Surprise Me

The early chapters are pure comic Kinsella: a disastrous surprise picnic, an ill-advised gift and an escalating series of misunderstandings. Sylvie, who works at a quirky small museum in a historic house, narrates with her trademark mix of panic and charm. But as the surprises continue, the story turns to her late father and the family myths she has always believed.

This is one of Kinsella's more thoughtful books. Beneath the comedy, it asks what it means to really know someone, and whether loving an idealised version of a parent or a partner can stop us from growing up. The second half has real emotional weight, and the resolution feels earned rather than easy.

Readers expecting a straightforward romance may be surprised by the darker turns, and Sylvie can seem frustratingly naive. Still, it is warm, funny and quietly wise. The supporting cast, including Sylvie's mother and the eccentric elderly owner of the museum, add plenty of comic texture and help keep the tone light even when the story turns serious. The twins provide some of the funniest moments. About 416 pages in the Black Swan paperback.