My negative preconceptions of books like this have been turned on their ears. Yes, it’s ‘chick-lit’. It’s also intelligent fiction, very well written, with a very believable main character.

Rebecca Bloomwood is a financial journalist, who managed to bluff her way into a high-powered job, without knowing anything much about finance. Moreover, she has a serious addiction to shopping, and no idea about budgeting. She’s scatterbrained and highly impulsive, judgemental about appearances, and thinks nothing of embroidering the truth… or even telling outright lies if it serves her purposes.

She’s also surprisingly likeable. She’s humble, she has a sense of humour, she cares genuinely about her family and friends, and she has a deep sense of integrity; a moral code that runs deeper than her frivolous nature.

I am amazed at how very enjoyable this book was, charting Rebecca’s descent into ever-increasing debt, peppered with letters form her bank manager and others. She narrates the story with frequent irony and clever self-revelation; the eventual solution to her problems arises mainly from her own abilities.

There aren’t even any detailed love-scenes, and only a few expletives. Highly recommended. Particularly if you think this kind of book is going to be dull and fluffy.

While reading this, I think I’m realising that I only fancy myself a shopaholic. I’m way too budget-conscious to be a real shopaholic. Couldn’t finish this book because I couldn’t stand the character.