Title: The Burnout
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Genre: Romance
Published On: October 10, 2023
Publisher: Random House
Source: digital (Netgalley)
Pages: 403
Synopsis:
Sparks fly in this delightful novel about two burned out professionals who meet at a ramshackle resort on the British seaside—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Party Crasher.
Sasha has had it. She cannot bring herself to respond to another inane, “urgent” (but obviously not at all urgent) email or participate in the corporate employee joyfulness program. She hasn’t seen her friends in months. Sex? Seems like a lot of effort. Even cooking dinner takes far too much planning. Sasha has hit a wall.
Armed with good intentions to drink kale smoothies, try yoga, and find peace, she heads to the seaside resort she loved as a child. But it’s the off season, the hotel is in a dilapidated shambles, and she has to share the beach with the only other a grumpy guy named Finn, who seems as stressed as Sasha. How can she commune with nature when he’s sitting on her favorite rock, watching her? Nor can they agree on how best to alleviate their burnout (manifesting, wild swimming; drinking whisky, getting pizza delivered to the beach).
When curious messages, seemingly addressed to Sasha and Finn, begin to appear on the beach, the two are forced to talk—about everything. How did they get so burned out? Can either of them remember something they used to love? (surfing!) And the question they try and fail to what does the energy between them—flaring even in the face of their bone-deep exhaustion—signify?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
I’ve read a handful of Sophie Kinsella books—with several more waiting on my TBR—and she always makes me laugh. The Burnout is no different. We’ve all felt at the end of our rope at some point, and Sasha has reached her breaking point. She seeks solace somewhere nostalgic, making new friends along the way, and rediscovering who she is again.
I’m having a harder time reviewing this one because while I thought it started AND ended strong, the middle was a bit of a mix for me. There were parts I really enjoyed and parts that felt like they came out of left field (particularly one scene, which made me uncomfortable, for some reason). But I still enjoyed this one, overall.
The beginning of The Burnout has Sasha reaching her breaking point at work. She’s overworked, under-appreciated, and not taking care of herself. And there’s one particular outlandish scene that had me laughing out loud.
She ends up retreating to a beachside hotel she remembers from her childhood, expecting it to be much like she’s remembered it, but it’s a bit dilapidated and deserted. She decides to make the best of it, making new friends and meeting a fellow burnout, Finn, who’s desperate for his own solace.
I was expecting to feel instantly euphoric, as soon as I got onto the beach. And I do. Of course I do. It’s glorious. It’s everything I was hoping for. But quite soon I realize that I also feel a bit strange. A bit tense. There’s a disconcerting feeling in my body that I can’t quite pin down. The solitude feels liberating—but oppressive. The pounding surf is almost too loud. And now I seem to be breathing faster, which is wrong. I should be breathing slower. For God’s sake. Can’t I even do relaxing on the beach?
Sophie Kinsella, The Burnout
I enjoyed the winter beach setting and the quirky hotel staff, but there’s a little bit of a mystery Sasha and Finn are trying to solve that felt weak to me, the reveal seeming anti-climatic. BUT, it’s just a side story, and there’s someone who’s connected to their childhood involved, which I found quite sweet.
It took me almost a week to read this one, which is not typical for a romance. It didn’t have that I-don’t-want-to-set-this-one-down feel to it for me. But I did still enjoy it. I just know it’s not one that I’ll remember for long. However, I’ve seen several of my fellow bloggers giving it higher marks, so it might just be a case of bad timing for me.
If you’re a fan of Kinsella’s books, you’ll enjoy The Burnout, as well. I think it’s worth the read for the hilarious opening and heartwarming ending, at least. I’m always happy to recommend a book that has me smiling!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
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Levels inspired by The Well-Read Librarian from Sourcebooks
About the Author
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.
Sophie 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).
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.
A Song For A Book
While I was reading The Burnout, I was listing to a random playlist and this song came on, which I’d never heard. It seemed pretty perfect for the book, so I’ve chosen to highlight “Island” by Dan Wilson.
If you need an island, I’ll be your island
I know that you tried to find a place to hide
And just couldn’t find it
If you need an island, I’ll be your island
Far away from striving and struggling
I’ll be your island
If you need a mountain, I’ll be your mountain
You and I halfway to the sky, with no one around us
If you need a fire, I’ll be your fire
Send your worries high into the wind
I’ll be your fire
When you’re afraid
Lost in the waves
There’s always a place
Hidden and safe
Where you can stay…
Have you read The Burnout? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
Sorry you didn’t enjoy this as much as I did. I can understand a bit about the mystery. I think what I liked about that part was finding out how their pasts intertwined, and that part where the town rallied for one of their own was terribly sweet.
Yes! I did love the ending, with the town coming all together. It was just the middle part and the mystery that felt a little lacking for me. But that beginning was hilarious!