Ahh, how times have changed. I used to consider these books a good guilty pleasure; now I find there's a lot less pleasure and a lot more guilt. Kinsella is still an amusing, energetic writer, but Becky really grated on my nerves this time around. She's just so shallow and so frivolous, and while in the first few books she was also just a regular working girl, now that she's rich (thanks entirely to her husband), her insane overspending and materialism swiftly loses its charm and becomes...icky. It can be difficult to read a whole book about someone you would probably feel uncomfortable having lunch with.

So, while I still think there's a...certain charm to these books, and that they're in many ways better than a lot of chick lit, I also just don't think they're for me anymore. I've become too old and cranky to enjoy them. They belong to a part of my life that no longer exists (in which, for example, I also secretly owned an Avril Lavigne CD).

I read the Shopaholic books as soon as I can get my hands on a copy. Sophie Kinsella is a really funny writer. She has sustained the Shopaholic idea through more sequels than most writers can. However, this book (and the previous one, Shopaholic and Sister) isn't as spot-on as the first two. I mean, isn't Becky ever going to learn to stop overspending? Every book involves her getting in a financial hole, then reforming at book's end, only to start over again in the next book. And of course, now that she's married to a rich guy, it's not quite so nervewracking when she maxes out her credit card. It IS true that when you have your first baby, you buy all kinds of things you didn't know you "needed," and the part of the book when Becky learns about "baby couture" and decides she needs multiple strollers is fun. Die hard fans like me will probably keep reading--but it's not the best in the series for sure.

I was quite disappointed with this book. I picked it up wanting a light summer read, but couldn’t get into it.

Becky’s shopaholism is out of control, but I found myself feeling sorry for her for being married to such a man as Luke.

Overall, I rate this 2.5/5, giving it 3 stars on Goodreads just because it was written by Sophie Kinsella.

A calm, quiet and peaceful time, that is what every pregnant woman expects or is supposed to get. I don't know if anyone had to go through the agonies that Becky suffered; may be a lot of them fear the same. After all, will there be a story without troubles? This novel can't be surpassed by other shopaholic novels in providing pure comic relief.

Re-read 2020

Well, Becky and Luke are having a baby and a whole new reason for shopping is born! Of course, Luke and BFF Suze try to steer Becky to be frugal but she's a first time Mama and her child will have the best of everything. But while Becky is in the glows of motherhood expectations, she's a little worried about Luke's work life and her obstetrician's role as an ex-girlfriend.

The storyline is good but it would be so nice to have one book where Becky isn't completely fixated on her relationship with Luke. Or in turn, he wasn't completely keeping Becky out of the loop. Overall, there were still comedic moments that made me laugh.


Goodreads review published 24/04/20

As ridiculous as these books are, I find them so funny and a lovely read between heavier books.

Long may the series continue.

Five stars.

Accidently reading this series backward... I wasn't too keen on this series but we're in lockdown and there's literally nothing else to read. So something lighthearted and a bit dumb might come in handy at these times... Still wish my library would open up, though.

Help this college girl out by checking out depop for books on sale. Here's a preview:
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For Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) life is going great. She has a fantastic job at The Look, the newest department store in London, herself and Luke are house-hunting (it must have a shoe-room) and Becky is pregnant. Pregnancy for Becky means not only bringing a new life into the world, but preparing for the baby's arrival and if there's anything Becky Brandon is good at, it's shopping. When it comes to her baby, everything has to be perfect. Including the doctor's who look after her. So when Becky hears of Venetia Carter, a celebrity obstetrician Becky immediately realises she must have her deliver her baby... but when Becky finds out that Venetia dated Luke at University, Becky's world begins to crumble. Is Venetia just an obstetrician or is she after Luke?

If you've read my previous reviews of the Shopaholic series, you'll know I'm currently re-reading the entire series after learning there was a new Shopaholic book due out in September called Mini Shopaholic. I've never gotten around to fully reading the series in order and since I absolutely love Sophie Kinsella and all of the Shopaholic books I decided to rectify that and the new Shopaholic book was just the icing on the cake. I've finally managed to reach the most recent Shopaholic (until Mini Shopaholic comes out of course) and I couldn't wait to get stuck in again, particularly as Shopaholic & Baby has one of the most memorable scenes ever.

I'm fairly sure that all of my reviews of the Shopaholic series are starting to sound a bit same-y. Generally because I keep going on and on and on about how much I love the series, and Becky, and Sophie Kinsella... I think you get the point. Now, after having read the first five books, there's no doubt in my mind that this is my favourite series period. I could probably write a degree of the Shopaholic series. It wouldn't do me much good, but that is how much I love it. I always remember little tidbits from the books and Shopaholic and Baby is responsible for one of the most hilarious quotes ever. I'm not going to tell you it, but once you read it you'll understand and probably love it (unless you're a red-head).

Because Becky is the biggest Shopaholic ever to live, her having a baby was only going to open up a whole ton of new shopping possibilities. If Becky ever gave up shopping there's a good chance I'd faint and while shopping makes up the backbone of the entire series (and makes a bit of a raging return in Shopaholic & Baby), there are other issues at play throughout Shopaholic and Baby. I rather assume that Becky's need to have everything for her unborn child is what most first-time mother's feel like and Venetia Carter, celebrity obstetrician, is who Becky wants to deliver her baby. Until she learns Venetia and Luke dated at University. It throws up a whole load of questions for Becky, particularly since Luke and Venetia begin spending a lot of time together. The lengths Becky goes to to find out Venetia's true game was both touching and hilarious.

Learning that she's pregnant, and about to have her first child, does seem to have made Becky grow up a bit. As the books progress she does seem to grow up more and more and although she's still her funny, touching and sparkling self, I did think she seemed a bit more serious (well, most of the time anyway). I know that Becky believes Venetia might be about to steal Luke at any moment, but I kind of trust Luke. Or rather, I trust Sophie Kinsella to not do that. It gets a bit hairy, because although I trust Luke, I didn't trust Venetia and I was a bit worried. All of Becky's family and friends return; Jane and Graham, her parents, Janice and Martin, the next door neighbours, Jess, Becky's sister, Suze, Becky's best friend. Even Danny Kovitz returns and it was good to see him again. I don't know if you noticed but I didn't like Venetia at all.

Shopaholic and Baby is written in the same writing style as the rest, from Becky's point of view and in a chatty, conversational way. There are still letters from banks, and shops interspersed throughout which are always thoroughly amusing. I also found the entire book funnier than the previous one, although they do all make me laugh out loud most of the time! It leads us perfectly into the next Shopaholic book and is a must-read for all Shopaholic fans.

This one starts out slow and aggravating -- as Becky Bloomwood so often does. I find the series slightly more annoying now that she's rich and her shopping affliction is less a real problem and more of just a pesky bad habit which her husband can constantly bail her out of. Oh hardy har har, Becky can't possibly choose just one stroller so she buys four uber-strollers when the rest of us struggle to afford one mediocre one that we can make do with. And for some reason, her marriage and relationship with her husband have always seemed a bit awkward to me. He's supposed to be this fantastically rich and intelligent entrepreneur, but yet he has the relationship smarts of a banana slug.

But before I knew it this one had me hooked just like all the rest! By about the halfway point I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting. I even found myself laughing out loud at some points. If you're a fan of the series, this one is another fun read, although Kinsella has still never been able to recapture the charm of the original book. I don't so much *like* Becky anymore, as I just feel a bit sorry for her and hope things work out for her in the end. This installment is not perfect, by any means, but if you've made it this far with the series, it's still a good diversion for some light-hearted, purely frivolous reading.

3 stars
Felt more sympathetic towards Becky this time. The same old concept, fun read for in between more serious reads.

Characters 6
Atmosphere 6
Writing Style 6
Setup 6
Plot 6
Intrigue 6
Logic 6
Enjoyment 6
Narration 6

2020
Как не съм се сетила досега да си направя кредитна карта в някоя екзотична страна :) ВИнаги има какво да науча от Беки ;) Идеите са нейната стихия. Точно това е и моята стратегия-няма какво да се вайкаш , веднага търси решение.
2018
Кой друг, освен Беки , ще спретне такова раждане., с хомеопат, ароматотерапевт, йога инструктор и т.н.
Човек винаги трябва да се подсигурява отвсякъде.
А как ви се струва идеята , да си кръстите детето г-ца Унауатуна Орхидея Бамбукова Брандън?
Или Армагедон ?
Идеята шнола на "Миу Миу" да бъде част от попечителски фонд ?
Блестящи идеи има тази жена.
Никой не може да си позволява да я подценява.

One of my favourite shaopaholic books.