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Review: Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella



In amongst wrapping, baking, pre-cooking and the last few hectic days at work, I managed to squeeze in another festive read - Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.


Synopsis

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) adores Christmas. It's always the same – Mum and Dad hosting, carols playing, Mum pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the next-door neighbours coming round for sherry in their terrible festive jumpers.


And now it's even easier with online bargain-shopping sites – if you spend enough you even get free delivery. Sorted!

But this year looks set to be different. Unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocado, Becky's parents are moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch and have asked Becky if she'll host Christmas this year. What could possibly go wrong?

With sister Jess demanding a vegan turkey, husband Luke determined that he just wants aftershave again, and little Minnie insisting on a very specific picnic hamper – surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear . . .

Will chaos ensue, or will Becky manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas?


What I thought

I never get tired of Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood). Obviously there are a lot of similarities in each of the Shopaholic books, with the main premise being her love of shopping, but there is so much heart in the stories it never gets old. Becky is, despite her failings, an ultimately lovable character, and gets into most of her mishaps by trying to do something nice for someone else. And what better person to embody the spirit of Christmas?

The story, like the other Shopaholic books, is a series of scrapes that Becky finds herself in. Sophie Kinsella does this with such skill - instead of being merely one slapstick event after the other, it moves the plot along, and leads to such a satisfying ending. Whether your favourite is smoked salmon or vegan turkey, you just want to have a seat at her Christmas table.


LJ
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