Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

shopaholic to the rescue

After reading so many non-fiction and, frankly, disturbing books in a row, I needed something light and fun – and this was just the thing!

There’s clearly something amiss when Becky is not enthusiastic about shopping.  She and her mother and the shopaholic cast of characters are on a trek to Las Vegas in search of Becky’s father, who’s gone missing on a mysterious “errand” with Becky’s friend Suze’s husband, Tarquin —  and she’s found she’s lost her shopping groove.  She also may have lost her best friend, Suze.  And her father.  As they all set out to find Becky’s father, they learn about her father’s kind-hearted mission to right a past wrong and they find a wild way to support him in the end.

While the previous Shopaholic book was a painful disappointment, I have to admit that this one was adventurous and highly amusing.  None of these shopaholic books will be awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, but they are entertaining, engaging, plot-driven, heartwarming, and endearing – and they are a wonderful escape from these stressful times.

I highly recommend this as a delightful distraction from your everyday routine – and you don’t even have to tell anyone that you’ve indulged, as I’ve admitted to here!

Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

True confession:  the Shopaholic books are usually my secret, guilty pleasure.  The previous ones have been silly but fun and cute and highly entertaining.  This is why I am so sad to say that this latest one was an utter disappointment!

Becky Brandon, who is entranced by fashion and shopping and has been a personal shopper for Barney’s, now finds herself in the middle of LA with a possible connection to the “star du jour,” Sage Seymour.  As she fantasizes about becoming Sage’s stylist, and even a stylist for the “red carpet,” she becomes entangled in a brawl between Sage and her arch enemy, Lois Kellerton.  As Becky’s is thrust into the media frenzy that is LA, she is forced to choose between her loyalty to her husband and her best friend and her career, and she is seeing the less-than-glamorous side of fame.

It’s a cute idea for the story, but the writing actually becomes boring.  It is lacking the usual, amusing twists and turns, and it feels as if even the author gets bored because she just stops writing.  The ending arrives with a THUD with no resolution of the most interesting part of the story!

I was really looking forward to this book and was painfully disappointed.

Really – don’t bother!

Wedding Night (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

I love Sophie Kinsella!  She can always be counted on to supply a light-hearted, fun read with a convoluted plot line that gradually untwists into an utterly happy ending.  And Wedding Night does not disappoint!

Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, cannot sit by and watch Lottie commit yet another “Unfortunate Choice,” Fliss’s name for the extreme reactions Lottie’s had after previous bad break-ups.  Unfortunately, Fliss seems to be having her own severe reaction, to the point where she’s orchestrating disaster on Lottie’s honeymoon in order to protect her.

There’s a lot of wincing and “oh, no’s” while you are reading this, but a lot of giggling as well.  It’s not Shakespeare, but it is great fun.  Perfect for the beach this summer!

Can You Keep a Secret?

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

After reading The Storyteller, this is just what I needed!  I think Kinsella’s books are my secret (although not anymore!) vice.  They are light and a little predictable but they are cute, a little outlandish and really fun to read.  In this one, the main character, Emma, is a young, ambitious marketing assistant who is sent on a business trip to represent her company.  She has had a dismal experience and on her flight home, after a few drinks and some extreme turbulence, confesses all her deepest, darkest secrets to a complete stranger.  Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case turns out to be, this stranger shows up again at her office — because he’s the founder of her company.

It’s quirky and contrived but makes for a fun read.  Perfect beach reading — unfortunately for me, it’s snowing out!