Book Review-Mini Shopaholic

Yes! I was so happy to read the latest installment of the Shopaholic series, since, you know how I love a good, light, read. And shopping! I love shopping. Anyway, I digress. If you are unfamiliar with the premise of the Shopaholic books they go, more or less, like this. Becky is our plucky heroine (all protagonists in chic lit are 'plucky') Becky has an uncanny ability to rationalise and justify ANY purchase, no matter how ridiculous. If you have ever bought something and thought that it would somehow change your life or how people see you, or if you ever make a mental list of what you are wearing in case some 'street fashion' blogger/photographer catches you then you will be able to relate to Becky. However, Becky is also a bit of a spoiled brat who maxes out her credit cards and overdraft, frequently lies to her family and friends and usually needs them to bail her out of whatever, ridiculous, predicament she finds herself in. Look, I'm aware that these books are full of unsound morals but, in this case, I just have to say-if you don't understand that the books are bombastic and over the top on purpose, maybe you should be reading something else.

In Mini Shopaholic Becky is now a mum, and one who wishes to impart her excessive spending habits to their rambunctious two year old, Minnie. Minnie is a huge handful and gets banned from not one but FOUR Santa's Grotto's. Minnie is getting christened when the financial crisis hits and everyone in London goes crazy, more or less, because they think they are going to be broke. I love that Kinsella  makes light of the financial crisis! Becky does what anyone would do in lieu of the world being on the brink of the second depression and decides to throw an ENORMOUS surprise party for her hubby, Luke. Luke doesn't care much for celebrating his birthday so, naturally, he would LOVE a surprise party with half of London there. Of course, Becky has no idea how much it will cost, has no money, promptly loses her job and gets herself in a suitable amount of trouble. Fortunately, Luke's estranged mother and her trusty friends come to the rescue and the party is a great success, of course. Meanwhile, Luke hires one of those TV nannies because he thinks that Minnie is the demon child (so do I). The Nanny shows up and it is difficult to say who acts more like a two-year old, Becky or Minnie. Nanny is all, oh, Minnie is a normal two year old but BECKY IS AN ADDICT AND WILL TEACH MINNE BAD SPENDING HABITS.  Then she  tries to send Becky to rehab but since nothing sensible ever happens in these books, Becky gets a new Valentino dress instead! Yay for poor financial planning! The best part is that Luke has to go to LA for a few months so that means that the next book is going to be Becky in LA and, honestly, I can't wait. In summary, while I wouldn't take life advice from the Shopaholic books they sure are a fun way to spend an evening in and, in all seriousness Kinsella is an  author I admire because she is a fine example of an author who knows her genre and sticks with it!