’Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze’s stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness…which actually means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains.
But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents host, carols play on repeat, her mother pretends she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors come ’round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch – unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados – and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?
Her sister demands a vegan turkey, her husband insists that he just wants aftershave – again, and little Minnie demands a very specific picnic hamper: Surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old-boyfriend-turned-rock-star and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear. But as the countdown to Christmas begins and her big-hearted plans take an unexpected turn toward disaster, Becky starts to wonder if chaos will ensue, or if she’ll manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas after all.
Purchase Link: Christmas Shopaholic
Why I chose this book
I picked up Christmas Shopaholic to honor Sophie Kinsella after her passing on December 10th. She was one of my very first favorite authors and played a huge role in shaping my love for lighthearted, character-driven stories. Revisiting Becky Bloomwood at Christmas felt like returning to something familiar and comforting, especially during the holidays.
Reading experience
This book was fun, festive, and intentionally chaotic in the way only a Shopaholic story can be. It made me laugh, it stressed me out, and it pulled me right back into Becky’s world where everything feels slightly out of control at all times. The pacing leans into that chaos on purpose, creating a reading experience that mirrors the overwhelm of the holiday season itself.
Story structure
The story begins in November and builds steadily into Christmas, centering on Becky hosting Christmas at her home for the first time. Even though I have not read every book in the series, the tone felt immediately familiar. The humor, the escalating misunderstandings, and the rapid chain of consequences all felt true to the Becky Bloomwood we know.
Characters
Becky Bloomwood is, quite honestly, a hot mess when it comes to consequence chaos. She lives as if consequences do not exist, even though they crash down around her constantly. She is distracted, disorganized, proud, and often unwilling to admit when she is wrong.
And yet, she is deeply lovable.
What balances Becky is her heart. Time and again, she puts her own plans aside to help the people she loves. Sometimes that generosity derails everything she is trying to accomplish, but it also shows her humanity. Her empathy, affection, and genuine care for others make her impossible to dismiss, even at her most frustrating.
Themes
At its core, Christmas Shopaholic explores holiday stress, distraction, and the pressure to make everything perfect. Beneath the chaos, the story is about showing up for the people who matter and remembering what Christmas truly represents.
What the Grinch can steal is not Christmas.
The book reminds us that connection, care, and intention matter more than perfection, even when everything feels like it is spinning out of control.
Final thoughts
Losing Sophie Kinsella feels like losing a literary comfort space. Her stories have always held humor, heart, and warmth in a way that feels timeless.
While I do plan to read her final book someday, I know it will be an emotional experience. For now, Christmas Shopaholic felt like a loving reminder of why her stories have meant so much to me for so many years.
Cozy Home Delight 
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