** spoiler alert ** I was very excited to read this book. I've loved all of the other Shopaholic books, and was expecting the same amount of enjoyment out of this one.

I finished this book feeling a little disappointed.

The source of my disappointment is a little diffficult to pinpoint. I feel as though Sophie has used the excuse "Oh but that's what Becky's character is about!" too many times and Becky's antics are getting old.

The redeeming feature of the book was the exploration of Elinor's character. I liked seeing the softer side of Elinor, and she saved the day without expecting anything in return. It was an unexpected twist in the story, but one that was perfect.

I expected more to happen with the GFC storyline, I wanted to see Becky going through her wardrobe ebaying all her clothes!

Minnie reminded me of every horror child you see in a shopping centre who is a brat and who drives you insane - the fact that Becky was ok wit her child's behaviour (or was nonchalant about it at the best of times) was also a little irritating. The kid was buying things on the internet for crying out loud! But again, the Minnie storyline would be filed under "But that's what makes Becky, Becky!" and it just doesn't cut it for me anymore.

I felt the same about the incident at "The Look". Shop in private was a great idea, but I was cringing at her audacity to ask for a raise when it was clear she was going to be in trouble. I also feel it's time for Becky to get a new career, she just seems like a glorified sales assistant and I want her to be a little smarter than that.

I hope the next novel comes good on a few points - a) Luke and Becky buying a house, 2) Understanding what Elinor did to Luke to make him so angry, 3) I want to see more Danny, and 4) Jess and her adopted baby.

I'm not going to avoid further shopaholic books, but I hope Sophie can shake the tried and tested storylines up a little bit and breathe some fresh air into the series