What did you think of How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson?

[SorchaMumsnet]

Kate Reddy is back in this hilarious follow-up to the international bestseller I Don’t Know How She Does It.

Kate Reddy is counting down the days until she is 50, but not in a good way. With hormones that have her in shackles, teenage children who need her there but won't actually talk to her and ailing parents who aren't coping, Kate is in the middle of a sandwich that she isn't even allowed to eat (calories).

How Hard Can It Be? is a coming-of-age story with a difference. It's about more than just a balancing act; it's about finding out who you are and what you need to feel alive. Every page will leave you feeling that there's a bit of Kate Reddy in all of us.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts on the book. Everyone who posts their detailed feedback by midday, Friday 1 December will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

Buy the book on Amazon for £9.99

This giveaway is sponsored by Harper Collins

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Thanks for the opportunity to read the book. I also had the chance to read why mummy drinks and found that the books are similarly cliched but at different points in their lives. It was a decent read although I'd have liked to have the first based on others views just to see if there were gaps I the plot. Some of the characters and actions did seem slightly far fetched or left you thinking why or how did you not know that.
It was interesting for me personally as I work with others who have more grown up children so will pass the book to them to read as might resonate more.

I was a fan of 'I don't know how she does it' and like our main character, Kate Reddy, seem to have aged overnight (sleepwalking through a decade) tipping the age scales at 50+ so I am definitely her age demographic! I found Allison Pearson's writing very empathetic, well observed (albeit a certain Middle Class lifestyle) and very engaging. It's very helpful to have children similar ages (different sexes), a full time job but alas no fitness fanatic DH or love interest... and any dissatisfaction with the book really stems from the fictional, less believable elements. These are the ingredients I found less convincing; her enduring (online) friendship with her old friend Candy Stratton (important in the first book but somewhat contrived here), her ability to exercise/diet and get good results (and the stomach reducing procedure she has... no evidence anyone except journalists do this!) - I would have expected more angst about this (although self esteem/body dysmorphia issues surface with her relationship with her daughter). The aspects which struck a chord were her relationship with her children (the difficult teenage years but still wanting to mother them) and being the sandwich generation with elderly/ageing parents (and relationships with adult siblings) and the solidarity with female friends (I very much liked Sally). I do think Allison is a very good writer; streets ahead of Helen Fielding (I read the last one with Bridget finding love - talk about suspending disbelief!) Allison writes about the peri-menopause with a lot of humour especially brain 'fog' (you'll have to read the book to find out about 'Roy'!)
Like others have mentioned, this is no work of literary fiction but it is grounded in the here and now, and there are very few writers who are able to address some of these issues in a humorous, engaging way. I did lend this to a friend who was very excited to see it out - she too enjoyed some aspects but also had a few reservations.

Thank you for the book. I haven't read 'I Don't Know How She Does It' so I came to it as a stand alone book rather than a sequel.

I found it slow going to start with and, I must admit, would probably have given up after the first three or so chapters if I wasn't reviewing it. It did get better and more enjoyable as the story progressed. It is amusing in places but generally had quite a sad air about it. I didn't find it credible that Kate was so out of touch with the ways of modern teenagers nor that she never questioned Rich about his behaviour. I could empathise with some of her feelings though, particularly about trying to return to work and about her memory not being as fast as it once was; there were also some little phrases that struck a chord.

Thank you for the book!
I found this an easy read, but that was part of the charm. It was entertaining and parts made me giggle out loud!
Kate is turning 50 soon, looking after ailing parents, teenage children, running a house and trying to work. Although I’m far off 50, there were parts that I could relate to and it made me think more about my future health.
Richards character seemed a bit too undeveloped, there didn’t seem to be much nice about him, and Kate didn’t seem to care too much that her marriage and family was being split up, or that her husbands behavior wasn’t ok. I would have expected more frustration over the husband and maybe a few good points in him to be shown.
Her relationship with her daughter seemed close and easy to relate to. A few parts seemed a bit unbelievable but it was overall enjoyable and a nice read. I’m not sure if it was good enough that I’d go out and buy the first one, but maybe I’d get it from the library if it was there 😉

Half way through and loving. I can relate to Kate. Looking forward to seeing how things pan out..

I'm just over halfway through this book and, although it is not the type of book I would normally choose, i'm finding it an enjoyable, easy read and hard to put down. Even though I am not at the same stage of life as Kate, I can identify with a lot of her feelings and frustrations. It is annoying me slightly how she doesn't voice her feelings to her husband and seems oblivious to the marks on her daughter's body but overall I am enjoying the story and the character of Kate. However I do find it worrying that this is what I have to look forward to, as it is hard enough having two young children!

Some characters had unnecessarily exaggerated characteristics. A bit like Motherland, they just seem silly and v irritating, but apart from that a good read.

Thanks for my copy. Here is the complete review which has been uploaded on goodreads and amazon as well.

onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/how-hard-can-it-be-allison-pearson.html

i really liked it ! I could identify with the character ....however I thought the ending was a bit silly and twee but I guess that's why it is fiction and not real life lol

Apologies for the late review.....
I found How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson to be really relatable, being in my late 40's and trying to get back into the workforce, and this is a witty, realistic book that shows the humour as well as the struggles.
Really enjoyable!

Apologies for the very late review but I had to start it several times as I just couldn’t get into it. I’ve read it now and i found it fairly enjoyable. I found some of the characters a bit over exaggerated but parts of it are fairly true to life.

A very late review - sorry.

It’s an enjoyable read. You would probably get most out of it if you are late forties / early fifties, so I am a little young. It’s not the sort of book I would generally read but I happily read it through to the end and found myself laughing out loud in places.