Shopaholic & Sister

By: Sophie Kinsella

Narrated by: Josephine Bailey

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Sophie Kinsella has conquered the hearts of millions with her New York Times best-selling Shopaholic novels, which feature the irresistible one-woman shopping phenomenon Becky Bloomwood. Now Becky’s back in a hilarious, heartwarming tale of married life, best friends, and long-lost sisters (and the perils of simply having to own an Angel handbag!).

What’s a round-the-world honeymoon if you can’t buy the odd souvenir to ship back home? Like the Chinese urns and 20 silk dressing gowns Becky found in Hong Kong...the five kilim rugs from Turkey...the splendid hand-carved dining table (and 10 chairs) from Sri Lanka...the, um, huge wooden giraffes from Malawi (that her husband Luke expressly forbade her to buy)...

Only now Becky and Luke have returned home to London and Luke is furious. Two truckloads of those souvenirs have cluttered up their usually immaculate loft, and the bills for them are outrageous. Becky’s even maxed out on her second secret credit card, and she doesn’t have a new job yet! Luke insists she go on a budget. And worse: her beloved best friend Suze has found a new best friend while Becky was away.

Becky’s feeling rather blue - when her parents deliver some incredible news. She has a long-lost sister! Becky is thrilled! She’s convinced her sister will be a true soulmate. They’ll go shopping together, drink cappuccinos together, have manicures together, and watch their favorite videos together.

Until she meets Jessica for the first time and gets the shock of her life. Surely Becky Bloomwood’s sister can’t...hate shopping?

©2004 Sophie Kinsella (P)2004 Books on Tape

My least favourite of the Shopaholic books

I enjoyed this lastest Shopaholic book very much, but I found that Becky Bloomwood was at her most irritating in this book. Despite all the trouble she's gotten into in past books she never seems to learn from her mistakes and the mishaps in this book are very similar to those in the other three. i.e. Becky tells a fib and finds things spiralling out of control because of her lie. Of course, she always redeems herself in the end so it's impossible to hate her, but I came really close this time. The introduction of a sister for Becky made for an interesting plot, especially since they're so different. I was very ambivalent about Shopaholic and Sister until right at the end. However, it's a definite must-read if you are a fan of the Shopaholic series.

Love the story hate the narrator

The only reason I did not give this book all 5 stars was because of the lack luster narration. Ms. Bailey's voice is tiresome, monotone, and most of all just sounds too mature for Becky's character. Aside from that the story line is very well written, in the same Becky fashion. If you've enjoyed other Shopaholic books you will enjoy this one too, if you can get past the narration.

Where is Emily Gray

I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to Emily Gray narrate and BE Becky Bloomwood. I'm sorry to see she does not return. The story itself is still fun and typical Becky.

Emily Gray made Becky's character so fun and alive. She made it easy to forgive Becky when you know you should really want to ring Becky's neck.

This narrator is pleasant to hear, she's just not the Becky I've become used to picturing in my imagination.

Great Listen,

As usual, Sophie Kinsella has written an adorable book. Interesting, funny and sweet she has written another shopaholic book and managed to include the adorable personality we all love while still creating a totally new story. I loved it, all of the shopaholic books are worth listening to.

Not her best...

I really enjoyed her previous books and so was looking forward to listening to this. It was quite disappointing though! Becky sounds much older with this narrator..her voice reminds me of Aunt Clara from Bewitched. And the situations Becky creates in this novel are more serious and consequential which makes Becky look flighty and irresponsible. Her previous novels had these things, too, but you still really enjoyed Becky and empathized with her plights. In this book I found myself disliking her for the things she does and wondering how in the world anyone could be so irresponsible and stupid? The sister line is annoying..had I been her sister I may have obtained a restraining order! The first half of the book isn't quite as bad as the second half in this regard.....Not sure I can recommend this one folks!

LOOOOOVED

I loved everything about this book and the series! Movie worthy for sure❤️If your looking for a fun book to get into the Shopaholic series is great!

Not as good as the others

Maybe I'm getting a little tired of Becky Bloomwood. I realized I don't like this reader as well as Kate Redding. It gets to the point where you want to say - "Becky, just take a stand and be yourself!"

Repairing Connections

Josephine Bailey did a fine job with story. Yes, I enjoyed this one. There is less shopping and more doing. You know how we guys like action. ;) Coming up with titles for a review is often more difficult than writing the darn things so I finally fixed on one which describes what Rebecca Brandon is about in this work. She tries to fix problems of her own making with her relationships: sister, husband, best friend. Men and women think differently from each other on most matters. Rebecca thinks extremely differently. She naturally assumes shopping will solve all problems. What did Jane Austen have to say about fine clothes? Oh, I can't quite quote but she goes something like this: woman is fine for herself alone. As long as she is neat and clean, a man will never notice much less remember the new dress, hair color, lipstick shade, style of shoes, the stylish purse or earrings. In other words, we men don't care for the fruit peel only the meat. For other women, something a bit shabby is preferred for conversation's sake. Don't blame me; this is straight from Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey). Rebecca, poor girl, probably wasn't an Austen fan and therefore never got this good advice from the grand dame herself. I really started enjoying this story when Rebecca absolutely gunks up the works then rushes pell-mell to put matters aright. First stop was to patch things up with her sister and manages to totally alienate her. To fix matters, she wound up on the side of a mountain in a storm in her lovely new slippers then slipped off. Oh yes, the story picks up delightfully: action, blood, mud, broken bones, the works. The best of it happened when she found herself accidently organizing a large scale protest of her husband's largest client. Then there are the amusing adventures as she mended matters. However Luke and Rebecca Brandon finally arrive at their Pemberley, one can only say it will be an interesting trip.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

I enjoyed this fourth book just as much as the first three. I find Becky very amusing and you can't help but like her. The relationship between her and Luke? (can't remember hubby's name)is a good part of the story aside from the found sister aspect. I would definitely recommend it for Becky fans.

I did get the audible version of Can you Keep a Secret, but did not enjoy that one nearly as much as the Shopoholic series.

Cant wait to get the next one!

I didnt care for the Shopaholic books at first, but now that the story line has developed more I am quite into them. I am eager to get the the next book.