REVIEW: The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

In The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella, Sasha Worth feels like her life is basically reliving the same day over and over again with nothing to show for it–well, aside from more work being doled out to her. And she’s not sure how much more she can take. After a bit of a breakdown (read: a *major* breakdown) in the office when yet another person’s work is lumped onto her shoulders, Sasha takes a much-needed respite. The ocean and the grandeur of the Rilston Hotel–one of her family’s favorite spots during her childhood–should do the trick nicely. But her plans of focusing on health and mental wellness go sideways when the hotel looks to be barely standing. And even Sasha’s favorite beach spots are being stolen, day by day, by the only other hotel guest, Finn Birchall.

‘Finn really is much less annoying than a lot of men, I find myself thinking. Which I appreciate doesn’t sound like much of a compliment–but it is.’

Sasha’s first impression of Finn isn’t good. He seems broody, angry, and one second away from yelling at anyone who dares come near him. But as they are forced to coexist in less than stellar accommodations and nowhere to go without crossing paths daily, Sasha figures out how wrong she was about Finn. Underneath his prickly exterior is a man who is generous, funny, and who makes her heart soar. She knows it’s not the best time to fall in love. They both have soul searching to do and some things in their personal lives to sort out. But as Sasha thinks about events in her past that have shaped her into who she is now, she also knows that when you find your person, you should do everything you can to show them how much they mean to you.

‘Sometimes you have to take your moments. See them for the treasure they are.’

The Burnout was classic Sophie Kinsella in the best of ways: outrageously funny, deeply heartfelt, unabashedly romantic, and with a cast of delightful people you’ll want to befriend for real.

‘Right now, this is all part of my new life. Where I look after myself. Where I value myself. And it looks beautiful to me.’

CW: View Spoiler »Dementia, anxiety, depression, parental loss (historical). « Hide Spoiler

As a fan of Sophie Kinsella’s work, I always look forward to her new releases. But there was something so very heartwarming, special, and almost philosophical about The Burnout. I think most of us will connect in some way with at least one–if not several–of the characters during Sasha and Finn’s wild and crazy stay at the formerly grand Rilston Hotel. I found myself gravitating toward Sasha herself, even as she had her meltdown at work after being overwhelmed one too many times with more and more work being piled on. It was comical. It was a bit sad. And yet it was one hundred percent relatable.

I thought it was clever of Kinsella to have Sasha revisit the Rilston twenty years after her last stay, as it was a place that held both wonderful and shattering moments for her and her family. The Rilston itself as well neighboring Rilston Beach were more than just the setting of the book. Both were what the community was built around. And it didn’t matter that it was in disrepair with minimal staff–those who worked there were proud of the Rilston’s legacy, and rightly so. I think readers will hoot with laughter as Cassidy, Herbert, Simon, and Nikolai tried their best to make Sasha and Finn’s stays top notch in any way they could (with varying degrees of success, lol).

As many laughs as there were, Kinsella also lovingly wove in a couple of threads of mental health awareness that were oh so touching and real. The scenes revolving around a local mentor and surf guru, Terry, warmed my heart. I adored him. So much. And with his part of the story in the background while Finn and Sasha (both such lovely people!) went from antagonizing each other to falling in love, it was like watching things go full circle. There were a few moments toward the end where the lack of communication bugged me, but the way Sasha and Finn sorted things out was perfect.

QOTD: Have you revisited any childhood vacation spots and thought differently of them as an adult?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: October 10th, 2023 | The Dial Press |

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?