Sophie Kinsella was nothing short of lovely during her appearance tonight at Indigo, Richmond Hill

Greeted by cheering enthusiasts, Kinsella, bestselling author of the Shopaholic series and a slew of other entertaining reads, entered the overflowing room at 8705 Yonge Street in a stunning black pant suit.  Statuesque, elegant and graceful, she strode to the podium awaiting her and offered her appreciation to all in attendance, a beaming smile across her face all the while.  Her words at the podium were few, yet her melodic voice and magnetic demeanor had us all entranced and satisfied by what little was said. Immediately Kinsella invited her fans to engage with her at the signing table. 

Seeing as I was one of the first to arrive at the venue this also meant I was one of the first to get to be invited up to the table for some one-on-one time.  I felt tongue-tied and in awe that the woman who has not only entertained me with her witty and charming tales but who has also been the main source of inspiration behind my debut novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart was sitting across from me radiating the warmest and most welcoming smile. I slid my newly purchased copy of Shopaholic to the Stars  along the table to her saying as I did so, "Thank you for visiting us, Sophie" and then flashing a smile at the Indigo staff member who was the designated photographer for the evening. 

Quickly I turned to Ms. Kinsella while she was personalizing and signing the copy for me and asked, "What is your favourite part of being an author?" To which she replied, "This, of course." I smiled and added that it is obvious Toronto has much love for her and thanked her once more. Ensuring to take my book with me as I went past the never ending lineup of individuals waiting to get up close and personal with this icon of the chick lit literary world, I pinched myself, to make sure the moment was all real. I checked my phone to inspect  the quality of the picture ( not the best, but it will do) turned to the page on which Ms. Kinsella signed and reveled in the moment. 

I have to say that the hours leading up to Ms. Kinsella's arrival when I was able to interact with die hard fans similar to myself,  allowed me to reflect on all of the years that her novels have seen me through. Kinsella books (as well as Madeleine Wickham books which are novels written under Kinsella's actual name) have kept me entertained and allowed for lighthearted comical escapes consistently for the past decade. Tonight was a dream come true in the life of Jessica Ashley. 

I have already cracked the cover of Kinsella's newest publication Shopaholic to the Stars and have laughed out loud at least five times within the four chapters that I have read so far. A full review of the novel will be posted here once I've read it in its entirety Based on her track record, I'm sure Sophie Kinsella has managed to write another gem filled with more Becky Bloomwood blunders that will earn it a full 5 stars from this girl!

Happy reading!

Jessica Ashley