Sophie Kinsella is the life of the party...plus a book giveaway

Photo by John Swannell

Sophie Kinsella is a household name at CLC. We always enjoy having her here for a visit and devouring her humorous romcom novels. Today, we're celebrating the publication of her latest novel, The Party Crasher. Melissa recently read and enjoyed this one and will be reviewing it soon. Check out her bookstagram post in the meantime. Thanks to Random House, we have TWO copies to give away!

Sophie Kinsella is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, as well as the novels Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I've Got Your Number, Wedding Night, My Not So Perfect Life, Surprise Me, I Owe You One, and Love Your Life. She lives in London.
 

Visit Sophie online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
It’s been almost two years since Effie’s beloved parents got divorced, destroying the image of the happy, loving childhood she thought she had. Since then, she’s become estranged from her father and embarked on a feud with his hot (and much younger) girlfriend, Krista. And now, more earth-shattering news: Greenoaks, the rambling Victorian country house Effie called home her whole life, has been sold.

When Krista decides to throw a grand “house-cooling” party, Effie is originally left off the guest list—and then receives a last-minute “anti-invitation” (maybe it’s because she called Krista a gold-digger, but Krista totally deserved it, and it was mostly a joke anyway). Effie declines, but then remembers a beloved childhood treasure is still hidden in the house. Her only chance to retrieve it is to break into Greenoaks while everyone is busy celebrating. As Effie sneaks around the house, hiding under tables and peeping through trapdoors, she realizes the secrets Greenoaks holds aren’t just in the dusty passageways and hidden attics she grew up exploring. Watching how her sister, brother, and dad behave when they think no one is looking, Effie overhears conversations, makes discoveries, and begins to see her family in a new light. Then she runs into Joe—the love of her life, who long ago broke her heart, and who’s still as handsome and funny as ever—and even more truths emerge.

But will Effie act on these revelations? Will she stay hidden or step out into the party and take her place with her family? And truthfully, why did she really come back to Greenoaks? Over the course of one blowout party, Effie realizes that she must be honest with herself and confront her past before she’ll ever be able to face her future.

What is the inspiration behind The Party Crasher?
I think The Party Crasher was subconsciously inspired by lockdown – I was desperate to write about a party as a kind of escapism!

How is Effie similar to or different from you?

I’m much more conciliatory than Effie and I always like to see the best in people, like her sister Bean - although I can sometimes have a stubborn streak, which is how I was able to write Effie!

If The Party Crasher were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?

"I Gotta Feeling," "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," "I’m Still Standing," and "We Are Family."

Tell us something memorable about the last party you attended.

I’ve just been to my first big party since lockdown. The theme was ’The Golden Age of Steam’ and I rented a gold jacket to wear. This was my first ever fashion rental - and it was fantastic! I’m hooked.

What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?

I’ve learned how to cut my family’s hair. (Very badly.)

Since Halloween is almost here, what is the most creative costume you've ever worn?

When I was pregnant, I wore a big shiny pumpkin costume. It fit perfectly over my bump and people didn’t even realise I was pregnant!

Thanks to Sophie for visiting with us and to Random House for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends October 17th at midnight EST.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.