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

Disappointing narration

I became a Becky Bloomwood fan through audible books and loved the narration of the first three -- all narrated by Emily Gray who totally gets Becky Bloomwood (my opinion). I found I had to listen to Shopaholic and Sister super-imposing Emily Gray's voice and inflections while I listened. Reading it was more enjoyable.

Still LOVE Becky Bloomwood though. Bring on more!

strange twists

Where does Shopaholic & Sister rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

probably lower down the list. But still interesting

Who was your favorite character and why?

The sister.

Any additional comments?

I still love Becky. As silly as she is, she gets into the weirdest situations, yet can get out of them, and still come out ahead. Altho. you would think, some day will she learn???

Shopaholic always makes me laugh.

These books are always fun to listen to after finishing a sad or heavy book. I think this was the funniest one so far.

Surprised myself by LOVING the new narrator!

What made the experience of listening to Shopaholic & Sister the most enjoyable?

Loved the story - as always. Sophie Kinsella just NEVER disappoints. This is one of my favorites in the series. And the new narrator handled the characters brilliantly! She is a little more grown up - in voice - than the previous - which makes perfect sense!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shopaholic & Sister?

A few laugh-out-loud moments when Becky is preparing for Jess to sleep over.

Which character – as performed by Josephine Bailey – was your favorite?

She does LUKE just as well as Becky!!

There is an Emily Gray Version That's Better

I'm not sure why Audible uses this version. I'm assuming it's related to distribution rights, but the Emily Gray version is much better and available on iTunes UK.

A Pleasant Surprise

I really didn't expect to like this book......although I am definitely a Sophie Kinsella fan and enjoyed all the others. I expected it to be something sappy about sisters bonding and going on long shopping trips together. What a pleasant surprise to find such a fun read.....one of my favorites of the series. I am amazed that Ms. Kinsella has been able to keep this series going for so many books.....and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

No reprieve for Becky or us throughout

This whole book seems to be designed to grind Becky down. It's still enjoyable but only just as the light hearted spark Becky's character is consistently trod underfoot. The sister character was certainly very welcome and she is a great foil to Becky. This fourth installment is generally missing the joie de vivre from the first two books. A darker tone for those devoted followers of Mrs. Brandon née Bloomwood.

Shopaholic Strikes Again!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I am slowly listening to all the Shopaholic books. I find them very entertaining, especially on long car trips! One reason I like this series is the British accent!

What other book might you compare Shopaholic & Sister to and why?

All the shopaholic books are similar. If you like one, you will like them all. If you like Bridget Jones, you will like Becky Brandon, née Bloomwood.

Which character – as performed by Josephine Bailey – was your favorite?

As for favorite characters-Becky of course and best friend Susan!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Since I listen in the car, I can sometimes find my self sitting in the driveway to get to the end of a chapter.

Crème de la crème of Sophie Kinsella

This little gem is the best yet of the Shopaholic series. Have enjoy all of Sophie Kinsella's books--such wondrous and witty escapes from these troubled, tumultuous, bewildering times. Read her first Shopaholic book years ago and it seemed a bit frivolous at the time. So I listened to all of Kinsella's books avoiding this series. All her other books were SO laugh out loud funny (no easy task for a writer) that I decided to give the Shopaholic novels a second chance. Wow. This time I very much identified with Rebecca Bloomwood, perhaps because these days we're all so overwhelmed with material abundance and the draw of the instant gratification of a new pair of shoes or a great sale when one's life seems out of control.

Shopaholic & Sister was especially gratifying. Becky gets herself in so many bizarre binds, gratifying herself with shiny new baubles instead of tackling her very real character flaws and a complicated marriage to a bedazzling, driven husband who spends far more time with his business than his wife, giving her little notice or appreciation. Saturated with humor and a playful meandering plot which continues to surprise with each unexpected turn, this installment is totally satisfying, not to mention entirely entertaining and illuminating. Chicklit at its very best!

Had me in stitches and tears

I really enjoyed this fourth "Becky" book, I thought I'd be fed up and at times you do say to yourself 'come on, Becky! Straighten up" but it's funny and I cried all the way home one day when she found herself at loose ends and her world falling apart. some reviewers say she never learns from her mistakes, but I think this book shows she does learn something. Can't wait for the Baby book.