Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Rating:
Summary: It's a great idea, but Sophie doesn't carry it off
Review: In the third installment about Miss Becky Bloomwood, I found that the character hasn't grown up one little bit. She is as whiny, foolish, selfish, aggravating, and out-of-touch with reality as she was in the first two books. It was a challenge to finish this book, and I wanted to give it the heave-ho early on. The ending was good, but the book was much longer than necessary to tell the tale. I found myself wanting to slap the maddeningly moronic title character when she, yet again, won't take responsibility for anything in her life. So many hundreds of pages about someone who insists on re-inserting her head into the sand gets old, quick.

Rating:
Summary: absolutely brilliant!!!!
Review: I don't think i've laughed this hard for a long time. This was actually the first that i read in the series and i think it's probably the best out of all of them. If you like books like bridget jones, marian keyes novels and other chickie books, you'll LOVE this one!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Weakest of the three
Review: Alright, the "Shopaholic" books are not high art, nor am I looking for them to be. The first two were fun, fast reads; somewhat predictable but likeable none the less. I'm afraid to say that I did not enjoy this installment nearly as much as the others. Becky seems to be somewhat cured of her out of control spending, unfortunatly she also seems to have become a spineless simpering girl unable to make any type of decision. The plot ends up becoming tiresome, and Becky's schtick is definately wearing thin. I think the series has run out of steam, but something tells me "A Shopaholic Gets Preggers" can't be far behind. 2.5 Stars.

Rating:
Summary: I LOVED IT!!!
Review: Sophie Kinsella does it again. This book had me hooked from start to finish. Once again, our favorite shopper Becky Bloomwood is at it again. This is a wonderful read and I highly recommend this to everyone

Rating:
Summary: disappointing fluff
Review: I agree with "disappointed". I wasn't looking for Jane Austen (just a light summer read) but this fluffy novel is the literary equivalent of Legally Blonde 4. The writing style is engaging but the character and her puerile machinations quickly grow tiresome. What exactly is so lovable about a case of arrested development? Bridget Jones has a lot to answer for.

Rating:
Summary: DO THE TASTE TEST for bride to be novels....for free!
Review: Okay, I loved the first Shopaholic book. And at this price,why quibble? But now that Amazon offers the opportunity to read the first few pages of ALL the bride to be bestsellers, I say try and compare. I know I did, before I ordered Bridal Shower gift books for my maids of honor. Fun?! Oh, it was. This "read the first few pages" feature on Amazon has introduced me to more writers than I can name here, but it is exactly like browsing through a favorite bookstore, except you can do it in your pajamas. Here are the contestants (you can look them up by Title alone):
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Diary of a Mad Bride
Otherwise Engaged
The Edge of Reason
I think you can tell a lot by the opening page of a book. My personal favorite was The Edge of Reason (with Otherwise Engaged a close second,and the one I chose for my bridal shower party favor -- I LOVE the pink cover with the empty ring box form Tiffany's) Enjoy!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Wearing a bit thin. There are far more titillating books....
Review: ...on the subject of impending weddings and the attendant neurosis that goes with the engagement period!

Becky was fun at first,we relished her foibles. But now in its third installment, the joke is starting to lose its brilliance. For the thinking woman/slightly more introspective reader, I recommend Otherwise Engaged by Suzanne Finnamore, which is fun and hilarious but there is wisdom and insight within its cover. I also loved the recents works of Jane Green ( a Brit and a Bridget Jones-like wit) or The Edge of Reason, by the one who started this whole confessional and rollicking chick-lit trend, Helen Fielding. If you want real mystery and intrigue, try The Wife by Meg Wolitzer.

Rating:
Summary: I want to slap Becky!
Review: The first one was great, the second one had its moments, the joke is wearing too thin on this one. However, I did enjoy the portrayal of the evil mother-in-law. I know a few people like that so I thought it was very realistically done for a change.

Rating:
Summary: A bit of a disappoinment
Review: Having read the whole series in a matter of a week, I would recommend the trilogy. However, Ties the Knot was my least favorite because I expected a lot more. While Becky isn't nearly as shallow as she was in the first two books and her shopping adventures curtailed, she didn't develop as much as I would have liked. She still reasons everything away instead of owning up. By the third installment, I wanted to see character development and it just wasn't there. So, Becky's shtick of excuses, schemes and indecision, get very old and annoying in Ties the Knot.

The thing that bothered me the most was the main plot. The whole concept of the two weddings was too ridiculous and boring to sustain a whole book. It also showed that Becky really hasn't learned from her past experiences and was as immature as ever. It was frustrating at times to keep reading as it went around in endless circles. The ending was ludicrous and I could spot it coming a mile away.

I wish Kinsella would have finally let Becky grow-up a little, take responsibility and make a decision, instead of the constant schemes and saves that always seem to happen. This plot highlighted the fact that Becky was still very deceptive, even to her fiancee, and it turned me off to her character somewhat.

Instead of the whole wedding plot at the forefront, I would have preferred Luke's character being fleshed out even more than it was. I found myself wanting to know more about him and Becky's relationship; What about Becky does he love? Why does he put up with her nonsense? Generally, more dialogue between the two!

On the plus side, I love following the character through the series. I also like that nothing happens that doesn't figure in somewhere down the line. Kinsella was also consistent with keeping the supporting players, like Suze and Tarquin, involved throughout, and following-up with other character's stories such as Tom and Lucy. Overall, Ties the Knot is worth it if you read the other two. Without reading the other two, I am not so sure. Some people might find Becky amusing if they are only reading this one, simply because they aren't familiar with the other books. Otherwise, Ties the Knot's situations are overkill at this point.

I do hope there will be another book in this series, but one that will fulfill the promise of Ties the Knot.

Rating:
Summary: Sophie Kinsella is wonderful!
Review: I will admit that this is not my favorite of the shopaholic series, but by no means not recommended! I enjoyed the book very much and have already passed my copy on to my sister for her to enjoy. Very well written book, and I like the way she turned things from her head in the sand attitude about shopping into a head in the sand attitude towards where to get married! A very worthwhile read. If you are a fan of this series, you should not skip this one.