Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella

Why I read this book?

This was right after a huge exam and after finishing The Historian...I needed a palad cleanser and Kinsella's books are just perfect for that

What's the book about?

The Plot is not that different from earlier installments of the Shopaholic series. Becky shops a lot but this time is pregnant. Also the "problems" that surge in this book are related to her impulsiveness, albeit not necessarily related to shopping.

What was the thing I liked the most? 

Say what you want about these books, but they deliver. You want something light, sometimes funny that you would read in 2 days and won't ask much of your brain? You got it.

What about the main character?

When I read Shopaholicand Sister I was starting to get tired about the fact that Becky seems to never learn out of the things that happen to her, also because she always manages to get out of them with relatively ease. In this book I guess I settled with the fact that she won't learn how to manage money, but she does a lot of the things she does with a huge heart. At least the characters around her change their ways a little bit once in a while.

Final thoughts

This book was exactly what I needed for the moment. Why am I not giving a higher grade then? Well, it might deliver, but it is quite predictable and you have to like the series from before to actually get this "far" in the story, so I wouldn't really recommend this book, per se. As a paperback or an e-book like in my case, it makes a very nice summer read. 

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

What's the book about?

As you probably know by now, this is a series about a girl with a tiny problem with shopping...and by tiny I mean, this girl should've had her credit cancelled a LONG time ago. Well, Miss Rebecca Bloomwood has gotten married (that was the whole last book) and know is travelling the world for her honeymoon. As any trip, this comes to an end. But going back home proves to be bittersweet for Becky: her best friend has a new friend taking over her place, her husband is no longer the carefree Luke he was while on vacation (shocker) and biggest of all...she now has a sister.

What was the thing I liked the most? 

What I like about this series is how easily readable it is. Is always a fast read, a relaxed one and that's why I had it with me during vacation.

What about the main character?

Becky...she is a very sweet person. She has the best intentions at heart...is just that she doesn't seem to think ahead, which is why very often I want to shake her and tell her what were you thinking?. There is something that is starting to bother me, and is the fact that this is the 4th book in the series and she seems to not have learnt anything about managing her money. I realize that the name of the series is "Shopaholic" BUT you would think she would learn at least a bit, no?. 

The 10% moment

Entertaining as always, Becky is now in Milan, their last stop before going home. We've already read about some questionable choices she has made, buying wise, off course. There is this moment where Luke actually took her wallet away which I found endearing of her to actually think he wouldn't take it.

Final thoughts

In this book the novelty is Jessica, the sister. She is the complete opposite of Becky in the way she handles her money. I liked the fact that she was very conscious of her money, but I would've liked it better if things weren't so black and white between them. A sister that saves yet is aware that having a splurge once in a while is actually good for you? I like my characters with some gradients of personality, not extremes. Also I would've liked it if the story with Suze's new friend would've had a bit more of development. 

This is book makes part of my Sequel Challenge :)

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Book Summary (from the back of the book)

Life has been good for Becky Bloomwood: She's become the best personal shopper at Barneys, she and her successful entrepreneurial boyfriend, Luke, are living happily in Manhattan's West Village, and her new next-door neighbor is a fashion designer!. But with her best friend, Suze, engaged, how can Becky fail to notice her own ring finger is bare? Not that she's been thinking of marriage (or diamonds) or anything...

The Luke proposes! Bridal registries dance in Becky's head. Problem is, two other people are planning her wedding: Becky's overjoyed mother has been waiting forever to host a backyard wedding, with the bride resplendent in Mum's frilly old gown. While Luke's high-society mother insisting on a glamorous, all-expensed-paid affair at the Plaza. Both weddings for the same day. And Becky can't seem to turn down either one. Can everyone's favorite shopaholic tie the knot before everything unravels?

My Review

Yeah, I read it. I told you I liked to have sherbet books once in a while, and the Shopaholic collection is quite that. You should also know I intend to read Shopaholic and Sister eventually, as well as Shopaholic and Baby; and apparently there’s a new book that just came out. 

Why do I like Becky Bloomwood? She is funny, airheaded sometimes, but funny. And is light to read, I finish the book in 2 days (technically 3, but that’s because I forgot my book at my boyfriend’s car, so doesn’t count). And because, just as Elle Woods (oh, what? You don’t know who that is?...you are a boy right?) at the end she surprises you in a sweet yet smart way.

The book wasn’t predictable, which is sometimes the problem with this type of books. Well, of course you know she will get married, but you don’t know when nor the problems she will encounter. The book doesn’t have a lot of new characters either. Luke is there, working his way to success, a little bit oblivious to the wedding preparations (luckily for Becky) and trying to work on his relationship with his mother (not so luckily for Becky). We have Suze, always trying to help Becky, even though her life is going through mayor change. And Becky’s lovely parents, giving it all for her daughter. I’m telling you, you cannot get a better feel-good book than this type of books…if you are a girl.

One thing that I particularly love of this series is the odd pages showing the letters Becky gets or writes, from banks, credit card companies, etc. They are just hilarious, and give you a bit more of the story. Also, you have tiny side stories, than do not overshadow the main, but some of them will merge to help the conclusion of the story in a soft, not over the top way.

Sometimes you will feel like Becky is selfish…and she is, she is just not consciously selfish. But once it hits her, it hits her hard. At the end, she will not only solve the conundrum of having 2 such opposite weddings, but in the meantime, she will help everyone around her, swiftly and effectively. And what’s more, she will make sure that does who she loves and love her back, will be placed before her, and will get the wedding of their dreams. Everyone will be happy…well almost. 

This book gave me exactly what I needed, a fun, relaxed time, before going to sleep. Funny characters, funny situations, tiny problems that look big in the verge of a wedding, sorry, weddings, and a resolution of all of them, wrapped in a happy occasion that opens the window for another book just like it.