the reading chronicles

Rebecca Bloomwood just hit rock bottom. But she's never looked better....

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it--not any of it.

Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank--letters with large red sums she can't bear to read--and they're getting ever harder to ignore.

She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something....

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life--and the lives of those around her--forever.

Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times--and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance. [ synopsis from goodreads ]

So I read this book back when I was in high school and have now reviewed it twice. So this review will be in two parts....

Original review from March of 2009:
This book was absolutely amazing! I loved it so much!!! It was just my kind of book. This is one of those that I just devour in 2 days because I can't seem to put it down! Rebecca is the ideal heroine. You love her, but sometimes you just wish you could knock some sense into her. I must say, that author's style is a bit like that of Meg Cabot (not that I'm complaining). Rebecca reminded me a bit of Queen of Babble's Lizzie Nichols. Definitely loved this book. It's the ideal chick novel. I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the series. If it's anything like this novel, then it will be well worth a read.

New 2015 review:

Well, six years later and I still love this book!! I've since read the entire rest of the series (except for the newest one?? I think a new one came out a few months ago and I haven't yet read it.) And I've honestly loved this series each step of the way.

But I really, really enjoyed coming back to this one. I watch the movie quite a lot (because wow, hilarious) and because of that, I often forget that the book is pretty different. So it was nice to come back and reorient myself and remember all the changes from book to film.

One of the biggest things is that Luke isn't really in this book a whole lot?? He's definitely my favorite character in the film and in this book, at least, he mainly pops up at the end. But I love the end of the novel and how it starts to weave his place into this story.

But as for the rest of the novel, I love that it makes it pretty clear that this is Becky's journey and then it focuses on that. It's only when she starts to get a handle on things herself that Luke really makes an appearance.

Anyway, just some thoughts. I'm thinking about rereading this whole series now. I think I read the majority of them in high school and I'd love to give them another go. They're honestly so good. I know I'll at least read the new one, if nothing else. But I enjoyed rereading this one! It's so fun and always good for a quick, easy, fun read!

review originally posted on goodreads