Shopaholic and Baby
Grade : B

Becky Bloomwood and I have always had a Love/Hate relationship. Since we were first introduced in Confessions of a Shopaholic, I can’t seem to shake the urge to call her up and see what life has thrown at her, even though we disagree on many different levels. So over the years, as someone would invite a less-than-loved acquaintance over for coffee just so you can feel a little better about how your life is turning out, I pick up her latest chronicle. But then Becky gets pregnant in Shopaholic and Baby and I’m suddenly finding myself able to relate to her. Appalling, eh? Maybe it’s the internal bug that makes mothers from all walks of life able to sympathize with each other, but I really enjoyed this one.

Becky Brandon née Bloomwood is halfway through her first pregnancy and loving it. She has a loving husband and a beautiful apartment, and after a thumbs up from the latest ultrasound, she can now start to shop for the baby. And boy does she shop, buying everything but the essentials.

Becky learns there’s a new celebrity obstetrician in town that is known for her famous clients. Well, Becky just has to go to her and ditch the frumpy OB that her husband, Luke, swears by. When the doctor turns out to be an elegant, redheaded beauty and also Luke’s ex girlfriend from college, Becky feels some pricks of jealousy. This isn’t helped by the fact that Luke has renewed his friendship with her and Becky finds out that the woman has a thing for married men.

Yes, I felt for Becky here big time. Maybe what makes this plot better than the rest is the fact that it is more real. Many pregnant women are known for feeling extremely unattractive and suffering from crazy hormones. Luke doesn’t help matters, since he defends his ex-girlfriend at every opportunity and it’s obvious he’s hiding something. I’m still waiting for Luke to become a 3-D character, but with this latest, I think he’s getting there.

Becky is still a Shopaholic at heart; buying so many designer names for her baby and tossing out British shop names so fast my head was spinning. I was actually more confounded when I did recognize a brand or store name, being so used to them flying right over my head. But that is par for the course. Thankfully, shopping didn’t take over this latest installment in the series like it has in the past. The story is much more centered on Becky and her impending birth and her relationship with Luke.

Overall, there isn’t as much melodrama as I am used to expecting and the storyline has a more down-to-earth feel. I laughed out loud a few times and felt a little misty eyed. Becky’s flamboyant, fashion designer neighbor from Shopaholic Ties the Knot makes a good appearance and gives a heavy dose of humor to the story. With that, Shopaholic and Baby is strong addition to this popular series.

Reviewed by Lisa Gardineer
Grade : B
Book Type: Chick Lit

Sensuality: N/A

Review Date : May 12, 2007

Publication Date: 2007

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Lisa Gardineer

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