Surprise Me: A Novel

Sophie Kinsella

Feb 2018 · Sold by Dial Press

About this ebook

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Party Crasher and Love Your Life comes a witty and emotionally charged novel that delves into the heart of a marriage, and how those we love and think we know best can sometimes surprise us the most

“Sophie Kinsella keeps her finger on the cultural pulse, while leaving me giddy with laughter.”—Jojo Moyes, author of The Giver of Stars and The Last Letter from Your Lover
 
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.
           
With a colorful cast of eccentric characters, razor-sharp observations, and her signature wit and charm, Sophie Kinsella 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.

Praise for Surprise Me

“Genuinely funny.”—The New York Times Book Review
 
“A delightful take on the mixed blessings of marital longevity.”—People

“Unexpected and wholly satisfying.”—USA Today

“In her signature fashion, Sophie Kinsella brings a cast of quirky, funny characters to this new work. [She] keeps the laughs coming. . . . Readers will follow the story with bated breath as the couple struggle to make their marriage right after everything they thought they knew about each other proves wrong.”—Library Journal
 
“Heartfelt . . . What at first seems like a light novel about familiar woes turns into a deeper story about trust, family, and perception.”—Publishers Weekly

“Winsome and zesty, Kinsella’s latest delivers all the hallmarks her many fans have come to expect.”—Booklist
 
“Pure fun . . . a hilariously moving look at marriage and the power of mixing things up.”—Kirkus Reviews

Ratings and reviews

I am voluntarily submitting my review after receiving an ARC of this ebook via NetGalley. I should preface my review by saying that I am a HUGE Sophie Kinsella fan and await each of her books with baited breath. Surprise Me, while not my favorite of her novels, did not disappoint. In this latest standalone novel, Kinsella explores marriage, love, trust and the disillusionment that inevitably comes with comparing your life to an ideal built in your mind as well as confronting the truth when the clay feet of your idols are revealed. Necessarily, by virtue of the topic, Surprise Me is somewhat darker than many of Kinsella's previous novels, but Kinsella manages to retain the humor her fans know and love. Her signature style and "snark" pervades the entire novel, keeping the overall tone upbeat and fun. While this book seems to be a move toward more serious subject material, fans of Sophie Kinsella will recognize and appreciate her deft and humorous handling of subject, character and language.

It has been a while since I have read one of Sophie Kinsella's books and I am delighted that I had the opportunity to read this advance copy provided by NetGalley. We first meet Dan and Sylvie Winter ten years after they first met at a friend's birthday party. Now married, they appear to be the perfect couple: married for seven years, they can complete each other's unfinished sentences, predict what the other will order from a restaurant menu, are the parents of twin girls, and both in good health. Oh, wait! It is the good health issue that creates a panic when the doctor tells them that they are both in excellent health and can expect to have another 68 years together. Dan and Sylvie decide that they need to spice up their life with a few surprises. What are those surprises? I am not going to say but will tell you that they add some very real flavor to the story. As a reader, I enjoyed riding the range of emotions that the author helps us feel. There are moments where I laughed and others where I wondered if this marriage was going to survive. The relationships that Dan and Sylvie have with other characters serve to enhance the story. I suggest that you pick up a copy of this book. I do not think you will be disappointed. As mentioned above, I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. However, the decision to review and all opinions are strictly my own.

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella is a funny and insightful look into marriage. Dan and Sylvie have been together for 10 years and know each other so well, they speak in short-hand and can finish each other’s thoughts. Everything is perfect. Or is it? After a visit to a doctor for a life insurance policy they find out they are so healthy they’ll be able to be together for another sixty-eight years. 68 YEARS! The thought of so much more time together seems daunting. If they know each other so well now after 1 decade, how will they keep each other engaged or interested for 7 more decades? Sylvie decides the answer is for them to surprise each other to keep things “fresh.” “Surprises have a bad habit of going wrong.” – Tilda Sylvie’s best friend, Tilda, is supportive, but thinks these surprises could end in unwanted and unexpected ways. As the surprises begin they are fun and flirty, but quickly raise questions about each other and their marriage. Dan is reintroduced to a past romance from college and Sylvie begins to question everything she thought she knew about herself, her job and even her father. Can their marriage withstand all of these surprises? Each surprise seems to raise more questions and causes Sylvie to question if she ever really knew Dan. Does he really know her? I really enjoyed Surprise Me and definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a fun and a little thought-provoking read about marriage. Four stars.

About the author

Sophie Kinsella is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, as well as the novels 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. She lives between London and the country.