Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

 I always waver between favouring stand-alone books or series of stories.

I'm an impatient person so I much prefer a series when they've already all been released, which means I don't have the horrific, long wait for the next book to come out.

There is however a couple of sets of books where I'm willing to make an exception.

One such series is the Shopaholic novels from Sophie Kinsella. From the very first one I fell in love with the character of Becky Bloomwood and found myself laughing ( an awful lot) with each book that I read. 

Combine Becky with Christmas and there was no way I wasn't going to buy this story, p.s. can't believe I waited so long to read it!

Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze’s stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness—even if that only means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains.

But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents hosting, carols playing on repeat, her mother pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors coming ’round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch—unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados—and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?

Becky’s sister demands a vegan turkey, her husband insists that he just wants aftershave (again), and little Minnie needs a very specific picnic hamper: Surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend–turned–rock star and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear. But as the countdown to Christmas begins and her bighearted plans take an unexpected turn toward disaster, Becky wonders if chaos will ensue, or if she’ll manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas after all.

One word sums up this book, hilarious. With every turn of the page - or press on the Kindle screen - my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I would challenge anyone to not cry from laughing when reading this story.

Reading Christmas Shopaholic was like meeting up with an old friend. Very Bridget Jones.

The way Sophie writes, I can always picture Becky, Luke, Suze and the rest of the family as they seemingly get on with their day to day life. Which to us reads like a comical version of Eastenders.

A fun, fast-paced, feel good book that offers nothing less than pages upon pages of laughs.

Will Becky be able to host the perfect Christmas? Will her mum and Janice make it to the big day with their friendship intact?

More importantly ....

Will Luke get the present that he doesn't even know that he desires?

And whilst you look for those answer I'll just say what an ending. Please don't let that be the last book, I need more Becky in my life.

Anyway enough of my pleas.

You may be happy to know that you could in fact read this book as a stand alone but honestly I don't know why you'd want to miss out on the rest of the series.

These books are the gifts that keep on giving.