Becky Bloomwood returns (Shopaholic Abroad - Sophie Kinsella)

Member Name: candyfloss89

Product:	Shopaholic Abroad - Sophie Kinsella
Date:	02/07/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: funny, easy to read, as good as the first book

Disadvantages: maybe the fact that it's so easy to read means you finish it too quickly!, predictable at times

Shopaholic Abroad (sometimes called Shopaholic takes Manhattan) is the second book in the hugely popular Shopaholic series, following the life of shopping addict Becky Bloomwood. Can it live up to its predecessor?

SYNOPSIS
Rebecca Bloomwood is back! She's landed a career in television giving people advice on their financial situations and has bagged her dream man in rich and handsome businessman, Luke Brandon.
When Luke has to travel to New York City where his firm is opening a new office, Becky is delighted to be invited along for there first trip away together as a couple. That's not to mention all of the great shopping oppotunities that New York has to offer! In usual shopaholic style, Becky goes crazy in Tiffanys, Barneys and even the museum shop!
But when Beckys excessive spending is sensationally exposed, her relationship with Luke is out under serious strain. Can the couple work through their problems?

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK
I was dubious that this book could live up to the first book in the series. With Becky in a well paid job and a sucessful relationship, there seemed little left to write about to warrant a sequel. I was wrong.
Beckys spending habit is as bad as it ever was and by taking her abroad to a fresh enviroment, there's plenty more problems and complications for her to overcome, often in Becky's own hilarious fashion. This keeps the book interesting.

As with the first book, it's funny, light hearted and easy to read. And again, Becky shows herself to resourceful and intelligent when she needs to be, particulary in matters of finance even though she can barely manage her own! I think its important to show this side of Beckys character rather than just the shallow shopaholic!

There's just as many cringe worthy and brilliantly funny moments as in the previous books. My favourite is when Becky decides to prove Luke wrong when he claims that she cannot pack light. So she takes a tiny suitcase with all her basics in and decides to get the rest of her clothes sent by next day delivery to the hotel behind Lukes back. Unfortunatley for Becky, her clothes havent arrived at the hotel in time for when she does! This produces many life out loud moments.

DISADAVANTAGES
It has the same disadavantage of the first book which is that it becomes predictable towards the end. That's not to say you're going to be guessing the story the entire way through but you will probably see the ending coming, which is annoying if you like to be suprised and challenged as a reader.

Becky can get just as irritating as she does in the first book. All her problems she brings on herself and it's hard to sympathise with a character like this. You feel she should have learnt her lesson by now but it seems she never does. Whilst many will see this as a loveable aspect to Becky's character, personally I find it irritating.

WHERE TO BUY
Again, I'd reccomend that you really shop around before you buy this as you can buy it for an incredibly cheap price if your patient. It's in loads of charity shops and discount bookstores. I brought the entire series from charity shops near my home for about 50p each.

Summary: Lives up to its predecessor