Sophie Kinsella, also published as Madeleine Wickham, is a British author best known for her enormously popular “Shopaholic” series of novels, featuring fan-favorite Becky Bloomwood.
Her versatility is evident in her writing, as she is able to create stories that appeal to a wide range of readers. Kinsella’s writing style is humorous and lighthearted, and her books are famous for their witty dialogue and endearing characters.
Her novels have earned a legion of fans from across the world, having been translated into over forty languages, and she has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.
If you are a fan of Sophie’s Shopaholic, series, then you’ll love exploring a host of similar authors, including Jane Green, Meg Cabot, and Jill Mansell. Keen to learn more? Then read on to discover your next must-read novel, and find a new favorite author to enjoy.
Books By Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella is a prolific author, having written over thirty books over the course of her career. Perhaps her most popular creation is the “Shopaholic” series, which follows the adventures of Becky Bloomwood as she navigates life and love in London.
The series follows Becky over the course of ten books, from her first purchase in Confessions of a Shopaholic (2008) to the final installment, Christmas Shopaholic (2019) – though Sophie has not ruled out adding to the collection to continue Becky’s journey.
This series begins by introducing Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist who is hopelessly addicted to shopping.
Despite her best efforts to stay out of debt, she finds herself in increasingly precarious situations as she attempts to keep up with the latest trends and fashions, leading to humorous situations and plenty of relatable scenarios!
The remaining books in the series then continue to follow Becky as she navigates her way through life, love, and work, with plenty of laughs along the way.
Sophie has also written a number of standalone novels, including The Undomestic Goddess (2005), Remember Me? (2008) and Twenties Girl (2009).
These books follow different characters in various settings, but all feature Sophie’s trademark wit and humor. Sophie has also produced several young adult novels, including Finding Audrey (2015) and The Gatecrasher (2008).
These books are aimed at a younger audience, but still feature Sophie’s signature style, and she has branched out into children’s fiction with the creation of the Fairy Mom and Me series, which focuses on the adventures of a young girl and her fairy godmother.
The main themes in Sophie’s work focus on friendship, family, and finding your place in the world. Her books are full of heartwarming moments, and her characters are always relatable and endearing.
Authors Like Sophie Kinsella
If you’re a fan of Sophie’s work, then you’ll love exploring a host of similar authors. Here are some authors who write in a similar style to Sophie:
Jane Green
Jane Green is a British author who writes contemporary fiction often referred to as “chick-lit”, with her books focusing on relationships, family, and the complexities of modern life.
If you are looking for a novel to start with, opt for Tempting Fate (2015), which follows the story of Gabby and her husband, Elliot as they navigate the complexities of marriage and family.
Having been happily married for over twenty years, their idyllic tranquility is shattered when Gaby does the unthinkable and embarks on an affair – which results in an unexpected pregnancy.
The novel follows the emotions and challenges faced by the couple and takes a closer look at the turmoil’s of family life.
Summer Secrets is another stunning option for Kinsella fans looking for something similar – this is a narrative that weaves together the complexities of relationships, delving into love, family, connection, and betrayal as readers follow the character of Cat on her journey down to the depths of despair, and through the tricky, often messy, process of rebuilding her life, rediscovering just who she is and what she wants.
Pros
Characters are well-developed and relatable, adding depth to the story.
Novels explore the complexities of modern life, relationships, and family.
Pacing and tone lead to significant emotional payoff.
Cons
Some of her books can be quite dark in tone, which may not appeal to all readers.
Meg Cabot is an American author who has gained a legion of fans thanks to her popular, engaging novels.
Her books focus on themes such as friendship, romance, and self-discovery, and she has over fifty novels to her name, including The Princess Diaries (2000), All-American Girl (2008), and Insatiable (2011) – a versatile range that has earned Cabot a global following.
If you are new to Meg’s work, then the Queen of Babble series (2006-2008) is a great place to start.
This series follows the story of Lizzie Nichols, a young woman who is trying to make it big in New York City, but finds herself plagued with challenge and uncertainty.
Through her adventures, she learns about friendship, love, and the importance of self-discovery – all themes that resonate with a modern audience.
The series is full of humor and heartwarming moments, making it perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella’s work.
The series starts with the original Queen of Babble (2006) and sees Lizzie Nichols move to New York City with dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
However, she quickly discovers that life in the big city is not as glamorous as she had imagined, and readers follow her story of happiness and self-acceptance through the course of the trilogy, along with a cast of intriguing characters who help her on her way.
Pros
Good variety of books to choose from.
Settings are vibrant and full of description.
Characters feel authentic and well-created.
Cons
Some of her books can be quite predictable, which may not appeal to all readers.
Themes: Friendship, romance, self-discovery, fashion, New York City, relationships
Emily Giffin
British author Emily Giffin is another popular name amongst Sophie Kinsella fans and is known for her heartwarming, humorous novels that blend the challenges of everyday life with authentic characters who stay with you long after you have closed the final page of the novel.
One of Emily’s most popular novels, All We Ever Wanted (2019) is a great gateway into the author, and this focuses on Nina Browning, a woman living her best life as part of the Nashville elite, who starts to wonder whether she has become a little too comfortable with her daily life.
The novel also follows Thomas Volpe, a single dad who is struggling to manage a daughter in an elite private school.
Nina and Thomas find their worlds colliding after the events of a party, and readers watch the characters facing tough choices and questions, working to find their place in a world where nothing is really as it seems.
Perhaps the other most popular novel Emily has crafted is Something Borrowed, which follows the story of Rachel White, a single woman in her thirties who finds herself in an unexpected love triangle when she ends up in bed with her best friend’s fiancee.
The novel explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, and betrayal, and has been adapted into a film starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson.
Pros
Well-developed characters and storylines.
Humorous and light-hearted tone.
Explores themes of love, family, and friendship in an engaging way.
British author Jill Mansell is another great option for fans of Sophie Kinsella.
Her novels are full of humor and romance, and often feature strong female characters who are determined to make their way in the world, despite the challenges that they encounter along the way.
If you are looking for a novel to start with, opt for The Unpredictable Consequences of Love (2014).
This is a story about two very different people – Josh and Sophie – who find themselves thrown together in an unlikely alliance set against the stunning background of the Cornish coast.
Through their journey, they learn about love, family, and friendship, and discover that sometimes the most unlikely of people can be the ones who make a difference in our lives.
If you are looking for an author who writes in a similar style to Sophie Kinsella, then Meg Cabot, Emma Giffin, and Jill Mansell are all great options, exploring themes of love, family, friendship, and loyalty in their novels, and each offering their own unique style that makes them stand out from the crowd.
Whether you are looking for a light-hearted romance or something with a bit more depth, these authors are sure to have something that will appeal to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Main Themes In Sophie Kinsella’s Books?
The main themes in Sophie Kinsella’s books are love, family, friendship, loyalty, and betrayal.
She often explores how these themes can affect relationships and how people can learn to overcome obstacles to find happiness.
What Books Are Similar To The Shopaholics Series?
Books that are similar to the Shopaholics series include Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries, Emma Giffin’s Something Borrowed, and Jill Mansell’s The Unpredictable Consequences of Love.
All of these books explore themes of love, family, friendship, and loyalty in a fresh, relatable and engaging way.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
