To anyone familiar with the Shophaholic series, the thought of having Becky Bloomwood, now Brandon, even near Rodeo Drive is sufficient to want to rush and read SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS. Right from the first page, I was giggling even without having read a single word because it starts with a letter, and long-time fans will fondly recall what it means. But Becky is not in trouble. She is simply bugging everyone for freebies and privileges! Becky's husband, Luke, has to temporarily reside in Los Angeles for work, and our favourite shopaholic is over the moon to accompany him. Becky needs something to do, finding a job is not so easy as she tends to make tiny gaffes, shall we say. But then it becomes obvious to Becky: why not become a stylist to the stars? What could go wrong?

Becky is such a fabulous character. She's like the best friend whom we love in spite of her many shortcomings. She is self-centered, too often selfish, but she usually means well. However this time, it's Becky's ambition that is totally out of control, not her shopping habits, and in her quest for stardom, she nearly destroys everything she holds dear. It was a genius idea from Ms. Kinsella to send Becky to Hollywood, and the author delivers in spades! I was wondering if a new reader to the series would "get" Becky and her relationships to the regular characters, and it is astonishing how subtly the author inserts any detail of consequence in such a neat way, that I had to think about it, and this was paramount when an old nemesis of Becky's surfaces in a most surprising way.

As always, there are serious issues behind Becky's madcap adventures, but rest assured that our favourite shopaholic is not getting stale, far from it! And we get a glimpse of what's coming ahead for Becky and I'm already salivating at the prospect!