10
Aug302010
BOOK REVIEW: Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
by Carolyn • Posted in 3.5 Star Reviews, Authors I-L, Book Reviews, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Sophie Kinsella
Title: Mini Shopaholic (Shopaholic #6)
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Bantam Press
Publication Date: Sept 2010
ARC: 392 pages
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Chick-Lit
Source: Review Copy
Reviewed by: Carolyn
RATING: 7/10 – very good, would definitely recommend
PRESS RELEASE:
Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true – a shopping friend for life! But two-year-old Minnie has quite a different approach to shopping. Cue havoc in the toy department at Harrods and a spectacular performance at her own christening, a near disaster when Minnie starts bidding on eBay and the discovery that her penchant for Balenciaga handbags might be just as bad as her mother’s.
On top of this, Becky and her husband, Luke, are still living with her mum and dad, there’s a financial crisis so everyone’s having to cut back, including all her personal shopping clients, and Luke is feeling low after the dead of his beloved stepmother. So Becky hatches a plan to surprise him and that’s when things get really complicated. Becky tries to keep her plan to herself but soon she’s told so many fibs even she can’t keep track of them.
REVIEW:
I don’t usually read books in this genre any more, but I will always make an exception for Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series. I adore Becky Bloomwood. She’s a character I find hard not to like with her scatty personality and her inability to walk by a designer store without making a purchase. It was this aspect to Becky’s character that made me pick up the first book in this series, The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, as I could identify well (a bit too well!) with Becky and her retail therapy issues. It also cemented Becky as one of my favourite characters.
“Mini Shopaholic” is basically in the same format as the other books in the series: Becky using every excuse in the book to keep shopping and up to her elbows in secrets, and fighting to keep those secrets from coming out, but of course everything goes horribly wrong.
In this instalment we see Becky as a mother, raising her two year old daughter, Minnie, who is slightly wayward and becoming too fond of materialistic items like her mummy, with her husband, Luke. Becky is still the same fun, vivid character but motherhood has not helped her become more economical. In fact, she now has excuses to shop more by buying items for Minnie. Some of the scenarios are just so funny they had me giggling out loud. Minnie is cute as a button and Luke is as patient as always.
Becky is also trying to plan a surprise birthday party for Luke, without spending any money…which of course leads to complete fiasco and a book which reads like a screwball comedy. There are many more humourous situations and a strew of events that had me shaking my head with affectionate disbelief at what Becky was saying and doing. There’s also the usual great dialogue and prose, which is incredibly smooth making “Mini Shopaholic” a very easy, fast read.
VERDICT:
“Mini Shopaholic” is a wonderful escape from real life and a total roller coaster ride – this book is never dull, and although it occasionally borders on the ridiculous, I just can’t help but love it!
There is nothing new here – we have seen it all before in previous books – but I didn’t mind, it was like slipping on a comfy pair of slippers and it felt great. I love Becky Bloomwood with all her manic, self-destructive quirks. Sophie Kinsella is still at the top of her game and for me still the best in the genre.
You can find out more about the author here:
10 Comments
Sounds fun and I am definitely gonna read this one
Reply
I have not read any of the book in the series but plan to read them soon after my sister returns them. =)
Reply
Great review. I don't usually read this kind of book very often but I read the first of this series aaaaages ago and since watching the movie I've been tempted to give the rest a try. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Great review, Carolyn. I loved this one too, though you're right that it's nothing different to previous books. Who cares though, eh? They're perfect escapism and are so funny – can't wait for more Becky Bloomwood!
Reply
I am a fan of this series so I was excited to hear that there was a new one. I will definitely pick this up after it is published. Glad to hear it is just as entertaining as the other Becky Bloomwood books. Nice review!
Reply
Blodeuedd – It is fun, would definitely recommend it!
Darlyn – I don't read chick-lit but this is one series I can't resist
Trillian – I don't read this kind of genre either, but I do love the Shopaholic series, it's just so funny and Becky is completely nuts! I would give them a try
Jenny – I hope there's more from Becky too – they are great books when you just want something light and fun to read
Christina T – It is an entertaining read, a must for Becky fans
Reply
I've read a couple of Sophie Kinsella's books – Remember Me and Can You Keep A Secret. I loved Can You Keep A Secret, it made me honestly laugh out loud. But I've never read the shopaholic series. Sounds like I should give them a go
Reply
Laura – the Shopaholic books are very light, fluffy reads – just great when you don't want anything too heavy. If you like Kinsella's other books then I'm sure you would like this series too
Reply
Cute review
Sounds adorable. I love the cover.
Reply
Juju – Thanks! It is a really fun book – you should definitely try the series
Reply