Rating: 
Summary: extremely entertaining but 'confessions' was better
Review: This book is a follow-up to 'Confessions of a Shopaholic', Sophie Kinsella's first novel about London T.V. Talk Show Host Becky Bloomwood.
It picks up a few months later, in which Becky has landed the great job and is debt free....or is she??
She is dating Luke Brandon, and he's getting ready to go on a trip to New York...and Becky's invited!! Prada, Bloomies, Saks 5th Ave, all those shops!!!!! SHOPPING!!
But can Becky keep her finances in check in the most alive city in the world?-You'll have to read and find out! (I do have to comment that I really didn't like the ending of this book. The book overall was extremely entertaining and Kinsella does a great job with her word use & played to the T with 'Confessions...', but after the event on page 292 ... everything seemed really bland and played out. It should have ended with the event.)
Rating: 
Summary: Becky is at it again
Review: I have been wanting to read "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan" ever since I finished reading the first book in this series, "Confessions of a Shopaholic." It took me awhile to get to it, but it was well worth the wait. My favorite out of control shopper, Becky Bloomwood, is at it again and this time she's in New York! She and her boyfriend, Luke, have flown to New York for a two week stay as he stakes the city out due to a job offer. What Becky finds in New York, however, is Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney's and the amazing thing known as sample sales. As far as Becky is concerned, she's in heaven. Only being in heaven has gotten Becky even deeper into debt. In fact, she's in worse shape than she was back home in London! What's a girl to do? I just love the ways that Becky comes up with to rationalize purchasing things (did you know that spending foreign money doesn't count when pinching pennies?). She is so genuine and really tries to be good, only she can't stop shopping. If you loved "Confessions of a Shopaholic," you will love "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan" just as much. It is funny, witty and a must read!
Rating:
Summary: a fun read, hampered by worry for the main character
Review: Becky Bloomwood is back with a new slew of problems (brought on by her shopaholism) that threaten her finances, job, and, this time around, her relationship with the man she loves! This sequel to "Confessions of a Shopaholic" finds Becky hosting her own successful personal finance show on cable, with a book deal to write her very own self-help money-management manual. She is also seriously involved with Luke Brandon, a workaholic who runs a successful London PR firm. But Becky is not completely transformed --- she increased her spending to keep up with her increased income; she has already spent the 1000 pound advance from the publishers without writing a word (and the first draft was due last week -- oops, she forgot); her understanding bank manager has been replaced by one who will not indulge her, and she is back in hock with her bank overdraft and myriad credit cards. She is hiding her many new purchases from her flatmate Suze, whom Becky has made promise to monitor her spending for her. And now she and Luke are off to Manhattan as he hammers out some business deals, where there are all sorts of new stores for her to explore and, since the American dollar is less than the British pound, then everything is technically a bargain, right? Although told in a fun light style with many fun moments, it is still disturbing to see how careless Becky is, willing to throw away everything for a new pair of shoes or two (in lilac and clementine, size 6). Even more disturbing is how she lies about everything to everyone. SHE NEEDS THERAPY! That is the only thing that keeps this book from being really entertaining -- this is a real sickness, and you get scared for her at times, even if she is not a real person.
Rating: 
Summary: Would have been better if it wasn't a sequel.
Review: "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan" could have been combined with absolutely no damage done to the characters or to the story. In true sequel fashion, this story is basically a rehash of the first book, but with higher stakes, bigger scenes, and a more dramatic climax. In this book, Becky and Luke find themselves in Manhattan. He's there to establish a US branch of his successful public relations firm; she's interviewing for a lucrative TV contract. However, Becky's main focus is shopping, which inevitably leads to financial disaster (again). The story starts rather slowly, it takes 100 pages before the characters even get to New York but Kinsella's take on NYC culture is one of the highlights.
On its own merit, "Manhattan" is actually a stronger story than its predecessor, there's more drama and the conflicts are better explained. It would merit higher marks...if it weren't a sequel. However, because it's a sequel, there's a sense of "been there, done that" and it becomes tedious. There's even a repeat scene where Becky is delighted to discover a museum gift shop and goes wild with her credit card.
As in "Confessions," Kinsella leaves large plot holes and several nagging questions unexplained. For example, when Becky and Luke take a weekend vacation, Becky goes to great pains to ship her vast wardrobe via overnight courier, to avoid explaining to Luke why she needs so many clothes for only three days. However, Kinsella fails to tell us how Becky gets her clothes back home. Wouldn't Luke notice when she hauls out the cardboard boxes and the packing tape? This and other similar situations leave the book feeling rather second rate.
Becky's character is unchanged and she grows tiresome, especially since she supposedly learned her lesson in the first book. She's as shallow and wishy-washy as ever and her frequent "Erm..." got on my nerves. Luke is very underdeveloped, even by the end of book two. If he is as smart and sophisticated and pragmatic as Kinsella describes, why is he with a melodramatic scatterbrain like Becky? There are no clues in the book to explain why he's attracted to her and the characters seem to have no chemistry. Luke exists simply for the sake of the generic love interest, thrown in because all chick-lit books must have a romance. Kinsella needed to show more chemistry, though I am glad she left the bedroom scenes up to the reader's imagination.
It can be entertaining at times and is okay for light reading, but don't expect anything great.
Rating:
Summary: Super Super Funny
Review: Rebecca Bloomwood, financial advisor and star of London TV's Morning Coffee, is presented with an opportunity to travel to New York when her boyfriend Luke Brandon sets up meetings there to expand his growing PR business. Rebecca (lovingly known as Bex by her flatmate Suz) finds Manhattan to be a shopping mecca which proves to be her downfall as well as her reward.
This was my first encounter with "chick lit' and a pleasant suprise. I loved the humor and the style of writing of this novel. There were some things that put me off. Definitely Bex's boyfriend Luke Brandon. Most definitely the high regard for money and material things. Yet, looking at this book as tongue-in-cheek, it was suprisingly refreshing and provided a delightful and easy read.
Rating:
Summary: Just as Great as the First!
Review: In this sequel to Confessions of a Shopaholic, Becky Bloomwood has finally paid off all of her debts and is being wiser with her money. She has been enjoying her daily spot on a popular television show where her job is giving advice to people who have money problems. Ironically enough, her bills begin to pile up again, but that won't put a damper on her lifestyle. After a lovely weekend getaway with her boyfriend Luke, he asks her to move to New York with him. She excitedly accepts and the adventure begins. They decide to go on a two-week visit to New York in order to scope things out. Becky is so excited because several television opportunities have presented themselves in the States. Luke and Becky go out on the town and have the most amazing evening. After awakening in a semi hung-over daze, she sees the cover of The Daily World. What she sees could affect her relationship, career opportunities and friendships forever.
As a true shopaholic myself, I found this book to be very amusing. Even if you imagine the most far-fetched scenario, Becky will wind up right in the middle of it. This book is a great sequel to the first and entices you to continue to follow Becky's saga.
Rating:
Summary: Another Kinsella Hit!
Review: Becky Bloomwood is back, and this time she is overseas! Everyones favorite shopaholic takes Manhattan's shopping scene by storm is the second installment of the shopaholic series. I don't want to give anything away so all I am going to say is, if you loved the first one you'll love this one. Kinsella will have you laughing out loud throughout.
Rating: 
Summary: An amusing read...
Review: If your looking for laughs, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Becky's antics were very amusing and Luke's reactions were even funnier. Miss Kinsella did a fabulous job with this sequel. However, if your looking for something intellectually stimulating, don't waste your time. This book was written for shopaholics like myself.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the 1st--Lots of Luke!
Review: I really love Luke Brandon. He's always so "amused" by Becky. They are such a cute couple. The best part of the book? When Becky calls Luke's mother a horrible COW!!
Rating:
Summary: If you love to shop,
Review: then this book's for you. Funny how main character justifies her spending. Might enlighten you on your spending habits... I somehow couldn't finish the book, however - I believe books should be like T.V. channels - you can change them as freely as you please... Just like shoes!
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