Advantages: the story swallows you
Disadvantages: and spits you out leaving some scratches

... Sophie's Choice Love triangle, war and a hideous past, three substances the book is made of and honest to say, common ingrediences mixed in a masterful way to produce an outstanding and moving book. This time I won't spoil the story for those who haven't read the book or seen the movie yet (n.b.: even if the movie is amazing, I recommend reading the book first), but then I can't make the review as exhaustive as I would like to. The form Styron's language is amazingly rich, full of complicated figures and his vocabulary is incredibly extensive. I admit I found the book very difficult, probably the most difficult I've ever read, but I loved it and I didn't mind spending hours with a dictionary. The language is made even more colourful by adding lots of jidish and French, apart from German which was kind... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A good Read
Disadvantages: I have to wait till next year for her next book

...Hurting Distance - Sophie Hannah I bought this book at my local Tesco on a buy two for £7.00 deal and it was well worth it. I'm an avid reader and have read about 12 books this month of all different types. I tend to pick books by reading the back cover and then the first page and if it grips me immediately then I can't leave it behind. The back of this book says "Three years ago, something terrible happened to Naomi Jenkins - so terrible she never told anyone" and the first page is an email she has written to a website called "Speak out and Survive"; you know then from the first page what Naomi's secret is, she's been raped. No I'm not giving the plot away, far from it, that's what I thought as well when I read it. I then though oh well; I'll give it a go anyway. The next chapter is about a man she is deeply in love... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Easy to read, funny.
Disadvantages: Part of series, best to read other 4 first.

...AUTHORS BACKGROUND Sophie Kinsella is a writer and former journalist, she is the number-one best-selling author of several novels including this shopaholic series. She lives in London with her husband and family, including one quite small baby who has to manage with cast-offs. STORY After nearly two years, Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood ) is back, in a hilarious new shopaholic novel. Becky’s life is blooming! She’s working at London’s newest fashion store ‘The Look,’ house-hunting with husband Luke (her secret wish is a shoe room) . . . and she’s pregnant! She couldn’t be more overjoyed – especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery, to the latest, coolest pram, to the celebrity, must-have obstetrician. But when the celebrity... Read review

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Advantages: Funny, easy read
Disadvantages: Laughing out load in public is embarassing

...The third in the delightful series of books written by Sophie Kinsella. Reasonly priced book (especially if you can find it at the local supermarket for a little under £4.00 like I did). Becky is the main character again and what a girl she is. She is just a girl who still can't say no - whether it be to men, future mother-in-laws or the designer shops. She has finally set the date for her dream wedding (or rather two dream weddings).Along the way the plastic begins to melt on her credit card and the little white lies she tells soon grow into great big porkies! She eventually succumbs to her heart and not her head and the ending is as fairytale as modern fiction allows. A fine piece of writing for todays' woman who enjoys knowing that she is not the only one in the world that enjoys simple pleasures such as shopping and whose... Read review

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Advantages: Funny, makes you laugh out loud
Disadvantages: Was finished far too quickly

...I love Sophie Kinsella, after reading all of her Shopaholics series of books I wasn't sure how this would compare. However I loved it! From the moment I started reading it, I was laughing out loud (sometimes too loud) and it had me in absolute stitches in the usual way Kinsellas books do. It is a lighthearded look at life through the eyes of Emma a young lady who is harbouring a few secrets, nothing too sinister just a few things that people are better off not knowing (don't we all). This follows her through her travels and her little secrets that she holds. If you like books that are easy to pick up and put down then this is for you it is a great read and wether you like to devour a book in a whole sitting or just read a bit here a bit there this is suitable for everyone. Has a bit of naughtiness, a bit of silliness, a bit... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant, lighthearted storyline, couldn't put it down.
Disadvantages: Read it all in one go, then was left with nothing to read!!!!!!

...aving read the shopaholic series written by Sophie Kinsella I was pleased when I found this book at the airport before going on holiday. The main character Lexi is having a really bad day, what with not gettin her annual bonus, getting stood up by her boyfriend (loser dave) all on the eve of her fathers funeral. To top it off she has an accident trying to hail a taxi in the pouring rain after a night out. Subsequently she wakes up in hospital to be told that she has had a car accident in her Mercedes, which she cant understand as she doesnt know how to drive let alone be able to afford a Merc!!! She has lost 3 years of her memory and the more she learns about her life the more she cant believe it as it sounds like a dream. Little does she know in achievi