The Burnout

A Novel

By: Sophie Kinsella

Narrated by: Bessie Carter

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?

©2023 Sophie Kinsella (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“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

“Kinsella’s long career in the rom-com is indicative of the kind of stories she truly wants to put out into the world: those that feature people like you . . . flawed heroines who make the best out of the wild and wacky journeys we all go through—at work, with our families, in love and in life.”—Bustle

Humor and Sarcasm

I loved this story. I made me laugh out loud, and it was incredibly relatable. Unintentionally, I listened to it on 1.4, which was the perfect speed. It made it sound more like an episode of Gilmore girls. If that’s your thing, then do it. I highly recommend.

Predictable

Just okay. I miss the days of the first two Shopaholic books, when I could really get a good laugh in.

Summer Beach Read

The Burnout is a fun summer beach read. Great storyline with a predictable happy ending. Was relatable if feeling any sort of life stage burnout and provided some good ideas for how to deal with and overcome the burnout. Overall really fun read!!

So good, so funny!

What a great story, I loved it!! Wonderful writing and perfect narration. I laughed out loud throughout the entire book. Highly recommend!

Dependable enjoyment

Sophie Kinsella is a must read for me. I adore this story and relate to the burnout so much it’s scary. I’m sure I’ve heard this narrator before and love her. Highly recommend

The burnout

A little unbelievable at times but it’s a funny , heartwarming story. I hate kale smoothie as well.Enjoyed listening to it.

Funny and uplifting

Laugh out loud funny. Could be considered a treatment for a new “Fawlty Towers” (yes, I know there was an American let’s not go there). The narration was great. Highly recommend.

Ho hum

I bit boring….. My mind would drift off and I would have to repeat the past minute or so.

Humor

Cleverly written. Great story with interesting plot. Easy, feel-good story. I laughed out loud several times!

Sophie does it again!

This was a perfect beach read. I love the relatable but unique story which had me laughing out loud and my husband asking about the plot.