Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Been there, almost done that Review: This book made me laugh at loud on the bus. It reminded me of my younger days (3 years ago) when I was just as in debt and hiding from creditors. This is a great light read.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: If I could, I'd give it 10 stars! Review: Since the US release of Bridget Jones Diary I have read more than my fair share of books about young single women living in London trying to make their way through life. Some were better than others but no one ever got it 100% right. That is until now. This book is dynamite. However, this is no BJ rip off. Its not about weight lost and gained, its not about trying to land a boyfriend, its not a tally of cigarettes smoked or drinks indulged in. It is about shopping. As a confirmed shopaholic myself, I could relate to Becky even more than Bridge. I know first hand the thrill of getting a great deal. I know about skipping important meetings or calling in sick just to got shopping. This book is a shopper's dream. My only regret is that I have never been to London so I do not know all of the shops she refers to. (But now I have a guide of places to visit if I do make it to London anytime soon!) Its a light, quick read but one that was most enjoyable. Its also one I will probably read again and again. Its definately a hit!
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Stylish Review: Of the most reviewed books that I've read in the chick-lit genre, this is my favorite so far. The heroine is undoubtedly shallow and somewhat unscrupulous, but if I'd liked her any better I'd have had heart seizure every time she walked into another embarrassing situation. The best feature about this book, in my opinion, was that it was neatly structured. The increasing tension was well orchestrated, and the characters (other than the Hooray-Henries) were likeable and (other than Rebecca) believable. Unlike with some of the American chick-lit writers I've read, I felt I was in the hands of a pro.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Oh so annoying Review: I've nothing against a light summer read...and that is what I'd hoped for when I picked up this book. Unfortunately the 'heroine' is repugnant to the point where I was actually unhappy that things worked out for her in the end. She showed no true remorse for her lies, schemes and immaturity; so I wasn't routing for her to overcome them. Also, the 'turnaround' in her career was at best happenstance...and so preposterous and unbelievable. So, I think I can sum up my review in a single word which reflects the amount of thought and creativity that went into writing this fiction: BOO.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A great book to read for anyone that likes to shop!!!! Review: I laughed so much in Can You Keep a Secret, but then again, I did read that before I picked up Confessions of a Shopaholic. Set in England, Confessions of a Shopaholic reveals the story of Rebecca (Becky) Bloomwood. She works for Successful Saving as a financial journalist and has this habit of buying everything she desires (she knows her fashion) and maxing out her credit cards. When the bills start to pile up and the phone calls start coming, she does all she can to run away from her financial problems, from calling in sick with a rare fever to skipping out on meetings with the bank. The book starts off really cute, with Becky screaming OH MY GOSH I LOVE THAT _______ every other page, but after awhile, her delightful squeals at great sales were a little dull and repetitive as I was muttering, "Just pay your debts already!" about halfway into the book. I am glad, however, that she finally learns to wake up and deal with her debt problems by the end of the book (and acquires some fame and a handsome boyfriend to boot), but the book just isn't as good or as fast paced (in an "I-want-to-know-what-happens-next" way) as I thought it would be.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: One of the best chick-lit books out there. Review: It's no great work of literature, but in the chick-lit genre, "Confessions" is one of the strongest entries to date. Kinsella's writing style is engaging and easy to read, I got through the entire book in less than a day. She does get somewhat bogged down in Becky's job as a financial journalist, but the shopping sequences are very well done and her descriptions of designer shops and clothes was fun. I also appreciated that Kinsella does not rely on sex scenes and lots of swearing to entertain her readers. There are a few f-bombs, but she leaves the steamy stuff up to the reader's imagination.
"Confessions" follows Becky Bloomwood as she muddles her way through life. She's hopelessly addicted to shopping, as her closet AND her bank account shows. Throughout the book, she attempts to change her behavior and fix her finances, hatching several crazy schemes along the way. Some of her exploits are genuinely funny and I laughed out loud, but others are so unrealistic that they're annoying. Becky is a fully-developed character, though I'm still not sure if I love her or loathe her. She's just as airheaded, spineless, and shallow as you would expect and she lies frequently with no apparent moral unease. The rest of the characters are pretty thin; if you've read any other chick-lit, you'll have met them before.
There are a few nagging plot holes such as references to letters Becky supposedly never read, and the ending resolution is rather unbelievable, but on the whole, it's a good read. I probably wouldn't read it again, but it's a good way to spend an evening.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: cool Review: I picked up this book hoping for a light read and what I ended up with is a book with a main character so repulsive that I could not finish the book.
If I could give negative stars I would !!
Do not pay to read this waste of paper !!!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: The Original Shopoholic! Review: Sophie Kinsella's Becky Bloomwood is someone that most, if not all women, can identify with. Yes, even if it's just a little! I loved this book so much, I've read all of Kinsella's others, and they are all hilarious, comical, and touching all at the same time. It's a great light read, and a real page turner.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Dreadful Review: I liked Sophie Kinsella's "Can you Keep a Secret" as a matter of fact, I LOVED IT!
but... this book was only a great disappointment... perhaps if i had read shopaholic before secret...
I don't think anyone who is truly responsible with their money can stand the character, let's just say i'm not going to continue reading the other books... nothing in it happens, just her spending money and irresponsibly not thinking about all the bills she isn't paying... it's funny for the first few chapters but then... a great bore.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: a delightful, hilarious bit of fluff Review: Rebecca Bloomwood is a twenty-something living the high life in a trendy part of London. She wears designer clothes and eats at famous restaurants, and her job writing for a financial magazine allows her to attend champagne receptions thrown by investment companies. But she hates the job, and she has no boyfriend, and - worst of all - she's cursed with an incurable spending addiction and mountingly uncontrollable debt. She tries everything - spending less, earning more, throwing the bills away - but her creditors are persistent and eventually she must apply a little of her professional knowledge to her own affairs.
"Confessions of a Shopaholic" is addictive, absorbing, and amusing. It's a fast read and, while some elements of the plot are predictable (there are some very strong parallels to Bridget Jones' Diary), others are unique and the book does not suffer from its formulaism. The characters are amusing and well-drawn and the writing is smooth and clear. This is a one-night read - one very pleasant night.
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