Shopaholic Takes Manhattan -

And I definitely needed to see if American mannequins looked as judgmental as the British ones when you ask if they take three different credit cards for one pair of boots.

I stepped off the plane at JFK and immediately felt a spiritual connection to the air. It didn’t just smell like jet fuel and pretzel stands; it smelled like opportunity . And also, possibly, a limited-edition perfume launch at Saks Fifth Avenue. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

As we cruised toward Manhattan, the skyline rose up like a giant, glittering rack of designer shoes. I clutched my handbag—the one I’d bought specifically for 'Transatlantic Travel'—and felt a familiar, warm glow. Back in London, my bank manager, Derek Smeath, was probably staring at a silent phone, wondering where I’d gone. But here? Here, I was a clean slate. A financial guru. A woman with a "Buy Only What You Need" motto. And I definitely needed to see if American

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (also known as Shopaholic Abroad ) is the second installment in the Shopaholic series . In this novel, Becky Bloomwood follows her boyfriend Luke Brandon to New York City, where she is dazzled by the luxury boutiques of Park Avenue and faces the challenge of balancing her career as a TV financial expert with the overwhelming temptations of American retail. And also, possibly, a limited-edition perfume launch at

“I’m glad you’re excited about the museums, Becky,” Luke said, looking far too focused on his BlackBerry.

The book, written by the late Sophie Kinsella (Madeleine Wickham), served as a major inspiration for the 2009 film Confessions of a Shopaholic . Shopaholic Takes Manhattan: Kinsella, Sophie - Amazon.com

“Exactly,” I agreed, nodding fervently while mentally recalculating the exchange rate. “And I’ve heard the gift shops are practically museums in their own right. It would be culturally insensitive not to visit them.”