Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

I liked this book because Becky ended up doing what she truly loves at the end. You get to meet Luke's mother. She's a joy. Becky does hit rock bottom before getting back on her feet, but it's totally worth it.

Although I have not read the book myself, my gift drew many a smile and laughter from my married daughter, actually she is after the whole collection of Sophie Kinsella!
This book is for the young and not so young who delights in Kinsella's writing.

This book is definitely worth it if you like Sophie Kinsella. Becky, the protagonist, is crazy and funny as in the other books. It's not highly intellectual but it's a great piece if you feel like having a break.

This audio CD version of Shopaholic Abroad is an abridgement of an abridgement. The joy of Kinsella is in the side trips into embarrassing situations and the non-stop rationalizations. When all is stripped away but the fundamentals of plot, there's little fun remaining.
The reader is adequate,nothing more.

This item arrived in perfect order, but I was very disappointed with it, as it is an unabridged version, in which I have no interest.
The product description on the website does not bring any disclaimer in this sense.
So, be careful!

Wow, I'm really starting to like this series! These books are playful and fun and the perfect stress relief after a long day when you're looking for some adorable entertainment! The only critique I have with this book is the character's intentions and actions seemed confusing at times, Luke and Rebecca's "fighting" and "break up" really wasn't that tense at all. I wouldn't have even called it a fight or break up but maybe that's just me. As this series grows it is hard to keep track of every side character Rebecca meets which later plays a part - but I do like them! These characters continue to surprise me and I continue to learn from them! Rebecca's humor, shenanigans and adventures suck me in! Awesome sequel and I'm looking forward to the next one! Highly recommend if you're looking for some light hearted humor.

Shopaholic is BACK and this time she's hitting up New York City in Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella. Rebecca Bloomwood, anxiety attack waiting to happen, is smug and happy in her relationship with Luke Brandon. She's also working full time giving financial advice on a British news program when out of the blue Luke announces he wants to move to New York. Becky is shocked and when Luke invites her along she jumps at the chance for a city and career change.

Becky seems made for the glittery life of Manhattan with it's designer boutiques and American television offers piling up. Becky is busy "investing" in her future with frequent trips to Bloomingdale's, Barney's, and Chanel when a tabloid covers a news story about her financial woes. Needless to say, this leads to a severe fight with Luke after which Becky goes back to London and her roommate Suze, effectively ending the relationship with Luke.

Becky's trying to get her financials back in order and realizes the only way to do so is to sell her closet full of unworn clothing! Ultimately, Becky gets everything straight again and decides to embark on her own career path!

This novel was great! Becky is so fun and although she causes me great amounts of anxiety, I can't help but adore her. At her core, Becky is just a gal trying to figure everything out. She really embraces her true self in this novel and grows up a bit! Becky is forced to take responsibility for herself and it's about time!

Definitely a fun read! I love hearing about Becky's misadventures, it makes me feel better about that ginormous student loan debt I'm dealing with! haha. If you're looking for a fun read, Shopaholic is the way to go!

-Sarah
[...]

Becky Bloomwood returns in the second book in the Shopaholic series and things are off to a better start with her. She and Luke are doing well, her TV show as a financial advice guru is working (though many people who -really- know her find it hard to believe that she is so good at it), and basically, she should be happy. Alas, Becky likes to complicate her life and she often does this in somewhat comedic fashion.

Hijinks ensue that could easily have been avoided with a bit more communication between her and Luke, but hey, where's the fun in that?

Becky ends up in New York, and as you might imagine, she goes a bit crazy with shopping; however, things are going relatively well for her. Of course, it can't all be happy because this is a novel and there needs to be a story.

An article in a British tabloid seeks to ruin Becky's budding American TV career as well as threatens Luke's branching out into America with Brandon Communications. It takes all of Becky's smarts as well as help from Suze her best friend to figure out how to make things work out in the end.

Without giving away too many details, I actually enjoyed this book more than the first because there was more meat to it. It is still light reading, but there is more at stake here and Becky has to be more than a blithering fool to fix them. I was also pleased that she does fix most of her problems on her own as opposed to falling on Suze, Luke, or her parents to mend things for her. She has help, sure, but she actually makes choices for herself and that is VERY pleasing to me.

This was the second in the Shopaholic series.

My favourite part about this book was definitely in watching how Becky accustomed to the United States and found the differences in culture. She definitely might have a skewed perception, but small details were very amusing, such as her reaction to the gym.

I felt like I saw her mature when events in the second half of the book stirred her world up and forced her to move a little into reality. I was glad that misfortune had struck her as her world was beginning to feel a little too perfect, so the drama was good.

Becky proved herself to be more real in this book and I appreciated how she grew as a character. The ultimate solution was highly entertaining, and I feel like the book had a very satisfying ending.

I enjoyed this one more than the first, and think it would stand well if read alone.

Becky Bloomwood is back in this sequel to Confessions of a Shopaholic. After paying off her bills and getting together with boyfriend Luke Brandon, Becky is feeling on top of the world. She's even been controlling her spending...so she thinks until those letters from the bank and credit card companies start reappearing in her stack of mail. In addition to her new financial worries, Becky finds out that Luke is moving to New York, and has asked her to go with him. Will she be able to avoid the shopping temptations of New York, find a new career, settle her British debts, and manage the stress of all this change on her relationship with Luke, who is under enormous pressure to succeed?

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first. While Becky's luck and life events are somewhat unrealistic, this is a fantastic escape series, where you can enjoy designer clothers, beautiful hotels, and a plucky heroine like Becky. Despite her foolish choices, Becky remains endearing and charming and you really want to see her make it personally and professionally, and never has a pair of orange sandals sounded so tempting! Recommended as a fun, flirty read with a bit of mystery thrown in as well. Five stars!

The beach read for July is Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella.

Synopsis:

Rebecca is now a television personality on Morning Coffee. She has managed to befriend Mr. Smeath but he has news of his own. He will no longer be in charge of her account at Endwich Bank. Of course there is shopping! Rebecca really wants to see her relationship grow with Luke. He stays busy with work and Rebecca lets him set the pace of the relationship. The game changer comes when Luke asks Rebecca to move to New York with him. Will Rebecca be able to survive New York! Will Saks Fifth Avenue survive the Shopaholic? Will Luke become more committed?

My Thoughts:

I did not love this book. Ms. Kinsella does a wonderful job of creating a superficial and narcissistic character in Rebecca Bloomwood. I felt that the story was a little bit better this time around. I just couldn't compel myself to finish the book. I guess the humor is a little lost on me. Meg Cabot fans will love this book!
Shopping is a theme that runs through this series. Are you a thrifty spender? Do you compulsively shop? Is retail therapy one of your favorite past times? If your answer is yes to this question then you are a Shopaholic?

Ohmygod, those gorgeous red-and-white checkered heel mules you wanted are on sale-marked down 50 percent. You know you don't need them. In fact, you have nothing to wear with them. But you buy them anyway because you're saving money: with the extra 50 percent you save, you can buy something to go with them.

This kind of reasoning is similar to Becky Bloomwood's in Sophie Kinsella's latest installment of the shopping maven's buying blunders, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, released by Delta in January 2002. Becky is financial expert for a British TV show who is up to her Pashmina scarf in debt. Her flatmate, Suze, tries to help her curb her spending, but Becky does what she wants to do. As much as she is a shopaholic, her boyfriend, Luke, is a workaholic. He owns a well-known PR agency and hopes to open a branch office in New York City. So off he goes to the Big Apple, girlfriend in tow.

Despite her debt, Becky goes into every chic shop in search of designer labels. In fact, one of her mantras includes, "Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like." Which is just what she does in New York City. She shops at Sephora and later happily learns what a sample sale is. At Barney's-"I've kind of been saving it for last, like an extra-special chocolate," she buys a Vera Wang cocktail dress setting her back thousands.

She and Luke share a special dinner at a restaurant whose interior looks like a cruise ship (Oceana, perhaps?) while she wears her Vera Wang dress and feels like a "movie star." Everything is picture perfect...or is it. A British tabloid prints an expose on her, the "hypocritical" financial expert who owes everyone and their uncle money. This revelation threatens to damage Luke's deal, and subsequently, their relationship. Back in England, she loses her job and all seems lost. But hold on-if she can get herself out of debt, she can surely save the day. In her comical, goofy way, she does.

Sophie Kinsella has managed, in this sequel, to keep the writing fresh and funny despite the credit-card wielding Becky's similar hijinks. The writing is tight and the jokes are original. On a trip to the country, Becky mentions getting in touch with her natural side, noting she's taken up gardening. "Or at the very least," she says, "I've bought some sweet little ceramic flowerpots from The Pier marked `Basil' and `Coriander.'" Kinsella definitely knows the mind of the compulsive shopper. While visiting a convent, Becky is happy to find a gift shop. Though she promised Suze she wouldn't buy anything on this country trip, she is persuaded by the nun to "make a donation."

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is a must-read for anyone who loves to shop or anyone who loves New York or anyone who loves to shop in New York. It's a quick read and one worth the chuckles. -- Dina Di Maio

When Confessions of a Shopaholic ended I felt empowered and hopeful that Rebecca was making a permanent change in her life. Then I picked up Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. She is back at square one and things eventually really blow up in her face. I'm hopeful that this time the change will stick, but if it doesn't then the third book in the series may just be my last.

For someone so smart, Rebecca sure is dumb and that started to really get on my nerves. Her recklessness just wasn't funny anymore. There are some funny moments, but it was a bit harder for me to get through this book.

Ohmygod, those gorgeous red-and-white checkered heel mules you wanted are on sale-marked down 50 percent. You know you don't need them. In fact, you have nothing to wear with them. But you buy them anyway because you're saving money: with the extra 50 percent you save, you can buy something to go with them.

This kind of reasoning is similar to Becky Bloomwood's in Sophie Kinsella's latest installment of the shopping maven's buying blunders, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, released by Delta in January 2002. Becky is financial expert for a British TV show who is up to her Pashmina scarf in debt. Her flatmate, Suze, tries to help her curb her spending, but Becky does what she wants to do. As much as she is a shopaholic, her boyfriend, Luke, is a workaholic. He owns a well-known PR agency and hopes to open a branch office in New York City. So off he goes to the Big Apple, girlfriend in tow.

Despite her debt, Becky goes into every chic shop in search of designer labels. In fact, one of her mantras includes, "Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like." Which is just what she does in New York City. She shops at Sephora and later happily learns what a sample sale is. At Barney's-"I've kind of been saving it for last, like an extra-special chocolate," she buys a Vera Wang cocktail dress setting her back thousands.

She and Luke share a special dinner at a restaurant whose interior looks like a cruise ship (Oceana, perhaps?) while she wears her Vera Wang dress and feels like a "movie star." Everything is picture perfect...or is it. A British tabloid prints an expose on her, the "hypocritical" financial expert who owes everyone and their uncle money. This revelation threatens to damage Luke's deal, and subsequently, their relationship. Back in England, she loses her job and all seems lost. But hold on-if she can get herself out of debt, she can surely save the day. In her comical, goofy way, she does.

Sophie Kinsella has managed, in this sequel, to keep the writing fresh and funny despite the credit-card wielding Becky's similar hijinks. The writing is tight and the jokes are original. On a trip to the country, Becky mentions getting in touch with her natural side, noting she's taken up gardening. "Or at the very least," she says, "I've bought some sweet little ceramic flowerpots from The Pier marked `Basil' and `Coriander.'" Kinsella definitely knows the mind of the compulsive shopper. While visiting a convent, Becky is happy to find a gift shop. Though she promised Suze she wouldn't buy anything on this country trip, she is persuaded by the nun to "make a donation."

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is a must-read for anyone who loves to shop or anyone who loves New York or anyone who loves to shop in New York. It's a quick read and one worth the chuckles. -- Dina Di Maio

When Confessions of a Shopaholic ended I felt empowered and hopeful that Rebecca was making a permanent change in her life. Then I picked up Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. She is back at square one and things eventually really blow up in her face. I'm hopeful that this time the change will stick, but if it doesn't then the third book in the series may just be my last.

For someone so smart, Rebecca sure is dumb and that started to really get on my nerves. Her recklessness just wasn't funny anymore. There are some funny moments, but it was a bit harder for me to get through this book.

I have previously characterized Sophie Kinsella's first book in this series, CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, as a rare comedic gem. This second book on the spending antics of Rebecca Bloomwood, SHOPAHOLIC TAKES MANHATTAN, is just as excellent. I'll be devastated if Kinsella isn't planning a third volume.
Becky is a 26-year old Brit who dispenses personal financial advice during a daily segment of a morning telly talk show. She's also under contract to a publisher to write a self-help book on the same subject. Unbeknownst to all except for her roommate Suze and her bank, Becky can't resist spending a pence to save her life. Even the most ordinary of tasks balloons into a spending orgy. For example, when sitting down at her computer to begin composing her promised book, she gets only several words into the very first sentence before she decides her chair is too uncomfortable. Careening off into an office supply store's website ...
"... I click on an ergonomic swivel chair upholstered in purple to match my iMac, plus a Dictaphone which translates stuff straight into your computer. And then I find myself adding a really cool steel claw which holds up notes while you're typing, a set of laminated presentation folders - which are bound to come in useful - and a mini paper shredder. Which is a complete essential because I don't want the whole world seeing my first drafts, do I?"
The title of this book indicates Becky is off to America. And so she is. With her boyfriend Luke, a PR genius determined to set up a Manhattan office. One of Becky's most endearing characteristics is that her worldview is so shallow. Contemplating life in the Big Apple ...
"The weird thing is that although I've never actually been to New York, I already feel an affinity toward it. Like for example, I adore sushi - and that was invented in New York, wasn't it? And I always watch Friends, unless I'm going out that night. And Cheers. (Except now I come to think of it, that's Boston. Still, it's the same thing, really.)"
Despite her faults, Becky is sweet, charming, kind-hearted, intelligent, ingenious, and is an excellent judge of character. There's not a malicious bone in her body despite what is thought by her bank's Overdraft Facilities Director. All this keeps the reader rooting for Becky no matter what financial and personal disasters she manages to engineer. Though I wouldn't want to be married to the lady just from financial self preservation, I wish I could number her among my friends just so I could be fascinated.

I absolutley loved the first Shopaholic book and in my review of it even said I would have liked it better had I known what all the shops in London referenced were. In Shopaholic takes Manhattan I got my wish.
In this, the second Shopaholic novel, our girl Becky Bloomwood seems to have gotten her act together. She has a financial segement on a morning news show, things are going great with her beau Luke and best of all she is out of financial trouble - for about the first chapter anyway. In subsequent chapters she accompanies Luke to New York City where he is trying to open a branch of his financial public relations firm and possibly to score herself a television job in the US. However, once she sees the shops - Prada, Bloomingdales, Saks and even the Guggenheim Museum store Becky is back off and running with her spending habits and it was pure joy to be with her again. She discovers the thrill of private sales, the joy of Sephora and the bliss of Barney's. Drinking to excess on a job interview, ignoring her creditors requests for payment and obsessive shopping win Becky a feature in a London tabloid that expose her as the financial fraud that she is. Being exposed ruins her chances of a financial career stateside, destroys her relationship with Luke and almost dashes his chances of opening a NYC branch of his company as well.
Becky returns to London dejected but not defeated. Always great under pressure she manages pay off her debts, keep Luke from losing his business completely and in the end she gets to keep Luke too. We think. The ending was left open enough to make readers wonder (and hope) if there is a third book in this series on the horizon.
A quick and entertaining read, this was the perfect companion for a my long Easter weekend at the beach. I didn't think it was as good as the original, but was definately alot of fun. I certainly hope there is more of Becky to come in the future.

The premise is the same, just the location is different. We were introduced to the delightfully batty Becky Bloomwood in "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Becky is a financial guru on a "Regis and Kelly"-ish British TV show. The irony is, she can't curb her shopping addiction enough to get her bank balance under control. She's wearing out her credit cards--and her new, evil bank manager's patience--in London, so when the chance to hightail it to New York City with her PR exec boyfriend Luke Brandon comes along, Becky jumps at the chance and soon finds herself in a whole new world of shopping where she doesn't understand the exchange rate but still gets used to 10-story department store. (And, as she'll tell you, spending foreign money doesn't count because it's, well, foreign.)
Sure, the American and New Yorker stereotypes abound--shopgirls at a sample sale insisting that Becky have privacy to try on clothes because "She's British!" Americans cooing over her accent, rich New York wives toting dogs around in Gucci bags. But they're described with such wide-eyed awe that you're amused, not offended.
Certainly, Becky's insanely good luck (in the first installment, not only does she land a high-paying TV gig, she also lands the kind of perfect man that only exists in this kind of novel) can cause a few eyes to roll. She inhabits a parallel universe where, despite her major and minor gaffes, things always turn out all right for her in the end.
Perhaps we identify with her because we can see things just like that happening to us. We can understand how she rationalizes spending an exorbitant amount for shoes or a handbag because they'll last so long, she'll actually *save* money in the end. (I'm sure everyone has done something similar.) She appeals to the dippy, materialistic loser in all of us, because she's a dippy, materialistic loser too...just with really great shoes.

Shopaholic takes Manhattan
Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is written by Sophie Kinsella. This is the second book in the series of Shopaholic books, which follows Confessions of a Shopaholic. The main character, Becky Bloomwood, is a financial expert on London's Morning Coffee. Becky doesn't even take her own financial advice. She is what the book calls her, a shopaholic. Her boyfriend, Luke, is all work no play, they are complete opposites. Luke wants to move his company to New York City and he wants Becky to move with him. They go for a two-week trip and Becky spends more in two weeks than she did in London. Becky goes back to London and loses everything; she moves out of her flat and sells everything at an auction. Luke's friend Michael offers her a job in Washington D.C. and she thinks that she will take it. Luke and Becky got into a fight and when Becky leaves to get on the plane Luke tries to stop her but she leaves anyway.
I enjoyed this book because it is realistic and far-fetched at the same time. A girl moves to NYC, loses all of her money and has to move back. Becky is a girl that thinks she has it all. She loses everything and learns how hard she has to work to get what she really wants. She tries to make it as a financial expert but realizes she'd rather do something that she likes. So Becky decides to do that, get a job that she enjoys and loves.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to shop. I also would recommend this book to anybody who just wants a good laugh in a book.
BY:
~Becky K.~

Kinsella developes the character of Becky Bloomwood brilliantly in "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan." Becky is a more hip and and chic "Bridgette Jones." I mean, she is at least , but she know what she is doing...sort of. Becky faces her first delimma as she is packing her suitcase:
"I've already packed a denim jacket, a leather jacket, but you just can't count on September weather, can you? I mean, at this moment, it's hot and sunny, but it might start snowing tomorrow and what happens if Luke and I go for a really rustic walk? Besides which, I've got this gorgeous Patagonia vest for ages, and I've only worn it once."
Her concerns are at first, things like, "The whole point about a T-shirt is you choose them in the morning according to your mood, like crystals, or aromatherapy oils. Imagine if I woke up one Day in the mood for my "Elvis is Groovy" T-shirt and I didn't have it with me?" In her own way, she has a point. Some people - we don't like to admit who we may be - use clothes as we would use aromatherapy. In this day and age, what we wear often affects our moods and how we feel about ourselves.
Becky goes to New York City with Luke Brandon of Brandon Communications - and somehow she thinks that foreign money is not "real" money. As Luke is having difficulties with his business, Becky is having trouble with her bank accounts. London may very well be on a separate continent, but for Becky, the mistakes that she contnues to make in London as well as Manhattan catch up with her.
While she is in Manhattan, back to London, and so on, Becky Bloomwood really learns that her habit of shopping catches up with her. Or rather - she cannot keep up with her habit - or its' cost. And she is part of a morning talk show where she gives advice about finance (!)?! Becky finds she can use what she likes best to earn her success in life.
The reader will love, laugh at, get annoyed with....and eventually respect Becky Bloomwood in this novel. "Come to think of it, maybe I don't need three pairs of boots. Or a fur sole." I guess you could say that Becky learns that this time, she is going to have to wear sneakers - comforable ones, because she must travel down many roads. And I think she gains things (without using her VISA or Master Card) that remain a part of who she is, who she becomes - And well, how mad can you get at someone who's "Achilles Heel" is one of a pair of a Prada slingback stilletos!

I loved the original book of this series "Confessions of a Shopaholic." However, "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan" is even funnier-and it has more of a plot, more character development, and a more serious resolution.
Becky Bloomwood is the heroine of the "Shopaholic" series. By day, she is a TV financial journalist who delivers serious and sober advice on pension funds and the bond market. By night (and by weekend, by lunch hour etc.) she is a confirmed shopaholic who just can't stop herself from purchsing "just one more thing."
In this book, she and her rich, successful boyfriend spend a few weeks in New York as they decide whether or not to live there. While Luke (her boyfriend) spends his days in meetings, Becky "takes in the sights" (e.g., saks, Barneys,soho stores, etc.) and learns about the native customs (e.g.,sample sales, personal shoppers). She also is trying to establish her television career in New York and her descriptions of her meetings are very funny and actually spot on.
Of course, her endless spesnding eventually causes her endless headaches and a day of reckoning with Luke...and you will laugh very hard on your way to and throughout the climax of the book.
Kinsella has a tremendous gift in the way she manages to keep most of the book in the present tense-you feel as if you are with Becky in Barneys (or Prada or Saks) as she wrestles with her conscience on that one last purchase.
Highly recommended for fans of chick lit.

The long awaited sequel to Confessions of a Shopaholic does not disappoint. As an instant convert to the writing of Sophie Kinsella, this reader was thrilled to see Shopaholic Takes Manhattan hit the bookstores.
Becky Bloomwood finally has her life on track. Her TV show is going great, she has her debts paid off and has found love in the bargain. Of course being Becky she has to go shopping to celebrate and the unseen mountain of debt is about to rise again.
In an unexpected turn of events, Luke, Becky's true love, is about to move his business to New York. With creditors snapping at her heels it seems the perfect place for our heroine as well. After all foreign money doesn't count so you can spend as much as you like right? Out of sight ..Out of mind.
If heaven has a name, for Becky it would be Manhattan. The world's biggest shopping paradise is home to the ultimate sales events and in Becky's mind that is heaven! She is courted by producers from every medium to develop her career in America and feels life has come full circle for her. Does Becky keep her spending in control? Does she find the ultimate career? You must read the book to find out.
I guarantee you will laugh out loud and truly enjoy another roller coaster ride that is Becky Bloomwood's life. I look forward to the next book in this series due out next year.

I loved Confessions of a Shopaholic! I identified with Rebecca Bloomwood's uncontrollable urge to hit the shops and spend, spend, spend! (Although I am glad to say that I am nowhere near as bad as she is.) It was hilarious, ironic and fun to read and I couldn't wait to read Shopaholic Takes Manhattan -- the sequel to Confessions. However, the second effort lacks some of the fun approach the first novel had. It focuses more on her unhealthy shopping addiction.
In the sequel, Rebecca tags along with her workaholic husband to New York City -- a.k.a. the shopping capital of the world (and don't I know it)! No sooner does she arrive in Manhattan than she hits Sak's, Barney's, Bloomingdale's, and every sample sale on the island. After all, she was new to the city and dollars don't really count because they don't even look like real money -- that was her hilarious excuse to shop.
The narrator comes across as naive and a little too obsessed with shopping on this one to the point that reason, and even sanity, is no longer used by her. But I take it that that was intentional -- I mean, she does have a problem, doesn't she? She's addicted to shopping. I like the fact that she is forced to face the harsh reality of her reckless spending and makes her realize that it has taken over her life. But it also leads to self-discovery.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan isn't as -- how shall I describe it? -- breezy as the original, it delves into a more serious issue of addiction, but that is what was needed to be used in order to make a great conclusion. She still gets into trouble by buying expensive beauty products just to get a free lipstick -- which means that it's just as hilarious as the first one. I highly recommend it!

Becky Bloomwood is at it again in this hilarious sequel to "Confessions of a Shopaholic," the debut novel by London author Sophie Kinsella. Becky has, supposedly, cleaned up her act, paid her outstanding bills, and is off to a fresh start with her very rich boyfriend, Luke, and her great new job on TV's "Morning Coffee" as their financial expert (ironic as is seems). Becky learns that Luke is planning to move from London to New York and he wants her to go with him. Luke is totally obsessed with his work and focused on "making it in America."
They head for the Big Apple for a short trip of mostly business meetings for Luke. Becky also has an important interview lined up. Naturally, Becky's trying to keep her promise to her flatmate, Suze, and stick to a strict budget, no extra spending. Desperately, she tries not to think about shopping. But, you know Becky, full of unique excuses and rationalizations. She's thinking, "I'm sure I read somewhere that Bloomingdale's is quite an admired piece of architecture." I won't elaborate on Becky's run-in at the gym - quite funny. I felt so bad for Becky, such torture. How much willpower do you expect her to have . . . on Fifth Avenue? . . . in Saks? . . . all 10 floors of it!? She does try to take in some culture, though, at the Guggenheim (well, the Guggenheim Museum Store, anyway).
Things get pretty out-of-hand and Becky finds that she may have ruined everything for herself and for Luke. You're not getting any more from me - you'll have to read this one yourself. Another winner for author Sophie Kinsella. Can hardly wait for her third book :)

Laughter and sadness are served up by Sophie Kinsella in this sequel to Confessions of a shopaholic. This book begins where the other one left off with our happy couple, Becky and Luke. Although her parents and neighbors don't believe she is actually dating a millionaire, they will end up exploring new job opportunities in a shopaholic's paradise: Manhattan. As Luke works long hours to open an office in New York, Becky, between interviews, discovers sample sales and a host of great deals to be had in the USA. After all, it's not as if she is spending real money, according to her usual flawed logic.

As the shopping bags hidden from Luke accumulate in the closet of their hotel room, to the letters from creditors pilling up once again, Becky's and Luke's lives spiral out of control after the release of a damaging article. But wait: things always work out for Becky in the end, but they won't necessarily end up where you would expect them to go.

Although not my preferred style of literature, this chick-lit success story is simple, fun and quite enjoyable from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in the Bloomwood saga.

Heaven help her credits cards! Becky Bloomwood and Luke Brandon are in New York City. While Luke tries to take on NYC, Becky mounts a campaign to shop at every store in the city. Well, maybe not quite EVERY store. It's a fun ride as Becky discovers the wonders of the sample sale, mega book-store chains and more.
But a dark cloud is hovering in the air. Despite her success in reducing her debt from "Confessions of a Shopaholic", Becky is back in the red. Add in a scandal when the world discovers financial wizard kid Becky is really on the credit card companies Most Wanted lists and Luke discovering her hotel closet crammed with carrier (shopping) bags and Becky's designer clad goose is cooked.
Becky finds herself on her own and eventually makes a decision that really should have occurred to her in the first novel. Utimately, Becky gets back her man and finds an amazing new career.
Unlike other British Chick Lit sequels (cough, cough, "Edge of Reason", cough, cough) Sophie Kinsella continues Becky's adventures with a storyline that doesn't seem outlandish. Grab this for your plane trip, commute to work or the beach.

This was a really terrific, funny book. Other reviews have done a good job of summarizing the plot. Becky and her boyfriend Luke are moving to New York so he can set up a new office there, and Becky's shopping gets out of hand again, creating disaster. It's not a complicated book at all. But that's not a bad thing -- this is a terrific book to curl up in bed with, or to take to the beach with you. I found myself laughing out loud a great deal more than the first. Becky's attempts to sneak in her purchases without anyone seeing are hilarious, and something I could relate to. Her experience at the wedding of an old family friend was also true to life (on a bigger scale, obviously -- you have to read it to understand). I thought Becky was much more well developed and I liked her a great deal more in this book. She still lies, but somehow her lies don't seem quite as awful. She has more confidence and she takes charge of her life more -- I really liked how she handled herself when everything fell apart. I like Luke, although he still could've used more depth. Overall this was a really good book that I think most women would enjoy.

Becky Bloomwood's life finally seems to be on the upswing. She is the financial expert on London's top rated morning show, she has finally worked things out with her credit line at the bank and has her finances under control and is happily dating Luke Brandon, head of Brandon Communications and a millionaire to boot.
Fans of Sophie Kinsella's first book - Confessions of a Shopaholic - will really enjoy following Becky's exploits overseas in the Big Apple. Life is perfect for Becky when she discovers, thru secondhand news, that Luke is moving to New York to open a new office for Brandon Communications.
After fearing the worst, Luke invites Becky to join him and helps her arrange numerous interviews in New York. Life could not be more perfect, or could it? Becky discovers Madison and Fifth Avenue paradise, sample sales galore and in the midst of it ends up on the covers of tabloids back in London. As Becky struggles to get her finances back in order her relationship with Luke seems irreparably damaged - so she must fly home to London alone and back in debt. How will Becky manage to get out of this jam?
Once again, Sophie Kinsella has written a fast paced, fun beach read. This book is a must read for anyone that has ever hit their limit on a credit card or walked past a store and bought something that caught their eye. I look forward to hearing more about Becky soon!

When I finished Confessions of a Shopaholic, I knew that I wouldn't be able to wait very long to buy Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. I had so many great feelings about this book! I was so right!!! I loved this book! At certain points I would get mad at Rebecca for all the lies she would tell people and her impulsive spending habits. After all Suze(her flatmate) would go through to help her control her spending and attempts to put Becca on a budget, it wasn't enough for Rebecca. Rebecca would always find some reason to prove she needed the item she bought. When she moves to NYC with Luke, a terrible rumor gets spread in the papers and it comes between Becky and Luke. As she tried to explain to Luke (in between his roaring), I almost felt as if I was being yelled at. I got to the point where I just put myself in her shoes (haha) and i just felt so bad for her. Near the end of the book however, she finally wakes up and smells the coffee. She comes to her senses and realizes she must pay off her debts. How she does it after being so in debt and being cutoff from overdrafts, you'll just have to read the book and find out. But when you do find, I bet you'll be just shocked as I was. I felt so proud of her. Now, about that Luke, his language could be a little less profane and that's my only complaint. I totally recommend this book to everyone over the age of 13. It's a great read and it'll keep you laughing.

She is at it again. It seems that Becky Bloomfied has not learned much from her previous mistakes. Thank God!

Bringing Becky, the recovered shopaholic to NYC is the equivalent of bringing a reformed alcoholic to a keg party. You just can't do that an not expect disaster.

The book is about how Becky manages to get herself in trouble even though she is continent away from home. Of course Becky bounces back and what really makes her an admirable character is that she does fess up to her mistake and does not expect anyone to help her get out of them.

I think that Sophie Kinsella has created one of the most funniest heroine of our times and it would be neat to meet Ms. Kinsella to see if she is as wacky as Becky (I hope so).

FOr those who have not read Confessions of a Shopaholic, do yourself a favor and read it. If you are a women of 80's and 90's who love clothes, purses, shoes and accessories then you will love the "Shopaholic" series. By the first or second book you should be able to see bits and pieces of yourself in Becky.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors and i think it is because she understands me so well. Of course I am not on the same scale as Becky but I love to shop to make me feel good or to cheer me up when I feel depresses. Now if only I had a happy ending as each of Becky's books do, then I would be happy. I guess I will have to settle for the book's ending.

The book is funny, touching and a bit sad at time but I still loved it and can't wait for her 3rd book, Shopaholic Ties The Knot. I will be interesting to find out if Becky can keep to her budget

Life seems to be good for Becky Bloomwood. She has a job giving financial advice TV, she has paid off her debts, her relationship with Luke Brandon is going well, and Luke has promised to take Becky away for a weekend in the country. But you know that things won't stay perfect for long when it comes to Becky's life. Luke ends up spending their weekend away in business meetings, Becky's suitcase hasn't shown up (she shipped it to the inn because she overpacked), and Becky accidentally hears that Luke is planning to move to New York but he hasn't said a word about it to her. Things only get crazier from there. Becky manages to get herself into more than one scrape, including getting drunk at a lunch job interview, attending a wedding at which most everyone doubts the validity of Becky's claims to be dating the famous Luke Brandon, a disasterous meeting with Luke's mother, and a hilarious attempt to use a treadmill. And of course, there's lots of shopping. This second book in the series is just as fun and hilarious as the first!

This is a nice, fluffy example of genre fiction. The prose is bubbly, a touch over the top, and very upbeat. It is a pleasant book to read when you want a little pick-me-up. It borders on science fiction because, let's face it, the male object of interest is an extremely thinly disguised Richard Branson (CEO of Virgin Records) and the heroine is a sport shopper. This will not happen on our planet!
I found it gave me encouragement as I was planning to do some clothes shopping and the frothy tone of the book and the sheer joy of shopping convinced me the odious task of pawing through the racks at the Jones New York Outlet might possibly be jolly good fun. But, I digress.
Structurally, the book is good. There are no glitches in the plotline (a problem with genre fiction) and the story flows along nicely.
The only thing that weirded me out was the borderline pathology of her addiction to shopping. The author skates along the DSM IV in a teetery way. But of course, a literary character who is uncomplicated can be so boring.

This book is about a girl named Becky Bloomwood who loves to shop.She is a finacial "Guru" on a show called Morning Coffee, but the catch is that she is in debt and has trouble controling her own money.One day her boyfriend Luke,who is the owner of a very successfull company called Brandon Communications,gets offered a job in the Big Apple and he ask Becky to come with.Of course Becky says yes,and soon finds herself in 4 star hotel in New York city.While Luke is off at meetings all she does is shop, until she got offered a lot of jobs to be on American Tv.But then a crazy tablode is writtin in a very big newspaper, with photos and a whole page of humiliating things about Becky and her absession with shopping.Nobody wanted her anymore and it wrecked her chances of becoming an American TV star,her relationship with Luke, and her job back in London. BUt then she gets offered a job by one of the men she met in New York as the head of corporate communications, in Washington.But becky knew it wasnt what she truly wanted, so she turned it down and became a personal shopper in New York at a store called Barneys.Then two months later Luke comes to New York and finds Becky and they get back together.THe End

I really liked this book.I thought it was very interesting and it was very funny!!! I would encourage everyone to read this( with the exception of boys.This book is VERY entertaining and well written.I give it 5 stars.

When I first read the other the store reviews of this book, many of which said it was better than the first, I had my doubts. I mean, what else was Kinsella going to offer us other than more shopping hijinks? Been there, done that. But my mind changed about a third into the book. This time, Rebecca gets into some dire consequences -- and is all the better for it. Additionally, her love interest, Luke, is a little more fleshed out than he was in the original. We find out that he's work obsessed, and has a VERY distant mother with whom he shares a complicated relationship.
Throughout her ups and downs, and her discovery of Sephora, Rebecca remains charming as ever. She's sweet and funny, and Kinsella has a great knack for putting Rebecca in some very akward/humiliating situations that would rival many of Bridget Jone's escapades. Definately a must read if you've read the first, and if you haven't, go ahead and buy this one along with the first -- you'll want to read it.
I just can't wait for more "Shopaholic" adventures.

In Sophie Kinsella's second installment of the Becky Bloomwood series "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan," the reader is reunited with Becky several months after the events of the first novel "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Becky is doing tremendously well at her new job as a financial advisor on a British tv show entitled Morning Coffee. Her mega rich boyfriend, Luke Brandon, informs Becky that he has a new business deal in the works that will require him to relocate to New York City. Luke asks Becky to join him and Becky is thrilled. There is just one hitch: Becky is severly in debt - again. At the end of "Confessions of a Shopaholic," Becky had paid off all of her debts and life seemed as if it were on an upswing for her. Several months later however and Becky has reacquired all of her old debt and then some.

When Becky gets to New York, her spending spirals out of control and threatens everything about her way of life.

If you like chick lit, you will adore Kinsella's novels. Her best work is "Can You Keep A Secret?" but the "Shopaholic" series is cute as can be. Becky Bloomwood is a totally sympathetic character that every woman can related to (or just about every woman). I know that I can totally relate to some of Becky's thought processes concerning spending and her general feelings of ineptness. "Shopaholic Takes Mahattan" is a wonderful second novel in the series. Often follow up novels can be disappointing, however that is not the case here.

I first fell in love with Becky Bloomwood in "Confessions of A Shopaholic." I have been looking forward to the sequel, but was afraid it might be just a lame extension of a story that had already been told. How wrong I was! This is funnier than the original (a hard act to follow) and Becky continues to be the designer-loving fashion plate who was born to shop.
Life looks good for Becky as she spouts financial advice on her tv show, finds romance with Luke, and continues to wrap her bank manager Derek Smeath around her pinkie. But when Mr. Smeath retires from Endwich Bank and Luke announces he wants to make it big in New York, big changes are in store(literally) for Becky. She takes to New York like an angel to heaven, or as she so succintly says, "These are my people. I've found my homeland." Becky has never been happier and the reader is treated to Becky hyperventilating at a Prada sample sale, seeing the Guggenheim in a unique way, winning the attention of employees at Barney's, all while taking a three-hour group walking tour of New York that turns into a thousand dollar shopping day when the tour director invites them to enter a magnificent place of worship and Becky enters Saks rather than St. Patrick's. But an unplanned event sends Becky into a depression and destroys her relationship with Luke. Will Becky recover? How will she muddle through without job or boyfriend? Will the new bank manager succumb to her charms or demand full payment? Is it possible for Becky to live up to her own catch phrase she preaches to her loyal viewers, "Look after your money...and your money will look after you."
Every page is filled with Beckyisms, wise words on shopping that are hysterically funny in light of our heroine's "tragic flaw." Will Becky rise from the ashes? Can she win the battle of the charge cards and live a debt-free life? From London to New York, to my mind there's not a more endearing heroine than Becky Bloomwood nor a more compelling contemporary writer of "chick lit" than the witty Sophie Kinsella.
Pick up a copy of this book and I guarantee you'll smile every time you see a Denny and George scarf or a Vera Wang dress.

"Shopaholic Takes Manhattan" would have been great as a standalone, but, having already read & loved "Confessions of a Shopaholic," I was disappointed in the sequel. The plot in this book is virtually the same but with a different setting. Becky has learned nothing about managing her money since "Confessions." Again, she gets into money trouble, is completely unaware that she is spending too much, & she lies to all of her friends & Luke until it's too late. Again, everything blows up in her face, & she is forced to dig her way out of the mess she has made. Sound familiar?

I felt sorry for her in "Confessions," and I was really rooting for her to come out on top. Becky seemed to have learned her lesson & became a better person for it. "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan" puts Becky right back at square one, as though she has had no personal growth since the first book. It's a little hard to root for her this time around.

SHOPAHOLIC ABROAD by Sophie Kinsella
Here's the follow up to THE SECRET DREAMWORLD OF A SHOPAHOLIC (or for the American reader, CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC), by Sophie Kinsella. We return to the world of Rebecca Bloomwood, the obsessed shopper with her own London morning television show about managing one's money. And that is one thing Rebecca is not good at, managing money! She spends like there is no tomorrow, and thinks credit cards grow on trees.
In SHOPAHOLIC ABROAD, Rebecca finds herself in America, following her newfound boyfriend Luke, a very rich and successful business tycoon. Once again Rebecca finds herself on countless crazy adventures as she tries to interview for American television, discovers shopping in New York City, and finds herself exposed on the news.
I don't know why I enjoy these books so much. I want to strangle Rebecca when I read about her crazy stunts and her silly adventures, but yet I can't help but laugh out loud. And at the end, I am always rooting for her. She's a BRIDGET JONES with a money problem, and has enough endearing qualities that I will come back for more. I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series.

I LOVE Becky Bloomwood. She is the cutest thing to ever appear in any book I've read.
In Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Becky finally has gotten her act together, and paid off all her debt. She is at a place in her life where everything is running smoothly. She's got a job she's content with, and not to mention Luke, the boyfriend of her dreams.
Luke needs to take care of some business in New York, and asks Becky to come along. The minute she gets there, it's love at first sight. Everything she dreams of is right there in the Big Apple. The promise that Becky makes -- to her bestfriend and flatmate Suze, about slowing down on spending-- slowly but surely gets thrown on the back burner, and Becky gets herself into trouble all over again. But this time it's much more serious and can jeopardize Luke's business, as well as their relationship.
This was a great read, you can't help but to love Becky no matter how many problems she causes. 5 Stars all the way!!

This book makes an excellent companion to the first one about Becky Bloomwood, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Becky continues her outrageous shopping habits, which I could identify with on some levels. One of my favorites is when she spends a ridiculous amount of money in a stationery shop, including buying a thank-you card addressed to a tennis instructor. "Because I'm planning to have some tennis lessons next summer, and I'll want to thank my instructor, won't I?"

Americans will be able to relate to the places and brands Becky shops for in Manhattan better than they could with her London botiques in the first book. Her adventures at sample sales are absolutely terrific.

The first two books in the Shopaholic series are the best, and the Becky character gets very tiresome in the follow-on novels. These two are gems that I would recommend to any chick lit lover or someone looking for a light and funny read.

First off, you must start by reading the first in this trio of Kinsella's: "Confessions Of A Shopaholic". And let me say, you don't have to be a "shopaholic" to fully enjoy these books! (Psst! I hate shopping!) If you're not hooked with "Confessions..", try this anyway.
I just find Kinsella's style of writing hilarious! Becky (our infamous heroine) is just too funny! Amidst all her hijinks with trying to hide her shopping, she is just so fun to watch squirm. She seems so real. Her dilemnas just might hit close to home for many of us. I saw symbolism in her shopping/trying-not-to-shop ordeal. I also was laughing out loud at the thought of someone salivating at the site of a Saks! Rofl...
I am a married mom w/ two toddler boys & this trio of books I checked out from the library & read all within two weeks. (A lot of dedicated reading for a busy mom!)
Can't say enough about this author....... eager to read "Can You Keep A Secret?".

i hate sequels that [stunk]. i hate sequels that have a good premise and fall fast on their face. i hate books that are overly promoted and shabily put together. Can you see where i am going with this?
"Confessions of a Shopaholic" was cute, as it was fluffy. The sequel, "Shopohlic takes Manhattan" is not as cute, is even more fluffy and dangerously light , and in short is just tripe.
Kinsella had a decent character, whom she choose to beat to death in the same plot, except placed in New York instead of London. Heroine has [junk] job, buys expensive things, runs up debt, gain and loses bf, miracle occurs and pays off debt, regains bf and everything is wonderful again.
You would think that after the first book and the apparent 'growing up', Ms. Rebecca would get a freaking clue. But she doesn't. She's back to her old tricks, and frankly, while it was cute the first time around it has grown suprizingly stale.
I'm terribly disappointed because Kinsella could do so much more with this novel and she didn't. It stunk.
I'm quite suprised by the all the positive reviews, considering that even the trades marked it in the same vein as I did. Kinsella has 'something' so it's interesting to see what future books hold. If it's "Shopoholic takes Rodeo Drive", someone needs to clue-slap Kinsella for me.
Bottom line: Definite library rental or used book sale buy.

Becky Bloomwood is off to Manhattan, and if you liked 'CONFESSIONS' I promise you will not be disappointed by this second installment!

When her boyfriend Luke has to travel to New York City where his firm is opening a new office for a few weeks Becky is ecstatic that he has offered to take her along. There relationship had been going great and this is another step forward. Not to mention all of the great shopping opportunities in the big city...Barney's, Saks, sample sales...even the museums have stores! Since according to Becky the money you spend overseas really doesn't count she feels free to go crazy, and in her usual fashion, she does. But when Luke gets wind of her excessive spending their relationship becomes in serious jeopardy.

'SHOPAHOLIC TAKES MANHATTAN' is another riotously funny book in the 'SHOPAHOLIC' series. Be careful where you read this one because you will be laughing out loud for sure!