Customer Reviews

Shopaholic and Sister

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(73)
3 star:		(46)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

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.

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.

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

to be honest I was a little disappointed over this newest addition to the series. I have always found Becky Bloomwood to be loveable, flighty, and fun, but in this books she comes off as arrogant, spoiled, and dumb. It could be due to the fact that her penny-pinching half sister Jessica comes off as a saint, in that she is down-to-earth, responsible, and independent. Like the other Shopaholic books, it's a quick read and you think you know what's going to happen but then that "twist" comes in and throws you off, which I love, but there is a different atmosphere to this book.

This book follows in its predecessors' footsteps, but lacks the captivating essence that the first three had. Becky is still as lovable and charming as ever, however her spending habits have become tiring and you wonder how after three money fiascoes, she still manages to go over her credit limit. At times, you cringe at how flaky and dense Becky can be, when all you want is for her to wake up and see the real world. Kinsella begins to weave in some intriguing plot twists, but doesn't expand them as well as she could have. Some of them just disappear after being mentioned in a few chapters. Overall a nice read, but could have been an excellent read if both the plot lines and book length had been extended.

Shopaholic and Sister was a huge disappointment. There were so many cliche moments, it seems Ms. Kinsella has cranked this story out under pressure from the Publisher, not from wanting to continue Becky Bloomwood's story. Awful plot, annoying characters, and Kinsella offers nothing new. I now hate Becky Bloomwood , and I used to love this character. Becky has become a useless moron. AVOID.

While Becky is an amsuing character and the first few books were a lot of fun to read, I don't think I'll read more if this series if Kinsella writes them. Becky's shallow behaviour in the early books is funny, if not entirely realistic--but the fact that she hasn't developed at all as a person by book 4 in the series is rather amazing!

Of course, this is not a book anyone should pick up for startling deep revelations into the human condition--it is meant to be a good time, a series of funny anecdotes that don't tax the brain or develop the characters. And if that is all you're seeking, it delivers that....but I guess I like even my light reads with a bit of substance!

It must say something about me that I sympathized much more with Becky's long lost frugal sister Jess, who at least has some sense. And I feel sorry for Luke--does anyone know *why* he was attracted to somebody who is so completely clueless about money and life in general?

This book does redeem itself in the end, though, with Becky having the incredible revelation that she's been *gasp* spoiled all her life with people around her willing to forgive her faux pas and her goof ups, and parents who unconditionally accept her, and the great luck to get out of her scrapes. Heck, Luke pays off her huge credit card bills!

Jess does exactly what i've been wanting to do to Becky for the past three books---tell her exactly how shallow and superficial her interests and concerns are.

I should start by saying that I have enjoyed all of Sophie Kinsella's books that did not revolve around Becky Bloomwood (i.e. Remember Me? The Undomestic Goddess, etc.) However, I'm really surprised by how popular the Shopaholic series is. Even though I constantly reminded myself, "Remember! This is supposed to be a light and fun read," I found it impossible to think of Becky Bloomwood/Brandon as endearing, flighty or funny. Becky Brandon is irresponsible. She is immature, selfish and materialistic. She hasn't an ounce of common sense. She gets herself into terrible situations by lying (by omission) to her loved ones. Instead of facing her problems head on, she sticks her head in the sand and tries to avoid them. And then through a twist of luck she miraculously gets herself out of these messes without actually learning anything from them.

It is difficult to enjoy a book centered around a character that is so difficult to respect. How can you relate to someone who frivolously spends thousands of dollars, hides her Visa bills, fibs to her husband, messes with his business and tries to buy her sister's love? I'm supposed to like her because she did all these things with "good intentions"? I don't think so. I really tried, but this book just didn't do it for me. My opinion is obviously in the minority, so I wish other readers the best of luck with this story.

This is a cute book, but definitely not as great as the first three. This book seemed far-fetched and at times a little ridiculous. I love Sophie Kinsella and her writing style, but this one did seem a little inferior to the previous three. Maybe the Shopaholic series needs to end!! Don't get me wrong, I love, LOVE, LOVE, the Shopaholic series, but like all good things...they must end...gracefully and well-respected! Think of all the great TV shows that just went on too long!