Book Review: Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Published February 2018
Dial Press
One-sentence summary:
Sylvie and Dan suddenly wonder if their marriage can stand the test of time.
Sylvie and Dan are that couple.
They finish each other’s sentences. Parenting is a breeze with their perfectly adorable yet not overly intrusive twin daughters. All the gears and widgets of their marriage are in place and running smoothly.
At a routine checkup, they learn that with today’s technology, they have approximately 65 remaining years together. Instead of basking in the warmth and security of long-term love, they freak out. Suddenly, they’re not sure if their up-to-now perfect marriage can make it quite that long.
Can the flame burn hot and bright for 65 long years?
“Surprise me,” Sylvie says. They try to outdo each other in a series of increasingly outlandish and desperate surprise dates and events. After several wrong turns, they realize that maybe they don’t know each other quite as well as they thought. Now the question isn’t whether the marriage can last 65 years. It’s whether the marriage can list this year.
Sophie Kinsella is a bit of a hit and miss author for me. Some of her books are frustrating to the point of stressing me out. Case in point: the Shopaholic series. Why doesn’t she get help for her addiction? Why doesn’t she just tell the truth?
Many of the calamities the more hapless characters face could be easily rectified with an honest conversation. Instead, they dig themselves into these crazy situations in which I can practically hear the slide whistle and “doop de doop” soundtrack.
But other times, Kinsella hits it right on. Can You Keep a Secret, for example, made me laugh out loud. When I come to Kinsella, I expect at least some escapism and fluffiness. But stressy fluff = not fun.
Surprise Me is a refreshing change of pace and shows growth for the author.
We get to visit a couple who has already fallen in love. It’s nice to see what happens after happily ever after. Even with the pratfalls of dates gone wrong, Surprise Me still manages to hit on some real issues couples face.
It’s surprisingly delightful. A lovely and recommended read.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
