Becky Bloomwood lives in a flat in Fulham, London, owned by her best friend Suze's wealthy, aristocratic parents.

Becky admits to knowing little about personal finance, and is thousands of pounds in debt due to reckless spending on designer homeware, clothes and beauty products, which she rationalizes as 'investments' or 'absolute necessities'.

On her way to a press conference at Brandon Communications, she notices a scarf she has long craved on sale for 50% at Denny & George, but realizes she has left her credit card at the office.

But she has a much bigger concern: during the conference Becky realizes that she will not have time to return to the office for her credit card, but only needs 20 pounds more to buy the scarf.

Smeath makes an appointment with her and threatens her with trouble if she doesn't show up ... Out of excuses, Becky goes to hide at her parents' house, telling them she has a stalker.

Becky learns that her neighbors made a financial decision based on advice she gave them absentmindedly and they stand to lose thousands of pounds.

Becky becomes a regular on the Morning Coffee and a caller asks her how she can make her bad financial situation disappear because of poor decisions she's made.

Hearing the story hit home to her, she advises the caller to take responsibility for finances because running away from the problems will make things worse.

Afterwards, Becky takes her own advice, talks to Smeath, apologizes for her behavior, and agrees to meet him to discuss her debts.

'[2] Many reviewers agreed that Kinsella had managed to combine two essential ingredients that make a novel popular with readers: abundant flashes of reality and witty humour.

[3] A film adaptation of the novels starring Isla Fisher as Becky Bloomwood, Hugh Dancy as Luke Brandon, and Krysten Ritter as Suze was released on 13 February 2009.