reading cake.
In short, this book will make you laugh, relax, and leave you with a big AWWW at the end.
I’ve read pretty much everything that Sophie Kinsella has written. Her work is light hearted, funny and easy-to-read. Alex, Katie and Demeter seem like friends! This book moves along and in the end you want to know what happens next with these characters. It’s a quick read and I recommend it.
Probably the best of all Kinsella books so far!
I’m a huge Sophie Kinsella fan, and this might be my favorite book of hers yet!
I love Sophie Kinsella, but this book overall was not one of her best. It was just an ok read.
I’ve been recommending this to my friends who are addicted to social media… and that their life is far better than then think!!
A light comedy that also has heart and soul. Some of the situations at the beginning of the novel reminded me uncomfortably of my own days trying to make ends meet as an early-twenty-something, and I think Sophie Kinsella captures that excitement and angst really well. I admired Katie’s pluck, and the secondary characters are also well-drawn. I loved the theme of mentorship and the slow build of the romance.
A twenty-something woman tries to fit in the corporate world with wit and humor. Sure, her boss is a nightmare, her coworkers are conniving backstabbers — but she loves it, right? When she loses the job of her dreams, she finds out who she really is . . . by glamping! Fun beach read.
Great voice, story and characters.
4.75 Stars!
I’ve read a number of this author’s books and I’ve started to realize that you pretty much know what you’re going to get in one of Sophie Kinsella’s stories, but the overall journey will be different and always entertaining. There’s a comfort level in that and why Kinsella is quickly becoming a go-to author for witty and romantic chick lit. Especially when I need a sure thing after a few duds.
My Not So Perfect Life was definitely one of those sure-things. While there were a couple of slower-moving parts within the story, I enjoyed Katie’s character arc, as well as those of a few secondary characters. The the light mystery twist to Katie’s workplace drama and the empowering conclusion was a sweet story bonus. In the end, it was the slow-burn romance that was deliciously subtle with an effective and swoon-worthy ending, that clinched the story for me. This author knows how to leave the reader with a big smile.
Love this is a summer read!
This had Kinsella’s signature heroine: funny, embarrassing moments, has a corporate job but something happens to it. It was very slow and I never laughed out loud. The romance at the end was great. But this wasnt my favorite. Especially when part of the plot felt like a repeat from another book of hers (I’ve Got Your Number). I appreciated the message at the end about IG and anyone posting on social media not sharing the whole story.
Sophie Kinsella has a fantastic ability to pull in relevant cultural references to her writing and a yurt retreat for hipsters couldn’t possibly be more current, lol. It’s a fun read.
Beginning is boring….gets better as book continues.
Sophie Kinsella tells a good story. Funny with a message.A fun read with a serious message.
One of my favorite authors.
It was funny (sometimes in an unbelievable way).