I hadn’t read any books by Sophie Kinsella prior to reading Christmas Shopaholic so I was a little nervous as to whether or not I would be able to follow along with the characters/ storyline. I was so delighted to discover that, for the most part, it was very easy to follow along with. This was a cute, festive story with believable characters. It was so lighthearted, and I found myself literally laughing out loud while reading along. Perfect read for the holiday season!

* I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I was so excited when I saw Sophie kinsella had a new book, I love her writing style and own most of her books, so it was definitely a no brainer to me that I was going to read Christmas Shopaholic.

True to Kinsella this one did not dissappoint! It was such a cute, fun festive read. Much like the others in the Shopaholic series it follows Becky as she takes on the task of hosting Christmas for the very first time. Christmas Shopaholic was fun and entertaining as the shenanigans and mishaps occur. Can't wait to find out what Becky gets up to next.

Both charming and irritating aspects

I would like to thank Sophie Kinsella, Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spoilers

I’m late to the party on this one, it’s been out for over two months now (as of writing this review). But I’m rather glad I waited till this week—Christmas week—to read it, finishing on Christmas Eve. *checks time* Well, Christmas, actually. This book can be read at any time, of course, but reading it during the actual holiday in question added to the atmosphere, I felt.

There were both charming and irritating elements. Becky’s generous and open-minded nature really warmed my heart and went a long way in endearing me to a character I found annoying in general. I know the whole series is—ostensibly—about Becky and her insane spending habits, and I knew to expect it, yet watching her heedlessly buy and buy and buy and buy and hearing about all the useless junk she’s got crammed into hidey-holes in her house so no one will know what a nut job she is made me feel physically ill. It’s supposed to be funny, I guess, but it’s not. And the reasons why she buys most of those things, the justifications…just ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Add in her keen interest in fashion and style trends, and I know she is not someone I would be friends with. Luckily the story focused quite a bit on her family drama, so that was able to distract me from the parts of Becky’s personality that irritated me.

I don’t really have much more to say. Starting the novel with Becky doing some online shopping probably wasn’t a great way to hook readers—I’d have stopped then and there if I didn’t need to review it. And I wish Luke didn’t have such a bland personality, but maybe he needs to be bland to counterbalance Becky’s exuberance. Also, if you’re not familiar with the series, you may get a little overwhelmed by the volume of characters to keep track of. I was long past halfway before I started getting who was who straight in my head.

Oh, and I wasn’t at all surprised when Becky told Luke she’s pregnant at the very end. It’s not much of a spoiler, you can see it coming from sixty miles away. I was wrong in predicting how it would be announced, though. When she had so much trouble finding Luke the “perfect” Christmas present…and mentioned that they wanted another child but hadn’t been able to conceive yet…well, naturally I thought her pregnancy would end up being the perfect present for him. But that’s not how it went down, and I can’t decide if that would have been better than what actually happened or not.

If watching someone willfully hemorrhage money doesn’t bother you, and if you don’t mind a narrative that’s all over the place—poking fun at hipster and vegan culture; trying to legitimize a meaningless, made-up word to avoid being sued; joining and revolutionizing a billiards club just to enter the damn raffle; getting locked in a pet store on Christmas Eve and trying to escape via the friggin chimney; getting stalked and harassed by an ex-boyfriend’s psycho girlfriend—then you might like this book.

Overall—I knew this book wouldn’t be a good fit for me, but I wanted to try it anyway…and I shouldn’t have. It wasn’t a bad book, some readers may really love it, but it did not suit my personal taste.

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I haven't read this series in a while and I missed it so much! I knew she would get herself into some shenanigans but this one surpassed even my expectations of what she would muddle herself in.

I laughed out loud so many times reading this book, I could have a six pack.

The perfect book to read around the holidays!

This was one of the funniest books I’ve ever read!

There was loads of shopping in this story, but there were also a lot of other Christmas traditions, too. I really liked that everyone had their own storyline, including Becky’s sister, her daughter, and even another parent at school. Since every character had their own plot, it felt like they were real people.

I laughed out loud so many times while I was reading it. There were so many clever punchlines that developed throughout the story. Some of them only came out close to the end, but they were built up through the story. This was a hilarious and clever story.

I loved this book! I’ll have to reread it next Christmas too!

Thank you Random House for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did not care for this book. The main character was selfish and stubborn. I could not relate to the story and I am a shopaholic! Giving up at 18% the main character is selfish and annoying and I just don't care for her or how she treats others. This keeps me from reading anymore of her books in this series. I have no desire to read anymore.. I rarely do not finish (dnf) books but this one I did.

I've never read a Sophie Kinsella book before, and I haven't read any of the Shopaholic series. I do have memories of her books on my mom and aunt's nightstand when I was little and I love the Confessions of a Shopaholic movie -- Rebecca Bloomwood is my spirit animal.

However, when I got the chance to read "Christmas Shopaholic" thanks to Netgalley, I was super excited. I read that you didn't really have to read the entire series to understand this book so I was confident that I would understand everything... and plus, I want to read more Christmas centered books during the holiday season so this was perfect.

When I started this book I was pretty unsure if I was going to like it. It seemed to be a little all over the place, a little difficult to follow and hard to understand. I wasn't sure if that was because of the writing, the nature of Becky Brandon ne Bloomwood or because I hadn't read any of the other books before this one.


However, once the book got moving I was able to keep track of the people (I did have to Wikipedia a few character names and see how they really fit into the story) and the multiple plotlines. I also got into the groove of following Becky's stream of consciousness which seems very hard to write and keep track of, so that is pure talent from Kinsella.


Once I got over that bit of confusion I really loved this book. I thought it was hilarious! The cast of characters was super eclectic, from Jess, the vegan to Becky's ex-boyfriend/rockstar, Craig and his pushy, wacko girlfriend Nadine and Becky's parents trying to become hipsters.


Then, you have Becky who is outrageously out there but at the core, has an amazing heart and soul which you see throughout this novel. She is a really good friend, a wonderful mother, and a wife and a person who so desperately wants to make everyone happy. She is unlike any other character I've ever read and it's no wonder that they had to make her into a movie character. Her personality and love jumped off the page and you become very invested in her journey to make the perfect Christmas.


I also think that Kinsella captured perfectly what it means to be stressed during the holiday season; it's wanting to make the perfect Christmas dinner, buying the perfect gifts, being conscious of your health and the waste you're putting into the environment, making everyone happy and then everyday life on top of that. However, she also made it a point to call out (numerous times) that Christmas isn't about the stuff, it's about the people and I loved that message woven throughout the text.


It was the perfect touch of realism in a world that doesn't really exist, with so many eccentric personalities in one place, I loved every moment of it. I loved it when Becky invented a new word, thought she was falling in love with her ex-boyfriend, tried everything to find a vegan turkey, and got locked in a pet store. It was so wild, so weird and so perfect.


You definitely don't need to read the other books in the series to love "Christmas Shopaholic" and I would 100% read again next year around this time to make it a weird tradition. That is how much I loved this book. I'm also pretty sure I need to go back and read the series and will probably continue reading because of the way the book ended you know that there is going to be another one coming down the pipeline.


If you need a good, romantic and funny book to get you through the Christmas season, or just want to read something funny and festive, you will LOVE "Christmas Shopaholic".

Reading about the exploits of Becky Brandon (nee' Bloomwood) is like spending time with an old friend. Christmas Shopaholic is the ninth of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic books, and while there's nothing earth-shattering here, it's still a fun way way to while away a wintry afternoon.

Becky loves Christmas, but this year, her parents have moved away and asked her to do the hosting. Hosting Christmas in this family is the opposite of a low-key affair: Becky's sister, Jess, wants a vegan turkey and each attendee in turn has demands of their own. Becky is just plain stressed out, wanting everything from the gifts to the decorations to be absolutely perfect. Misunderstandings ensue until the final twist at the end (which genuinely surprised me). And of course, we couldn't have a book in the Shopaholic Series without lots and lots of shopping; this being Christmas, Becky takes it to the extreme.

I usually find Becky Brandon to be a fun character, but in this one, she gets into a few too many frustrating situations. Not my favorite Shopaholic book but still an entertaining read for the holidays.

MY RATING - 3.5

I had previously stated that I wish Sophie Kinsella would put the Shopaholic books to bed - oh was I wrong!!! I thought this one was great! It was more entertaining that the last few combined. More like this and I am back on the Shopaholic Fan Train!!!

This is the perfect holiday read! I think so many parts of this story are relatable during this busy season, and it really helps to give you perspective on what is important (as well as a good laugh) as you prepare for all the festivities along with Becky. Becky is such a fun, nostalgic character- she’s so ridiculous you just can’t help but love her. My favorite character though is her husband Luke. His patience and unconditional love for Becky is the sweetest. Thanks for another great Shopaholic book, Sophie Kinsella!

Thank you to Bantam Press via NetGalley for an advanced copy to review!

This one just didn't grab me as much as I love the main character. It was just too much shopping, hiding, and making excuses for the shopping to try to justify the purchases.

This book was really so good. Perfect holiday book and great to see this series keep on keeping on. One of my favorites.

What a fun read to escape from the craziness of December. I have only read a couple of Sophie Kinsella’s books in the past, but look forward to catching up with some of her other titles.

Becky continues her antics with the craziness of hosting Christmas this year and of course she wants to have a thoroughly modern Christmas by trying to make everyone happy. This leads to all kinds of miscommunications and hi jinx.

In usual shopaholic fashion, it is complete craziness that makes these books so enjoyable. Becky gets herself into predicaments that are just believable enough to be relatable. There were several occasions, I found myself thinking that I could relate to her thought process and the need to please those around her.

Shopaholic is the perfect December read, or a great funny read if you want to think about the holiday season.

After being off the intertubes for a couple of weeks with the fam, Imma knock as many of these old reviews off the to-do list as possible before the end of the year when there becomes pretty much zero chance I’ll ever do a wrap up. Let’s start with what I read over my little Christmas staycay. Luckily, there’s not much since I kept finding myself falling down rabbit holes of reality television programs I have managed to avoid in the past but somehow winded up binge-watching in marathons over the last nine days such as the Kardashians *shudder*

I read Christmas Shopaholic on Christmas Eve and it was everything it was supposed to be. If you’re familiar, these books all sort of follow a zany, slapstick, over-the-top sort of storyline that covers whatever is going on in Becky Brandon née Bloomwood’s life. This time around it’s hosting her first giant family Christmas gathering. Per usual Becky be shopping, but this time around, she also discovers . . . .

"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a story - Maybe Christmas means a little bit more"

This was exactly what I needed while I baked some last minute cookies and loafed around the house.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

Sophie Kinsella does is again! This gem of a book combines all that we love about her main character and Christmas sprinkled in. Absolutely love!

I have to admit that when I first read the Shopaholic series (the first five books) years ago, I binged them and then proceeded to skip the next two book (probably hecause I was Becky Brando neé Bloomwood-ed out). So when I got this eARC, I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to jump back in without going back to the sixth and seventh books (SPOILER ALERT I WAS FINE). Rest assured, you can jump right on in with this one.

I love Sophie Kinsella and this character she created, but at times, it’s hard for me to just ignore how problematic Becky’s life still is, in relation to her eagerness to please others and her form of shopping therapy. She almost reminds me of that meme with the dog in the burning room saying “it’s fine.” But it’s Becky, surrounded by piles of wasteful consumerism instead.

We definitely get the fun holiday vibe and the crazy Becky antics we grew to love, with added heaps of family ridiculousness thanks to her sister, parents, and extended family/friends. It made me laugh and also made me cringe. I did feel like we got to see a more kindhearted side of Becky in this book, and for that alone, I was pleased.

If you want a fun holiday read thay has you feeling like your life is seriously SO OKAY because it’s not Becky’s, this is the book for you! I really did enjoy it for the lighthearted read it was!

This was like reading a funny Hallmark movie. I really enjoyed it. The characters were a bit annoying at times. But, overall it was a great read. I was literally laughing out loud with tears in my eyes.

Fans of the Shopaholic series will find a familiar friend in Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood). While I wouldn’t recommend a new reader start the series with this title, those looking for a comfortable formula with known characters will enjoy this.

Well, I think I’m finally done with the Shopaholic series. I’ve read every last book in this series and this time I almost couldn’t take Becky and all of her shenanigans. I suppose I knew what I was in for since I’ve read the rest of these, but still...reading this book made me realize that these books drive me nuts! I think I’ve just outgrown these and would like something a bit more serious even for my lighter reads. So, my star rating doesn't have anything to do with the actual writing itself, just my personal feeling of this type of book at this point in my life. But, that being said, if you like a quick light and silly read then this may be a good one for you. I'm sure there are tons of Shopaholic lovers that will love this one too.

What better way to get into the holiday mood than with another dose of Becky Bloomwood's hilarious escapades?!?

Christmas Shopaholic was such a fun story. I thought at the end of the previous novel (Shopaholic to the Rescue) that Becky didn't need any more sequels, but apparently I was wrong and now I want her back for even more. I laughed so much throughout the novel and I also could understand and appreciate her dinner planning stress. While we don't celebrate Christmas, we host meals for other holidays and it's a lot of work! Becky got into some quirky situations, such as inventing a new word, reconnecting with an old flame, and joining a men's only club for material reasons...plus so much more. There was also a lot of heart to the story, which I really enjoyed.

This novel will make more sense if you've read all the others in the series, as there are some nuances and references from previous novels. It's now one of my favorites from the series and I hope that even if it doesn't continue, Minnie will at least get her own spin-off series eventually. (After reading the "Fairy Mom" novels to my daughter, I know what Sophie Kinsella is capable of!)

Movie casting suggestions (for characters who weren't in the 2009 film):
Jess: Franka Potente
Craig: Orlando Bloom
Nadine: Lucy Punch
Stephanie: Keeley Hawes