Together in one delightful boxed set, here are the first five novels in #1 New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella’s acclaimed Shopaholic series. Follow the hilarious high-fashion adventures of Becky Bloomwood, a spirited young woman with a taste for the finer things in life—if only she could afford them. From London to Manhattan, from singlehood to motherhood, Becky struggles to keep her finances above water—but it will take a lot more than a looming credit-card bill to sink Sophie Kinsella’s irresistible heroine!
Sophie Kinsella had sold over 40 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries, and she had been translated into over 40 languages.
Sophie Kinsella first hit the UK bestseller lists in September 2000 with her first novel in the Shopaholic series – The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (also published as Confessions of a Shopaholic). The book’s heroine, Becky Bloomwood – a fun and feisty financial journalist who loves shopping but is hopeless with money – captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Becky has since featured in seven further bestselling books, Shopaholic Abroad (also published as Shopaholic Takes Manhattan), Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Shopaholic & Sister, Shopaholic & Baby, Mini Shopaholic, Shopaholic to the Stars and Shopaholic to the Rescue. Becky Bloomwood came to the big screen in 2009 with the hit Disney movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy.
Sophie had also written seven standalone novels which have all been bestsellers in the UK, USA and other countries around the world: Can You Keep A Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, Wedding Night, and My Not So Perfect Life, which was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for Best Fiction in 2017.
In 2014 she published a Young Adult novel Finding Audrey about a teenage girl with social anxiety and her madcap family, and in January 2018, Sophie published her first illustrated book for young readers about the charming adventures of a mother-daughter fairy duo, Mummy Fairy and Me (also published as Fairy Mom and Me).
Sophie’s novel, Surprise Me, published in February 2018, presents a humorous yet moving portrait of a marriage—its intricacies, comforts, and complications. Surprise Me reveals that hidden layers in a close relationship are often yet to be discovered.
Sophie wrote her first novel under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, at the tender age of 24, whilst she was working as a financial journalist. The Tennis Party was immediately hailed as a success by critics and the public alike and became a top ten bestseller. She went on to publish six more novels as Madeleine Wickham: A Desirable Residence, Swimming Pool Sunday, The Gatecrasher, The Wedding Girl, Cocktails for Three and Sleeping Arrangements.
Sophie was born in London. She studied music at New College, Oxford, but after a year switched to Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She lived in London, UK, with her husband and family.
Only 3 more days to go until the next book of the famous Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella will be released. Due to this event, I’d like to review the rest of the series that I’ve already read.
The whole series is about Becky Bloomwood, becoming Brandon within the series. Becky is addicted to shopping and does that all the time. Because of her shopping addiction she always ends up in peculiar situations. She constantly has problems with her bank and even if she tells herself that she does not want to go shopping anymore, she still can’t stop and always finds new and creative excuses why she really needs a certain pair of shoes, an expensive bag or other random things available in shops.
The series consists of 5 books (6 from 2 September on):
- Confessions of a Shopaholic (UK title: The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic) - Shopaholic takes Manhattan (UK title: Shopaholic abroad) - Shopaholic ties the knot - Shopaholic and sister - Shopaholic and baby - Coming soon: Mini Shopaholic
Of course one can argue in the first place that all the books are kind of the same because they are all about Becky going shopping but that is not how it is. After reading the first one, I couldn’t wait to read the others as well! The reason why these books are so great and why they are so popular is that you can always feel with Becky. We all have been in similar situations once in a while. Or which girl has never bought a pair of shoes arguing herself into them and finding excuses why this pair is so special and definitely necessary even though her wardrobe is full of shoes?
The novels are written in a really charming way and always make me laugh. You can easily put yourself into her situation and even, if she is a bit crazier than most women are, there is always something that you have experienced as well. It is also funny to see in what situations Becky always ends up because of imprudent behaviour and the most interesting and loveliest part is usually the way she tries to get out of these situations…
Another reason why I love the books is that they are really easy to read. You do not have to concentrate because the plot is pretty straight forward but still not at all boring. They always put a smile on my face no matter in which mood I am. I know for sure that Becky is cheering me up! Once I’ve started one of the books I can hardly put it down until I finished which is always sad because then I have to wait so long for a new one and I always hope that she is writing a new one quickly…
If you haven’t read the Shopaholic books so far, I can highly recommend to do it because if you like Chick Lit, there is basically nothing better around there.
I could not get enough of these books, and was actually sad when I finished the last one. I hope Kinsella writes more of them someday! Becky Bloomwood has a true shopping addiction and constantly finds herself trying to dig her way out of debt. Her justifications for why she needs this pair of shoes or that designer dress are comical. Throughout the series you see her go from bachelorette, to girlfriend/finacee of a highly successful businessman, to wife of said businessman, and finally to Mother. Yet along the way she never learns and continues to spend, spend, spend. It is exasperating for the reader to see her making the same mistakes over and over again. Somehow though, she is always endearing. It is a good thing her husband is so understanding, although I think Kinsella made him a little too understanding. There were too few moments when he actually was mad at her for her continued spending and it made him seem almost superhuman. Throughout the series she always had her best friend Suze to lean on, though try as she might even Suze couldn't help Becky kick her habit. My biggest criticism of this book has got to be the relationship between Suze and her cousin/husband. Yes, she married her cousin. Kinsella never fully makes it clear whether or not they are 1st or 2nd cousins, or cousins 8 times removed. Either way, I would have preferred the book without this little side story.
I have read every one of Kinsella's novels, and have yet to read one I don't adore. She has been my favorite guilty pleasure since I was a teenager, and I am so glad I finally get to review her work!
This series was written in a witty, charming, and hilarious way. I don't think I've ever read a Sophie Kinsella (aka Madeleine Wickham) book that I didn't finish in one sitting. She is chick-lit heaven, and I have come to look forward to her book releases the way a junkie looks forward to their next fix.
Becky Bloomwood is surprisingly relateable, considering how over-the-top she can be. Her naïve take on the world combined with her self-assured nature makes her a very unique and charming subject, and Sophie Kinsella breathes life into Becky in her writing, and makes you feel as though she is not someone you're reading about, but someone you personally know and love. I would recommend this series to any woman, from any walk of life, who wants a good laugh, and a good cry. Sophie Kinsella is, in my opinion, the best feel-good author of this generation. I saw her newest book, 'Wedding Night' available for pre-order at Chapters for an April 2013 release. Can't wait! Keep 'em coming, Sophie!!!!!
It is very hard for me to get interested in a book. However the shopaholic " Confessions of a Shopaholic" grabbed my attention right away. The book gives us an insight of Rebecca Bloomwoods crazy life. Just like myself she loves shopping and buying things. However she spends a little to much money on unnecessary items. Rebecca is writer for a financial magazine. She has a steady job but when she sees her visa bill she realizes she needs to stop spending and start saving. This is hard for rebecca because shopping helps her cope with stress. Many things occur that help her grow as a person she even tries going for the lottery but it just never works out. She starts to date a wealthy cousin of her roomate and although she needs the money he provides she feels guilty and cannot accept his generous offers. Rebecca hasn't told her family and overtime starts to become an adult and realize more about money and her life. I personally loved this story. Each chapter felt like a movie and I could picture every scene. I will definitely be reading the others. I think Gaby would like this book because it is very relatable and funny.
If you asked me a few years ago, I will be happily recommending this series to you, I absolutely love the couple dynamics, Becky's quirkiness, her family and friends being all supportive and my favourite character Luke :)
But after reading this again in 2022.... There are so many things that doesn't sit well with me now that I'm older... Seriously the pile of debt annoys me, her constant lying about everything to look good (or to avoid whatever), Becky just annoys me now
Light-hearted, entertaining reading. And despite her antics, Becky's a very lucky girl! Somehow everything just falls into place for her and she saves the day, be the heroine, be the 'you're right, I'm sorry I didn't listen to you' kind of girl. Love her superb imagination, couldn't imagine how a bank manager in real life will react if he were to receive the kind of letters Becky wrote!
The shopaholic series books 1-5 were my first introduction to Sophie Kinsella, the author. This series had me dying laughing and addicted. Never read a series so fast. It’s light chick lit that’s witty! From this series on I was a big fan of Sophie Kinsella and all her books are hilarious winners!
I don't know which I like better... the book series, or the movie based on the books --"The Girl in the Green Scarf." They're all great fun! If you love the concept of therapeutic shopping, or designer clothing as an investment, you'll totally love these funny books, and the adventures that result from the troubles that Becky gets into as a result of not knowing when enough is enough. Everybody could use a true-blue friend like "Bex," who'll loyally run to their rescue, no matter how dire her own accounts, or what foreboding circumstances loom over her head, like a house of cards waiting to collapse. Miracles really do happen, if you truly believe.
These books were such a refreshing and fun summer click lit read! The situations that Becky gets herself into are so hilarious and her crazed justifications for her overspending are truly entertaining. I especially enjoyed the first three books, but the others were great as well. While Becky can be entertaining at times I found myself cringe at her stupidity with her spending habits (but maybe that's just because I'm her exact opposite) :)
Verdict: nice, fluffy books, might make you temporarily pick up some British ideomes
I'm glad I binge-read this collection on my tablet, they're quick beach-books and there's not much of an introduction in any of them; you're just thrown into the existing story line. I like that in a series, not wasting time on re-introducing existing characters-- especially in this instance, where the sequence of events doesn't stop between books.
I ate these up as fast as I could read them. I love Becky Bloomwood and would follow her blindly into any rainstorm, because I know with her enthusiasm, I would come out on top in the end...and of course, with some fabulous time with shop shopping on the side, too. Right up there with Holly G. for me.
At first, was off-put by the main character, but gradually found myself liking her. The books all seem to run the same general arc, but was good for a fluff read. The books also made me really anxious about my own finances, and eager to get home and check my savings/pay bills/make sure I wasn't in the same trouble!
What can I say? Sophie Kinsella books are my guilty pleasure. I'm not going to fool myself into thinking there's any deep meaning here (I suppose we could call it a look at excessive consumerism?), but for sheer fun and a light read, these fit the bill. I giggle my way through every one, knowing that of COURSE she will get out of whatever tight spot she's in, but totally enjoying the ride.
I've liked other books of hers, but this set was painful. I got through 3 books of the series and stopped. Each one was classic "I am in a lot of debt; how will I get out? Oh look, I save the day". I felt bad for Becky and kept thinking the books would get better. Maybe books 4 and 5 are better, but I didn't stick around to find out.
Fun easy series to curl up with to get away from thinking about work. The main character can be infuriating sometimes and definitely by the end of the series you just want her to make one good decision once. It can be quite frustrating. Nonetheless it was a fun series and one I might even read again some day.
My husband and I have been listening to these books on Audible while we are on road trips. We laugh out loud many times during each book! Sophie Kinsella has a knack for showing the absurdity of buying designer clothes, bags, and baby items. They are hilarious! I recommend them to anyone who is in charge of their finances. Otherwise, it would only be a temptation to go shopping.
Inizio a leggere questo cofanetto che contiene la serie quasi completa (recentemente ‚ uscito un nuovo volume che - ahim‚ - mi toccher…ÿ leggere) di I LOVE SHOPPING di Madeline Wickham con qualche dubbio. Penso si tratti di una lettura apprezzabile esclusivamente dai lettori di sesso femminile e che io la trover• noiosa.
As much as Becky Bloomwood aggravates me at times, I find her absolutely wonderful as well. This book had me laughing out loud by the end, especially during the two weddings sequence. I am really looking forward to reading Shopaholic and Sister.
I really enjoyed all of the Shopaholic books. They are a light, fun, easy read. There are plenty of cringe worthy but funny moments. Becky is a funny, clueless girl who you can't help but love. Sit back with a cup of coffee and just enjoy her crazy life.
A fun read. I enjoyed reading these books while in grad school. It was a fun distraction of text books! The book attracted my attention because I went through a very similar stage in life with my career, being engaged and tying the knot no less. Easy fun read.
the main character is always the same, its easy to predict the trouble she gets herself into and the books will make you laugh and make you feel like you have a really silly friend who often messes up more than you would ever be able to fix in real life.. hilarious i love all the books.