Mini Shopaholic (Shopaholic, #6)

by Sophie Kinsella

[Leah]

Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze. She thought herself and Minnie would just shop all day every day. What Becky didn't count on though was Minnie's tenaciousness and determination when it comes to the things she wants (her favourite word is "mine"). Not to mention Luke, Becky's husband, has had a stressful year. In a bit to cheer him up, Becky hits on the idea to throw him a surprise birthday party but as always with Becky, things don't quite go according to plan and soon her surprise birthday party isn't looking like a party at all. Until salvation comes... Will Becky swallow her pride and admit she needs help, and more importantly, will Becky be able to keep the party a secret?

Since reading Shopaholic and Baby when it came out in 2007, I've been eagerly awaiting a new Becky Bloomwood adventure. She is, by far, my favourite female character ever so when it was announced last year that we were finally getting a new Shopaholic novel I was thrilled and it immediately shot up on my list of "books I can't wait for". I was thrilled to receive an early copy a month before its release and I set about reading the other Shopaholic books so I could dive right into Mini Shopaholic. And believe me, I wasn't disappointed.

I cannot get over the fact that it's been three years since the last Shopaholic book. I rather sincerely hope Sophie Kinsella doesn't wait that long next time! I love her stand-alone books, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to Becky Bloomwood I would happily read a book a month about her. Obviously with such high expectations, I was a little bit worried about whether I would love it as much as the other books but thankfully I quickly got into the book. In fact I was laughing from the first page, which is always a good sign. The laughs definitely continued throughout the book so it was as if Becky had never left!

I did think that with the title of Mini Shopaholic that the book was going to be dedicated entirely to Becky and Minnie - and their shopping exploits of course - but that wasn't the main plot at all. Minnie and her like of the word "mine" is prominent to the book but the book seems, to me, to be more focused on Becky wanting Luke to have a surprise party for his birthday after the year he's had. There's been no book between Shopaholic and Baby and Mini Shopaholic and there's a gap of two years, so a lot has gone on in the intermittent time, but Becky explains it all to us and Luke - and Becky and Minnie - have had a heck of a time so Becky decides that Luke should, for once, celebrate his birthday and decides to organise a secret party. Because it's Becky organising the party, things never go to plan and we're with her all the way as she tries to arrange it all, so there's the usual chaos which I just lapped it all up.

All of the characters from the previous books return, as you would expect. Becky is as loveable as ever, and it really does feel as if she's a close friend. Because Kinsella has inserted the financial crisis into the latest book, Becky ends up cutting back and I liked how Becky tried, very hard, to stick to the promise she made Luke. Although it does seem to be that the motto 'Once a Shopaholic, always a Shopholic' definitely applies to Becky, particularly when it comes to Luke's party. Throughout the previous books, it seems that Luke is only ever known to be working; constantly missing things and always having his phone to his ear and despite the fact it continues in Mini Shopaholic, I do think we saw a bit more of him than usual. He's had a tough time and I felt so sad for him for all that had happened while we've been away from the Brandon family. Becky's parents and friends return and I must mention Becky's parents. God, I love them. All they seem to do is bicker but it seems to be good-natured more than anything and they're hilarious. Suze, Tarkie and the kids are back, as well as Danny, Becky's fashion designer friend.

Mini Shopaholic is as well-written as the other books, told entirely from Becky's point of view, in a really easy chatty manner with letters interspersed throughout. Kinsella is such a fantastic writer, and manages to suck me in any time. She could write a book about paint and I'd love it. Mini Shopaholic has been well worth the wait and I managed to finish it pretty much in one sitting. The ending gives me hope for another Shopaholic, whenever Kinsella decides to write it, so here's hoping Becky Bloomwood will live to feature in another book! My life would be completely empty without her and I'm rather gutted I've actually finished Mini Shopaholic. I can't wait to read it again soon! An absolute must-read for all Shopaholic fans!