In recent months, we’ve all been craving an escape. And when it comes to positive, uplifting books, few people do it better than Sophie Kinsella.
To date, she’s sold over 40 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries, and she has been translated into over 40 languages.
Sophie wrote her first novel, The Tennis Party, under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, aged 24, whilst she was working as a financial journalist.
It became a top ten bestseller, and she went on to publish six more novels as Madeleine Wickham before re-branding as Sophie Kinsella and hitting the big-time once more with The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic in 2000.
Me Before You author Jojo Moyes has said Sophie’s books leave her ‘giddy with laughter’. Her witty, heartrending tales have captured the hearts of readers worldwide – but where to start when it comes to her books?
Check out our pick of the best Sophie Kinsella books – and prepared to be hooked.
The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic
Also published as Confessions Of A Shopaholic and the first in the famous Shopaholic series, this book is a great place to start for Sophie Kinsella newbies. It’s the story of Becky Bloomwood, who lives a life of socialising and buying this season’s must-haves – the only problem? She can’t afford any of it.
Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn’t pay much at all, and her efforts to cut back are futile. But when a story arises that Becky actually cares about, her front-page article is the beginning of a transformation – and life will never be the same again. Our advice? Read the book before you watch the brilliant film. And if you’re not already hooked on Kinsella, trust us, you will be.
Twenties Girl
The concept behind this book is unexpected – but in our view, that only makes it better. On top of trying to save her career, heroine Lara also has another task: to help the ghost of her aunt, Sadie uncover a mystery from the past. Instead of worrying that she’s lost the plot, Lara decides to embrace her new spectral pal – and the result is one of the most flawlessly tied together endings Kinsella has ever achieved.
Remember Me?
When Lexi Smart wakes up in a hospital bed following a car accident, she is surprised to discover she's 28, not 25 - and three years have passed. Her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married to a good-looking millionaire. Her life is more perfect than it ever had been. But of course, nothing is as it seems. And Lexi can't remember what happened to her.
I’ve Got Your Number
About to marry her ideal man, Poppy Wyatt feels like the luckiest girl in the world. But on the day his parents are coming, she loses her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill – and her perfect life begins to crumble. When her phone is stolen and she finds an abandoned one in a bin, she breathes a sign of relief. Except the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, is far from happy…. A hilarious tale.
Can You Keep A Secret?
Like many of us, Emma Corrigan has a few little secrets: Secrets from her boyfriend, her mother, and secrets she wouldn't share with anyone in the world. Until, that is, she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. Unfortunately for Emma, this 'stranger' turns out to be her company's new CEO - and he now knows every single humiliating detail about her...
The Un-domestic Goddess
After making a huge, life-wrecking mistake in her career as a lawyer, Samantha Sweeting can only thing of one solution – to run away. In a hilarious turn of events, she finds herself in the countryside outside a grand, sprawling house – and is mistaken for the family’s new housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer, and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. But as a new, unexpected life begins to pan out, will she want her old existence back? A deliciously sweet story of new horizons and burgeoning love, this is Kinsella escapism at its finest.
My Not So Perfect Life
The protagonist of this book, Katie, lives a life we can all relate to. On Instagram, everything she does is picture perfect. But the reality is very different – from the tiny room she rents with no wardrobe, to her hideous commute to her lowly admin job. But everything comes crashing down when she loses her job, and is forced to move back in with her dad in Somerset, where she helps him with his glamping business. When her old boss books in for a holiday, she begins to wonder whether there is really such a thing as a perfect life after all…. A captivating story, full of heart.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Becky Bloomwood is back! Book two of the Shopaholic series is just as compelling and witty as the original. This time, our beloved heroine takes her credit cards across the Atlantic when her boyfriend, Luke announces he’s moving to New York for business. But then an unexpected disaster threatens her career prospects, her relationship – and her credit line. A welcome return to this lovable character.
Finding Audrey
This is Sophie Kinsella’s first novel for teens - but its timeless, heartwarming themes are sure to appeal to adults too. It tells the story of Audrey, who has lost herself and can't even leave the house. Then her brother's friend, Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again. And maybe, just maybe, the real world will become a little less scary... A book about hope, possibility and love.
Love Your Life
The newest Sophie Kinsella is a total treat. It follows Ava, who, sick of online dating, signs up to a semi-silent, anonymous writing retreat in Italy for some ‘her time.’ Then she meets a handsome stranger – and they pledge their love without even knowing each other’s real names.
However, reality is not quite so intoxicating. Driven mad by each other’s weird quirks and annoying habits, it seems that while they love each other, they just can’t love each other’s lives. Can they overcome their differences to find one life, together? Pre-order this one, right now. You won’t regret it.
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