Shopaholic and Sister - Sophie Kinsella

After a 10-month dream honeymoon around the world, Luke and Becky Brandon are finally back in London. Becky thinks it will be wonderful to surprise everyone -- her honeymoon was supposed to last a full year -- and therefore doesn't tell anyone that she and Luke are coming home early. Imagine her own surprise when her parents act strangely upon her arrival, as does her best friend Suze. Seems Suze found a new best friend while Becky was traipsing around the world. And Becky's parents have recently discovered that Becky has a half sister no one knew about.

Since Suze is happy with her new friend Lulu, Becky decides to turn her newfound sister Jess into her new best friend. Only problem is, Jess hates everything Becky loves. Especially -- gasp! -- shopping. And the two of them aren't getting along very well, either. Not so for Luke and Jess, who have a discussion one evening (which Becky overhears) about how difficult Becky is to live with, what with her frivolous spending and all.

Even worse, Luke tells Becky that she should try to be more like Jess.

When Luke leaves on a business trip without even kissing Becky goodbye, Becky assumes her marriage is in tatters and shows up unannounced at Jess' house so that Jess can teach her how to be frugal. Jess, who'd had a major row with Becky while in London, slams the door in Becky's face. Becky doesn't know what to do. Her husband must not love her or miss her, and her sister hates her guts. Plus, Suze doesn't need her anymore now that she's got Lulu. What's a girl to do?

Things all work out in the end, of course, but the journey there is good fun to read about.

4/5