• Sophie Kinsella
  • Order of Sophie Kinsella Books

If you’ve ever giggled through the chaotic life of a shopaholic or swooned over a love story wrapped in delightful awkwardness, chances are you’ve fallen under the spell of Sophie Kinsella. But here’s something most fans don’t realize right away—Sophie Kinsella is not even her real name.

Born Madeleine Sophie Townley on December 12, 1969, in London, England, she originally didn’t set out to become one of the most beloved rom-com authors of our generation. Sophie attended Putney High School, and from there, she moved on to the prestigious halls of New College, Oxford, where she studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)—a far cry from shoe sales and secret diaries. But even then, the storytelling instinct was strong.

Before donning the Sophie Kinsella pen name, she worked as a financial journalist. Yes, imagine the author of Can You Keep a Secret? writing sober articles on interest rates and investment portfolios. But even in the world of finance, she was quietly plotting stories about heroines who stumble through life in high heels and find love in the least expected corners.

Her writing debut actually came under her real name—Madeleine Wickham (her married name after marrying Henry Wickham, a school headmaster). She published several novels under that name in the 1990s. These were darker, more literary stories dealing with family dynamics and secrets in the suburbs. Well-crafted and engaging, but not the laugh-out-loud fare we associate with her today.

Then, in a twist worthy of her own novels, she secretly submitted The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic to her publisher under the pseudonym Sophie Kinsella. The response? Instant sensation. The birth of a brand. And a literary double life.

It wasn’t until her Sophie Kinsella novels became wildly popular that the truth came out—Madeleine Wickham was Sophie Kinsella. It was the perfect rom-com twist: the author was hiding in plain sight, just like some of her best heroines. And since then, readers haven’t been able to get enough of her zany characters, escapist plots, and pitch-perfect inner monologues.

Her books have been translated into over 40 languages, sold millions of copies worldwide, and one—Confessions of a Shopaholic—was even adapted into a Hollywood movie starring Isla Fisher. But what keeps fans hooked isn’t just the romance or the comedy. It’s the vulnerability of her characters, the relatable messiness of their lives, and the unapologetic charm with which they fumble toward growth.

Sophie Kinsella’s writing continues to evolve, bringing in themes of mental health, grief, motherhood, and identity—all while keeping the humor front and center. She’s not just an author; she’s a mood-lifter, a comfort read, a go-to name when life feels a little too heavy.

And in case you’re wondering—no, she’s not dead. (Don’t believe everything you skim on the internet.) As of now, Sophie Kinsella is very much alive, still writing, still dazzling readers, and still hiding secrets in plain sight.

So next time you’re laughing your way through a Sophie Kinsella novel, just remember: behind the laughter is a woman who studied economics, wrote about finance, lived a double literary life, and chose to make the world a little lighter—one hilarious heroine at a time.

Important Note: Clicking on links beside the book wills lead you to Amazon for more details, check if it is available or to purchase the book. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Publication Order of Series Books

Publication Order of Shopaholic
Title Year Amazon Links
Confessions of a Shopaholic 2000 Amazon
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan / Shopaholic Abroad 2001 Amazon
Shopaholic Ties the Knot 2002 Amazon
Shopaholic & Sister 2004 Amazon
Shopaholic & Baby 2007 Amazon
Mini Shopaholic 2010 Amazon
Shopaholic to the Stars 2014 Amazon
Shopaholic on Honeymoon 2014 Amazon
Shopaholic to the Rescue 2015 Amazon
Christmas Shopaholic 2019 Amazon

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Title Year Amazon Links
What Does it Feel Like? 2024 Amazon
The Burnout 2023 Amazon
The Party Crasher 2021 Amazon
Love Your Life 2020 Amazon
I Owe You One 2019 Amazon
Surprise Me 2018 Amazon
My Not So Perfect Life 2017 Amazon
Finding Audrey 2015 Amazon
Wedding Night 2013 Amazon
I've Got Your Number 2011 Amazon
Twenties Girl 2009 Amazon
Remember Me? 2008 Amazon
The Undomestic Goddess 2005 Amazon
Can You Keep a Secret? 2003 Amazon
Sleeping Arrangements (as Madeleine Wickham) 2001 Amazon
Cocktails for Three (as Madeleine Wickham) 2000 Amazon
The Wedding Girl (as Madeleine Wickham) 1999 Amazon
The Gatecrasher (as Madeleine Wickham) 1998 Amazon
Swimming Pool Sunday (as Madeleine Wickham) 1997 Amazon
A Desirable Residence (as Madeleine Wickham) 1996 Amazon
40 Love / The Tennis Party (as Madeleine Wickham) 1995 Amazon
What Does it Feel Like?

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The Burnout

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The Party Crasher

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Love Your Life

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I Owe You One

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Surprise Me

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My Not So Perfect Life

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Finding Audrey

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Wedding Night

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I've Got Your Number

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Twenties Girl

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Remember Me?

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The Undomestic Goddess

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Can You Keep a Secret?

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Sleeping Arrangements (as Madeleine Wickham)

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Cocktails for Three (as Madeleine Wickham)

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The Wedding Girl (as Madeleine Wickham)

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The Gatecrasher (as Madeleine Wickham)

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Swimming Pool Sunday (as Madeleine Wickham)

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A Desirable Residence (as Madeleine Wickham)

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40 Love / The Tennis Party (as Madeleine Wickham)

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Christmas Shopaholic

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Shopaholic to the Rescue

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Shopaholic on Honeymoon

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Shopaholic to the Stars

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Mini Shopaholic

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Shopaholic & Baby

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Shopaholic & Sister

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Shopaholic Ties the Knot

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Shopaholic Takes Manhattan / Shopaholic Abroad

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Confessions of a Shopaholic

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