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Annie Valentine #3
How Not To Shop
Her passion is fashion... but she's on a budget!
Personal shopper Annie Valentine is about to hit the big time: presenting a glamorous TV makeover series! This is it for Annie and her little family. No more scrimping and saving, finally all her hard work has paid off.
But life in the spotlight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Soon, Annie discovers this is TV on a shoestring and her budget is zip. But more than this, Annie feels as though the women she should be helping to look fabulous, go away feeling all the more like fashion failures!
Can Annie make it in the spotlight? Or will making it big mean losing who she really is?
Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon will love this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Carmen Reid.
Personal shopper Annie Valentine is about to hit the big time: presenting a glamorous TV makeover series! This is it for Annie and her little family. No more scrimping and saving, finally all her hard work has paid off.
But life in the spotlight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Soon, Annie discovers this is TV on a shoestring and her budget is zip. But more than this, Annie feels as though the women she should be helping to look fabulous, go away feeling all the more like fashion failures!
Can Annie make it in the spotlight? Or will making it big mean losing who she really is?
Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon will love this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Carmen Reid.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
267 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Reid
68 books233 followersCarmen was born and brought up in a chilly and windy corner of Scotland in the depths of the countryside.
This may explain her lifelong phobia of cows and abiding interest in cities, department stores, books, the cinema and newspapers.
She is currently working on her eigth novel for grown-ups and her third novel for teenagers. Well, she likes to keep busy.
Carmen did once study English Literature at University College London, but, ignoring everything she’d learned, she spent most of her 20s working as a local, regional and then national newspaper reporter.
Knowing deep down that she was supposed to be an author not a journo, she left her day job to have a baby and write her first novel. (Hey, and just four sleepless, penniless years later it was published!)
Although there is a corner of her heart that will always belong to London (property developers welcome) she now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, with her husband, Thomas, and two children, Sam and Claudie, plus Jimmy the (lunatic) Jack Russell and Clive, Orangey and Gorcha, the fish.
Fortunately her hobbies are cooking, cleaning, arguing about whose turn it is to walk the dog, clean the fish tank, take out the rubbish, do the laundry... and so on.
This may explain her lifelong phobia of cows and abiding interest in cities, department stores, books, the cinema and newspapers.
She is currently working on her eigth novel for grown-ups and her third novel for teenagers. Well, she likes to keep busy.
Carmen did once study English Literature at University College London, but, ignoring everything she’d learned, she spent most of her 20s working as a local, regional and then national newspaper reporter.
Knowing deep down that she was supposed to be an author not a journo, she left her day job to have a baby and write her first novel. (Hey, and just four sleepless, penniless years later it was published!)
Although there is a corner of her heart that will always belong to London (property developers welcome) she now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, with her husband, Thomas, and two children, Sam and Claudie, plus Jimmy the (lunatic) Jack Russell and Clive, Orangey and Gorcha, the fish.
Fortunately her hobbies are cooking, cleaning, arguing about whose turn it is to walk the dog, clean the fish tank, take out the rubbish, do the laundry... and so on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 9, 2023
I am sorry but the way Ed behaved in this book really put me off (and also took the book 1* down) why Ed why... why the pressure? As a person that once said no and was tried to be pressures, this made me feel irritated and annoyed..
Also it seems like Annie is getting more "me me" for every book that I read.
Besides the Ed thing, I did like the story, just not enough to take it up 1*
Also it seems like Annie is getting more "me me" for every book that I read.
Besides the Ed thing, I did like the story, just not enough to take it up 1*
July 26, 2015
This is the third book in the Annie Valentine series and the first book I've read by Carmen Reid. The cover is lush and gives all the promise of a fun, warm, summer read. In a small way, it does accomplish this. It's light and easy to read, has a few funny moments and talks a lot about clothes and fashion. But for me it lacked something. There was no sparkle, no laugh-out-loud moments.
I couldn't really connect with Annie, she's in the same age bracket as me, being thirty...*cough*, but with two children I just couldn't identify with her. Although I appreciate that Annie was trying to be a warm, friendly and compassionate person, especially to the women she was dressing for the TV show, but unfortunately came across as fake and patronising, and to constantly end sentences with "babes" and "my darlin" soon became annoying rather than endearing. I also thought that Annie's dialogue put her in her forties rather than her thirties, and when I found out her age I was quite surprised.
The story with Annie's friend Svetlana, and her long lost daughter, felt as though it had been added due to the lack of story for Annie. It didn't make any sense for it to be there and, in my view, didn't tie in very well with the rest of the book. Svetlana's accent was also incredibly annoying and didn't come across as realistic (in fact, Dracula came to mind more than once).
There were some moving moments between Annie and her family and the occasional funny moment between Annie and her boyfriend Ed, which I enjoyed reading. I liked the irony as Ed, broody for a baby of his own, buys a tiny lapdog to replace the fact he doesn't have one. The best character for me, by far though, was Annie's gay friend Connor. He was funny and witty and totally camp. It was such a shame he wasn't in the story more, he would have been a hoot!
Verdict:
This book can stand alone and, in my opinion, the two books preceding it don't have to be read to understand what's going on. With that being said, maybe if I had read the other books I would have grown to like Annie's character. However, I don't think it would have helped me enjoy this book more than I did.
I couldn't really connect with Annie, she's in the same age bracket as me, being thirty...*cough*, but with two children I just couldn't identify with her. Although I appreciate that Annie was trying to be a warm, friendly and compassionate person, especially to the women she was dressing for the TV show, but unfortunately came across as fake and patronising, and to constantly end sentences with "babes" and "my darlin" soon became annoying rather than endearing. I also thought that Annie's dialogue put her in her forties rather than her thirties, and when I found out her age I was quite surprised.
The story with Annie's friend Svetlana, and her long lost daughter, felt as though it had been added due to the lack of story for Annie. It didn't make any sense for it to be there and, in my view, didn't tie in very well with the rest of the book. Svetlana's accent was also incredibly annoying and didn't come across as realistic (in fact, Dracula came to mind more than once).
There were some moving moments between Annie and her family and the occasional funny moment between Annie and her boyfriend Ed, which I enjoyed reading. I liked the irony as Ed, broody for a baby of his own, buys a tiny lapdog to replace the fact he doesn't have one. The best character for me, by far though, was Annie's gay friend Connor. He was funny and witty and totally camp. It was such a shame he wasn't in the story more, he would have been a hoot!
Verdict:
This book can stand alone and, in my opinion, the two books preceding it don't have to be read to understand what's going on. With that being said, maybe if I had read the other books I would have grown to like Annie's character. However, I don't think it would have helped me enjoy this book more than I did.
June 6, 2024
good read
I didn’t know what to expect. It wouldn’t be a bad situation to have more people like Annie in this world. Honest and true. Kind and respectful of people’s feelings.
I didn’t know what to expect. It wouldn’t be a bad situation to have more people like Annie in this world. Honest and true. Kind and respectful of people’s feelings.
December 3, 2023
so lovely
What a great, and uplifting book. Lovely characters whom you really get to know. Great story line, which makes it very difficult to put down, or want to finish, cause than the holiday is over. Great book, will have to read more by Carmen Reid.
What a great, and uplifting book. Lovely characters whom you really get to know. Great story line, which makes it very difficult to put down, or want to finish, cause than the holiday is over. Great book, will have to read more by Carmen Reid.
August 22, 2023
Not to be missed
A feel good fun and easy read. Need something to take your mind off daily stressors, this will do it.
A feel good fun and easy read. Need something to take your mind off daily stressors, this will do it.
February 26, 2024
Fantastic
Really enjoyed this book i mean what woman does not like fashion . A great read really enjoyed this book
Really enjoyed this book i mean what woman does not like fashion . A great read really enjoyed this book
July 11, 2024
Book 3 for the Summer Kindle Reading Challenge 2024.
Things are changing for Annie in the form of a new job. I was apprehensive, wondering if she'd accept working anywhere other than The Store, where she's been working for nine years. I felt sad and a little nervous for her during the process of her leaving and I thought she'd go back on her decision to do so more than once.
I knew she wouldn't be alone, Svetlana, a former client and also a friend was going to be her partner in this next adventure. Svetlana is one of my favourite characters. I also like Paula, Annie's ex work colleague.
I was reminded of TV shows like Trinny and Susannah's What Not to Wear, or Gok Wan's show. I loved both of these.
I liked how Annie supported the women she met physically and emotionally. She is very supportive anyway to those who matter to her. She’s also very professional. I enjoyed how she didn’t lose these qualities. I felt she embraced the change in her life.
Ed, Lauren and Owen are her family and all so special to her. I loved the personal touches, like references to how Ed loves cooking, or how Annie would make the packed lunches for them all, but with loving little details.
Carmen Reid develops Annie and her family in such a realistic way. I always look forward to catching up with them. How Not to Shop is heartwarming and heartwrenching. It had me rooting for Annie.I fee
l like this book is an homage to the British high street. H&M is a good place for accessories, I agree with that. I was so happy when Mango was mentioned (one of my favourite stores). I cheered when she picked a favorite color of mine. Even Primark is mentioned. That’s a nice surprise, as I know from experience that you can often find good items there.
Annie’s daughter Lauren’s idea for the event was great, and how that was woven in was excellent, too.
How Not to Shop has the glitz and glamour of Annie’s former job (I would miss the staff discount at The Store, too). I felt like alall was not lost, as she still had outfits from there, as well as the memories of her time there.
The new job has her meeting other people, and having different experiences while still in the world of fashion.
Shopping on a budget is different for her as she’s used to splurging. I was curious to know how she’d manage. The results are surprising.
How Not to Shop shows you don’t have to spend a lot to look, and feel, great.
Will that feeling last? Annie’s new clients have been through different experiences and it was interesting learning about their powerful backstories.
It creates awareness of different values: looking after money and prioritizing when going through change and/or hard times. Achieving your goals in a different way, thinking of, and helping, others, and charity in the form of an event.
There’s also the importance of family. I loved how Owen embraced the need to care for the environment and recycle. I feel he’s showing maturity and responsibility, which is admirable. He’s twelve years old now. His birthday was in book two.
It seems Lauren has changed and matured in How Not to Shop.
I feel there's more than one message in this book:
Don't be afraid to show what you really feel. It's good to talk.
It seems Lauren has changed and matured in How Not to Shop.
I feel there’s more than one message in this book:
Don’t be afraid to show what you really feel. It’s good to talk.
You don’t have to have a huge budget to look good.
Everyone deserves to have a chance at a change of look if they want to.
Take risks, because you don’t know where they can take you.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series. It’s outstanding so far. Anything to do with shopping is a hit with me.
5 stars.
Things are changing for Annie in the form of a new job. I was apprehensive, wondering if she'd accept working anywhere other than The Store, where she's been working for nine years. I felt sad and a little nervous for her during the process of her leaving and I thought she'd go back on her decision to do so more than once.
I knew she wouldn't be alone, Svetlana, a former client and also a friend was going to be her partner in this next adventure. Svetlana is one of my favourite characters. I also like Paula, Annie's ex work colleague.
I was reminded of TV shows like Trinny and Susannah's What Not to Wear, or Gok Wan's show. I loved both of these.
I liked how Annie supported the women she met physically and emotionally. She is very supportive anyway to those who matter to her. She’s also very professional. I enjoyed how she didn’t lose these qualities. I felt she embraced the change in her life.
Ed, Lauren and Owen are her family and all so special to her. I loved the personal touches, like references to how Ed loves cooking, or how Annie would make the packed lunches for them all, but with loving little details.
Carmen Reid develops Annie and her family in such a realistic way. I always look forward to catching up with them. How Not to Shop is heartwarming and heartwrenching. It had me rooting for Annie.I fee
l like this book is an homage to the British high street. H&M is a good place for accessories, I agree with that. I was so happy when Mango was mentioned (one of my favourite stores). I cheered when she picked a favorite color of mine. Even Primark is mentioned. That’s a nice surprise, as I know from experience that you can often find good items there.
Annie’s daughter Lauren’s idea for the event was great, and how that was woven in was excellent, too.
How Not to Shop has the glitz and glamour of Annie’s former job (I would miss the staff discount at The Store, too). I felt like alall was not lost, as she still had outfits from there, as well as the memories of her time there.
The new job has her meeting other people, and having different experiences while still in the world of fashion.
Shopping on a budget is different for her as she’s used to splurging. I was curious to know how she’d manage. The results are surprising.
How Not to Shop shows you don’t have to spend a lot to look, and feel, great.
Will that feeling last? Annie’s new clients have been through different experiences and it was interesting learning about their powerful backstories.
It creates awareness of different values: looking after money and prioritizing when going through change and/or hard times. Achieving your goals in a different way, thinking of, and helping, others, and charity in the form of an event.
There’s also the importance of family. I loved how Owen embraced the need to care for the environment and recycle. I feel he’s showing maturity and responsibility, which is admirable. He’s twelve years old now. His birthday was in book two.
It seems Lauren has changed and matured in How Not to Shop.
I feel there's more than one message in this book:
Don't be afraid to show what you really feel. It's good to talk.
It seems Lauren has changed and matured in How Not to Shop.
I feel there’s more than one message in this book:
Don’t be afraid to show what you really feel. It’s good to talk.
You don’t have to have a huge budget to look good.
Everyone deserves to have a chance at a change of look if they want to.
Take risks, because you don’t know where they can take you.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series. It’s outstanding so far. Anything to do with shopping is a hit with me.
5 stars.
March 7, 2023
This almost put me off any romance books for the rest of the month. This was pretty horrible. And Reid shifting to a POV including Svetlana and Harry was just a terrible idea. And I now loathe Ed. So there's that.
"How Not to Shop" follows Annie Valentine after she has left her job at The Store to star in a television series focusing on making over women. She and Svetlana (I still don't know how she got this job) are hired to be on the show along with a woman who is nasty. Annie's job is to redo the women's wardrobe but she's finding it increasingly hard to do with the small budget. This doesn't even count the fact she's barely making any money at her new job and is struggling with that along with the fact that Ed wants a baby.
I didn't like Annie, Ed, Annie's sister, etc. at all. Annie's mom has a serious medical issue and it just feels totally shoved under the carpet. Another reviewer called this a less likable shopaholic series and they are right. I liked the first book, felt myself frowning slightly after the second book, but now with book #3 I am putting a pin in this. I don't need to be rage reading/reviewing right now.
Also there's a whole continuity error with regards to Annie's marriage to Roddy. The book says it was 6 years of marriage, but they got married when she was pregnant with Lauren. Also, at this point how many years has this been? Owen's been 11 for 3 books now it feels like along with Lauren being 15. I also call BS on the whole baby thing with Ed just ignoring that Annie's kids who are still recovering over the death of their father (3 years ago) may feel about things. I just booed this whole damn book.
The writing was really bad in this one. I think following Svetlana and her whole mess was a terrible idea. The whole book dragged. I started getting annoyed at the 50 percent mark since most of the tv series stuff just read like a red herring. We were getting a big old messy book where nothing makes a lot of sense.
"How Not to Shop" follows Annie Valentine after she has left her job at The Store to star in a television series focusing on making over women. She and Svetlana (I still don't know how she got this job) are hired to be on the show along with a woman who is nasty. Annie's job is to redo the women's wardrobe but she's finding it increasingly hard to do with the small budget. This doesn't even count the fact she's barely making any money at her new job and is struggling with that along with the fact that Ed wants a baby.
I didn't like Annie, Ed, Annie's sister, etc. at all. Annie's mom has a serious medical issue and it just feels totally shoved under the carpet. Another reviewer called this a less likable shopaholic series and they are right. I liked the first book, felt myself frowning slightly after the second book, but now with book #3 I am putting a pin in this. I don't need to be rage reading/reviewing right now.
Also there's a whole continuity error with regards to Annie's marriage to Roddy. The book says it was 6 years of marriage, but they got married when she was pregnant with Lauren. Also, at this point how many years has this been? Owen's been 11 for 3 books now it feels like along with Lauren being 15. I also call BS on the whole baby thing with Ed just ignoring that Annie's kids who are still recovering over the death of their father (3 years ago) may feel about things. I just booed this whole damn book.
The writing was really bad in this one. I think following Svetlana and her whole mess was a terrible idea. The whole book dragged. I started getting annoyed at the 50 percent mark since most of the tv series stuff just read like a red herring. We were getting a big old messy book where nothing makes a lot of sense.
April 18, 2024
This one has to be my favorite so far in the series!
Annie’s usual hustling has been taken to the next level as she is set to be a wardrobe stylist for a TV show! How can she not be excited when her former client, now friend, Svetlana is also going to be involved in the show.
Her dreams are dashed however when she sees the potential women of the new make over show be put down and criticized by other production staff members. We know Annie never quits but we also know she stands up for herself and others who have been in her position.
Closer to home, Ed is starting to talk about having a baby with Annie (which she is less than thrilled about) Svetlana is getting married again and has a surprise visitor who stays with Annie’s family; Owen gets a dog (again, something Annie is less than thrilled about); and Lauren finds herself in a tough spot which requires Ed’s intervention resulting in Lauren calling him “dad.”
Annie’s life is full of change and transition and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Annie’s usual hustling has been taken to the next level as she is set to be a wardrobe stylist for a TV show! How can she not be excited when her former client, now friend, Svetlana is also going to be involved in the show.
Her dreams are dashed however when she sees the potential women of the new make over show be put down and criticized by other production staff members. We know Annie never quits but we also know she stands up for herself and others who have been in her position.
Closer to home, Ed is starting to talk about having a baby with Annie (which she is less than thrilled about) Svetlana is getting married again and has a surprise visitor who stays with Annie’s family; Owen gets a dog (again, something Annie is less than thrilled about); and Lauren finds herself in a tough spot which requires Ed’s intervention resulting in Lauren calling him “dad.”
Annie’s life is full of change and transition and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
July 21, 2021
"How not to shop" is an easy and light read. Kind of entertaining. In short, this is the story of Annie Valentine , a personal shopper, and her journey to be on a TV show.
Annie is a good character most of the times but at times she speaks very annoyingly especially her overuse of "babes" and "darlin" at the end of sentences gets quite annoying. The story is very basic and predictable most of the times.
All in all an ok read. I will give it 3 stars out of 5.
Annie is a good character most of the times but at times she speaks very annoyingly especially her overuse of "babes" and "darlin" at the end of sentences gets quite annoying. The story is very basic and predictable most of the times.
All in all an ok read. I will give it 3 stars out of 5.
October 29, 2017
This series is moderately entertaining chicklit. I can't help thinking though that the author (or her publisher) is trying to cash in on the success of the Shopaholic books and it doesn't quite work as while Becky Bloomwood, even at her worst comes across as delightfully dizzy, Annie Valentine often appears horribly selfish.
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September 11, 2022"I've never felt so frightened ... as in the weeks after Lana and Owen were born... I felt as if I'd set something in motion that I didn't even understand."
"I did some crazy things that I wouldn't have dreamed of doing if I wasn't in the post-birth state. It's as if you've been peeled, you're exposed to the world in a way you weren't before."
"I did some crazy things that I wouldn't have dreamed of doing if I wasn't in the post-birth state. It's as if you've been peeled, you're exposed to the world in a way you weren't before."
February 8, 2025
Annie Valentine gets a job as one of three tv host on a makeover show. This installment has her dealing with her friend Stevlana, her teenage daughter, her son, her boyfriend and her mother (who has begun to experience signs of dementia) and her sister’s infertility.
November 1, 2022
Annie lascia il suo bellissimo e amato lavoro da personal shopper perchè le hanno promesso uno show televisivo.
Carinissimo, leggero ma non troppo.
si legge velocemente.
Carinissimo, leggero ma non troppo.
si legge velocemente.
March 21, 2023
slow in places, yet heartwarming
So many things addressed in this book…..aging, love, babies later in life, mother and dementia..yet it all came together beautifully
So many things addressed in this book…..aging, love, babies later in life, mother and dementia..yet it all came together beautifully
November 24, 2023
So. Many. Typos. Also the pressure on Annie? Not ok. Feels like important issues are dismissed.
February 5, 2024
Fun Read
The series continues on in book 3 and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first one. Just an easy, fun and relaxing read.
The series continues on in book 3 and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first one. Just an easy, fun and relaxing read.
March 23, 2024
How Not to Shop
Nice short story; how to shop show, babies and relationships. I would recommend this book for others to read, great little book!
Nice short story; how to shop show, babies and relationships. I would recommend this book for others to read, great little book!
June 15, 2024
LOVED IT—-AGAIN
Such a lovely read. Full of adventures that only Annie Valentine could find herself in. You’ll love this one too.
Such a lovely read. Full of adventures that only Annie Valentine could find herself in. You’ll love this one too.
July 5, 2024
Absolutely loved this book!
I absolutely loved this book. The humour, honesty, relationships, I feel addicted to a
Annie and Ed! I want more!
I absolutely loved this book. The humour, honesty, relationships, I feel addicted to a
Annie and Ed! I want more!
September 2, 2024
A lovely book
December 5, 2024
I really like Carmen Reid’s writing and her Annie Valentine character, however, I found the storyline with Ed really pushing her for a baby (against her will) really outdated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 23, 2025Good read - ideal for a holiday read
November 4, 2025
Slightly ridiculous. Would have benefitted from a good proof read. Loved it - straight into the next!
December 16, 2010
Personal shopper Annie Valentine is about to hit the big time: presenting a glamorous TV makeover series! But too late, Annie discovers this is TV on a shoestring. They’re paying her buttons and her budget is zip. Can she make do with Primark when all she wants is Prada? While Annie performs miracles with the minimum, boyfriend Ed is left at home with one son (deeply green), one daughter (deeply teen) and one sexy, Russian blonde (don’t ask). He’s not happy. He wants more together-time. He wants a dog. He may even want…a baby! But could non-stop, fame-seeking Annie ever handle that?
For a while now I’ve been collecting Carmen Reid’s personal shopper series which features Annie Valentine. For some reason, they never properly appealed to me, but I’ve carried on getting the books. I now have all five, and I finally decided to give the first book The Personal Shopper a go. I thoroughly enjoyed it and soon after I read the second book in the series Late Night Shopping. Again, I loved it and when I found I had nothing else to read, I headed straight for book three How Not To Shop, hoping for yet another fantastic read and I wasn’t disappointed.
When we last left Annie Valentine, she was told that she was going to be starring in a TV series, after spending many years as a personal shopper. When we pick up with her at the beginning of How Not To Shop, Annie is getting ready to begin filming for her TV show, along with best friend Ukrainian beauty Svetlana and the frosty ex-Apprentice contestant Miss Marlise. Things aren’t quite what Annie expected though when she finds out the show will be airing on one of the lesser-known TV stations not to mention her budget is zip. As you might expect, things don’t turn out too well for Annie but if there’s one thing we know about her it’s that she won’t go down without a fight.
Also the focus of the plot is Annie’s family life. Her relationship with Ed is still going well, although he suddenly decides a baby would complete their little family, but Annie doesn’t want another baby as she already has 16-year-old Lana and 12-year-old Owen. One of the best written things during all the books so far has been Annie’s family life and I love when it’s the four of them together. Yes, there are dramas (how could their not be when Annie Valentine is involved?) but they’re a tight unit and that makes it so special. Annie’s sister Dinah is trying to get pregnant again, so her daughter Billie can have a sibling. Reid presents Dinah’s struggle very realistically and I also liked Reid’s handling of Annie and Dinah’s mother Fern’s illness. Because although the books can be a bit light and fun, there are darker issues that occur and Reid handles them very well.
Annie Valentine is rapidly becoming one of my most memorable and favourite female characters ever. She seems to jump off the page with so much life to her, and I like her more and more as the books progress. Even her use of the word ‘babes’ no longer annoys me at all, it’s just another Annie V quirk. I continue to adore Ed. He isn’t a typical leading male at all, as he takes on Annie’s kids with minimum fuss, puts up with Annie’s hectic lifestyle and is a music teacher and I totally admire the fact he isn’t moody or a bad boy or whatever else you usually find in Chick Lit novels. Annie’s two kids are as great as ever, and I like getting to see them more and more as the books begin to focus more on them. One character I really went off a bit, though, was Svetlana. During the first two novels she was a token character. There to be beautiful and Ukrainian and to marry rich men, but she has a big storyline in How Not To Shop and it didn’t put her in a nice light at all. I enjoyed the storyline, just not how Svetlana dealt with it all.
Like the previous two books How Not To Shop is written in the third-person perspective which changes all the time, from Annie to Svetlana, to Ed, and it fleshes the story out very well. Despite being at work whilst I was reading this book, I managed to finish it relatively quickly as it was very hard to put down. I kept wanting to read on and on to see how it would all pan out for Annie and co. There’s nothing stale about the series, and as long as Reid keeps it up, she can write about Annie Valentine for a long time to come. How Not To Shop even made me laugh out loud – not good, when you’re laughing to yourself whilst sitting at a bus stop, I can tell you. Reid has hit the money with her series about a personal shopper, and fans of Kinsella’s Shopaholic series will undoubtedly fall in love with Annie and her madcap family.
For a while now I’ve been collecting Carmen Reid’s personal shopper series which features Annie Valentine. For some reason, they never properly appealed to me, but I’ve carried on getting the books. I now have all five, and I finally decided to give the first book The Personal Shopper a go. I thoroughly enjoyed it and soon after I read the second book in the series Late Night Shopping. Again, I loved it and when I found I had nothing else to read, I headed straight for book three How Not To Shop, hoping for yet another fantastic read and I wasn’t disappointed.
When we last left Annie Valentine, she was told that she was going to be starring in a TV series, after spending many years as a personal shopper. When we pick up with her at the beginning of How Not To Shop, Annie is getting ready to begin filming for her TV show, along with best friend Ukrainian beauty Svetlana and the frosty ex-Apprentice contestant Miss Marlise. Things aren’t quite what Annie expected though when she finds out the show will be airing on one of the lesser-known TV stations not to mention her budget is zip. As you might expect, things don’t turn out too well for Annie but if there’s one thing we know about her it’s that she won’t go down without a fight.
Also the focus of the plot is Annie’s family life. Her relationship with Ed is still going well, although he suddenly decides a baby would complete their little family, but Annie doesn’t want another baby as she already has 16-year-old Lana and 12-year-old Owen. One of the best written things during all the books so far has been Annie’s family life and I love when it’s the four of them together. Yes, there are dramas (how could their not be when Annie Valentine is involved?) but they’re a tight unit and that makes it so special. Annie’s sister Dinah is trying to get pregnant again, so her daughter Billie can have a sibling. Reid presents Dinah’s struggle very realistically and I also liked Reid’s handling of Annie and Dinah’s mother Fern’s illness. Because although the books can be a bit light and fun, there are darker issues that occur and Reid handles them very well.
Annie Valentine is rapidly becoming one of my most memorable and favourite female characters ever. She seems to jump off the page with so much life to her, and I like her more and more as the books progress. Even her use of the word ‘babes’ no longer annoys me at all, it’s just another Annie V quirk. I continue to adore Ed. He isn’t a typical leading male at all, as he takes on Annie’s kids with minimum fuss, puts up with Annie’s hectic lifestyle and is a music teacher and I totally admire the fact he isn’t moody or a bad boy or whatever else you usually find in Chick Lit novels. Annie’s two kids are as great as ever, and I like getting to see them more and more as the books begin to focus more on them. One character I really went off a bit, though, was Svetlana. During the first two novels she was a token character. There to be beautiful and Ukrainian and to marry rich men, but she has a big storyline in How Not To Shop and it didn’t put her in a nice light at all. I enjoyed the storyline, just not how Svetlana dealt with it all.
Like the previous two books How Not To Shop is written in the third-person perspective which changes all the time, from Annie to Svetlana, to Ed, and it fleshes the story out very well. Despite being at work whilst I was reading this book, I managed to finish it relatively quickly as it was very hard to put down. I kept wanting to read on and on to see how it would all pan out for Annie and co. There’s nothing stale about the series, and as long as Reid keeps it up, she can write about Annie Valentine for a long time to come. How Not To Shop even made me laugh out loud – not good, when you’re laughing to yourself whilst sitting at a bus stop, I can tell you. Reid has hit the money with her series about a personal shopper, and fans of Kinsella’s Shopaholic series will undoubtedly fall in love with Annie and her madcap family.
January 15, 2019
Love this series. If you like the Shopaholic books you’ll like this. 5 ⭐️’s for sure.
February 18, 2012
Surprisingly enough, the book is actually a really great read and I'm finding it hard to tear myself away from it to go to work, to study or to do other things. Which is amazing because after a long period of having concentration problems, found that reading was next to impossible and honestly didn't think that it was going to happen again.
How Not To Shop is basically my cling thing right now. It's my breakfast book, it's my lunch book, it's my relaxation time book, it's the book I read at dinner, it's the book I take to work with me for my breaks when I'm on longer shifts, it's the book that I'm going to carry on reading in a minute, and hope to never actually finish.
Carmen Reid is the equivalent of Sophie Kinsella, if you have read Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic book series. I strongly reccomend this book to read, and if you don't try it, it's going to bug me until you do.
I haven't even finished reading the book yet and I'm reviewing it, it's that good. I'm not even halfway through it yet - so go buy it!
How Not To Shop is basically my cling thing right now. It's my breakfast book, it's my lunch book, it's my relaxation time book, it's the book I read at dinner, it's the book I take to work with me for my breaks when I'm on longer shifts, it's the book that I'm going to carry on reading in a minute, and hope to never actually finish.
Carmen Reid is the equivalent of Sophie Kinsella, if you have read Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic book series. I strongly reccomend this book to read, and if you don't try it, it's going to bug me until you do.
I haven't even finished reading the book yet and I'm reviewing it, it's that good. I'm not even halfway through it yet - so go buy it!
November 2, 2011
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I'm a big fan of Carmen Reid and her books never disappoint. I have already read Personal shopper and Late night shopping, which are the first books which also involve Annie Valentine.
I was so pleased when Annie found out she was pregnant as Ed had wanted to have children. Even though Annie aleady has two children Lana and Owen.
The book starts off as Annie is starting a new career in tv presenting, she has worked at The Store for nine years and wanted a change of career. But things don't work out and she ends up getting fored from the show.
I'm very much looking forward to reading her next book as it follows on from how not to shop.
I was so pleased when Annie found out she was pregnant as Ed had wanted to have children. Even though Annie aleady has two children Lana and Owen.
The book starts off as Annie is starting a new career in tv presenting, she has worked at The Store for nine years and wanted a change of career. But things don't work out and she ends up getting fored from the show.
I'm very much looking forward to reading her next book as it follows on from how not to shop.
October 17, 2009
How Not To Shop is the third book to follow the Annie Valentine series which is about Annie quitting her job of nine years as personal shopper to The Store to try and make it in the Television business with (mega rich and divorced three times) friend Svetlana. The book follows Annie's journey of the ups and downs to tv shows, having a teenage daughter and dealing with a broody partner. I managed to get into all the books very easily. I definately think this has been the best book in the series so far i really enjoyed it. I've just searched online to see the fourth book (the celebrity shopper) is out in March! Woo can't wait
Fans of Sophie Kinsella would definately enjoy this!
Fans of Sophie Kinsella would definately enjoy this!
March 23, 2014
Very cheeky and predictable. Although I was really hoping that Annie wouldn't succumb to the inevitable. Svetlana's daughter was just horrible, I mean then again so was Svetlana. I guess an apple really doesn't fall far from a tree. But where does a child given up for adoption think they have the right to blackmail their birth-parent? Very twisted. And marrying for money, well that's just no bueno. But my biggest problem was where the hell did Annie's savings go??? She had a decent job and her side hustle as well. Chloe and Furla are not worth it Annie!
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