Sasha is having a not-great time. She’s hurt, and she’s numb, and she’s kinda done with it. That’s where she’s at when we meet her in The Burnout, and we get to see her learn and grow over the course of the story. If you’re familiar with the experience of burnout in any way, this book will be a good friend to you.
Title: The Burnout
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary
Publication Date: October 10, 2023
Review Date: September 10, 2026
Number of Pages: 416 (hardcover)
My Rating: 5.0/5
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Book Blurb of The Burnout:
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 customer, 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? (Answer: surfing!) And the question they try and fail to ignore: what does the energy between them—flaring even in the face of their bone-deep exhaustion—signify?
Book Review of The Burnout:
I knew this was her last written fiction book, so this book carries a lot of meaning for me even before reading it. I have loved Sophie Kinsella books for many many years now, and I have read almost everything she’s written. Ever since I casually picked up Confessions of a Shopaholic ever so many years ago. I do have a few of her books left to read, and you can be sure I will be reading them slowly.
The Burnout is the last fiction book she wrote. While reading this book, which obviously deals with the topic of burnout, I realized that Sophie Kinsella is a master at creating resonance. She has the skill of creating characters, situations and experiences that resonate so so so deeply. She has the ability to capture the human experience in a beautiful, meaningful way – one that people can relate to. I’ve been reading On Writing by Stephen King, and he says that a good writer is one who is able to create that feeling of resonance in a reader. Sophie Kinsella does it like no other.
I have read many more chick lit books over the years, and really nobody comes close. In my opinion, she is the queen of chick lit. If you disagree I will just assume you haven’t read any of her books yet. Please pick one up.
Coming back to The Burnout, we meet Sasha, the burnout in question who really needs a break. Kinsella captures that vibe accurately, as she does through the book, and indeed, in almost every book she’s written. Sasha is having a not-great time at work and feels many things that will be familiar to people who have experienced not-great work situations. She’s hurt, and she’s numb, and she’s kinda done with it. That’s where she’s at when we meet her, and we get to see her learn and grow over the course of the story.
If you’re familiar with the experience of burnout in any way, this book will be a good friend to you. At no point did I feel like she showcased the healing and growing process to be easier or simpler than it actually is. This is a book about the real thing. No fluffy platitudes here. Yes, it’s chick lit and everything that implies. But good fiction is honest, and this is good fiction.
All the characters are well written as is Kinsella’s way, and the situations, supporting characters, plot progression, detailing, secondary plots, everything is just so well-written. There is a lot of heart and depth and truth in The Burnout. I won’t get into details of any of these points, because for one I don’t want to spoil any of the story for you, and secondly, I don’t even need to get into any of that to be able to tell you this book is worth reading.
Undoubtedly 5 stars.
Do I recommend The Burnout?
Yes!
- to fans of chick lit
- to fans of Sophie Kinsella
- for people who’ve experienced or are currently experiencing burnout!
- if you like contemporary romance
- if you like beach settings and/or want a fun beach read
- if you like surfing!
- if you like a fun ensemble of characters
- if you want to read something that’s good fun, makes you laugh, makes you emotional, teaches you something, and lets you know you’re doing okay, all in one book!
