Shopaholic & Sister

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

but great story, nonetheless. I was used to Emily Gray being Becky Bloomwood. I've started Shopaholic and Baby an it's a new narrator there too. All great narrations, just thought of Becky as Emily Gray! Don't know why the changes. However, I LOVEEEE the series... I can already tell I'm going to miss Becky when I'm all done!!!

This book is such fun !! It is not the best of the shopaholic series though..

I loved listening to past Shopaholic books. They were funny and entertaining - good, light listening. I felt irritable and bothered throughout most of this book - irritated with Becky's seemingless endless credit limit (really? the amount of things she bought on a year-long honeymoon?) and her drive to be sisters and friends with this ungrateful, boring, negative woman.

probably lower down the list. But still interesting

The sister.

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???