This post is a blog review of My Not So Perfect Life. It’s written by one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella. She’s of course most popularly known for her book series, Confessions of a Shopaholic. This book is one of the last books I was able to read late last year that made it in my GoodReads Challenge 2017. 

My Not So Perfect Life Plot

Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

OK, so the truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.

But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

Until her not-so-perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams – or try to get her job back? Does Demeter – the woman who has everything – actually have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.

And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway? 

 

Three Things I Loved About the Book 

 
I loved so many things about My Not So Perfect Life. 
 

  • Katie Brenner’s kookiness

She may be a little crazy and maybe a bit lost in life but she’s still amusing and charming. Because I’ve read a lot of her books already not just the Shopaholic series, I’ve noticed that this character trait is one that her heroines seem to share but it’s a formula that works. I sure love it! But what I love more is that I felt like Katie was a stronger, smarter and more determined to make something of herself kind of heroine compared to the others.

  • The way this book tackled the realities behind a very nice photo shared on social media

There are people who project a happy and seemingly perfect life online. This is something that can especially be seen on Instagram where people like to share nicely curated photos. A shot of a cup of coffee on a pretty cup with someone smiling while holding it. A photo of a girl with her designer outfit and bag.  A shot of someone admiring a picturesque view somewhere garnering likes. Hearts, shares and comments full of amazement…and envy. But people don’t often talk about what’s behind the scenes. Have you read about this girl who amassed about $10,000 debt trying to be come Instagram famous? 

Katie was one of those people who projected a different picture of her life online from her real life. 

  • Lastly, this book reminds me not to judge a book by its cover.

Her boss, Demeter, was a lot like Miranda Priestley. Successful career woman. Fashionable. Living in a great house with her picture perfect family. She was also someone people at work loathed. But when Demeter ended up on a holiday in their new glamping site, Katie began to realize that there was more to her boss than meets the eye. 

I personally had a Miranda/Demeter type of boss before whom I admired. Got the brains and a good sense of fashion. But I was also scared of my boss.  Even made me cry once! Not in front of my boss. But after. At a very public place too. I cried at McDonald’s over a late dinner with my Dad who was picking me up from another one of my late nights at work. I also somewhat loathed my boss. Ugh! what a perfectionist! I thought. Out to make my working life miserable!

But like Katie, I was given a chance to see my boss in a new and different light. I realized there was only best intentions for me, to grow as an employee. Also not such a monster after all. My boss is actually a nice person.

Overall Thought About My Not So Perfect Life

I think that this book is more about Katie and Demeter. Yes, Katie does have a love interest in the story but it seemed he’s really just a subplot which I don’t actually mind. It’s a good break from Sophie Kinsella’s other novels. 

A light, fun and amusing read. My Not So Perfect Life is definitely worth my money and time! This is now my third favorite novel from Kinsella next to Twenties Girl which really made me cry and I’ve Got Your Number which brought on all the kilig!