Becky Bloomwood breaks the bank abroad.... (Shopaholic Abroad - Sophie Kinsella)

Member Name: sparkymarky1973

Product:	Shopaholic Abroad - Sophie Kinsella
Date:	06/02/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very funny again and takes a satirical look at a serial-shopper!

Disadvantages: Is a bit reminiscent of the first book but still very well written.

Becky Bloomwood has never had it so good- her stint on This Morning rip-off T.V show, Morning Coffee, as a financial consultant is going well; all her bills have been paid off and her relationship with Luke Brandon has never been so strong! Except, Luke is planning to branch out to America and hasn't told her yet and maybe a couple of her credit bills have begun getting a little high again and maybe her overdraft does need extending a little but there were these shoes and this dress and then she saw these boots and they were on sale and......well you get the picture!

Yes, Becky is back where she belongs up to her eyeballs in debt. And old enemy Alicia, who works with boyfriend Luke, is up to no good with her nefarious scheming and plotting but it's all good as Luke was planning to take her with him to America all along. And Becky is just what America needs right? Which Televison network wouldn't want an english finiancial consultant to front one of their latest shows? And then, of course, there are all the shopping opputunities because, of course, everyone knows clothes are cheaper in the States.....unfortunately, her friendly Bank Manager is about to retire and his replacement threatens to be not so understanding- and even America is not far enough away to escape his attentions....

It isn't long before everything begins falling down around poor Becky's ankles as all the elements in her life combine to teach her another short, sharp lesson in reality! Once again, Kinsella has created a compulsive, compelling and often funny read though Becky is perhaps even more enfuriating than she was in her first outing!! Still this is one of those books that will make you look at your own life and realise actually you are not so bad whilst illuminating some of the funnier aspects of being a woman addicted to shoes!

This is not just a rehash of Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic though, there are plenty of new elements introduced to keep you entertained. The culture clash between our two countries is cleverly explored and this is a social satire that really mocks our consumerist nature and shows the dangers of compulsive purchasing with no heed to the risks. Of course, it all turns out good in the end but Becky is forced to take a good, hard look at her life and really take stock of her choices.

For me, the funniest scene is where Becky decides to declutter her life. Her mum has provided her thoughtfully with vac-packs to tidy away her clothes and rather than dispose of any unwanted items, Becky decides to vac-pac them all and hide them away in her wardrobe. When her flat-mate, impressed with Becky's ruthlessness opens the wardrobe, the result is an explosion of bra's, knickers and jumpers as all of the bags explode outwards. Who, amongst the ladies out there reading this review, hasn't at least once tried to hide away some of their illicit purchases at some time or another?

The true value of these books is that you don't have to be female or homosexual to enjoy them. They may be chick-lit but, reading these as part of a reading challenge set by some forum friends, I have been actually surprised by how much I am enjoying them! The whole point of my challenge was to broaden my reading horizons and these books have played a large part in breaking down the barriers for me between what are traditionally seen as "boy-books" and what are considered "girly-books"!!

I look forward to reading the next in the series and that is something I never thought I would say...

Summary: Becky travels to the States and finds herself truly in her element