The new Mr and Mrs Brandon are on honeymoon, and Becky has big plans! They’ve got a whole year to explore Venice, learn yoga in India, sleep in little wooden huts in South America… maybe even see penguins in the Antarctic. And of course they’ll need to buy just a few essential souvenirs along the way (everyone needs a set of Murano glass goblets, after all).
They’re not just tourists, they’re travellers. Becky is sure it is just the thing that Luke needs – time to unwind. He’ll come back a changed man… with all the good bits still intact of course.
But it soon becomes clear that Luke has different plans entirely. Can Becky help him let go, or will this little disagreement threaten their whole honeymoon?
Author Profile
Sophie Kinsella is a writer and former financial journalist. She is the number one bestselling author of Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, Wedding Night, My Not So Perfect Life, Surprise Me, the hugely popular Shopaholic novels and the Young Adult novel Finding Audrey. She lives in the UK with her husband and family. She is also the author of the children’s series Mummy Fairy and Me / Fairy Mom and Me, and several bestselling novels under the name of Madeleine Wickham. Visit her website at www.sophiekinsella.co.uk.
A Short Sequel to Shopaholic Series
Non-review Rant
This is the 9th book in September 2023. The 7th book I read: So Not My Thing reminded me a lot of Sophie Kinsella, and I was looking for something by Kinsella without investing too much time, so I read this one. It’s free, and part of Shopaholic Series.
Recap
So, Becky and Luke are married now. They are now in Venice, on their honeymoon and Becky’s shopping spree continues to a point that Luke has had enough. Becky wants a year for their honeymoon while Luke wants to go back to work and take care of his business. Things escalate quickly, to a point where Becky claims she should have never married Luke. What happens next? Read to find out.
Review
Sophie’s humour is right on money, as usual, and every line reads better than the previous one. Sample these.
Favourite Lines
Page 12
Everyone knows that when you get married the slate is wiped clean and neither party should refer to any unfortunate incidents in the past, either Guggenheim- related or non- Guggenheim- related.
Page 13
Page 14
Highlight (yellow) – Page 16
Highlight (yellow) – Page 17
This art business is harder than I thought. I know what I want to draw, it’s just… it doesn’t seem to be happening on the page.
Note – Page 17
Highlight (yellow) – Page 21
I feel so angry I could cry.
Highlight (yellow) – Page 24
I lift my eyes and see him gazing at me with that warm, familiar, Luke look.
Review Continues
However, reading this short story, I am reminded of just how annoying Becky’s shopping is. That’s why I abondoned the series in the first place after reading two of them. It makes me hyperventillate, and I can’t help but pity Luke.
I loved the scene when the tables have turned; Luke is the one making a purchase while Becky gets to do the part of reminding Luke to pick one of the books. Absolutely loved the way the scene ended. Point to Luke.
I didn’t like it that Luke was the one to give up on his very practical choice of going back to work after a month. No matter how rich he is, who takes a year off work?
Another feather in my September 2023 book’ cap. 9th and counting. It’s September 30th as I draft this post. Would I be able to finish one more and make it 10? I sure hope so. All I need to do is find another short story. And yeah, this review is scheduled for December 30, 2023 because I want to space out all the reviews.
Stay tuned for more book reviews in my “one book review per month” series. This month, I have published two. Isn’t that nice?
Until next time, happy reading!
~~~
Want more of my trademark philosophy daily? Do three things, not necessarily in that order.
- Subscribe to my blog.
- Find my books on Amazon.
- Show some love!
Shabana Mukhtar