Description
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—from #1 New York Times bestselling author 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.
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.
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.
Review
I have read all of Sophie's novels in her different genres and I was really looking forward to reading this book. So, imagine how disappointed I was when I began it and it was just different - can't put my finger on it but I didn't really like it. I wasn't keen on the what I thought the book was going to be about and felt a little disquieted by it.
However, that all changed - thank goodness! - as I got into the book and project "Surprise Me" began and some real laugh out loud moments were forthcoming. The other thing that happened is that we got introduced to Sylvie's workplace and it was divine. I loved the descriptions and really could see myself being there. The owner of Willoughby House where Sylvie works was a brilliant character and so enchanting if not a little eccentric.
This book has a few different story threads to it beside the project "surprise me" so that kept my attention too. Tilda the hilarious neighbour and her son Toby (with his ingenious conspiracy theories) were well drawn characters and I could just imagine all the "secretive" exploits Tilda and Sylvie carried out together. I just loved the episode with the cardigan.
There is a thread in the book which is a little darker and not normally found in one of Sophie's books. It seems as if she has combined her different writing genres into this one book and very successfully too. My initial disquiet did disappear and I loved the book racing through it to find out what would happen.
I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for a copy of the book for review.
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