Shopaholic & Baby (Shopaholic, #5)

by Sophie Kinsella

[Leah]

For Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) life is going great. She has a fantastic job at The Look, the newest department store in London, herself and Luke are house-hunting (it must have a shoe-room) and Becky is pregnant. Pregnancy for Becky means not only bringing a new life into the world, but preparing for the baby's arrival and if there's anything Becky Brandon is good at, it's shopping. When it comes to her baby, everything has to be perfect. Including the doctor's who look after her. So when Becky hears of Venetia Carter, a celebrity obstetrician Becky immediately realises she must have her deliver her baby... but when Becky finds out that Venetia dated Luke at University, Becky's world begins to crumble. Is Venetia just an obstetrician or is she after Luke?

If you've read my previous reviews of the Shopaholic series, you'll know I'm currently re-reading the entire series after learning there was a new Shopaholic book due out in September called Mini Shopaholic. I've never gotten around to fully reading the series in order and since I absolutely love Sophie Kinsella and all of the Shopaholic books I decided to rectify that and the new Shopaholic book was just the icing on the cake. I've finally managed to reach the most recent Shopaholic (until Mini Shopaholic comes out of course) and I couldn't wait to get stuck in again, particularly as Shopaholic & Baby has one of the most memorable scenes ever.

I'm fairly sure that all of my reviews of the Shopaholic series are starting to sound a bit same-y. Generally because I keep going on and on and on about how much I love the series, and Becky, and Sophie Kinsella... I think you get the point. Now, after having read the first five books, there's no doubt in my mind that this is my favourite series period. I could probably write a degree of the Shopaholic series. It wouldn't do me much good, but that is how much I love it. I always remember little tidbits from the books and Shopaholic and Baby is responsible for one of the most hilarious quotes ever. I'm not going to tell you it, but once you read it you'll understand and probably love it (unless you're a red-head).

Because Becky is the biggest Shopaholic ever to live, her having a baby was only going to open up a whole ton of new shopping possibilities. If Becky ever gave up shopping there's a good chance I'd faint and while shopping makes up the backbone of the entire series (and makes a bit of a raging return in Shopaholic & Baby), there are other issues at play throughout Shopaholic and Baby. I rather assume that Becky's need to have everything for her unborn child is what most first-time mother's feel like and Venetia Carter, celebrity obstetrician, is who Becky wants to deliver her baby. Until she learns Venetia and Luke dated at University. It throws up a whole load of questions for Becky, particularly since Luke and Venetia begin spending a lot of time together. The lengths Becky goes to to find out Venetia's true game was both touching and hilarious.

Learning that she's pregnant, and about to have her first child, does seem to have made Becky grow up a bit. As the books progress she does seem to grow up more and more and although she's still her funny, touching and sparkling self, I did think she seemed a bit more serious (well, most of the time anyway). I know that Becky believes Venetia might be about to steal Luke at any moment, but I kind of trust Luke. Or rather, I trust Sophie Kinsella to not do that. It gets a bit hairy, because although I trust Luke, I didn't trust Venetia and I was a bit worried. All of Becky's family and friends return; Jane and Graham, her parents, Janice and Martin, the next door neighbours, Jess, Becky's sister, Suze, Becky's best friend. Even Danny Kovitz returns and it was good to see him again. I don't know if you noticed but I didn't like Venetia at all.

Shopaholic and Baby is written in the same writing style as the rest, from Becky's point of view and in a chatty, conversational way. There are still letters from banks, and shops interspersed throughout which are always thoroughly amusing. I also found the entire book funnier than the previous one, although they do all make me laugh out loud most of the time! It leads us perfectly into the next Shopaholic book and is a must-read for all Shopaholic fans.