Chick Lit Sequels

Subtle links and hints crop up to let us know what’s happened to a sister from a previous novel, or a nudge in the direction of what may be to come. Some might say it’s not a sequel – but it is a sequel. It’s what happens next for the Walshes, the next trial they face – and by the end of each book, you feel a part of the family.

The real beauty with the follow-up stories of the Walsh women is that they’re quite well spaced out. Keyes takes her time in writing the stories – there’s no mad rush to get her churning out the next instalment in the Walsh family’s tale. And it’s so much better for it.

There’s no predictability, there’s no obvious outcome – only laughing ‘til you cry, and crying ‘til you laugh. Girlie novels at their best. Clever, sexy and fun. We definitely can’t wait to find out the fate of Helen.

For similar clever sequels, look at Freya North, who again makes the most of the sister angle, and of course Helen Fielding, for knowing that sometimes just one follow-up is quite enough.

The Bad
Sophie Kinsella – Shopaholic series

Sophie Kinsella introduced us to the world of Becky Bloomwood. A financial journalist with a shopping addiction, battling with debt and stumbling across a rich man along the way. We all loved Becky at first – she was so unashamedly flawed. There was that little imperfection in her that we could all relate to. She threw around Dolce and Gabana like they were close personal friends, lied through her teeth to get that extra £20 to buy a designer scarf – she was one of the girls, a friend!

After Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic came Shopaholic Abroad where Becky jetted off Stateside to the shopping capital of the world. Just asking for trouble, really. Up next, Shopaholic Ties the Knot. Again, weddings, big spending – and our Becky goes off and has two of them. Shortly after, Shopaholic and Sister has the arrival of a long-lost, slightly stingy sister, the opposite of bubbly, fluffy Becky in every way.