Book review - christmas shopaholic

​I’m not usually into what we could describe as “Christmas books”. I love Christmas movies, Christmas music, Christmas desserts, Christmas tea… But Christmas books are difficult. First of all, it is really hard to program your reading so that when Christmas time comes around, you’re intellectually available to read that book you only get one chance to read. It’s a “be there or be square” type of situation. Personally, I like to read one book at a time, and coordinating months in advance to be ready to start a specific book on December 1st  just seems like too much work. Second, Christmas stories can become real soapy real fast. Reading about other people’s Christmas traditions is a bit like reading somebody’s journal; it can be hard to relate, and it all feels strange. All this to say that Christmas books are not my favorite.
 
Christmas Shopaholic, though, is different (of course it is). Reuniting with Becky and her entourage in this heartwarming story truly feels like a Christmas gift from Sophie Kinsella to her readers. You don’t even need to have read the entire Shopaholic series to enjoy this book. It doesn’t even need to be Christmas in real life. You can just pick it up at any time, sink down in a plush armchair, and enter the crazy world of Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood).
 
In this volume, Becky is very much looking forward to Christmas with her family and closest friends. But things go haywire when she realizes that Christmas will be quite different this year – moreover, the difficult and stressful task of hosting Christmas falls on her for the first time! We follow her through the erratic build up to Christmas, experiencing the holiday frenzy of December at the same time as her.
 
The Shopaholic series counts 10 books so far, and one of the things that certainly keeps the readers hooked is the characters. Sophie Kinsella truly built a family that feels imperfect and real. The love that all these characters share is like a warm blanket, and it is especially apparent in this last novel. They’re the type of characters that you grief once you’ve finished the book.
 
Speaking of being apparent, the way that this book is written makes you feel like you’re watching a movie, rather than reading a novel. Kinsella writes in such a dynamic and detailed way that you can almost touch and smell the things she is describing. It’s really easy to get swept away in the story and feel like you’re truly there. Which is a good thing, because a lot happens in this book and we need to be able to keep up. In the month leading up to Christmas Day, Becky is dealing with a million things, from Christmas presents to heartbroken friends to ex boyfriends with shady ideas. The torrent of events feels exactly like what seems to happen right before the holidays each year; we have too much to do, too little time, and everything needs to fall appart before it can fall into place. I loved the fact that there are multiple, very distinctive threads to follow in this story. When Becky and her family finally reach Christmas morning, you’re just as out of breath and frazzled as they are. In a good way! Moreover, it’s satisfying to see how, in the end, everything comes together and you realize that every single event and character was actually super important in the grand scheme of things. It was a great reminder that sometimes, singular situations don’t make sense because they’re part of something bigger. It’s something that I like to keep in mind.
 
My favorite passages would definitely be the packaging free shop scene, and the smoked salmond delivery situation. I read this book twice and I laughed out loud both time. It’s no secret that Kinsella’s stories are hilarious, but I think she surpassed herself with the silly and improbable situations in this novel. There’s something freeing about being able to read through these situations without worrying about them, since they’re not real – and not very likely to happen in real life (hopefully).
 
On another note, it’s 2020 and we can’t talk about Christmas without talking about the pandemic that is affecting the whole world right now. When I read this book for the second time a few weeks ago, I really felt for Becky when she learns that Christmas won’t be the same this year. It’s easy to understand her disappointment and her grief, because we’re going through something similar as well. Christmas won’t be the same this year. That being said, I liked how Kinsella explores the multiple facets of the holidays; the traditional Christmas celebration, Christmas with kids, eco-friendly Christmas, a Christmas that’s more quiet, Christmas that makes you want to give and help others… It goes to show that Christmas is not just one thing – it can be anywhere and in everything. During the story, Becky keeps reminding herself that “what the Grinch can steal, that’s not Christmas”.
 
What the pandemic can steal, that’s not Christmas.
 
I think this a great book to read during the holidays, whether you’re a Shopaholic fan or not. It’s hilarious, entertaining and immensely heartwarming. Even though it was my second time reading it, it was a balm to my heart and it made me laugh (a lot). In the story, Jess and her husband are giving out words as Christmas gifts, and I think Sophie Kinsella did the same thing by publishing this book, back in 2019. Words can truly be gifts.
 
Let me know what you think of Christmas books, and if you like them, which one is your favorite? I hope that you all have a wonderful festive build up and that you’re able to find joy in the simplest things – cause joy is what Christmas is truly about. Isn’t it?

Much love,

*Click here to read my review of Sophie Kinsella’s latest book, Love Your Life.