Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it's casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years... and panic sets in.

They quickly decide to create little surprises for each other, to keep their relationship fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me - anything from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to photo shoots - mishaps arise with disastrous and comical results.

Gradually, the surprises turn to shocking discoveries. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all...

I love Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham chic lits and was eager to read this latest book. I must confess that although usually easy to get into her novels this one seemed to lack something and never really got going until chapter 5. I stuck with it and it did get better.

The premise was a bit silly to start with: after a check up they are told they are both so healthy they will likely live to be over 100. Freaked out as how to keep their marriage fresh, they decide to constantly surprise each other. Predictably these surprises don't always work out as intended and our hapless couple Sylvie and Dan blunder through disasters along the way.

Some humorous and some silly situations arise but I have to say not my favourite Kinsella book. I think mainly the problem was that I couldn't connect with the couple, Sylvie was moany and self obsessed and Dan seemed a little dim and boring. Can only give this 3 stars - it was disappointing.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.