The Burnout: A Novel by Sophie Kinsella, one of the reigning queens of women’s fiction

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.

“I devoured The Burnout in one greedy gulp. It’s funny, sad, relatable, and brilliantly done. Sophie Kinsella is the queen of romantic comedy.”—Jojo Moyes

She can do anything . . . just not everything.

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 occupant: 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 (Sasha: manifesting, wild swimming; Finn: 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?

Review

“I devoured The Burnout in one greedy gulp. It’s funny, sad, relatable, and brilliantly done. Sophie Kinsella is the queen of romantic comedy.”—Jojo Moyes, bestselling author of Someone Else’s Shoes

“I’ll drop anything for a new Sophie Kinsella. The Burnout is hilarious, sparky and joyful—just the book you need if you’re desperate for a break. I loved seeing Sasha coming back to herself on the windswept beach at Rilston!”—Beth O'Leary, bestselling author of The Flatshare

“Uplifting and full of laugh-out-loud moments! I loved it!”—Heidi Swain, author of The Book-Lovers’ Retreat

“Such a hilarious, joyous, life-affirming book—I never wanted it to end.”—Jenny Colgan, author of The Bookshop on the Corner

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Publishing Group

Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 2, 2024

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Print length ‏ : ‎ 417 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593730410

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9780593730416

Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.19 x 0.94 x 8 inches