Sophie Kinsella writing as Madeleine Wickham: Boxed Set with The Tennis Party / A Desirable Residence / The Gatecrasher

by Madeleine Wickham, Sophie Kinsella

Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

About the author

Madeleine Wickham (born 12 December 1969) was a bestselling British author under her pseudonym, Sophie Kinsella. Educated at New College, Oxford, she worked as a financial journalist before turning to fiction. She is best known for writing a popular series of chick-lit novels. The Shopaholic novels series focuses on the misadventures of Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist who cannot manage her own finances. The books follows her life from when her credit card debt first become overwhelming ("The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic") to the latest book on being married and having a child ("Shopaholic & Baby"). Throughout the entire series, her obsession with shopping and the complications that imparts on her life are central themes.

Gemma Townley is her sister.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/madele...

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book review - Sophie Kinsella, A Desirable Residance.

I am hugely disappointed with this book. I usually LOVE Sophie Kinsella but this just didn’t hit for me. It felt like there was no real storyline to it and instead I was just being told about the mundane lives of 4 different people.

Liz and her husband, Jonathon, have made an investment and need to sell their house to pay off the debts. They have waited a year and can’t get rid of it so decide to let it out upon Marcus’ advice. Out of the blue, Marcus and Liz begin having an affair. Liz’s daughter, Alice (who is 14 by the way) becomes friends with the new tenants (who are definitely in their 20s) which I thought was just strange. And Liz’s husband begins tutoring Marcus’ son.

The book is just messy. Nothing really happens other than the characters live. It flicks between perspectives randomly and I found myself a lot of the times wondering who I’m reading about. Along with this, none of the characters are likeable. Liz is awful to her husband, Alice is moody, Jonathon is a wet wipe, Marcus is arrogant, Anthea (Marcus’ wife) is controlling and the new tenants are annoying. The only character I really liked was Daniel, Marcus’ son. Also, the amount of typos in this book aggravated me but I guess that’s just my inner teacher coming out.

Overall, just not the book for me but hopefully it is someone else’s cup of tea!

[Dawn Whynot · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Desirable Residence

Underdeveloped storyline. The 3 couples we meet have their lives intertwined by circumstances. Then their children get pulled into the storylines of the situations with each couple interaction. And we end with too neat and rushed ending- the affair ends, they move back, some get what they want, and others wished they knew what they want.

I am glad to see this is not the author's typical writing because I would be hesitant to read another...

[Linda Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I has a hard time reading this book I did finish it but its not one of my favorites

[Divya Kurup]

It was ok book not as per Sophie's standard !!

[Goldie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again I couldn't get I to this one will try again

[Julia Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Its about how you live can get so complicated in one small decision.

[Venkitesh Mathakode · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hugely disappointed with the book. No story line nothing. It is revolving around 4 people. No in built story and the writing of this book was poor.

[Janie_lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mehhhh. It was ok, I finished it. Predictable and a bit entitled.

[Eleanor Spalding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite book. I did not like any of the characters except Alice a little. Very disfunctional family and relationships.

[Adele Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her better books, was ok