After ten years together, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, and beautiful twin girls, and they 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 decide to bring surprises into their marriage to keep it fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me—from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to sexy photo shoots—mishaps arise, with disastrous and comical results. Gradually, surprises turn to shocking truths. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other at all.
My Thoughts: Sylvie’s first person voice carries us along somewhat blithely in the opening chapters of Surprise Me, and I loved her quirky take on life and marriage. And then as unexpected and unpleasant events began to turn their marriage into something dark and secretive, I felt empathy for Sylvie’s distress.
But just when we think we have figured everything out, and when we have decided that their marriage is about to unravel, Sylvie takes proactive steps to learn the unexpected truth that Dan has been hiding. Sylvie’s life in the bubble created by her parents, with Dan’s assistance, has suddenly burst.
As the truth unfolds, will the two of them discover surprisingly inspirational things about one another? I enjoyed the characters, their views of life and relationships, and their realistic dialogue…and couldn’t wait to find out what ultimately happens to them all. 4.5 stars.
***
CURL UP AND READ 
I thought Sophie Kinsella wrote light frothy stuff but this doesn’t sound like one of those at all. So an interesting read.
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Thanks for visiting, Kathryn, and the book starts out that way, with a light and funny voice, but then turns darker when the MC realizes people are keeping secrets from her. I actually liked how that happened…and I did enjoy learning what was going on.
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An author who always surprises me with something new.
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Thanks, Mystica, I loved the surprises, too.
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I don’t think I’ve read any of her books. This sounds a bit of a departure?
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Thanks, Mary, and yes, I found this book to be a departure…I’m used to the Shopaholic series. But I enjoyed how this one took a deeper look at the relationships.
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I have never read a Sophie Kinsella novel. The past week I have seen a few recommendations and I will give this author a chance.
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Thanks, Stephanie, I started with the Shopaholic series, but I’ve found her stand-alone books, like this one, to be a nice change.
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What would you recommend? Should I start with the stand-alone or the Shopaholic series?
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I loved the first Shopaholic book, and gave 4 stars to the subsequent ones. Surprise Me was probably my favorite of the lot.
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I need to put this one on my TBR. It sounds good! I haven’t read a book by this author yet, so this might be where I should start. Great review!
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Thanks, Deanna, I hope you enjoy it!
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I have a couple of her books that I need to get to, someday. I’m glad you liked this one!
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Thanks, Leslie, I have a few more to read, too.
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Ahm, is there any third party in the relationship? Cheating? or Semi-cheating? Please I need spoilers. hehe.. I hate it when one of the characters interact with other woman/man that is not their husband/wife…And is it a happy ending? Did they get back together?
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I think the most I can say is that the wife THINKS her husband is cheating…you’ll have to read it to find out if that was true. Sorry, Lili…lol
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Hahaha.. very Clever. 🙂 🙂 Thank you though, I THINK I already got a hint. hehe.
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