Shopping With The Enemy

Annie Valentine #6

by Carmen Reid

The opponents: mothers vs. daughters

The battle scene: a boutique changing room

Fashion-guru Annie’s well-dressed world is falling apart – first she has lost her legendary sense of style, and now her daughter Lauren seems to have become her worst enemy. Even her multi-millionairess friend, Svetlana, is having daughter trouble – she’s at war with Elena over their business in New York.

A trip to a luxurious Italian spa seems like the perfect way for Annie to forget her problems. But celery juice and Pilates can’t solve the disasters that are about to strike . . .

Will Annie rescue her passion for fashion?

And can mothers and daughters ever truly be friends?

Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon will love this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Carmen Reid.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2012

About the author

Carmen 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.

Reviews

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Elena and Lauren vs Svetlana and Annie! In NYC, Elena and Lauren have started to design and create dresses of their own that are much different than the original vision Svetlana had. Svetlana is dead set against it and relies on Annie to back her up. But truthfully, Annie can’t form an opinion. After a disastrous on-air make over, Annie feels she’s lost her fashion magic.

Tasmin, Annie’s producer, tells her she must take a week long break to regroup and rest after the live, on-air make over blunder.

Feeling truly distressed, Annie perks up when Svetlana insists the two go to a high end wellness center in Italy. Once there, Annie learns that high end wellness centers are NOT for her! She’s shaky and cranky after days of green drinks and broth and don’t get her started with the prescribed coffee enemas! Things go from bad to worse as Lauren and Annie face off while Elena, angry with her mother, gives a new golf coach permission to take her half brothers, Michael and Petrov, out of town for a tournament.

Annie’s life seems truly out of control! Has she lost her spark? Is her juju actually gone? Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

I’m at the point in the series when I find myself saying “THIS one is my new favorite!” Do yourself a favor and binge this delightful series! Can’t wait to read the newest Annie Valentine book, Annie in Paris!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fashion fads are fickle. But how about fashion daughters being rebellious and fashion moms to the rescue?
This was a cute read and will satisfy any fashionista’s need for fabric fiction. Each chapter begins with a list of clothing and costs for one of the characters featured-mixing expensive with thrift.
My favorite scenes were between Ed and Anna. Ed was very patient and waiting, waiting on his mini break. What he did while Anna was in Austria was just pure sweetness.
My favorite scene was when Max locks himself in the bedroom.
For fun fashion frolics, take this book down the runway.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the early read.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie is taking a break from work and life (or so she thinks). Will it make her feel better? She and her daughter. Lauren, have until now got along. Lauren loves New York City and she's working there with Svetlana's daughter, Elena.

Annie and Svetlana were once personal shopper and customer. They are good friends. Will that last after the events in this book?

The spa break was realistic, fun and funny. Annie loves wine and food and has still not lost her baby weight after twins Max and Minnie were born two years ago.

As a person who loves healthy eating, I was interested as to if Annie would be able to make the life changes needed for a healthier life.

Italy was atmospheric and I loved the fashion there.

I thoroughly enjoyed Shoppping with the Enemy, just as I enjoyed the other books in the series. They are all great standalones, but also perfect compliments to the series.

I've now reviewed the entire series, and also reviewed book 7, Annie in Paris.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a five-star read that will keep you wrapped in trouble. This is number six in the Annie Valentine series but they can be read as stand alone, as I have read a couple but not all, I think its like one and three, but you get enough of the story to keep you hooked. I adored the way that the daughters got to shine in this story as well as well as the mothers. This story will take you on a literal journey, to many places, and not just the spa in Italy. It is light and fluffy, even where it could be a darker story, there isn’t its kept nice and fluffy and is a perfect way to while a few hours in the sunshine. Carmen Reid will pull you into the fashion and drama and just make you smile so big.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have not read all of the books in this series, but enough to be familiar with the characters. The books are generally a fun, light hearted read and this one is no exception: slight depth only with some events that stretch credibility but a few laughs and a good demonstration of mother / daughter relationships. You don't have to love clothes and fashion to read it, but it does help!

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story! The trials and tribulations of Annie and Svetlana as they travel to Austria to get her kidnapped sons are up against those of daughters Lauren and Elena and friend Gracie as they race to get a new line for their and their mother’s fashion business. Comical trouble assaults them all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Valentine has been relaunched and it was fantastic. I’ve read these books when they were released years ago, but loved reading this book again. Annie has not changed, she’s funny, she’s witty and is a great character to read about. She works with Svetlana who takes her off on a trip to Italy when her boys gets kidnapped.

This story is fun, a quick read with characters that make you smile. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Andrea Vanderslice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss my mum!!

I absolutely loved this whole series! Well, I started out with a bit of an attitude towards Annie's overspending problem, then remembered my own at one point in my life, and was able to forgive her. From that moment I became an Annie fan and cheered her through the next 5 books! What a lovable, fallible, believable character!!

I recommend this series to anyone who has a mother, as she makes me miss mine!

[Tracy Cioni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shopping with the Enemy is a light, funny mix of relatable and ridiculous. Every mother and daughter will see a bit of each other in Carmen Reid’s characters. What happens when you do a good job raising your daughter and cannot see it? What kind of a relationship can you build with a daughter you did not raise? Reid brings laughter through craziness and guides her reader through the sometimes-tough world of mothers and daughters.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic instalment of the Personal Shopper series which can easily be read as a stand alone book. Laugh out loud funny! I loved every word and finished the book in less than a day. This series is so moreish! Great read, great series! I loved catching up with known character and meeting new ones. Fun, frothy, fashionable read!

Thank you Netgalley

[Kaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely a very light holiday read, any writer who says people are whisked into a first class airline lounge being greeted with a bucks fizz, or has someone call her husband Babes is not a writer I'll be reading. I'm surprised i managed just under 100 pages before giving up.

[Me · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of this book. She starts of complaining she hasn't lost weight while getting ready to meet friends. Then she complains about the mess in her home. DNF.

***************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.*************

[jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fashion fun adventure from london to new york, italy to vienna. family feuding and friendships make this an enjoyable easy read. perfect for this summers beach read or just losing yourself on a sunday afternoon

[Bathsheba Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good palette cleanser between dystopian tales lol

[Kirsty Padden-barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a fun, action packed read!

[Calliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay follow-up to the last book. Annie seems way more nice and not as self-centered here.

I liked that it followed Lauren a lot.

[Mrs Maureen Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

A other lovely story in the series. It was great to follow Annie again.
Carmen has such a clever imagination. I really loved it.
Hope there are more to come

[C A McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final book in a series of 6 about the life of the personal shopper & TV star, Annie Valentine. As ever this book takes an unflinching look at her life, spending habits & tricky relationship with her teenage daughter. Quite hard hitting in places but a fun page turner of a book.

[Wendy Joy Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel good!

Feeling good once again, Annie out did herself, and the Perfect Dress dream team!
Adventures, romance humour and success! I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still in love with the Annie Valentine stories

[Joyce MacPherson]

Good read - storyline made sense if you have followed the series but also would work as a stand alone read....funny and a great holiday escape from it all book.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

After experiencing a loss of her artistic inspiration and enduring the humiliation of a disastrous stage performance, Annie is advised to take a break and rediscover her creative spark. Meanwhile, she finds herself grappling with her stubborn daughter, who seems determined to make life difficult for herself. This book offers a delightful blend of humor, relatability, and absurdity. Readers will recognize glimpses of both themselves and their own relationships in Carmen Reid's well-crafted characters. What unfolds when you've done your best to raise your daughter, yet struggle to recognize your own success?

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was once again another brilliant book by this author. I haven't read all the books in the series. I have read book 1 and this one book 6. Even though I have missed a few books in the series, it wasn't hard to get into. it was, in fact, very easy to love. I was hooked from the very start. It was so well written that it kept my interest throughout and was so much fun.It's a brilliant laugh out loud novel. It was extremely difficult to put down. Which meant I had to stay up late to finish it. I loved how in this instalment it was mother versus daughter which was so much fun. The characters were amazing. If you love fun fashion filled stories, then the book/series is definitely for you. I really can't recommend it enough.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such a wonderful story that just had me laughing and smiling throughout.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fashion expert Annie has a disaster in her life – She’s lost her sense of fashion and style. Annie doesn’t understand the current trends in the shops, which causes her to panic about her career on a fashion show. To make it worse, she does not seem to be getting on with her daughter Lana , who works in New York for a fashion business that Annie’s best friend Svetlana runs. Even Svetlana seems to be having daughter trouble too.

So when Svetlana suggests a trip to a luxurious Italian spa, Annie leaps at the opportunity to be whisked away for some relaxation and to forget about her problems. Unfortunately the trip turns out to be anything but peaceful…

I must admit this is the first book by Carmen Reid that I have read. Previously to this, I was not aware that this is actually the sixth book in the Annie Valentine series. Upon reflection, it would probably have been better for me to read the first five first, as I would probably have a better understanding of the main characters that have featured in previous books, and I’d already have established a connection with them earlier on. I also would have had a better idea of any previous events and the characters backgrounds. However, this can be read as a standalone book, so if like me you haven’t yet experienced the Annie Valentine series then don’t panic, you can still read and enjoy this novel!

Considering all of that, I did quite enjoy this novel! I found it to be an easy read and the story flowed very well.

It took me a while to warm to Annie, I think at first I didn’t understand her, but this again could be due to the fact that I haven’t read any of the previous books, so rather than knowing her straight away, it took me a while to work her out and get to know her as a character. As I progressed throughout the book, I really warmed to her as a character, I got behind her and supported her, and I enjoyed seeing her journey. I really LOVED Svetlana – I thought she provided entertainment and really made the story for me, she was very well-written and I looked forward to the scenes that she was in.

I did like how Carmen Reid had the story of Elena and Lana happening at the same time that Annie and Svetlana were at the spa, and it was definitely interesting to read about the happenings in New York as well, and it was refreshing to switch between the two events – It made me look forward to the next parts of the story and so kept me turning the pages.

There is a lot of fun and laughter to be had from this novel, I’d recommend it if you want a light-hearted and enjoyable read. If you are a fan of the Annie Valentine novels than you won’t want to miss out on this one!

[Big Book Little Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve not read any of Carmen Reid’s ‘Annie Valentine’ series before so probably need to hunt down some copies to catch up with Annie’s past as I really liked her as the main character and her whirlwind lifestyle and clear ability to get herself into various capers and adventures.

Lesley for www.bigbooklittlebook.com
Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

In this light-hearted and fun story, Annie is feeling down and seems to have lost her sparkle. But life conspires to send Annie on an adventure which helps her to recover her passion for fashion and life in general.

At the beginning of each chapter there is a run-down of one of the character’s outfits, where it’s come from and the cost. Not being that much of a fashionista, it was quite interesting to me and I’m wondering if my own wardrobe needs a bit of a re-vamp!
But back to Annie – her daughter Lana is in New York and very happy there working for NY Perfect Dress but there are concerns about sales being down and Svetlana, Annie’s best friend who has invested into the company, is quite clear that if this downward trend continues she will pull the plug and Lana and Svetlana’s own daughter, Elena, would have to return to the UK. In the midst of this Annie makes a big mistake doing a makeover on her TV show and gets persuaded by Svetlana to take some time out and go on a spa trip to Italy with her.

This is where I began to enjoy the book more. After looking forward to her trip – done Svetlana style, with luxury all the way – Annie makes the awful discovery that she wasn’t to be laying around being pampered every day and fed delicious foods, but more that this was a hard core detox treatment involving cabbage soup and enema’s. She tries to escape but gets called back by Svetlana with the terrible news that Svetlana’s ex-husband Igor has kidnapped her two young boys. This then leads Annie and Svetlana on a wild trip across Europe to try to get the boys back. I enjoying this part of the story and I liked swapping to and from the chaos that Annie was involved in and the story of what was happening in New York with Lana, Elena and Perfect Dress.

Verdict: This was a great read that got better the more that I read. If you are a Carmen Reid fan, and a lover of the ‘Annie Valentine’ series then this is a must have!

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie has lost her touch, she has become disenchanted with the latest fashions and her label in New York is also floundering. Unfortunately at the start of the novel, the storyline and the characters have also lost some of their sparkle. Its only when the story actually gets going that we see the return of fiery, bold Annie, confident Svetlana, loveable Ed, and the two daughters in New York, lovely Lana and feisty Elaina. I actually found myself loving the storyline taking place in New York more than the storyline surrounding Annie and Svetlana in their Italian spa, this made me feel disloyal to our heroine, but nevertheless I really like the fact that Reid added this sub storyline, it kept the novel feeling fresh rather than ‘just another sequel’.

I think that because of this sub-story within the novel, even those who have not read any of the Annie Valentine series before would really enjoy this book, and it would hopefully lead them to the earlier personal shopper novels. Fans of the series will welcome the return of the characters and be pleased to find out what is happening in their lives and careers since the formation of label ‘NY Perfect Dress’. The only part of the story that I didn’t enjoy was the ending, I felt it ended all too abruptly. Reid has obviously left it open to carry on the Annie Valentine saga, but I was left feeling a little empty, I think things could have done with tying up just a wee bit more to give full satisfaction to the reader/listener.

This is a must for any Carmen Reid fan. It’s fun, light-hearted, full of delicious fashion and the odd mad caper which is indicative of Reid’s other novels. A quick read for an autumn’s evening!

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annie has lost her mojo in fashion, so her business partner Svetlana offers to take her to a week long spa which is also boot camp to lose weight

💫She runs away from it only to be called back when Svetlana’s twins boys are kidnapped by her ex. So a trip to Vienna

💫In NYC, their daughters are fighting to help their fashion label survive with new prints, but the mothers don’t like the idea

💫The twin storylines continue right to the end where they find what they seek

💫I have no sense of fashion and couldn’t care less about it. So the book is boring to begin with where the MC keeps complaining. Only when it gets to the road trip to rescue Svetlana’s boys that it becomes slightly humorous

💫 On the other side of the globe, the lives of the girls in NY are not interesting

💫The writing drags at times and tries too hard to be romcom. The different side stories feel yo be disjointed. I don’t know why the title is Shopping with the Enemies. Till the end I don’t come to know who are the enemies.

💫All the characters are like caricatures. Only Annie’s husband Ed is a bright star. How he can be so patient with her is anybody’s guess

💫Overall not a book I liked and not an author I will be reading in near future.

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning the book was worth 3 stars for me, but then finally it got the right pace. It was bla, bla, bla and I already started to worry. Annie didn't seem to be Annie at all, she seemed to have lost her sparkle, and I don't mean her sparkle for fashion, but her sparkle for life. The book turned for me for much better with the adventures of Annie and Svetlana in Italy and Austria.
I don't know why but I have the feeling that all of the characters, that I already know so good and that I like, lost their real "selves", they were a little too pale and on the surface. I don't remember Svetlana to be so stuborn and SO dominant, and I don't like the way she has treated Annie, although I can understand why she did it. Lana wanted to be adult but with every problem she turned crying to Annie or just felt offenden, like a baby. There was definitely too less Conor, Ed and Owen, and what was it about German with Owen???
I didn't like the idea of the title also when I read that the "enemy" should be Lana, but fortunately Annie said this what she said at the end of the book. And nevertheless, it WAS a nice read, I have laughed and I have kept my fingers crossed for all of them. Should there be perhaps continuation of Lana's adventures with fashion ?:)))

[Geraldine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book as much as the last one but I still enjoyed reading it. I really wish there would be books that only concentrate on Elena and Lana in New York because this seems to be the most interesting part of the book. Reading a little bit more about Seth and maybe how Lana is finding a guy as well would be nice. Really hope that Carmen Reid will take that direction, if there is another book.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the Annie Valentine series. I think you could read this book as a stand alone but if you do you will be tempted to read the back catalogue. Carmen writes with such warmth and humour, it's like diving into a book with a great friend. I love Annie's adventures, things don't always go to plan sometimes with funny consequences. If you like a book to make you smile, give you a giggle then give this a read.