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 First edition | |
| Author | Sophie Kinsella |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | 6 |
| Genre | Comedy, Chick lit |
| Publisher | Black Swan |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 443 |
Mini Shopaholic (2010) is the sixth book of the Shopaholic series. [1] It is a chick-lit novel by Sophie Kinsella, a pen-name of Madeline Wickham. It focuses on the main character Rebecca (Becky) Bloomwood, her husband Luke Brandon and their daughter Minnie.
Rebecca Bloomwood and her husband, Luke Brandon, want to buy a home of their own so that they do not have to live with Becky's parents anymore. Their young daughter, Minnie, exhibits behavioral problems and seems to be incapable of being controlled by either parent, giving Luke doubts about having a second child.
Becky plans a surprise party for Luke, but encounters several financial constraints, including hardships from a potential lawsuit between Luke's company and the Arcodas group (which Luke claims will just be a settlement), Becky's excessive shopping, and their pursuit of a proper home. Luke's biological mother, Elinor, wants to get to know Minnie; as Luke and Elinor struggle to get along, Becky keeps her encounters with Elinor a secret, while missing Annabel, Luke's stepmother who was more of a real mother to him than Elinor. Becky also faces estrangement from her own parents after Graham and Jane assert that Becky is refusing to accept responsibility for her role in Minnie's behavior, and that she is interfering with their lives by inviting herself when they want privacy.
Meanwhile, Jess and Tom have secretly gotten married in Chile and are considering adopting a child, but Janice insists they have a biological child first. She laces their drinks with euphoria to get them to conceive a grandchild for her, but this attempt fails and culminates in Jess and Tom berating her for meddling in their relationship.
Becky is almost ready to abandon the surprise party until Elinor offers to help. Elinor apologizes for insulting Annabel and admits that Annabel was a better parent to Luke than she was. She also agrees to help Becky ascertain the source of Minnie's behavioral problems.
Without consulting Becky, Luke hires child-rearing expert and TV personality Nanny Sue for parenting advice. Becky is infuriated with him for not gaining her permission first, then admits she has been talking to Elinor. Before an argument can unfold, Nanny Sue reveals that she was actually called in by Graham and Jane and had gone undercover with to observe their behavior, ultimating determining that Becky is enabling Minnie's disobedience after witnessing Becky relenting and buying Minnie a toy she wanted in response to a tantrum at a toy store. Becky initially tries to defend herself, but finally admits that her shopping addiction and inability to take responsibility for herself are what has made Minnie so unruly. Nanny Sue suggests they discipline Minnie more frequently and that Becky join a support group for shopaholics. Later, Luke begins to reconsider having a second child.
Becky reconciles with her parents. When she learns about Janice pressuring Jess and Tom to have a natural child, Becky defends their decision to adopt and implores Janice to be more open-minded. The book ends with Luke inviting Becky to Los Angeles with him for 3 months upon learning he's representing Sage Seymour.