Friday, September 4, 2015

Aloha to Sophie Kinsella and SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS - Book Review

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Sophie Kinsella returns to her beloved Shopaholic series with Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) newly arrived in Hollywood and starry-eyed. She and her two-year-old daughter, Minnie, have relocated to L.A. to join Becky’s husband, Luke, who is there to handle PR for famous actress Sage Seymour. Becky can’t wait to start living the A-list lifestyle, complete with celebrity sightings, yoga retreats, and shopping trips to Rodeo Drive. But she really hopes to become a personal stylist—Sage’s personal stylist—if only Luke would set up an introduction. Then, unexpectedly, Becky is offered the chance to dress Sage’s archrival, and though things become a bit more complicated, it’s a dream come true!

Red carpet premieres, velvet ropes, paparazzi clamoring for attention—suddenly Becky has everything she’s ever wanted.

Or does she?


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It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. - William Shakespeare

I rediscovered the Shopaholic series during our summer vacation.  I read MINI SHOPAHOLIC, Book 6, and posted my review at this link.  MINI SHOPAHOLIC ends with the Brandon family moving to LA.  SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS opens in LA with Becky enjoying her rented home in the Hollywood Hills.  The laughs begin as Becky is invited to join "Team Sage" in a charity 10K run.  Although she is only capable of running from the shoe department to the handbag display, Becky embraces the opportunity to shop for the best athletic wear money can buy.  She spots a shoplifter helping herself to cheap socks only to discover the thief is a young starlet and chief rival of Sage Seymour.  Becky's chance encounter become comedic fodder later in the story.  

Meanwhile, Becky gets caught up in the glamorous life of LA. Hobnobbing with celebrities eclipses her shopping addition, giving Kinsella the opportunity to poke fun at celebrity worship, reality TV, and heath food fads.  But as she gains famous friends, Becky looses touch with long time gal pal Suze. Following the predictable pattern of the previous books, Becky comes to grip with what's important in her life.  Once Becky recognizes her own self worth, she rises above the chaos she created to save the day.

SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS hits the spot with laugh out loud action and over the top antics - Becky is clearly a modern day Lucy Ricardo ala I LOVE LUCY.  I particularly enjoyed how Kinsella incorporates pop culture in the storyline. The creme de la creme are the "letters" in between chapters, including Danny's memos to his adoring fans during his "charity" treks (Danny is a rising fashion designer who often gets caught up in Becky's misadventures).

Recommended read for fans of Brit Chick Lit.

I checked out SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS from the Safety Harbor Public Library.

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I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about celebrities - have you met anyone famous?  I spotted Jessica Simpson, pregnant with her second child, at Turtle Bay on Oahu.  As she passed my table, I reached out to her and said she looked radiant.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Turtle Bay, North Shore of Oahu

22 comments:

  1. While in the Philippines, I met President Marcos and his wife, Imelda. I also danced with him.

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  2. Can't say I've met them, but I was in Tiffany's and saw NBA Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Bill Russell.

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  3. We did not meet them, but we have been unpaid extras in a few movies so we have gotten to see a few famous people during the filming: Will Ferrel, Mark Walhberg, Jennifer Garner, Steve Carrell, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

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  4. I have shaken hands with Prince Phillip &Prince Charles as they went on a crowd walkabout with the Queen. I saw her, but did not get to shake her hand. This was YEARS ago.

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  5. No, I haven't met any celebrities, but I did pass by Mario Andretti once.

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  6. When Cyndi Lauper was here for her concert, she was looking for directions to an eatery and we were able to help her. I didn't recognize her at first but the voice was all it took!

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  7. Does Ryan Sandburg who used to play for the Chicago Cubs count!

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  8. I met Bozo the clown and several generals

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  9. I have hever met or seen anyone famous in person. The closest thing was a spotting of one of the candidates from the tv show, farmer wants a wife. He was shopping in the same supermarket as me & seemed a little picky about his choice of bread. I didn't say "hi" or "I liked you on the show". Just had a second look and smiled.

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  10. At universal studio , mr t , I met
    Thanks
    Kimh

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  11. I was at the Mirage Hotel years ago and saw Ice T and his wife walk out of the hotel.

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  12. I was at a show in a Vegas hotel years ago, and tennis player Ilie Nastasi was sitting in front of us with some other men. One of them kept trying to hold my hand. My husband, his aunt and uncle, and cousins thought it was hilarious, much to my embarrassment.

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  13. Unfortunately I've never met anyone famous.

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  14. No I haven't met any celebrities but I have met some professional athletes

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  15. Yes, several authors - Suz Brockmann, James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Barbara Delinsky, Erin Brocovich and Dave Barry.
    ladbookfan

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  16. haven't met any, but have seen them - Dudley Moore (walking down a NYC street), Olsen twins in Hawaii when they were filming (they were about 10)

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  17. Nope, never met any celebrities.
    Patty B

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