August 23, 2022 review: I swear, I do love Christmas romance books. No idea why. Probably all of those Hallmark movies or something. But this re-read was pretty dry and I just got through it quickly. I have been reading this series since I was in my 20s and Becky is still acting like a whole ass mess. She stopped being “twee” for me several books ago. I just happened to remember I had this one and decided to read it for a book bingo challenge. I thought the plot (Becky over spending) needs to just move onto something else. Becky always has an excuse, is always forgiven, and I just lost interest probably about the time they had her have the baby. I do wish that Kinsella did more standalones, most of those have been better, though the last one I read was not that great IMHO.
Original review: “Christmas Shopaholic” has the Brandon family back in Britain after the misadventures of the whole clan in Hollywood. Becky no longer has a job (again) and is instead all about mindfulness (not really). Her half-sister and her husband are about to return to the UK and now Becky’s parents are giving up their home in order for her sister and her husband to live there. No that doesn’t make any freaking sense and I refuse to dwell on it. Now that Becky’s parents are living in a hipster community, her mother doesn’t want to host Christmas. Instead, she asks Becky to do so and per usual shopping shenanigans commence.
I laughed through this whole book, and no not in a good way. I feel like Kinsella re-used plot elements from her prior book, “Mini-Shopaholic” with her now trying to throw a great Christmas party that makes everyone happy, instead of trying to throw a surprise birthday party for Luke. One wonders why Kinsella keeps going back to this character. Her stand-alones have been pretty good in my opinion. And I loved her YA book she did as well. Ah well, I guess we will be getting Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood novels until death.
- I read this for Cannonball Read 14 book bingo.
- Holiday: About any holiday you want, or read while on holiday.
- This book focuses on Christmas.