Shopaholic To The Stars - Review & Giveaway

Review by Deb Czajkowski

Sophie Kinsella’s latest Rebecca Brandon novel is Shopaholic to the Stars, the Stars referring not to celestial bodies but to the Hollywood variety.  Yes, Rebecca Brandon (nee’ Bloomwood) is leaving her beloved homeland, London, England, and moving to Los Angeles, California.

Becky’s husband, Luke, owns and runs an elite public relations firm.  Luke’s firm has accepted a new client, Hollywood actress Sage Seymour, and, stepping outside of his usual box, Luke takes point with this project.  Skeptical perfectly describes Luke’s attitude both toward actors in general and the success of this new venture with whimsical Sage.  But he does love a challenge, and, indeed, he won’t be disappointed!

How does Becky feel about this move, albeit a temporary one?  Can she leave behind not only her beloved homeland, but all that is familiar to her: her parents, her BFF Suze, her little daughter Mini’s school, and Harrods?

Yes, she can! Ecstatic perfectly describes Becky’s attitude about the move to Hollywood, with all its glitz, glitter, and glamour, and, of course, Rodeo Drive!  She envisions becoming best friends with Sage Seymour, meeting Sage’s actor friends, being photographed lunching with her new best superstar friends, and becoming famous herself by association.  She even foresees a new career for herself, Personal Shopper and Stylist for the Stars, perhaps beginning with Sage.

But before any of Becky’s great ideas can come to fruition, her new life unexpectedly gets outrageously complicated. Her London BFF, Suze, surprises Becky by arriving in LA with her family for an extended vacation.  At first Becky is thrilled, happily introducing Suze to the local culture.  Suze, however, is not impressed in the slightest, much to Becky’s confusion and dismay, and trouble brews for their formerly rock solid friendship. 

Then there is Becky’s goal of being Stylist to the Stars which necessitates Becky’s favorite pastime, shopping, as well as creating photo opportunities to promote a celebrity status.  Add to that the resurfacing of an old nemesis in the form of a benefactor, and the phrase “best laid plans” quickly comes to mind.

Author Sophie Kinsella remains true to form in this latest Rebecca Brandon novel, Shopaholic to the Stars. The author continues to use Becky naiveté and enthusiasm to teach life lessons.  Becky still struggles with shopping, and she clearly sees yourself as one of LA’s beautiful people.  Kinsella’s Stars saga takes one into the world of make-believe and exposes truths behind the masks. Readers can see how actors are often acting off-screen, not just on-screen. It’s also a great reality-check for everyone who thinks reality television is actually real.

 

If you like shopping, fashion, or all things Hollywood, you’re sure to enjoy Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic to the Stars.

Purchase the book at:

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Madeleine Wickham (born 12 December 1969) is a bestselling British author under her pseudonym, Sophie Kinsella. Educated at New College, Oxford, she worked as a financial journalist before turning to fiction. She is best known for writing a popular series of chick-lit novels. The Shopaholic novels series focuses on the misadventures of Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist who cannot manage her own finances. The books follows her life from when her credit card debt first become overwhelming ("The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic") to the latest book on being married and having a child ("Shopaholic & Baby"). Throughout the entire series, her obsession with shopping and the complications that imparts on her life are central themes.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter 

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Shopaholic To The Stars by Sophie Kinsella

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