Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

Written by Sophie Kinsella

Narrated by Nell Hudson

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Party Crasher and Love Your Life …

With her shopping excesses (somewhat) in check and her career as a TV financial guru thriving, Becky Bloomwood’s biggest problem seems to be tearing her entrepreneur boyfriend, Luke, away from work for a romantic country weekend.

That is, until Luke announces he’s moving to New York for business—and he asks Becky to go with him! Before you can say “Prada sample sale,” Becky has landed in the Big Apple, home of Park Avenue penthouses and luxury department stores.

Surely it’s only a matter of time until Becky becomes an American celebrity. She and Luke will be the toast of Gotham society. Nothing can stand in their way, especially with Becky’s bills an ocean away in London. But then an unexpected disaster threatens her career prospects, her
relationship with Luke, and her available credit line. Becky may have taken Manhattan—but will she have to return it?

“[Sophie] Kinsella’s Bloomwood is plucky and funny. … You won’t have to shop around to find a more winning protagonist.”—People

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798892731751

Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella has written a number of bestsellers, including the Shopaholic series, Twenties Girl, Remember Me?, The Undomestic Goddess, and Can You Keep a Secret? Confessions of a Shopaholic was made into a major motion picture starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy. Born in London, she studied at New College, Oxford. She lives in London with her husband and family.

Reviews for Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

[Karen Chandler · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a cute storyline of how you can get wrapped up I. Shopping, and if you don't get it in control it can ruin your life.

[angelalam-300700 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ah, yes...the first half of this book reads like a whirlwind holiday..and the second half deals with the repercussions.

[kevinrubin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Shopaholic Abroad" is very funny and I can relate to some of Rebecca (Becky, Bex) Bloomwood's problems with shopping (after all, on a 10 week business trip to the U.K. I shopped so much I had to pay £625 in excess baggage fees). Although, in my case, it's not lilac sandals I think I need (on the other hand, I went into a shoe store on Neal Street in London with a woman on my team I was traveling with and debating if I should get some sandals and when I was doubtful she pushed me, "get them, get them" and I spent £69 on them) I'm more into CDs and books...I last read "Confessions of a Shopaholic" a few years ago so when starting this I'd forgotten various details about Becky's life, Luke, her job and what-not, but it didn't take too long to pick it up again, and as a completely new story, it wasn't too much trouble.Following Becky around as she's mostly oblivious to anything except clothes is a lot of fun, and then the stories she tells her roommate, Suze or her boyfriend, Luke and the way she digs deeper and deeper holes to cover up her trail... The one page letters from her bank scattered here and there give us a view of what's happening financially.In this case, Luke takes her on her first trip to New York City, where she goes absolutely bonkers hitting all the shops, while staying at the Four Seasons. Meanwhile she's being spied upon by someone hired by Luke's main assistant who has her own plans for his downfall, which gives Becky no few problems of her own.Very fast paced, easy to get through, and quite a few laughs. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series, when Becky and Luke get married.I should reread this now that I live in Manhattan and might know the locations better than previously.

[literaryfeline · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rebecca Bloomwood obviously did not learn her lesson the first time. In the second installment of the shopaholic series, Becky accompanies her boyfriend Luke Brandon on a trip to Manhattan who is looking to expand his company overseas. When Becky’s spending habits and growing debt come to the attention of the public, she loses her job as a finance advisor and must fix the mess she’s created for herself. Her relationship with Luke is suddenly threatened and she is forced to take a hard look at how she is living her life.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first. And having just read the first, it was funny how Becky rationalized her actions from the first book, minimizing and glossing them over in some cases. Rebecca reminds me of a cross between Bridgett Jones and Cher from the movie Clueless. Ms. Kinsella wrote another funny and entertaining novel.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 starsBecky paid off her debt a while back, but is having trouble keeping it down again. Though she has promised her roommate she’ll be better, it’s really hard sticking to it! Her corporate boyfriend, Luke, is wanting to expand his company to the U.S., so he and Becky plan to go to New York for a couple of weeks to work on that, while Becky does some networking to see if she can also find a job. Things start off looking good, but something goes drastically wrong while there… I have mixed feelings about Becky. I hated all the lies! Seemingly little white lies, but they build and build and build! Of course, I also don’t like shopping, so I don’t understand how she can’t hold back better on the spending, knowing how much trouble she’s getting into (though she doesn’t seem to be able to understand that, and she certainly can’t seem to face it). At the same time, I did feel badly for her when things went wrong. Whatever my feelings about Becky’s character, I did enjoy the book for light, mild entertainment. Except… mild ewwwww, cousins…. Ewwwwww!

[emma_manolis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[magickislife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really love Becky, she's like a kindred spirit. I don't exactly have a crazy out of control shopping problem but I could...it's not far of. I definitely have an extreme attachment to some of the stuff that I have bought for now logical purpose. "10 yards of Doctor Seuss ribbon, I totally needed that, it was a bargain, 10 yards was cheaper than buying just 1. It will come in handy one day."

This book was so much fun to read and I enjoyed how she came out on top in the end, that's a good message to have. No matter what kind of deep hole that you dig yourself in you have the power to get yourself out again with a little bit a creativity and some help from your friends and family. :)

[vonini_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's been a while since I last read a Shopaholic book. I thought the author was recycling some solutions from other books she wrote and that that was pretty lame. Turns out I already read this about 10 years ago under the title Shopaholic takes Manhatten...! :-)The book is pretty much okay. Becky gets on my nerves for not learning from her past mistakes and making the same ones. But she's really sweet and caring too and that sort of endears her to me as well. Still, I much prefer the other books by Sophie Kinsella, the non-Shopaholic books. Same naive characters, but endearing as well, good stories and funnier than this series.

[booksandscones · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic and this book, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, about 11 or 12 years ago. I recently re-read Confessions and picked up this book in the library to see how I liked it now.Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is actually a bit better than the first book, as Becky takes some initiative to resolve her newly acquired debt. In Confessions, she's handed a TV job which solves all her problems, but how often does that happen to women facing bankruptcy?I agree with pussreboots's review - I don't like Luke Brandon as a character either, and don't think he & Becky are at all compatible, but that's the direction the author chose to go. Glad to see someone feels the way I do; everyone mostly seems to adore Luke & Becky :o)I was mildly interested in this book in the two days I was reading it, but I think my Shopaholic re-reading experiment is at an end. Too many of these, I just couldn't take.

[pussreboots · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Originally published as Shopaholic Abroad, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella is the sequel to Confessions of a Shopaholic. Rebecca Bloomwood, now dating financial mogul, Luke Brandon, feels like she finally has her life under control. Her debts are paid, she has a great career on television, and she has a boyfriend most everyone is envious of. But all that changes when he invites her on a business trip to Manhattan.Manhattan isn't London. Although Luke has ties (his mother), Rebecca's in for a bit of culture shock. Free time and the chance of a new career in New York, brings out the worst of her impulses. A complete in ability (or at least unwillingness) to convert pounds to dollars further exacerbates the situation.At home in London, thinks aren't all golden either. Rebecca learns first hand about the ephemeral nature of public reputation. So much merit is placed on exaggerated moral behavior — usually with more of the onus placed on women. Rebecca's exuberance for the finest things available in Manhattan is used in an attempt to bring down Luke Brandon.I'll be up front here, I don't like Luke. Even with the added melodrama of his cold mother, I'm not sold on him as the right one for Rebecca. I was really hoping that Luke would crash and burn. Oh well.

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think this was a lot better than the 1st one because me and Becky have more rapport, more history and more familiarity. I still dislike her at times but I feel like a friend who wants to help a friend out. I just want to slap her on the face and make her realize her SICKNESS! haha She seems to hate money a lot, always spending it because she hates it so much! But I actually cried because I felt sad when Becky and Luke broke up. I think they balance each other out. This book showed me a very important lesson, that is if you want to change, you can! As Paulo Coelho said, if you want something all the universe will conspire to help you achieve it. I'm glad that Becky have resolved her problems. Can't wait to read more of her shopping adventures.

[sallyawolf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Becky Bloomwood loves to shop. She is addicted to it and just cannot stop despite numerous letters from the bank telling her that she has overdrawn her account again. When her boyfriend asks her to accompany him to Manhattan, she jumps at the chance to visit the store capital of the world. A series of unfortunate events, however, causes her to lose her job, her boyfriend, and her dignity. Does she let this get her down? No, she drives on and ends up landing her dream job in a city that fits her just right. I love this book and it fits well with the rest of the series. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes shopping, romance, and a good read.

[nicola26 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm honestly surprised at how much I love this series- it's wonderful. I actually think I enjoyed this one even more than the previous one. Becky heads to New York with Luke with the intention of making it big. Things don't quite go according to plan though and it turns out to be a hilarious AND heartbreaking story. I honestly loved it from start to finish. It takes a lot for a book to make me laugh out loud and this series certainly achieves that. It can also be very serious at times, which of course makes it feel more realistic. I am really looking forward to reading the next one.

[irinka87 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The 2nd book in the Shopaholic series! This book is even better than the first! The characters continue to follow to MANHATTAN. Still written with English Becky in mind, while she attacks the big city, where her shopaholic tendencies only get worse! Must have in any library!

[pandareads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If it weren't for the time change last night (blast you "Spring Ahead!") and the fact that I had to get up early today for a work meeting, I would have stayed up late to finish this book. I am in love with the Shopaholic series. It reads as though a real person were telling you the story, not just some author written narrative; I think that's so refreshing! In this second book in the Shopaholic series Becky follows here boyfriend Luke to New York City where he spends his time wheeling and dealing some business deals. Meanwhile, Becky's world soon comes crashing down around her when a defamatory article is published about her. She spends the rest of the novel wallowing a little bit and trying to get her life back together without Luke.I cannot rave enough about how awesome of a writer Sophie Kinsella is. Like I mentioned before, I love her writing style, as well as her rich characters which such distinct personalities and clever plot lines. I can't wait to read the next books in this series. And if you like chick-lit and you've never read a Shopaholic novel, you've got some issues.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fun and frothy

[yonitdm · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

So painful to read I actually closed it and stopped. The main character has reached new lows of being a trainwreck. I hate seeing/reading when people embarrass themselves and there were so many in just the first quarter of the book that I cannot go on!

[scoutlee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having read Confessions of a Shopaholic and enjoying it, I was excited to read Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. This book was very light and entertaining. Spending money in NYC myself whenever I go, I could relate to Becky. However, I don't purchase the amounts that she did. But I can't dismiss the author's hidden message in the book. Be careful with your money and know why you're spending/shopping. I think she did a good job of making the story funny and easy to read without "preaching" the lesson. I just bought Shopaholic Ties the Knot over the weekend. I'm hoping it's just as good as the first two.

[bitemeeric_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the second installment of Kinsella's Shopaholic Series, Beck is back, this time with her beu, Luke. He decides to follow a life long dream and make his mark on American soil, thus moving to Manhattan and bringing Becky with him. Her financial problems catches up to her and begins to affect her relationship with Luke as well as her career and any hope to salvage it. In fact, Luke blames her for the bad publicity he has recieved from the media, thus unable to close a major buisness deal. Ashamed, Betty breaks up with Luke and heads back to her mother country where she finds crtitical information that can help save Luke's company. Leave it to Becky to get herself into trouble only to figure out not only to save her reputation, career, but that of Luke's as well. I just love how Luke wins her back and how he saves her scarf-which is in the movie. I actually clapped when Luke won her back. Highly enjoyed reading this book! I can not wait for her to get hitched!!!

[ebonyhaywood_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After reading this, I totally want to go back and visit New York.

[readingrat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The shopaholic books are always a fun bit of fluff. Once you know Becky Bloomwood, it's fairly easy to guess exactly how her best-laid plans are going to fall apart, but that doesn't make the trip there any less entertaining.

[iynn512_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

i finish half this book around 1 week or so and another half around 1 night. and yeah, sometimes i’m just a bit pissed about how useless Rebecca are. I mean, how dumb. But hey, sometimes that’s how, and what human do. But at times, she manage to fix back her problem, and that’s the wonderfulness of this book. (I mean, kinda think of it, that’s what stories do, don’t they? Messed up their own self and fix it.)So, this book tells further story about Rebecca, her life and her addiction. Read if you’re interested.I give 8.5 out of 10. Just because how charming Luke are. (Should i really give points? And sometimes i don’t even know what my points base for. do of my likeness, or quality of the book itself?)

[blehblah_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Funny and likable, Becky Bloomwood is my favorite character in (adult) chick lit. The first one was surprisingly good, as I wasn’t expecting much. The second one I may have liked slightly more just because I think living in Manhattan would be a dream come true, and her descriptions of life there seems fabulous, especially sample sales. The third one, the conflict isn’t about shopping anymore, but it is a conflict that’s more realistic and makes Becky into more of a complex character than a one-note one. The fourth was interesting, though a little different, and the climax is a little contrived. It took me awhile to like her sister. The conflicts with Luke and Suze are realistic and make me like Becky more. The last one, it’s funny how Becky has such magical intuition; it felt like the focus was too narrow, but maybe that’s just because I don’t find pregnancy that interesting. Overall, in a way the series is like Veronica Mars: it technically has gotten slightly worse, but it’s still so good that it’s one of the best things out there.

[jlouise77_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm glad the character seems to be gaining some depth as a person. She was very superficial and materialist (she is only 26!) and in this book she seems to be learning and growing in a way that makes me happy for her.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This sequel was more enjoyable than the first, although I spent the first half of the novel thinking - "come on - isn't this the same story as "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? But I liked the way that Becky takes charge of her life in healthy ways at the end of the novel - and I liked that she finally finds something at which she is genuinely good. It makes her seem smarter and not so obsessed with her appearance.

[kikilon_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I said I didn't like the Shopaholic series, didn't I? I hated flakey Becky with her compulsive shopping disorder. I still do, in fact. Yet I still reads this book in only a little over a day. It's an extremely fast read. I love Sophie's pace even while I hate, hate, hate her character. I read this book mainly because I'm interested how "travel" experiences are handled in chick lit. This book doesn't address travel as I have it in mind, but it still has some interesting issues in it. I loved the last 1/5th of the book. I still don't like (or get) Becky, but I'd recommend this to chick lit lovers and girly girls (and the shopping happy and credit card junkies...)

[skinglist · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Decent chick lit. Periodically I wanted to throttle Becky for her lack of sense, common or otherwise, but I think that was the point. Ending redeemed it and herself.

[deesirings · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Gah -- it is so difficult to have any sympathy for this heroine, who just repeatedly makes the same poor choices. And the ending is so far-fetched -- SPOILER ALERT!! -I mean, who really recoups all the money they stupidly spent on things they didn't need by auctioning off their goods? What about all the money she spent on non-items (like cab fare and meals)? And in what universe can you get back as much as, if not more, than you paid, selling off designer clothing and accessories?Must be nice to be able to get out of debt so easily!

[labelleaurore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Surprisingly, this one is my least favorite. I have found this reading to be a bit long in the 'what is happening next', please move on.... It was not as funny as all her other ones. But still, very well done.

[brianna_h_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kinsella's most beloved character, Becky Bloomwood is back with all of her neuroses and eccentricities! Only this time, Becky gets to exhibit her penchant for the melodramtic in the Big Apple instead of London. Becky is charming and entertaining and her foibles and misteps are endearing as ever.