Shopaholic & Sister: A Novel

Honestly, the Shopaholic books were the first 'girly' books I've ever read. They were so funny! I started off with Shopaholic & Sisters until I realized that there were a few more prior. I stopped reading it and started from the beginning of the series. I laughed out loud so many times! These are great! The type of books I read has now changed, thanx to Sophie!

Becky Bloomwood Brandon is back and as funny, vulnerable, and lovable as ever. I am amazed that Sophie Kinsella can keep the humor and laughter coming with this ditzy character, but she does. Frankly, I felt this was the best of the series thus far. We meet up with Becky and Luke in the 10th month of their round-the-world honeymoon. When an invitation to the christening for Suze's twins arrive, the travellers decide to head back to London. Of course, there are a couple of stops along the way, like Milan where Becky studies "local artifcacts" (Versace shoes) and lands the biggest fashion coup of the year by claiming a genuine Angel handbag thanks to a lot of help from a somewhat shady character who will, needless to say, be back for a proper thank you. Becky's return is not what she envisioned, however. Not only has Suze acquired a new best friend, but her parents are acting very strange. For good reason as it turns out. A previously unknown sister has emerged from the past. Seems Daddy Bloomwood was quite the rogue before he met Mama Bloomwood. Becky immediately begins to fantasize about replacing Suze with this new sister. She dreams of watching chick flicks, eating peppermint creams, laughing, and most of all, shopping with her new-found sister Jess. Alas, Jess is not at all compatible with Becky. Not only is she a dedicated activist and rock collector, she is....dare we use the word.......FRUGAL! And she does not approve of Becky's addiction to shopping at all. Their relationship makes for lots of laugh-out-loud moments and even a few misty-eyed ones. Following their relationship's development and explosion is a true trip into the heart of Becky Bloomwood and what makes her a character millions have fallen in love with. So if you want to see Becky running barefoot over hot coals to get a 5-carat aquamarine at half price, interfering in Luke's business and placing him in an insufferable position, and taking the hiking trip to end all hiking trips, pick up the latest issue in this always-delightful series.

This latest in the Shopaholic series begins with the ending of Luke and Becky's "round-the-world" honeymoon. They've been everywhere, and Becky loves her new "laid back" husband. But some things never change--like Becky's spending habits. By the time the couple returns to London, Becky has all but forgotten about many of her purchases--until they are shipped home; in TWO trucks. The couple arrives back in London early, to surprise their loved ones (especially Becky's beloved Suze, who is about to have her new twins christened)--and are more suprised themselves. Becky's parents share some shocking news with her--she has a half-sister!! And in typical Becky fashion, she fantasizes about her sister--and pictures them getting their nails done, sharing sisterly secrets, and of course shopping together. The announcement of a long-lost sister comes none to soon--as Becky has discovered that in her absence, her best friend Suze has replaced her with the insufferable Lulu, who shares her love of horses and of motherhood. But Becky's meeting with her sister does not go at all as she pictured; and despite Becky's best efforts, she fails to win Jess over. A disastrous weekend spent at Becky and Luke's flat results in a heated argument--and the sisters part ways. A joy to read, this is just a tidbit of the fun that awaits fans in this fourth installment of the series. Becky's shopping obessessions become entangled in Luke's business ventures in ways that readers just cannot see coming. Laugh out loud FUN!! DYB

Shopaholic & Sister is the newest installment to what was supposed to end at a Trilogy. Rebecca Brandon (nee Bloomwood) and husband Luke Brandon have just decided to end their year long honeymoon around the globe. When they arrive back at Luke's penthouse they are bombarded with the more gifts and mementos than they could remember buying. Along with that, there are things that get thrown at the newlyweds to juggle. Bex finds out her best friend forever Suze has replaced her with a snooty Lulu, her parents are in counseling, and she finds out about a long lost half sister. Bex has been put on a strict budget due to her vast spending habits. On top of that, she owes a very important man a favor for getting her fab Angel bag. Her sister is a rock loving fanatic that would rather due her accounts than go shopping. Becky doesn't understand why her sister hates shopping I mean after all they are sisters. Becky pulls crazy antics yet she's lovable, funny, and able to turn what seems like the worst situation into one that is unforgettably hilarious and becomes a shining star in the end. The entire Shopaholic series including Shopaholic & Sister had me gripping the covers in anticipation. I hope that Sophie Kinsella will continue to write about my most favorite characters including Rebecca Brandon (nee Bloomwood) again and again.

I'm a huge fan of the shopaholic series although I was finding them to be alittle over the top the more they went on, which still didn't stop me from buying the next one just to see what happened to Bekky next. Shopaholic and Sister started off as they always do with Bekky never being able to say no to the perfect pair of shoes or that one of a kind handbag, but the story took a great twist with her long lost sister coming into the picture and showed a new side to Bekky when she tries to find common ground with her sister Jess. I found it to be a heartfelt book with all the great laughs I got out of the other shopaholic books I just couldn't seem to put it down, without giving away the ending it looks like there may be another shopoholic in the works and after reading this one I sure hope so it was worth waiting for.