Like spending time with an old friend...



UK Cover



I’ve know Becky Bloomwood since her first overdraft and always look forward to “spending” time with her whether she’s tramping up 5^th Avenue, climbing the side of a mountain, searching for her half-sister or in the latest installment, being a mum to a tantrum throwing toddler.  So begins Sophie Kinsella’s latest in the saga of her popular shopaholic series.

 

The book opens on Christmas Eve at a shopping mall where little Minnie, now two years old, begins to throw a fit when she sees a toy pony that initially Becky doesn’t want to purchase.  In standard Becky fashion, she finds a reason to cave (much the same rationale permeates the entire series - it’s on sale, it’s a one-off, it’s a classic, etc.) and averts disaster, only temporarily.  A hilarious, albeit mortifying, incident ensues at Santa’s Grotto where the whole family is banned for life.

This scene introduces one of the major plotlines of the novel, Minnie’s out of control nature.  Many hilarious toddler problems ensue and Nanny Sue (a TV nanny comes to the rescue, but not before a comical mannequin incident).  With typical Becky flair, she finds her way into a myriad of problems such as planning a surprise party for Luke while trying to utilize the bartering system because of the economic downturn. 

On some level, Becky is still Becky.  Shopping, scheming, lying and keeping secrets, but somehow she manages to endear herself to you because you know she’s harmless and truly means well.  Like all the novels, everything ties up neatly at the end in this installment also and we are left wondering/knowing/hoping that another tale of Becky shopping till she drops is soon to follow.  Minishopaholic is a fun, fast chick-lit read.  If you’ve enjoyed the others in the series you’ll love this one.