Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Yes, it's silly... yes, it's extreme. But for light reading, I very much enjoy books by Sophie Kinsella. This is the third in the 'Shopaholic' series, which for years I avoided out of prejudice against so-called 'chick-lit'. But Becky Bloomwood, heroine of the series, is somehow delightful, despite her addition to materialism, and her naiveté about many things.

This particular volume isn't about Becky's spending habits as such but about her wedding to the wealthy businessman Luke. Unfortunately she finds herself in a horrendous situation, with her mother planning a wedding in her home town, and Luke's mother planning one in New York. The further the plans proceed, the more difficult it becomes for Becky to cancel either one - and when show more she attempts to do so, she finds herself in potentially an even worse situation.

There's a wonderful contrast shown between the perfectly planned extravaganza with strangers and an ice-cold sponsor, and the home environment where nothing is tasteful, but there is a lot of love. Becky does love glitz and glamour, and being the centre of attention... but she also loves her family, and - as is shown clearly in this book - is very much in love with Luke.

There are some amusing moments that made me chuckle out loud, one or two quite moving scenes with more depth than I expected, and an inevitable happy ending that, of course, worked out just as Becky had hoped.

Definitely recommended, if you don't mind suspending reality a little and entering into the silliness of the plot. show less

When Becky and Luke get engaged, they have mothers on both sides of the ocean wanting to plan the wedding and have it held in England (Becky’s mom) and New York City (Luke’s mom). As the mothers plan in different countries, Becky just can’t decide where she wants to have her wedding… and the plans continue onward with neither mother knowing the other mother is also planning! And Becky just can’t seem to come to a decision and can’t bring herself to tell anyone the crisis she’s having in trying to decide – she doesn’t want to let anyone down.

I feel like “chick lit” is not the kind of thing I think I would like, but when I do read it, I really do (most of the time) tend to really enjoy it! This book (and series) is show more no exception there (even though I don’t shop, am not “into” fashion, and I often get annoyed with Becky. I did feel like I had a solution for her early(ish) on in the book, and it kind-of (but not completely) went how I was thinking. But, I still enjoyed the ride (even when I was frustrated with Becky). There was a more serious side to this one, as well, involving Luke and his mother. show less

Possibly my favorite in the series, Sophie Kinsella made a usually boring tale of 'the girl marries the guy' gripping and funny! I loved the conclusion, and found that she exceeded my expectations for the genre. Very enjoyable.

This series always makes me laugh. Becky and Luke are dating and living together and now Becky must figure out how to hide her spending when they share a joint account. And an apartment. Oh dear. Her best friend Suze and cousin Tarquin are getting married and they’ve been invited and suddenly Becky is engaged and getting married as well! But between two crazy mothers, a fashion designer and one wedding planner who all want to manage the details of her special day, can she keep the wedding… make that TWO weddings… from spinning out of control? The characters absolutely make the Shopaholic series, and as soon as I finish the book I’m reading, I can’t wait to pick up the next one. Another heartwarming installment that was just show more what I needed for a dose of hilarious British humor.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. show less

*yawn*

What? Did I really do that? I, who LOVED the first two Shopaholic books?

Why yes I did. This book could not have been dragged out longer. I don't know if Sophie just ran out of tangled spots for Becky to work her way out of, but man did this book drag. By the end I couldn't care less if Becky actually got married or not.

I thought there would be more fun with the wedding planning - Becky's style versus her mother's or Luke's mother's style. Lots of shopping, spending too much - I mean, that's why I love these freaking books so I can shop vicariously through the character.

No deal.

Just a lot of "GET ON WITH IT!"

I won't be reading the fourth installment. I'm blatantly against silly people procreating (which is why I have no children show more of my own). The idea that Becky is going to have a baby now is just silly. And the premise is tacky and cliche.

Stick with the first two books and enjoy them. Skip the third. show less

This was the third in the Shopaholic series.

At one point in this book, I had to stop reading because I grew so uncomfortable with the situation that Becky had got herself into. It was literally stressing me out. But I think this just shows how compelling of a character Becky is and how realistic her life had become to me.

This book of the series so far would be the best to be made into a movie. The vivid imagery and the beautiful scenes envisioned would be a delight to see on the screen, and Becky's designer friend could really shine.

I appreciated the details of the Plaza, which reminded me a little of the Princess Diaries.

In this book, Luke grew a lot as a character. I've appreciated how he'd been slowly built through the previous two show more books, and this took him to another level. He became very real, instead of just being a power playing workaholic, and we learned a lot about his past. The ultimate resolution was very satisfying, and again showed how Becky can be a very strong person when she's needed.

For the most part, this felt a little superficial, but this was still a fun read. show less

Abridged audiobook.

I have read (listened to) one other Sophie Kinsella book, but it was not from the Shopaholic series. This was the first time I had met Becky Bloomwood. She struck me as totally divorced from the realities of life and it is this that makes her both endearing and frustrating. Bills for clothes do not become any smaller because you drop Tippex on them!

When Becky's boyfriend, Luke Brandon, proposes, Becky's mother is thrilled and immediately starts to make arrangements for her only daughter's wedding in their home in Oxshott, England. She brings out her own wedding dress, which fits Becky perfectly - but is the last thing Becky wants to wear as she walks down the aisle.
Meanwhile, Luke's Mum in America, decides to treat show more them to the perfect wedding in The Plaza Hotel, New York.
True to her pattern of 'head in the sand', Becky manages to not quite cancel either wedding and as the time approaches, the situation becomes more and more urgent.

I felt for her, but I could have slapped her too! Entertaining to listen to in the car.
I have a couple of other Shopaholic books on my shelves but there are many other books that are more urgently queueing for my attention.

Also read:
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (4 stars) show less