Title: Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
My Ratings: 5 Stars
Publisher: Bantam Press
Source: Times Books
Goodreads Synopsis:
Celebrate Christmas with the ultimate Shopaholic!
The brilliant laugh-out-loud festive novel from the Number One bestselling author.
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?
Last Christmas, I had the opportunity to properly celebrate Christmas. We put the tree up on the first of December, decorated the house slowly throughout the month, watched countless Christmas movies and listened to Christmas songs whole month long. I also baked butter cakes, chocolate chip and sunflower seeds cookies, gee cookies,bread pudding and more. On Christmas Eve, we toasted apple cider and cozied up to the twinkling lights that are coming from the Christmas tree. For Christmas lunch, I made Mac and Cheese, mashed potatoes and ate with the roasted chicken that we ordered. It was a perfect Christmas for the both of us.
Strangely, I wouldn’t say the same for Deepavali. For Deepavali, I will be overwhelmed by chores after chores, and the idea of celebrating it becomes a headache. The sense of responsibility tends to weigh down on me, I simply can’t relax with the list of chores weighing me down. Such is the case with Rebecca Bloomwood. When her parents retreated to the hippest part of London and passed the responsibility of throwing a Christmas party to her, in the usual Becky Bloomwood fashion, she managed it with true chaos.
It is always wonderful to return to the world of Rebecca Bloomwood. Her outrageous shopping spree and her quirky decision makings are always hilarious to read. In this book, we follow Rebecca who’s trying to throw a perfect Christmas party for everyone. She tries to accommodate her parents, Suze, her half sister. It’s quite impossible, but knowing Rebecca, she strives very hard to achieve it.
On top of it, she is also juggling gift buying, her career and bumping into her college Beau isn’t helping either. She simply had too much on her plate. I laughed, panicked and cried alongside her every pages away. It was incredible.
Okay, here comes the not so awesome bits. If you’re an ardent Shopaholic series fan, you would have a basic idea on how Sophie writes about Rebecca. The thinking process, the action are simply too repetitive. I didn’t mind because this series has a soft spot in my heart, if you’re like me, then you’re more than welcome to read it. If you’re looking for something new and fresh, sorry to say, it’s not available in this book.
Don’t you guys think, they should really consider making a sitcom out of this series? There’s so much potential, and they will have a loyal fan in me, that’s for sure! All in all, this book is a must read for Shopaholic fans, such a treat, such a privilege!
Thank you Times Books for sending me a copy of The Shopaholic Christmas, this book is available in all good bookstores.
Till the next review, stay charming my bookalings!
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