Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (Review by Karina Kaushal)

Rating: 4 stars

Our beloved Becky Brandon née Bloomwood returns in Sophie Kinsella’s latest addition to the Shopaholic Series, Christmas Shopaholic. And she hasn’t changed the slightest! In keeping with Kinsella’s theme, we see same old Becky in a new circumstance, Christmas.

But that’s what we love about Becky, that she never changes. Same old Becky speaks to that spunky child within us, we’ve suppressed for so many years. You know, the one that knows it’s totally unrealistic, sexist and so not independent woman of us to have a rich husband and be able to buy designer scarves in every color, but still think it’s kind of an amazing fantasy.

That’s why the series is such a guilty pleasure. Reality compels us to be sensible adults and control our impulses, but Kinsella shows us a world not unlike Charlie’s Chocolate factory is to a chocoholic, where we might indulge our impulses and face no repercussions.

Having said that, we live in a world today where Christmas is often commercialized and revolves around the idea of expressing love with gifts. It would seem the ideal circumstance for a shopaholic to gratify her materialistic desires. Instead in her own loopy way, Becky reminds us of the deeper sentiments of Christmas.

Kinsella continues to charm us with girly humor and oops moments. At times, I was laughing out loud and other times I was awed by the wisdom she imparted through Becky. I highly recommend this festive read to anyone (even if you haven’t been following the series). It will get you in the right kind of mood for the holiday season.